Hey there, thanks for reading chapter 7 of my fiction, just thought I would remind you that Locke pilots and Zaber Fang, and Mark pilots and Shield Liger. Now, back to the fiction!
Chapter 7 – Invaded Continent
Locke and Mark had finally landed on the Imperial continent. After about 1 week at sea, they were finally back on land. The Gustave would only wait for about 1 month before turning around. They weren't worried at all though. They both knew that their destination, the orphanage, wasn't really far away, though there was a great distance and it would only take them less than two weeks. Still, they would hurry through the long desert, not taking their chances, knowing that they could be attacked at any given moment.
"Hey Locke, what do you think of that we are supposed to rescue?" Asked Mark.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You know, she is pretty hot isn't she?"
Locke rolled his eyes, he didn't care for love, he didn't women, one of his best friends was female, but he didn't consider himself in love. He thought that love only got in the way. He didn't want to run the risk of getting heart broken.
"Mark, keep your love sick thoughts to yourself, and I'll keep my own, dutiful thoughts to myself."
Mark smiled; Locke was usually touchy when it came to love. Truthfully though, Locke just wasn't one for love, despite how friendly he really was.
"So, what is the plan from here?" Asked Mark
"Hmm, well, as I gaze at this map, I'm beginning to think that our original route may not be the best choice. There is a canyon up ahead that would cut off a small portion of time. But that would also be perfect for ambushing anyone passing by such as ourselves."
"Do you really think that a few punks and bandits could defeat us?" Asked Mark.
"I actually don't know," responded Locke, "But I suppose anything is possible. Depending on the situation, the number, and the skill we would be up against, I'd rather not take my chances. I'm also sure that Ryss wouldn't want us to take our chances."
"I don't think Ryss would be worried about this canyon mister pessimistic."
"Hmm," Thought Locke to himself, "I wish I could have his optimism, but it's always good to have one pessimist in a group."
Link had been on top of the Green Zaber Fang for a while now. All of a sudden he jerked his head up as if he had seen something. Locke felt his organoids reaction immediately.
"What's wrong Link?" Asked Locke.
"Someone's in trouble." Replied the organoid.
"That's all?" asked Locke, "I'm not interested, right now, and we have other things to do. Finding Alisee Lanet is the most important thing right now."
"It's a Gustave though, two trailers, and probably able to give us some sort of transportation and directions. Who knows? Maybe he will feel like giving us a ride after we help him, we could really find out a few things about this continent before we are done." Countered Link. Locke new he was right, he just didn't want to get involved in anything too big, nor have to give out any information about himself to the driver.
After giving it a little thought, Locke finally agreed.
"Mark, someone is in trouble north of us, lets see if we can help and he can give us some safe directions."
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me."
They turned to their left and started to head for the Gustave in need. They were soon in range to see that the Gustave was actually already carrying a full load, but was being chased by about three Zaber Fangs and two Shield Ligers. Though they didn't see anything else, they kept their guard up to avoid any sneak attack from a burrowed Zoid, Link fused with the Zaber Fang just to be ready. The Gustave was coming towards them.
"You two!" Yelled the Gustave's pilot, "Are you with them or not? I could really use some help!"
"It's a woman." Thought Mark.
"We will help them if you can give us some directions afterward." Responded Locke.
"Deal!" She shouted back, and drove past them. The five chasers stopped in front of the two Zoidians.
"Move or we will break every bone in your body and leave you to die!" Screamed one of the pilots.
"We will move if you tell us why you are giving chase to a defenseless civilian." Answered Locke calmly.
"She has some pretty valuable cargo, our gang could use ammunition like that." He said with a smirk. "And were not afraid to destroy law enforcers such as you two to get it!"
"Really? This should be interesting, 5 armature punks against 2 superior Zoid pilots like us could be lots of fun. But than again, just listening to you blab on and on about how tough you are gives me the idea that today won't be as exciting as I would have hoped.
The first pilots face turned beet red. He couldn't stand being made fun of, but that had really pushed him to the limits and beyond.
"MAKE THEM SUFFER BOYS!!!" he screamed with all of his strength.
All 5 Zoids ran straight for the 2, seemingly weak Zoids of Locke and Mark. The two charged as well only when they were about to collide, they both hopped over the other Zoids. Mark went clean over the gang, whereas Locke decided to take advantage of the moment and hopped onto a Zaber Fang's back, busting it up quite badly, and putting it out of commission.
"Four to go." Said Locke. But even as he was about to gloat, a Zaber Fang and a Shield Liger decided to continue the chase and the other two stayed behind to destroy Locke and Mark and pick up their fallen comrade.
"Behind us." Growled the Organoid.
"How would you -" Began Locke but stopped when he looked behind himself.
Sure enough, two more Desert Command Wolves had decided to join the Fray, they would reach the battlefield in less than a minute.
"How does he do that?" Locke asked himself
The Transporter looked behind her. "Just as I thought." She thought, "They probably didn't think those bandits would continue to chase me again, foolish to put my trust in those two, they did their best, but not much hope in them now. Oh well, got to continue on. I just hope the Gustave can go on till I get to another city with some sort of law enforcement."
"Commander Van Fliheight, Good to see you again." Welcomed Rob Herman.
"Good to see you too." Van replied with a smile. "How can I serve?"
"Well, after you are done kissing my boots and telling me what a great Colonel
I am, and then after that, you can start massaging my feet, and then there's my closet which actually–
"Uh, how about dealing with the immediate threat of this new organization which might be able to take out all of Zi?"
"What? Oh! Right! I had almost forgotten all about that I was having so much fun!" Replied the Colonel sarcastically.
Van just rolled his eyes. "What will you have me do first?"
"As much as I to make you back track, I need you to head out toward the Water Colony. It seems as though they are being targeted next, or at least soon anyway, they probably hope to take out one of our largest water supplies. The good news is that it isn't a water supply, just its name seems to hint something like that. What I want you to do is defend the people till evacuation vehicles can come and rescue all of the people."
"During these last few days," continued the Colonel, "This new army has swept through completely defenseless villages and colonies. Many have been completely destroyed. We need to stop this army and it's barbaric acts before things start to really get out of control."
"I understand." Said Van. "How many men am I taking?" He asked. "We actually can't give you anything with the exception of a new recruit."
"Hmm, well at least I'll have a little back-up, but he will probably just get in the way." Said Van with a little satisfaction and disappointment.
Rob just smiled. He went over to his desk and talked into a microphone. "Please send the new guy into my office." He ordered. "I don't think he'll get in your way Van, but I'll let you be the judge of that."
Van was really curious as to who this soldier was. He was surprised to see who it was.
"My my, you would think that I would be given a better title for my skill than just 'the new guy'. How's it going Van?" Asked the recruit.
"Van, I would like you to meet one of our best pilots in the Guardian Force, Raven."
Van just stood there for a moment. It would be rather interesting to see how they cooperate with each other, if at all.
"This is going to be like the times when Thomas and I first met." Thought Van to himself. "Uh, Herman? What was that about your closet?" Asked Van
"Haha, nice to see you too Van." Said Raven. Van smiled a smile that made him look like he was proud of his insult. Raven smiled; "Just don't get in my way." He quoted from what Van had just said.
"Either you know me very well, or you have been eves dropping this whole time, I have an idea which." Said Van.
"How about keeping it unsaid?" Asked Raven.
"These two are going to become fast friends." Thought Herman.
"Just remember, I'm going to be the one to defeat you in battle first." Said Raven.
"I guess I can always have my doubts" Thought Herman after hearing that last sentence.
"Uh" Herman said aloud, interrupting their conversation. "I think you guys can continue slamming each other on your way to the colony. Allow me to tell you all that will need to be watched/defended and the numbers you are going up against. There should only be about 25 Zoids, minus bandits. You two might be stuck together for a couple months. Van, I am also going to have to ask you to stay away from the wind colony until those 25 Zoids get there. In fact, it would be better if you could stay near the water colony until you are dismissed from your mission. All that is defenseless in your area is the Water colony, a couple homes nearby, and than an orphanage. I believe that Fiona is there, keep her safe incase she would help the archeologist team sometime in the future, she is an invaluable addition. I believe that is all, please get to the Water Colony A.S.A.P., you're dismissed."
Fiona looked out into the long desert. She became more bored with every dune that went by. She should have been to the next orphanage by now. She had run considerably late since there wasn't a single transporter willing to head west seeing as how invaders were coming from that direction, it just seemed like . Still Fiona was determined to get there, dissipate how suicidal it really was.
"So just because you want to be like a parent to these kids who don't have any, you are willing to face the danger of being killed? That's mighty noble of you." Said the transporter Roger who had happened to need to head out toward the water colony.
"Thank you, but it isn't a very hard decision, I just want to make every minute of their life full of joy, even if they are very limited. And besides, it raises the spirits of the workers their, knowing that someone out in Zi cares enough to come dissipate the danger. I imagine that many of them will leave fairly soon so they are going to need all the help they can get." Replied Fiona.
"You've got a good point there." Said Roger. They continued to ride in silence, and Fiona looked back out into the desert.
"I just hope they aren't too mad at me for running a week late" She thought to herself.
"What now Locke?" Asked Mark.
Now that 2 enemy Zoids had continued their chase of the Gustave, he didn't know what to do. If they split up, the one who stayed behind to fight would have to catch up to the other later one, not to mention finding their location if they ran to far away. Things didn't look good. The biggest problem was they had to react now, and Mark was more of a deep thinker rather than a quicker one.
"What do you mean 'what now?'" Asked Locke, "Were going to give chase as well, that way we can both keep up with the retreating Gustave, and still destroy our enemies one by one, till they give up, instead of splitting our resources. Even you should know that." Said Locke.
"How embarrassing." Thought Mark. "I SHOULD have thought of that."
By now the count were two Command Wolves, two Shield Ligers, and two Zaber Fangs. One of the Zaber Fangs and one of the Shield Ligers had decided to continue the hunt of the Gustave. Locke and Mark began to give chase and fired at the two enemy Zoids in front of them while being fired at from behind.
"Locke do we have a chance at this? Maybe we should just give up, this isn't working too well." Asked Mark.
"Are you kidding, I haven't had such a great challenge, other than facing you, in a while. Why stop?" He asked.
"Well alright."
But even as Mark agreed, the two Zoids in front of him were shot down. The shots came from the east, when they looked to see what it was, they saw a Zoid they had never thought they would come across it was so rare.
The transporter looked behind her to see what had happened, than saw the Zoid also.
"Irvine, is that you?!?" She asked excitedly.
"Sure is, how you been Moonbay?" Asked Irvine.
Well, that is all, probably kind of disappointing with not finishing the battle, but it just seemed like such an excellent place to stop, though that is probably quite arguable. Thanks for reading!
LockeLink