By Nyassa Kai's Clone/Nyassa Kaiba
Chapter 2- TradeTala logged into his desk on his way to his army's barracks. He always checked his messages after meals, and today he had one. "See me at my barracks- Ozuma" Ozuma was the Commander of Leopard Army, the Army that had scored total victory against Badger Army that day at lunch.
Mystified, Tala found his way to Leopard Army's Barracks where Ozuma was waiting for him at the door. "Don't bother. They're too busy behaving like Hedonistic Jackasses. I wrote because I hear you have Crazy Tom up for trade."
"That's right." Tala said, betraying nothing.
"I'd like to Trade for him." Ozuma said calmly.
"Better be somebody good." And Tala thought HE had a poker face?
"Who? Tyson? Have you seen his standings? Only Ender Wiggan has a better no hit ratio and only Petra Arkanian has a faster gun arm. You saw the board at lunch right? Those ten kills in ten seconds? That was Tyson's doing. He only needs a little help and he could go Toon Leader. And in case you can't count, you're losing one." Ozuma said coldly. "But hey, if you're not interested…"
"Show him to me." Tala said briskly. "I got an assignment today and I SHOULD be preparing my army for BATTLE."
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Ozuma said as he opened the barracks door.
The loud strains of Evanescence nearly broke Tala's eardrums. The soldiers were bouncing on beds, having pillow fights, and comparing progress in the "Fantasy" Game. Mariam had Dunga by the hair and was trying to stuff his head in the trashcan.
"Stop it you two." Ozuma growled as they passed.
"Aw, 'Zuma!" Mariam protested.
"Tyson!" Ozuma called to one soldier who was lying half naked on his bunk.
"Tyson" was playing the fantasy game. His figure, a dragon, was currently battling a couple of zombies with the heads of animals; a phoenix, a tiger, a turtle. The battle wasn't pleasant, but what in war was? Tyson had shoulder length black hair and dark blue eyes that flitted here and there as he concentrated on the screen. He had undone and pealed off the upper portion of his uniform, exposing well toned shoulders and abs. No extra flesh could be seen anywhere on his body. He was young, but not overly so. It was all Tala could do not to drool at the sight of the body splayed carelessly out before him.
But Tala waited politely until the animal zombies overtook Tyson's character before he spoke. "So, Tyson, I hear you're quite the hot shot."
Tyson looked up at them. His eyes went from his commander, to Tala's uniform with it's colors (white, blue, blue,) to the commander's triangle on Tala's shoulder. "That's right, Tala isn't it? A whole Toon was gone in ten seconds. It was a lucky shot. Slattery got careless. I flashed him along with all his best soldiers." The look was in his eyes. It said, 'I know what this is about. Either stop beating around the bush or get lost.'
"I'm trading you to Tala's team. He has a battle against Hound Army in two and a half hours. You'll be there by then or I'll have Dunga carry you like a package." Ozuma summed up.
"Against ZEO?" Tyson brightened. "HELL YEAH! Two battles in a day?"
Tala sighed and Ozuma used his commander's log-in to submit the trade to Major Dickinson. In fifteen minutes the transfer was approved. The note came back that Tyson's new flashsuit, uniform and desk would be waiting for them in Wolf's barracks. So Tala and Tyson started off towards the door marked with Wolf Army's animal. "Does Leopard Army ALWAYS party like that after a win?" Tala asked.
"Yeah." Tyson grinned. "Joseph figured out how to make his desk play music. So he chooses the music and we party."
Tala shook his head with a sigh. Nobody in his army partied after a battle. Sure, Ivan had his desk play music too, and he and Wu-hoo used to dance, but not as wildly as Tala had seen.
Tala entered the barracks. "Crazy Tom, you got your wish. I've traded you to Leopard Army. Your new uniform and flash suit are waiting."
"Yes sir!" Crazy Tom saluted and left.
"Kai, you're in charge of D-Toon now. Get Tyson here acclimated. We're fighting Hound Army in two hours people! I will come again for review half an hour before the battle begins. You are all to be in flash suits by then. We will proceed to the battle room and arrive with ten minutes to spare. We will discuss tactics for the remaining time and form up ten seconds before the gate opens." Tala had his army's total attention. "And when we hear the baying of the hounds, we'll show them who's truly the better canine! Wolves hoooooo-oooooooooowwwwllll!" The howl was taken up by the others in the room. His toon leaders, Bryan of A, Sergei of B, Ivan of C, and Kai of D each had a fist pumped in the air as they howled.
"Dismissed." Tala said as he left.
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Kai lead Tyson to his new bunk. "You're right under me." Kai said as he sat down next to Tyson on his new bunk.
"Kai, thanks for helping me." Tyson said as he pealed off his old leopard uniform.
"No problem, hey you've got a great body. Got a koi yet?" Kai asked, looking Tyson up and down. "I'd ask you to be mine, but Johnny would kill me."
"A koi?" Tyson asked, confused.
"A koi, you know, a boyfriend?" Kai stared at his blank look.
"Why would I want a boyfriend?" asked Tyson, exasperated.
"You're thirteen right? Haven't your hormones started up YET?" Kai asked, annoyed.
"No, and I'd like to keep it that way." Tyson said as he stepped into the new uniform. He pulled it around his waist and zipped it up. It was a little tight around the shoulders, but other than that it was okay. "Look, you're doing me a favor by helping me get acclimated to my new army. I'll do you a favor too. Zeo's best attack is called the Screw attack. He pushes off the wall with a spin, with his gun out straight and shoots. The beam from his rifle forms a tight spiral. He uses it mainly on Toon Leaders and other commanders." Tyson knew Zeo from his Launch Group. They had created the move together. It was one of the hardest maneuvers to Master, ever created in the history of The Game, but it was worth it.
Kai nodded with a grunt. "And the spin keeps him from getting hit?"
"Almost, because if you aim for the exact center of his flash suit he's dead." Tyson explained.
"There's no way you can catch that!" Protested Ivan
"I have." Tyson said with a smirk.
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"You wanted to see me?" Tala asked as he entered Michael's quarters.
"Just thought I'd give you the lowdown on Zeo." Michael said as he gestured for Tala to sit on the bed next to him. Tala sat. The American had always fascinated the Russian commander.
"So?" Tala asked.
Michael grimly handed Tala his desk. Michael and his B-Toon Leader, Emily had a project. They gathered data on all the Armies they encountered. As long as you were friendly, he let you in on the secret.
Tala did not like what he read. Nobody had ever stopped Hound Army's best manuver, the Screw Attack. All of Hound Army's Toon Leader, not just Zeo himself, knew the Screw Attack. Zeo's Toon Leaders were; Wyatt (A-Toon) likable, but with a history of being sexually abused back in his hometown. Wyatt was a good enough player, but shy. He had good grades, but wasn't very strong in the battleroom. Gordo (B-Toon) was a stoic fellow, with a sound mind and a strong body. He had a good record in terms of battle, but wasn't smart enough to be an actual commander. Foxy (C-Toon) was spunky and energetic, but with none of the attitude that made Wu-Hoo (for example) an unreliable soldier. He was the mastermind behind at least half of the formations that Zeo had used since he got the leader in a trade. Net (D-Toon) was new. He had recently been graduated from his Launch and was smart enough that the teachers would probably send him to Tactical School. However, he tended to lose his temper easily, which was not considered a good trait in a Toon Leader. To get Net acquainted with his new army, Zeo had gotten into the habit of keeping D-Toon back through the battle. That meant that if Tala lost too many soldiers early on, and the battle dragged out, Tala would be outnumbered in the end game. He would have to go for speed if he wanted to win. A plan began to form in Tala's mind.
Tala said, "Thanks Michael, I think I've got a plan."
"Good luck man." Michael said nervously as Tala got up to leave.
