DR: Time for some fun... and one of Leena's cookies.

Leena: Hey!

DR: don't worry Leena, Bit has the rest of them...

Leena: why that...(Leena runs off)

DR: Now, Zeke, mind telling them the disclaimer? I've got to ensure Leena doesn't kill Bit... (stalks off after her)

Zeke: Yippee! Dragon-Raptor doesn't own Zoids or Earthseige 2. He does own this story, since he wrote it, and any OCs in it. No money involved at all.

Chapter 4: Dresses & Discussion

Bit's truck raced across the desert road, kicking up sand as it went. The team had decided not to use the Hover Cargo as there would be nowhere to park it. A jeep would have ruined their clothing so Bit's truck was the only choice left. Fortunately there was plenty of room in the cab. The sun was low in the sky, lining the clouds with a red tinge. Ahead, the lights of Romeo City glowed softly.

Bit kept his eyes on the road, despite a strong urge to look at Leena. She had emerged from her room just before they had been due to leave, and Bit was still struggling to come to terms with her appearance. She had been dressed in a cream coloured dress that had accentuated every curve of her body, with off the shoulder straps and bell shaped skirt. Her hair had been brushed and combed out, so it now hung down around her head in one long red curved waterfall. She kept her magnetic head tails, though she did switch the tails themselves for ones that went with the dress. She had slipped a cream coloured jacket on for travelling, though it wasn't really meant to keep the cold at bay. The jacket covered her upper body but had a deep neckline, framing her cleavage. It had clearly been designed to act as a taster for what was to come.

Bit and the others were like black holes compared to her. Steve's suit showed its age, though it was still a very fine suit. Now he was wearing it the suit showed just how expensive it had been. It must have cost a small fortune. The Doc might have been older and a bit more thick set than he had when the suit was made, but such was the craftsmanship that the suit took it all in stride. He looked younger than Bit had ever seen him.

Jamie clearly was uncomfortable dressed up like this. He had made an effort, but it showed that he hadn't done this before, and had to jury-rig something together. The trousers were a slightly different shade from the jacket, and his shirt appeared slight too big. It also appeared to have been worn a lot. Bit guessed it must have been Oscars a long time ago. The tie was also too long for his small body, and the jackets cuffs were just past his wrists. He'd have to be careful around soup tonight.

Brad had pulled a very fine tuxedo out of some hole, and had even combed his hair back. He had changed from the roguish warrior to clean cut prince within an hour. He still kept his necklace on, but it didn't detract from the rest of his appearance. He also kept his boots, though they had been cleaned and polished to a slight shine.

Bit himself had pulled out the old suit his father had passed down to him. While not as well made as the Doc's it was still high quality. It had a few marks and other signs of wear, but it was very comfortable and fitted Bit easily. He knew his father had paid top Zen for it, and the myth's he had built around it. His father bought the suit for a ball, which had been where he had met his future wife for the first time. And slept with her. Ever after, each time he wore that suit he and some woman had ended up in bed together. He had believed the suit was magical. Bit doubted that. But he never said anything to dispel his father convictions.

"You should be seeing an old zoid parts store on your left up ahead." Leena said, snapping Bit back to the present. "That's were I told Leon to meet us."

Squinting, Bit could just make out a dark shape forming in front of the cities lights. As his lights crossed the shape, the fading sign proclaimed to the world that zoid parts were here to be bought or sold. Just to the side of a streetlight ahead was a jeep, with two figures within.

"There they are." Bit said as he slowed down and pulled the truck over. With a hiss of air brakes it rolled to a stop close to the jeep. As the Blitz team emerged Leon and Naomi walked over.

"Hello dad." Leon called as Steve Toros stepped down from the cab.

"My son…" Steve beamed, before grasping Leon in a fatherly hug. "Look at you!" Leon indeed had made an effort. He was dressed in a more modern tuxedo than his fathers, and he wore a red sash across his waist. He had combed his hair back and must have gelled it, since a little light was shining in it.

"Leon!" Leena cried happily as she ran into his hug.

Off to one side, Brad and Naomi stood facing each other. A slight smile played across Brad's lips.

"Naomi."

"Brad." She answered sweetly. Her hair had been brushed back to fall over one shoulder and down her back. She wore a dark jacket, Brad couldn't be sure of the colour but he guessed a deep red. Her legs seemed to be glowing however, though the rippling light stopped a few inches above the ground.

Bit watched as they both reached a hand out to touch, then realised he shouldn't really be watching. He turned to face The Toros family and stepped up to say hello.

"Hey Bit, who could have thought you could clean up so well!" Leon commented looking Bit up and down with approval.

"Thanks Leon, it's good to see you too."

Leon clapped Bit on the shoulder. "Your welcome." He gestured to the truck behind Bit. "You're the driver tonight?"

"Yea, the Hover Cargo would have been awkward to park and we couldn't have fit everyone in a jeep. Besides, it would have messed Leena up."

"Tell me about it." Leon groaned. "I had to be so careful and slow on my way here thanks to Naomi." He grinned. "Though to be fair it was worth it. Wait till you see her. She'll blow Brad right out of his socks."

"Can't wait." Bit grinned back. "Leena's really dressed up too tonight." Bit gestured to the jeep. "Listen, you want to put that in the back of my truck? It'd be safer than leaving it out here."

Leon considered it for a few seconds. "Good point. I'll bring it round."

Bit walked back to open up the rear compartment, and then he guided Leon in. Once Leon had stepped back down to the ground, Bit closed up the trailer. As he turned to return to the cab though, Leon put a hand on his arm.

"Listen Bit, I know what you meant about Leena." Bit swallowed, was Leon mad? "I know how she can make passions rise, and that dress will only make them rise faster." Leon sighed.

"I'm planning on staying close to her, to keep her out of trouble. But I doubt I can be there all night. Could you do the same, keep her safe?"

'That's the second Toros family member asking me to look after Leena...' Bit thought.

"Leon, I wasn't planning on leaving her side anyway." Bit could only smile.

Leon smiled back. "Good. Then I guess we'd better get going."

"Hey you guys, what's taking so long back there?" Leena called from the cabs steps. As both young men walked forward, she couldn't help but notice again how handsome Bit was tonight.

"Nothing. Just some zoid chat." Leon answered with a straight face.

X-X-X-X-X-X

"This place is HUGE!" Jamie looked around with awe at the reception.

The ZBC had chartered a grand hotel for the occasion, and the Blitz and Fluegel teams were standing in the entranceway of the main hall. The main floor was slightly lower than the door, so they were looking out over the whole room. At the far end the floor rose up again with a huge table capable of seating dozens of people on it. Along the sides small tables with snacks and drink waited, while in a balcony higher up a miniature orchestra played gentle music. Milling around the central area were dozens of people, the men dressed in tuxedos and formal suits, the women making bright splashes of colour.

"It's wonderful…" Naomi breathed, hanging on to Brads arm.

"Well, shall we mingle?" Steve prompted.

As they made their way down, various people greeted the Blitz in person. While shaking hands with the local mayor, Bit noticed that several times those greeting them were watching. Heads slowly turned and conversations paused as the Blitz/Fluegel teams walked past. Once past the old man, Bit turned to Leon.

"Why is everyone staring so?"

Leon grinned. "One, you took down the Berserker Fury, and that attracts attention. Two, we have two of the most beautiful women here in our midst."

Bit grinned in reply. Although there were other women in the hall who were as attractive, none could quite match Leena and Naomi. Leena's cream dress and red hair make such an intriguing combination, while Naomi had truly blown Brad away. She had discarded her deep red jacket at the entrance, just like Leena had hers. Naomi wore a long dress that ran from high on her neck down to her ankles. It left her back and arms bare, and had a slit from throat to waist. It was also slit up each side of her legs, running from mid-thigh down. But the most amazing thing about it was that silver threads within it were weaved with red and gold, creating a rippling fire like effect whenever she moved. Her shoes were a simple deep red like her jacket had been, and her legs were encased in black stockings.

Brad had been clearly smitten, so much so that Leena, Leon and Bit had to stifle their laughter. Leon didn't know where she had got that dress, but it must have had the desired effect, since Naomi's face had been filled with delight at seeing the look on Brad's.

Slowly the group began to fragment, as more and more people began to step forward. After several such greetings, Bit needed a drink. He worked his way over to the nearest drink table. He quick selected some chilled water; after all there was the whole evening to enjoy.

"The first time is always the worst."

Bit turned to the voice. Standing there was a young man, a bit older than Brad. His dark grey hair was combed back but still rebelled and curled a bit. His tuxedo was sharp and clean, and his face was clean-shaven. His jaw line was rounded, while the smile that graced his face reached his crystal blue eyes. A pale skinned woman clung to his right arm, her long pale brown hair falling across them both. Her dark green dress was simply cut but certainly fitted her slim form.

The man held out his hand. "Derek Calisto. Nice to finally meet you Bit Cloud."

"Thank you." Bit took the offered hand. "And you're right. All this is a little overwhelming."

"This is our fifth, and it's still overwhelming at times." He turned to the lady on his arm. "This is my wife, Anna."

"A pleasure." Bit offered. Anna simply smiled and blushed.

"Your friends certainly know how to turn heads." Derek commented, looking out over the crowd. Bit looked to see both Leena and Naomi talking to a group of pilots; Brad, Leon and Steve close by.

"Well, we're all surprised that they had those dresses." Bit chuckled. Derek laughed with him.

"I know that feeling."

Bit turned back to Derek. "So, I take it you're a successful warrior?"

"We both are." Derek replied, before taking sip from his drink. "My team, the Raiders, may not be the highest ranked in Class S, but we do alright."

"Well, I'm certainly looking forward to our first match!" Bit grinned.

"Yes, so am I. In fact, we'll be your first opponents."

Bit's jaw dropped into a grin. "Really?"

Derek grinned back. "Oh yes. Three days from now, on the Garla Dunes. You'll get an official notification sometime tomorrow. It should be a fight to remember. You won't mind if I don't wish you luck…"

"Not at all." Bit laughed. "I'll look forward to it."

"That's the spirit." Derek answered, before looking over Bit's shoulder. "Now you'll have to excuse me, there's someone I need to have a word with."

"Take care." Bit watched him go, before heading back to the Blitz. Leena he could see already had a ring of admirers, though most weren't listening to her talk. Leon was just behind her shoulder, and looked up as Bit approached. He nodded towards the other men, and then shrugged in resignation.

Bit shook his head. Leon had certainly hit the nail on the head earlier.

X-X-X-X-X-X

Derek and his wife worked their way across the hall, greeting fellow team leaders as they did so. Once they reached the wall, they made better time. As they approached a niche in the wall, Derek straightened his jacket.

"You know you don't need to do that for me." Derek almost jumped. The owner couldn't see him, so how had he known? As he stepped into the niche, Derek spotted the light stand beside it. The brass had been polished to a high finish…

"You knew it was me from a tiny sliver of reflection?" He asked incredulously.

A man chuckled from deeper in. "You should know by now how sharp eyed your ancestor is." A woman answered for him, her voice soft.

Derek sighed. 'This happens every time…'

"I take it you met some of the Blitz already." The man asked. It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes, Bit Cloud." Derek answered.

"And?"

"I think I see why he's the Liger Zero's pilot. He's defiantly their descendent, at any rate."

"He also has strong feeling for Leena Toros." Anna put in. At Derek's glance, she shrugged. "I saw it in his eyes when you drew attention to her."

"Not surprising that." The mystery man replied. He then nodded. "Go on, go enjoy yourselves. This night is for you young pilots, not ancient old men like myself."

"Sir, you could whip anyone here several times over with one arm tied behind your back in a Gustav. And you most certainly do not look your age."

"Ah, but I feel it at times." A sigh emanated from the niche. "Maybe we'll mingle in a while. Now go enjoy the evening."

"Come on Derek." Anna tugged on her husbands arm. "Katie's here, and I need to talk to her about the latest fashions…"

Derek grinned. "Well, don't let me stop you." He watched as his wife slipped though the crowd.

"Derek."

"Yes sir." He snapped around to face the shadow.

"I appreciate your confidence in me. But don't belittle your own skills."

"Thank you sir."

The man paused. "Didn't I tell you to enjoy yourself?"

Derek grinned. "Yes sir."

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

X-X-X-X-X-X

As the evening progressed, the Blitz became wrapped up in the mood of the event. Steve Toros finally managed to put the ghosts to rest – though he could still see his wife mingling with the crowd, enjoying every second of it. 'She would have loved this.' He thought.

"Hey, you okay?"

He looked up at the rake thin man who had questioned him.

"I'm fine… just missing my wife." The faces of the surrounding pilots and crew showed compassion.

"It was tragic. We all heard about it."

Derek had joined the group, and put a hand on Steve's shoulder. "We can't bring the dead back, but we can move on and make their lives meaningful."

Steve looked up with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you."

Jamie found a group of aerial zoid warriors standing slightly apart from the others, and quickly felt at home. None of them begrudged his age and accepted him as equal in rank. A few had trouble believing his tale of him having an alter ego though.

"You're kidding, right? You have an alter ego who calls himself the 'Wild Eagle'?"

Jamie nodded. "When ever I'm in that Raynos, past the sound barrier, he kicks in."

"Well, your eagle certainly knows how to fly." One female pilot raised her glass. Jamie could only blush.

"Wasn't there another Wild Eagle once?" another pilot asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, my father."

Brad and Naomi had shifted away from the others, near the edge of the gathering. Here they could spend more time together. Brad couldn't keep his eyes off the radiant beauty that stood by him. He truly felt like the luckiest man on the planet.

"Brad…" said lady cooed. "…If you don't stop turning your head my way, you're going to get cramp."

"I can't help it." Brad grinned. "Maybe I should face you."

"That would work…"

"But what about all these other pilots?"

Naomi shrugged. "What about them?"

Brad thought for about a second before replying "Good point." He quickly turned to face her fully.

Bit and Leon were enjoying themselves greatly, but all the time kept a close eye on Leena. She was still surrounded by admiring young males. Wives or spouses had dragged off quite a few, but more took their place. Leena didn't mind though. She was barely aware of the fact that the men around her were not hanging on every word she said as she thought, and were instead concentrating on her figure.

"Uh oh, Bit, ten a' clock." Leon whispered to Bit. He turned and saw a man who had 'Sleazebag' written all over him. He sauntered up to Leena and produced a grin from somewhere that he must have thought was charming, but was really nothing more than a leer.

"Say babe, you have any plans after this shin-dig?"

Leena brought her head back, the better to look down her nose at him. She began to get the feeling that maybe everything was not as it seemed. "No, what's it to you?"

"Weellll…" he replied. "Maybe you and I could have a more, private discussion. What do ya say?" Several people round them groaned.

"Beat it creep!" Leena snapped. Most of the men around her backed off two steps. Except the one she was talking to.

"Oh come on darling…" He placed a hand on her waist. "…It could be great fun…"

Leena's face was now bright red, her hand clenched into a fist. "Move it or lose it buster!" Several people in the hall had turned to look. Unnoticed a man slipped out of a wall niche and made his way closer to the confrontation.

"Really? And how you going to make me?" The drunkard leered. "All up tight and…"

He near finished what he had been going to say. Leena's fist snapped his head back quite nicely. His hand fell away as his whole body fell backwards, a strangely puzzled expression on his face. People cleared space for him to fall flat on his back on the floor with a very satisfying thud.

Bit and Leon reached her sides. "You okay?" Bit asked.

"That, that…" Leena was still trembling with rage. "…That animal touched me! And he…"

"We heard." Leon muttered, glaring darkly at the man in question.

All three noticed the man who had worked his way from the wall. He looked down at the drunkard and heaved a deep, long suffering sigh. "When will you ever learn?" he muttered before looking up at them.

Bit was struck by the contrast in the man face. His features were almost youthful, his jaw rounded off and he had a little excess flesh over his cheeks. His short cut dark hair curled near the edges, and a hint of stubble showed on his chin. But his crystal blue eyes shone with age and wisdom. They spoke of an incredible life, filled with joy and sorrow, elation and terror. Most of all though they belied a great age, one who seen much more than any other person that Bit knew.

"Ma'am, I apologise profusely for this incident. This…" he kicked the unconscious form at his feet. "…Reprobate is a disgrace to all those in Class S. If we could kick him out, we would. But his family have connections." He looked back down at the man on the floor. "Too many pesky connections."

ZBC guards finally made their way over to the spot. After groans all round, along with a few muttered curse's directed at the fallen man, two of them lifted then dragged him off. The first man turned back to the Blitz team.

"Once again, I apologise for the incident. Enjoy the rest of the evening." He winked then, with a lopsided smile, walked away.

"Who… Who was that guy?" Leena asked, "He was… nice."

"The fool who was being such a jerk, nice right by the way…" Derek commented as he strode up. "…Is called Daniel Brown. He tries that same routine with just about every female around, regardless of age or if their married or not. No one likes him, but we have to put up with him. Got into Class S simply because he's the relation of one of the ZBC Board members."

"And the other man?" Bit asked his eyes narrow.

Derek hesitated for a second. "He's… the head of security for these events. Sometimes people are not so willing to let rivalry stay on the battlefield. He's tasked with ensuring that things stay under control."

Bit didn't buy it for a minute, and from the looks on their faces, neither did Leon, Brad or Naomi. Before they could pry further though, a gong rang out.

"Ah," Derek stated, stepping back. "Dinner is served. Shall we?"

DR: Leena's got a mean right hook eh? ;) Now, on to that most important thing...

Bit & Leena: FOOD! (DR winces at their shout)