DR: As a heads up, I'm currently planning a sequel/continuation of this tale, focusing much more on the Blitz. Not sure how it would end though...
Zeke: You'll think of something.
DR: Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Zeke: Anytime.
DR: Oh, and we've got a Bit/Leena 'Moment' coming...
Chapter 43: Council of War
"I call this emergency session of the City Council to order."
Christian sat quietly, rehearsing his case. The news that Hiltz was back and planning to attack had spread like wildfire to the council members. At long last the city would be used as it had been designed, as a fortress of light against an eternal night.
He looked round the gathered members, a slight smile of his face despite the time and the issues that had to be discussed. When he had helped to craft the city and the council, he had borrowed ideas from a piece of great literature from Earth, and so the council was nine strong. There was a member for each major branch of authority or race, plus a select number of elected positions.
Christian himself stood for the armed forces, the City Guard charged with the defence of the city and their lands, and the enforcement of the law. Fortunately that last role was rarely needed. Fiona had been given the role of speaking for the remaining ancient Zoidians, including those who were fifty percent zoidian. Her faction was small and ever decreasing, but they still held significant power. She had come a long way since her first arrival with Van, almost one hundred and sixty years ago. Back then she had been quiet, unsure and rarely spoke. But she had flourished and was considered one of the best minds in the Council. She sat to his left.
Beyond her was Councillor Racknor, the organoid. The second oldest member on the council, it was his role to speak for all the organoids and zoids that worked both within and without the city. Christian knew that he would support him, as the life of a zoid was almost sacred to an organoid, with a few notable exceptions.
Next sat the chief medical practitioner, Dr Avon Turell. As the head of the medical system, he oversaw everything that happened in the Primary Centre personally, and often visited the smaller clinics and wards scattered throughout the city. Unlike some of his predecessors, he was a doctor first and foremost. Christian was sure he would support him.
After that where the five elected councillors and this was what worried him. Those five were often more concerned about their personal power and fortune than the well-being of the city, and rarely gave a toss about the world as a whole. It had happened before, almost a hundred and sixty years ago. If he had not pushed, his team would never have been released to do their job. As it was, it would have been too late, had Van and Raven not stopped the Death Saurer themselves. At most they would be indifferent to the conflict that threatened to engulf the rest of the world, as long as their own power base was safe. So Hiltz's claim of attacking the city directly had thrown they all into a panic.
No, that wasn't completely true. They did rise above their petty squabbles and did what was good for the people most of the time. It had been cast in stone and branded on each person raised in the city that the politicians were responsible to the people, and if the people were unhappy, they could bring them down faster than a falling rock. Christian had gone over the structure of power so many times that he was sure that he had found nearly all the loopholes. Of course he never let himself believe that he had found them all, so there was a small line in the small print. As military commander in chief, he had the power to bring down anyone who was gaining too much control, if he had proof. It had only been needed once. The man in question had tried to blackmail him into doing nothing by threatening his family, but Christian had stuck to his guns. The threat itself was proof enough, and the emerging tyrant had been cut down before he could seize full control. Since then no one had dared try again.
Councillor Cornells was chairing this session. "By now we have all learned about the intruder, and the message it relayed. The question is what are we going to do about."
"Why should we do anything?" Councillor Traven spoke up. "I see no reason to believe Hiltz at all. I'd bet he spun his tale simply to scare us."
"Councillor, Hiltz did not lie. He has become fixated on destroying those who defeated him last time round."
"Maybe so, so now would be the time to send these outsiders on their way. They've seen too much already."
"Councillor, they are not outsiders. They are family." Fiona countered hotly.
"Ah, this means that you are not impartial enough to make an informed decision Fiona." Traven had never respected Fiona, seeing her position as useless. In his view, the 'Ancients' and 'Half-breeds' controlled too much power, when they made up barely ten percent of the population.
"The whole point of this city was to be a bastion of light." Councillor Luwren stepped in. Christian was surprised that she was on his side, for now. "What is the point of having a citadel like ours, where heroes are created, when no one knows about it?"
"I still maintain that we should have not got involved with the affairs going on outside our lands."
"So you would have us all hide behind our mountain chain, and watch the rest of the world be destroyed?" Racknor snapped.
"I expect such a reaction from a walking tin can." Traven sneered. "But I also wish to understand something. How did that Cybrid get here? Not even they could get though our mountain chain. Care to comment Masters?" Christian cursed under his breath. He had been hoping that 'that' question wouldn't come up.
"At this time, I suspect that the Cybrid may have been attached to the Blitz Teams transport during the transit through the mountains."
"Ahh, so it was you who let them in! Why don't you just give them the keys to the city!"
"Traven, that's enough!" Cornells snapped. "What's done is done. Now, do you have any plans Masters?"
"Yes I do. I propose the following measures. One, we prepare to evacuate all the non-combatants, as in all the children, the elderly and the infirm. Second, we call all members of the City Guard to combat status." The City Guard was mainly made up of the population doing turns, surrounding a core of experienced lifelong members. Serving the City Guard for a full year before settling down was not compulsory, but it was looked on favourably. Generally every person in the city would spend one week each year in the Guard. If the worst came to the worst, the Guard would become the army, with the experienced officers acting as squad leaders. Combat status meant that the entire guard would be mobilised, ready for war. All the non-lethal weapons on the Rev Raptors would be replaced, and the more powerful zoids that slept in their chambers would be awoken.
"Third, we bring all the fixed defensives to full power. Fourth, we mobilise the HERCs…"
Traven spluttered into his drink. "Those old rust buckets? Are you insane! Their nothing more than heaps of junk!"
"I assure you Councillor; those HERCs are more than capable war machines. The Cybrids know this, and their appearance should unsettle them."
"Is that all your proposing?" Luwren asked gently, before Traven could cut in.
Christian sighed. "No. I also propose we call for aid from the other powers in the world. Namely the Helic Republic, the Guylos Empire, and the ZBC."
"Absolutely not! I will not allow our sacred city to be desecrated by more outsiders!" Traven snarled.
"Would you rather it was razed to the ground by the Cybrids?"
"Councillor Masters, all that seems a little… extreme at the moment." Cornells diplomatically said. "I agree with most of your suggestions, but have you considered the fact that Hiltz might have said he'd attack, hoping we would bring in help from elsewhere, and then attack our weakened allies?"
Christian nodded. "It did, but I ruled it out since both Hiltz and the Cybrid central consciousness have reasons to want this city destroyed first."
"I propose that we downgrade the proposed status of both the guard and the fixed defences to 'alert'. That way we can still continue to keep our economy strong yet be ready to respond as soon as hostiles are sighted." Luwren said gently.
Christian bowed his head. "I would be willing to accept that." Hidden by his motion he smiled. He had expected there to be opposition to any mobilisation of the Guard, so he had advanced the maximum possible mobilisation first, so that he would seem reasonable when he drew back. He would never be able to lie convincingly… but he did know how to get people on his side.
"Well then, let's bring it to the vote." The vote was an overwhelming 'Yes', with only a single 'No'.
"Now, Christian has a second issue he needs to discus with us…" Cornells began.
"Another one?" Traven snarled quietly.
Christian sat up straight. "Yes. As you are no doubt aware, my zoid recently rescued two fatally damaged zoids from Cybrid attacks. Neither zoid will survive much longer, and all traditional courses to heal them are not enough to save them. However, I believe I have found a solution…"
He tapped a control on his pad before him. In the centre of the round table they all sat round, the holo-projector powered up, and the images of the two damaged zoid cores appeared.
"What I propose is that we merge the two cores together…" as Christian said this, the two separate images moved together to overlap. "To form a single core for a new zoid, one with the minds and memories of both the original zoids."
As expected Traven was the one to counter the proposal. "Are you INSANE? You're talking about doing what Hiltz did, when he and Ambient created the Death Stinger! You plan to create a monster!"
"The two zoids in question are nowhere nearly as powerful as the zoids used by Hiltz…"
Luwren leaned forward. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but the two zoids you intent to merge are both different breeds. A Gunsniper and…" A frown crossed her face.
"A Dibison."
"Masters, you are beyond insane! It will never work! To even think about doing this…" Traven shook his head. "I knew that someday you would lose your mind…"
"Masters," The Organoids growl and translated voice cut across the mumbles of Traven. "Is this the only way to save the zoids?"
"I believe it is." Racknor nodded slowly.
"Is there anymore discussion?" Cornells asked. When no one replied, he pushed on. "Then we will vote. Christian?"
"Yes."
"Fiona?"
"Yes."
"Racknor?"
"Yes."
"Dr Turell?"
"Yes."
"Chair abstains." Christian gripped his chair tightly. The next few votes would decide the fate of both those zoids. "Davis?"
The Councillor sighed deeply "No."
"Traven?"
"NO, NO, and double NO!"
"A single 'no' would have sufficed. Trean?"
"…No." The old man shook his head sadly, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
"Luwren?" She looked at Christian for a long moment. It was down to her. If she voted no, then everything would be in deadlock for hours. If she voted yes, then the 'Yes' vote would win by five to three. At last she answered.
"Yes." Christian sagged in his chair with relief.
"Councillor Masters, you have the council's approval." Traven grumbled, but no one paid him much attention. "And may I say, good luck. You're going to need it."
X-X-X-X-X-X
Outside the council cambers the Blitz team sat and waited, along with Van, Raven and Resse. Christian had told them all of his plans, and the dangers. Now he had to get permission from the council to go ahead with it. He had warned them all that it could take hours before a final verdict was reached, but none of them wished to go anywhere.
When the doors opened it came almost as a shock. Councillor Traven was the first out, sending the Blitz Team a death glare as he strode away quickly.
"I don't like that guy." Sarah muttered. "Reminds me of the Committee."
"No one really likes him." Christian told her. He had slipped out while Traven had distracted them. "But quite a few owe him favours. That's why he's in the council." Christian sighed deeply. Fiona embraced Van warmly on the far side of the chamber.
"So, how did it go?" Bit asked.
"We have a go."
"Yes!" Bit trumped.
"Not so fast Bit. There is no guarantee of success. And we still need permission from Leena herself and one other…"
"Who?"
Christian just smiled. "Bit, why don't you go and talk to Leena? Take her the good news yourself?"
Bit's grin returned and he dashed off towards the hospital. Leon stepped up close to Christian, who watched Bit go with concern in his eyes.
"You sure about this?"
"Yes. And I've let her linger there alone far too long."
"You think he's the one to get her back?"
Christian continued to stare after Bit. "I know he is."
X-X-X-X-X-X
Bit slowly walked though the hospital, looking for Leena. He had been told where to find her, and he was surprised. She had been staying with the wounded organoid all day.
Of more concern was her deterioration. The Doctors hadn't stopped her going to the organoid since it seemed to help her out of the depression she was in. But everyone knew the organoid was dying. They feared that once the organoid died, Leena would slip back into the state she had been in. Bit was determined to not let that happen.
At last he found the room. Leena sat in her wheelchair at the foot of the bed with the organoid on it, apparently sleeping. As he stepped closer, Bit could see that the shard of her zoid was still besides her. But most worrying of all was that this Leena had none of the fire that he had come to expect of her. She seemed almost lifeless.
"Hey…" Slowly she stirred.
"Hey…"
"I brought you some cookies!" Bit pulled the small bag out of his jacket pocket.
"That's… nice."
"Leena, what's wrong?" Bit was really worried about her.
"Bit, you might as well forget about me…"
"I never could Leena dear." Bit cut her off. "The only thing that needs forgetting is this." he picked up the fragment.
Suddenly the life returned to her eyes. "Give that back!" she snarled.
"Why? It's nothing more than a fragment of zoid armour. A dead fragment at that."
"It's all I have left of my zoid! Yes it's dead, just like my zoid! Why else would no one talk to me about it!"
Bit shook his head. "It's not dead Leena. Dying, but not dead." He dropped down besides her. "Christians got a plan to save it. Don't you want that?" Leena glared at him, the fire back in her violet eyes.
"Bit, I'm nothing! I'm useless as a zoid pilot! The only thing I'm ever good at is blowing up the landscape and wasting ammo!" She slumped back into her chair, tears falling from her eyes unnoticed. "I don't belong on the Blitz. I never have…"
Bit was stunned at these words coming form her, and so was Iycan. She had been listening throughout, feigning sleep. She had been grateful for Leena's companionship, but Iycan had seen the deep mental scars she carried. It was her talent, psychology. Most of the time the patient in question didn't even need to speak; Iycan knew almost instinctively what was wrong.
… Mnementh, are you out there?
…Yes Iycan. What is it?
…It's this Leena Toros. You wouldn't believe what she just said… The organoid opened her mind to allow the great dragon zoid to review her short-term memories. The zoidian equivalent of a sigh came across.
…I knew this was going to come out. I just hope Bit can pull her back from the brink…
…So do I. I've grown… attached to her…
…You, miss 'I don't need anybodies help'? My, this is a turn up for the books…
…Stop laughing old one. Now, what is Christian planning?
"Oh Leena…" Bit wrapped her in his arms. "Leena, your not useless, your part of our team. It wouldn't be the same without you."
"Oh really? I'm the worst pilot of us all!"
"Worst pilot of the team? Leena, listen to yourself! You're just as good as anyone else in the team! Remember when the base was attacked, and we had to fight tooth and nail to win?"
"Uh huh…"
"Remember you saving Leon? You were out of ammo, but you didn't let that stop you. You've been part of the team since it was founded. Since then you've improved greatly."
"Maybe…" Leena had to agree; in the last couple of matches she had been hitting her targets more often.
"Leena, remember all those nights out we had, alone or with Leon and Sarah? You were one of us."
She remained silent.
"Everyone cares for you, even when you've been chasing them for cookie theft. I care…" Bit gently reached a hand out to turn her face towards him. "Leena, you are greater than you think. And beautiful…" Bit stopped, trailing off.
"Bit, what are you trying to say?"
"Leena, you have so much to live for…" At once she was recalled the words that that massive zoid had said. 'Do you have anything worth living for?'
"Please, without you, I don't think I can carry on…"
Hope began grow within Leena's heart again. "Really?"
Bit nodded, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes. "Yes. When you went missing, I knew I would have done anything to find you. And if those… machines had… killed you, I don't know what I would have done…"
"Oh Bit…"
"Please, Leena, come back to us. Come back to me…" As Bit watched, it seemed that Leena's hair regained its lustre and shine right before his eyes, and the sparkle returned to her eyes. To the delight of Iycan and Mnementh watching though her eyes the two of them embraced, their mouths locked together in a passionate kiss.
…Finally!
…No shit… Iycan agreed, gently crooning without meaning to.
The sudden sound caused both humans to open an eye to look at the organoid, but neither broke the kiss. Both of them felt complete at last, Bit finding the missing piece of his heart and Leena finding at last someone who wanted her, not Leena the Zoid Pilot, or Leena the Girl with Supermodel Looks. Not even Leena, Daughter of Steve Toros, but just Leena herself.
She luxuriated in the feel of his month on hers, the warm embrace that he held her in. She gently allowed her hands to trace the muscles beneath his shoulders, while his slid up and down her spine. She tried to pull him closer, but the wheelchair she sat in prevented that. They both parted laughing.
"Come on. I think it's time you left that chair behind."
Leena bit her lip. She hadn't tried to walk at all since her attack. The Doctors had told her that she should be more than capable to do so, but she had never believed them. Now though, with Bit besides her…
Slowly, stiffly she pushed herself up. The muscles in her legs complained about the lack of use, but Bit was there to support her. Slowly she tottered towards the window. With each step she took, the pain filled self-doubts she had had faded a bit more. The sudden sense of freedom she felt took her higher and higher, and to Bit and Iycan watching, it was as if watching something being born. At last she reached the open window. Leaning out, she took a deep breath of the cool air, and for the first time smelled the scent of flowers, felt the peace and sense of life that fill the air.
She spun back round to face Bit, but the muscles in her leg complained badly, and she fell towards him. Bit caught her gently, nestling her in his embrace. "I'll always be here to catch you…" He whispered to her.
"I know…" Leena smiled, nuzzling into his neck. "So, what is Christian planning to do for my zoid?"
Bit lowered his head to tell her. She snapped her head back to look him in the eye.
"He wants to WHAT?" She screeched. Underneath his wince, Bit grinned. The Leena they all knew, the one he loved, was back.
DR: Well, that's all for now.
Shadow: She's still got a few loose screws...
DR: Yea, but those will be fixed. All in good time...