Battle Dawn

Chapter 7: The new season

by Silver

            Author's Note: Nothing big to report at the moment. This chapter begins to set the stage for the remainder of this story. I really appreciate all the reviews from my readers, both frequent and newly-interested. It's a great help.

            I've been working on two stories at once. This story, and a Digimon fan fic that I am quickly losing interest in and struggling to finish. I doubt I'd be very motivated to write if it wasn't for this fic. Thank you for reading it.  

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            "You're joking."

            "I can assure you, General Hancock, this is no joke." Prasino wasn't smiling, and there didn't appear to be any joviality in his demeanor. He was serious.

            "You are going to compete with the three Zi superpowers?" The General felt blood drain from his face. What did they want him to do with all this?

            "We don't have a choice." said the leader of a doomed struggle. "Both Helic and Guylos are making plays to acquire land on Europa. Currently, their efforts focus on the northern region, but negotiations are slow and they're beginning to target Southern Europa. If they can claim lands below their true target areas, they can apply more political pressure and gain twice as much territory. If they succeed, my small kingdom will be snuffed out before it ever has a chance to flourish."

            "And you honestly think you can offer a better deal?"

            Prasino sighed, stood up, and looked out the window at his capital city. "The truth is I've already offered a better deal. Whoever can offer the better protection for the territories will win the most allegiances. Helic and Guylos are offering protection if they can establish permanent bases nearby; thus establishing a solid foothold to acquire more territories. We have offered to clear out the bandits without any strings attached, but no one is taking us seriously."

            The General frowned. "How big a force do you have?"

            "The Elephander, the Storm Sworder, several Zoids brought by Captain Stoller including a Rev Raptor and Saber Tiger, as well as a handful of construction Zoids." Hardly a force able to route bandits. They were nearly as tenacious as the Backdraft Organization and even the Elephander would struggle against such rouge groups.

            "That's not nearly enough. What about the Whale King Stoller brought you?"

            Captain Stoller cleared his throat. "Arcadia couldn't finance its servicing, so we stripped its arsenal to provide turret defense for other cities and used the main body as an outpost for a few units up north."

            "You can't afford a Whale King, and you're attempting to outbid both Helic and Guylos?"

            Prasino chuckled. "Insane, no? To even imagine that a tiny force such as ourselves could ever outdo governments that have existed for centuries… But I believe in Arcadia, General. I believe in its people and its untapped potential. Many of the people here are outcasts who weren't given an opportunity to shine in the larger areas. There are scientists, politicians, teachers, soldiers, heroes. They're all here, waiting for the chance to show their true selves. I want to give them that chance, and to do that I must build on Arcadia's power. The more land and allies we gain, the more financing we produce and the more our people can shine."

            The General sighed. This had gone on long enough to beg the question, "What do I have to do with your designs?"

            The King turned to face him. "I am new to ruling, General. I read up on the subject, I have the advice of Kenneth Gray, I have my wife's support, but I have little experience. Ruling a Kingdom means managing resources and changing things to improve efficiency. I am overwhelmed at the moment just trying to gain allies. I need your help. I want to make you Chancellor of Resources. I want to draw on your vast experience of managing the ZBC in order to help straighten out the logistics of my kingdom. I am positive you can help us cut out the unnecessary spending and channel resources to where they are most needed."

            Hancock pondered this for a moment. It was an enticing offer: to build a kingdom here on the edge of non-allied territories. But he was Helic by birth. He'd worked his whole life climbing through the Helic ranks until he'd earned a transfer to the ZBC; and then he'd worked his way up to Commissioner. When you joined the Commission, you abandoned your allegiance to one government in favor of the good for all Zi. That was one of the most sacred rules to working the ZBC. But he couldn't forget the land of his birth, and who was to say that Arcadia had Zi's best interests in mind?

            "I cannot betray both the Helic Republic and the Zoids Battle Commission. If I joined you, I'd be working against them."

            "Are you sure about that?"

            What an odd question. "You've said yourself that they are your rivals. Although, given your current state, I think calling them your rivals is an overestimation of your abilities."

            Prasino nodded solemnly. "You may be right, but as I have said, I believe in Arcadia's potential. However, General, even if we compete with these powers for land ownership, we can still be aiding them in the process."

            "I don't follow you."

            "Both Helic and Guylos are trying to gain territories, with the ZBC moderating disputes. As a member of both ZBC and the Helic army, I'm sure you understand the importance of controlling Northern Europa."

            Indeed he did. Due to the strong magnetic field along the Triangle Daras, oceanic travel between Helic and Guylos was nearly impossible. Arial transport didn't suffer as badly, but the cost of shipping and trade by air soon reached astronomical proportions. Neither county could function without trading, and to do so they had to use Northern Europa as a transit route. Whoever controlled that territory had a monopoly on most trading on Zi.

            Prasino continued. "Both countries are devoting all their resources to the acquisition of new land. Nyx's land is divided into difference ownerships that the island might as well fall apart from its division. The upper class no longer has any lands to supply more wealth. Emperor Kamuffel wants to gain Europa territories so he can appease the nobles and gain support for his other agendas. President Vereor is hoping new land acquisitions will bolster the Republic's faltering economy and quell his critics. Do you disagree with my summary of the situation?"

            The General nodded. For such a remote local, Prasino definitely stayed well-advised of the global situation. Hancock had seen the exact same trends while he had moderated the ZBC. Both Kamuffel and Vereor were impossibly difficult to work with. Kamuffel thought he was right and everyone else just needed to realize it. Vereor was surprisingly paranoid and claimed bandits and terrorists hiding in Europa were poised to strike all nations in order to topple their governments. Hancock had never figured out if the President actually believed that, or if it was just an excuse to gain new land.

            Prasino continued, "Both countries are headed for a collision. As each one bids to gain territory, they will move progressively closer until they begin to quarrel over the same patch of land. I, for one, no longer trust the ZBC to moderate such a dispute. Sen Vaez does not seem interested in such matters." Again, Prasino had reached the same conclusion as Hancock. "As clashes become more and more apparent, tensions will build and I have no doubt that war will eventually break out once again. Europa was trapped in the middle of the last struggle between Helic and Guylos. I do not wish to see it crushed again. Arcadia offers people an alternative to being caught in a war, and its presence might help moderate the other two countries far better than the ZBC ever could. Think about it, General. Some of the best governments in the past have relied on triumvirates to govern. There can be no deadlock with three powers involved. The ZBC tries to fill the third void, but the very structure of the Commission draws strength from Helic and Guylos. It cannot be self-sufficient. Arcadia is the third power that Zi needs. We can help avert war."

            "Or you might make it worse!"

            "Indeed we might. But that is the choice before you, Ex-Chairman Hancock. If you turn down our offer, we will escort you back to Helic to sit at a desk and watch as the planet plunges into madness. My small kingdom will probably die out while Helic and Guylos tear each other apart and then must rebuild. Or you can work with us towards an uncertain future. We may avert a war, or we may cause one. But without your help I doubt we'll ever truly know the answer."

            Hancock was silent for a long time. This was madness, pure and simple. A tiny kingdom with no wealth or defense to offer could never vie for the loyalty of Europa's city-states. They'd be outbid every time and eventually fade away. At best, they might prove enough of a nuisance to slow Helic and Guylos' efforts. If he joined with them, he'd be committing career suicide.

            But his career seemed to be over already. Vaez was in charge of the ZBC now, and Hancock did not trust that schemer to hold Zi together. If he did join with Arcadia, could he somehow hinder Vaez's plans? Was it possible to use Arcadia's efforts to protect Zi from a leader he did not trust? It was selfish and cruel to use a country's ideals to achieve an alternate end, but it seemed a lesser evil than allowing Vaez to do as he pleased. Hancock could work against Vaez from the outside while Richard and Celina sabotaged him from within. Yes, that could work. I am not the ZBC Chairman anymore, he thought, but I am still loyal to Zi.

            He chose his words carefully. "I'm willing to review your resources and give you some advice, but nothing permanent just yet."

            Prasino nodded, "That is all we can ask right now. Captain Stoller will escort you to a bedroom. We'll have all the information ready for you first thing in the morning." Hancock bid this self-appointed King and his family goodnight, and followed after the former criminal out the door. What a strange place this was. Its rulers welcomed fugitive criminals into their "royal guard" and tried to outdo the planet's superpowers. There seemed to be an idealism to this place that Hancock himself had felt in his younger days. How sad that this kingdom would soon face the harsh truth. At least it could help aid the future of Zi, even if it did not survive to see it.

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            Prasino leaned back in his chair, weary. Arthur Hancock was not a man to underestimate. His reputation as a strong negotiator was well deserved. Angela moved over and massaged her husband's shoulders, easing the tension. Her very touch invigorated him, reenergizing him for at least a few moments.

            "You did well." She smiled. "I think we'll win him over yet."

            Prasino looked over at his son, who'd been sitting quietly in the corner, watching everything. "And you, Atory? What do you think of General Hancock?"

            The young boy scratched his head. "Well… he seems okay, but I don't think he believes in Arcadia like you do, Dad." Such familiarity. Kenneth Gray had advised all of them to act formal in public to build the people's respect of their station, but hearing the word "dad" was far too great a pleasure to sacrifice.

            "I agree, son. He probably views us as a dim flash in the greater light of Zi's future."

            "I sensed he was planning to use us for his own agenda." said Angela.

            Prasino nodded. She was usually right about such things. "He many very well. But we are using him to build our future. We cannot begrudge him a personal stake."

            "We're making use of his talents, that's far different than using him as a person."

            "Yes, Angela, but as the old saying goes 'beggars can't be choosers.' I believe that Hancock will see the good in Arcadia; and even if he does not abandon his own aims I think he will come to love this place as we do."

            "Dad?" Atory joined his parents by their side. "Do you think we can really beat Helic and Guylos? Everything you said about them makes 'em sound really strong."

            "We don't call them 'Superpowers' without reason. The General is right when he views our goals as lofty at best. But Atory, you must never think that our goal is to defeat our neighboring countries. No matter how well we fare, Helic and Guylos will win territories of their own. We cannot be everywhere at once. They will gain land, as will we." Hopefully, he thought. "Our goal is to gain enough land to prosper and to prevent Helic and Guylos from starting another war. A ruler must always protect his charges, but sometimes he is also called on to protect his neighbors from themselves."

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            A collective rumbling of the Blitz Team's stomachs could be heard throughout the entire base. 9:00 and they still hadn't eaten. Jamie was moving as fast as he could, complaining all the way, but the meal would still be a few more minutes. Bit was unusually sullen for his return home, and kept giving Brad venomous looks. Brad either didn't notice or most likely didn't acknowledge Bit's attitude.

            Leena herself was trying not to lose her mind while her father rambled on about this "Mad Thunder" model he'd just gotten. Something about a fortress Zoid and big guns. Leena wasn't interested in heavy arsenals unless she was the one aiming them. She realized that Leo wasn't here, and hoped that might divert her father.

            When she pointed out Leo's absence, Bit and Brad explained he was still fixing his Command Wolf. Her father frowned, "After all those wounds he received? That's not healthy."

            Brad shrugged. "He insisted. Said he healed fast and would be fine." None of them believed that.

            "That reminds me," Jamie said from the kitchen. "Leo hasn't shared many meals with us since he got here. He usually eats the leftovers after we're done."

            Dad nodded. "I'm guessing he's just not ready to spend a great deal of time with us. It's not easy adapting from such a solitary life."

            "Solitary life?" asked Leena. "What do you mean?"

            "I did some checking on Leo's history through the Zoids Battle Commission records. And you know what I found?"

            Everyone leaned in, eager to hear. "What?"

            "Absolutely nothing." The rest of the team nearly fell on the floor from disappointment. "It's as if Leo and his Command Wolf just materialized out of nowhere. No birth certificate, no family links, no birthplace. I couldn't find out anything about him before he was about eleven."

            "Okay," Bit asked, "so what's he been doing the last nine years?"

            "Bouncing from place to place, mainly. He worked for a while as a technician for Zoids and was highly recommended, but then he abruptly quit and tried to become a warrior. He's been on more teams than anyone else I know, and rarely stays on more than a few months. From what I've gathered, I'd say the teams all tried to turn him into the team mechanic, and he left in protest. So as you can see, Leo isn't used to being with people. He doesn't stay in one place very often and doesn't seem to make a lot of friends. I think that Command Wolf is the only constant in his life."

            "Poor Leo." Leena actually felt sorry for the guy. "I had no idea. I mean, with a life like that, you'd think he'd act more like Brad."

            "What's that supposed to mean?" Mr. cool-and-distant arched an eyebrow. Leena didn't bother replying.

            Bit nodded. "Yeah. Even with such a lonely life, Leo's pretty nice."

            "You're saying I'm not nice?" Brad was getting uncharacteristically upset.

            "At least Leo doesn't swindle people out of their money." Both men growled at each other.

            Dad was unfazed by all of this. "What I find most interesting is Leo's resemblance to Vega."

            "Vega?" Bit asked. "What do you mean?"

            Brad sighed. "You mean you didn't notice it? The hair color? The shape of his face? His eyes are different, but the resemblance is there." Bit was totally clueless. Honestly, if it didn't have anything to do with Zoids it went right over Bit's head.

            Leena snapped. "Leo looks like a grown-up Vega! How could you not notice?"

            Bit's eyes lit up. "Oh! Now that you say it, I can see it. That is weird. Think they're brothers?" Everyone sighed.

            "I doubt he's related to Vega." said Leena's father. "After all, they don't appear to share the same skill for piloting, and the ZBC would have contacted Leo if they had his little brother in custody. Besides, that hair color doesn't quite match. It doesn't look like a dye job, but it doesn't look quite natural either."

            Brad said, "It could just be a coincidence."

            "Whatever the case, I don't think we should mention the resemblance to Leo." Jamie finally came in with plates of food. "I don't think he feel good if we mentioned how he looked like a Zoid Warrior prodigy. He's still working on his confidence."

            Brad nodded, "He certainly had enough trouble with that today." All eyes turned towards Leena, and she knew what they meant. She'd been thinking about that the whole evening. After all the snide remarks and jabs at Leo's expense, he'd come to her rescue as those weird Zoids had been set to kill her. He'd pulled off a Class S move, and saved her in the process. Now she looked like the bad guy for having ripped on him the whole time. It wasn't like she'd been lying; he wasn't that good a pilot. At least, that's how it'd seemed at first. But he did make it past most of them on Leon's obstacle course… and he had saved her life. Oh jeez.

            Leena picked up her still-warm plate and headed for the door. "Could you fix me another plate, Jamie?"

            "Uh, sure." Her father's grin contrasted the Jamie's confused look.

            As Leena neared the hanger, she could hear a growl. "Welcome back, Fang. How you feeling?" For a minute, Leena actually expected to hear a reply. Stupid, only the Liger Zero ever talked to its partner. Leo was way too obsessed with his Zoid. But then she remembered what her father had said. That Zoid was the only constant in Leo's life. No wonder he spoke with it.

            Leo was sitting in the Command Wolf's ruined cockpit, rewiring as much as he could. There was an odd assortment of parts laid out near the Wolf. Had Leo already ordered parts? Then she recognized the long-range heavy cannon that was set to replace the standard lasers. Leo must have gotten some of these parts from Brad. Leo himself was covered in grease and fluid up to his elbows. Leena paused a moment to admire how strong his arms looked. There were a few faint scars running down his arms, though they were barely noticeable and didn't detract from his physic. Come to think of it, he actually looked pretty good.

            But he was paler than he should be. "You trying to kill yourself?"

            "Huh?" Leo looked up from the cockpit, confused by the new voice. "Oh… hi."

            "Don't 'hi' me. Get down here." Leena had perfected her command tone long ago. Even Leon had succumbed to it once or twice. Leo reluctantly slid out from the cockpit. Now it was time for her lecturing tone. "What on Zi makes you think you can work on a Zoid without food after having lost all that blood? I honestly don't know if you're suicidal or stupid."

            "Probably both." Leo reached from the tray. Leena snatched it back.

            "Wash your hands and arms first!" Back to the command tone. Honestly, how had this guy survived so long on his own? Rather than make Leo waste more energy going to sink, Leena brought a bucket of water, soap, and a rag. She didn't turn over the food until she inspected his arms herself. "You're hopeless."

            "Yeah, yeah. You keep reminding me." Leo ate ravenously. Leena stood awkwardly for a moment, not quite sure what to say. Finally, she decided to sit down next to him and lean against the Command Wolf's leg.

            "I'm sorry." She said.

            "Uck?" Leo nearly choked on his meal.

            "I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time today. I'm not going to promise that I won't do it again because you still have a long way to go as a pilot. But I was wrong to keep chewing you out and I really am grateful for you saving me. So… I just wanted to say sorry."

            Leo was silent for a good while. Probably thinking of some quip to throw her way. Bit and Brad always did that whenever Leena argued with one of them. Their conflicts always fizzled out or got lost when something grabbed the team's short attention span. "Thanks."

            Now it was Leena's turn to be surprised. 'Thank you' wasn't a phrase tossed around much by this team. It wasn't that they weren't grateful for each other, but they didn't say that a lot. "For the food or…"

            "For both. I appreciate the food, definitely; and I'm really glad to hear you apologize. I gotta admit it's not something I expected."

            "Yeah…" Leena couldn't begrudge him that. She'd been mistreating him all day. Feeling a little uncomfortable with herself, Leena stood up and dusted off her skirt. "I'm going back to dinner now. Wanna join me?"

            "I'm used to having my meals with Fang."

            "We're not bad company either."

            Leo grinned. "I don't doubt it."

            "It's okay to admit you're nervous around us, you know." Leo didn't reply. "When you're ready, we'll have a seat saved for you." She left without waiting for a reply. The others had already started eating before she returned. That was how this team worked. Everyone liked each other, but they all operated independently. Somehow, by the weirdest twist of fate, their different styles complimented each other. Leo was different, though. His style didn't blend with theirs, but he still tried hard. She'd have to remember that the next time he had trouble.

            Her father was casting sideways glances and grinning at her. He had that 'I know what you've been up to' looks. She sat down. "Shut up and pass me the steak."

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            Richard Paris' first impression came not from his eyes, but rather his ears. He sat in his office, waiting for the General's niece to arrive when he heard someone in the hallway issue a wolf whistle. His first reaction was anger. Men in the ZBC should show both restraint and respect when regarding members of the opposite sex. Such behavior was unbecoming an officer. But he forced himself to calm. It was late in the afternoon and most people where either tired from a long days work or coming in to start the always dull night-shift. He'd learned a long time ago that a superior officer should not terrorize his subordinates with strict military protocol every single minute. Some things had to slide.

            What he didn't expect to hear was a muffled thump and an outcry from the same voice that had whistled. Paris was about to step outside and investigate when the door slid open and the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen stepped in.

            No one could make the Zoids Battle Commission uniform look as form fitting as Celica Lucraft. Her shirt seemed a size too small and left a small midriff exposed while the slit in her skirt exposed just a bit too much of her thigh. Most officers would condemn this as indecent dress code but if the General was right about his niece then Ms. Lucraft probably had ways of diverting their objections. Paris had to admit he didn't mind the look himself. Her chocolate hair bangs draped over two metal clips just above her eyebrows, and her braided pony-tail ended with a large metal ring, some new fashion that was gaining popularity. She had eyes the color of the sky that seemed to draw him in, and there was a sweet scent about her.

            It occurred to Paris that he was staring, and that this woman didn't dress like that just to show off. By simply entering the room, she'd taken him completely off guard. How much had she discovered about him in that one instant?

            She saluted. "Colonel Paris, sir. First Lieutenant Celica Lucraft reporting as ordered." Her voice was youthful and energetic, but possessing a confidence that he rarely found in someone her age. He motioned for her to sit down, and tried not to notice the way her body moved. She was like water.

            He tried to regain focus. "I heard some kind of ruckus outside."

            "One of the night shift officers forgot his place and made a 'remark' to a superior officer."

            "And that outcry I heard?"

            "The Private is on his way to the infirmary with a possible broken nose."

            Paris was wary now. "Won't that raise concerns?" Meaning she was drawing too much attention.

            "No, sir. Someone like that will never admit that a woman caused such an injury. Besides, any such complaint could be lost in the file system quite easily."

            Before sitting, she removed a thin metal rod from her hair and set it on the table. Small braces folded out and kept the rod upright as a red light flashed at its tip. "A micro jammer, courtesy of ZBC Special OPS. I confiscated this from a commander who was planning on selling the schematics to the black market. We won't have to worry about listening devices, and I see you have already covered the window to avoid lip-readers."

            Impressive. But then she was evaluating him as well. "I tried finding your profile, but there was none. I take it you have something to do with that?"

            "My profile changes on an almost monthly basis. I've had anywhere from two years experience and then suddenly dropping to a complete novice. I also have had several towns and cities mentioned as my birthplace."

            "I see. I'll need some kind of information regarding my comrades, however."

            She produced a report from the metal portfolio resting on her lap. It appeared to be a personnel file drawn from multiple reports. She was only 22 yet had several degrees in Zoid Mechanics and Ancient Zoidian studies. She was fluent in the old Zoidian tongue and even spoke some ancient Terran. Previous assignments included researching prototype weapons systems, locating and routing bandit camps, and even serving as a personal aid to several high ranking officers. Paris recognized the link this young woman had to some of the potentially worst embarrassments to the ZBC. Each of these assignments had ended in tragedy for the respective commander. The prototype had nearly been leaked to outside sources before MPs could arrest the head scientist, the raid leader had been on the bandit's payroll, and all of the officers she'd served had been corrupt, greedy, and lecherous. General Hancock hadn't been lying about this vengeful ghost. One final odd note was a psychiatric evaluation noting that this young woman seemed to have a preoccupied infatuation with Zoid Warriors.

            "This is accurate?"

            Ms. Lucraft nodded. "That is probably the only true dossier regarding myself. I'd appreciate it if you burnt it after we are finished here." She produced another file. "I've done some research on you as well. Born in city Lipzenberg. You are the son of a Guylos general and a Helic ambassador; a very uncommon occurrence. Age: 47. You spent twelve years in the Guylos army working your way up to Lieutenant-Colonel before receiving approval for your transfer request to the ZBC. As per ZBC custom you worked your way up the ranks once again until you reached Colonel, although you may be promoted to Brigadier General soon. Fifteen years after joining you were considered one of only two possible candidates to succeed General Hancock. You are working on no less than several top-secret projects including the new Buster Eagle prototype being constructed with the aid of the Helic military. I imagine this feels rather odd seeing as how you are half Helic but have spent your life in Guylos, both geographically and military."

            "There is no division within the ZBC. We serve all Zi." He suddenly realized that this had turned into his own evaluation. He had expected to learn more about this young woman before him, yet now she tested him.

            Ms. Lucraft continued with her review. "Your critics site you as being 'enslaved' to military protocol and despite many innovative battles they consider you unable to think outside whatever regulations dictate. Have I missed anything?"

            "You missed the part where you ask my permission to read such a file."

            "I see."

            Paris was already abandoning much of what he held in high regard to take part in this two-person conspiracy. He did not intend to disregard the chain of command as well. "I don't think you do, Ms. Lucraft. Have I passed this little evaluation of yours?"

            Something dangerous came over her face. "I'm not sure, Mr. Paris. My uncle was very well aware of where the military's rules ceased to be a guard and became a deterrent. He knew when to cross those lines. I'm not sure you do."

            "I am well aware of the limits of regulations. But where your uncle and I differ is that I find ways to work within the regs without forcing myself to cross over. I have great regard for General Hancock and learned much from him, but I am not a carbon copy."

            Ms. Lucraft nodded. "Fair enough."

            "Furthermore, this is the last time I will allow you to test me. The General arranged our meeting so that I could gain an ally against Sen Vaez. He did not have you come here to see if I was 'worthy' of your aid. You may either accept me as your superior officer, or you may leave and I will work on my own."

            She arched an eyebrow. "Is the chain of command really necessary with only two people?"

            "Especially with two people. In a group of three, there is little danger of a deadlock. But when two people work together, they can very easily clash and stagnate over a disagreement. We may face difficult decisions in the near future, with little time for debate. When that moment comes, I want it to be clear that I make the final decision and take responsibility for it. Are we clear?"
            Ms. Lucraft was silent for a moment. He could tell she was not used to be addressed so directly. Her movement, her dress, her beauty; all were tools designed to hold sway over the men she investigated. She probably used other skills to distract any female officers she shadowed. But Paris could not afford to be taken in by physical beauty. He needed a clever mind, which this woman possessed. Now he just needed her loyalty. There would be no time for second-guessing.

            "We are clear on one condition. I may not have undergone formal training, but I have spent a good deal of my childhood and my adult life within the military. I have earned many stations above my rank, so I do not think it is unreasonable for you to address me as Lieutenant. I am not a civilian playing soldier."

            Paris nodded. "Very good, Lieutenant. I'm pleased to see you respect the title."

            "My uncle always taught me the importance of the military in keeping both people and Zoids safe. He loves Zoids as much as I do."

            "Yes, I noticed your dossier mentions an interest in Zoid Warriors. Why join the military? With your background, I doubt you'd have trouble piloting anything short of a Gojulas."

            Ms—no—Lt. Lucraft smiled. "I was thinking of enrolling myself in the Gojulas piloting school before General Hancock told me about you. I can pilot just about anything from a Molga to a Blade Liger. But I prefer my Konig Wolf."

            Paris arched an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware those were being mass-produced."

            "They aren't yet. But the Lieutenant General that commandeered the Wolf no longer has use of it. He suffered a broken jaw and was sent to prison for trying to force himself on a female officer. I figured he wouldn't be needing it, so I changed the ownership papers."

            "I see. But that still doesn't answer my question." Even thought she had agreed to follow his lead, Lt. Lucraft was still trying to see how far he was willing to go off-topic. Perhaps she was too deep in the habit of manipulating officers. Or perhaps the test continued.

            She took a deep breath. "I love Zoids, and I deeply admire Zoid Warriors. Many possess a skill and devotion that few can match. But they can't do much to protect Zoids. The only Warrior I know of who has worked to protect the safety of people and Zoids is Bit Cloud." Paris noticed a slight blush when she mentioned that name. Her dossier did say she had an infatuation with Zoid Warriors, but she didn't seem the type to let such a trait show unless she wanted it to. She was confirming that everything she had presented him with was true. She hadn't falsified her profile. "But I can't help protect Zoids by participating in battles."

            Paris nodded. "Lieutenant, what purpose do you think Zoid Battles serve?"

            The danger was back in her eyes. "Are you testing me now, sir?"

            "No. But I am curious for your thoughts." She seemed to take that well enough. This was not an easy conversation. They kept slipping between hostility and professional tolerance.

             "Zoid Battles have multiple functions. They stimulate the economies of Helic, Guylos, and the independent city-states. They provide entertainment for the masses. But more importantly, they keep the peace and prepare us for war. A Zoid Warrior is more willing to fight for fame and money in an official battle than to scrape out a life as a bandit, and people who watch a battle can release any pent-up aggressions by watching someone else fight. Humans have always used such entertainment as an outlet for violent urges. And since successful Zoid Warriors improve with each battle, we have a pool of skilled fighters should we ever need pilots for full-fledged warfare."

            "You are one of the few people who understand that." Paris complimented. "But can the ZBC protect Zoids as you say?"

            Lt. Lucraft nodded. "Most definitely. We arrange orderly fights whereas in the past it was one violent, random conflict after another. Very few Warriors ever suffer personal injury, and there's no collateral damage. We cut out sources for negative use of Zoids and provide healthy outlets. I joined the ZBC to make sure we never have to call on Warriors to fight a war."

            Paris nodded absently. Despite the rough start, they shared very similar views. "I do not trust Sen Vaez to perform such a task. In truth, I see him tearing down the safeguards we've worked so hard to build. He must be kept in check, and to do that I need information. That is where I need you, Lieutenant. I need you to check on Vaez's movements, and those of his subordinates. Help me stay one step ahead."

            "That won't be easy, sir." She handed him another file. "I tried a brief hack of Vaez's main computer today. He's encrypted it with codes that could only have been made by a top-skill programmer. When I finally gained access, I found very little but his schedule a few files on personal and ZBC resources. He either keeps his main plans in a separate computer, or has them all in his head."

            Paris took the file and studied it for a moment. The first was a report on Vaez's personal accounts and resource allocation. It was as professional a report as he'd seen in many ZBC briefings. Lt. Lucraft did indeed deserve her title, if not more so. Vaez had an exceptionally high saving account, far more than an officer with several years his experience. All of his biographical information seemed suspiciously normal, most likely falsified. His most prominent work was the development of a new weapons platform Zoid, the Cannon Fort. He'd built it using the wreckage of a fallen Zoid. More importantly, the Zoid had been completed, and was being transported to a base located near the Valley of the Rarehertz.

            "Lieutenant, is there a special technician or officer at the Rarehertz base who will finalize this 'Cannon Fort's' development?"

            "No, sir. The Zoid is already finished, but untested. Its destination is very curious in both location and timing. The Valley of the Rarehertz is miles from any major city, but close enough to the Blitz Team's base. Furthermore, all the ammunition in that area was bought up last night."

            "All of it?"

            "Yessir. There's not a bullet left in the entire area, and the Blitz Team hasn't yet restocked for the start on the new season. They'll be severely limited in their battles, especially considering how much ammo their Gun Sniper pilot uses."

            "Do you think Vaez is trying to hold sway over the Blitz Team?"

            "None of the stores listed him as a buyer, but I wouldn't be surprised. There's something else unusual about the timing. The Rarehertz base is home to the Eveopolis Excavation Project. Vaez ordered the digging to be delayed to coincide with his visit and the arrival of the new Zoid."

            Paris frowned. He'd kept a loose eye on the EEP over the years, but hadn't given it much thought. The Project was years behind schedule due to Rarehertz bursts overloading Zoids and equipment at the base. The last word from the base was that they were finally about to breech through to the Ancient Zoidian city, and possibly see Zoid Eve herself. But what had that to do with the Blitz Team and this new Zoid? There wasn't enough information, and not enough time to go and spy. Vaez had already left according to his itinerary.

            "I want you to gather as much information as you can regarding the base, and what Vaez is doing there. Bad enough he's the head of the ZBC, I don't want him dabbling in Ancient Zoidian findings as well."

            Lt. Lucraft nodded, stood, and saluted. "Leave it to me, sir." She picked up the micro jammer and replaced it in her hair, then departed.  

            Paris slumped in his chair, exhausted and a little disappointed. He had not gotten off to a good start with his new ally, and he doubted they'd have the close friendship Paris shared with General Hancock. Lt. Lucraft was a tool for gathering information. She had proven herself very capable and methodical in a short amount of time. But she had not expected much from him, and he had responded with hostility. Such meetings were rarely the basis for a lasting friendship. Ah well, it wasn't as though his goal was the make a new friend. Find out Vaez's plans and stop them if necessary. There wasn't anything else he needed to worry about.

            He took out a small lighter and torched the report on Celica Lucraft, ghost of the ZBC.

                        *          *          *          *                      *          *          *          *

            Daylight reflected off the remains of Fang's transparent canopy, stinging Leo in the eyes and forcing him awake. For a moment he'd forgotten where he was, but now the Blitz Team's hanger was becoming a more familiar site. He must have dozed off while handling repairs on Fang. The blood lost had drained a lot of his strength. He hadn't even had the energy to dream. That was very good.

            The tray that Leena had brought him rested nearby. Just looking at it brought pleasant memories, which overshadowed the previous day's trials. Leo did a double-check on the repairs he'd effected and decided he'd done all he could for Fang. The readout display was still shattered, and the canopy cracks needed sealing. Plus there was the damage to Fang's side, but most of Brad's parts would be able to make effective repairs. Fang would just have to make due until Leo could buy some less-critical equipment.

            Wishing his partner a good rest, Leo crawled out of the cockpit and headed for the kitchen, famished. But as he approached the rest of the team was already scrambling past him.

            "Good morning, Leo." Jamie had those veins bulging again.

            "Morning." Brad was moving with a definite purpose. Bit could only yawn his greeting.

            Leena grabbed him by the collar and yanked. "Come on."

            "Hey! Wait a minute! Where are we going?"

            "Shopping." What?

            Leo was suddenly on a jeep headed for the nearest town. Something about this didn't settle well with him, or his stomach. He was so hungry. "Mind telling me why I'm going along on your errand?"

            "I need someone to help me load up supplies, and you're the only one who isn't busy."

            "What's everyone else doing?"

            Leena sighed. "This is why you need to spend more time with us. You're totally clueless right now. The ZBC just announced their plans for the new season, and it's not pretty. Since most of the Judges and all the satellites were destroyed by the Backdraft, the new battles are going to be held in specific locations. That means that instead of the judges coming to meet the teams, we have to travel all over Europa, heading for the battle sites. Any team that's late is considered a forfeit."

            Leo nodded, "Makes sense." Damn it. That meant he'd be sleeping somewhere new almost every day. The nightmares wouldn't stop.

            Leena continued, "Since we can't go back to the base to restock after every battle, by Dad's making us all stock up on supplies and equipment. Jamie's handling registration and balancing the budget. Bit and Brad are loading up the Hover Cargo with all the Zoids and parts we have. Don't bother asking, they'll load your precious Command Wolf too. You and I are going to buy food, parts, and ammo. Since I need an extra pair of hands to carry all that stuff, you're coming with me."

            "What about Doc?"

            Now she was angry. "He's loading all his toys and models into his cabin. I can't take along a dress or anything, but he gets to bring all his junk. How is that fair?" Leo just hunkered down and let his stomach speak for him. Leena fished one hand into a brown bag she'd brought along and handed him an apple. "Eat up." Leo did.

            The drive to town was long and quiet. Neither person started a conversation, which left Leo uncomfortable. He couldn't tell if Leena was still shaken from everything that happened last night or if she just didn't want to talk. Having spent so many hours alone with Fang, Leo wasn't all that accustomed to conversation, so it was more than a little odd that silence was troubling him. It occurred to him that it was his comfort level with Fang that enabled him to enjoy such silence. He didn't have that with Leena. "So do you know what we're supposed to get?"

            She handed him a list. "Jamie worked out our budget last night. He wrote down everything." Indeed he had. In his usual efficient manner, Jamie had listed every last item they needed, from the most explosive missile shell to dental floss. When Leo complimented Jamie's work, Leena nearly veered off the road. "Are you kidding me? Do you see how much money he gave me for my ammo? I won't make it through a single battle with that!"

            Leo glanced from the list to her. "This is enough ammo to fuel several teams for at least two battles. You're telling me you consume this much?" He knew she was into fireworks, but still…

            "I used up all my ammo last night. I don't have any more. Jamie said we're going to have to scrape by until we win some Class S money. We're already in debt up to our hips." Strange how to a top-ranking team could still have debt issues.

            They finally reached the city, but Leena's first stop wasn't anywhere near their appointed rounds. First came the shopping district. "Why do you want to look there?" asked Leo. "You've already got a battle costume."

            "Battle outfit." Leena corrected. "And I just want to window shop. Jamie said to be back by this evening, which is a long way off. It won't take long, let's just window shop a little. Aren't you interested in what the new fashions are?"

            "No. I don't play dress-up for my battles. I think it's silly."

            "Hmmph. I didn't see you complaining when you saw Naomi's outfit yesterday."

            "That's because Naomi was the one wearing it." Leo's grin quickly withered under Leena's scowl. He didn't dare protest when she dragged him inside and started trying out different combinations. She must have tried on every costume in existence before Leo finally stood up and tried to leave. "Where do you think you're going?" Leena had finally changed back into her normal clothes, but was still browsing.

            "We've been at this for an hour and a half. We have real errands to run, remember?"

            Leena smirked, "Well, I'm not ready to leave just yet. I've got the list and the cash card, so I guess I decide when we go. Besides, I'm thinking of buying a second outfit. It's good to diversify."

            "You already said that we'd have to scrape buy, and now you want to waste money on a second costume-"

            "Outfit."

            "Costume! No way. The others might put up with this, but not me. We're leaving, now."

            Leena folded her arms. "Make me." Leo glanced around at the various people in the shop watching their argument. Leena was relying on embarrassment to keep him in line. Too bad for her. Leo shrugged, bent down, scooped Leena up over his shoulder, and calmly ignored her protests and the mixed expressions from the other customers as he walked outside.

            He set Leena down on the sidewalk and quickly had to dodge several swings. "We're moving on. End of discussion."

            "You call hoisting me over your shoulder a discussion?"

            "No, I call that 'efficient.' What better way to get a stubborn girl to move?"

            "So you just waltz while carrying someone whenever you have a disagreement? You're a savage."

            "This coming from a barbarian woman." Now he was dodging her blows once again. They continued a duel of words while Leo dodged attacks until Leena was finally tired enough to stop swinging. It took almost fifteen minutes. Leo threatened to carry Leena to the weapons shop, but she agreed to come voluntarily. He could tell she was furious at him, and it was only physical exhaustion that kept her from ripping his head off. Leo noticed she kept her pace just slightly slower than his own, probably to spring an attack from behind. Confident he could at least survive such an attack, he led the way through several shortcuts he knew had to exist. This jaunt helped give Leena something else to focus on besides revenge. "How do you know where to go? I thought you hadn't been here before."

            "I haven't. But if you see enough cities, you realize they're all designed the same. I can walk into a city or town and know my way around without even looking at a map. Watch, there'll be a restaurant at the next corner. It'll server burgers, salads, and your usual drinks." Sure enough, they were sharing a meal at that very restaurant in short order.

            "You're starting to scare me." Leena said.

            "Actually, it's towns that scare me. They're so similar it's almost like a conspiracy."

            "So how'd you know this place's menu without even seeing it?"

            Leo shrugged. "This is what I've found in most towns I visited. I don't think the city designers and store owners purposely copy each other, but the basic town setup is always the same. From there, stores appear where they'll draw the most customers, so it's easy to guess where and what I'll find when I'm in a certain area. The nearest ammo shop will be several blocks north of here." The meal ebbed off the last of hostility, and Leena was walking by his side now. When they arrived at the weapons shop, they quickly learned it was sold out; as was the next closest shop, and the one after that.

            "Remember how I said I didn't think towns were formed by a conspiracy?"

            "Yeah."

            "Well, now I think there is a conspiracy."  

             Leena laughed. "Yeah, a grand plot to keep us out of the tournament by stealing all our precious ammo."

            "But it is pretty weird. Suddenly all the shops are sold out, even after they stocked up for the day before the new season."

            "Yeah… It's never happened before." Leena checked the sky. "Oh, it's already getting late and we haven't even gotten the groceries yet. What are we going to tell my Dad?"

            Leo shrugged. "The truth. We shopped for ammunition all over town, and all the shops were sold out. Not our fault."

            "But what about the new season? I can't go into battle without my weapons."

            "You'll just have to conserve." Then he remembered he was talking to Leena. "Or… maybe you should just rely on your Sniper's tail cannon. I haven't seen you use that before."

            "You haven't known me that long."

            "Yeah, but you've shot at me twice now. I think I recognize you style. Why don't you use the tail sniper?"

            Leena waved a dismissive hand. "It's so weak. You have to set up the Zoid and fire one shot at a time. Not to mention you can't maneuver the Zoid while you're sniping. That might work for someone like Naomi, but I still say real firepower can take down anyone."

            "Well, you're not going to have that kind of firepower until we find some ammo. You might have to adjust."

            "Yeah, right. Like I'd ever-" Leena cut short when they heard a scream coming from farther down the road. Leo spotted a quick glimpse of a woman being dragged into an alleyway. There were at least two men abducting her, but there could be more waiting.

            "Get the police." Leo ran to the alleyway while Leena shouted protests at him. He could hear voices whispering as he approached the alley. The woman was no longer screaming, probably gagged. He peered around the corner. There were five men standing near the woman. One held her arms and covered her mouth. Another was looking through her purse, but the three standing guard had a much more sinister look to their eyes. All of the members carried weapons. One had a bat, another a metal pipe. Several had knifes hanging off their belts.

            Before moving, Leo sized up the area. While he wasn't the best at Zoids piloting, he was skilled in street brawls. The alley was wide enough to fit the men and their hostage, but they were pressed so close together there was no way they could surround Leo and fight effectively. Several garbage cans and boxes lined the walls. They could be used as weapons or aids if one knew how. Leo stepped into sight and ordered them to release her. He wasn't surprised by their laughter; but he knew they would have been smart to do as he said. The two guards moved forward with metal pipes in their hands. Lucky these guys couldn't afford guns. Leo charged before they could move past the nearest crate.

            In most fights, he'd try to handle his opponents two on one and work his way to the back so as not to be taken from behind. Problem was there was a hostage involved, and something might happen to her while Leo was dealing with the other punks. So instead he charged full speed towards the two men, but instead of attacking he veered right towards nearby crate and used it as a launching to leap up over the heads of the guards and land right next to the woman. His punch came faster than the man holding the hostage could react, and he hit the floor with a bleeding nose. With no time to talk to the woman, Leo ducked as metal pipe swung where his head had just been. He elbowed the second attacker in the belly and spun around with a right hook, connecting with the man's jaw. Too bad it wasn't a glass jaw, the man felt more like stone. Pain was something Leo had grown used to, from the beatings of those dark men to constant street fights like this one. So long as he didn't award the pain focus, he could endure it.

            The next gang member was coming at him, this time with a knife. Leo sidestepped his lunge and caught the man's wrist. He wrenched it to the side, causing the man to drop the knife. Being so close to the wall, Leo opted to shove the man face-first into the bricks. He slumped down and joined his two friends on the ground. Just before Leo could spin to face the remaining two members, a loud crash sounded with several thumps and a thud following. Leena stood over the final two men, laughing. There were shards of a wooden crate scattered across one man, who had obviously taken a blow to the head. The other had a broken jaw as well as an already swelling eye. "That'll teach you to pick on women!" She gloated.

            Leo held back his confusion and looked towards the captive woman. Before he could say anything, she bolted past him and Leena and ran screaming down the road. Leo shrugged. There wasn't anything more they could do for her anyway. She was probably headed home or to the police. He addressed Leena, "What part of 'get the police' did you not understand?"

            "The part where it was suddenly decided you would play hero while I ran away."

            "I've been in fights before."

            "And I haven't?" He wasn't sure, but given her strength, Leena obviously had taken part in a few brawls herself.

            "They had weapons."
            "Oh." Leena feigned frailty. "So you were trying to protect poor pitiful me? Don't think for a minute that I need a bodyguard, Leo. You helped me out last night but I can take care of myself just fine."

            "Well, excuse me for caring! So sorry your barbarian-ness." The quarreled for several minutes before the cock of a gun caught their attention. Several armored military men stood at the alley's entrance. Black bands near their shoulders identified them as ZBC Military Police.

            "Do not move. You are under arrest!"

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            Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed Chapter 7. I'll get right to work on the next chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of the story so far.