Battle Dawn

Chapter 16: Blitz Team No More

by Silver

Author's note: Before diving in to this chapter, I'd like to remark on something I see in a lot of story summaries. Many people write "I'm bad at summaries." "I stink at summaries." "I can't write summaries." "The summary's bad, but the story's good." And so on.

I'd advise against this. I don't think writing such a disclaimer helps attract readers. If anything, it'll drive them away. If you're not confident about your summary, just write a bare-bones description and let the readers decide if it interests them. Don't declare your summary is bad. At the most, run a summary by some friends and find something that does work. Thank you.

And speaking of friends and thanking people, I'd like to thank Zeropioneer for proofreading my story and catching the typos and helping me refine the story. I also want to thank the people like Dragon-Raptor, Legendary Titan, Rusty, Cereal Killer, blitzkrieg414, and many, many others who have reviewed my story and supported my work. I appreciate all your feedback. I especially enjoyed some of the ideas that came from the end of last chapter when people wondered what would happen to Leo.

Why don't we find out now?

P.S. I like my summaries! J

X X X X X X X X

Lt. Lucraft had been crying. Understandable, but Paris could not afford to spend time comforting her. His eyes were just as red as hers, but his face was not at all streaked with dried tears. His eyes screamed from exhaustion mixed with outrage. The attack on Desert Flower City had the entire ZBC in panic. Even Vaez was playing the part of a shocked leader. He played it so well, in fact, that Paris was not entirely sure the Chairman's attitudes were false. At the same time, Paris could not shake his intuitive distrust of Sen Vaez. Somehow, Vaez was connected to this atrocity in ways that were not yet known.

"Brigadier General." Lt. Lucraft saluted before Paris waved her to the seat in front of his desk. She did not sit. "Sir, I apologize for failing to detect this attack."

Paris arched his eyebrows. "Detect? Lieutenant, even the Super Satellite did not pick up any readings from the enemy air force."

"What I mean, sir, is that I should have been able to determine a raid was coming by hacking-" Paris held up a hand before the Lieutenant could continue. Such a change in demeanor from when she first entered his office. In Paris' view, women were far more in tune with their emotions than men. This gave them greater insights into relationships and interpersonal communications, but it also weakened their effectiveness as soldiers. Paris could not afford to have his shadow operative breaking down at a time like this. "Lt. Lucraft, while we both know your hacking and search skills are superb, you have never given me any indication that you are clairvoyant." It was meant as a compliment, but Paris had learned long ago that his words tended to have an edge to them. It came from having to deal with too many lollygagging subordinates. General Hancock had apparently considered him best at whipping underachievers into shape. The problem was that Lt. Lucraft was far from an underachiever. Quite the opposite; she blamed herself for not averting a disaster no one saw coming. Perhaps the ZBC had been too lax after the death of Count Umbra. They could have detected this impending assault if they'd focused more time on breaching the remaining BD communications. They had not, and this was the price. But to try to lay the blame on one person was cowardice and laziness. Nothing good could come of it.

Paris was not good at reassuring people, and Lt. Lucraft's expression made it clear that she took his words as some sort of mockery, not comfort. At a loss, he leaned forward. "Lieutenant, I am woefully poor at offering support. My strength lies in moving ahead with what needs to be done. I do not blame you for this attack, and you should not hold yourself responsible for failing to detect this cowardly blow. Let the politicians lay blame and point fingers. Right now, you and I must focus on what comes next. Can I count on you to see this secret campaign through, given that further tragedies like this may occur?"

A new determination flared in the Lieutenant's eyes. "More than ever. I know you don't approve of my expression, but I am not regular military and I believe in expressing emotion rather than bottling it up. My sadness at what's happened will help me ensure something like this doesn't happen again."

"Good. What is your opinion of this new Supreme Commander Alteil?"

Lt. Lucraft shuffled through a personnel file she had brought with her. Paris was impressed that she had thought to bring it, despite her distressed state. He did not share her view on expressing emotions. In his eyes, such outbursts would destroy military moral and discipline. But as long as it did not deter from her work he would not let it bother him.

"Alteil does not strike me as the kind of person to plan and order such an attack. He is a coward but he is also greedy and selfish. An act like this has made him the most wanted criminal on Planet Zi and it cost the Backdraft an unbelievable sum in both money and equipment. I cannot see someone as petty as Alteil wasting money like this. There are cheaper ways to declare war."

Paris nodded. "So you think someone else is pulling the strings behind Backdraft's new leader?"

"Perhaps, but there's nothing implicating Sen Vaez. He's just as shocked as everyone and if it is an act then we might want to nominate him for an award. Very convincing."

Paris once again bobbed his head in agreement. "We cannot rule out the possibility too quickly. This attack is rather timely, given that Vaez has only been in a leadership position for a few months."

"The Backdraft could be using this attack to weaken Vaez's credibility."

"I very much doubt that the Backdraft even cares who is the Commissioner of the ZBC. If this were a freely planned attack on Alteil's part, he wouldn't worry about who was leading the ZBC. It'd be more important to focus on the ZBC as a whole and decide on the best course for avoiding detection. But we can speculate on this forever. How is your archeological infiltration going?"

Lt. Lucraft frowned. "Given all that's happening, should we really continue with that plan?"

"Should we continue with that plan, sir." He could tell that Lt. Lucraft was mentally rolling her eyes.

"Yes, sir, should we continue with that plan?"

"Yes, we should. Vaez is drafting a new budget to counter BD, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of those funds were secretly channeled to fund his excavations. He could justify his search for Zoid Eve as gathering a stronger arsenal to use against the Backdraft. We cannot let the current situation distract us from what might be going on behind the scenes."

The Lieutenant persisted, "But even you use the term 'might.' There's no proof."

"Lieutenant, remember our agreement. I make the command decisions and I bear responsibility for their success or failure. You need to follow those orders."

After a breathless moment, the Lieutenant said. "Yes, sir. I am almost finished constructing a new identity and will be on an excavation team within two weeks."

"Very good. Dismissed." The Lieutenant saluted once more and exited, leaving Paris to an unending torrent of reports and demands from every military and political figure who was utterly unable to cope with the situation. Paris himself wondered just how well he was holding on.

And then Sen Vaez called.

X X X X X X X X

Paris knocked and saluted all according to protocol, but Vaez's skin tingled from the resentment seeping off the man. This wasn't a case of a rival being outdone. No, Paris felt something. He suspected Vaez. Guarded as his expression was, Vaez could sense Paris' suspicions and had to salute such an intuitive man. People did not often trust their judgment, their instincts, the very traits nature and God gave man to survive. Many people brushed away a bad feeling or a stab of uncertainty as insecurity or some other rationale. Those people did not amount to much. Vaez and his family had survived for centuries by trusting their instincts and following hunches. Rarely did such intuitive action turn sour. Paris was like his family, he had a hunch and he was following it, though Vaez could not detect Paris' dealings. Were he not chained to the traditions and beliefs of old, if he only knew the glory that was coming and accepted it, Vaez would have been very happy to bring a man such as this into his order. Alas, there was too much of Hancock in Richard Paris.

"Brigadier-General, please sit. May I offer you a drink?" Some sodium-pentothal perhaps, to loosen your tongue?

Paris declined. Probably had a feeling about the drink. "With respect, sir, can we really be sitting down for a drink given the current crisis? Surely you must have many incoming calls."

Vaez leaned back and sipped a bit of scotch he'd poured for himself. "A little drink helps keep one calm in moments like this. On the front line a drink spells disaster, but here it can keep a level head. I have already spoken with the leaders of Guylos and Helic, both of whom are in complete panic and utterly lost. I fear it is up to the ZBC to strike back at the Backdraft. That is why I have called you here, Brigadier-General. I want you to hasten your development of the Buster Eagle. We will need its power very soon."

Paris frowned, naturally. Vaez was well aware of his excuse. "Sir, we cannot develop a Zoid core small enough to fit the Buster Eagle's chassis while still outputting the power needed for the weapons and engine. I'm afraid our ambition with this project has overreached reality."

Vaez pretended to sympathize and nodded. Paris was not using all his resources in this endeavor. He had objected to building the Buster Eagle—the Gojulas of the skies. He had said that such power was unnecessary in a world that was mostly peaceful. Well, times change, don't they Paris? Vaez reached into his desk and produced a small data chip that he plugged into a small holo-projector. An image flickered into the air, displaying a small cube with rounded edges. Every side of the structure centered a large blue hole that sent a shimmer of energy through the cube.

"This, Brigadier-General, is the solution to your team's blockage. Our research teams in Eveopolis discovered it within a Zoids development center. Apparently, the Ancient Zoidians were experimenting with new power sources and core housings before their downfall. The name of this unit is lost in translation, so the team simply calls it a Blox."

Paris still wore his frown and Vaez doubted it was simply because of the silly name for this wonder of technology. "Pardon me, sir, but this small thing can power the Buster Eagle?"

"Not on its own, no. But that is the beauty of the Blox, it does not function alone. If you build several of these and encase the Zoid Core in one Blox, the others act as a chain of generators, allowing a smaller Zoid to generate power equal to a unit several times its own size. With enough of these, I am confident the Buster Eagle will be completed."

Naturally, Paris found a way to stall. "Perhaps we should test this on other Zoids before building something as powerful as the Buster Eagle, sir?"

Vaez nodded, not at all surprised. "Provided that you have a prototype up and running in two weeks." He raised a hand to quell Paris' protest. "I believe their were some schematics of smaller units that were never developed in the ZBC database. Incorporate the Blox into those designs and see what sort of benefits you reap. Clear, Brigadier-General?"

"Clear, sir." Paris saluted and left quietly. Vaez took one last sip of his scotch, chuckled, and signaled his driver to meet him outside his personal exit. Of course, Vaez never got in the car. One of his bodyguards, surgically altered to be his double, rode away in Vaez's limo to run simple errands. Vaez himself donned a simple disguise of a heavy coat, hat, and glasses, and drove out to an indiscreet, unobtrusive construction site in the factory district. It had all the makings of a bad spy vs. spy movie. A secret laboratory buried beneath the city, an elevator built into a building that never seemed to finish construction, and a host of disguised figures hiding in the shadows. Yes, this seemed so carbon-copy that no one would believe it to be true. Any eyewitness would be dismissed as having watched too many holo-vids. Hence the reason why it was such a perfect way to meet.

Vaez turned his car over to one of his guards, who would drive it about the city for a few hours and then return to escort his master home. The others accompanied him into the elevator. Only one of the cloaked group revealed himself as soon as the doors slid shut. Dr. Laon's egg-shaped head nearly scraped the top of the elevator. "Isn't all this cloak-and-dagger stuff a little too much." The bodyguards all stiffened at Laon's tone and casual address of their master. Each one was poised to strike him down for such audacity. Vaez let them stay poised just long enough for Laon to become unnerved, then motioned them down with a simple wave of the hand.

"We cannot be too cautious, Doctor. The time for your redemption is not yet on hand. It will be at least several days before we stage your return to society. In the meantime, I want you to see the center of your project; the absolute focus of all your work from this day forward." The doors hissed open into a long corridor that stretched into infinity. Vaez led the way, flanked by two of his guards. The remainder trailed behind Laon, on guard should he attempt something. The hallway was designed so that no more than three people could proceed abreast. Easier to defend the main complex that way. Of course, it carried the price of having to import technology one bit at a time and assembling every tool and component within the structure. Inconvenient, but life was far to imperfect for Vaez's plans to be easy. If life were perfect, he wouldn't have had to make any plans in the first place. His family had been stripped of their rule and now he worked within the world's blind spot to restore the balance. He would make the world perfect again.

Exiting the hallway was like a man emerging from a box to find himself drifting in the vastness of space. The openness of the main laboratory staggered Vaez every time. The domed roof was at least six stories high, plenty of room for any sort of machine or Zoid component needed. The curving section nearest the doorway featured several beds that could easily be used to form blockades if needed. Opposite the beds stood an array of monitors displaying news of the latest strike against Desert Flower City. At opposite end of the dome stood an array of large tubes, only two of which contained the pulsing array of cells that formed a Zoids Core. Empty or occupied, each containment vessel glowed with an eerie blue light that illuminated that section of the dome, and cast an equally sinister glow on the surgery table and operating tools that occupied the space across the way. Laon eyed both sections cautiously, but his main focus fell on the centerpiece of the area: the heart from which all other research sections flowed. A Zoid birthing pool took up three-fourths of the floor; a massive pool of thick purple water that was remarkably calm despite the tremendous power and potential that lay below its rippling surface.

An array of catwalks bridged the surface of the pool and connected to a large platform that was roughly half the Zoid chamber's diameter. It hung on steel tethers strung from the ceiling but did not sway thanks to the catwalks. The platform elevated slightly towards the center and atop that stood some sort of sarcophagus. Vaez could see Laon's confusion and beckoned him to come closer, towards an elderly man who stood hunching forward on a cane. What little hair he had left was pure white and combed towards the back of his hair. His skin was pure wrinkles and made him look like a tried up peach. Despite his frail appearance, his viper-like eyes glinted with a terrible intelligence that made him so invaluable. Although Laon had never met this man, Vaez was not surprised when he spoke a name.

"Baum!"
"Doctor Baum, if you please. Or perhaps we're on such a casual basis that I may call you Laon?"

Laon snarled something foul and took a step towards Baum. Vaez interposed himself. "Doctors, there is no need for this. Dr. Baum is here by my invitation. The two of you will be working together on various projects."

"Together?" Laon fumed. "Do you even know what that man's done?" As if Vaez would every bring someone into the fold without knowing the person's history. "He's a murderer, a lunatic!"

Baum shrugged. "Such terms are always used by the ignorant. Galileo was a heretic, Columbus a mad man, Dr. D a senile old man. I understand you've gathered a few labels yourself, Dr. Laon."

Laon coiled, "I never experimented on kids!"

Another shrug, "Young bodies accept change on the genetic level with greater ease. It was necessary for the sake of my research."

"Is that what you told the kids before you killed them?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, but they were too young to understand. Their sacrifice furthered my research by years. In the grand scheme of things, their loss will help save thousands more."

Laon spun around. "There is no way I'm working with him." Vaez motioned his guards down before they could detain him. He wanted Laon to serve him willingly. Forced servitude rarely inspired creativity, and Laon would have to be innovative in the days ahead. Alteil was different; Vaez just needed him to play the villain and serve his role. Truly, any buffoon could fill that role. Alteil was just the most handy. Not so with Laon.

Vaez sighed, "I admit I'm surprised. I wouldn't have arranged this meeting if I'd known you felt this way."

"You're kidding me." All Vaez' bodyguards had one hand beneath their robes, waiting for the chance to slice off Laon's impetuous tongue. "I'd never work with someone like that! Anyone with half a brain cell-" Laon cut off when he felt the others pressing in on him. He cleared his throat and spoke in a much calmer voice, though a fresh layer of sweat now brightened his forehead. "All I'm saying is that I can't be a part of any organization that has someone like him as one of their top researchers. I have limits."

Vaez nodded. "Every man has a limit, and I understand your position, Doctor. However, you should know that Dr. Baum has been a part of the Backdraft for far longer than yourself. You have already been a part of an organization that employed both your talents."

Laon was taken aback for a moment, but recovered saying, "I didn't know about that at the time. But still-"

"Was your stay with the Backdraft so distasteful? Even though you were not aware of his presence, Dr. Baum was very active within the organization and he supervised several projects you worked on. Did the BD engage in any actions that you could not tolerate?"

"They tried to blow up Leena." Laon growled.

Vaez agreed with a nod. "That, however, was a rogue action by Alteil, not a sanctioned BD operation. Truthfully, Dr. Laon, did anything terrible happen during your time at BD?"

"… No. Not really."

"Then I can promise you more of the same. Dr. Baum's past is complicated, but I can assure you there will be no experiments on children or mutating innocents." Not yet, anyway. "You will have a say in all projects and I can still guarantee the opportunity to see Leena Toros again. Will you stay?"

It was a long pause, but Vaez was confident of the answer. If Laon was trying to unnerve him he was failing. Merely mentioning Leena's name gave Vaez huge power over Laon. Even if Laon would not sell his soul to see the daughter of his love, a few guarantees would help weaken his resistance. Ultimately, Laon agreed to stay and fell back in line with the procession. Dr. Baum seemed uninterested in the mini-drama that had just played before him and instead sped everyone along to the specimen tanks along the curved wall.

All but two of the titanic containers were empty, save the nutrient fluid that awaited a Zoid core. Indeed there were two cores occupying the last tanks on the right. Both cores pulsed and strained violently, as if racing each other to see who could break their confines first. Dr. Baum reported, "I added a growth retardant to the solution for fear that the cores would develop before we are ready. The DST core is almost ready for harvesting and the UDS core is almost done re-sequencing. No abnormalities from the mutation, though the possibly still exists as the core is only 35 developed."

The abbreviations were lost on Laon, but Vaez grinned, satisfied. "How large an improvement can we expect in the UDS core?"

"Unknown without our final 'component' but I can promise at least a 120 upgrade from the older model." That was enough for now. They moved on to the birthing pool and the platform suspended above. The large monolith centered on the platform was not, as it appeared from a distance, a sarcophagus. It was a large chamber with pressure-sealed plates acting as a door. From a nearby control panel, Dr. Baum released the locks and the doors hissed open, spraying out a cloud of steam over the party. "The temperature within is akin to a sauna; not harmful to stay in but it can lead to dehydration and some skin irritation." The inside of the plates and the wall of the chamber were lined with small portals that looked almost like suction cups. Several small cables dangled and twitched from various portals, but for the most part the chamber looked inactive.

Laon peered in curiously. "I've seen this layout before. It's bigger… but this looks like the inside of an Organoid."

Dr. Baum nodded. "Very astute. The Cradle is constructed from the remains of an Organoid you are very familiar with, Doctor."

Laon frowned for a moment, but realization dawned quickly. After all, he'd only seen one Organoid in his life. "This is the Organoid that Toros and I discovered?"

Baum nodded. "Indeed. It has taken me several years to develop this unit, and it was not until Lord Vaez produced several more Organoid remains that I was able to complete the structure. Many critical parts had been damaged beyond repair when the base unit was first crushed." Laon did not miss the "Lord" title, but he seemed too surprised by the other revelations to care. Poor Laon; drowning in a torrent of information and completely ignorant of their impact on this world. All the players were assembled, all the props gathered. One more act before the plot truly unveiled.

X X X X X X X X

Barrier Zoids, as they were most commonly referred to, were the ultimate defense on Zi, perhaps even the universe. Their walls drew in nutrients from the ground, fortifying any cracks and repairing any damage. Even more astounding, the Zoid knew the proper rate of consumption to allow the soil to replenish its minerals and not drink the land dead. Burrowing under the wall was foolhardy for the Barrier Zoid's guard extended far beneath the ground and curved to form a protective shell around the piping and foundation of its protectorate. Flying over the wall was equally pointless. The shield generators atop each wall spire formed an energy field so tightly-woven that not even an insect could slide under. The shield was powered by the Guardian Zoid's core, nestled somewhere in the vast underground and guarded by the impenetrable shell.

Legend had it that the Barrier Zoids were the Zoidians' last fallback during the Deathsaurer's destructive reign. Only those who huddled terrified behind its walls lived long enough to speak of how the Deathsaurer destroyed a whole continent in just one night. Hancock had always found that story laughable, until he saw the classified footage from the Guardian Force's last battle with the beast of legend. While not very agile or fast, the Deathsaurer had the power to fire its Charged Particle Cannon for miles in every direction. The Deathsaurer could, theoretically, burn the whole world without moving an inch, provided it had enough power. Only the Barrier Zoids could withstand its power, and even then they had barely held up under the barrage of pure energy.

While the tale conjured up a fearsome image of the Deathsaurer, Hancock took some comfort in the Barrier Zoid's strength. Watching the protective shield illuminate the night a faint teal, Hancock was confident that the Backdraft could never pierce this shield, even if they used the CPC that shot down all the judge satellites. He was more concerned about Lady Prasino, who stood with him atop Arcadia's Castle, holding her pendant with both hands and looking for all the world like she was going to pass out. Her skin, damp with sweat and turning a very disturbing shade of light gray, seemed to tremble on its own; a sub-beat to the rest of her shaking body. The moment the shield connected at the highest point above the city, she slumped to her knees faster than Hancock could catch her. Old age was always his undoing and his knees hurt like hell.

"Lady Prasino!" He knelt down beside her, his knees be damned.

"I am all right." She panted. "Fylak's mind is both familiar and alien at the same time. I have spoken with her since childhood, but there are times when the size and complexity of her mind are overwhelming."

Hancock frowned. "Her?"

Lady Prasino smiled, "Fylak is far too familiar to be referred to as an 'it.' And there are times when I sense her thoughts are somewhat… feminine. I may be projecting, of course."

Odd as this was, Hancock immediately dropped the subject. Gender classifications could wait for a more boring night (not that Hancock expected such a thing in the near future). It was his intent to help her to her feet, but in the end they both relied on each other to rise up. "You told me once that the women in your family can speak with Fylak, but you don't have a daughter. Does that mean your son will take over this responsibility when he assumes leadership?"

"No. Atory will never be able to speak with Fylak. Although he has Zoidian blood within him, he doesn't have the ability to use this pendant. Zoidian traits are passed on based on gender, father to son, mother to daughter, but never both."

Hancock knew little bit about Zoidian biology, but it had never been a main interest. Not until someone he knew ended up suffering because of a birthright. "So only a daughter could assume your rank."

"Yes… though I fear the King and I will not have that option. We've tried to conceive another child with little success. Even though I'm less that 25 Zoidian, the genes still conflict. It's not unusual to have birthing complications or even difficulty conceiving a child. It's also not uncommon for the mother to die in childbirth. I thank God that I survived to see my son grow. And in a way I'm happy he'll never have to push himself like I have tonight." She didn't have to say how concerned she was for the future and who would ascend her rank. Time to change the subject.

"Was all this really necessary?" He nodded to the shimmering energy wall.

"Come now, former Chairman, surely you would have ordered a similar display for your people?"

"Not if it meant killing another person."

Lady Prasino steadied herself. "I am nowhere near dying, Chancellor, but I am drained." She rubbed her pendant absently. "The tools used to interact with Zoids were originally intended for the natives of this world. Even though we've been here for over a century, we cannot talk to Zoids with the ease of the Zoidians. It drains me terribly to speak with Fylak and activate its shield, but the people must know that what happened to Desert Flower City will not happen here."

Hancock nodded, a heavy weight in his chest. "You know that this will almost completely ruin the King's hopes for expanding Arcadia's territory. People will want Helic and Guylos' protection now more than ever."

Lady Prasino smiled, "I still have faith in my husband, and he has faith in your Guardian Force plan. Protecting people is only half the battle. If we do not cull the Backdraft, attacks will only continue. I believe your GF plan will offer a better solution than the plans of our rivals."

Before she could elaborate, one of Lady Prasino's aids stepped on to the roof. "My Queen, my Queen! You have a summons!" Such panic in her voice. Who would summon the queen of Arcadia? "It is from… it is from the Lady." Despite her pale features, Lady Prasino stood up a bit straighter and nodded. She then asked Hancock to follow her and headed for the King's conference room.

"Darling, I must leave for a time. I have been summoned by the Lady."

King Prasino frowned. "Now? This isn't the best time."

His wife nodded. "But the Lady never calls when it is the right time, you know that. I will be back in less than a week and Fylak's shield will remain until I return. My absence will not endanger our people."

"I'm concerned for you. Perhaps Pierce should escort you in the Storm Sworder."

"No. The Lady would never accept someone she did not invite. I will be fine and I will see you in a week." She departed without further debate.

Hancock looked from the King to where the Queen had stood, bewildered. "Who is this 'Lady?'"

"One of Angela's-"

Kenneth Gray cleared his throat, "One of the 'Queen's…'"

King Prasino rolled his eyes but also nodded his head. "One of the Queen's sponsors. She's been in contact with Ange- the Queen's family for many years. I've never met her myself for the simple fact that I was never invited."

This was not what Hancock had expected. The Prasino's claimed rulership, but if they answered to some unseen power then they were not truly in control of this Kingdom. Hancock would not be a puppet to some woman lurking behind the curtains. King Prasino noted Hancock's thoughts. "I can assure you, Chancellor, that if they Lady tried to order me to follow a command I would refuse. She only acts as an advisor to my wife who holds the Lady in high regard. Apparently this rather reclusive woman helped teach the Queen conduct for politics and some social etiquette, though I suspect there was a great deal more taught than I am aware. My wife loves this Lady as a second mother, but she is strong-willed and would never let another person do the thinking for her."

Not entirely confident, but momentarily satisfied, Hancock nodded and the King continued.

"Given the current crisis, I am more convinced than ever that we must provide a force that can remove the threat of both bandits and Backdraft cells within our territory and beyond. Helic and Guylos are both pledging defense, but without some form of offense we will forever be hiding behind Fylak's walls. Chancellor Hancock, are you still certain this Guardian Force plan will work?"

"More than ever. Helic and Guylos will send armies to kill off any cells hidden within cities. That means occupation and prolonged struggles that cost many lives. A small unit, perhaps even one man, can be much more effective against the enemy. It's the difference between using a club or a scalpel."

"And you still believe this Leo person is the right choice?"

Captain Stoller stood up, "Your highness, I have some information that would support that decision. He inserted a data chip into the monitor wall. The horror of Desert Flower City flickered to life before them, detailing the death and brutality of one night. Hancock thought back to his reflections on the Deathsaurer and could suddenly see this tragedy expanded tenfold. Zi had a history of tragedies and upheavals that seemed to make the planet itself cursed. Would there be another night such as this? Not if his plan worked.

The screen cycled through various shots, including airborn views of the bombing units. The skies had been occupied by only one force. "These shots came from the Backdraft force!"

Stoller nodded. "Indeed. I still have some allies among the Backdraft ranks; and while they are uncomfortable within the organization, they stay and send me what information they can. I asked for this footage so that we might be able to study their tactics and maybe determine where their main force hides. But I discovered something a bit more important for our cause." He paused an image and zoomed in to a ground shot. A Hover Cargo huddled beneath an energy shield on the ground below with a swarm of people seeking similar shelter. It did Hancock some good to see people assisting each other. Too often in crisis the masses broke down into an unruly mob and stepped on each other for survival. Stoller, however, focused on an area outside the protective field.

Hancock had seen the Liger Zero Panzer several times and it never ceased to impress him. That such a Zoid as versatile and ripe with potential existed was a true thrill to anyone who appreciated Zoids. He was so taken in by the Zero that he almost didn't notice the beat-up looking Command Wolf next to it. Stoller said, "This is Leo's Command Wolf. While the Panzer was the main threat against the raid, this older Zoid still shot down an impressive number of enemy units. What's more, early estimates indicate that the pilot's aim was far superior to his normal standard."

The King nodded. "Your theory on how situations give rise to better piloting?"

"Exactly, sire. During most official battles, this Leo person couldn't hit a Gojulas with a grenade launcher, but in this battle he managed to strike over a dozen enemy Zoids using a sniper rifle. That kind of difference only makes me more convinced that he is an ideal candidate to serve as a guardian for this area. He only needs the proper training to bring out his full potential."

"Ah yes, that little issue." The King had listened to both Hancock and Stoller argue for the role of GF trainer for weeks now. Hancock knew from experience how a topic could become poisonous if people talked about it enough. How many times had Hancock endured a prolonged debate over what should have been a simple decision? "Very well. This situation has pressed the need for a stronger defense force. We will invite this Leo to Arcadia in person." Arcadia did not have reliable communication lines, and Hancock knew from experience how hard it was to resist an in-person invite. "Captain Stoller will train this new 'Guardian.'"

"No!" Hancock's outburst set the whole room on its side. "Sire, this was my idea, my design, I have the right to see it through."

"Indeed you do, Chancellor, but situations dictate action, as I'm sure you are aware. This pilot will have to face Backdraft cells, and who better to train someone to fight the Backdraft than one of its former members? I would rather have you focus on your strengths. I want you to allocate sufficient funds to train defense forces for our towns. We've now gathered enough financing to purchase a decent compliment of Zoids for homeland defense. I'm expanding your role to organize a defensive military. While our Guardian cuts away at the antagonists of our world, our defensive forces shall keep our people safe. Am I clear, Chancellor?"

Hancock nodded, defeated. "Clear, your highness." The meeting ended and Hancock was the first one out with Stoller close behind.

"Chancellor, a moment please."

"I believe you have more pressing issues, Captain. Don't you need to contact our new Guardian?"

Stoller fell into step and Hancock would not be caught playing a childish game. He would not change his pace nor try to lose the Captain. He'd dealt with far more imposing men the same way. "Chancellor, it was not my goal to sabotage your plan. I agree with your idea, but I believe that I am best suited to train an independent agent."

"Based on what? On the fact that this pilot will have to face the very people you served?"

A small flash of anger rippled Stoller's expression, but he hid it quickly. "The Backdraft I belonged to would never have conducted such an attack. Count Umbra wanted to earn the adoration of the people, not terrorize them. He wanted to create a whole new style of competition. This new Backdraft wants to burn all of Zi."

Hancock did not break stride. "And just how did the Count expect to build a more entertaining set of matches? By raiding existing battles? By destroying Zoids and ruining a team's chances in the legitimate circuit? How many lives did you crush, Captain Stoller, and how can I trust you to protect lives now. Answer that question and I will not make issue of the King's decision."

Stoller nodded as if he'd been expecting such a challenge. "Tell me, former Chairman, did you ever keep track of the teams the Backdraft 'crushed?'" Hancock did not dignify that with an answer. What kind of perverse interest would he have in a team that had lost everything to a cheating band of cowards? Stoller continued.

"In my time at BD, I battled at least thirty different teams, losing only to the Blitz Team. I made it a point to keep track of the teams I defeated, even as my interest in battling Bit Cloud began to cloud my judgment. Of the twenty-nine teams I defeated, only five completely withdrew from battles. Seven of the teams were able to save up enough to buy new Zoids and made an impressive run in the legitimate battle circuit. Five teams joined the ZBC to get back at BD. Three more teams became mercenaries who would pilot other Zoids and earn short-handed teams a victory. Two teams became announcers for local Zoids bars and gained some fame commenting on battles. The last seven teams decided to join Backdraft, and I had the pleasure of training many of them."

"Turning your defeated into the next generation of cheaters."

"Not at all. Some Backdraft members relied on cheating devices to win battles for them. I remember one particularly weasley pilot named Major Polta. He had next to no piloting talent, so instead he rigged every match. The troops under my command were all trained to fight with the power they already possessed. The pilots I trained knew how to press an advantage and not back down, but they never set up magnetic fields or substituted other Zoids mid-battle.

"My point, Chancellor, is that while the BD did present many teams with a tremendous obstacle, many teams were able to rise above a short-term loss and go on to earn respectable positions within one organization or another. The teams that gave up completely were too weak to have made it in the ZBC. The Backdraft just hastened their demise. The challenges of the old BD helped make pilots stronger and many of us took pride in that. I can promise you that there are many in this new BD regime who will oppose tonight's bombing. Backdraft's goal was never to break Zoid pilots. Our goal was to push people to pilot better, learn more, become stronger. Only the weakest and most selfish members tried to obtain personal gain. That is why you can trust me with this project. I will push this Guardian farther than he could ever believe. I will make him a pilot that would even give Bit Cloud some pause. I promise you that I will make a protector out of him."

Hancock was silent for a brief time. He had learned to read people fairly well in his time within the ZBC and was not easily swayed by speeches. Yet Stoller did seem sincere in his intention. "Honor among bandits" as the saying went. "The point seems moot, given the King's decision. I will see for myself if you can accomplish this goal. For now it seems I have to create a budget for the home defense force. Excuse me."

Stoller kept stride with him. "Before you go, I have a suggestion. There are bound to be members within BD who oppose Alteil's actions. For many of us, Alteil is acting grossly out of character. This will make BD members uncomfortable and many will flee. We can quickly strengthen Arcadia by granting them asylum."

Now Hancock stopped. The audacity of such an idea was appalling. "First you take over the project I conceived, and now you tell me to bring in criminals as part of a military force? The King may give you some leeway, Stoller, but don't think for a minute that I'm going to simply let you do as you want."

The Captain of the Guard appeared unfazed. "I am merely making a suggestion. You may not be able to forget my history, but the King understands my desire to change. Many other BD members will feel the same way. You are of course free to ignore my advice and let the rogue members wander about, but doing so would cost us an important source of both pilots and Zoids. I am confident that you could train such a force into a respectable military unit. You served as a drill instructor for several years, did you not? What's more, I know that you have worked outside the military channels to ensure the peace, so you already know how to put out word that Arcadia is searching for pilots. The choice is, as always, yours." Stoller saluted and turned to walk back down the hallway.

Hancock stood brooding for several minutes. This adopted home of his was just as threatened as anywhere, and they did need pilots. But he could not forgive the Backdraft who had cost him his career and were now responsible for untold deaths in one night. He would recruit as many pilots as he could from Arcadia's population. At the same time, he knew never to let personal feelings cloud judgments involving lives. Although he hated it, he knew he'd never forget Stoller's advice. It would prick at the back of his mind any time he sent out a call for recruits, and if the need became dire enough, he would give in to the inevitable.

He hoped it would never come to that.

X X X X X X X X

Fire replaced his blood. That was the only explanation for the burning that tore at him from the inside. It seared his veins and boiled his heart. It seemed so strange to have a fire raging within him while the outside world was a hazy blur of purple mixed with a faint trail of crimson. Somehow that flow of shinning color, as warm as the flames within his body, didn't fit. He didn't fit in this world either. Not like the way he didn't fit in that base with the angry men, not the way rust didn't belong on one of his dear Zoid friends. This place would kill him. It was far more lethal.

It was so hard to think, and the pain only made it more difficult. The flames moved up and down his body like some chaotic tide. Was he dying? Was this supposed to be the end? Fear used to grip him in situations like this, but then he'd become a little numb to it all. One fear always obscured the others, and the memory came to him despite the pain. After that night, nothing scared him as deeply.

He'd been trying to crawl his way back through the air ducts to his friend with a brand new pilot stick. 12516 had killed another Zoid, but the piloting stick wasn't damaged. He felt bad, taking a part from a dead Zoid, but this would help free another. That was okay, wasn't it? It was better than just letting the part go to waste without helping anyone. The angry men didn't want to help anybody, and since everything the angry men did was bad, helping someone must be good. All he had to do was be the opposite of the angry, dark men and he would be happier. He wouldn't have a reason to be as angry as them or as mean as 12516.

That was why he wanted to help that old Zoid, the one he named Fang. The only reason he left Fang again was to get new parts so the Zoid could leave one day, and maybe he could leave too. Leave the angry men behind. Leave the beatings behind. Find a place where he could be good and happy. He'd taken lots of parts to Fang. Leg joints, wiring, new screws and bolts; all taken when the techs weren't watching, and nothing was ever missed because it all seemed so small. But all this small stuff meant so much to Fang. He could tell the old Zoid was happy to have someone fixing him again. Fang hoped to be free too.

He'd threaded a small piece of wire from the old hangar through the air duct so he could find his way back; but the wire had snapped and now he was wandering around, trying to find his friend again. He wanted to get this piloting stick to Fang soon because it might be the last part Fang needed. Maybe after the stick worked, Fang could leave and take him along. That would be good.

Too bad he was lost. He wanted to leave now. Where was Fang? In the dark, everything looked the same. It was hot and the metal didn't feel good. He had to take off his uniform to fit into the duct, but that meant he felt really sore after getting out. Some of the medics thought he had a skin problem (not that the angry men cared). They gave him some kind of cream for the sores, but what he really needed was to get out of here. Then he wouldn't have to crawl through ducts anymore.

"To say I'm disappointed, Doctor, would be totally inadequate."

Voices up ahead, but none of them belonged to the angry men. As eager as he was to see Fang again, he followed the voices. "I did warn you that something like this would happen, Count. You cannot blame me for the works of nature."

"I ordered you to create a set of pilots that defied nature. Pilots so skilled they defied every odd."

"And yet I am powerless against the random mutations. Their bodies are rejecting the gene therapy. Of all the candidates, only one has not suffered any sort of rejection. All the others have been put into cryo-freeze." His heart got really tight when he heard that. Cryo-freeze. What was that? Was that what happened to all the others who went away? "I suspect 12515's age is what helps him. Being the youngest, his body is adapting to the changes faster."

The other voice was getting angrier. "And yet all the reports state that he is unwilling to follow orders and is prone to emotional outbursts unbefitting a soldier." They were talking about him and how he wasn't doing what the angry men wanted. Good. Maybe they'd make everything stop since it was going so bad.

He finally found the room where the voices kept talking. It was on the other side of the base, away from where all the trainees learned how to fight and hurt people. He couldn't make out the people too well through the air vent. One person was really old and had a cane. He seemed really mean. The other guy was also old, but not as much, and was dressed kind of like a medic.

The medic guy said, "I only recently learned that 12515 has been smuggling equipment from the hangar and from salvaged Zoids. Surely you have been aware of this for longer than myself. Why do you allow him to move so freely?"

The older man smiled. His smile seemed to make the entire room cold. "I am always eager to test the resources of my servants. I thought that if this young man has the ingenuity to repair that broken-down Zoid, he might yet prove useful. Such is not the case."

They knew about Fang! He knew he should leave, should hurry and find his friend and leave tonight. But he stayed because something about these two guys kept him from moving. He needed to hear more.

"And what of the extra recruit?" The oldest guy asked. "Has he at least gleamed some wisdom from this farce?"

That should have made the man in the lab coat angry, but it didn't. "He's learned to pilot a Zoid well enough, but he's far too brutal. He attacks everything around him and doesn't stop until the Zoids are completely destroyed. He has quite the vicious streak."

The old guy nodded. "Very well. I shall deal with him. In the meantime, I am suspending this operation."

"Before you do that, Count, let me show you something." He slid a packet over the older man, the Count, who opened it up and looked at the papers inside. The medic guy kept talking. "Based on my study of the DNA implantation of the subjects, I believe I can now inject the genes into a zygote and replace the necessary strands. We can then give birth to a perfect candidate and raise the subject from the start. No genetic rejection, no personality quirks, it will be exactly what you desire."

The Count nodded. "Congratulations, Doctor, you just redeemed yourself. However, I will not overlook the money spent on this current endeavor. Put 12515 in the freezer with the others. We may have use for them in the future."

Freezer… they were going to send him away with the others. They'd send angry men to his room and when they didn't see him there they'd go looking for Fang! He started backing up through the duct that was too narrow to let him turn around. He began to crawl through the darkness faster than ever; he didn't care how much it hurt. His friend was on the other side of the darkness, waiting for him. They'd have to escape tonight or they'd never get away!

And now Leo was in darkness again. A wet darkness that left a metallic taste in his mouth and nose. The taste almost reminded him of blood, and he knew that was the bit of red that was seeping away from him. This was how it was going to end: he was swallowed by the darkness and Fang would sit in a hangar again, maybe forever.

He no longer feared death, but regret took hold of his heart, a dark coldness against the fire in his body. At first Leo was confused. He'd never regretted his life. It had been painful, it had been dark for a time, but once he'd gotten away he'd lived as free as the wind. Losing Zoids battles didn't bother him, nor did bouncing from team to team. He hadn't liked staying in one place anyway. Yet there was something vague, ethereal, poking his mind and reminding him that he'd missed out on something good, something important.

"Do not despair" A voice came from some unseen source. It seemed to resound both within him and in the surrounding darkness. It was a calm voice, gentle, motherly. "Do not despair. This will not be your end."

A loud pulse rippled through the void, like a giant heartbeat. It was slow, almost sleepy, but strong. The fire within Leo's body surged with each beat, but somehow his mind could only focus on the voice. "This one is waiting for you." A shinning ball of blue fire illuminated the sinking depths. It did not seem to give off heat yet its brightness illuminated the entire area. "This is your partner. Together, you will battle great heresy and protect those you love."

Partner? He already had a partner, Fang. And somehow he felt that "love" didn't just refer to his friends. The way the voice spoke, it implied something much stronger. Who did he love that much? He didn't know what that was until a gentle warmth took hold of his body and lifted him upwards. The dark swirl of purple lightened until he broke its surface and looked, bleary-eyed and exhausted, into the most beautiful face he'd ever seen.

X X X X X X X X

Things never moved slow for Leena. In the middle of a battle with ballistics flying everywhere, in a shopping spree, in a dash to catch and punish Bit, her life was never slow. When a loud crack split her hears and Leo began to fall backwards into the birthing pool, time moved slower than she would have thought possible. Leo's fall took an eternity and every drop of blood that seeped out of him seemed to hover in the air. Even as he fell into the pool's waters, it seemed as if some deity had decided to set the universe in slow motion. Leena did not like things slow. She was moving the moment she cried out Leo's name, running towards the man in the pilot's uniform, the man with the gun. He had a grazed glint in his eyes and a twisted smile that seemed to skewer his face even more as he turned the gun on her.

He was moving slowly, she was not. The gun hadn't even reached a decent angle before Leena crossed the distance between them and raised her right fist, cocking it back and releasing all her rage in one blow. Teeth came loose and bones crunched under the impact. It felt good to have her knuckles leave dents in the man's jaw, real good. Leena had never felt such satisfaction, even when she blew Bit away for stealing her treats. This guy had bombed a whole city, killed dozens—maybe hundreds—of people, and now he may have killed Leo. Leena couldn't forgive someone like this, and there was no showing mercy on someone who probably didn't understand the concept.

The Backdraft pilot's eyes rolled into the back of his skull as he dropped on the floor with a delicious thud. Leena didn't take time to gloat, instead she spun around and sprinted to the edge of the birthing pool and beyond. She didn't hesitate to dive into the water. Leo could have sunken to the bottom by now. He'd come with her willingly because of some feeling or premonition and now he'd been hurt because of her stupid feeling. Leo always seemed to suffer because of her. The Diloforce attack, the Valley of the Rarehertz fiasco, every time Leena had needed help, Leo had been there while she hadn't been of any use. She wouldn't accept that. Leo, she thought, I'm going to save you.

The water tasted like metal and was much heavier than being in the ocean. It was also a lot darker. The light violet ripples only lasted a little bit towards the surface while the rest of the pool was a murky purple or pitch black. Small bits of blood flowed among the stagnant waters, rising upwards. Leena tried not to focus on them and instead swam towards the bottom. It was hard to move in her battle outfit. Her wide-rimmed boots and the flaps wrapped around her hips only slowed her down, and the metallic pigtails atop her head kept wiggling in the water, making her movement even more awkward. She took just a second to pull off the headpiece, kick her boots off, and detach her costume's skirt. On any given day, Leena would have recoiled at the thought of giving up her battling outfit, but this was more important. Free of all her awkward garments, she swam down faster than before while her trappings floated into the dark recesses of the pool.

Leo floated at the edge of the darkness, unmoving. Leena's lung started to burn and the water played tricks with her eyes. She kept seeing small flashes of light dance across Leo's skin. She'd never heard of water making a person hallucinate, but this wasn't normal liquid. Given everything that had been happening lately, Leena was beginning to really hate Ancient Zoidians. Everything they left behind caused trouble.

Looping one arm under Leo's arms and across his chest, Leena began to pull upward while kicking as hard as she could. If she'd known something like this would have happened, she'd have taken underwater rescue courses. Actually, if she'd known this would have happened, she wouldn't have ever become a Zoid Warrior. Everything that had happened since before the start of the season was so violent and unfair. What had happened to the world?

The surface seemed to always be an eternity away from them. It was like being trapped behind a glass ceiling. No matter how far Leena swam with the injured Leo in tow, the water always stretched beyond her. Her lungs screamed betrayal for her denial of air, and her vision was starting to darken. Just a little more, she told herself, just a little farther and we'll be safe. Don't pass out now. Leo's counting on you.

Something broke the pool's surface up ahead, and a gloved hand reached down the infinite distance and took hold of Leena's hand. With one tug the distance between them and air closed to nothing, and Leena gulped a welcome breath of air. Brad Hunter reached down and helped pull Leo out of the water. "Are you two okay?"

Leena coughed and rasped, "Leo was shot. His chest…"

Brad was already opening Leo's shirt and pushing on his chest. "Are you sure? There's no bullet hole?" Indeed there wasn't. There wasn't any sign of a wound on Leo's body, yet the blood had soaked into his shirt. Had she imagined the wound? Had something else happened? Her eyes were still playing tricks on her after all. Leo's chest still shone with those streaks of light dancing across his muscles every time Brad pushed. For a moment Leena wondered if she was going crazy, but the look of confusion on Brad's face confirmed that his wasn't a hallucination. "What in the world-"

Bright violet water gushed out of Leo's mouth and he wheezed for breath. His eyes were unfocused and his expression dazed. Leena leaned over him and cupped his face in her hands. "Leo? Leo, can you hear me?" His gazed focused on her and he nodded, smiling a little.

"We need to go." Brad looped one of Leo's arms over his shoulder and Leena did likewise. "I stopped by the control room to find you guys and now we've got about twenty minutes to get back to the hangar before this place blows." The countdown. Leena had completely forgotten.

Over in the corner lay the Backdraft pilot, still unconscious. For a moment Leena thought to get him as well, but Leo's legs wouldn't work and his body was nothing but a heavy burden that Brad could not carry in just ten minutes. It was either risk two friends to save an enemy, or sacrifice the enemy to make sure her friends lived. Leena knew she should be a little more agonized by the decision; that she should value the unconscious man's life. She couldn't; however terrible she might feel later, this pilot had brought the tragedy on himself. She would not risk people she cared about for someone who first put them in danger.

It took fifteen minutes to haul Leo back to the hangar, and his body still wouldn't move right. His eyes were only partially focused and he was as heavy as one of her Gun Sniper's missile pods. There was no way he'd be able to pilot his Zoid outside. Leena glanced at his Command Wolf. Leo had an affection for it that Leena just couldn't understand. Maybe Zoids were alive, but unless they started moving around on their own like the Cannon Fort, Leena had to wonder just how aware they truly were. Even so, she knew that Leo would be heartbroken if his Zoid got blown away with the base, and there wasn't enough time to rig up a harness to drag Leena's Gun Sniper. She looked at her Zoid, so shiny and with all those beautiful cannons and missiles. She'd customized it specifically to match her fighting style and dreamed of the day she reduced Naomi Fluegel's Gun Sniper to a heap of melted slag, thus proving who was the better Gun Sniper pilot.

Then she looked at Leo and remembered all the times he'd been there for her; all the times he'd sacrificed himself to help her. Beating Naomi seemed like a stray bit of mist at the edge of Leena's vision that blew away with the smallest breeze. She and Brad hauled Leo over to the Command Wolf and lifted Leo inside. Leena then climbed in and positioned herself to pilot. She gave her Gun Sniper one mournful glance as the cockpit closed. While it couldn't compare to the friendship she had with a fellow human, Leena did regret having to leave it to such a cruel end. But she had to choose and she'd rather sacrifice something of her own than substitute Leo's Zoid. It would be too selfish.

"Sorry…" Leo managed to gasp behind Leena. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be." Leena smiled, though she knew that wouldn't relieve Leo's burden. A Zoid would die to save him. Leena knew that would tear him up inside, but at least he'd survive to feel that pain.

The Shadow Fox bounded out of the hangar first. The Command Wolf, Fang, grinded to a run. Piloting this Zoid was like trying to sprint through water. Despite all the improvements Leo had made to the Zoid, it was still a clunker.

Jamie did not meet them outside the base. He had vanished. "Jamie," Brad called over the radio, "where are you?"

A signal flare shot up from farther away and the Zoids sped forward. They cut through the waves of sand dunes, navigating by the fading light of the flare. Leena didn't understand why Jamie would use such an antiquated system to call them. Maybe his radio had been knocked out during the fight with that flying monster, which hadn't been outside the base either.

They reached the last dune under the flare with only a few moments until the base exploded. Before crossing the last dune, Brad signaled the others. "As soon as we reach the flare, power down your Zoid and get out of the cockpit." Leena didn't have time to ask why. The answer presented itself beforehand.

A dozen ZBC Zoids, ranging from a Pteras to a Shield Liger, aimed their cannons at the approaching team. The destroyed Backdraft Zoid lay on the bed of a Gustav's trailer, and Jamie smiled regretfully next to his Raynos. Five armed soldiers stood guard over them.

Brad sighed. "They arrived just after we shot down the enemy Zoid. They came with me into the base and found the countdown. It was all I could do to let them use Jamie as collateral while I went down to get you two. Just get out of the Zoids and let them sort this out."

Leena frowned. This was twice now she'd been arrest for doing something good.

X X X X X X X X

Damn bitch. Raid woke up to a blinding pain in his jaw. The last thing he remembered was shooting one of those stupid ground-pounders and watching him sink to the birthing pool. He'd get a up-close experience with an overloading Zoid birthing pool. Raid had turned to take care of his girlfriend, but the freak girl was already on top of him. She had swung her fist, there'd been a white hot flash of pain, and now he was lying on the floor and unable to move his mouth. Damn bitch.

He tried to stand up, but his jaw made him lie back down, it hurt so bad. His mind played over the events before that psycho bitch had hit him. He'd been about to leave the base for the ZBC to find… then those pilots showed up. He remembered that insane Raynos that didn't give a damn about crashing or dying. That guy was even crazier than the girl. He had nearly collided with Raid's Salamander when the Zoid suddenly went haywire and crashed… then he'd had to retreat into the base to get another ride, only there weren't any Glaive Quamas left in the hangar. So he'd decided to take one of the Zoids that had entered the base, and as a parting gift he'd decided to take care of the pilots as well. Give that freak flyer something to remember him by.

It'd felt good to shoot that one guy. It'd felt damn good. Raid was freer than any man on Zi. He wasn't held by gravity, or rules. He could even kill if he wanted. That was a rush that few people had the guts to handle. He did what he wanted and no one could catch him. Even if a tripped-out pilot shot him down, he'd get another ride. Then he'd come back stronger than ever and show everyone who ruled the skies. Nothing held him any more, not even those illusions people called morals.

In the middle of his newfound boldness (still somewhat daunted by the pain in his jaw), Raid's mind pricked with some fear. He'd missed something. Something important. Something that didn't allow him to waste time… time… timer.

He hadn't shut off the timer. How long had he been knocked out? Oh hell…

Pain was just an afterthought now. Had to get up. Had to move. Get out of here. No way he'd die underground. No way he'd die without anyone knowing. He was going to be big; the top gun of Zi. He wouldn't die underground, away from his sky!

Hard to move. Still a little woozy from the knock out. That bitch. Just get to the control room. Shut it down. Take a Zoid and go. Be back in the sky in no time. Shoot that bitch's Zoid and get that crazy flier. Payback. He would be the best. He'd live through this.

Zoid pool was glowing now; a bright teal that killed all the shadows in the room. There was still time though. Still time to reach the control room. Why did the idiots who designed this place put the steps so far away? His leg was throbbing. Must of landed on it or twisted his ankle in the fall. Damn bitch.

Pool was brighter now. Hard to see the steps. Too bright. Damn it, not gonna die here! Not now. Not like this. That goddamn bitch!

The world vanished in a flash of blue and white.

X X X X X X X X

Leena watched the explosion from a safe distance, locked inside a small office that sat in the belly of a Whale King. The land underneath the base vanished in a flash of light that reached into the sky and seemed to stab the clouds. The surrounding judge tempest had been wiped out by the force of the blast. Now all that remained was a smoking crater lined with glass born from melted sand. It terrified her to think what would have happened if they hadn't left the base in time.

And how lucky were the ZBC soldiers who came in late (as usual) to the fight. If Brad hadn't warned them to get away, they'd have been caught in the blast and there'd be even more lost lives. Leena's mind briefly touched on that Backdraft pilot who shot Leo. The man had gotten what he deserved, but Leena still felt uncomfortable that she had been the one to deliver his punishment. She'd left him to die in order to save Leo, just as she'd left her Gun Sniper behind to save Leo's Zoid. She didn't regret either decision, but it didn't make her feel better either.

She plucked at the itchy jumpsuit the ZBC officers had given her before locking the door to the office. After medics had taken Leo away, Jamie, Brad, and Leena had all been hustled into separate areas to be "debriefed." Interrogated might have been a better word. Her skin was still warm from the lights that had focused on her. A lot of people were blaming the Blitz Team for that explosion.

The Blitz Team… Leena regarded her battle costume, what was left of it. It lay on the floor, unnaturally stiff and useless. Leena had enjoyed wearing that outfit. She'd taken pride in how she made it look good without showing off half as much skin as Naomi's outfit or the clothes of the Tasker sisters. But now the metals from the Zoid pool had seeped into the fabrics and somehow hardened the material to the point that it might as well be a lead-lined suit. The medics had insisted that Leena take a decontamination shower, and she was pretty sure that several soldiers had tried to peek in on her. The only replacement clothing had been an extra jumpsuit for techs, and Leena found the thing unbearably tacky and itchy. It was a miserable thing to wear.

In a way, her current outfit was just like the Blitz Team, and its demise. The truth had struck her while changing. Her Gun Sniper was destroyed, Bit was out of commission, and his Liger was damaged. The Blitz Team no longer had a full compliment of Zoids and the ZBC officers were waving a lot of fines for interfering with their search. Leena considered charging them for saving their lives; enough money to buy a new Zoid. Leena momentarily wondered about the Cannon Fort's whereabouts.

All in all, the Blitz Team had suffered a blow that they couldn't handle. Without Bit and with their strength more than halved, Leena couldn't see the team recovering. Just like her battle costume, the team was broken and useless, and now all that was left was an itchy, uncomfortable feeling that made Leena unhappy.

A knock came from the door. Must be someone new since none of the officers had shown her that much courtesy. "Come in." They'd better be coming to take her to see Leo. His safety and care were the only things keeping her from kicking the door down, grabbing her friends, and kick every ZBC soldier in this entire Whale King square in the a-

"Leena. I'm so glad to see you safe." Sen Vaez disarmed her with a smile.

X X X X X X X X

Author's Note: Oh my gosh, I killed Leena's Gun Sniper!

Well, I seem to be tearing apart the New Century universe brick by brick. What comes next for our heroes? What will Leena do? And what's up with Leo's skin?

All this and more next chapter! Reviews are always appreciated.