DR: Here's chapter 6, marking the return of some old faces... Oh, and all you Pierce/Jamie fans, please don't panic. I know what I'm doing...

Shadow: (Raises eyebrow) You know they will...

DR: Well, one can hope... (starts looking for fire-proof coveralls)

Chapter 6: Old Flames of Passion & Hate

Even before the team had returned home, they had informed the ZBC of Naomi Hunter's temporary withdrawal from active piloting. After the fright of that day, no one was ready to take any chances.

"You sure your okay Na'?" Ever since they had gotten back, Brad had been hovering over her. He was desperate that neither she nor their child would come to any harm.

"Yes Brad, I'm fine…" Naomi sighed as she settled back into the couch. His concern was touching, but it was a little overwhelming. It wouldn't be so bad, if the others in the team hadn't been moving around her like they were walking on eggshells. It was if they all expected her to break apart at the slightest touch!

In fact, the only member of the team that was not treating her any differently from before was the Liger kitten. As she stroked the sleeping cat, Naomi felt a lot of her tension fade away.

"We really need to name this kitten."

"I know. I tried to think of something that fits, but for the life of me I can't come up with anything." Pierce said as she slumped down on the other side of the kitten. Gently she began to stroke the silky fur herself, her hand keeping pace with Naomi's. But it was clear that her mind was not on the kitten. Naomi frowned as she looked at the younger woman.

"Pierce, is everything alright?" Pierce jumped at her question.

"Sure, why wouldn't it be?"

Naomi didn't buy it. "Come on Pierce, I know you well enough to know that you're troubled by something."

Pierce sighed and her face fell. "Is it that obvious?" Naomi just nodded.

"It's just… me and Jamie." Pierce half whispered. Naomi's eye flicked toward the kitchen, where the young man in question was discussing with Sarah the evening meal. "I just…" Pierce was interrupted by the tones of the videophone. Seeing how everyone else was busy, she jumped up to answer it.

Naomi sighed in frustration. When she had gotten back from her honeymoon, Naomi had almost immediately sensed the tension that surrounded Pierce, and to a degree was between her and Jamie. She hadn't had a chance to brooch the subject until now. Pierce was just about to open up, too. Naomi lent back in her seat. Hopefully she'll get another chance to talk with Pierce soon.

Pierce stepped into the main computer room, thoughts about who could be calling right now filling her head. Sitting down before the monitor, she hit the 'Receive' button.

When she saw who had called, her jaw dropped a little. "Rico! What…"

"Ah Pierce, so good to see you again!" He cut her off, grinning broadly. "What luck it's you who answered the call. Now no-one else in the Blitz needs know it was me." His grin was one of triumph.

Pierce had to work her jaw for half second before it responded to her commands. "Rico, why are you calling?"

"Why not?" He eyes showed amazement that she asked that question. "We fought the other day, after not seeing each other for almost three years. Don't you think it would be natural for me to want to know how you've been?"

"Well, I…"

"Anyway, your defeat of us has really caused quite a stir." Rico carried on like she hadn't said a word. "Lots of change, coming and goings." His eye flitted to one side before looking back at her. "Listen, I'd love to tell you all about it, but the old man here has just called for another meeting." He rolled his eyes. "Why don't I pop round later and we'll go out to dinner?"

Pierce was floored by his bold suggestion. "Dinner?"

"Yea, just you and me together. As a pair of old classmates catching up over a nice little meal, reminiscing about old times together." He let his face form into what he called his 'lost puppy' look. "It'll be on me…"

Pierce sat back for a second, thinking hard. She had to admit she was tempted by his offer. The last few days had been getting worse as far as she and Jamie were concerned. And clearly it was beginning to show. If Naomi was able to pick up on it, even in her condition, then what about the rest of the team? And she was curious as to how Rico had gotten a Storm Sworder himself; they were notoriously hard zoids to acquire. Plus how did he get on the Helic team?

Yes, an evening away from the Blitz would not only allow her to clear her head a little, but also allow her to get an insight in how regular pilots got hold of Storm Sworders and spares. She had gained hers from Dr Layon, which was not normal by any stretch of the imagination.

"All right Rico, this once."

His face broke out into a broad grin. "Excellent. I'll be around just before five then. Catch ya later." And with that he signed off.

Pierce shook her head as she stepped out of the computer room. Somehow she had never really understood Rico.

x x x x x x

Altiel snarled as he read the paper, already a few days only. After the Backdraft had fallen, he had been on the run constantly. After the Count, he was the most wanted member still at large. For almost six months he had been constantly on the more, looking over his shoulder all the time. He still had his enormous cash reserves from his time at the Backdraft. The ZBC had seized his Backdraft accounts, but not his personal ones, the ones even the Committee had not known about. He had been skimming funds from all his projects and the betting's for years, building up a nest egg.

With those funds, he had been able to quite simply drop of the face of the planet. He had maintained a number of contacts within the underworld, but they rarely had knowledge of what was going on legally. He had heard about the 'Dark Lord' who was after the Blitz, but Altiel had not come forward. The Blitz was his!

Slowly his contacts began to disappear, and Altiel became worried. He was desperate for news, so he had decided to take a risk and re-establish contact with the remnants of the Backdraft that were still out there. Slowly news had filtered through to him, and at last he saw the chance he had been looking for: to run the Backdraft himself and reap all the rewards.

But this… really blew his cool. The headlines proudly proclaimed the sudden marriages within the Blitz team, and the centre pages were devoted to the teams' new look. When he had first looked at the front page, his jaw had fallen when he saw the image of Sarah there next to Leon Toros. As he read, his shock grew as he found out that not only she had married Leon, but also that she, along with that cynical Stigma Stroller, Pierce the rebel, and that brat of a pilot Vega Obscura had joined the Blitz, taking with them their zoids.

His foul mood increased when he learned the truth about the relationship between Sarah and Vega. He had always noted that there was something between them, something more than their behaviour showed. But he had never expected them to be related by blood, mother to son!

And now they were part of the Blitz, along with HIS Berserker Fury! He, Altiel, had been the one to find that powerful zoid, it should have been him who dictated how it was used, not that soft, weak willed Sarah. He had heard about the argument that she had had with the Count about the destruction of the ZBC's judge satellites, and how she had in the end changed his mind. That simple action had changed the course of the Backdraft, and of Zi, forever. For if she had been made of sterner stuff, she would have agreed with the Counts plan and now the Backdraft would be supreme.

But it all fell down at the Royal Cup, and while she was running the show, he was forced to watch over the betting's. Though it did allow him to make off with all the funds when the ZBC stormed in, defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.

But now, with the Dark Lord Hiltz dead, the remains of the Backdraft were looking for new leadership. Altiel slowly smiled as he considered the chance before him. The Backdraft would return, with him at its head. And from now on, it would do whatever was necessary to win. No more half measures. And the first thing to do would be to regain the groups' lost property, including the zoids sitting in the Blitz's hanger.

Altiel scowled again as he considered the zoids. The stunning discovery of a new Ultimate X zoid by the Blitz had floored him, his eye drooling as he studied the few pictures of the new zoid running through the paper. It was titanic, far larger than either the Liger Zero or the Fury. He could only imagine the power such a zoid had at its disposal! True it was not as striking as the Fury. In fact it looked a little soft. But a bit of paint and a few added parts could soon sort that…

Trick would be getting the zoid. Stealing the Liger Zero had been hard enough, and ever since they had managed it the once they had never been able to pull it off again. And that was before the Royal Cup. With a larger team able to respond… it would be near impossible to pull off a job like that again.

He looked again at the paper, and he noted again that there had been three weddings. Bit and Leena, Brad and Naomi, along with Leon and Sarah, had all been married the same day. With Leena as the pilot of the new zoid, and Naomi's Gunsniper evolved into a Snipe Master, getting at them…

He paused, rereading the last line of text. A cruel smile began to form on his lips as a plan entered his head…

x x x x x x

Later on that day, Dr Layon watched from the cockpit of his Cargo Hammerhead as he swooped in to land outside the Blitz base. He took in every feature of the new building, from the newly flawless finish of the walls, the twin rows of windows that showed the two floors, and the extended length of the hanger. Just beyond the hanger he could see the very top of the teams Hover Cargo poking up.

Layon sighed as he brought the Hammerhead down. He had greatly preferred his Whale King, but the Fuma Team, acting under orders from Altiel, had caused a massive charged particle explosion that would have destroyed Leena. He had used his Whale King to shield her from the blast, sacrificing the huge transport to save her, the daughter of the woman he had loved.

Now he was reduced to this old Hammerhead transport. Not as well equipped as his Whale King, he had to admit that it was far more responsive than the larger transport had been. Smaller, lighter and faster, it was more suited for the business he was just starting, as a freelance designer and manufacturer of custom zoid parts. Hopefully once people see that he had been trusted by the Blitz, he would gain useful employment.

As he stepped down the personal ramp, he looked over the rounded end of the base. The front door was raised off the ground by several feet, with a broad set of steps leading up to it. Each step was a ring around the upper one, jutting out from the base's outer wall.

He heard the door hiss open as he reached the base of the steps. Looking up, he set eyes upon the lovely features of Leena. Looking up at her, framed by the light, his heart wept again for the loss of Sandra. While he had long stopped blaming Steve for her death, his betrayal of their friendship had taken a long time to heal. Even now, a month after Steve had come clean it still hurt.

"Hello Layon." Leena called down to the older man. He had frozen when he saw her, and she saw in his eyes that while he was looking at her, he was actually seeing her mother. Her words however snapped him out of his state.

"Leena dear…" He said as he stepped up to her level. At last standing face to face, the subtle differences between her and her mother were clear. The eyes in particular stood out. Sandra's had been a deep green, while Leena had vibrant violet eyes. "You're looking well."

"Indeed I am, except for the leg…" Layon winced with her. Her terrible injuries had shocked him to the core. Looking down, he could just make out the fine pattern of razor thin white lines that marked her right forearm. He decided to change the topic onto something more pleasant.

"I heard about your marriage. Congratulations."

"Thanks." Leena flushed, before stepping back and to one side. "You want to come in?"

Layon stepped through the door and slowly walked down the broad corridor, taking in everything. The stairs that led to the upper floor rose up on his right, while a couple of doors where to his left. Ahead was the central open area and common room of the base, with smooth arched entrances to the kitchen and dinning area. The translucent ceiling cast a wavering soft light throughout, and the sunken area housed a nice set of three long curved couches.

"Everyone, Layon's here." Leena called out. Layon looked at each person in turn. Naomi, looking well advanced into her pregnancy, sat beside Brad on one of the couches, a tawny furred mass on her free side. Jamie sat at the main table, fiddling with the computers remote terminal. To his left she saw Sarah and Leon together in the kitchen. Stroller sat across from the Hunters, a paper in his hands.

At Leena's call they all looked up or around, causing Layon to flush slightly at being under the spotlight. "Er… Hi." He managed to say, raising one hand to wave meekly.

"Hello Doctor, been a while." Sarah said as she stepped round the counter to greet him. Leon followed in her wake, hanging back a little while she embraced Layon. Layon was surprised at this show of respect from her: Sarah had always been very uptight and impersonal before. As she stepped back, Leon wrapped an arm round her waist.

"Sarah Ob… Toros, good to see you too." Layon flushed at his mistake. Sarah gently laughed.

"Trust me, I'm still getting used to being called 'Mrs Toros' myself."

"Just like myself and Leena." Naomi called from the couch were she remained seated.

"Yea, I still sometimes can't believe I'm now 'Mrs Leena Cloud'." Leena pulled a face. "Somehow it just doesn't sound right…"

The jovial moment put everyone at ease, and Layon gently laughed along with the Blitz. Looking around, he noted the missing team members. "So Leena, where's that annoying husband of yours?"

"Oh, Bit and Vega are down in the hanger, with their zoids." Leena smiled. She had noted the look that entered his eye when she said the word 'zoids'.

"There'll be plenty of time for that Layon." Sarah stepped in before he could even think about asking to see the zoids. "I know you've had a long trip. Why don't you sit down and relax for a bit?" This was the Sarah he remembered, coolly in charge.

Shrugging in surrender, he allowed himself to be guided to the central couch. As he sat down, he was startled for a second, as he seemed to continue sinking into it. "Is this sofa trying to eat me or something?"

"No, it's just new." Leena laughed as she sat down by the furry bundle. As she did so, a rounded head unfurled from within, and two sleepy blue feline eyes looked up at her. Leena reached a hand out and gently began to stroke the kitten under the chin. Its eyes closed as the kitten began to purr loudly.

Layon watched amazed as he looked over the most remarkable addition to the Blitz. The Liger kitten was already larger than most normal cats got to when adult, and it still had those baby blue eyes. As one paw stretched out languidly, he saw a glimpse of just how powerful it would be when fully grown.

"Here you are Layon." Sarah lowered a steaming bowl before him. Taking it, his eyes widened as he saw that it was full of noodles. "I remembered your favourite brand." She said as she settled down besides Leon to his right, snuggling into him as she did so. Layon looked at Sarah for a long moment as she and Leon kissed deeply. This Sarah was vastly different from the one who had been working for the Backdraft, so warm and caring. So clearly in love, and Leon with her. It reminded Layon of himself, nearly thirty years ago. Mindful of where he was, Layon took a cautious taste of the noodles.

His eyes widened as the taste hit his tongue. "Their wonderful!" He managed to say as Jamie sat between him and Sarah. "How did you get them this good?"

"Oh, by not rushing things. And following the instructions." Layon laughed with her again as he recalled the number of times he had rushed the preparation, desperate to get back to his research. It had always resulted in failure.

"So," He turned to Leena. "How's the old thief doing?"

"Well, Dad's been over the moons since me and Leon got hitched." Leon and Sarah smiled happily, gazing into each other's eyes. Layons narrowed, as he looked closer at them. There was something else going on between them, something in Sarah's face…

"Yea, he's been beaming ever since we all got back." Brad put in, a smile forming on his lips as he looked into Naomi's eyes. Her chin rested on his shoulder as she lent against him, a happy smile on her face.

Layon looked over at the two of them, and sighed deeply. The love between the various couples here was so thick you could taste it.

"So Brad…" He began after sampling the noodles again. "Which of my gifts where you mainly looking at?"

Brad sat back for a moment, thinking hard. "Well, anything really. The Fox is already fast and agile, so I suppose some of the more exotic stuff really. Anything that boosts the stealthy nature of the zoid would be a bonus."

"Don't forget electronic warfare Brad." Jamie added, his face tinged red.

"Yea, and any way to increase the effective combat range too. The laser Vulcan is excellent, but a little short-ranged at times. Of course, nothing should affect how the zoid moves, or its strengths…"

Layon smiled as he listened to the Blitz. Everything they had suggested would be a challenge, and he lived for challenges. Just then a roar sounded from within the hanger. Layon smiled as he recognised the Fury's voice.

Sarah chuckled. "I see we're not going to keep you in here much longer Layon." She turned to face Leena. "Why don't you show him the way Leena?"

"Sure." As they both got up though, Layon froze. On the steps just behind her was Steve Toros, looking just as shocked as Layon.

"Steve."

"Layon."

Both old friends looked at each other for a long moment, before at last Layon stepped forwards to the foot of the stairs. "Congratulations Steve. You must be happy for them." He held out a hand.

Steve looked at the offered hand for a second, before stepping down enough to clasp it in his hand. "Thank you Layon. I'm so proud of them." Unnoticed by both men, Leon and Leena blushed. "And so would she."

"Aye, she would."

Zeke: Well, that went well...

DR: Indeed. Next time Layon meets the Iguanosaur for the first time, and Pierce goes on her date... Till then! Don't forget to review!