DR: Well I'm back with more! Passions will rise...
Raven: (walks in nursing a mug of coffee) Please, don't talk about passions.
DR: (looks at Raven, notes the bags under each eye) Bad night? since Resse isn't here...
Raven: (flushs while trying to look angry)
DR: ...I'm guessing that something else is the cause of this?
Raven: Those two bloody lovebirds off Serenity, That's who!
DR: Oh, you mean Simon and Kaylee? (grins broadly)
Bit: It was about time those two got together... (smirks)
(Kaylee walks in wrapped in robe)
Kaylee: Hey! (smiles her enternally sunny smile. Raven scowls)
DR: Hi Kaylee. Don't mind Raven, he's just annoyed at your... late night activites with Simon.
Kaylee: (smiles even wider while blushing, then sees screen) Oh! This your story thing I've heard so much about?
DR: Yep, though you might not be so keen to read thestuff going in today. It's a bit... nasty
Shadow: How so?
DR: Cadet Schubaltz arrives at the 'Raiders' base, and things with Rico come to a head... drugs, lewd thoughts, bad language (for me)and some violence ahead.
Chapter 11: Dirty Tricks
Derek was sitting in his office when the troublesome Imperial cadet arrived. He had planed this first meeting down to the smallest detail. If this Miranda Schubaltz was as difficult as Cassie said, then he was going to have his work cut out.
Anna showed the young woman in, her eyes sending him a private message. 'Watch yourself. This one's a handful.'
Derek leant back in his seat as he looked over Miss Schubaltz. Barely sixteen, a little below average height, and very pale features. Her dirty blond hair hung down in bags, and she still retained some of the plumpness of youth. 'Cassie was right. She's barely a woman.'
He noticed however that there was a spark of defiance in her bright blue eyes, at odds with her youthful features. Clearly this Miranda, like Cassie, tolerated no nonsense. Fine, he could handle that.
Before he could examine her further, Miranda snapped to attention. "Cadet Miranda Schubaltz reporting as ordered, sir!" The last word dripped with both sarcasm and confusion.
"Stand easy Miranda, I'm not military. And this isn't a military base."
Her eyes were filled with questions. "Sir?"
"What were you told when you where dispatched here?"
"Captain Cortez…" Derek noted the disdain in Miranda's voice as she said Cassie's name. "…Told me I was being sent here for 'Special Training' sir."
Derek couldn't help but grin brieflyat Cassie's choice of words. "I suppose that's correct, after a fashion."
"After a fashion?" It was all Derek could do to not laugh at the mixture of total confusion and outrage on the young woman's face. As it was he barely managed to keep an impassive face.
"It's really quite simple Miranda. Cassandra, Captain Cortez, sent you to me because you have a total disregard for authority." Derek made his voice grow cold. "You also automatically assume that you're right all the time." Miranda's eye tightened in anger. She opened her mouth to speak, but Derek cut her off.
"I'm not finished. Now, around here I'm in charge, and what I say goes. I'll listen to your ideas, but don't expect me to accept everything you say wholesale. As part of your 'Special Training' I'll be sending you out as part of my zoid battle team. Trust me; you will always get knocked out."
Miranda's widened in shock. "That bitch sent me to a zoid battle team in the ZBC?"
"Not just any team, but one in Class S. You know what that means?" The sudden widening of her eyes showed that Miranda knew. "Good, so I hope you know how to maintain and repair your zoid, since you're responsible for it. You're going on a crash course on the reasons behind a chain of command, and how far it can be pushed. Now, Jane will show you to where you'll be sleeping. I expect she's down in the hanger with her Zaber Fang."
Miranda nodded before turning around to step towards the door. Derek let her get one foot outside before he called out. "Oh, one more thing."
Miranda turned about to look at him. "Sir?"
"Captain Cortez happens to be a close friend of mine. In fact, she's like a sister to me." Around her eyes Miranda's skin paled very rapidly. "So I would appreciate it if you would refrain from insulting her. She happens to be one of the best zoid pilots I know."
Miranda gulped as she realized just how badly she had put her foot in it. 'I just called his best friend a bitch… oh shit!'
"For your entire stay here, you'll maintain the standards of the Imperial Army at all times. Your room is to be spotless, your zoid in perfect condition and your appearance conforming to regulations. And don't think you can bluff your way around me, I know that book cover to cover by heart." Derek turned away in dismissal. "Now, go get your kit stored, and then get your zoid ready for inspection. I intend to have a good look at it in one hour."
'One hour! That's nowhere near enough time! I'm so screwed!' Miranda practically flew from the office.
Derek waited until her could no longer hear her footsteps before he allowed himself to smile.
"Honey, I don't mean to criticize, but that's the coldest act I've ever seen you pull." Anna said from the open door.
"She needs to learn and understand the fact that she's not the centre of the world." Derek grinned up at his wife. "And if you think that was harsh, be glad you didn't see the same scene with Cassie sixteen years ago…"
x x x x x x
Pierce sighed as she prepared to go out again with Rico. She didn't want to, but she had promised to. Besides, as he had implied, it was not as if she was cheating on Jamie by going out with him…
'Then why do I feel so guilty?' She asked herself while slipping her jacket on. Part of it was that she was going to tell Rico it was over between them, and not to call her again. Pierce had spent a long time last night thinking, and she knew that whatever happened, she wanted to be with Jamie and the rest of the Blitz, rather than Rico.
Still, there was the sense of going behind Jamie's back. Pierce felt like she was being dishonest, and she hated that feeling.
Quietly she slipped down the main stairs. Ahead of her she could hear Bit and Leena laughing together, while the back of Leon and Sarah's heads could be seen just above the seats. Hopefully no one needed to know she was out…
"Going somewhere Pierce?" She spun round to look at Stroller, standing in the doorway to one of the other rooms. The corners of his mouth were turned down and his eyes hard.
"It's the last time Stig." Pierce sighed. "I'm going to tell him it's over between us."
"Really? Which one?"
"You know damn well which one Stroller!" Pierce snapped. Behind her Jamie had stepped out from the Kitchen and was watching the exchange. "Despite my misgivings about me and Jamie, I know there's no future between me and Rico. So after tonight I won't see him again, except on the battlefield."
She shouldered past Stroller and reached for the door, but then paused.
"Oh, and as I told you before, your not my father!" And with that she stormed out.
Stroller turned to look at Jamie, whose eyes were wide with shock. Noticing that the others had completely missed the little scene that had just occurred, he sighed in relief. It would have been difficult to explain the situation to them…
He turned around again before stepping up to the door to look out the window, Jamie right beside him. Together, they watched as Pierce stepped in a sleek sports car with Rico, who was grinning with both pride… and something else. Stroller couldn't pin it down, but it caused his stomach to turn over…
Glancing down at Jamie, he saw that the young lad was thinking the same thing he was. Without a word, they both turned and headed for the hanger. While Jamie opened the doors, Stroller brought one of the teams jeeps out. Worry lent speed to their motions, and Stroller pushed the jeep to the max as he tried to catch up with Pierce and Rico…
x x x x x x
Pierce didn't look up at Rico as he placed her drink on the table before her. Rico had ordered his usual, while she had ordered a soft drink. That had sent alarm bells ringing in Rico's head.
"Come on Pierce, you've been quiet since I picked you up. What's the matter?" He asked as he slid into the seat across from her. Through the slightly smoky air of the bar, he could see that her face was creased with guilt.
Pierce didn't reply at once, instead taking a long drink from her glass to buy herself time. "Rico…" she said at last once she had put the glass down. "…I'm afraid we can't go out any more."
"Why not?" Rico asked blithely.
"Because I… it feels wrong to me."
"How so?"
Pierce took a second drink to gather her thoughts.
"Because… I love someone…"
"Jamie?"
Pierce nodded. Rico sat back, his arms crossed over his chest. Surprisingly to Pierce, he didn't seem annoyed.
"He must be pretty good in bed then."
Pierce shook her head. "We haven't gone that far yet, but I feel that there is potential there…"
"What about us?"
"Nothing Rico. You're a nice guy…" 'Sometimes.' "…But you're just not my type."
"But short, shy, pathetic Jamie is?"
Pierce's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'd advise you not to speak that way about my friends…"
"Sorry." Rico's face however showed that he was not sorry at all. Exasperated, Pierce took another long drink to calm herself down.
"Look, I needed to gain some perspective, and now I have. So this little 'thing' we've been having is over Rico. I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me again."
"Fair enough." Rico stated, startling Pierce. "Once you finish your drink, I'll take you home." He gestured to her half empty glass.
Pierce raised it to her lips as he did the same with his. She didn't know why, but she was feeling sleepy all of a sudden. Sure, she had pushed herself during that siege, and lately she had barely gotten any sleep, but still…
As she drained the glass, Pierce found herself feeling dizzy, and her sight became blurred. Struggling to focus, she stared at the bottom of her glass. Then in a moment of clarity, she saw a small pile of un-dissolved powder in the base of her glass… Her eye line shot up to glare at Rico's face.
"You…" She tried to yell, but the only thing that came out was a whisper.
"You say something?" Rico asked, his body language relaxed.
"You…" Pierce whispered again as she felt herself going limp. She slumped forwards across the table, one arm hanging down her side. As her vision dimmed, her voice was barely a mummer. "You bastard…" Then darkness took her…
x x x x x x
Seated a couple of tables away, Stroller watched in shock as Pierce slumped in her seat. Rico sat there grinning for a second, before he picked her up by one arm, which he slung across his shoulders. With her arm resting across his shoulders, he proceeded to carry her outside.
Quickly rising, Stroller and Jamie made their way after Rico; Stroller swiping her glass as they passed the table Pierce and Rico had been sat at. They exited the bar just as Rico was sitting down in his seat. Pierce was already sat slumped in the passenger seat. Even as they were scrambling into their jeep, Rico was pulling away, the tires kicking up dust as he gunned the cars engine.
Jamie was glad to be leaving the bar, since it was full of seedy types. Not one other patron had raised an eyebrow when Pierce had slumped in her seat, not had anybody seemed to care when Rico had dragged her out. But all that paled into insignificance when compared to the worry about Pierce that filled his heart. What was that sick man planning to do to her? Jamie found himself gripping his seat in fear.
Stroller's eyes were like slits as he pushed the jeeps engine for all it was worth. He was holding the wheel so tightly that his fingernails were going to leave marks. He had known from the moment he had laid eyes on him that this Rico was bad news. And now his hunch was proved right. But he had never thought that he would drug Pierce and abduct her!
One thing for sure with both men was that when they caught up with him, if Rico had harmed one teal hair on Pierce's head, neither of them would be able to hold back…
x x x x x x
Rico smirked to himself as he pulled up to the trailer he used as a home. For him, mobility was key, but he refused to live in a standard caravan, so he had acquired this twin deck, broad mobile home. Hauled around by a Gustav, it allowed him to live in style yet move with ease whenever the locals got too friendly. Or found out he was tapping their water and power supplies, or using their phone lines.
He eased the car inside the attached garage trailer, rolling it into the space he had left. His heavy bike was off to one side. Whistling to himself happily, he scooped up the unconscious form of Pierce from the passenger seat before carrying her through into the main section of the home.
Outside a short distance away, Stroller brought the jeep to a stop. Before them the road split, with several homes along both ways. They had missed seeing where Rico had turned off.
"How are we going to find them now?" Stroller cursed. Jamie didn't answer; he just stared at the fork ahead.
Rico was feeling very pleased with himself. After bringing Pierce into the main living area, he had stripped off her coat before laying her down on the table. He had held off going further though, since he needed a drink. As he poured it, he looked up again at the photo pasted to the wall, the one of the class. He raised his mug of champagne to the picture. "To finishing unfinished business."
Jamie was almost ready to scream, when he noticed the dirt track just before the fork in the road, with fresh tire tracks. It had rained during the day, and just before the track was a puddle…
"Stroller, turn right, up that track!" He cried, pointing at the track. Stroller looked, before glancing at Jamie.
"How do you know that's the way he went?"
"No time to explain, just drive!"
Stroller shrugged, then turned off the road and followed the route. Once they were on the track, it became apparent that it was recent, and made wide enough for a Gustav. It led round a copse of trees, and parked out of sight of the homes nearby was one of those common zoids. Attached to the back of the small transport zoid was a twin-decked mobile home, with a smaller trailer with a rear ramp. Off to one side was a standard zoid transportation trailer, with a Storm Sworder perched on top. There was a light on within the main trailer…
Rico grinned evilly as he continued to strip Pierce of her pants. He had already undone her shirt, opening it up to reveal her black lace bra. He was amazed at the length of her legs; they just seemed to keep on going! He noticed that she was starting to come round, groaning and rolling her head. But he knew that she was still too far-gone to stop him now. The drug he had given her would last a while yet, more than enough time for him to complete his business with her. He was so engrossed in his actions he failed to notice the sounds of Jamie and Stroller entering the trailer…
As they entered the main room, both men saw the situation clearly, Stroller's eyes narrowed, his lips curling down into a snarl. Jamie at first was wide eyed in shock, but then his eyes too narrowed. Acting quickly, he rapidly approached Rico, who was starting to undo his own pants.
Rico was grinning down at the half naked form of Pierce lying before him on the table. He was just about to remove her underwear when a young male voice came from his right. "Hey, LEAVE HER ALONE!" He turned towards the voice, only for his face to meet a fist.
Jamie's blow struck Rico just below the eye, knocking the older man for six. Rico staggered back and tripped over his own pants, falling down hard on the cabin floor. Jamie, his moment of rage gone, turned to see how Pierce was. He gently took her head in his hands, brushing back a stray lock of hair. "Pierce, you okay? It's Jamie." He asked her quietly.
Pierce was barely able to see, her eyesight blurry and her senses numb. She heard his words, but couldn't string together a single thought. She tried to focus on the person holding her head, but it was so hard. Yet, the feeling of his hands was somehow familiar…
Rico glared up from the floor at the young man with Pierce. How dare he barge in like this! He'd make him pay for this! But before he could get up, a second man stepped in between him and Jamie. Looking up, Rico came face to face with the stern expression of Stigma Stroller. Rico felt all fight leave him as he looked up at that harsh, angular face, the grey eyes burning with anger.
"You're a right bastard aren't you?" Stroller sneered as he grabbed Rico by his collar. He yanked the smaller man up to his level, staring into his eyes. Stroller's free hand balled into a fist and drew back, but then he paused. For a second Rico thought that he wasn't going to strike him, but then Stroller's fist opened up, and he belted Rico across the face, letting him go at the same time. Rico spun round before falling to the floor, out cold.
Meanwhile Jamie was helping Pierce put her clothing back on, trying not to touch her skin too much. His face was flushed red with embarrassment as he hastily buttoned her shirt. She tried to stand to bring her pants back up, but her knees were weak and she would have fallen to the floor if Jamie had not caught her. He pulled her pants up for her, quickly fastening them roughly. As they staggered out, Jamie snagging her coat on the way, Stroller picked up a cell phone from the worktop. He quickly punched in the number for the local security forces.
"Hello? I'd like to report an attempted rape, and the possible recovery of stolen goods." He added, eyeing the room he was in, and the array of expensive goods lying around. There was no way that a man on a military pay check could afford all this. It smelt all too fishy to Stroller.
"On the outskirts of Romeo City, Tarkin district, mobile home hidden behind a small wood. I'll leave the line open so you can trace it. A team-mate and I are taking the victim home. She's a member of our zoid team too." Stroller was about to lay the phone down, but he stopped. The officer who answered wished to know his name, as well as the names the witness and the victim. Stroller stood there for a long moment, not sure if he should answer. In the end he decided.
"Stigma Stroller. My team-mate is Jamie Hemeros, and the victim is Pierce. Blitz team." Then he laid the phone down on the worktop before following the others through towards the jeep.
Kaylee: Oh, that's so sweet of him...
Raven: The bleep got what was coming to him too...
DR: Indeed. Next time Pierce recovers, and then thanks Jamie for coming after her...
Raven: Let me guess. More bedroom athletics...
Kaylee: Really? (eyes sparkle)
DR: (grins broadly) What do you think?
Zeke: And remember people, reviews are always more than welcome!