DR: Here's number two... (Zeke comes in)

Zeke: Okay, now thats... who ate my Malteasers!

Jayne: (speaks with mouth full) Du'know

Zeke: (notes chocolate stains on Jaynes fingers) Why you...

Jayne: Uh oh! (runs out, Zeke snapping at his heals)

DR: That'll teach him. Oh, things heat upquite a bitin the middle of this chapter, as Brad & Naomi have a 'moment'...

O'Neill: Cool.

Chapter 17: Refresher Course

Naomi stood looking up at the head of her Snipe Master, a coil of worry in her gut. It was now almost three months since she had sat in that cockpit, and she was as eager to return to it as she was apprehensive. Three months was a long time to be away, especially something like this. She knew that her skills would have eroded since she had been unable to even practice. Hence the planed refresher course today.

But there was a second part to her worry, something completely unrelated to the length of time she had been away from the zoid. Had her mind changed as a result of having her child? What if she had lost that touch, that killer instinct that was so vital for a warrior? As a mother, could she bring herself to fight again?

"Worried?" Brad asked gently as he stepped up behind her.

"A bit…" Naomi answered, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Brad looked over his wife critically. Now almost a week since the birth, it was almost impossible to tell that she had had a child. She had decided to wear her 'casual' clothing, her red and black jacket with black pants combination. The skin over her exposed shoulders gleamed in the light, and the high neck of her jacket made her neck seem longer, thinner. Her hair hung down to mid back level, and her eyes were turned upwards, towards her zoids head. Brad noticed that her clothing seemed a little tight across the chest, which was not too surprising, considering she was feeding their child the natural way.

"Don't worry about it Na'. You know what they say, it's just like riding a bike."

Naomi turned to face him, a small smile on her lips. "I never learned how to do that."

"Well, the principle remains." Brad told her, lost in her eyes. They stood like that for a long moment, barely a foot apart. One of his hands rested on her hip, while she had a hand on his shoulder. Words didn't need to be exchanged between them at that point; they both saw the love in each other's eyes.

They might have remained like that indefinitely if Jamie and Pierce had not chosen that moment to return to the base. They had spent the morning putting out targets for Naomi to engage. Some were fitted with simple sets of wheels and could move under their own power. It was nothing like the 'Gauntlet' that Christian has used to grade the Blitz, but it would do.

The two newest lovers in the Blitz stopped short when they saw how the Hunters stood. Flushing identical shades of red, Jamie and Pierce looked at each other. After a moment Jamie turned back and stepped forward, clearing his throat as he did so.

"Everything's set outside. You ready Naomi?"

Naomi blinked before turning towards Jamie. She shook herself before facing her zoid again. "I guess it's time."

"I'll be with you the whole time." Brad told her, before turning away to head for his own zoid. For the series of tests, the Shadow Fox would pace the Snipe Master and relay all the data gathered by its powerful sensors to the base. In the past the Hover Cargo would have both gathered and analysed the data, but the Foxes sensors were far more sensitive, while the bases new computer was vastly more powerful. Besides, bringing the Hover Cargo up to full power for one test run was wasteful of fuel. While Naomi and Brad were out, the rest of the team would stay at the base.

Naomi took a deep breath before she stepped up to the zoids leg. Quickly she began to climb upwards, her hands and feet finding purchase instinctively. As she began to move up the neck, the zoids canopy hinged open, a slight hiss in the air. Moving more confidently now, Naomi slipped into the seat, again feeling that semi-familiar feeling she had had when she had sat in the Snipe Master for the first time.

Breathing deeply again, she began to bring the zoid awake. Her fingers danced across the controls, memory taking over automatically. Quickly and fluidly the controls came alive as she slid her zoid gear into place with her left hand, locking in the last restraint with her right as she did so. The canopy seemed to shift and fade, and then she could see out of the zoid with ease. Just to her right she could see the Shadow Fox already clear of its bay, looking at her. Brad was clearly going to let her out first.

Interlacing her fingers and stretching her arms till her knuckles cracked, Naomi at last let her hands fall to the control sticks placed naturally at the ends of the seat's armrests. She felt a tingle run up her arms as her fingers slid into position. 'Brad was right. Once you learn you never forget…'

Gently she eased the controls forwards. There was moment of resistance as the zoids joints strained against the semi-solidified lubricant. The zoid had been standing there in the bay ever since Naomi had pulled out of battling, and everything was a little stiff.

As a result the first couple of steps were a little jerky, but as both zoids headed out towards the area highlighted by Jamie on their computers, the motions of the Snipe Master eased up till it moved as fluidly as the Fox that paced it.

"So Na', how's it feel?" Brad asked over a private line, his face spilt by a grin.

"Brilliant." Naomi couldn't help but smile back at him.

x x x x x x

A couple of hours later, the pair of them stepped back into the main living area of the base, arm in arm. To their left they could see the rest of the team sat in the couches in the lowered area. Jamie was working the terminal to the side of the massive screen, while everyone else was watching the screen itself. Displayed on it was a schematic of the Snipe Master, along with several paused video clips of her run and a whole host of technical data. Sprawled out just behind the couch that Pierce sat on was the liger Angel, sleeping soundly. They couldn't call her little anymore since she was almost six foot long now, and must have weighed at least three hundred kilos. The ligers that Christian had kept were at least twice as big, both in length and weight, but angel was certainly not something most people would trifle with.

Naomi smiled fondly as she recalled the scene when she had first brought Janet home. For that first day she had refused to let her little girl out of her sight, and only reluctantly let others hold her. Angel had been extremely curious as to what was causing such a fuss, and several times Naomi had looked up to see this tawny face looking up at the bundle in her arms. The liger's eyes had been wide and the head tilted to one side slight, as if Angel was unsure what to make of the situation.

Despite her very real fears, Naomi had at last relented and allowed Angel to see Janet. The liger had looked down at the sleeping child for a long moment, before very slowly moving her head closer. Naomi had held her breath, tensing her arms just in case she had to pull Janet back suddenly. But her fears were unfounded, as Angel had only taken a long sniff of the newborn, before looking up at Naomi. As she had gazed into those big eyes, Naomi had the sudden impression that if the liger could have spoken, she would have been asking if the little frail thing in her arms was hers.

"She's my daughter Angel…" Naomi had told the liger gently. In response, Angel had rested one great paw on her thigh gently, while rubbing her head against Naomi's arm, purring all the while.

These thoughts about her daughter and Angel caused Naomi to glance upwards in the general direction of her and Brad's room, where Janet currently lay asleep. "Brad, I'm just going to check on Janet."

"I'll be right behind you." He replied, his eyes fixed on hers. Naomi noted the dancing spark in his, and she couldn't help but smile broadly in response.

She was still smiling as she stepped into their room. Shutting the door gently, Naomi glanced round their room. Or at least, the half she could see. As they had one of the end rooms, the floor space was larger than the others, and it rivalled the total room of the second floor of her old two-bedroom apartment. To provide them with a little privacy when in bed, Brad and Naomi had had a partition added that ran from the end of their extended en-suite bathroom to the other side of the room. There a half arched doorway allowed access to the sleeping section of their small corner of the Blitz Base. Naomi had insisted on having her own bathtub as part of their room, and Brad had no reason to object. Now they had a small private living area in addition to their bedroom and bathroom.

Naomi smile grew wider as her eyes settled on the crib that was nestled in the corner, just to her left. As she stepped up to the edge, Naomi's blue-violet eyes met the piercing blue of her daughters. The eyes she had inherited from her father, Brad.

"Why hello there…" She cooed as she lent over the crib. Janet Hunter smiled back, before a small wail emerged from her mouth. Naomi's eye danced with sparks as she recognised what her little one was saying. Without a word, she gently picked up her daughter before sitting down in the broad low chair just to the side of the crib. Sitting Janet on her lap, Naomi reached up to her throat and began to unzip her jacket. A sigh escaped her lips as the material eased its constraint of her bosom, which felt full once more, the means by which she just knew that her daughter was hungry. Pushing the two halves of her top apart, she gently took hold of her child again before raising her up so that her head was next to Naomi's breast. Little Janet wasted no time in latching on and began to drink her mother's milk.

Naomi sighed again as she relaxed into the feelings that emanated from her breast and coursed throughout her body. The simple act of feeding her child gave her such a sense of peace and pleasure. She looked down at the small head of her child, rocking her body back and forth gently. Only a week old and already several more hairs were appearing on her head, and she was much more fleshed out than when she first emerged.

"I almost feel envious of her."

Naomi looked up to see Brad standing just inside the door, leaning against the frame. He had clearly slipped inside while she had been lost in the wonder of their child. A sly smirk was on his face as he stepped forwards to sit down besides her. His arm ran along the seat back to clasp her shoulder, and Naomi gratefully and willing allowed him to pulled her into him. He sat askew, the better to look down at Janet, who Naomi had switched to the other side to allow him to see her properly. Janet herself was concentrating solely on her meal, and didn't appear to register the presence of her father. In the dim light of their room both parents watched as their daughter fed.

"I still can't believe it Brad…"

"What honey?" He whispered, seeing that Janet was beginning to relax.

"We created her, with our first act…" Naomi breathed, her voice filled with awe. "The pair of us created a new life, together. Created this perfect bundle of joy…"

"Try to say that the next time she cries for food at two in the morning." Brad winced.

Naomi turned her head to face him. "Come on, you love her really."

"Sure I do, but her timing in that regard still sucks."

"Nice choice of words there, Brad…" Naomi giggled. Brad had to take a second before he too got the joke. Once more that day they stared into the other's eyes, messages of love passing between them. It was only when Naomi felt a lack of something that she looked down.

"Looks like she's had enough." She commented.

Brad smirked as he took in the sight before him. Janet remained in Naomi's arms, but her head was tilted back, her eye closed in blissful sleep. Sighing, Naomi stood up and gently carried her back to her crib. As she bent over to lay Janet down, Brad found his eyes locked on his wife's figure. Suddenly the heat rose, and he swiftly stood up behind her.

Naomi was just about to do her clothing up again when she felt his hands cover her own, stilling them. She suddenly realised that he stood just behind her, and his breathing was deeper than before. Gasping as she realised his intentions, Naomi felt her own breathing speed up as his hands wandered upwards. As he gently peeled the shirt off her shoulders, he laid a kiss against the nape of her neck, sending a shiver running up and down her spine. Naomi twisted her head around as far as it could go to kiss him as he lowered his hands to cup her breasts.

For a long moment the pair of them stood together like that, drinking of the rising passions in each other. At last they parted, but only at the mouth. A gap on only a couple of inches opened between then, and they looked into each other's eyes, reading the passionate spark that danced within.

"It's been a long day Na'…" Brad breathed, his voice husky and overlaid with tones of lust. "Lets get an early night…"

Naomi giggled as she turned in his arms, allowing him to pick her up by sliding his hands under her buttocks. "Well, I'm not going to argue with logic like that…" Already her hands were pulling his shirt open, allowing her to rest her own nude body against his bare skin…

x x x x x x

Late the morning after their next battle notification came through. "The Juggernaut Team." Jamie muttered as he read through the date sent to the Blitz. Over on the couch Bit frowned.

"Where have I heard that name before?"

"They were the team that came to our aid in the city." Brad told him, not once looking up. Naomi lay snuggled against him, and he had one arm wrapped round her. On her lap little Janet rested, blissfully asleep. "Remember the black Shield Liger?"

Bit nodded, recalling that liger. It was only the third oddly coloured shield Liger he'd ever seen, after Leon's red one and a pale yellow one on another team.

For the next little while Jamie frowned and muttered to himself, his gaze locked on the screen of the terminal he was using to pull up all the data he could find on the Juggernauts. Part way through Pierce stepped up behind him and gently began to massage his shoulders. He did reach one hand up to clasp hers, but otherwise showed no reaction. Meanwhile the rest of the team slowly gathered on the couches. Leon brushed his hair back out of his eyes as he sank down besides Sarah, both of them enfolding the other in their arms.

"You'll have to forgive me love if I start to stink." He whispered to her. "I would have a quick shower, but Jamie appears to be almost ready and…"

"Hush Leon…" She silenced him with a finger on his lips. "No one's going to care that you just came from the gym."

Soon they were all there except Vega. Bit was beginning to wonder where the young man had gotten to, when Vega stumbled down the stairs, rubbing his eyes. He looked half asleep.

"Vega, you alright?" Leena asked, a note of concern in her voice. Vega blinked rapidly a couple of times before answering.

"I'm alright. Just didn't get a good nights sleep…" Even his voice sounded tired.

"More like you snuck up to the roof to do some more star gazing." Stroller stated, not even looking up from his paper. His words made Sarah look up at her first-born son, her eyebrow raised.

"Vega?" She asked, her voice commanding.

Vega's shoulders slumped. "Sorry mom." His head hung as he sat down besides her.

Sarah face lost her stern look as he did so, and she slid her free arm around him. "It's okay honey. Just try not to let it ruin your battling."

Vega lifted his face to look at her. "Thanks mom."

At that moment Jamie with Pierce in tow came over from the dinning table wear he had been working. As he slid the remote terminal into its port, she sat down as close to him as possible. Quickly Jamie hit a few keys before turning to face the rest of the team. After all the changes in the team he remained their strategist. As happened most of the time, Bit, Leena, Brad and Steve were only half paying attention if that, while everyone else was at least listening politely. Pierce was paying him her full attention, but Jamie knew that she was concentrating on him speaking rather than what he saying. Still, the attention was very flattering.

"The Juggernaut team, in many respects, fights in a similar manner to us." He began, as a display of the Juggernauts zoids came up. Central to the force was the black Shield Liger, flanked by the custom Dibisons. These ones were the most heavily customised the Blitz had ever seen. The side rows of four cannons had been replaced with two long laser blades each, while the back hump was much reduced. The grid of nine heavy cannons was gone, and at the rear a pair of large ion boosters were mounted.

Directly behind the Shield Liger a Gojulas stood, loaded with a heavy arsenal. Two Dark Horns stood each side of the heavy saurian zoid, while out on each flank a Zaber Fang stood. The Gojulas and both Zabers had been re-coloured to be black too.

"Basically the Gojulas and the Dark Horns act as fire support, while the rest of the team charges forwards. The Dark Horns tend to advance behind the main wedge, while the Gojulas remains in place." As Jamie had been speaking, schematics of each zoid came up one by one. It was clear that the Gojulas had been customised to remain standing no matter what. The lower legs had been massively reinforced, and the last third of the tail had been fused into a solid spike.

"Typically, the Shield Liger leads flanked by the Dibisons. The liger deploys his shield, while the Dibisons use their laser blades." On the screen the Liger stood with its shield up, while the Dibisons had all four of their laser blades active. Just behind them the Zabers stood. "The Zaber Fangs usually remain behind the main wedge, and provide close range fire support. They also use their turreted weapons to hit targets after they have passed them."

Vega yawned at that moment, and everyone turned to look at him. "Sorry." He grinned sheepishly.

Stroller turned back to face Jamie. "So what's your plan?" He asked. Since he had joined the Blitz he had come to respect Jamie's tactical skills. Despite his age and size, he could have matched wits with the best of them. True, having a team made up of zoids like theirs helped.

"We're going to have to disrupt their charge, and then separate them." Jamie told them as he reached behind himself to hit another key. The screen blanked before displaying his suggested line up for the Blitz. "Both the Zabers and the Gojulas have poor anti-air abilities, and the Dibisons can't make tight turns if they want to keep up with the others. On top of that, the Shield Ligers shield only protects him from the front arc." On the screen over his shoulder The Raynos, Storm Sworder, Shadow Fox, Iguanosaur, Liger Zero, Fury, Blade Liger and Snipe Master stood.

Naomi's eyes widened as she saw her little zoid stood with the others. "You want me to go out there?" She asked, her voice worried. Brad squeezed her shoulder half out reflex and half out of concern.

Jamie nodded. "Uh huh. Your sniper rifle is the ideal weapon with which to disrupt their formation and tactics. Especially if Leena can cause the other team to founder."

"And how am I supposed to do that?" Leena asked, making an effort to keep her voice down, as she was aware that there was a sleeping child just across from her.

"If you target the area of ground ahead of them, they will have to slow up to safely cross the broken terrain." Leena grinned as she realised Jamie's plan.

"Once Naomi and Leena have broken their charge, we can then close in and pick them off one by one." Jamie concluded. As the screen powered down, Steve stood up, a grin across his face.

"Okay team, lets get packing! It's going to be a long round trip."

Naomi nodded along with everyone else as she sat up, gently scooping Janet into her arms as she did so. Jamie was placing a lot of trust in her by asking that she participate in the next battle. Naomi only hoped that she'd be up to it.

DR: One more to go... hey where did Carter andO'neill go?

Shadow: Oh, they left right after that bedroom scene. She was looking a little flushed, and he...

Irvine: Don't go there.

Shadow: Oh yea, how you going to stop me?

DR: (clears throat) Guys, remember the content rating...