Zane
As soon as they made it to the lab upstairs in the top floors of the House of Gray, Kara darted up the steps to her room to gather her things for their trip to the Citrus Island Kingdom far south from Domino. Meanwhile, Zane took off his coat and set it on the back of his chair. He approached his three Cyber Dragons who were attached to the platform with large cables.
"Hey, guys!" Zane called out loud so they could hear him.
The dragons hissed and looked down at their creator and friend. They stood up straight, doing so made Zane feel so horribly small. They were such big creatures. But, he loved them anyway. He didn't want anyone to know, but he grew awfully fond of those dragons. There was absolutely no way he would allow the Eredian military to get their hands on them. He would never allow it. Especially not with Veran Jayce as the lead contractor for the Glass Towers, the headquarters of Eredas's Department of Defense.
"You guys were awesome last week. But now I think it's time for a little R&R, don't you think?"
The dragons looked at each other in confusion.
Zane laughed. "Come on, guys. We're going on vacation."
The middle Cyber Dragon reared its head up and opened its mouth. However, instead of a roar, music started to play.
I'm so excited…And I just can't hide it!
It then started to sway its head back and forth as if it was dancing to the music. To Zane's shock, the other two Cyber Dragons reared their heads up and followed along with it. He heard Kara laughing behind him. He turned and gave her a serious look.
And I know! I know! I know! I know! I want...
"Well, I wonder who programmed that into them."
Kara hunched her shoulders bashfully and giggled. "What? I think they needed a nice taste in music."
"You are such an idiot," laughed Zane as the dragons danced around to the music.
After they packed their things, Zane opened the spiraled door to his lab and his dragons soared out into the cold afternoon. "Nel-E," said Zane. "You up, old girl?"
A small, holographic, blue, female sprite appeared on his desk. She had floor-lenght hair and wore a white dress. The AI did a curtsy to be polite. "I am, Master Zane. It's good to be back.
"Oooo, pretty," said Kara, leaning forward to the see the hologram. "I see that aside from some upgrades to her hardware, you gave her a body, Zane. She's absolutely beautiful."
Nel-E bowed and said: "Thank you, Miss Kestrel. Yes, I have been upgraded. Thanks to Zane, I am allowed to fully access the Cyber Dragon's combat suites. If the need arises, I will take full control of them. I assure you, my intervening will increase their capabilities by 110%. Thanks to the firewalls I have personally designed myself, any hacker attempting to break through to your dragons will be met with a fate worse than the one that shut me down. Speaking of which, I apologize for failing to locate the leaker. And I apologize again for allowing him to access our databanks and getting the info about you both. My failure put the both of you in jeopardy. Kara was kidnapped because of my failure to stop the leaker. I am sorry. If only I had been a little more competent."
"Don't say such a thing!" said Kara. "That's the curse about technology. There's always something better out there. But that only means you'll get better, too. And you have. Well, done."
"I will do my best to ensure your safety," said Nel-E.
"Aww," crooned Kara. She stood straight up and looked at Zane. "Zane, please tell me she's coming with us."
"Of course, she is," said Zane. "Nel-E and I are a team. Wherever I go. She goes."
"Yay!" Kara cheered, clapping her hand. "Give me a minute while I integrate her to my HUD. I wanna see that pretty face as I work."
The doorbell of his room rang elegantly. "Aw, man," groaned Zane. "Make it quick. I've got to get this." He went downstairs. "And turn that thing off my dragons!" he commanded loudly over the music. His dragons were still dancing. Zane answered the door and paused. There was a young lad wearing a long, dark coat with extended shoulders marked with gold engraving. He had messy blue hair and wore small spectacles. "Syrus?" said Zane.
"Hey, bro," Syrus said quietly.
"Well, what can I do for you? I see you're taking a liking to that new position in the board of directors."
"If they didn't pay with me with large sums of cash, I would quit. It's not like I doing anything there. I just sit with them because my last name is Truesdale."
Zane scoffed. "Dad is desperate to make you look professional that he actually pays the board to keep you there for show? He acts like that corrupted pervert from Earth who did something similar to his son."
"What pervert?" asked Syrus.
"You know, that creepy guy who talks about kids touching his hairy legs."
Syrus raised an eyebrow.
"Nevermind. What are you doing here? Uh..." Syrus just stepped inside without Zane's permission. "Won't you come in."
Syrus stopped to look at a portrait of him, Zane, and their parents. He turned and said: "Zane, dad's really concerned about you acting like some superhero. Not to mention your dragons cost you tons and tons of money."
"My money," said Zane. "I didn't use company funds."
"I understand but still, it's a lot of resources. It's making your shares lose tremendous value. And all this publicity you're bringing with this ridiculous hero work. The phones are ringing off the hooks with people wanting to have an interview with you. Or should I say the Cyber Knight. Look, Zane, I'm going to get straight to the point. Dad's worried this will interfere with your career as a professional Duelist and as future CEO of Truesdale Enterprises."
"See, Syrus, dad thinks I'm you. I'm not. Unlike you, I can multitask."
"Zane, stop it. This isn't about me and you. This is about the family name. Your dragons could bring us great harm."
"How?"
"Your little stunt with the Senate this morning wasn't cool. The Department of Defense is shutting down contracts with us until you surrender the Cyber Dragons."
"Albert Smitt is just making a temper tantrum," Zane replied with a chuckle. "The fool that he is. He's just scared my Cyber Dragons will put his poster boy, Varen Jayce, out of business. Why else do you think they want them so bad? And remember, Jayce is their lead provider of arms and tech. They're going to hand them over to him so he can give them shiny little upgrades of his own. Or downgrades if you consider that pea-brain's lack of creativity."
"Zane this is serious! Dad wants you to turn in your Cyber Dragons to him instead."
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Look, they were built with company resources."
"Legally purchased by me. It's not my fault dad turned a blind eye to the project and was obsessed with the money it got him. Ah, see what I did there? I just pointed out one of dad's major flaws. Greed, which is why a second-rate company like Jayce Tech is under contract to the Department and not us. Don't make this harder than it is, Sye. My dragons are staying with me."
"But Zane…"
"No buts about it, kid. Now if there's nothing else you need, there's the door. I have a boat to catch. I'm going on holiday."
Syrus breathed heavily out his nose and pushed his glasses back up his nose. "I just hope you know what you're doing big bro."
Zane, and Kara, at last, made it to the Citrus Islands. After so many months of hard work, they would finally get a break. After they got settled in their hotel, it was off to the beach. The both of them tapped their glasses at a beachside bar with frozen daiquiris to sip.
"I couldn't have done this without you, Kara," said Zane. "I've learned a lot thanks to you."
"It was my pleasure, Zane. I'm thankful that you chose me to tag along on this little adventure of yours. But, if you don't mind, I want to talk a little...business."
"Sure."
"I want to talk about Sieger."
"Oh no, this again?"
"Come on, Zane. I know how the dragons work. I practically built them for you. I think I deserve to help you out on the field."
"I don't know, Kara. It's some pretty risky stuff. And I don't want anything happening to you. There are some really nasty folk out there and..."
"Zane!" Veran Jayce called from the crowd of beachgoers around the bar. "Zane Truesdale. Buddy."
Zane sighed. "Speaking of nasty folk. Hold that thought, Kara."
"But…"
"Not now. We'll talk about this later. Okay."
Jayce moseyed his way toward Zane and Kara. He had a lovely young lady by his side, clad in a royal red bikini. Judging by her hair; resembling gold silk, peachy skin, and her eyes like two brilliant diamonds, she was of the Lionhearts, a race of fair-faced, golden-haired folk from the province of Leorealm in Feldia, Home of the Dinosaur Lords.
"Zane, so good to see ya!" Jayce said shaking his hand. He looked at Kara and straightened his tie. "Well. This must be that wiz-kid I heard so much about. Kara Kestrel." He peered over his sunglasses to examine her thoroughly, marveling at the navy-blue bikini Kara wore.
"My butt is just fine," said Kara, tugging her pareo down to block her plump posterior from his view.
"That's not all about you that's fine," joshed Jayce. "Rrrrrow. Well, anywho. Zane. Miss Kestrel. Allow me to introduce Kendrix von Leonholde. Baronettess of the Red Plains. And cover girl for this month's Secret Garden catalog. I trust your engineer knows all about that."
"Kara?" Zane turned to look at her.
She shrugged. "I needed to find something to help pay for school. How are you doing, Kendrix? Long-time no see."
"I can't complain," she replied, shaking Kara's hand. "Looks like you've made quite a name for yourself. I was impressed when you started designing those Ion Cannon defense systems for Domino City. But to be inventing Cyber Dragons for Zane Truesdale? My, my, you've been doing very well for yourself it seems. Congratulations on all your hard work. From what I understand you've got every arms dealer from here to Gardenrealm throwing money at you for those Cyber Dragons. Do you plan on putting them up on the market, Mr. Truesdale?"
"No. They're not for sale. I'm pretty sure I made that clear in the hearing last week."
Kendrix laughed. "Oh, of course."
"Let's not talk about that," said Jayce. He put an arm over her shoulder.
Kara giggled. "Dear, you didn't think you could persuade the Senate by showing off the good Zane's Cyber Dragons accomplished, did you? No offense, but that was some pretty poor showmanship on your part."
"I had to do what I had to do," said Jayce. "And no more jabs at the old ego, or you'll find yourself in the House of Flowers again."
"Oh, you wouldn't do that," laughed Kendrix. "Zane. If you don't mind, I would love to schedule an interview with you and Miss Kara some time. I work as a journalist for Zexan Business Magazine. My superiors would be absolutely thrilled to have a story about you on the columns."
"Sounds interesting," said Zane. "I'll consider it."
"Oh, please do! Not to mention you'll be making the president of the Cyber Dragon Fan Club, very, very happy."
"There's a Cyber Dragon fan club?" Kara asked.
"Yes!" Kendrix replied giggling. She smiled awkwardly to hide her embarrassment, not believing that she was about to reveal the truth about the organization. "I started it."
"How many members do you have?" Zane asked with a chuckle.
"Oh, just me. I would have loved for Jayce to join, but naturally, he said no. Business comes first when it comes to you two, blokes. The competition is fierce."
"That's where you're wrong, babe," Jayce said, silencing her by swatting her buttocks. "Zane and I are like partners. We're chums. We go way back. He and I went to King Delethon's Science High School together. Naturally, Zane was ahead of the game. Someone had to finish first."
"Someone had to finish last, too," said Zane.
"Ah," Jayce said, snapping his fingers and pointed at Zane. "I see you, Zane. I see you. See what I mean, babe? Zane's always one step ahead of the game."
Kendrix nodded. "So I see. Zane. I see you're in your swimming shorts. Why not come join me for a swim? We can talk about the interview. Or how about those Cyber Dragons. Word on the street is you have more models in the works."
"That's classified," said Zane.
"Oh, then perhaps I could find ways to persuade you."
"You can sure as hell try," Zane said, taking her by the arm and leading her to the beach.
Jayce turned to look at Kara and admired her figure again. "Sweet. So, uh, listen, sweetheart." He leaned against the bartop. "I predict your buddy, Zane, is going to go out of business really soon. Trust me, that hearing was just a minor setback. My friends in the Department of Eredian Defenses want those Cyber Dragons. And they always get what they want. If I were you - and damn, I wish I was - I'd start looking for a new employer."
Kara rolled her eyes as she sipped her daiquiri. "You mean you?"
Jayce smiled. "I would love to have you over at Jayce Tech. Who wouldn't want someone as talented as you in their employment? I mean you're just so badass, girl. Former Secret Garden model turned inventor for a billionaire vigilante. A beautiful genius creating powerful weapons of war. I mean, come on. That is so wicked. You would make a very nice addition to the team. Not to mention the prospect of a pretty thing like you making suits for the Eredian Army will make for good publicity."
"You're kidding?"
"Hell no, Kestrel." He handed her his business card. "I mean it. I would love to have you aboard. And you'll find your compensation and benefits package to be far more satisfying than what Zane pays you. I guarantee it. Not to mention we have a sweet dental."
"I'm sure you do." Kara slid her empty glass toward the bartender and asked for a refill. "But I'm not in this for the money. I'm not sure if you've been paying attention in that ivory tower of yours in the King's District, but we're at war with a very fascist ideology. I'm talking about the Church of Yeyu. With the Emerald Fire Party winning the election, they've gone completely out of control. Zane promises to keep those dogs on a leash with his dragons. I'm sure I don't need to point out the fact that our streets are filthy with criminal scum. Duel Gangs. Warlords. Renegade Summoners. Sex trafficking. The drug trade, the slave trade. A long list of crime families. No. This means more to us than getting a fat check. So long as our home is safe and our culture stands strong against those cultists, we're just fine the way we are."
"And that's very noble of you, Kara. Admirable. It almost turns me on."
"Oh, Goddesses."
"Think of the good you can do building suits for the men and women of the Eredian Armed Forces, girl. At least think about it."
"I don't think so," said Kara.
She got up and left him to join Zane and Kendrix in the water. But she didn't get far, for a massive explosion rocked the beach. People screamed and darted around for safety. Another explosion pummeled the sand, this time it was close to Kara, knocking her off her feet. She flipped through the air and landed on the sand with a thud. Ear ears rang and her head throbbed in terrible agony.
"Kara!" Zane shouted. He waded out of the surf towards her. She didn't seem injured, but she was having a terrible time getting up. He darted across the beach until he reached her. "Kara! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she groaned. "Shit, that wasn't fun. What the hell is going on?"
"I don't know…" Zane froze when he saw a figure casually walking down the sand.
He was shirtless to show off his muscled figure. He wore torn jeans bloused into dirty combat boots and was armed with an exoskeleton of his own equipped with shouldered plasma revolvers and wrist-mounted ion cannons. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and sported a bandanna over his blond hair resembling the flag of a country from Earth. His triangle-shaped eyes were concealed behind black sunglasses. The dark lenses were glowing blue from the custom HUD he had built into them.
"It's Bandit Keith!" shouted Zane.
"He's supposed to be in prison!" yelled Kara.
Zane pressed a button on his watch. A loud sonic boom rocked the beach, causing more people to run for their lives. A loud roar echoed from the clouds. Zane's three Cyber Dragons dove out of the sky, zooming towards Bandit Keith. He merely grinned and shouldered a giant quad-missile launcher which he carried like a suitcase on his right hand. A scope slowly came out from the side. The launcher's systems locked on to Zane's dragons despite their armor was outfitted with stealth coating. The missiles seemed to whistle as they were launched. They broke apart and formed hundreds, each one locked on to a Cyber Dragon.
The Cyber Dragons broke formation and scattered. The missiles chased after them. One of them wasn't fast enough and was struck. Bandit Keith pumped up his fist in victory and whistled as the dragon fell and crashed on the beach.
"You!" Bandit Keith shouted. "So you're the hotshot everybody's talking about, huh? Ha! You don't look so tough. You think your Cyber Dragons are tough. Let me show you some real firepower!"
He typed something on the computer mounted on his wrist. Two range containers carried by trucks billowed smoke and burst open. From inside, two mechanical dragons roared and stepped out. Their snouts formed the barrel of a cannon as did their arms. One was able to fire kinetic rounds and the other was equipped with photon blasters.
"My Barrel Dragons are going to be more than a match for yours, Cyber Dweeb!" shouted Bandit Keith. "Watch as I send them to the scrap heap where they belong!"
