(Disclaimer: I do not own the Zoids franchise. Copyright goes to Tomy for making this fantastic series. All I own are this story, its characters and some concept Zoids that might appear.)
Zoids: Lost Eden
Chapter 4: Night of Introductions
"What an embarrassing performance for a man once hailed as one of the greatest tactical minds of the Empire…"
The screen inside the section of the trailer the Guylos remnants used as a briefing room showed a middle-aged man with green hair, decked in royal attire. Captain Ash bowed his head solemnly, as did his other soldiers: Gerard, Seral and Vishna. Sakura wasn't around as she was preoccupied with overseeing the repairs on her Zoid.
"I apologize for that incident at Kalanes. I am prepared to take full responsibility for the outcome." Captain Ash apologized yet he did not break his typical, icy air. He had been in service with the army for decades, having watched its collapse as the power of Guylos fell with Regent Proitzen's Death Saurer and the death of Emperor Rudolph Zeppelin III as well as its further ruin during the Eisen Dragoon coup d'état under the new emperor, Wolff Muroa. He struggled long and hard to prove the worth of the abandoned Guylos to their new overlords. He wasn't about to be pushed around by this greenhorn who just climbed in rank by kissing up to the new leadership.
"What I don't understand Captain—" A young girl seated near the other man asked, her eyes fixed on the video game she played on a handheld console. She barely looked older than fourteen yet even she was already decked in royal military attire. "—is how did a Republican guerilla unit force you to retreat when all they had were Shield Ligers and Command Wolves, obsolete Zoids that your own troops could have annihilated with ease?"
"I would like to know the reasons for this as well Captain!" The other man pitched in, not even giving Ash the opportunity to explain.
"Victory at Kalanes would've been meaningless if the core was lost in exchange. Truly, you have much to learn Alexei Shretter." The voice of a woman called out from behind the two people Ash was talking to. From the corridor emerged another woman, possibly around Seral's age. Compared to the two, she was decked in a simple black military garb yet spoke with a tone more authoritative than the others.
"Caitlyn…don't tell me you're excusing the Captain's poor performance at Kalanes?!" Alexei snarled angrily at the newcomer, who was apparently named Caitlyn.
"Their mission at Kalanes was to retrieve the core and the map data. Seeing as the core is now being delivered to our location, the mission can be considered a success, no? And that's Lady Caitlyn, Alexei. Remember your own place." Likewise, the woman retorted back albeit, calmer than Alexei's rude remark.
"But without the map data, having the core is rather meaningless if you ask me." The younger girl sighed as she turned her attention back to the game.
"Yes, that was—an unexpected development." Ash recalled the incident in the mayor's home. "I did not expect "her" to interfere of all people."
"And thanks to your carelessness, the map data is officially lost. Good job Captain." Alexei continued to berate Ash for his failure.
"Now, now. This isn't the end yet. Information is rather easy to acquire, provided you know where to look for it." Another voice called from the shadows. From it, a tall man with dusty blonde hair walked out. Upon seeing him, everyone immediately bowed as a sign of respect. Even the young girl took a moment off her game to acknowledge his presence. The man kept the upper half of his face hidden in a red mask which compliments the red royal coat he wore over his attire. "What's important is that we have the core. And the identity of the one who interfered with our plan."
"Yes sir!" Everyone else sharing the room with him replied in unison. Smiling, he turned to Captain Ash who only greeted him with a nod.
"Captain, I heard Warrant Officer Nagisa was attacked by the Liger Zero you brought with you to use as a bargaining chip, is that correct?" The masked man asked.
"Yes Viscount." Ash replied, acknowledging the man only by the title he was given by virtue of his birth and for his services to the Neo-Zenebas army as a hunter.
"And our intruder managed to get away from you after she had sabotaged our plans?"
"That is also correct."
"Interesting…" The Viscount gave Ash a sly smile. "It is highly possible that your mystery man—no, I suppose the more proper term now is your mystery girl, in the Liger Zero is none other than your hooded intruder."
"Could that even be possible? Sakura is one of my best pilots. It is unfathomable that she would lose against "her" so easily."
"Do not be too hard on the Warrant Officer, Captain." The Viscount let out a slight chuckle. "She single-handedly fought against the Republican forces in order to buy you time to escape. Considering that her Zoid had sustained considerable damage and lacked sufficient energy when she fought the Liger Zero, yet still managed to cause significant damage to it—I'd say that the battle was not at all a "loss". In fact, she may even be better than Alexei and Arlene here. Perhaps even you, Caitlyn."
While Caitlyn seemed to be fine with the comparison, it was obvious that the other two people in the room did not take too kindly to it, seeing it as an insult to their own ability as they clenched their fists in anger.
"Our intruder is no stranger to war as well. Remember that she's had to evade death several times that it's really not surprising if she was capable of besting one of your finest pilots Captain. When was the last time you saw them?"
"According to our reports, the Liger Zero was retrieved by the remaining Republican forces. They were last seen leaving Kalanes through the main gate." Ash relayed the report to the Viscount.
"If the Republic catches wind of our plans, they will surely do everything in their power to stop it." The Viscount turns his back on the screen and stared at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. "For too long we had scurried around that rebel force's shadow…It's time we take the fight to them."
"Viscount, you don't mean-?"
"Yes. We will launch an attack on the Alexander, with the intention of retrieving our stolen Zoid and our intruder. These developments have got me intrigued…" Turning to Captain Ash, the Viscount continued. "You may take a break for a while Captain. This time, I shall lead the assault myself."
"Are you sure about this?" Ash wondered.
"Yes. Rendezvous with the Dragoon Nest at the coordinates I'll be sending to you. We'll discuss this plan further once our troops meet up."
"Yes, sir!" With a wave, the Viscount turned off the panel on their end, leaving the soldiers under Ash's command to their own devices.
"Well, that was tense!" Gerard sighed in relief as he stretched his arms. Placing a great hand over Seral's shoulder, he whispered in her ear. "It seems we get a break after all. What say you and me head out for a little stroll for a while eh~?"
Seral just laughed at the idea. "No thanks. A shower and a good night's sleep are all I need right now."
"Come on! My treat!" Gerard continued to joke around, lifting up the overall mood from the dialogue earlier.
"Well—" Seral shrugged. "Maybe you can take me to somewhere fancy?"
"Oh, can I come too?" Vishna also perked up, raising her hand as if to ask a question.
"No. Adults only Vishna." Gerard jokingly prohibits Vishna from tagging along, much to the younger girl's annoyance.
"Ehhh?! Why not?!" Vishna protests.
"Well, if Vishna's not coming along then I don't see any reason why I should~" Seral laughed as she headed out the door, followed by an apologetic Gerard.
"W-wait Seral-! Fine, you can come along Vishna." Gerard sighed in defeat.
"On second thought, Sakura might get lonely if I leave her alone here. Never mind then~" Vishna took the opportunity to tease Gerard before heading out the door herself.
"Oh come on!" Gerard exclaimed. "We rarely get a chance like this! Honestly-!" He scratches his head before turning back to face Captain Ash. "Well, that got them back in high spirits."
"So it seems." Ash slowly walked towards a bench on one side of the wall, exhausted from the day's events. He took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. It had been a very long day for someone as old as him.
"You alright sir? Can I get you anything?" Gerard asked, concerned.
"I'm fine." Ash grunted. "Talking things over with the Viscount and the Knights just take a lot out of me. Could you fetch me a glass of whisky Gerard? And do not forget the ice this time."
"Sure thing sir."
The gentle waves of the ocean lapped on the sides of a large transport Zoid that was slowly making its way towards the shore. This Zoid was known as a Dragoon Nest and it housed the mysterious noble known only as the Viscount. Barely anyone remembers how he rose to power. It is said that he once belonged to one of the royal houses of Guylos but when the empire fell, he supposedly made a deal with the emerging Neo-Zenebas. The deal allowed him and the people who rallied under him to stay in Delpoi in exchange for hunting down remnants of the Helic Republic that lie scattered across the Central Continent while the rest of the Neo-Zenebas army bolstered their position. Yet even his superiors could not completely fathom the motivations of this man but so long as he serves under them, they did not mind even if he tends to disappear for long periods of time, seemingly searching for something.
He kept only a select few around him; a handful of people whom he entrusts with all of his plans. These people are known as the Remnant Knights. Knights were chosen based on their skill and ability to keep secrets, barring other considerations like age and personalities. Suffice to say, not all of those who served under him were fond of the Knights as they are with their leader.
"That commoner! Superior than I?! Complete nonsense!" Alexei cursed out loud as he kicked the door of his locker as he changed into his pilot suit.
"Considering that she fended off around ten Zoids all by herself, I'm not surprised that the Viscount would make that comparison." Caitlyn merely laughed at Alexei's outburst as she slid on her combat boots.
"You! Do you not feel the slightest bit of shame that he holds a commoner like Sakura Nagisa in high esteem while we, the Remnant Knights, get pushed to the side?!"
"No. And you know why?" Caitlyn stood up and confronted Alexei face to face. "Because at the end of the day, we are the Knights. We are the ones whom the Viscount trusts the most, the only ones who know all about his ambition. Let the commoner have her share of the spotlight. She will never reach the same status we have. Not in a hundred years."
"I'd say your words are pretty arrogant, even if your precious Empire no longer stands." The two Knights turned upon hearing the rude remarks. Standing at the doorway was a young man who looked no older than Alexei. Although he was clad in the same garb as the Remnant Knights, he wore them rather sloppily, with loose buttons and wrinkles everywhere. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he stared at the two with almost dead eyes.
"Big words from a mercenary whose loyalty could easily be bought with the right amount of money and treasure in his pocket!" Alexei retorted back with a cheeky grin. "And what the hell are you doing here Reynard? I don't recall you being asked to tag along."
Reynard merely rubbed his neck as he walked towards his locker. "Then you haven't heard?"
"Heard what? That you're finally axed from the Knights? That's news to me, although I was kind of expecting it sooner or later!" Alexei replied with obvious sarcasm though Reynard merely chuckled at his remarks.
"The Viscount modified the battle plan. The ones participating in it are me, Caitlyn and him. Oh, it also seems like he wants to take Sakura Nagisa along as well, you know? Heh…" This time it was Reynard's turn to gloat over Alexei, whose face immediately turned red with fury.
"Is that right? Well, what if I don't believe you?!"
"Ask the Viscount yourself then. Since you're off from this mission, surely you have enough time to do that?" Reynard answered him back, having just finished strapping on his pilot suit. He may be a little untidy, but even Alexei admits the bastard was fast in doing things. "Let's go Caitlyn. He's waiting."
"See you Alexei~ Don't forget to turn the lights off when you leave the changing room." Caitlyn bade Alexei farewell, leaving him and his vicious temper alone to sort themselves out.
The Viscount only carried a handful of Zoids in his personal transporter, with most of them belonging to the Knights. Compared to the ones brought by Captain Ash though, the Zoids on his unit were more powerful, befitting the ace pilots he personally selected. On the left and right side of the main hangar, a Lightning Saix and two Imperial Liger Zeroes stood by, waiting for the chance to deploy. One of the Ligers was a standard Imperial model decked in splendid red and gold. The other was equipped with the X-Armor CAS, giving it more presence and authority. In the middle of the two stood the Viscount's personal Zoid.
Another pilot stood by beside his own Zoid: A Zenebas Warshark used as a scouting unit. He waved to the two Knights as they passed by, catching their attention. "So, how did the meeting go?" He asked.
"Well, the mission was successful—somehow. We failed to acquire the map data though thanks to the rash actions of an intruder." It was Caitlyn who relayed the report, seeing that Reynard wasn't around that time.
"That's not too much of a problem. I can easily sniff out any information you need." The man told Caitlyn.
"Aren't you going back to change Gideon?" It was Reynard's turn to address the Warshark pilot. "You've been out there for over three hours now."
"Nah, maybe later. I might receive orders to deploy again, anyway. Not that I really mind." The Warshark pilot named Gideon replied as he stretched. "So, why are you two all dressed to kill? New mission?"
"Yeah." Reynard answered back. "We'll be accompanying the Viscount this time."
"It's been a while since he personally deployed. What for?"
"He plans to launch an attack on the Alexander, to take back a Zoid and its pilot." Caitlyn replied. Gideon could only laugh.
"Well, good luck on your mission. Pity I can't accompany you out there."
"Oh, I think we'll be fine." Reynard turns to face the Zoid that stood in the center of all others. It was another Tyrannosaurus Zoid but much stronger than Sakura's Geno Saurer. The Viscount's personal Zoid: The Berserk Fuhrer.
Back in the desert that lies outside Kalanes City, the entourage of Helic Zoids led by Lieutenant Itsuki's Saberlion trudged through the sand. It was in the middle of the night and the enemy had long retreated but nevertheless, the remaining Zoids kept a sharp eye out, glancing to their sides every few minutes or so. The Liger Zero walked in the middle of the remaining Shield Ligers, making it appear as if the other Zoids were escorting it.
"Quite a depressing bunch they've got here huh?" Alyx asked Naruse, who had regained consciousness. They were outside the cockpit, sitting on the Liger's back between its Ion Boosters. Alyx was helping Naruse bandage her wounds; a task made difficult in the cramped space of the Liger's cockpit. The Zero still continued to move though, thanks to it being derived directly off a Wild Zoid, granting it far more sentience than the other Zoids around it. Kind of like a form of autopilot.
"There! All done! I wish they'll have decent medical facilities where we are going though. You've lost quite a lot of blood. And, a slight fever." Alyx exclaimed as she finished up.
"Hey?" Naruse suddenly asked. "Aren't you going to ask me what I meant about being an envoy from Guylos?"
"I don't know. If I did, would you be willing to tell me?" Alyx replied.
"Maybe not." Naruse sank back, burying her head in her arms. Alyx sat down beside her. "Hey Alyx? Why did you come with me?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Alyx asked, a little puzzled.
"You could've stayed behind. Help rebuild your city. Go back to your old life." Naruse took a deep breath. "After we fought the Geno Saurer, you could've just handed me over and stayed behind. You can even keep the Liger Zero if you want. Consider it my compensation for your help earlier. But you didn't. You chose to tag along. Why?"
"I don't really know." Alyx glanced up, her gaze fixed upon the night sky. "I was about to do exactly what you said though. Just hand you over and let these guys take it from here. But after seeing what happened to Kalanes—that's when it hit me: Even if we deny it, this war still affects us. It affects all. It doesn't matter how well we stall things, or how far we run away. Sooner or later, its flames will catch up. To be honest, I was completely lost upon seeing that in front of my eyes. Then I remembered what you told me this morning."
"What—I told you?"
"You know? That part about not acting when you could. About how that was your terrible mistake and how you want to correct it, in order to avoid another tragedy. I guess… I wanted to be strong like that too. If I can do something, in my own little way-!"
"Hehe…And you trust me? Just like that?" Naruse asked. Although she kept her head buried in her arms, she was able to manage a weak smile.
"Yep! Just like that! I don't want think about things too deeply, I know you've seen that firsthand, so I can't really give you any grand reasons for involving myself. Just know that I'm helping you not because I feel obliged to but because I want to."
Naruse let out a soft laugh as she finally raised her head to look at Alyx. "Alright, then I'll rely on you one more time, if that's alright."
"Of course. That's what I'm here for." Alyx nodded, extending a hand towards Naruse. "I look forward to working with you again, Naruse."
Naruse paused for a moment, taken aback by Alyx's gesture. "We've gone through this earlier, didn't we?"
"Yeah, but you didn't shake my hand. You only told me your name."
"That's because—Naruse's not really my real name."
"So I noticed. But, I don't mind. I've gotten used to the name already. Plus it won't change anything. You could be Jeanne Antoinette Muroa for all I care. I'll still call you Naruse."
"Okay then…" Naruse finally extended her own, bandaged arm and shook hands with Alyx. "I look forward to working with you again too—Alyx."
"Cool." Alyx suddenly stood up, looking to the front where the Saberlion was. Seeing that the other soldiers were as quiet as rocks, she went back to her spot beside Naruse. "Man, we've been walking a long time. Don't you think we should've arrived there by now? What's an Alexander anyway?" Alyx asked but Naruse just shook her head.
"I don't know either. Want to ask one of the pilots?"
"Yeah, let's do that. It's getting a little chilly out here anyway." Alyx helped Naruse up. The two headed back inside the cockpit of the Zero and opened the communications panel. "Uhh…Saberlion, sir? What's an Alexander, if you don't mind me asking?"
For a while, it didn't seem as if the pilot of the lead Zoid was interested in giving them a reply. But eventually, he answered back after a few minutes.
"Now that we're here, I think it would be easier to just show you." The pilot told them.
"Huh?" Alyx wondered aloud.
"Take a look at your monitor." Alyx did as she was told, bringing the camera up to full magnification. What she saw in it made her jaw drop in awe.
"I don't believe it!" Alyx could not contain the excitement in her voice. A gargantuan Zoid stood in front of them, larger than anything Alyx had seen so far. Judging by its shape, it appears to be a Republican Hammerhead, though it was several magnitudes larger than the one used by the Helic Navy. This Zoid appeared to be around the size of an Imperial Whale King, possibly even larger. It was lined with multiple guns on its sides, the most impressive being the triple Republican Supercannons on each pectoral fin and another one just above the head. Its mouth was open, and the other Zoids were heading inside.
"Ladies—that is the Hammer Kaiser. Named after one of Earth history's greatest conquerors, this is the Alexander, the mobile base of the Helic Retaliation Force."
Writer's Note: And...here's Chapter 4! Hope you also enjoyed it.
Well, out pops one of my own concept Zoids: The Alexander. This is based off the Hammer Kaiser that appeared in Guardian Force Episode 57-58. It kind of bothered me how the Imperial army had the Whale King and the Dragoon Nest but Helic only had the Hover Cargo and Gustav. There were a few mentions of other transport Zoids like the Turtleships (which look silly IMHO) and Ultrasaurus the Carrier. I didn't use either because:
A. The Turtleship looked like it could only carry one Zoid at a given time.
B. I can not find any scans that show what Ultrasaurus the Carrier looks like. With the size discrepancy between the anime and the Battle Story, I'm not really too sure about using it. Plus, I think there was only one remaining Ultrasaurus at this point in time.
So I had to go for a third option which is the Hammer Kaiser in the anime. The one in this fic is slightly different though as it still resembled an actual Hammerhead. Its size is only a little larger than the Whale King though it does have significantly better firepower comparable to that of an Ultrasaurus. Given the speed of the technological progression in the Battle Story, I think this would've been a plausible design in the setting since it improves upon the shortcomings of the Whale King.
The name itself was inspired from Starcraft where ships of the same model get their own names depending on who is using it. (e.g. Hyperion, Norad II, Gantrithor.)
I'm not sure I can draft a spec sheet for it though. I'll try. Well, see you in the next chapter!