(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 6: Reunion
The Viscount's ultimatum has gotten everyone in the Hammer Kaiser riled up. From her place in the bridge, Captain Leesa Eleanor thought hard about her answer. True enough, they can just hand over the girl given that she's already provided them the information they need. But on the other hand, the Viscount may become more powerful with his further exploitation of that accursed family, who seems to have a notorious reputation for causing nothing but trouble for them with their discoveries. Just as she was feeling lost, Naruse herself entered the bridge.
"Captain! Hand me over!" Naruse voluntarily stood up to the task. "Only you know the information I have given you. You're the only ones who can stop him right now."
"There's no guarantee that he'll keep his word if we do!" Eleanor sternly protests. "If he gets you back, he won't miss an opportunity to take out an enemy. I'm sure of it!"
"But if we don't, more and more people under your command will die! Does that sit well with you?!"
"I know goddammit!" Eleanor temporarily loses her temper, surprising everyone in the room. "I know what it feels like alright…" Switching over to the open channel, she called out to the Viscount.
"So…what is your decision Captain?" The Viscount's cold voice resounded out of the speakers.
"We are unable to comply. We have not taken in any refugee from Kalanes." Instead of outright refusing though, Eleanor denies the allegation.
"Didn't you recover a Liger Zero type Zoid when you left Kalanes?" The Viscount asked on. Naruse was about to speak up but Eleanor forbade her to with a gesture of her hand.
"We did but, that Liger Zero belongs to a mercenary under our employ. It may have originally belonged to you but serial registration now reads it as property of the Kalanes government and pilot registration will confirm that the owner of the Zoid is our mercenary."
"Mercenary? Well, hand her over along with the Zoid nonetheless. I will keep my word. If I intended to shoot you down, I would've attacked with a larger force. Which I obviously do not have right now."
"Rather timid for a man who is known for destroying over seven guerilla bases…" Eleanor tries to intimidate the Viscount but received no further response. Switching off the open channel, she mulls over the advantages and disadvantages of handing the girl over. They may be able to avoid battle now, but what about tomorrow? Next week? Such thoughts flooded her head. One thing is certain though: Either way, the Viscount will eventually shoot them down. Either today or the next. Unless they can find a way to somehow turn things around.
"Captain!" Naruse called out one more time but Eleanor rejects her suggestion and patched a channel to Itsuki instead.
"Lieutenant…can you shoot down the Berserk Fuhrer?"
"I'll try. I can't guarantee anything but I will try to shoot him down!" Itsuki replied from his end.
"Time's up. What is your answer?" The Viscount called back yet was only greeted by silence. "Very well… I will now shoot down your transporter."
"All forces scatter! Do not let him near the Hammer Kaiser! Guard it with your life if necessary!" Itsuki's order rang out on all of their channels as their small group charged towards the Berserk Fuhrer with the full intention of bringing it down.
"This battle is meaningless!" Naruse angrily walked towards the elevator but she was intercepted by Eleanor.
"What do you intend to do?! Walk out there with your hands up?!" Eleanor scolds the young girl.
"I just don't want any meaningless bloodshed! Not for me…" Naruse protests but Eleanor angrily shouted back.
"You think they're fighting out there for you?! You're mistaken! Itsuki and the others are not just fighting for your sake but for the sake of everyone on this damn Zoid! Walking out of there, surrendering to the enemy seems like a pretty poor way to repay them!" Eleanor turned to her weapons operator. "Ready the Supercannons! We'll hit these bastards hard!"
"Yo!" Another transmission called on the intercom. But it wasn't from any of the warring Zoids outside.
It was Alyx, calling from the cockpit of the Liger Zero.
Itsuki and his allies fought bravely against the like of the superior Guylos Zoid. The Shield Liger MK-II's heavy cannons blasted furiously at their adversary, trying their hardest to keep it at bay and prevent it from using the dreaded Charged Particle Cannons. While the two Ligers kept up the ranged assault, Itsuki took the fight closer, trying hard to land hits with his Strike Laser Claws and Thruster Guns at point-blank range. The Command Wolves waited for the Berserk Fuhrer to try for a melee attack with its Buster Claws, allowing Itsuki some window to get his Zoid out of the way.
"As expected from Itsuki-!" The Viscount clenched his teeth in the midst of such heavy bombardment. He didn't want to admit it but, these guys may actually be able to kill him. He knows that if he stops moving, he's done for. But the Shield Liger TG's maneuvers are making it difficult for him to do so.
"Looks like you need some help…" A bright flash of lasers suddenly flew over the Berserk Fuhrer's head, hitting one of the Shield Ligers near the leg. Turning to face the direction where the beams came from, the Helic Forces saw the Lightning Saix headed their way, guns ablaze. Passing by the Ligers at full speed did not help much as those Zoids were much heavier than the nimble cheetah but, Reynard did succeed in breaking up their momentum, allowing the Berserk Fuhrer a small window of opportunity to reorganize itself. Snarling, the Fuhrer intercepted Itsuki's Strike Laser Claw mid-charge and tossed him away. The Shield Liger would've easily crashed to the ground if not for the added maneuverability of its new toys. Before Itsuki could react though, the Fuhrer turned and charged at the two Ligers, Buster Claws at the ready.
"No, you don't-!" Itsuki's Liger roared as it followed, its guns blazing as it shot round after round, trying to deter the charging Guylos Zoid. Likewise, the Command Wolves fired a barrage but they were easily intercepted by the Lightning Saix.
"Heh! So much for the famed might of the Retaliation Force…" The Viscount gloated as his Zoid landed right in the middle of the two Shield Ligers. Surpassing the Ligers' reaction speed, the Fuhrer turned around and drove one of its Buster Claws on the sides of a Shield Liger, drilling its way through armor and into the core inside. The other one tried to pull back and fire a barrage of heavy hitting beams but the Fuhrer merely deflected the rounds with the remaining Buster Claw. Having finished off the Liger, the Fuhrer turned its attention to the other one. Before it could put up an E-shield, the Fuhrer's tail swung forward, crippling the top of its mane and its heavy beam cannons. It had barely dodged its assault. But that did not deter the Berserk Fuhrer.
"Viscount-!" A cry from above. Itsuki finally managed to close in and charged head on, his E-shield deployed at full power. Setting up his own shield, the two Zoids collided into each other. Simulations have shown that two colliding shields neutralize each other's effects but even if the shield on Itsuki's Liger was upgraded to have twenty percent more output, the power difference was as clear as night and day.
Suddenly, he felt the Berserk Fuhrer's shield give way for a moment. The other Liger caught on to what Itsuki intended and had also charged in, bringing its own shield into the equation. "Just a little more-!" Itsuki steeled himself as he watched the shields crack and eventually dissipate, pushing back all three Zoids away from each other. Unfortunately, the Berserk Fuhrer managed to grab hold of the other Liger's leg and when it staggered back because of the shock, it threw the other Liger farther out, crashing loudly on the desert floor. Fortunately the canopy was intact. The pilot would live- though he might not, seeing as his fighting strength was down to just him and a damaged Command Wolf.
"Heh…so this is how it ends huh?" Itsuki laughed to himself. It was weird but when faced with a hopeless situation, people laughed instead. Suddenly, a new signature popped up on his radar. The Hammer Kaiser's catapult was deploying something. Upon taking a closer look, he realized it was Alyx's Liger Zero.
"Alyx, what are you doing?!" Naruse called over from the bridge as she watched her friend strap on the buckles on her seat and activated the main control units.
"Well, that masked creep wants this Zoid and I'm bringing it to him. In the end, it wouldn't matter since it won't be you who's inside the cockpit. The plan can go on." Alyx informs her friend with a grin.
"No! I cannot allow it. Get out of there Alyx! I'll head out there myself!"
"No! You stay here and try to find this…this—whatever that core connects to, and destroy it before it can be used again."
"Admittedly, that is a compromise that works…" Even Eleanor had to admit, the girl made some sense.
"B-but, if they realize that you're not me…they'll kill you, Alyx." Naruse tried one last time to persuade Alyx though she knew Alyx wouldn't listen.
"Relax! It doesn't have to come to that. If we can take out that white Tyrannosaurus that is!"
"You think you can defeat it with your Liger Zero Alyx?" Eleanor asks the reckless pilot.
"Well, no. But sir Itsuki's out there as well so I'm sure we can think of something. Plus, Naruse can relay me some instructions from your end." Alyx replied with much optimism. "Come on Naruse! Let's take this creep down!"
Seeing that Alyx wouldn't change her mind, Naruse took a deep breath and nodded. Alyx flashed her an informal salute before cutting off visual communication.
Down at the catapult, the Liger Zero stepped on the launch pad which had started charging up with electricity. It donned the available CAS component; a set of streamlined blue armor and a pair of gigantic Ion Boosters. Kiminari was working on the control panel, briefing Alyx about the equipment mounted on her Zoid.
"The Jäger is designed for fighting at high speeds. It maintains a good balance but you have to be careful as the shock from accelerating too much might knock you out. The cockpit adjusts so that you can withstand the force better but even still, try not to go overboard." Kiminari warns Alyx. "Hmm? Where's my toolbox?"
"CAS system code Jäger, ready for launch!" Alyx gripped the joysticks with her hands and took a deep breath. "Okay Zero, this is going to be our second match…Are you ready?" Alyx thought to herself while the Liger Zero let out a soft growl. "Deploying!"
With the push of a button, the Zero shot forward, heading out into the battlefield ahead. The charge from the launch catapult still lingered in the Zero's feet, moving just a little bit faster than normal. "Okay, so far so good. Now, let's see if we can take on that ugly dragon!"
"Reynard, intercept that Liger Zero! Try to lead it according to the plan!" The Viscount orders the Lightning Saix, still locked into a wrestle with Itsuki's Liger.
"Got it…" In an instant, the Lightning Saix took off, running just behind the Jäger. It tried to fire its lasers but the Jäger immediately caught wind of it and maneuvered to the right.
"The guns on that Zoid don't swivel…my guess is that it causes the Zoid to lose its balance while it runs in high speeds." Alyx observed as she maneuvers her Zoid back to confront her speedy adversary.
"Not only that but, the Lightning Saix isn't capable of making sharp turns. Although speed is your primary asset, agility is what you'll need to bring it down." Naruse added as she communicated with Alyx over a secure channel.
"So, what do I do?" Alyx asked.
"Speed up and lead the Lightning Saix over to the left. Don't stray too far from the Hammer Kaiser."
"Got it." Alyx carefully did as she was told. Firing a couple of shots with her Vulcans, she caught the attention of the Lightning Saix, forcing him to run after her.
"Now, make a sharp turn on the left and prepare to fire as the Lightning Saix comes within range." Upon the command, the Jäger turned left and immediately rotated to face the incoming Zoid. "Fire!" Simultaneously, the Jäger fired both its Vulcans and Shock Cannons. While the smaller rounds failed to cause a visible dent, the Shock Cannons managed to cause some visible damage just right near the spine where the Pulse Laser Rifles were mounted. The Saix turned to escape and this time, it was the Jäger chasing it down.
"Ah! I get it!" Alyx finally caught on to the plan. Deploying the Ion Boosters, the Jäger immediately went to its top speed of 330 km/h, catching up to its speedier opponent in no time. Using its heavier bulk, the Jäger intentionally bumped the Lightning Saix, causing its Pulse Lasers to swivel beyond its usual allotted range, sending the Lightning Saix tumbling down as it loses its balance. Once the Zoid was down, Alyx barraged it with her guns until the Zoid could no longer move. One down!
"The Lieutenant-!" She immediately ran back and hoped that she was just in time to help out Itsuki in the fight.
Meanwhile, the Berserk Fuhrer continued to fight it out against Itsuki's quick and calculated maneuvers. He was doing well despite the performance difference but the Berserk Fuhrer still prevented him from landing any decisive blows. His main obstacle seemed to be the Buster Claws, which had a very wide range of movement, preventing him from using his more powerful melee weapons against it.
A barrage of Vulcan fire caught their attention as the Zero Jäger came running towards them. Knocking away Itsuki's Liger for a moment, the Fuhrer charged the Jäger, who instantly got out of the way thanks to its speed. But the Viscount immediately followed up with some shots from its Buster Claws, pinning the Jäger down. Before it could close the distance however, Itsuki's Liger ran back up to it and bit one of the Claw's mechanical arms. Seeing the opportunity, Alyx closed in and initiated a Strike Laser Claw but the Fuhrer immediately intercepted it with the remaining Buster Claw.
"Just how versatile is this thing?!" Alyx shouted in anger as she tries to force her way past the Berserk Fuhrer though no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't exceed its power.
"Alyx! Lieutenant! Can you both hear me?" Naruse suddenly called from the Hammer Kaiser.
"Yes but, we're a little busy right now-!" Itsuki replied as he struggled with his Zoid's controls, trying to rip out the Buster Claw off from its chassis.
"We need you to hold it down for ten more seconds. When we give the signal, disengage immediately! Clear?"
"Yeah, sure thing!" Alyx replied as she added a second Strike Laser Claw to her grip on the Berserk Fuhrer.
"Don't take too long! We're at our limit-!" Itsuki grunted and although the Shield Liger's strength started to slip, it stepped on the Fuhrer's leg as it tried to keep the Zoid locked and unable to move.
Four more seconds. Three. Two…
"Now!" Naruse gave the signal and the two Ligers leapt out of the way. As the Fuhrer turned its head to see what was happening, three shots from the Hammer Kaiser's Supercannons rained on the unshielded Zoid, sending it far out from where it last stood.
"Did we get it?" Alyx wondered as the Zero walked over to take a better look. Slowly, the Berserk Fuhrer rose up. It didn't take any hits to the cockpit as the head armor still remained intact but the left side armor and Buster Claw were completely blown off. So was its right arm, leaving only a cluster of wires dangling from where a claw used to be. Sensing danger, the Berserk Fuhrer turned to leave, its thrusters driving it away from the battle scene and towards a small cavern up ahead.
"Oh no, you don't!" Alyx could've just let it go but if it lives now, she thought it might make an attempt on Naruse later on. She had to end it right here and right now. Running after the wounded Zoid with her Ion Boosters at full power, she proceeded to chase it down, ignoring Itsuki's warnings.
"No! Don't chase it too far!" Itsuki called out, his Liger chasing after Alyx but Alyx didn't stop. Before she could even come close to it, a wired claw rocketed towards the Zero's legs, causing it to lose balance and trip. "On the right-!"
Alyx glanced up and saw the blue Geno Saurer, the same one she fought at Kalanes, waiting by the darkness, its Killer Claw retracting back to its arm. Before she could get up again, the Liger Zero X descended down, striking Alyx's Zero with a blast from its Stunblades, causing Alyx's controls to go haywire. She had been lured into a trap.
Itsuki tried to intercept but he was warded off by the blue Geno Saurer, firing its Pulse Lasers at him which he dodged. Without an E-shield though, taking on the two new Zoids is impossible.
"Good job, Warrant Officer, Caitlyn." The Viscount commended his two subordinates.
"So, shall we strike the Hammer Kaiser down now?" Sakura asked but the Viscount merely shook his head.
"Retrieve Reynard. We're getting out of here." The Viscount orders the two. Before any of them could protest, new signatures appeared on their sensors. The Helic supply unit had arrived, bringing fresh troops and Zoids, outnumbering their tiny group. Still, it didn't matter. They got what they wanted.
Itsuki could only watch Alyx get taken away by their enemies, disappearing into the darkness of the caverns. Frustrated at losing more comrades to the Viscount, he slammed his fist angrily at the side of his cockpit. Once again, he had been defeated.
From inside the non-responsive cockpit of her Zoid, Alyx worked tirelessly to try and bring it back to proper working order. The effects of the Stunblades were severe but they weren't fatal. Most of her Zoid's internal components were intact; all she needed to do was to find a way to restart it.
She needed to wake Liger Zero up at all costs.
Outside, the Imperial group forged on, taking a long and dark route through the caverns. Fortunately, the way was already paved long ago, back when Emperor Muroa first deployed the Seismosaurus force. Leading the group was Liger Zero X and Geno Saurer, with Alyx's Zero, the Lightning Saix and the Berserk Fuhrer trailing behind in an Imperial Gustav.
Smack in the middle of both the badly damaged Zoids, Alyx was sure no one is able to hear her working in the middle of the cockpit. Opening compartments, reattaching wires, soldering loose connections…it was a good thing Kiminari left a toolbox inside the cockpit when he attached the CAS.
"Come on! Work with me here Zero…" Alyx muttered under her breath as she finished replacing a fuse which shorted out. Again, thank the heavens for Kiminari's toolbox. Getting herself back up in a proper seating position, Alyx began the reboot and reactivated the Liger Zero. "Come on…!" Inside the cockpit, Alyx prayed. Prayed for the Zero to wake up. Prayed for a miracle.
Growl…
"Yes! You're awake!" Alyx jumped up in joy and her head hit the ceiling of the Zero's canopy. Fortunately, the shock snapped her back to the reality of the situation. "Ouch, ouch…Easy there boy." Alyx whispers to large Zoid. "We're right in the middle of the bad guys. We wouldn't want to give ourselves away."
Again, Alyx counted the hours. She hates long walks in such a cramped cockpit. Looking around, the surroundings were still dark as she kept most of the Zero's systems off. They were probably still inside the cavern. She kind of wished she could go outside. She wants to at least see what the place looks like. She can't do so though, not until they reach the base. As of this moment, these people actually think she's Naruse. If she shows up now, she's dead. If only there was a way to see outside…
"Wait! There is! I fixed the Liger Zero after all!" Alyx suddenly remembered. Taking great care not to alert anyone around, she made sure to dim all other lights and only booted up the cameras and monitors. Finally, she could make out the stalactites and stalagmites jutting out from the cavern. A few more meters later, the surrounding cavern grew brighter and brighter until she could finally see the sky, which had now changed into an intense orange, signaling that the sun is setting soon and the two moons shall once again light up the sky like old withered fruits on a hot summer day.
Looking to the sides, she can see some flora finally growing around them. "We're probably close to a watering hole or something…ugh!" Her thoughts were suddenly disturbed when the trailers suddenly tilted a little upwards. They were moving uphill, it seems. Leaning back on the cockpit seat, her eyes wandered to gaze at the lush vegetation on the right side of her Zoid. She thought she saw something blink for a moment. A quick flash of neon green light, lasting only a split second. Alyx rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't daydreaming. But only darkness and shadow greeted her in the undergrowth.
Suddenly, the trailer stopped. They seemed to have arrived at their destination. She could see the Geno Saurer and the Zero X standing in front of what looked like a base entrance. Upon recognizing the two Zoids, the gates opened and they headed inside.
The base in question was huge. Over sixty Zoids of different kinds were gathered together, some receiving maintenance and others just sitting idly, waiting for their share of action. The Berserk Fuhrer alighted first, heading into a platform reserved just for its use while teams of engineers and mechanics swarmed to the white Zoid, starting repairs immediately as a masked pilot alighted from its cockpit.
"So this is the Viscount huh?" Alyx thought to herself. He seemed much more intimidating when he spoke from inside his Zoid but nevertheless, he did have the air and presence of a natural leader. "Oh crap!" Alyx panicked upon seeing the masked man point to her Zoid, followed by a group of mechanics who immediately rushed over. She couldn't let them see that the Zero is up and about.
"Shhh…go to sleep for a while, I'll get you soon. Maybe a little later…" She whispered to the Zoid as she disconnected the new fuse she installed. Realizing that hiding it in her body would be futile, she immediately buried it deep in the leather seat, along with the other important tools in the toolbox. If ever she found her opening, she needed a way to reactivate her Zoid.
The mechanics team didn't go to the Zero's cockpit right away. First, they made sure everything is disabled, checking parts and weapons. Even the dents on the armor from fighting two Tyrannosaurus Zoids in one day were given a look over. As the group did this, another one got to work on opening the Zero's cockpit. Hooking up a computer to the external control panel, they worked on releasing all security locks which normally takes less than five minutes.
"So they changed its armor huh?" Captain Ash walked over to the recaptured Zoid, bringing Sakura along with him. Alexei shot the younger girl an angry glare as she approached. "Rather ingenious for the rebels, I say."
"You have to give them credit for their resourcefulness Captain." The Viscount replied while he kept his gaze on the mechanical feline in front of them. The mechanic working on the cockpit signaled that everything was clear and he was opening the canopy now.
"Wait-!" The Viscount stopped the mechanic for a while and turned to Sakura. "Warrant Officer, head over there and prepare to apprehend our intruder. You may use lethal force if necessary."
"Sir!" Sakura obliged and immediately climbed up to the Zero's cockpit. Her gun at the ready, she called out to the person inside. "Come out with your hands up! Don't try anything funny!"
"Alright! Hold your horses—" For a while the Viscount took notice of the girl's…funny way of speaking. He did not remember her to be like this and in a few minutes, he understood why. The Zero's cockpit opened and an unfamiliar white haired girl stood up, her hands raised in surrender. She turned to face Sakura and her look turned from annoyance into that of recognition. From the place he stood, he could see the same look register on his subordinate's face as well.
"N-no…Alyx?" Sakura could not believe what she's seeing.
"Sakura? No way!" Likewise, Alyx felt the same upon seeing her friend.
Writer's Note: Chapter 6 is up! The two friends finally see each other again...on opposing sides.
I'm not sure about the canonicity of the neutralizing E-shields part. That was a maneuver Herman pulled off in Guardian Force where his Shield Liger disabled the Death Stinger's E-shield using that technique.
Well, that's all for now folks. See you in the next chapter!