(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 15: The Battle for Akua Harbor
The Remnant Army's assault started at noon.
A long-range bombardment by Cannonry Molgas heralded the start of the attack, raining gunfire on the Helic defenses before their initial advance force could be spotted. The dust and fumes from the attack provided the advance forces consisting of Merdas and Heldigunners some form of cover as they poured in, strafing the enemy with small-scale gunfire as they charged.
Rallying together several guerilla units and anti-Imperial resistance pockets to form Akua Harbor's defense regiment, the Alexander was only able to muster two hundred and fifty Zoids, leaving them badly outnumbered by the Remnant army.
Their formation was pretty straightforward: Old generation Shield Ligers and urban combat Command Wolves made up the bulk of the front line, supported by Arosaurers and Godos which were dispersed across the various structures that makes navigating the harbor by large Zoids rather difficult. The Shield Ligers' E-shields sponged up most of the damage while the Wolves returned fire using their rocket guns.
Further back was the Cannoneer Gordos unit; Helic's previous mainstay command Zoids equipped with the powerful Supercannons raining heavy artillery, blanketing the Imperial army. They were supported by more Arosaurers serving as guards lest the Imperial army get too close. Closest to the docks with their backs directly turned to the open water was the Gunbluster force while the Alexander itself was half-submerged in the sea; the last line of defense due to lacking aquatic Zoids that can pursue the Imperial army should they make it to the water.
BANG! BANG!
The Gordos roared as their backs strained from the recoil of the massive weapons, blanketing the Empire Army's smaller Zoids which have now started to break off to avoid being wiped out in a single shelling. This however, makes them easy pickings for the Shield Ligers who tore the smaller Zoids apart with their powerful claws and jaws.
"Hydrarchos, do you copy? We're getting bombed out here! Requesting backup!" A Heldigunner pilot relays to the base.
"Copy that. Flyers on the way."
From the skies descended a dark mass of Zabats, headed straight for the Gordos in an attempt to bomb the artillery Zoids. Taking notice of this, the Arosaurers sprang up, trying to shoot the flyers down with their beam cannons. The Zabats however, merely twirled and danced their way around the bolts, closing in on their slow-moving targets.
"These Gordos are toast!" A Zabat pilot cheered as the lumbering stegosaur now came within range.
BAAAAAAMMM!
Before they can deploy their bombs however, powerful blasts of concentrated energy zipped past their formation. Those in the direct path of the massive bolts were disintegrated nearly immediately while those in the vicinity were instantly disabled by the shock, making them easy targets for the Arosaurers' beam volley.
"Mayday! Mayday! Zabat platoons 1 to 4 shot down! Enemy has deployed—AAAHHH!" A surviving Zabat tries to retreat but was immediately shot down. Before it died, it was able to send an image of the Zoid that annihilated their unit. A green Liger appeared before the Hydrarchos' command center.
Alyx's Liger Zero Panzer. The green lion roars in defiance as it moved further forward, reinforced by five Command Wolf LCs.
From inside the Hydrarchos, Ash oversaw the battle taking place. The smaller Imperial Zoids were being eaten up by the Gordos' heavy artillery and the Shield Ligers while half of their Zabats were shot down by the Panzer's hybrid cannons. Nonetheless, their fighting force still remained higher than the Republic's. Sending their troops out in waves proved to be a good call.
"First wave, pull back! Red Troops march forward! Rain suppressing fire on those Shield Ligers and force them back!" Ash yells out with his troops immediately responding. The Merdas and Heldigunners immediately turned tail and ran while the Red Horns started their advance, blasting their linear cannons at the blue felines to prevent them from giving pursuit. Their heavier armor also prevented them from being eaten up by shrapnel from the Gordos' artillery fire though the ones that took a direct hit were nonetheless destroyed.
Sakura was watching the battle from the Hydrarchos' holding area. Her eyes immediately caught sight of the Liger Zero Panzer.
"Alyx…" She muttered.
"Thirty Zoids shot down…Not bad…" Alyx muttered as she tries to calm herself down. She could feel her heart beating fast as the Zero Panzer moved further out front; a combination of concern and anxiety enveloped her being.
"You're doing great kid! Now try to take out those Red Horns! Hybrid cannon but burst-fire only! Save our ammunition for the bigger guys when they pop out!" Kiminari instructed from the hangars, providing Alyx with much needed support.
"Roger!" Alyx peers into her targeting system, taking aim at a small window in-between two Red Horns. "Firing!"
BAAAANG!
The massive energy bolts flew, zipping past the allied Shield Ligers and into the advancing Red Horns, disabling at least two of them as the strong shockwave sends them back.
"Very good!" Kiminari cheered as he watched the two Styracosaurus go down in flames.
"Any word on getting the big guy up? I have a feeling we're going to need him soon!" Alyx asked, referring to the Zoid they worked on in Hangar G.
"Give us a few seconds. We've just finished jumpstarting the OS." The master technician explained.
"Alright!" Alyx replied, taking aim at two more Red Horns.
Growl…
The Zero Panzer suddenly stepped back though, feeling an uneasiness in its paws. Likewise, Alyx felt a chill run over her spine. "Hmm…? What's the matter Zero? You sensing something?"
Rumble…
"Hey Kiminari? Do you guys feel something over there? Zero's picking up some kind of tremor on the ground." She relays back to the hangar.
"Now that you mention it…" Kiminari glanced back. Some of the overhead lifts were swaying though there's no wind inside the hangars. "Don't tell me—!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!
In an instant, two powerful beams of light suddenly burst from the harbor floor on the east and west sides, wiping out the Arosaurer units stationed over there. Blue and red Scorpions emerged from the opening and started making their way over to the Gordos.
"D-Death Stingers! Captain! We've got big trouble!" Kiminari immediately relays to the Alexander as the sight of the terrifying scorpions causes the hangar to descend into mad panic.
"We've sprung the trap! Making our way to the objective now!" One of the Death Stinger's pilots reported in.
"Good. If you can take out the Gordos raining fire on our troops, Helic's front lines will crumble." Ash nods in satisfaction. The plan worked out perfectly. A distraction laid out by the initial wave and Red Horns followed by the sudden emergence of the Death Stinger unit. The Stealth Stinger however, remained hiding in the shadow.
"That said, our biggest obstacles now would be—" Zhou cycles through the battle images while Ash kept his gaze fixed on the battle scenario.
"That Liger Zero Panzer, the Gunblusters and that accursed carrier." He lists them all down for Zhou's convenience. Gunfire was suddenly heard from the intercoms. The Gunblusters have started to move forward to face the deadly Scorpion Zoids while the Gordos started its slow retreat. "Speak of the devil…"
"They respond fast." Zhou added.
"True. But now the Zoids on the front line do not have the cover of their heavy artillery. It's time." The Captain opens two new channels. "High-speed force, move in! Kong force, reinforce our Death Stingers! Take out those pathetic armored Zoids!"
"Roger!" The Iron Kong pilots roared with much enthusiasm.
"Showtime!" Vishna likewise roars as she and her Sabre Tiger swooped in with the high-speed force, nimbly jumping over the Red Horn carcasses that has started to litter the field. The Tigers growled angrily at their Liger enemies as they closed in, guns blazing. The remaining Red Horns did not let up on the covering fire, bombarding the enemy E-shields in an attempt to crack it.
"The Death Stinger force have now come face to face with the Gunblusters. They're held up by two Gunblusters each. Should I surface now?" Seral suddenly appears on the comms, asking for instructions.
"Not yet. The Iron Kong will handle those Gunblusters. In the meantime, I have a different target in mind for you." Ash clarified, his gaze still fixed on the battle on the screen. "The sight of those Iron Kongs will surely dent the morale of our enemy. They'll have to get rid of them fast before the Gunblusters break. So, they'll have no choice but to send in—"
"The Liger Zero Panzer…" Sakura gasped.
"Redler formation!" Ash calls out to their secondary aerial division. "Ready the unmanned bombers."
"Seral!" Sakura calls over to her friend. Seral stares at her for a moment. "Be—careful out there."
Hearing this, Seral manages a small chuckle. "I'll be fine. When we're finished, us three will go out to dinner. My treat."
The appearance of the Sabre Tigers has forced the front line to fight in close range combat while the Iron Kongs broke the harbor defense's collective morale as they swooped in, trampling almost any Zoid they send out to oppose them. Desperate to hold out, some of the Shield Ligers leapt up at the Gorilla Zoids, bearing their laser fangs down on the enemy's thick armor despite the Kong's sheer size advantage. They were tossed aside, stomped and shot at. A Shield Liger was torn in half when two Iron Kongs took it by the legs and pulled it apart. Nonetheless, they kept at it. Two Shield Ligers managed to bring down one Iron Kong only to be faced with the Sabre Tiger unit.
"We're losing Ligers—!" Kiminari calls out to Alyx, spotting three Iron Kongs heading towards the Gunblusters pinning down the Death Stinger. "Alyx! Over there! Bring them down!"
Without another word, Alyx changes her target to the large gorilla Zoids. Needing firepower higher than normal to break through the Imperial Zoid's armor, she increases the hybrid cannon's voltage. Fortunately for her, the Iron Kongs made the mistake of running too close to each other in their chaotic frenzy. One shot was all she needed.
BAAAAAMMM!
The hybrid cannon fired and immediately obliterated the three metallic apes thanks to Kiminari providing accurate coordinates and instructions. The Gunblusters on the east side will hold out longer at least for a few more minutes.
"Iron Kongs shot down! But my hybrid cannon is all hot and red. It'll need to cool down first before I can fire it again." Alyx updates the technician, her body drenched in sweat as the temperature inside the cockpit rose slightly higher than normal.
"That's alright. Captain will take care of the ones headed in the west."
"The—Captain?"
SPLASH!
From behind, the Alexander ascends from the sea, rising high above the chaotic battleground. Adjusting its aim slightly, it brings its Supercannons down on the enemies below, raining large-caliber fire on the Iron Kongs headed to the west side.
"Forward slowly! We'll have to reinforce the troops on the front line while the Gordos gets into position!" Eleanor barks her orders as the massive Hammer Kaiser inches slowly to the front.
"Hydrarchos, target sighted! Bring down the rain!" An Iron Kong transmits back to the science vessel.
"Copy that Kong-5. Bomber units headed in now."
Suddenly, another black mass started to descend from above. This time, it was a formation of Redlers. Booster cannon Redlers lined up on the sides while standard ones equipped with massive missiles on their backs gathered in the center of the formation, defended on both sides.
"Kamikaze Redlers! They're headed for the Alexander!" The operator reports in panic.
"Have the aerial Zoids intercept them! Bring up the blast shields!"
Pteras Bombers deployed, shooting their missiles at the enemy with the manned Redlers intercepting a few with their booster cannons. A couple more manned Redlers flew towards the Pteras unit, slicing up some of them with its deadly laser blade. Raynos deployed afterwards to defend the Pteras but the Redlers soon acquired the superiority of numbers when the remainder of the Zabat forces swooped in after them. The suicide squad continued to fly towards the Hammer Kaiser, managing to dodge incoming fire from the warship's smaller guns.
"KID! Use the big one now!" Kiminari calls out to Alyx. "Do not let them sink the Hammer Kaiser!"
RRROOOOAAAARRR!
Upon receiving the green light, the Liger Zero Panzer took aim at the mass of flying Zoids, opening all of its missile compartments. Seeing this, the Raynos and Pteras all broke away to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
"EAT THIS! Burning Big Bang Attack!"
Missiles flew in multiple directions, heading straight towards the massed aerial Zoids. The suicide forces blew up; their own bombs going off and taking down nearby allies. The Alexander was spared for now. They had sustained damage however and was now descending back into the waters. Smoke nearly covered the afternoon sun as debris from Redler and Zabat rained on the ground below.
"*Pant…Pant…* I got them…" Alyx panted, the heat inside her cockpit rising.
"So now you're out of ammo…"
Directly below her, a massive tail emerged; the end of which carried a sharp laser scissor. The Zero Panzer immediately backed away and started firing its triple shock cannons at the armored tail to no effect. The ground cracked and the Stealth Stinger emerged from its hiding place, brandishing its blades against the green Liger.
"Now you have nothing left to face me!"
"Stealth Stinger has surfaced. The Lieutenant has now entered combat with the enemy's Liger Zero." The Imperial operator informs Captain Ash.
"Very good. Send in the initial force to back up the high-speed force. Red troops! Break through and destroy those defense structures!" He instructed. "Kong force, send a detachment to pursue the Alexander!"
"Yes Sir!" The pilots replied with much enthusiasm.
"Seral…Alyx…" Sakura muttered as she watched the battle between her two friends. Without the benefit of a Charged Particle Cannon, the smaller gunfire from Seral's Zoid merely bounced off the Panzer's heavy armor, forcing her to rely on nothing but her blades and claws to beat the Panzer. Without ammo, the Panzer only had its shock guns and Strike Laser Claws to rely on though who knows how much time there is left until its hybrid cannons recharge.
The Stealth Stinger had the upper hand. It was performing quick attacks one after the other with its claws, driving the Liger Zero further back before sweeping in with the tail's laser scissors. The green feline was doing a great job evading the attacks but Alyx was still a rookie. It won't be long until she tires out. Her Command Wolf escorts tried to provide support fire but the Stealth Stinger's armor merely shrugged it off. The Command Wolves are useless in this fight.
One Command Wolf decides to brave a close-range attack and ran in to try and grab the tail with its electron bite fangs. Seemingly sensing this intention, the Stealth Stinger's hind claws flashed forward, grabbing the Wolf in the midsection and tearing it in half. Not content, it brings the claw down on the Wolf's head as it fell, killing the pilot inside; a brutal display of power.
"Come on!" Seral roared almost as if in a frenzy. "Fight me kitty!" The Stealth Stinger advanced. The Panzer steps back. Another Command Wolf tries its luck and aimed for the blade this time but was immediately intercepted; the laser scissors cutting deep into the core before tossing it aside, following up with a salvo from its back-mounted shock guns.
"Is Seral really the one piloting this Zoid?" Sakura gasped. She couldn't believe what she was watching was the kind girl that might as well be her older sister.
"Technically, the pilot is merely a processing unit for the Zoid itself to manifest its will. The Organoid System after all, is able to grant the Zoid extreme reflexes and reaction speeds because of the mental link it shares with its pilot. Done well and this system makes the individual Zoid all the more powerful." Zhou explains, having been observing all the Death Stinger pilots since the beginning of the battle. "Do it wrong however, and the Zoid becomes an uncontrollable berserker. Like what is happening to your friend over there."
"What?!" Sakura gasps, turning back to Seral's status screens. Her combat motivation was very high and there was an almost deranged look on her face. "But how—? I mean I used a Zoid with an Organoid System and—"
"Yes. You seemed to handle it quite well. I am not surprised that you were assigned a Geno Saurer this early on in your career. Yours was powered down though." Zhou turns to face Sakura, a sly grin on her face. "The Death Stinger on the other hand—well, this is it girl. The ultimate culmination of that technology. Its output is over ten times that of your own Zoid, weapons…and system. If the pilot cannot handle that kind of power—"
"Then Seral could be in danger?!" Sakura panics. "I need to get out there!"
"Disobeying orders?" Zhou asks calmly, her icy glare not breaking even when Sakura glared at her. "Your order was to stay here and defend this carrier after all."
"But If I don't—!"
"Besides, what can you do against that monster should it turn against you?" Zhou asks. Sakura just found herself unable to answer, her hands balling into a fist at her frustration. "If she is to run amok then I say we let her. The Death Stingers have been deployed in isolated positions for this reason after all."
"So, we're just going to let them die? Not just Seral but those other two pilots as well?" Sakura protests.
"Even disregarding the fact that nothing in the harbor's arsenal right now can match the raw power of the Death Stinger, you are all soldiers of the Empire." At this point Zhou takes a step back to return to her post. "For the sake of the Empire you should be prepared to die."
Sakura takes a moment to calm herself down though anger still seethed as her body shook all over. Her eyes glanced to her newly renovated Zoid just waiting in the hangar. The Zoid had chosen her. It will follow her to the ends of Zi if she wanted it to and no military order can stop it otherwise. If she is to just get in the cockpit—
"Huh? What am I thinking?" Sakura realizes. Her Zoid remained still and unmoving, secured by several mechanical arms keeping it in place.
"So, what's it going to be soldier? Your Zoid is almost ready. If you are to defy us in that right now well—I doubt if even the Captain's Dark Spiner can stop you." Zhou asks, almost challenging her. Hearing this, Sakura just sighed.
"Very well, I'll remain on standby." Sakura looks at the scientist in the eye. "Sorry for losing my temper."
Hearing this, Zhou manages a small smile. "Glad to see we're of the same mind then."
The Gordos was still in retreat while the Alexander was forced to submerge in the water again after troops of Imperial Zoids concentrated their fire upon it. The Zero Panzer was compromised by the Stealth Stinger. Deprived of their support, the harbor's front-line defenses crumbled as the Imperial troops poured in the city. The Arosaurers puts up a fierce defense, throwing everything they have at the enemy but they are easily overrun by the Red Horns and Sabre Tigers.
Having entered the center of the harbor city, the Red Horns rallied by the Iron Kongs and started letting loose. Gunfire erupted throughout and tore through empty buildings and hangars. Two Red Horns and an Iron Kong started making their way to the eastern hangars, blasting them and the Zoids seeking repair. With her Zero Panzer, Alyx continued to fight the Stealth Stinger, unable to support her allies. The Iron Kong launches a missile salvo at some of the hangars, including Hangar G.
BOOOOMMM! BOOOOMMM!
Fire and smoke spewed out from the burning buildings, causing Alyx to worry about her technician friend. "Kiminari! You guys okay?! Come in! Please!"
"*Cough* Yep. Still alive somehow…" To her relief, Kiminari responded. The sounds of the other technicians putting out fires can be heard from the channel.
"Thank goodness…" Alyx breathed a sigh of relief as she dodged another strike from her opponent. "I'm sorry I'm unable to back you guys up…"
"No problem. Just concentrate on that blasted insect. We'll be fine!"
"Really?"
"Believe me!" Kiminari grinned. "We're sending the out the 'Big Guy'!"
Reaching a clearing in the field, the Iron Kong caught sight of one of the retreating Gordos. Adjusting its aim, it proceeds to wipe it out with a fierce salvo from its missile launcher. The giant stegosaur roared out in pain before collapsing to the ground, smoke rising from its charred chassis.
"Yeah, alright!" The Iron Kong pilot cheered when suddenly—!
CRAASSHHH!
A dead Red Horn was tossed at its direction. The metal Gorilla managed to evade the collision by jumping up but as soon as it landed, two powerful shots were fired at its torso, killing it immediately.
RRROOOOOAAAARRR!
The huge bellow of a massive Zoid directed the attention of the surrounding Imperial Zoids to Hangar G as a large Tyrannosaur emerged from the smoke and fire; two imposing Supercannons mounted on its tan body struck fear to the enemy that saw it.
RROOOOOAAARRR!
Gojulas the Ogre roared in fierce defiance at the enemy. Helic Republic's crude experimental Organoid System Zoid immediately takes aim at another Iron Kong and blasted it with its cannons, blowing two perfect holes in the gorilla's side. The smaller Zoids surrounding it all leapt up and fired but the Ogre's thick armor shrugged it off and the lucky shots that managed to get through were immediately healed by the immense life-force granted by its Organoid System. The Ogre fired its impact cannon and missile launchers at the approaching Zoids as it caught the other intercepting units one by one with its powerful jaws and claws.
The smaller Imperial Zoids could do nothing against the fearsome Tyrannosaur, which was said to possess power ten times greater than a standard Gojulas. Catching sight of the crumbling vanguard, the Ogre begins its advance, firing salvos from its Supercannons as it inched towards the front lines.
"Gojulas the Ogre huh?" Ash's hands balled into a fist. He had not anticipated the harbor defenses to have prepared such a powerful Zoid.
"The Death Stingers can wipe it out with their Charged Particle Cannons." An operator reminded. "Shall we have them do so?"
"Negative. If they turn tail now, they'll be easy pickings for the Gunblusters." Nonetheless, Ash belays the order. "Kong force go all out against the Ogre! Tear it apart! Gerard!"
"Yes?!" The Elephander pilot immediately responded, his face coming up on the screen.
"Prepare to mobilize our last wave! Overpower them with our numbers!"
"Yes sir!"
"Captain! Trouble!" The operator suddenly called out. Ash walks over to her position to look at the map. "New enemy signatures appeared just behind the reserve troops for the third wave!"
"What?!"
"Checking the enemy's composition now sir…!" The operator immediately brings up the image taken by their cameras. Three Blade Ligers, a Dibison and a black König Wolf appeared on the screen. "It's the Retaliation Force!"
"Damn that woman! So, she had set this up in advance huh?!"
"You made it!" Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief as Itsuki establishes contact with the Alexander.
"Empire still has over a hundred Zoids preparing to swoop in as their third wave. We'll have to take them on here and now if the harbor has any chance of holding out!" Itsuki reported as they continued their advance.
"Very well. Do whatever it takes Lieutenant!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Back in the fight, the Zero Panzer had now been thoroughly pushed back as the Stealth Stinger continued its fierce attacks. They're so close that the sea is now visible to Seral's eye.
"Mr. Itsuki has arrived!" Alyx yelled out, relieved at the news of reinforcements.
"Yeah. But they still have to contend with over a hundred Zoids at the enemy camp. Nonetheless, this gives us some hope." Kiminari replied, having retreated to a bunker. "Try to hold on much longer! The Gordos will soon be in position!"
"Roger! Let's go Zero! Just a little more!" Having fought defensively for a long time, Alyx now moves to the offensive. Upon evading the Stealth Stinger's claw mounted blades, she immediately leaps up, seemingly performing a Strike Laser Claw. The Stealth Stinger immediately moves its tail to intercept, sending Alyx flying back. It starts to take aim with its shock guns.
"He fell for it!" Alyx cheered as the Panzer lands on its feet and the hybrid cannon go from red to green. "Burst fire Zero!"
ROOOAAARRR!
The Panzer roared and immediately fired quick salvos with its hybrid cannon.
"Wha—?!" Forgetting about her follow up attack, Seral immediately raises her Zoid's shield, managing to avoid a fatal hit. The power of the blasts alone however, has compromised over thirty percent of her shield's integrity and the Stealth Stinger skidded backwards, pushing her away from her primary objective.
"Alright, keep at it!" The Zero Panzer along with its escorts gives pursuit; the shock guns and long-range cannons firing to keep the enemy Zoid occupied.
The concentrated stream of gunfire rocked Seral back and forth inside the cockpit, despite the six-point belts that kept her secured. Her thick armor negated any serious damage but she could still feel the shocks pounding her inside the cockpit.
"Assholes…Why don't you die already!" The will of the Stealth Stinger's Organoid System flowed through Seral as she moves the Zoid forward, activating the claw's concealed guns.
"Scatter!" The Command Wolves jumped away as the Stinger opened fire, pelting the Zero Panzer with pinpricks of laser needles. The Zero Panzer flinches and in that moment, the Stealth Stinger lunged forward, laser scissors drawn. It took Alyx all her strength to pull her Zoid away from attack but just as she landed, the Stealth Stinger's shock guns fired, sending her Zoid crashing across the harbor floor.
"Ahahaha!" Seral guffawed as she watched the green lion get thrown back like a rag doll. Entering some sort of frenzy, the Stealth Stinger advanced, faster this time, its mandibles showing signs of glee at the prospect of killing the downed Liger.
"Shit! Get up Zero!" Alyx yelled out as the Liger Zero struggled to get up on its feet, the heavy armor weighing it down. The shadow of the Stealth Stinger soon loomed overhead.
Growl…
The Zero Panzer let out a pained purr as it carefully balanced itself on all four legs. As it looked up however, the Stealth Stinger already had its laser scissors raised, aimed at the Panzer's cockpit.
"DIE!"
Alyx immediately shuts her eyes. It was the only thing she could do as the image of the blade shattering the Liger's canopy and piercing her flesh started to fill her mind. She closed her eyes awaiting this lethal blow as the Liger Zero gave out one last roar against its enemy.
Yet the killing blow never came.
"Merdas, Heldigunners and some Sabre Tigers. Everyone, look alive!" Itsuki commanded as the Retaliation Force charged the enemy formation dead center. The three Blade Ligers were up front with Itsuki's Blade Liger Mirage at the center, forming a white tipped spear directed at the Imperial formation. Their E-shields drawn, they shrugged off the enemy's small-scale fire while Kiro's Dibison and Alta's König Wolf followed closely behind, lacking shields of their own. Their unit closed in and the Blade Ligers further split up to prevent their laser blades from entangling with each other's.
"Hiiiyaaaahhh!" It was Janus who draws the first blood, easily decapitating four Merdas. As he passed, he immediately makes a sharp turn left, catching five more in the path of his Liger's deadly swords.
"Firing!" On the other hand, Rio only managed to strike down two Heldigunners with her initial blade charge before immediately switching to her pulse lasers and attack boosters to start shooting at the larger Sabre Tigers.
"Damn girl, that's a Blade Liger! B-L-A-D-E! You're supposed to use it in melee!" Janus teased, having taken out a Sabre Tiger himself.
"Sorry! But I'd rather be safe! Plus, you're just saying that because I have better aim than you do!" Rio retorted, still launching a volley at the approaching enemy Zoids. Up above them, more reinforcements from the third wave were coming in. This time, they were reinforced by an Iron Kong Mk. II.
"Kiro! Light up those bastards!" Itsuki relays to Kiro. "Janus and Rio! Let's bring that Kong down!"
"Roger!" The three pilots replied in unison as they went to their respective formations. Kiro's Dibison slows down, anchoring itself with its heavy hooves as the Zoid's A.I. automatically locked on to multiple enemy signatures.
"Megalomax! Fire!" The Dibison bellowed and powerful shots were launched from the Zoid's multiple gun barrels, completely bombarding the enemy. On the other hand, the three Blade Ligers made their way to the Iron Kong. Itsuki's Mirage took the lead as it activated its attack boosters while the two lined up behind him to take advantage of the slipstream. The Iron Kong was barreling towards them, firing its missile launchers though their erratic maneuver prevented any fatal hits. As the two sides closed in to clash, the two Ligers suddenly leapt up and intercepted the Kong's hardened knuckles with their laser fangs, giving Itsuki's Liger a window of opportunity.
"Now!" Itsuki yelled as the Blade Liger Mirage leapt up; its claws burning with a bright orange. "Strike Laser Claw!"
SKRIIIIITTT!
The Blade Liger's claws rip apart the Kong's canopy, exposing the pilot to the superheated claws, killing him. Without a pilot and its knuckles, the Kong falls down to the ground, unable to battle. The rest of the smaller Zoids were mopped up by Dibison's firepower and the Wolf's covering fire.
"How many are left?" Itsuki asked, rallying the two other Ligers with him as they met up with the Wolf and the Dibison.
"Around three hundred enemy Zoids." It was Alta who responded after a quick scan with her Zoid's headgear. "And around a hundred left on our side."
Itsuki's Liger turns to the battlefield. The Shield Ligers have congregated towards Gojulas the Ogre forming a tight point defense while the Command Wolves' rate of fire has tripled as they continued to hold back the Imperial advance. Seeing the Republic's old guardian back in action seems to have lifted their morale. The Imperial forces are sending in their Iron Kongs towards the Ogre's formation, determined to bring the massive Zoid down.
"The Ogre's holding out marvelously." Rio commented. "But if those Iron Kongs surround it, it's sure to fall down. Not to mention a huge bulk of the third wave is still heading for them."
BAM! BAM!
A salvo of gunfire was shot at the Retaliation Force's position and the Zoids immediately scattered to avoid any direct hits. Turning around to look, the group saw Gerard's Elephander making its way towards them with a small group of Imperial Zoids acting as escorts.
"Cowards! Attacking from behind!" Gerard screamed out as the Elephander charged their unit, guns ablaze.
"Says the guys scuttling around Zenebas' shadow…" Janus scoffed. "If it's a fight you want then I'll give it to you!"
"Alta! Take Rio and Kiro with you and head on over to Akua Harbor to reinforce their defenses! Me and Janus will take care of the guys here!" Itsuki barked out as his Blade Liger charges the Elephander head on.
"You'll be overwhelmed if they recall their forces!" Alta protested.
"I doubt it. My guess is that they'll see us as a distraction and only send a handful of guys to take care of us. The important objective after all, is at the harbor. Go! Those people need you more than we do!"
"Got it!" Alta replied as the König Wolf broke off into the western path. "You guys follow me!"
"Roger!" The Dibison and Blade Liger follows suit. In the meantime, the two remaining Blade Ligers draws their blades as they charged their larger opponent.
"Glad to see we're of the same mind on this sir!" Janus calls over to his leader.
"Been in many duels before?" Itsuki asked.
"Just a few brawls." Janus replied. "Mostly with Kiro."
Itsuki chuckled. "That's good enough." He now turns to Naruse in the back, looking a little pale and on the edge. "You alright back there?"
Hearing this, Naruse merely nodded. "I'm fine…the ride's just a little…bumpy…"
"Hahaha! Well—" The Leomaster now turns to the Elephander. "Things are about to get a lot wilder! Attack!"
The Blade Ligers' blades clashed with the Elephander's tusks. Putting all power into its neck muscles, the Elephander sends the Liger pair back with a great shove. Janus struggled to reorient himself but Itsuki manages to stay calm and use both the attack boosters and regular boosters to reorient himself and fire at the Elephander's gun turret, blowing it cleanly off the Zoid's back.
"Not bad!" Gerard grunted as the Elephander reels back from the blast.
"Heh!" Itsuki flashes him a cocky grin. The Blade Liger Mirage roars, taunting its larger opponent.
"The Elephander is surrounded!" The operator reports from the command room.
"I can see that!" Ash barked back. Left with no other option, he turns to exit the room. "I'm heading out!" He informs the crew as he descended from the command room. "Deputy, you're in charge! Kong-7, take command on the front lines! Report to me every development!"
"Yes sir!"
"Zhou! Prep my Dark Spiner for launch!"
"It's ready!" Zhou answers back, the younger Guylos pilot still stewing by her side. The aging captain passes by the two girls as he makes his way towards his Zoid. He pauses for a bit to glance at the young Lieutenant. "I could use some backup."
"Yes sir!" Sakura replied with much enthusiasm.
"Zhou! Lend her your Geno Saurer for now." Ash commanded, puzzling both soldier and scientist.
"So, you're not deploying it yet?" Zhou asks.
"Not without proper testing I'm not. The last thing I need is to be stationed beside another berserker no one can control." Realizing Sakura is still with them, he immediately explains. "That is to say I don't have faith in your piloting Lieutenant but at this point, we just can't take any risks."
"Yes sir." Sakura nods. "I completely understand."
Hearing this, Ash manages a smile. "Good. I'll head out first. Lieutenant, stand by and when I give the signal, launch!"
"Yes sir!"
"This guy is tough!" Janus grits his teeth as the Elephander charged him, brandishing an energy sword emitted from the ESCS attached to its trunk. The Elephander's ears drops down, firing a salvo of missiles which Janus immediately shoots down with his pulse lasers.
"Hang on kid! I'm coming!" Itsuki immediately finishes off a Sabre Tiger pinning him down with a quick swipe of his laser claws to the torso, dismembering the Tiger's hind leg. As he approached however, his sensors blared, informing him of an enemy approaching from the sky as a large shadow suddenly passed.
"Lieutenant look out!" Naruse points up. Above, the underside of a Whale King drifts by and a theropod Zoid drops down, forcing Itsuki to jump away from the impact. As the dust cleared, the Dark Spiner rears its head, roaring angrily at the white Liger.
"That sneak attack was excellent, enemy commander! But this ends now!" The Dark Spiner charged, its fangs glowing with electrical energy. Naruse however, recognizes the voice of its pilot.
"Captain Ash?"
"Go!" The Blade Liger roared and deployed its right blade, catching the Spinosaur's lethal bite and sending it staggering back with a quick boost from its attack boosters. Janus's black Blade Liger rallies over to his side while Gerard slips over to the Dark Spiner's side with his Elephander.
"Need some help boss?" Janus calls out.
"Appreciated." The Blade Ligers sprint forwards. "Let's get them!"
Before the Stealth Stinger could bring down its killing weapon, heavy gunfire rained on its tail, causing it to stagger back, halting its attack on the downed Liger.
"Reinforcements?" Seral muttered as she looked up at the source of the shells only to see four laser claws diving straight at her. Tugging on the control sticks, the Stealth Stinger further retreats backwards but the claws still dug in through the armor on her claws, damaging the firing mechanism of its guns. "What the hell—?!" Seral cursed as she turned to see what had gotten her.
Another Liger Zero positioned itself in-between the Liger Zero Panzer and the Stealth Stinger, this time colored in blue. That alone was not surprising. What caught Seral off-guard was the fact that this Liger Zero came from the sky.
"Panzer pilot, do you copy? This is Ray Gregg of the Disciplinary Force!" The other Liger Zero's pilot calls out to Alyx.
"Disciplinary Force?" Alyx wondered as her own Liger finally manages to balance itself, shaking its body a little bit to remove the dust that settled during its crash. The image of a black-haired pilot appeared on her channel.
"You don't look military. Mercenary, perhaps?" The pilot asked.
"Something like that, I guess? Yeah. Mercenary. That's what Eleanor said too."
"Captain Eleanor huh? Understood. Updating IFF."
"That is—" Alyx's jaw nearly dropped in awe upon seeing the brand-new armor donned by the blue Liger Zero. For starters…it had blue wings.
"Our new CAS unit. The BLOX-CAS Unizon, Liger Zero Phoenix!" The Zero Phoenix roared as the pilot Ray declares his Zoid's name.
"Cool…!" Alyx was dumbstruck. The Zero Phoenix glared at the Stealth Stinger; its eyes showing hints of deadly recognition.
"I'm taking this Zoid down. Panzer pilot, cover me!" Ray Gregg barked from inside his Liger Zero.
"Roger!" Alyx responded, immediately firing a salvo from her shock guns.
"Let's go! Zero Phoenix!"
"Where did this Zoid come from? Still, I'll shoot you down!" Seral grits her teeth as the Stealth Stinger prepares to meet its winged opponent. From her sides however, large imposing shadows loomed over the harbor as massive gray ships successfully managed to dock.
The Republic's main army has arrived.
Writer's Note: Chapter 15 is up! First large battle is now underway~
I'm a little iffy as to how the Organoid System actually works in the Battle Story. Liger Zero's Fanbook translation mentions something about the System forcing the Zoid into some kind of frenzy in order to replicate their original fighting instincts. Gojulas Giga's Fanbook mentions the mental link when it described Gojulas the Ogre. I took those descriptions but also added the 'Berserker System' element that controlled Kirsche Hartriegel in the Chaotic Century manga.
Credits go to the Iron Bible and Momonga Zoids Dictionary for the fanbook translations.