EPILOGUE

Elemia Desert, Planet Zi,
December 19, ZAC 2128

Two Backdraft Raynos zoids skimmed the surface of the vast Elemia Desert, gliding steadily over the sand dunes. The desert was quite, with only a few wild zoids scurrying about every now and then. The two Raynos maintained steady speed, hoping to catch something interesting. But all they could see was sand, stretching through all four directions.

"This is Ball-Eight-Eight, reporting from Sector Zulu-Red-Four," one of the Raynos opened communication with its command control. "Area is secured."

"Ball-Eight-Eight, this is Victor Actual," somebody responded from the other end of the com link. "Set course to Sector Zulu-Red-Sixteen. I'm sending you the coordinate."

"With all due respect, Actual, what are we doing here?" the pilot replied with a hint of frustration. "We do not have a clear objective."

"Your objective is clear, Ball-Eight-Eight! Go through your designated sectors and report any findings."

"We have not seen anything worth reporting, and the next sector will not be any difference."

"If you have grievance, see it elevated to Khyron when you return. Presently, continue mission as briefed! Over and out!"

As the command control cut off the com link, the two Raynos made a slight right turn to their next sector.

"What do you think Khyron is looking for?" one of the pilots asked the other through private channel.

"Don't know. Khyron had been working on a secret project for almost a year," the other one sighed. "Nobody knows what he is looking for."

"So how do we know if we accomplish this mission?"
"Exactly. Mission parameters are bogus. This mission is a waste of time."
"I'd rather peel potatoes in the mess hall."
"Be careful what you wish for. You may get what you can't chew."
"You think I can't chew potatoes?"
"You know what I mean, you chump!"

The banter went on for a while, with both sides throwing barbs and insults at each other. Suddenly something appeared on their radar. A big blob of energy appeared in the sky. The Raynos started to veer off course while chirping in panic. The HUD screens became distorted with statics, and damage LEDs blinked in furious fashion, even though the zoids were in nominal condition.

"What in the name of Zenebas is that?" one of the pilots blurted. "Is it what we are supposed to report?"

"I don't know, but we're going in," the other quickly establish com link. "Actual, Actual, this is Ball-Eight-Eight. Something appears at Sector Zulu-Red-Sixteen. A big ball of energy. Checking it out."

The two Raynos climbed to get a closer look. The energy field became more and more intense, then a gigantic mass blasted out of the field. It looked like a Whale King, long cylindrical in shape, only three times as long and roughly 10 times as bulky. Cannons and missile launchers as big as the Raynos decorated the hull, a sure sign that the 'thing' did not come in peace. An insignia never before seen in Planet Zi was emblazoned on the broadside of the thing. It was the head of a wolf with six golden stars splayed behind it.

"What is that thing?" one of the pilots asked. "I've never seen a Whale King like this!"

"I don't know, but who carries that insignia?" the other one replied. "Helic? Guylos? Zenebas? Pirates?"

Before the Backdraft pilots could get a grasp of what's going on, the energy field disintegrated and the shockwave knocked both Raynos out cold. All displays went dark, and the zoids spiraled out of control back toward the surface of Planet Zi.

"Mayday! Mayday! We're going down! We're going down" the pilots sent out distress signal. But with their zoids knocked out, there was nothing they could but to plumet to the desert, ending in fireballs and mushroom clouds.

Do you want to know more? Read the next adventure of Saskia and her Gilvader in Blazing Aces Chronicles: Lost Country, coming Fall 2017!