Chapter 21: Planet of the Zoids
It was still blisteringly hot when Katy with her symbiote Icarus and the transformer Laserbeak arrived at the town. The town itself was sparse almost like a cowboy kind of town except there are a few high tech equipment here and there and more of those metal animals.
Laserbeak landed right in the middle of the town and Katy felt relief as she slid off the metallic body. The heat of the sun was unbearable as they entered. People stopped what they were doing to stare at the duo as they walked up the steps towards the local establishment. Panting for breath and with sunburn skin Katy walked over to the bar.
"You look like you have been in the desert too long," the bar tender said as he passed her a glass of water.
Katy gladly took it Icarus remained quiet as he too enjoyed the nourishment.
As soon as they were done which is about five large glasses of water Katy turned to the bartender.
"What can I do to repay you sir since I have no money to pay for the water?" Katy asked
"Water is free kid if you bought anything else then you would have had to pay," said the bartender.
Nodding Katy sat down to rest for a bit while Laserbeak did a scan of the area.
"Mighty fine Organoid you got there by the way," he said
"Thanks," Katy replied
"Where did you get him from or where did you find him?" asked the man
"I always had him since my parents died," Katy lied
Nice one there Icarus inclined
Shut up Icky Katy said trying to think
"Wow they must have been rich?" the guy said,
"Actually they found him in some ruins left by the ancients," Katy lied again
"Ah I see so what have you called him?" asked the bartender.
"Laserbeak," Katy said
"Cool name and I can see why; he looks like a miniature Buster Eagle," he said
Katy turned her head confused and at Icarus's prodding let him take over for her.
"Now what is a Buster Eagle?" Icarus asked
"A Zoid don't you know?" the man said
"Sorry I have lived in the desert for so long with my parents we don't encounter much Zoids," Icarus lied
"So I take it you are not educated eh?" he said
"Nope," Katy replied
"Then your parents should have been arrested seeing as it is required by law to have all children educated." Said the man
"My parents are dead thankfully," Icarus replied
"I am sorry to hear that," the man said
"It was Laserbeak here who educated me seeing as my parents died when I was about five years old but never told me about the Zoids," she said
"Ah I see," the bartender said.
The finished cleaning the counter and as the last patrons left for the day he closed shop.
"Why doesn't anyone stay to drink at night?" asked Katy taking over again.
"We can't there are too many wild Zoids in this part of the region and they love to come out at night," he said
"Come we can stay in my home underground," he said
He led Katy and Icarus through a doorway in the back of the bar and down a set of stairs. When they entered the door they looked down into the dark cooridor and found that the stairs goes down a long ways. When they emerged Katy gasped at the sight that she saw.
What in the seven hells? Icarus stated from his part of their shared mind.
The hangar was huge with all sorts of things in it ranging from dinosaurs to birds.
"I take it these are Zoids?" Katy asked
"Yes, we keep them down here to protect them from the elements and from raiders," the barkeeper said as they walked further along the hanger wall.
Katy could only stare at them as they stood majestically.
"You really never seen a Zoid before?" the man said
"No," Katy let it slip.
You idiot! Icarus said
"Who are you really and where do you come from?" the man said suddenly turning to Katy.
Sighing Katy told him where she came from and how she got here to Planet Zi.
They are currently sitting in the Barkeeper's home and for starters the man was well beat. To say that story of a traveler from the stars was extraordinary try having someone tell you that their so called 'Organoid' was actually a robotic being from the Planet Cybertron.
"I can't believe this," he said looking at the strange alien before him.
"You mean to tell me that you are from a planet called Earth? He *pointing to Laserbeak* is from Cybertron and that thing in your head is from who knows where?" he asked pointing to Katy's head.
If you must know you dumbass that I am a Goa'uld and I am not a thing Icarus stated
"Um Icarus said he rather you not call him a thing," Katy replied
"Sorry," the barkeeper said.
It was then that the Barkeeper introduced himself as Irwin the 10th Katy was surprised that this guy was a Zoid pilot as well as a barkeeper.
Irwin explained about the history of Planet Z and its inhabitants as well as the Zoids. Their purpose and their culture as well as the war.
"So let me get this straight, You mean to tell me that your planet is at war?" Katy asked while they were in Irwin's home.
"Yes the various new nations that came from it all rose. It seems our world is always at war every so many years. But they all want the same thing," he said
"What?" asked Icarus taking over.
"Energy," said Laserbeak speaking for the first time.
"Energy and the power of the Zoids it is obvious these people want the Zoids to be their slaves but end up that the Zoids choose the pilots. I can sense their sentience," said the former Decepticon.
Irwin nodded as they headed towards the nearest exit to the quarters. Katy, Icarus and Laserbeak taking the last main guest room seeing as it is big enough for both Laserbeak and Katy to fit comfortably in.
As they walked in Katy asked where the showers were.
"Just to the right," he said pointing to a door.
Feeling relieved when he stepped out and closed the door Katy stripped out of her dirty clothes and into some new ones and stepped into the shower.
Once refreshed she stepped out again.
Laserbeak was already shut down in recharge for the night and had his head tucked into his wing like a bird and was settled down next to the bed. Katy put on some new clothes and jumped into bed.
She was out in seconds.
TBC
