Blitz Team Fan Fic. Chapter 9 Up!

[Zoidmagnite]

Okay, so I started writing the dang thing cause it won't leave my head.

It's my own spin, but trying to be relevant to the existing universe. Let me know if ya ain't buying into it. It saves me a lot of typing. ;D




Chapter 1: End of the Beginning

“Good morning,” said the balding gentleman on Dr. Toros’ private monitor.

“Good morning to you as well, Chairman Braimen. How may the Blitz Team serve the Zoid Battle Commission---now,” Toros said with a fatigued smile and stifling a yawn.

The old man on the monitor smirked, “Relax, Doctor, there are no more public events scheduled for the Blitz Team. In fact, we at the ZBC would like to inform you that we will be expecting your arrival at the Commission Headquarters this coming June, the sixth to be exact. In the meantime, we would like to extend our thanks for your appearances on our behalf and wish you a restful time until then.”

“But that’s six month’s from now,” said Toros emphasizing the six.

Braimen nodded. “Normally, the Commission gives the Cup Team three months off before starting Class S. However, everyone is aware of the unsanctioned battles the Blitz Team has fought.” Braimen huffed, “Nearly twice as many during Class A season. We have elected to extend your report date for Class S.”

“Thank you Chairman, we could really enjoy extra time off.”

Braimen continued. “This extended reporting date will have no effect on your standings as the Rookie Class S Team. Enjoy your time Dr. Toros.” Braimen leaned forward, “You and your team have most certainly earned it. And Dr Toros?”

“Yes, chairman.”

“I’ve been wondering when you were going to finally get here.”

Toros looked down from the camera projecting his image.” His face went blank. “It’s been a tough road, Paul.”

“I most certainly understand,” replied Braimen, “How’s Leena?”

Toros looked straight into the camera, “It’s like looking at her mother.” He shook his head. “And behind her eyes; every ounce of her grandfather’s fury.”

Braimen leaned back his eyes disappearing into the past, “Its funny how DNA works. Dad was undoubtedly a hothead, but my sister and I were exactly the opposite; like our mother. And, yet, there is Leena; a nearly perfect copy of my sister, but with every ounce of her grandfather’s rage.”

“I have often wondered if the two of them would be furious friends, or loving enemies. She fights with the same ferocity as he did,” said Toros in a fatherly tone.

Braimen laughed. “Between her and Dad, they could spend eight thousand dollars worth of ammunition in forty seconds,” Braimen straightened himself up, looking confident. “Doctor, I would be delighted if you would stop by and see me when the Blitz Team reports. It’s been too long.”

“I am certain I can find the time, Paul,” said Toros.

The two men nodded and the monitor went blank.

Toros sat back in his chair. His eyes scanned his desktop, which displayed a few from his Zoid collection. He realized that it had been over a year since he had spoken with Braimen.

He looked across the hover cargo, remembering Leena’s grandparents smiling and congratulating his team winning The Royal Cup. The vision continued to play out. Leena’s mother basking in joy. And then Toros remembered Leena’s grandfather handing him the keycard to the Hover Cargo. Their reward for the Class A victory.

Toros looked at the main command control panels. The date was digitally compressed in the screen’s upper right hand corner. Seventeen years ago next week, he thought. The week Oscar’s Raynos would crash slamming into Leon’s Zaber Fang destroying it. We were just practicing maneuvers on desert plains 4A West.

Toros remembered Leon being rushed to the hospital. The spinal damage would disqualify him as a pilot in the ZBC. Toros sighed, and Oscar wouldn’t go near an avian Zoid. Seventeen years ago, Toros thought, and it all fell apart.

He looked at the image of his Blitz Team at the Award Ceremony. Their faces smiling excitment. I'm back again, he said. This time will make it to the end of the beginning.

[Zoidmagnite]

I'm trying to keep the posts contained to a chapter. Makes it easier to bookmark, or just give up. ;D




Chapter 2: Fortune, Fame and Fashion

Leena Toros had just finished dressing for the morning. Clutching a bagel with her teeth, she sat down at the computer screen in her room. Biting through the stiff dough, she grabbed the bread as it began to fall, chewing slowly like she was sharpening her teeth with each bite.

The standard desktop glowed on the monitor. The mail icon sat quietly in the upper right corner of the screen.

She touched the button on her personal display, which opened her e-mail program while she closed her eyes. “Please let there be just one e-mail.” opening her eyes her expression was dressed in hope. As her view drifted toward the Inbox Icon, she read the number of new messages and winced before exploding into a rage. “Six hundred and eighty-three new messages!” She threw the partially eaten bagel at the monitor; it bounced out of her view. “Will it ever end?” Her fists landed on the display screen guard.

The monitor hummed to a standstill.

Leena squinted her eyes in anger as the scenes of several bad dates haunted her memory, “I am not a celebrity you under-challenged womanizing boneheads! I am a Zoid Pilot! Not some frilly little bimbo star!” She paused before screaming out, “IDIOTS!”

With all the rage that made her a force on the Battlefield, Leena’s eyes went wild with anger. She imagined herself in her Gun Sniper pushing the controls to place it in a crouched position. In front of her were six hundred eighty-three loser men all running at her in a mob. The evil in her smile matched the anger in her eyes as she flipped the hatch release button on the wild weasel unit access controls. She pushed the yellow button; her favorite. Promptly the missile launchers opened and Leena moved her thumb to press the simultaneous launch button.

With clenched teeth, she watched the missiles balloon outward in front of her and then pull back together as they descended on the group of loser men. Plumes of smoke and dust arose from the ground. As the dust cloud dissipated not a trace of a loser man could be seen. Satisfied, Leena removed her finger from the Remove Spam button on the monitor screen. The Inbox Icon plainly stated two messages.

The first message was from Jeremy, a short note that he and Bit were going to town to look for Zoid parts.

The second one was from Chris Tasker.

Leena blinked.

The line was definitely there. The spinning icon to the right of the title told her it was a video message. She read the title eight times.

Hi!

Leena thought for a moment. I don’t really have any animosity about the Tasker Sisters. Their Lightning Saix Zoids were fast, but we evened the score in the Royal Cup. Leena put her thumb in her mouth bit down. Why is Chris emailing me? She searched her memory looking for an unfinished conversation, an invitation, any sort of reason she could think of that Chris Tasker would want to send her a video message. Nothing came to her mind. Leena shrugged her shoulders. It’s just a video message. She clicked the link.

The video message opened and the face and bust of Chris Tasker was centered in the image. The angle told Leena that it was sent via a vid box. The background she recognized as The Judges Chambers, a local club where Zoid Pilots hung out. A place she now avoided without a well-crafted disquise.

The video image of Chris smiled in a friendly, nervous manner. Chris tried to look casually social. “Hi Leena!” her voice was friendly and awkward, “Hey I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you knew what Bit’s favorite color was? Ya see, he and I are going to the Summer Fest tomorrow night and I wanted to pick a dress in that color. I thought you might know since your team traveled a lot in the Hover Cargo. If I hear from you great, if not I understand.” The video image of Chris cocked her head and waived. “Hope to hear for you. Bye.”

The message closed.

Leena reclined back into her desk chair and crossed her legs. I’ve been so busy dating losers I never really noticed what the others were doing. Her mind drifted back over the last few weeks that followed their winning the Royal Cup. We were together for all of those social events, the Zoid Battle Commission callouts and the Young Fans events. Leena’s focus detoured. Those young Zoid fans were amazing. Those kids know more about my battle history than I do. How do they remember all of that stuff? Why? Where’s Brad been lately? Then Leena just blurted it out. “Green.” She just remembered the color and she remembered it coming out from one of her and Bit’s many bouts in the Hover Cargo Lounge. She just couldn’t remember when.

Mindlessly hitting the reply button, she opted for a text message. She typed ‘Hi.’ and then tapped in ‘Bit’s favorite color is green; bright green; like grass.’ Leena typed a couple of returns and signed her name. She moved the mouse over the send button and paused. She tried three times to click on it, but her finger stopped. She looked down at here pink blouse and white pants. Then Leena shook her head and said, “I hate green.” She forcefully tapped the send button.

The sent box popped open and closed on the screen.

Leena decided she was going shopping today. She wanted a new dress. She had already picked the color. Purple.

[Zoidmagnite]

Okay, we'll be slowing down the posts for a while. Still Plotting along.



Chapter 3: Foxes and Foxes

Brad Hunter sat at the Rusty Gator with a drink. I’ve been waiting for a long time to finally cash in. He raised his glass and toasted the ceiling, “Here’s to you AC. Ya got me half the way there. Thanks.” He took a drink. Brad loved scotch. It tasted like crap. That’s what he liked about it. He could spend an hour choking down a Scotch, or ten minutes on a beer. I can’t afford to get drunk, but I do wanna drink. He looked at the clock over the bar which told him he been working this glass for an hour. There was one swallow left. Looks like I’m right on schedule.

He heard the door close and the stride of boots. They had a rhythm and Brad could care less until they stopped right behind him. He looked down at the drink in front of him. This is why I love you Scotch. I’m sober enough for anything.

“All that prize money and you still live like your broke,” said the cool voice of a woman.

“I only wear one coat, but I think you already knew that.” Brad smiled before he turned around to face someone he had always found interesting.

His eyes locked on to Naomi Fluegel’s and the two looked like two wolves ready to play or fight whichever seemed more interesting at the moment.

“There aren’t too many coats for a guy like you, Brad.”

“I wouldn’t suspect there are many dresses in your closet either, Naomi. Where’s your teammate with the Kitty?”

“We work together. That’s it.”

“Well, then may I buy you a drink, Naomi, or am I back in your crosshairs these days?”

“Thanks to those punks with the Sinkers, I believe I still owe you,” she said with that deadly smile.

“Aw yeah, but I am not in the least bit interested in collecting on that right now. That card is too valuable.”

“Then I suppose I will let you buy me a drink today, Brad Hunter. Just don’t forget that I hold the other fifty-one cards of that deck.”

“Any card from your deck, Naomi, is a treasure. I haven’t looked to see if mine is hearts or spades. What’ll you have?”

“I’ll have Cold Blue Steel on the rocks… and a table.”

It only took a moment for the bartender to deliver the drink to Brad along with another Scotch and he stood to follow Naomi to a table in the far corner of the bar. I suppose there are worse places to be than stuck between to foxes. Shadow’s got great lines, but Naomi owns the curves.

The two pilots slid into the benches on either side of the table. Brad set Naomi’s drink down on the table and slowly pushed it toward her. He took his hand away and noticed something was indeed wrong with her. She didn’t say a word as she picked the glass up and drank a fourth of the stout liquor down. Her lips, moistened by the drink, glistened in the simple light that hung above the booth. She looked at the drink and Brad waited patiently for her to say something.

“I have heard rumblings from some of my sources that the Backdraft group might be seeking retribution for the humiliation they received during the Royal Cup. It’s unusual for me not to hear something about their plans. But nobody knows anything and that has me, well, concerned.”

Brad sighed and had a sip of crap. “And they have such a special love for our team.”

Naomi looked up at him her eyes flashed and her stare bored right through him. “Look, this is not some kind of joke. When the Backdraft group gets this quiet something really bad happens to somebody and all things aside I would rather not like to see anything happen to—The Blitz Team. Do you get my point?”

“Easy, I wasn’t chiding your concern, but they’ve always picked the fights with us. I do get your point, but what’s done is done and I can’t change any of that. Even if I wasn’t the focus of their attention I will be eventually at least as long as I have the Shadow Fox.”

Naomi’s eyes softened to a mild stare.

Brad couldn’t help but enjoy her face though he never broke his poker expression while doing it. He knew that would only piss her off and no matter how interested he was in witnessing such an event he had no interest in being the cause.

“There are very few things in this world that are important to me, Hunter,” she said with a blank face. “I don’t have a thing for dead men.”

Brad looked at her. He was serious. “What do you think I should do?”

[Tilly]

Implied Bit/Chris? HOW DARE U BREAK UP MY CRACK OTP OF CHRIS/KIRKLAND!1!??

Being serious, I rather like Naomi in general here...and the line “There are very few things in this world that are important to me, Hunter,” she said with a blank face. “I don’t have a thing for dead men.”. (There's a couple typos I can find again if you're worried about such things.)

And overall? I'm interested in where this is going. There's not much /Zero fic these days what isn't either "overpowered OCs save the day" or "OMG Bit/Leena", I could go for more gen and/or Brad/Naomi that isn't mush D:.

[Zoidmagnite]

Thanks, Tilly. Coming from you, that says a lot. I dunno about Bit and Chris, but something's going on there. What can I say? People are different in their personal lives than when they're at work. Things change and sometimes the unusual is the obvious. Are they really right for each other? I dunno.

When I first started writing seriously, it was easy to get mushy with characters and fan fic. After all, when a good Anime ends, we all like to envision the romance. Isn't that what victory is all about in the movies?

I found Chris spelled as Christ (gawd that's one for the books). I think there's some grammar problems and a couple of flow problems in Foxes and Foxes.

I'm glad you like the relationship between Brad and Naomi. I won't deny that I am keeping a critical eye on that part of the story. They don't talk much about their lives, or their pasts. And Zi is a BIG planet. Hmmm.

This spin-off is off and running and I'm writing it with the same seriousness that I do fiction that I would like to have published. (Another fantasy of mine). Crit is welcome and observations are even more welcome.

[Zoidmagnite]

Okay, this chapter is experimental. I like it and I think it fits in the story, but as a writer . . . you can be completely wrong. Have a go at it and if you have the time, hit the reply button.





Chapter 4: Money, Junk and Blondes


Jamie walked along side of Bit staring at his data board.

“I’ve been looking over the rules for Class S. They’re really complicated.”

“What do you mean?” Bit was in a good mood.

“Well, for one thing the battlefields are huge.” Jamie stared wide-eyed at the board. “Some of these Teams have been in Class S for eight years.”

Bit smiled, “Well that just makes for better opponents.”

Jamie looked concerned, “It also makes for lots of repairs. It says we get a stipend for being Class S as long as we maintain an annual victory rate of forty-five percent. Otherwise the next year is out of our pocket.”

Bit put his hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “We can’t change the rules, so lets just enjoy the time we got. Lighten up. We can buy some Impact Cannons for your Raynos. After all, you’ll be fighting in there with us. You could use the extra firepower.”

Jamie’s eyes widened. “Me; fight in Class S? –but –I.”

“See?” Bit said. “You think too much. Live for today, Jamie.”

Jamie rolled his eyes. He was frustrated how his comments often went ignored. “We’ve been to three zoid junk stores, Bit. What are you looking for?”

“Liger needs some stronger bearings in the leg joints when he’s in the Panzer Unit CAS. I can think of only one Zoid that has those parts.”

“What Zoid is that?”

Bit extended his arms outward. “Salamander. The wing pivot joint bearings housings are the same size as Liger’s. They have a vented housing for the bearing race. It should help reduce Liger's leg joints overheating.”

Jamie looked puzzled, “Why would Salamander wing pivot joints be so unusually large and vented?”

“Because Salamander was designed to carry weapons up to and including the Gojulas Cannons. The more load a Salamander carries, the more often it has to flap those huge wings. The bearings were vented to reduce weight and vent heat." Bit laughed. "And since their vented, they just happen to dissipate heat really well. A spec often overlooked from Zoid customizers."

Jamie looked at Bit, "How much is that going to cost?"

Bit shrugged, "who cares. With liger being stable in the Panzer CAS, we'll have a new surprise for our opponents."

Jamie frowned. "How much, Bit?"

"Oh, I don't know. I'd barter for six thousand a bearing. That's about half the price of a new set. Then we'll need new races for the bearings. They should be about one thousand per bearing."

Jamie shook his head and muttered, "You spend money on parts like Leena spends money on Ammunition."

Bit looked around as they reached the intersection of the outer roads of the city. "What were you saying about Leena, Jamie?"

"Oh nothing, I just wondered if she got my message."

Bit pointed across the intersection at the well-used building in front of a fenced in pile of metal. The parts of many Zoids could be recognized and nearly all showed signs of being well-used.

"There it is. Nillers Heavy Metal. They say if you can name a Zoid, Niller's got two parted out in that lot."

"Bit, that place looks pretty run down."

Bit smiled, "Why waste money on a pretty building when you could buy a Zoid shell to Salvage?"

Jamie shook his head, "Bit your junking days before finding us must have been pretty grim."

Bit couldn't hear a word of Jamie's comment. He was already heading across the street towards Niller's.

Jamie walked more slowly as he followed Bit. No since getting in a hurry. If he's got the parts, Bit will barter and blab for an hour.

"Excuse me?"

Jamie jumped as the sound emulated only a couple of feet behind him. He turned to see a girl who looked about his age. Her blond hair shined and her blue eyes were full of life. She walked right up to Jamie looking slightly upward at him.

"You're Jamie from the Blitz Team?"

Jamie laughed nervously as he brushed the back of his head. "Uh, yeah. Why do you ask?"

The girl put her hand under her chin. She looked to be calculating something. In an instant she was right back up into his face. "I like you." She leaned back away from him tilted her head and smiled broadly.

Jamie was sweating and he laughed which gave away his nervousness. His gestures gave away his bashfulness. "Uh gee that's really nice."

He took another step back before the girl again walked right up to him. "Where are you going?" She sounded commanding.

"Well, I have to catch up with my friend--"

The little blond girl gestured Jamie's comment aside. "I overheard. Uncle Niller has the parts. He'll sell em for Bit's price. Now walk with me."

The girl took a step while Jamie stood still, confused and nervous.

Stopping mid-stride, she turned her head. "I said come on." She reached back and took Jamie's hand. Grasping it firmly she pulled his arm as she took another step.

Jamie was in a grand state of confusion. As the girl pulled his arm out in front of him he reluctantly followed. He was blushing profusely. He'd never held hands with a girl, and in less than a minute one said she liked him and was now walking with him and holding his hand. He tried to open his fingers to see if his hand could slide away from hers but she clasped his hand firmly. Jamie closed his hand over the girl's.

"Uh . . . where are we going," he asked turning to look at the blond girl.

The girl smiled and turned toward him, her face cheerful. "There's a great soda shop just up here on the northern edge of town. They make great floats. You'll like them. They're really sweet and creamy."

Jamie was drowning in awkwardness, "Uh, okay. I don't even know you. Could you tell me your name?"

The girl turned and smiled looking boldly at him. "Sure, it's Tiana."

Jamie tried to relax. "So why are you so interested in me? Do you want my autograph?

The girl smiled and shook her head. "No why would I need that. I'm your girlfriend."

Jamie's face went white. "My what?"

Tiana smiled and clenched his hand tightly. "Jamie, shut up. You think too much. Keep your analyzing on the battlefield. I'm your girlfriend. That's it. We're going on a date to get floats and then we're going for a walk."

"But what about, Bit?"

"Oh when he finds out that Uncle Niller has the Salamander parts he'll forget all about you. Besides, Uncle Niller already watched me walk off with you. If Bit remembers to ask him, he'll tell him where you went."

Jamie walked. He didn't even realize that he could stop walking. My head is spinning. This girl is insane. How did she just decide we're together?

"Jamie…"

Jamie pulled himself together and tried to seem a little more relaxed. "Uh, yes, Tiana?"

She smiled and turned to look at him. Those blue eyes commanding attention. "You're muttering. I can hear you." She squeezed his hand never breaking that grin. "Shut up. You're going to have a good time.

Jamie and Tiana walked along the Northern edge of the city, heading for the Soda Shop.

[KAndrw]

I think you mean Jamie, not Jeremy?

The discussion of Salamander parts was very nicely done. The romantic side of the story has felt a little clumsy for me, but that me just me a knee-jerk reaction from too much slash. I'm interested in seeing where you take this.

[Zoidmagnite]

Thanks. I like the fact that you summarize things well.

Whoops. one too many character stories in the fire, need to fix that Jamie, Jeremy thing.

Okay, I brute forced it with Word's Find and Replace command.

Hmm. I understand the slash thing. That was one thing that made Chapter 4 a little experimental in my mind.

Not sure what you mean by knee-jerk. Sometimes it means funny, sometimes not. Yep, there is a Zoid story in there.

Perhaps the Jamie thing is a little out of place. Or, perhaps a little more Dark in the mix stuff. Glad you liked the Sallie thing. It took a lot of thought to solve Liger's joint problems with the Panzer CAS.

Glad you're interested in so far.

[KAndrw]

A knee-jerk response is an automatic over-reaction to something. Like when you're hit with the rubber hammer just below the knee and your leg goes flying up because the patellar reflex overcompensates for the perceived change in tendon stress.

Similarly, when one has been exposed to slash fiction, it's easy to read the opening lines of romantic fanfic and go "argh! My eyes are bleeding!" without giving it a fair chance

BUT - your romance stuff doesn't appear to be going to excessive fluid exchange route, so I'm keen to see it pan further.

[Zoidmagnite]

Thanks for clarifying knee-jerk. Now I completely understand what you meant. No, I don't have an interest in fluid exchange. It's not my bag, but relationships are. And when you are well known like the Blitz Team is now, things happen.

I'm a wannabe writer, so I am holding myself to some standards with this work. This is general fan fiction. Those fluid exchange stories are best written by other writers.

[Arrow]

Not bad, not bad. Slightly longer chapters by a paragraph or two couldn't hurt and there are a typo or two floating around, but it's a solid start and sounds like it's shaping up to be interesting. Heck, the relationship bit could work out spectacularly as a plot thread, as long as it doesn't degenerate into a genetic material swap-fest.

As a somewhat reclusive engineering student at a state university, the Jamie/Tiana relationship probably a good approximation of how romance works for guys who tend to be less than outgoing.

[Zoidmagnite]

Hi! Thanks for commenting.

I'm learning about Tiana as we go. She's busy and doesn't have a lot of time to talk with me.

There's all kinds of potential plot arcs getting stirred up here. The hard part for me is that I have to deliver a good story, or everyone is going to say "Yah, whatever." I can assure you that is a rather daunting task.

[Zoidmagnite]

See? ;D This is a Zoids Story:
Please let me know what you like and don't like. It really helps.




Chapter 5: Backdraft


In a dark cave in the center of the continent, a conversation was occurring in a marginally illuminated room. The two plush black velvet couches sat opposing one another across a large coffee table of which two tea cups resided diagonally across a stack of papers.

Two figures sat across from one another the backdrop revealing a large black desk where the majority of the room’s sparse lighting fell.

The voice of an elderly woman spoke chopping each word with a negative emphasis. “Never in the three hundred years that this family has created and headed the Backdraft Group has such an embarrassing event occurred. Tell me why I should not dispose of you, Count Fool.” She put extra emphasis on the word fool.

Across from her set the near skeletal body of the former head of the Seventh Region of the Backdraft group. He seemed annoyed and reached for his teacup. “You surrounded me with incompetent fools and expected me to reap rewards.” He cackled as if having a jestful conversation. “And I did, for nearly eight years now after you removed Altail from the Council.”

The shadow of the large woman scoffed and reached for her teacup as well. “Well then I suppose you should be celebrating.” She paused to sip. “Over half of your incompetent staff is now in the custody of the ZBC. Only a fifth of them have reported to the Sixth Region per protocol and I suppose the rest--the cowards apparently just went home. Three of the Council of Seven have been arrested and their families are very upset with me over the matter.”

Count took another sip. Upturning his hand, he waived the comment off. “Well then I suppose you should be rejoicing having the heads of three of your most power underlings snapped off. You won’t have me killed any more than you ever would have, sister. I’m the only family you got and I could care less about having your throne.”

“You always were a lazy brat. Always doing no more than you had to for the family business. Still doing no more.”

Count laughed. “And I’m the only family you got, and the only one you know won’t slit your throat. So stop babbling about the usual gripes you have and tell me what you want to do.”

The large shadowed woman sipped her tea. There was a pause and she crossed her legs her dark black slacks laying over softly. “This Blitz Team. How are they to be blamed for this embarrassment?”

“They defeated Vega and have continually won the unsanctioned battles. They make our warriors look weak. The western underground is losing interest in betting on our battles. If we don’t win Zoid cores to sell, we have no prize money to offer our clients.” Count leaned his head to the right. His voice sounded greasy. “It’s bad for business.”

The shadowed woman leaned forward, her face masked by the same glasses as the count. “Then wipe them out. Permanently.”

“Easier said then done, sister. They are very strong, a sure high ranking budding Class S Team.”

“The woman grunted. “Are you trying to tell me that they are invincible? That they are that powerful?”

Count leaned forward “The Toros girl is a hothead like her grandfather. The little twit is starting to live the title he earned. Once she gets her spot shot skills up, she will be extremely difficult to combat against. The one with the black fox is a loner from the Hinabi Village in Helic. That Zoid is one of Doctor Laon’s creations. It has refinements in areas that are difficult to combat with unless you have an Ultimate X. That fool Laon knew Hunter was the perfect choice for that Zoid given his family’s rearing with Command Wolves. And Laon should have known that pilot would never work for him. The little weakling with the Raynos is the son of Oscar Hermeros and is little more than a child. He’s weak and surely the weakest of the group, but the little snot is already starting to look like his father. And then there’s Bit Cloud, the ultimate X pilot. You should know him quite well dear sister. He’s the son of San and Loria Cloud.”

The old woman set her teacup down. “I don’t ever want to hear those names again, Count. So, he’s the one that wasn’t in the house when we sent the Bombvern. How did you learn of this and why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I only found out on my way to here. I had some operatives doing research on him and they only learned of this lately. Apparently, he and his parents had a falling out and he set off with some wild dream of being a Zoid Pilot.”

“Does he know?” The woman's breathing was heavy.

“About project five eleven? I doubt it. As I understand it he had a head for adventure instead of science. That’s why he left the house.”

The woman breathed heavily. Placing her right arm on the back of the couch she seemed resolved. “I’ll call Guylos Underground.”

Counts eyebrows lifted. “You're going to call in the favor?”

The woman jeered. “There never was a favor. It wasn’t necessary for you to know, but they did the research on the core modifications. Guylos has such a special talent with cores. I’ll have them bring the Zoids. You shake up the Blitz Team. I’ll have them finish those pilots off. Permanently.”

Count tilted his head in puzzlement. “And how do you propose I do that?”

[Zoidmagnite]

Okay, we're working hard here. Long hours at work and writing a chapter a night. Whew. Here ya go. Things are getting messy.




Chapter 6: Family and Finances

Kelly Tasker piloted her Lightning Saix south through the center of Netter Forest. The meeting place was called out a couple of months ago in the agreement and she had been here twice before per the email instructions. She didn’t want to come. She thought of how the last two trips here had gone from bad to worse and Kelly wasn’t even sure what she would call this trip.

For the third time today, she thought about turning around and leaving Southern Zenevas. It’s a big continent; plenty of places to disappear into. And as she tried to convince herself that running was a good idea, she felt that same feeling in her stomach that told her it would never work. They’ve got long arms. They’d have to in this kind of Biz. What am I going to do?

The Saix moved effortlessly around the trees and through the branches that narrowed the path too much. The stride was steady, less than a third of its top speed, and the head barely moved. The lithe legs of the Saix absorbed nearly all of the recoil.

Kelly pulled herself out of her daze, the trip computer announcing her arrival at the half-mile marker. Finishing the last of distance at jog, Kelly brought her Lighting Saix to a halt in a small clearing amongst a heavy tree line. She set the Saix leg locks and lowered the head. The canopy opened and she hopped out onto the green grass of the clearing.

Across the clearing was a single black hellcat in a crouched position. The pilot was dressed in navy and war a helmet with a dark shield over most of his face. He was sitting on the left front foot of the Zoid and looked straight at her as she walked away from the Saix.

Kelly sighed. I don’t know what I’m going to do. She walked across the clearing toward the helcat. The other pilot did the same. Meeting halfway she stood looking down waiting for eminent.

The Helcat pilot stuck out his hand. “You’re payment.”

Kelly rolled her eyes. “You know I don’t have it. Those parts you sold me were supposed to make my team so fast that we’d win the royal cup on speed. Why should I pay you?”

The pilot tilted his head. “You wanted the parts. We never told you you’d win. We told you it would make your Saix Team faster than any other team. We didn’t guarantee that the Blitz Team would squeeze more speed out of their Zoid. Your payment is due.”

“And why should I pay you? Your lies; your twisting the truth. What do you want? Some kind of blackmail? Sex? What?”

“You will pay us, one way or the other.”

Kelly noticed the pilot’s helmet appear to look over her shoulder. She raised her hand pointing her finger at his chest. “You touch my Saix and you’ll live to regret it.”

The pilot laughed. “We could care less about your Saix. We want the Blitz Team’s Shadow Fox. Your account is past due. Bring us the Zoid.”

Kelly raised her brow, “And why should I?”

The pilot straightened the leather of his navy jacket. “Because you’ll regret it if you don’t.”

“Go ahead. I’m ready. You wanna take me on? Bring it on.”

The pilot shook his head. “You’re a strong woman, aren’t you?”

Kelly snapped back, “You wanna find out?”

“There are much more fun ways to hurt you, Kelly Tasker.”

Kelly looked puzzled then the realization came to her mind. Her eyes widened in shock. “You leave her alone. You hear me. Don’t you come near Chris, or I’ll . . . I’ll.”

The pilot laughed. “Bring us the Fox and your payment will be in full. Bring us nothing and we’ll visit your sister. You have 30 days. Don’t be late.”

Kelly rolled her eyes as she closed them “How am I supposed to do that?”

The pilot was already walking away. He turned his head slightly. “That is your problem.”

Kelly felt herself get tense and she wanted to scream. She opened her eyes and her breathing was erratic. Her mind raced flashing from the day she made the deal to the last two times she had been here to the fears of what they might do to her sister. There’s no way I could have the money to pay them per the agreement. They set me up.

She watched the pilot walk back to the Helcat. The sight of him walking so calmly infuriated her. She thought about getting into her Saix and taking him out, but she was warned the last time to not try anything desperate. She repeated their words. Any attempts made on us will be answered in double.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the canopy of the old Zoid open quietly. The Pilot climbed in and she watch the Zoid come to a stand as the canopy closed. Then it disappeared into its stealth mode. She could hear it leave but she had no idea which way southward it was going.

She turned to walk back to her Saix. I need help. She could see her Zoid as her vision became distorted. What have I done? Her steps became heavy and she leaned forward. Kelly looked down to let the drops fall from her eyes. I don’t know what I’m going to do. Why can’t they mess with me? Not Chris. Kelly stopped and put her hand to her face. It only took a couple of sobs before she gave in and fell to her knees. The convulsions varied with the intensity of her feelings. She was content with one thing.

There was no one in Netter Forest to hear Kelly Tasker cry.

[Zoidmagnite]

Hmm.

So this story is not working for anyone, eh?

Okay, well, if it sucks I'm cool with that.