PAC-Wolves: Geyser of Fire - Prol., Chaps 1, 2, 3

[pacwolf]

Oh good god no! Not another PAC-Wolf story! Well, I'm happy to say, here's ACT III. The last PAC-Wolf story you'll ever see. Since Stone Dragon was a little slow, I jam-packed this baby with a ton of action...and typos. This story is a little longer than the other two, but the excitment keeps you going until the end. Drum roll please...


Prologue

Never underestimate the challenges of life. Just when you feel you’ve fallen to the most painfully difficult level imaginable, the guiding forces in the universe may push you just a little bit further down the stairwell. Is it a test of your strength, of your faith, or just some sort of punishment for the way you have lived? For me, it was probably a little bit of each.

My friends and I, Jeremy Kelt, are self-christened “the Castaways of the Republic,” a title that should perhaps now be expanded to include the Empire. It is a twisted tale.

Years ago, Colonel Sared of the Helic Republic attempted to use us as pawns in a scheme to raise himself to the level of a glorious hero. He gave us indestructible Zoids called “Plasma-Armored-Command-Wolves,” or “PAC-Wolves” for short, then tried to have an assassin kill us. When we blew open his plans and ruined his career, he used the last of his authoritative powers to banish us all from the Helic Republic. We hid in poverty in the Guylos Empire for over two years, trying to scrape together a life as bounty hunters.

Sared’s trump card against us was his daughter Katrana Sared, who betrayed us and left us open for attack by the Death Sniper, a sickeningly over-armed Gun Sniper piloted by Namor Bruticus. We barely managed to defeat him, ironically due to help from Katrana, who claimed to have seen the error in her ways.

Recently, she found us again, and gave us new PAC-Wolves. Like her father, however, she was just using us in a scheme. She had let Namor Bruticus out of prison so she could follow him and break open his criminal network, even though she knew that he would seek revenge on me. To gain his trust, she gave him access to a Zoid called “The Stone Dragon.” Apparently it, too, was constructed out of Plasma Armor, and in the ensuing battle, Bruticus painfully wounded my friends Kellar Sifen and Harley Mansod. My best friend Kavid Deen is now missing, and since his Zoid was violently destroyed, I can only assume the worst.

Still claiming friendship to us, Katrana and our new ally Zaun Skyler, the Blade Liger Vampire, helped me defeat the Stone Dragon, but—damn my luck in life—I was betrayed by Skyler, and he and Bruticus escaped after Katrana was wounded.

My only unharmed friend is Kavid’s old buddy from Engineering, Bruno Saltus, who has helped me in rescuing my wounded friends and load them onto his silver Gustav.

We are doubtful about our chances for survival out here in the deserts of the Southern Frontier. We are “Castaways of the Republic,” and have now lost acceptance in the Empire, due to the fact that we threatened the life of Major Erem Nevets. For the past year, he was a corrupt Imperial Officer that allowed us to live in the town of Klaylos—as long as we paid a “rent.” But that rent turned into blackmail, and when Katrana gave us the new PAC-Wolves, we turned on the major, humiliating him in his defeat. There is no doubt that his mind is focused on vengeance…especially towards me.

The Guylos Empire has been building up a considerable force in the Frontier for some time, and just hours ago, Bruno and I were witness to a massive air-invasion by the Helic Republic. The South is a wasteland, with very few resources and far more challenges than rewards, but it is land, nevertheless. To ancient rivals such as the Republic and the Empire, that is the only incentive necessary to start a war.

[pacwolf]

Chapter One
Loss of Vision

Let’s just say that I wished this 127-ton robot wasn’t so quiet.

Twin crescent moons scraped the night sky as swirling winds spewed sand over the carcass of a fallen Berserk Fuhrer. Dirt and rock slowly filled the gaping hole burnt through the body of this mighty Zoid—a hole ironically created by a Charged Particle Beam.

“Hand me the torch.”

Bruno’s arm shook as it stretched out to give me the cutting torch. The wind was picking up, and the sand pelted us with such intensity that we could feel it through our stolen Imperial Officer uniforms. Thankfully, Bruno had found some goggles in the supply case that he stored in his shining, silvery Gustav. At least our eyes were safe.

Our hands and feet ached from the frequent falls to the desert ground. The armor plate of a Berserk Fuhrer was very flat and smooth, and wind gusts had knocked us off too many times to remember. Sitting atop the head of a Fuhrer during the latter half of a sandstorm was no easy feat.

But we had to cut open the cockpit. If there was only a chance that--.

“Got it!” The severed clamp limply swung down and banged against the Zoid’s impressively thick armor plating. Feeling a moment of success made me lose my concentration, and I started to slide off of the tilted head. In a panic, I grabbed onto the side of the forehead, and dropped the torch. I was too tired to curse.

“Okay, Bruno, I’ll pull you up and we’ll install the jack together.” Bruno nodded and swung up his large arm. I suddenly regretted the idea of pulling him up. The struggle to get his big body up behind the Fuhrer’s cockpit hatch was nearly back-breaking, but thanks to his great strength, we managed to pull it off.

“Bruno,” I said, gulping sandy air, “you need to lose some weight.”

“What? No youse just needs to gains a little mussles.” He slapped me on the back, which set off a frightening “crack” sound. Much to my surprise, it made me feel a little better. For a little while.

Working with Zoids was Bruno’s specialty, and despite my offers of assistance, he took over installing the jack and cranking open the hatch. Bruno had the hatch open about half-a-meter when, as if on cue, a heavy gust of wind swooped into the cockpit and lifted the hatch up just a couple of centimeters. The miniscule movement was enough to disconnect the jack and send everything tumbling down.

Using lighting reflexes, Bruno wedged the hack into the side of the hatch, managing to keep the heavy composite steel plate open by perhaps twenty centimeters.

“Damn!” I cursed. “We can barely see in there now, much less get in.”

Bruno’s eyes became very stern and focused. “How much time do you need?”

“What?” I was confused.

“To get in and out! How much time?” I started to understand, but was nervous.

“Uh…about thirty seconds?”

Bruno began stretching. “Then youse have thirty seconds.” He roared and squatted, grabbed underneath the edge of the hatch and then, roaring even louder, lifted it up another meter-and-a-half! “Go!”

“Uh…right!” I pulled out my knife and crawled in quickly. After a couple of meters I found what I was looking for.

“Katrana!”

She was unconscious, and I could feel blood on her, but in the faint light I couldn’t make out her condition.

Was that a puff of breath?

Using the knife I cut her straps and rather bluntly began shoving her backwards up out the back of the cockpit. If I had more time I would have been more gentle.

Once Katrana had cleared Bruno’s feet I scrambled out, practically diving as my friend dropped the hatch shut. Turning around I saw Bruno nursing his quivering hands, and wiping sweat from his hairless brow.

“Thank you, my friend. I owe you one.”

“You took forty-five.”

“Huh?”

“Forty-five…seconds.”

I smiled. “Okay then, I owe you two.”


“No!” I sat up, panting and sweating. Bruno woke up and crawled over to me.

“Did youse have a bad dream, Cap’n Kelt?” he asked.

I looked at where I was, trying to regain my wits. A cave. I was in a cave. Bruno’s Gustav was parked in front of the entrance with its holo-projector on. Thanks to Katrana’s little upgrade, Bruno’s Gustav had holographic abilities now. Anyone looking at our little hole-in-the-wall from the other side would see solid rock.

But that was the good news.

Laying along the back wall of our little fort were three bodies: Sifen, Mansod and Katrana. They were all motionless, scarred and bloody. They needed medical help, but we had nowhere to take them. Still, I would have given anything to have seen a fourth body among them: that of my closest friend, Kavid.

Was he dead? Had he escaped? I didn’t know. His Command Wolf, PAC-2 was crushed and burnt to a crisp out on the Sea of Dunes, but his body was nowhere to be found.

I whipped off my blanked and stood up—there was no way I was going to sleep for a while, now. Bruno wanted to say something, but he know the answer already.

I walked over to my injured friends and studied them for the fiftieth time today. Sifen had the calmest face, but the most bruises. He should thank his luck that only his pinky was broken. He always broke that pinky.

Mansod was already half-machine. His cybernetic parts were still holding together, but the rest of him was a mess. He’d probably need more parts.

Katrana wasn’t broken, but she had burns spread about her body. Her nearly perfect appearance now looked a lot more…realistic. There was so much I wanted to ask her. So much I needed to ask her. Despite all that she had done to us, I still hoped that she was our friend. I couldn’t take another enemy…

I had to get out.

“Bruno, I’m going out with PAC-1.”


It was a strange feeling trotting PAC-1 towards a rock wall; I had to keep reminding myself it was just a hologram. I could even feel some anguish in PAC-1’s footsteps.

“Don’t worry, buddy, it’s okay.”

My Zoid and I seemed to morph out of the cave wall and run into the rock canyon in search of peace.

We would not find it.


Plasma-Armored-Command-Wolf-1 was a bit shot up. True, it was constructed out of indestructible metal, but it was actually normal metal that was “plasma-charged” so that it would be unable to break apart from itself. Somehow, though, the weapons carried by the Stone Dragon were strong enough to dent, even sever the bonds of the PAC-wolves armor. Ironically, the Dragon’s basic frame seemed to be constructed out of Plasma Armor itself.

Charged Particle Guns had some effect against the armor, but not much. Only the Dragon had shown more destructive power. But how?

PAC-1 ran out of the canyon and onto the Sea of Dunes towards the Imperial Southern Scientific Outpost. It was a deceptively titled structure upheld by the Guylos Empire. The building was stock full of Zoid parts, ideal for repairs and upgrades. It had been used as a launch site for the Stone Dragon and could easily be changed into a Southern Frontier battle station, since that is basically what is was.

Like today.


As I cleared a large dune, something to the east caught my eye. As I drew closer, the sight was quite obvious: there were two giant Republic Whale Kings, laying on the desert sands near the ISSO base. I knew there could only be one reason why.

A little farther to the south, my fears were confirmed.

The night sky lit with the fiery red flares of missile exhaust that screamed over the sandy graveyard. A row of three Iron Kongs erupted in blood-red fireballs as the projectiles penetrated their massive chests.

In retaliation, three Energy Ligers stampeded through a unit of Gun Snipers and rammed their horns into the heads of the Liger Panzers that fired the missiles at the Kongs. Once the Energy Liger horns had charged up, they were snapped, and the Panzers began exploding.

High above, multiple squads of Raynos’ and Zabats swarmed the sky, filling the battlefield with crashing Zoids. Two Zabats were blown to pieces by a pair of Raynos’; their parts fell from the sky into a group of three Command Wolves, destroying the unsuspecting canine Zoids.

The war for the Southern Frontier had begun.

“You know something, PAC-1? I have a feeling we shouldn’t be here.” I told my Zoid.

As my Command Wolf backed up, it suddenly started rattling from rapid fire. Looking to my left, I could see the spinning source of fire, and two glowing green eyes: A Dark Horn.

Acting on instinct, I swung PAC-1 around and aimed its 150mm cannon at the Dark Horn’s left leg. Despite the Gattling Unit’s heavy fire, I knew I was safe in PAC-1. I opened fire at the Horn’s knee.

It took three shots to break the attacking Zoid’s joint and crash the styracasaurus to the desert ground. They sure couldn’t stand up very well.

My comm began beeping. Someone in the Republic forces was hailing me. Despite my better instinct, I answered.

An image of a Republic officer popped up on PAC-1’s Heads-Up-Display after I pressed the “Comm” button. I couldn’t tell what type of Zoid he was piloting, but it looked big.

“What the--? You’re an Imperial officer!” Oh yeah! My clothes! I had forgotten about my disguise I had used to get into ISSO.

“Relax, officer. It’s not what you think. I’m a former captain from Mt. Hoploy on an espionage mission. I did not mean to take part in your battle. I would like to leave in peace now, if I can.”

The officer looked at me doubtfully, but with a reasonable eye. “My name is Lieutenant Stofen Bianlat. I pilot a Gordos that is bombarding this area. Right now my sights are on you.”

I frowned. “Please, sir. I’ve had enough fighting for now!”

Lt. Bianlat analyzed my words. “Can I assume, then, that you are the one responsible for destroying the Berserk Fuhrer we found out here?”

I sighed. “Look at me, sir. I’m in a Command Wolf! I fought in that battle, but I didn’t kill the Fuhrer.”

“Than who did?”

“That would take too long to explain.” Why should he care, anyways? This guy was either stalling for time, or pissing me off. Definitely the latter.

Then, things went from bad to worse. A trio of Redlers dive-bombed us, blowing open the side of the Gordos with their Hybrid cannons. Naturally, PAC-1 was unharmed.

“You…you’re in a PAC-Wolf!” deduced Bianlat. How he knew about PAC-Wolves was a bit disturbing, but I didn’t have time to worry about it.

“And you’ve got a battle to pay attention to, lieutenant. The tide is turning.” Since the goring of the Liger Panzers, the Republic could no longer hold back the Empire’s Energy Ligers and Lightning Saix’. The Command Wolf units were completely wiped out, and the Redlers had taken care of the Raynos squad in the sky. All the Republic had left was a few Cannon Tortoises and Gordos’, and they wouldn’t last much longer. The Empire still had plenty of Canoneer Molgas and even a couple of Hel Digunners.

“If that really is a PAC-Wolf you’re driving, you’re obliged to help us!” ordered Bianlat.

“I’m…I’m sorry, lieutenant, but I’ve got my own problems.”

“Coward!” he screamed; his words pierced through me.

“What did you dare to call me?” I growled back, fighting back the memories of the last week.

“I say you are a coward! You pilot one of the most powerful Zoids that ever existed, yet you’ll only sit and watch your brethren get massacred by your sworn enemy!”

“These men are not my brothers, nor do they fight any ‘sworn enemy’ of mine!” I barked back. “Your passion for the melodramatic is sickening, Lieutenant Bianlat! I am never going to risk myself for anyone’s sake ever again!”

With those words, PAC-1 froze solid. It wouldn’t move. It’s controls seemed broken.

“What are you doing, PAC-1? Those Redlers are circling around for another attack! We have to get out of here while we still can!”

My Zoid began rattling as the Redler’s Hybrid Cannons gave it a good pounding, but it was solid as a statue.

“Damn you, you stupid Zoid! Go!” I screamed.

Suddenly, PAC-1’s cockpit hatch swung open, and as I watched the Redlers fly off into the sky, I was ejected!

As I crashed down onto the gritty sand floor, I was too angry to think straight. “What the hell are you doing?” I roared back at my traitorous companion.

PAC-1 closed its cockpit hatch, took a step back, spun around and raced off toward the battlefield.

It all suddenly made sense. PAC-Wolf-1 felt an obligation to fight, a sense of duty that I had somehow lost.

“Come back here! Don’t leave me!” I cried as I ran across the dunes.


I stood crouched on my hands and knees, unable to cry anymore, thanks to my dehydration. As a Molga drove up beside me, I watched little grains of sand vibrate over the backs of my hands. It’s hatch opened and the pilot called out to me.

“Captain! How did you get out of your Zoid? Quickly, sir, come with me! The Republic forces are on the run, and we’ve managed to save the ISSO base! We’ve won!”

I tried to laugh, but all I managed to do was close my eyes and collapse to the ground.

[pacwolf]

Chapter Two
Awakenings

“No! Kavid!”

I sat up and nearly threw my blanket off. My cry out quickly turned into coughing. My throat hurt, but I no longer felt dehydrated. Looking down, I saw that I was covered with sweat, and obviously in a hospital-type bed.

“Bad dream?” asked a voice from across the room. I knew that voice.

“Kavid?”

He was sitting at the foot of my bed, in a slouched-over position. My scream had obviously woken him up, too. He was still in the Imperial officer’s uniform that he wore when PAC-2 was destroyed by the Stone Dragon; back when I thought he was…killed.

“Yeah, it’s me. You don’t have to announce it to everyone, Jeremy.”

“B-but…but how did you…I thought you…I couldn’t find you!” I was gasping. My head was in a spin.

“Yeah, uh, sorry about that.” Kavid stretched his arms and yawned. “See, I barely had enough time to hit the “Eject” button when the big “Rock Lizard” busted PAC-2 up. All I could do was crawl into the caves and hide for a few days. I…uh…got lost in the caves.” Kavid gave a dopey smile. I frowned. “Well, it’s the truth. It took me three days to find my way out. Once I did, what do I find, but a massive Republic versus the Empire battle raging out on the dunes. And to put salt on the wound, I see you jump into the fray. At least I thought you did. I saw PAC-1 running around zapping stuff. But he sucked at it.”

I stood up, feeling a few aches and pains in my feet. “What do you mean?”

“He moved kind of slow, and his shots were sloppy, like a sleeper-Zoid. What I noticed most of all is that he was taking incredible risks, attacking Imperial big-boys and getting thrown all over the field. It didn’t take me long to figure you weren’t piloting him.”

“Damn.” I started to feel anxious. “So what happened to him?”

“He got picked up by an Iron Kong and hurled about 750 meters. Didn’t see him return to the battle after that.”

“How did you find me?”

Kavid snorted. “That was the real kicker. Seeing how you weren’t in PAC-1, I figured I better go pick him up, so I went to the field to steal a Zoid so I could drive out and go get him. Lo-and-behold, I see a Molga parked by a destroyed Gordos, with a pilot trying to stuff an unconscious Imperial Captain into the cockpit. Turns out the pilot was saving your sorry ass.”

I squinted my eyes as I tried to think back. “I…I can’t remember.”

“Figures. I just decked the guy, and figured I’d escape with you in the Molga. But look at you. You’re a mess…again. I had to bring you here to get fixed up. It’s just our saving grace that we are still wearing these Imperial uniforms.”

I nodded in agreement. “You look pretty beat up yourself, buddy. Maybe you should get some help.”

“Nah, I’ll be all right. Just some cuts and burns. I had to make sure you were okay, first.” This was just like the day at My. Hoploy, after we battled the Iron Kong that assaulted the Republic Base. Kavid didn’t leave my side until I was recovered there, either.

I swore this day to never leave Kavid’s side if he ever needed me.


Our next task was to escape the ISSO base, but there was a feeling inside me that said we only lucked out when we got in so easily. Getting in after a battle is easy. Getting out, after everything is re-organized—that’s a lot harder.

Kavid and I walked through the bunker, trying to find our way back to the Zoids Storage Hangar. I must have been the last remaining Captain at the base, because I had never been saluted so many times before with such vigor.

Once we reached the Hangar, it was the exact opposite of how Kavid and I found it a week ago. Then, it was nearly lifeless. Now, it bristled with activity, as engineers frantically operated the equipment, attempting to repair every available Zoid before the Republic forces decided to come back.

“We need to get out of here, now, while they’re busy.” pushed Kavid. I quietly agreed.

“Captain! Captain!” A young enlisted man came running up to me with a panicked look upon his face.

I returned his salute. “Uh…what’s the problem, soldier?”

“Sir, short range scans show a massive sandstorm heading this way!”

Kavid groaned. I struggled not to curse, but figured I better continue with my disguise. “Are there any troops still outside?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Get them all inside as quickly as possible, and lock up the bunkers.” I could see Kavid start to smile.

“What about the Zoids, sir?” asked the soldier.

I growled in false frustration as an idea came to mind. “We’ll have to forget about them for now, and dig them out later.” The soldier looked concerned, but didn’t ask anything.

“Yes, sir!” He saluted, spun around and ran off.

“You seem to handle the reins of Imperial Commander pretty well, Jeremy. Maybe you’re on the wrong side?” teased Kavid.

“I don’t know what side to be on anymore.” I replied truthfully.

“Well, you just helped the Republic out. It’ll take the Empire days to dig their Zoids all out.”

“I’m just helping us escape.”

Kavid put his hand on my shoulder. “Look, all joking aside, we’ve got to get out of here before someone with a little rank realizes we shouldn’t be in here.”

I frowned. “Not now, Kavid, now is not a good time.”

“Kelt, now is the perfect time! No one would expect it, much less go after us!”

My jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me! We barely survived the last sandstorm we were in. I’m not too enthusiastic about enduring another one.”

“So what do you want to do? Keep running around the ISSO base until the Republic forces come blow away a bunch of half-buried Molgas?”

Dammit, Kavid. Why was he always right?

“All right, fearless leader, lead the way.”


Outside, the wind was getting intense. It was still possible to see the width of the outpost, thanks to the walls, but walking around was difficult. Most of the pilots had gone into the bunkers and hangar by the time Kavid and I walked out, but a couple of them were still outside tying down their Redlers.

“What Zoids should we take, Kavid?”

“Nothing that flies, that’s for sure. Something that stays low to the ground, like maybe a Stealth Viper.”

My hands wadded into fists. “I always swore to myself that I would never get into one of those stupid snakes.”

“Then what do you suggest? Ow!” Kavid slapped his cheek as a lump of sand smacked him.

I scanned the Zoids still standing outside. There weren’t many left, and most were Molgas, Lightning Saix’ and Energy Ligers: all Zoids I didn’t feel comfortable trucking out into a major sandstorm with.

Then, I saw the answer.

“A Hel Digunner!” I pointed out.

Kavid looked over and squinted, then nodded. “That’s a great choice, but there’s only one of them!”

I smiled. “Then it’s a good thing we both took showers before we left the medical center!” I punched his shoulder and began the difficult walk towards our new ride.

Kavid just cursed.


The Hel Digunner handled remarkably well, considering two full-sized adult men were crammed into its cockpit. I sat on the left half, and Kavid sat on the right, each of us working one side’s legs controls. Strong winds threatened to flip us over a few times, but we managed to work the controls well enough to cruise the big Iguana along through the blasting sand.

Our journey became a bit difficult when we reached the former battlefield, which hadn’t been cleared yet. Battered and busted Zoids laid strewn across the dunes, slowly being buried by the brown sky. Maneuvering around them was quite a chore.

Suddenly, Kavid slammed on the brakes, and I slid forward into a painful position with my shins crammed against the HUD screen.

“What are you doing, Kavid?” I barked.

“Look up ahead, Jeremy!”

I managed to twist myself around enough so I could see out of the front of the windshield. My eyes just about popped out of my head.

Barely visible in the swirling mist stood PAC-1, head held high and looking back in our direction.

“Uh…two questions, Kelt.”

But I already knew the questions and the answers. “I don’t know why it’s just standing there or what it plans to do to us. But I do know we’re sitting in an Imperial Hel Digunner, and that means it doesn’t like us.”

The 150mm cannon on PAC-1’s back began to glow red, and the Command Wolf roared with determination.

“This…this is not good, Jeremy.” Whined Kavid.

PAC-1 fired.

“Move!” I jerked the left control stick forward, but Kavid pulled the right stick back. Instead of evading the blast, the Hel-Digunner turned 90-degrees clockwise, making it an even wider target for the blast, and we got smacked hard.

“What are you doing?” barked Kavid.

“I’m trying to dodge PAC-1’s fire!” I screamed back.

“Well you screwed up!”

“I screwed up? I don’t think so!” The Hel Digunner growled, and I turned my head left. “Go forward, quick!”

“What?”

It was too late. The metallic clang from PAC-1 smashing into the side of our Iguana-type Zoid rang painfully loud into my cyberphonic implants—the fake eardrums I have that don’t respond well to metallic sounds.

Kavid and I screamed like school children as our Zoid tumbled through the sandstorm, shuffling our bodies like dice. We ended up thirty meters away, upside down on the Hel Digunner’s back cannon, twisting in the wind.

“Well this is just great! Ow!” griped Kavid as I “accidentally” kicked him.

We were all tangled about each other now in painful positions. Piloting a Zoid while laying on my stomach looking down at the HUD, flipped 180-degrees around was quite impossible. Kavid’s head was stuck against the foot controls.

“We’ve got to get out of this thing.” I said, rather obviously.

“You think we’ll survive in that sandstorm?” asked Kavid as he pulled his head off of the foot controls.

“We won’t survive in this Hel Digunner if PAC-1 keeps attacking it.”

Kavid groaned. “Okay, pop the hatch.”

I painfully reached back with my arm, searched for the lever and pushed it (If we would have been right-side up, I would have pulled the lever, mind you). The HUD cleared off and the hatch opened, letting in a swarm of dust and heat. I slid off of the hatch face first and crashed to the desert floor. Kavid slid right behind me, but managed to grab onto the cockpit edge, and drop himself down smoothly.

“I can’t see anything but dirt!” yelled Kavid as he stumbled through the wind.

“We have to find PAC-1!” I called back.

“Why do you want to find it?” inquired my confused friend.

“I have an idea!”

Out of the waves of sand, two flashes of red flew across the sky, and tore into the body of the Hel Digunner. Our topsy-turvy transport exploded in a fiery burst, but thanks to the strong wind, the explosion was quickly deflected, saving us from harm.

Still, Kavid and I jumped to the ground, and when I next looked up, a ruby-red, black and silver mass emerged from the cloud of sand.

I jumped to my feet and raised my hands. “PAC-1! Stop! It’s me, Captain Kelt!” The Command Wolf took a couple of steps back, as if it was shocked to see me. “Please, no more! I’m your friend!” I prayed that my former Zoid could understand my pleas.

PAC-1 hung its head low, and crouched down, letting out a soft growl. Was it sad?

“Look, PAC-1, I’m not sure why you did what you did, but you probably thought you were doing the right thing, and looking back at everything, I guess I kind of deserved it.” PAC-1 growled. My eyes watered a little. “ But buddy, we are a team, and we need to stick together. We can’t split up like that, or we’re gonna get hurt, just like now. The whole big Zoid battle could have turned out a whole lot different if we would have stayed together.”

Kavid walked up to me. “Uh…Jeremy, you’re talking values to a Zoid.”

I smiled as PAC-1’s hatch opened for me. “I know, and maybe it can’t understand, but I know what happened, and I think this Command Wolf does, too. Maybe someday you’ll understand, too, Kavid.”

My friend rolled his eyes. “Okay, well, anyways, let’s get out of this storm and into the caves.”

“After you.”


Kavid and I had no intention of squishing ourselves into the cockpit of PAC-1, since it was even tighter than a Hel Digunner. There was no room in the cargo hold anymore, thanks to the shield unit, so against Kavid’s approval, I scooped him up into PAC-1’s mouth. I then trotted off towards the canyon at a brisk pace, attempting to tune out his curses and promises of death.

After about ten minutes, we reached the cave hideout, but to my concern, the Gustav was no longer there. I set Kavid down—more of a drop, actually—and ran PAC-1 to the cave entrance. There was no sign of Bruno’s Zoid or either of the PAC-Wolves. More importantly, all of our friends were gone.

I jumped out of my Command Wolf and ran into the cave. Kavid followed soon after, dusting himself off.

“What’s wrong, Jeremy? Where is everybody?”

“I don’t know! They should be here!” I cried in panic.

“Don’t throw a fit, maybe they just moved on, thinking you were captured or something.”

“Maybe.” But I didn’t think so; I was only gone for a day. I looked around the cave, scanning for clues, and found one. “Look! That was where Sifen, Mansod and Katrana were laying, and there are blaster marks on the wall!” I started to sweat.

Kavid was standing back where the Gustav was parked. “Over here. The Gustav wasn’t driven out, it was pulled out.” He looked around some more. “By a Liger. Lots of Liger-type footprints around here. I’d guess Blade Liger.”

I ground my teeth. There was only one Blade Liger pilot who knew that this canyon cave was to be our fallback position.

“Zaun Skyler.”

[pacwolf]

Chapter Three
Homeward Bound

We knew we couldn’t go back to ISSO, or the town we started from, Klaylos, since our arch-enemy Major Erem Nevets lived there, and he would kill us the moment he saw us. Still, we had to find a town or base where we could get some information on the location of Zaun Skyler, a.k.a. the Blade Liger Vampire.

Unfortunately for us, the Southern Frontier was a barren wasteland, and towns and bases were extremely few and far between. Also, due to the recent Republic and Imperial invasions, opposition could pop up anytime, anyplace.

First and foremost, however, we needed to find a Zoid for Kavid. As the sandstorm died down, we risked traveling back out to the battlefield by ISSO and looked over the damaged Zoids. Once again, Kavid rode in PAC-1’s mouth, cursing profusely.

Most of the large Zoids were too heavily damaged, and the little Zoids were blown to pieces. When we reached a crashed Redler, Kavid banged on the rood of PAC-1’s mouth. I dropped my friend and he ran out to the damaged Zoid dragon. I jumped to the sand and followed.

“You…uh…like this thing?” I asked

“It’s perfect!” cheered Kavid.

The Redler still had both wings and Hybrid Thruster Cannons, but its head was broken off, and it was missing a front leg. Fortunately, they were laying nearby, intact.

“But…pal, it’s…missing important parts.”

“Open your eyes, Jeremy! They’re clean cuts. With PAC-1’s help, we can fix this baby by dinnertime!” That was sure a big grin.

I scratched my head, shrugged my shoulders and went to get the welding kit.


With the shield unit filling up the cargo hold (even though it no longer worked), there wasn’t much room for supplies, but a welding kit was something I insisted on.

Once again making use of PAC-1’s mouth, we lifted the Redler’s head into the proper position and Kavid and I welded it back to the body.

After the head was finished, Kavid began work re-attaching the leg. I started soldering and hooking cables and wires from the Redler’s body up to its head. There were a lot of wires missing; fortunately, there were plenty of extra parts lying around the battlefield.

It was a frantic pace, and took a lot longer than we imagined. Constructing a Zoid piece-by-piece was a lot more work than we expected. It was especially difficult in the 110-degree heat. We knew better than to keep track of time.

Right after sunset, Kavid crawled into the Redler’s cockpit and closed the hatch. He activated the Zoid’s Core and miraculously the HUD turned on. I sent him a comm signal as the final test, and although it was a bit pixilated, it worked.

“How’s it running, Kavid?” I asked with pride.

“About as good as a busted up Imperial Zoid can run.” Always the snide remark. “Looks like there are some power problems in the left leg, but it’s still moveable. All weapons systems look good. Head reads about…89%. Reasonable. Let’s take her up.”

“Waitaminit. Where are we going, first?” I nervously asked.

“I figure we’ve only got one choice, Jeremy.”

“Uh-oh.” I knew the answer.

“Nevets.”


I was not looking forward to this. We had seriously humiliated Nevets the last time we saw him. I figured I would never have to deal with him again, so why not teach the squeaky bastard a little lesson?

Things looked like they might be a lot different this time, though.

An Imperial Brigade stood guard outside Klaylos, apparently watching for Republic Zoids, but no doubt having our appearance described to them as well.

There were about sixteen Zoids of various types; a few Molgas, a couple Hel Digunners, a Saber Tiger, a few Redlers, an Imperial Liger Zero, three Red Horns, a couple Helcats and the leader was no doubt that big Iron Kong. This looked hard.

I activated my comm, audio only. “CR-2, this is CR-1. Someone left a mess out front. Any ideas on how to clean it up?”

“I think we have to pick up the little pieces and ignore the big stuff. That’s all we can do.”

I nodded. “Roger. No need to monkey around.”

Although there were a lot of powerful Zoids, the layout was sloppy. The big feline-type Zoids were clumped together with the Red Horns. The grass field by the Molgas and Helcats made an ideal attack point..

Luckily, PAC-1’s cloaking device still worked, so I was able to get close to the Imperial Zoids undetected. I knew that once I was too close, though, I would be noticed. Kavid stayed far off, but was ready to blast into the battle in a matter of moments, thanks to his Redler’s Hybrid Thrusters.

Unfortunately, there were very few trees in the area, so I had to try to tip-toe PAC-1 through the grass field, hoping the Redlers wouldn’t take notice of my footprints.

I was concentrating on the Redlers so much that I was caught off guard when a Hel Digunner scampered across the field in front of me. In a panic, I crouched my Command Wolf to the ground, causing a puff of dust and grass to blow into the evening sky.

The Hel Digunner kept going, but a nearby Helcat took notice, and turned its head my direction. The comparatively little kitty walked my way at a cautious pace. Great. Out little infiltration plan lasted about two minutes. Subterfuge really was not our specialty. I slowly turned PAC-1’s invisible 150mm cannon 70 degrees until it was aimed straight at the curious feline-type Zoid. Once the Helcat was about twenty meters away, it stopped. I placed my left finger on the “de-cloak” switch, and my right finger on the firing trigger. The Helcat flinched, jumped back and began to cloak.

Damn.

I hit the “de-cloak” switch and once the power levels had transferred from “Cloaking Device” to “Weapons System,” I pulled the trigger. The thunder of the cannon blast shook my Zoid, and I watched the flash of red energy hurl itself through the air toward the Helcat’s former position. Grass and earth erupted in a ball of fire, but the feline-Zoid was long gone. PAC-1 jumped up and scrambled towards the Helcat’s foot trail. While in pursuit, I slammed the comm button. “Punch it, Kavid! Damn cat sniffed me out!”

By now a good deal of the Imperial Zoids had turned their heads my direction. Two Molgas were already heading towards me. The second Helcat was nowhere to be seen.

The scuffle of dust emanating from the invisible Helcat’s feet across the dry grassfield was an easy path to follow. It was a trail I was all too familiar with.

And this time, the stupid little cat was only 100-meters away.

Despite the approaching danger of the Molgas, I steadied PAC-1, carefully aimed the 150mm cannon in front of the footprints, and…got blasted from behind by the second Helcat! Son-of-a--!

Moments after, the Molgas opened fire on me, shaking my Zoid to unbearable levels. Right behind the slithering Zoids, two Red Horns were charging my position, launching missiles.

I knew I had only one choice left:

“Kavid! Help!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark shape blast through the sky. Twin marks of red began flashing on top of it, and soon after, heavy blaster shots started screaming through my little battlefield of death. Rows of rapid fire began pounding across the ground, shattering Molgas and spearing through a Red Horn. Even one invisible Helcat was hit, flickering back into view as it sailed through the air and exploded.

Kavid’s Redler rocketed overhead, spun around and pulled back up into the sky.

“That’s four for me, Jeremy. You’re getting soft. Think you can handle the rest?”

My teeth-grinding was getting painful. “You just take out the Redlers. I’ve got everything under control down here.”

Kavid’s laughing pushed me that one more step I needed to go. I was stressed, I was tired, I was mad; now, I was jealous.

The strength and focus I felt back when I fought the Stone Dragon poured through my blood once again, forming an inseperable lock between PAC-1 and my mind.

These Zoids were going down.

A Red Horn opened fire, but PAC-1 jumped clear and landed on top of the last living Molga. Using its teeth and claws, my Command Wolf tore through the outer shell of the slithery-Zoid and dug in until it exploded.

My eye caught the leap of the Saber Tiger through the smoke. PAC-1 backed up two steps, raised its cannon a few degrees and blasted the incoming Zoid straight in the face.

I was shaken as a Red Horn rammed PAC-1 from behind, sending it tumbling head-over-heels. Despite my chaotic situation, I never lost focus. As soon as my CW regained its footing, I spread its legs and slid backwards, dancing my finger across the weapons trigger. The shots didn’t do much good against the Red Horn’s armored head, so I altered my attack, and charged.

PAC-1 swerved around every laser shot from the Red Horn until I was close enough, then it leapt into the air, raised its front right claw…and got blasted by a Hel Digunner.

For a second time, PAC-1 rolled along the ground, this time on its side. Feelings of fear started to creep into me, but I shook them away.

Remembering Kavid’s initial plan of ignoring the big Zoids, I changed my target towards the Hel Digunners and started shooting. One was quickly obliterated, but the other hid behind the Red Horn.

I guess I had to fight him after all.

Starting a new charge, I armed the 150mm cannon and blew off every weapon on the Red Horn’s body. As it roared with anger, PAC-1 flanked it, raised its left claw this time, and performed a perfect Claw Strike through the styracasaurus’ front left knee. The Red Horn screamed even louder, and crashed to the ground.

Claw Strikes are very difficult to do, mind you, since there is no laser energy used to strengthen them. They have to be aimed perfectly.

As PAC-1 skidded across the ground, landing from its deadly leap, I noticed that I was starting to breathe heavily. What was happening to me? Was this Zoid drawing energy from me?

Whatever it was, I was liking it.

Suddenly, a light reflection flashed my retina. I pulled back hard on the controls. PAC-1 jumped back, but the Saber Tiger’s claw smashed into the Command Wolf’s Plasma Armored face and shattered.

The Tiger was now brutally damaged. My earlier shot had blasted half of its face away. Now, its front right leg was clawless. Still, whomever was piloting the Zoid seemed anxious to fight me, and opened up every cannon his Zoid carried at me.

It amazes me how these guys never grasp that my Zoid is indestructible.

After about five shots to the Tiger’s leg, it was taken care of. As I turned PAC-1 around, I was amazed to see Kavid engaging the few remaining Zoids. The last Red Horn was a fiery mess, and smoking Redler carcasses littered the battlefield. The Red Liger Zero suddenly exploded, spewing body-parts throughout the sky. Kavid’s Redler hooked left and headed my way.

I clicked on my HUD-comm, “Pretty impressive looking work, Lieutenant Deen.”

“Pay attention, Jeremy! Behind you!”

“What?” PAC-1 jerked as something grabbed its tail and pulled it into the air. As I was lifted up, I saw the feet of my attacker: and Iron Kong. PAC-1 started shaking uncontrollably, as if it was in panic.

This reminded me on what happened to Mansod on Mt. Hoploy, when that other Iron Kong ripped his Command Wolf apart. These big guys sure like the flashy kills.

Sure enough, the Kong raised my Zoid over its head and grabbed it with its other hand. Letting out a triumphant roar, it attempted to tear PAC-1 in half.

But this time it didn’t work.

Sounds of metallic creaking and groaning poured from the IK’s arms as it struggled, but the Plasma Armor was too strong for it to break.

“Don’t move, Jeremy!” called Kavid.

I looked towards the west and saw Kavids Redler fire in at full speed. It closed its wings against its legs, turning itself into a rocket-like projectile, then began spinning. As it turned with a drilling rage, its Hybrid Cannons began pouring energy shells at the Iron Kong, pummeling the chest of the massive Zoid with energy explosions.

At first, the blasts did no harm, but like a machine, they kept their focus, weakening and weakening the Kong’s armor, until it finally game way and cracked, then caved in, creating a gate into the Zoid’s inner systems that were soon shriveled to death by the heavy blasts. The giant beast exploded from within and Kavid’s Redler crashed on through its body and soared out the other side. As the Iron Kong fell, I twisted PAC-1 free of the Kong’s exploding hands and ran after the Redler. Kavid’s burning, smoking Zoid was easy to follow.

“You’re out of your freaking mind, Kavid! Your Redler doesn’t have Plasma Armor!” I scolded.

“Yea, I know. That’s why it was so much fun!”

“Arrggh!”

“By the way, Jeremy,” I could hear gloating in his voice, “I got ten, how about you?”

I attempted to change the subject. “You better land that thing, quickly, before its wings melt off.. Also, a Hel Digunner and a Helcat got away. That could be trouble. We had better find Nevets right away.”

“Then that means four, Jeremy. Four for you. That seems to be substantially less than ten.”

“Kavid?” I growled.”

“Yes, Captain Kelt, sir?”

“Muzzle it.”


Klaylos was a wasteland. Every house and building in the town was burned to the ground; absolutely incinerated to atoms, with no sign of wreckage or even ash left over. There was almost no sign it ever even existed.

“Whoa, what the heck happened here?” asked Kavid.

“I…I don’t know. It would take a Charged Particle Gun a full day to do this much damage, and there would be signs if one of those was fired.”

A warning light started to flash as PAC-1 walked farther into the town. “Kavid! Get down here and pick me up! PAC-1’s feet are breaking down!”

“What do you mean, ‘breaking down?’”

“I mean if I don’t get off of the ground I won’t have a Command Wolf any more! Now hurry up!”

The Redler flew down and dropped a couple of hooked cables, which quickly snagged onto my Command Wolf’s back legs and lifted it off of the ground.

Kavid came up on the comm, and looked concerned, “Do you mean the Plasma Armor was coming apart?”

“Yeah. Whatever was used to destroy Klaylos has properties of a Particle Charger.” I analyzed. “There was so much energy left in the area that just walking through it is deadly for Plasma-Armored Zoids.”

“Damn. How are we going to find Nevets now?” asked Kavid.

I had to think about that for a moment. The town was gone. Everyone who knew Major Nevets was gone. The major was probably gone, too. It started to seem that except for Kavid and PAC-1, my whole world was disappearing around me. First it was my friends at the caves, now it was the entire town I lived in--including my arch-enemy.

I needed some sleep.

“There’s nothing for us around here, Kavid. I suggest we head over to the town of Gellenos and see if we can find some answers.

Kavid sighed. “You think anybody there would know what happened thirty kilometers away?”

“Whether they do or not, it’s the closest point to start from.” I answered with frustration.

“Can we take a nap, first?”

For once, I was not going to tell him no.