|
Episode I: Attack of the Mercenaries
Organized under strict rules and regulations, ZOID battles are fighting competitions held on enormous battlefields using mechanical combat units known as ZOIDS. The enthusiastic young warriors put their pride on the line and sharpen their skills against each other. Battle mode approved! Area scanned! Battlefield set up! Ready............FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
The sun shone brightly overhead as the Alpha Omega Team's Hovercargo swept across the dusty roads to town. It arrived at mid morning.
"So, you going to pick up your Saber Liger yet?" asked Jason Nuvolt, the newest member of the team.
"Yeah," replied the team coordinator, Steve.
"I'll go with you," offered Ben. They took their jeep out of the Hovercargo's rear hatch and entered the city. Jason and the former mercenary, Zack Riley, stayed to look over their ZOIDS.
Zack's lethal black Blade Liger looked in perfect order. Jason's Panthron ZERO showed no weakness in material or in arsenal. The Panthron was compatible with armor change capabilities and was equipped with an organoid system. They returned to the command deck.
Meanwhile, Steve and Ben had picked up the Saber Liger and were headed back to the transport. The new Liger model resembled the older Blade Liger in basic composition, but instead of somewhat short canines, this Liger had long curving ones. And it didn't have blades. Instead, it was compatible with the Strike Laser Claw maneuver, a high capacity booster, Vulcan 15mm guns, and a triple barrell shot-cannon. A dangerous ZOID indeed. They had reached the Hovercargo. They loaded up the Saber Liger and entered.
"Guys!" called Jason. "We have our next opponent!"
"Who?" asked Steve.
"The Montoya Team?" Ben asked.
"Yeah," replied Zack.
"Again!" excalimed Steve. "We must've really gotten them mad in the last battle!"
"Yeah, apparently," remarked Zack. "They hired Joe."
A silence fell over the room. Joe and his Silver Fang had been one of the strongest mercenaries of the decade, but.........then again, so had Zack..............
"Battle mode approved! Launching Judge capsule! said a mechanical voice from the Judge satellite. The capsule crashed into the planet, creating a crater and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Battle mode approved! The Alpha Omega Team vs. the Montoya Team! Battle mode 0982. The area within a 30 mile radius is a designated ZOID battlefield. DANGER! All unauthorized personell must leave the area at once! Area scanned. Battlefield set up. Ready..................FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!" exclaimed the Judge.
The Silver Fang and the black Blade Liger attcked each other viciously. Literally sweeping the desert floor with each other. Zev Montoya's Shield Liger had its hands full with the superior speed of the Panthron's Razor unit. It's vicious attacks were only dodged because of Zev's quick reflexes, but Jason's were even quicker. The next time Zev's ZOID dodged, the Panthron Razor fired upon the Shield Liger with its lasers. The shield was raised just in time, but Jason rushed Zev, blades drawn and sliced through the Shield Liger's armor and froze the command system.
Steve's Saber Liger took down Zita Montoya's Gun Sniper quickly, but Alex Montoya's Storm Sworder was much harder to take down. Ben's Lightning Saix was frozen.It was now up to Jason and Steve. It wouldn't be easy.
Meanwhile, Zack drew his blades and charged Joe. The rival dodged and struck, crippling the Blade Liger.
"Always so predictable, Zack," taunted Joe. Before he finished his sentence an unseen shot from the Blade Liger's blades pierced the neck armor of the Silver Fang, freezing the combat system.
Seconds later, a sonic boom hit the Blade Liger. The Storm Sworder had struck. The combat system had frozen and Zack had been knocked out.
The Razor's speed allowed for the strike. The blades heavily scarred the armor below the right wing.
"What?!" yelled Alex Montoya as he fought the controls. "Nothing is that fast!"
Alex had been too careless to see the Saber Liger jumping for the strike. Before Alex realized it, the Storm Sworder crashed to earth and froze. A loud horn sounded.
"The battle is over! The battle is over! The winner is the Alpha Omega Team!" exclaimed the Judge as his capsule returned to the satellite.
"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" yelled Zev Montoya.
"Argh!" screamed Alex.
Back at the Hovercargo, the warriors reflected on the day's battle.
"Zack, you really made yourself a dangerous enemy today," remarked Jason.
"Who cares? That bum is a complete loser," said Zack.
"Well..............the Lightning Saix needs fixing, the Blade Liger is damaged, AND I HAVE TO FIX IT ALL!!!!!!" exclaimed Steve.
"Hey, no hard feelings," said Ben. "At least we have the money for repairs this time."
"Yeah.........," muttered Steve.
Episode II: The Backdraft Group Reappears
The rain trickled down on the Alpha Omega Team's base. The team members were tired and bruised, but they still worked on through the day. Steve and Jason where repairing the Lightning Saix and Blade Liger, while Ben was taking care of Zack due to his concussion which he received in the previous battle.
"Hey Steve can you give me a hand?" asked Jason.
"Sure whats the problem?" asked Steve.
"The Lightning Saix's computer board is burnt out," replied Jason.
Steve's teeth started to grind, and he started to franticly curse and swear at the top of his lungs, "Do you realize due to expenses, repairs, debit, and taxes on the prize money, we wont be able to fix it unless a miracle happens!" screamed Steve. Momentarily, Ben called the two to the command deck.
As Jason and Steve entered the room the visual screen revealed a shadowy looking man dressed in a black overcoat.
"Who are you?" asked Steve.
The man replied, "I am Altile of the Backdraft Group.
"What do you want with us?" asked Ben.
Altile answered, "You see, we here at the Backdraft Group are impressed with your team and would like to make a little wager."
Jason quickly started, "We're not interested in your little wager."
But before he could finish his sentence, Steve eagerly questioned with great interest, "What type of wager?"
"Well, we challenge you to a ZOID battle, and if we win we take all your fine ZOIDS, but if you win, which you won't, you will receive double the prize money tax free!" answered Altile.
Ben intruded, "We want triple the prize money!" Altile simply agreed.
Altile added, "We will contact you with further information later on."
Later, at the sick bay, Jason informs Zack of the battle. Meanwhile, Steve and Jason completed repairs on the Blade Liger, Saber Liger, and Panthron Zero (Armor unit Razor as well). And Ben readied the Hovercargo. The Panthron and Saber Liger were loaded on the Hovercargo while the team was given information on the battle location.
"Battle mode approved, battle mode approved," said the Dark Judge imperiously. "The Alpha Omega Team vs. the Backdraft Group. Battle mode 0999. Area scanned. Battlefield set up. Ready............FIGHT!!!!!!!"
The Panthron Razor unit dashed forward and was met with heavy fire from an unseen enemy. The Saber Liger was in a similar predicament. It was pinned under constant fire. Helpless. Zack watched the battle. He noted the angles of fire. He hated being unable to help, but was he really?
"Guys, hang on," Zack said through the radio. "I'm getting the Blade Liger."
"What! exclaimed Steve. "But..but..you're injured!"
"It doesnt matter," replied Zack. "I know where the enemy is."
"How?" wondered Jason.
Zack's black Blade Liger was launched. He activated its boosters and narrowly dodged some fire. His blades were now drawn and they immediately slashed through an invisible Helcat. The command system froze.
"What!" exclaimed Altile.
The fire now diverted from the Saber Liger, Steve attacked another Helcat he noticed through the dust kicked up by the Blade Liger. The Helcat froze. The Panthron took down another while Zack attacked the final Helcat. The battle now won, the Alpha Omega Team had all the funds they needed to fix their ZOIDS and make upgrades.
Altile was furious. His Whale King immediately lifted off as he swore revenge.
Once again, the battle ended with the making of a dangerous enemy.
Episode III: White Lightning Strikes
It was early morning, the day of the prestigous ZOID trials where all of a ZOID's abilities would be tested. The Alpha Omega Team was first in line. They led off with Ben's Lightning Saix. It moved with incredible speed and hit nearly all the targets. A score of 411.0 was posted. Next was the black Blade Liger. Although not half as fast, it scored higher than the Lighning Saix because it hit every target. 432.0. Next was the Panthron ZERO. It duplicated the Blade Liger's run at 432.0. Finally, the Saber Liger closed up the Alpha Omega Team's effort posting a score of 435.0. The next team in line was the Montoya Team, which had recently traded in their Shield Liger for a white Lighning Saix. Apparently, Zev Montoya was made for this ZOID, for he posted 500.0 points! The other efforts from the team were lukewarm, though. 322.0, 336.0, and 401.0 were the other times posted. The Alpha Omega Team was quickly bumped off the leader board by several master pilots. Steve ended in a dismal 8th, followed by Jason and Zack in 9th and 10th. Ben finished 15th. The events were then quietly reflected upon in the Hovercargo.
"Wow........," said Ben, "I really didn't think I was that inaccurate."
"And I didn't know that Zev could pilot like that," Steve said. "Boy! Was he fast!"
"Guys?" called Jason.
"Yeah?" Steve said.
"Next battle is against you-know-who."
"Oh great."
"Not the Montoya Team again!" exclaimed Zack. "I guess they just can't take a hint!"
"Well, we beat 'em before we can do it again," said Ben.
"I'm not so sure," remarked Jason. "The last battle was really close with just two dangerous ZOIDS. Now they have three."
"Yeah," said Ben, "but we have four."
"The Alpha Omega Team vs. the Montoya Team. Battle mode 0982. Area scanned. Battlefield set up. Ready.........FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" declared the Judge.
The Lighning Saix dashed at each other full speed and attacked. Ben was down almost before the battle started. So was Zita Montoya's Gun Sniper for that matter. The Panthron Razor was after the Lightning Saix. It drew its blades and ran full speed past the Lightning Saix, but Zev dodged! A quick shot and the Panthron was slowed dramatically. The leg was damaged enough so that it could not keep up with the much faster ZOID.
"Strike Laser Claw!" yelled Steve as he attacked Alex Montoya's Storm Sworder, but it was flying far too high for the Saber Liger to reach and it was immediately hit with the sonic boom. It crashed to the ground.
"Jason! Use the Prowler unit!" yelled Ben.
The Panthron ran to the Hovercargo and activated the remote armor change to the powerhouse Prowler armor. Its great firepower would be especially useful in ground-to-air combat, which is what they needed.
The Prowler unit was extremely heavy and it needed very high capacity boosters just to walk. It had cost a bundle with all of the missle launchers, shotcannons, and gattling guns. But now it was going to prove its worth. Now launched from the Hover cargo, it made use of its boosters to Move in position to take down the Storm Sworder.
"Prowler! Total Annihilation Attack!" called Jason as the Panthron fired all possible weaponry on the Storm Sworder it crashed to the ground. The Blade Liger was down and out. It was two against one. The Silver Fang moved in from the back while the Lighning Saix distracted the Prowler. The Silver Fang jumped onto the Prowler and bit its neck. The Prowler roared and launched a total assault in front of it to attempt to freeze the Lightning Saix. It was a total miss. Soon, both ZOIDS had the Prowler pinned and were taking it down bit by bit. Jason jettisoned the heavy armor, knocking off the Lightning Saix and the Silver Fang. The Lightning Saix was not able to get up before the Panthron froze it with a claw slash to the face. The Silver Fang was up much quicker and it fired on the Panthron.
The Panthron was hit in the leg. It roared as the Silver Fang charged it and took it down for good.
"The battle is over! The battle is over! The winner is.......the Montoya Team!" declared the Judge as his capsule returned to the satellite.
"Darn it! We lost all that prize money!" yelled Zack.
"Zack, I think you're mostly angry because you lost to Joe," said Steve. "Anyone can lose to that guy. He's one of the best."
"Argh!!!!!!!!!" yelled Zack.
"Hey!" said Jason. "At least it's not a total loss. We did get a lot of target points."
Zack gave Jason a stony glare that silenced the warrior.
"Guys! Will you knock it off?" pleaded Ben.
"I'm going to town," said Zack.
"Why?" asked Steve.
"I need to be alone."
Episode IV: The Unforeseen Shadows of Battle
Shortly after the bitter defeat of the Alpha Omega Team, Zack Riley left the transport and headed into town. Jason Nuvolt followed the former mercenary into town. Zack entered a ZOIDS shop.
"Hello," Zack said to the shop keeper. "Do you know what types of bullets are not allowed in ZOID battles?"
"Well........," the shop keeper scratched his chin, "I guess a bullet that can endanger a pilot, but that's about all I know."
"Ok, thanks," Zack said. He left the shop. Jason was careful not to be noticed.
Zack turned into an alley. Jason quickly ran to catch up and Zack was right around the corner looking at him!
"Why have you been following me?" asked Zack.
"I was trying to make sure you didn't take your anger out on someone," replied Jason.
"It doesn't matter anyways. You're here and there's no point in sending you back."
The pair walked down the rest of the alley and crossed the street to enter a restaurant. They sat in a booth and ordered a drink each. A few minutes later, Naomi Flugel noticed her old teammate sitting with Zack. She sat down.
"So, Jason, which rock did you find this guy under?" asked Naomi.
Zack shrugged, "I didn't come here for insult. I need to know about a bullet."
"Really? All these years and you still don't know what a bullet is?"
Zack chuckled, "At least not the one I'm trying to learn about. A rival team used a special bullet against us. It created an electric pulse that froze three of our ZOIDS. Thankfully, only three of the pilots were using them. I need to know if those bullets are illegal."
"What? You don't have the brain power to guess?"
"Cut it out, Naomi. I need to know."
"Alright, alright," Naomi sighed. "Yes, those bullets are illegal. Mainly for the reason that a hit to a ZOID's head can prove deadly to the pilot. I'm sure the ZOID Battle Commission will be interested in your story, but that doesn't mean they'll believe you. They'll end up having to search the team ZOIDS, transport, and base. It's still not a sure thing that they'll find anything."
"Thank you, Naomi," said Jason.
"So, Jason, are you sure I can't talk you into coming back to the Flugel Team?" asked Naomi.
The evening drew closer as Jason and Zack returned to the Hovercargo. They immediately notified the ZOID Battle Commission.
"Your ZOIDS had gotten a shock from the bullets?" asked the ZOID Battle Commissioner.
"Yes. It was clearly a specified type of bullet that was being utilized," replied Steve.
"You say it was the Montoya Team?" asked the commissioner.
"Not the whole team, just the Montoyas themselves."
"I see............The ZOID Battle Commission will conduct a search tomorrow."
Episode V: The Backdraft and the Montoyas
"What is the verdict, Judge?" asked the ZOID Battle Commissioner. "Are Alex, Zita, and Zev Montoya to be banned from ZOID battles?"
"Before I state the sentence I must reiterate, the Judge's decision is final!" proclaimed the Judge. "The Montoyas are NEVER to partake in a ZOID battle again!"
"WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" exclaimed Zev Montoya.
"The Alpha Omega Team will be placed back in the position they previously occupied before the final battle with the Montoya Team. However, No additional target points will be awarded," the Judge's communication screen went black.
"We'll get you for this Alpha Omega Team!" yelled Alex Montoya.
"Remove the Montoyas from the Ultra Saurus now!" said the ZOID Battle Commissioner.
"Yes sir!" replied a guard.
"Argh!" groaned Zita. "Darn it! The Alpha Omega Team always beats us in one way or another!"
Suddenly, the communication screen beeped and a man appeared clad in black and red.
"Who are you?" asked Zev.
"I am Altile, leader of the Backdraft Group. I have an offer that you cannot refuse warriors," Altile said.
"What?" asked Alex.
The screen rotated to Altile's right and there, the Montoyas saw three menacing ZOIDS.
"Behold!" Altile exclaimed. "These will be your ZOIDS if you join the Backdraft Group! Zev, you would pilot the powerful Geno Breaker. Alex, the Geno Saurer would be yours to pilot. Zita, the blue Geno Saurer would be yours. Now warriors......do you want to be outcasts.........or the pilots of these magnificent ZOIDS?"
"We'll do it!" exclaimed Zev and the most dangerous alliance in the history of ZOIDS was formed.
"The Flugel Team vs. the Alpha Omega Team! Battle Mode 0982. Ready............FIGHT!!!!!!!!!" proclaimed the Judge.
The Panthron ZERO charged Naomi's Gun Sniper. She was down in mere seconds.
There was an explosion and the Judge was hit.
"Ahaha. Ahahahahahaha!" laughed the dark Judge. "Battle mode 0999. the Geno Team vs. The Alpha Omega and Flugel Teams. Ready...........FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Three ZOIDS fell out of a Whale King which had been hovering overhead. They were all the same basic structure, but they had different weapons and the colors differed.
"The Geno Team is invincible!" yelled Zev.
"Zev! But you were outlawed from ZOID battles!" said Naomi.
"Not from unsanctioned battles," said Alex. He began charging a charged particle cannon!
Zev charged the warriors. The Blade Ligers attempted to slash through the Geno Breaker's armor, but two pincer-like weapons caught the ZOIDS. The ZOIDS were instantly crushed by the sheer power of the pincers. The Geno Breaker roared.
Alex's particle cannon fired. Jason dodged, but the power of the cannon knocked the Panthron backwards.
"That's enough!" said Altile. "You have easily won this round warriors. Return to the Whale King at once!"
"Yes sir........" replied the Montoyas.
"Until next time, Alpha Omega Team!" yelled the Judge as the capsule lifted off. "Consider this an appetizer for the Geno Team!"
Episode VI: The New Power
As the smoke clears, we find our warriors defeated by the surprising appearance by the Montoyas.
Jason called to the other warriors on the field, "Are, you guys okay? Report your status."
Suddenly a video screen of the ZOIDS Battle Commissioner popped up on the moniter.
He solemnly said " I ask you, the Alpha Omega Team, to come down to Headquarters for a little surprise ASAP!"
By midday, the the ZOIDS were loaded on the hovercargo, and the warriors were on thier way to Battle Commission Headquarters.
"Zack, what do you think would make the Montoyas go so far as to join the Backdraft group?" asked Ben.
Zack replied, "Probably because they were tired of losing to us, but those ZOIDS were quite powerful!"
Synopis
Our tale begins on Planet Zi where mechanoid beasts known as ZOIDS compete against each other with the help of their human partners in the quest for victory. Our heroes, a group of 16-year-old Pilots known as the Alpha Omega Team, find themselves in ZOID battles. Later, Jason Nuvolt joins the Alpha Omega Team and meets the legendary ZOID known as Panthron ZERO. Panthron chooses the impetuous young boy to be his tournament pilot, and together they join their friends in waging battle against other ZOIDS warriors.
|
