ZOIDS

THE CUSTOM KING

CHAPTER 60

This Fan-fic was created because I'm an attention seeker.

I own nothing.

On Earth, Jhese had once read, they used a machine called a Tractor for ploughing fields in preparation for planting crops, they also used them for harvesting the crops and other odd jobs around the farm, a powerful machine but simplistic in design. On Zi farmers had taken to using modified zoids, some zoid shapes were perfectly designed for certain jobs, others could be modified to suit the purpose at hand, Jhese had always enjoyed examining the practical modifications that farmers had made, a Pteras converted to a crop duster, the fearsome blades of a Rev Raptor used to fell trees or the awesome power of an Iron Kong used to erect barns, there were infinite possibilities with only the tiniest changes. Farmers always needed a good new hauling unit and while small the Gators seemed to provide an ideal platform. Jhese and Riccard argued into the night as they decided on how to go about modifying the Gators for the jobs, Jhese argued the benefits in light of recent events towards keeping the laser cannons as they were under the sail. Riccard however wanted the cannons removed completely and replaced by a lance-like tool that was apparently perfect for digging trenches from the nearest river to the crops in an aqueduct method. Still they had twenty five Gators and a mountain of spare parts, Riccard relented and ten Gators remained battle ready.

…...

Jhese looked over the six damaged Dimetrodons that had been dragged in from the desert, there was probably one good zoid between the carcases and he'd probably be handing that over to Casey and his Wilder Z team mates. Casey whistled as Kat overstated Jhese's mechanical abilities, Jhese studied the zoids trying to find some sort of controlling receiver but the unmanned zoids while clearly controlled by bots seemed to lack any kind of communications system to link them to a base. Jhese just hoped Cyrus and the other fliers could find something to lead them back to 'Lord Thunder'.

…...

Cyrus, Belle and Marlene spread out across the sky as they searched, staying just within sight of each other, Cyrus in the biggest zoid flew in the middle while the two smaller zoids spread the coverage to either side. Sand was one of the worst things to track something across, second only to rock. Sand held wonderful footprints, but the slightest breeze was enough to erase them completely, so the three had followed their trail of destruction left over from their battle with the Gators and Dimetrodons. Cyrus leaned forwards on the controls and the Buster Eagle stooped towards the ground, he wheeled the zoid around and returned for another look. There! A pair of footprints that had to have come from a low-slung zoid like a Dimetrodon. Cyrus barrel rolled his 'Eagle as he rose back to the air, the signal that the other two should close in with him for a direction change. Their change took them towards a canyon, clearly big enough for zoids to troop through, but Belle flying low in the Evo Flyer announced several sets of Dimetrodon footprints leading around the canyon rather than through it, Cyrus admired the handy-work, these guys weren't half bad they covered their tracks reasonably well, they passed areas that looked perfect for a base, they even passed through a stream and travelled upstream for a mile. After several wrong turns and a few trips up the wrong trail Cyrus, Marlene and Belle found Kat, the Lightning Saix waited atop a ridge and Cyrus imagined a look of smugness on Kat's face, even through her zoid's canopy.

Kat dropped from her zoid's head and sauntered over to the three fliers, she waved a sheet of paper as she walked. Cyrus dropped from his own zoid as did Belle and Marlene, all curious as to what had been discovered as soon as they were within talking distance Kat announced "We found them, Casey wants us all back at base so we can attack together"

"How'd we find them?" Marlene enquired "Jhese said the communication to the zoids had been dropped just before we won, no co-ordinates to back trace, no signal to follow, just basic fighting manoeuvres."

"Jhese didn't find the solution" Kat explained "this kid from town named Rango was using a computer in one of the Dimetrodons to hack into the Zoids Battle Commission satellites, apparently to watch wild zoids, Jhese said he could find zoids by tracking their core's power signature, Jhese asked if the ZBC recorded this footage and backtracked the bandits back to their HQ. Pretty clever for a desert rat."

Cyrus snorted "You're easily impressed. You used to say the same thing about Jhese."

Kat planted a hand on her hip "Only difference is that now I say it TO Jhese. C'mon, lets head back to base." Kat spun and jogged back to her zoid.

…...

Jhese watched with interest as Rango nosed his way around the Dimetrodon's hydraulics, the little desert rat had a knack for mechanics and electronics that made Jhese feel rather envious, a triumphant yell came from inside the panel and a hand shot out, groping about for a few moments before deciding on a soldering iron and disappearing back into the zoids leg Jhese grinned "Why didn't you just ask for the soldering iron?"

"I didn't know what it was called" came the reply, again Jhese was surprised by the kid's lack of knowledge. He was running on instinct alone and a sense of what was and what should be, a quick explanation or a look at a properly working example was all the kid usually needed to find problems, his eye for details was beyond impressive "Uhhh Jhese, I got a problem down here."

"What is it?" Jhese called.

"I'm stuck, the hydraulic arm I slid down is too slick to climb back up, I need a hand!"

Jhese laughed and reached down until Rango clamped onto his wrist, then he hauled the kid up "So, what did you do down there?"

Part of the lower hydraulic arm had been burned away by a laser shot, thankfully the slag was pretty puffy so I melted it and used it and a bit of the armour to repair the hole, it was about the size of a thimble. Any bigger and I'd have been down there all day."

"The hell you would kiddo, if Jhese let you do that Hero or not I'd have tied a rope around his neck and sent him down to get you!"

Jhese grinned at Rango's father Hamish "You sure I can't adopt him? That kid has an amazing head for mechanics"

"I'd rather he get an education...but he has holidays in a months time, I'm sure he'd be delighted to be able to visit a battling zoids team" Hamish chuckled "if he hasn't moved on to a new interest by then. You know how kids are, you being one and all."

"That wasn't half blunt" Jhese replied "I turn sixteen soon."

A roar at the front of the village made Jhese, Hamish and Rango turn in that direction as the big wooden gate blew apart for the second time in under a week and a Dark Spiner kicked it's way through. Jhese and Rango split off in different directions, leaving Rango's father wondering who to follow.

Jhese took a running leap and scrambled up the side of Shads' leg before swinging himself into the cockpit and sliding the canopy forwards "That's still a classy canopy" Shads snorted You're just saying that to cover for nerves. Jhese smiled "Okay partner, let's rock and roll!" the Gogu Dragon's console lit up and Jhese pushed the controls forwards making the zoid advance on the gate, as Jhese arrived on the scene the Storm systems kicked in and engaged the Squall Blades energy slid down the edge creating a cutting surface. Shads hit the brakes and slid to a halt "What th-" Jhese began Hostages Shads informed him two more Dark Spiners entered while you were getting me they've taken a group that tried to get to the Gators and are holding them at gunpoint. We need to be a bit more delicate than normal. A lone Spiner stalked slowly towards Shads and the comm. beeped signalling the pilot's desire to talk, Jhese thumbed the requesting channel and found himself looking at a green mask cut in diagonals by way of a lightning bolt through each eye "Lord Thunder I assume?"

The mask tilted to the side "You would be wise to lose your flippant tone when you address me boy"

I'll show him flippant when I chuck that poor Dark Spiner on its head Shads growled c'mon Jhese, we can take him now. "Hostages" Jhese reminded quietly before returning his attention to the bandit "How else should I address someone who bullies farmers using war machines and takes hostages? Hero? Champion?"

"We'll start with respectfully or I'll have one of my boys blow one of these filthy dirt scrapers into ashes. You know what? Just to show I'm a man of my word, Bolt!" one of the two Dark Spiners by the hostages inclined its head slightly "Kill one of em to prove we mean business."

The Dark Spiner turned back to the crowd cowering against the Gators, shifting as its pilot tried to decide on a target.

BOOM!

The Dark Spiner dropped as the shot tore through its neck.

BOOM!

The second Dark Spiner fell in a similar fashion. Jhese couldn't see Lord Thunder's face underneath the mask, but he bet he'd have enjoyed it.

BOOM!

The shell tore into the ground that the lead Dark Spiner had vacated only seconds ago causing dust to plume through the village. Jhese didn't stop to watch, he leaned forwards on the controls and urged Shads into a charge. The Storm Dragon bounded over the wreaked gate and out onto the open turf where he discovered the Dark Spiner sprawled in the dirt, its ankles cranked at awkward angles and one still glowed red hot. Shads locked his talons into the sail and bent the structure over before Jhese gained control and put Shads claws onto the Dark Spiner's neck, he nudged the controls forwards and the Storm Dragon leaned over, popping the canopy like a ripe fruit. "Well Mr. Lord Thunder, looks like this game's over for you."

Cyrus, Belle and Marlene landed at the trampled gate behind Jhese. Cyrus grinned when he saw little Rango hauling a vibro-saw back into the shadows of a little garden shed. He'd have to drop in on the little ankle biter, or cutter in this case.