The Empire's Secret

   Van turned back and took a quick look at the red Shield Liger before he made another charge. The Shield Liger made an attempt to jump out of the of the charging Blade Liger but Van knew that the pilot was going to do that and gently nicked the side of the Zoid. "I could have sliced your Zoid in half." Van said with a smile, looking back at the Shield Liger. "Not to bad though, Sergeant."

   "Thank you sir." Kelly said releasing a deep breath of air, angry with herself for once again losing to Van.

   Van jumped out of the cockpit, watching Zeke quickly rush up besides him. "You've improved a lot over the months."

   Kelly looked at him as she got out of the cockpit. "Thanks." She quickly stood up, remembering that he was her commanding officer. "Sir!" She added sharply.

   Van smiled at her enthusiasm. "You can have the rest of the day off." Van saluted to her and turned around.

   "Yes sir, commander." Kelly saluted back to him and got back in her Shield Liger, rushing off.

   "Lets go Zeke." Van walked over to the building and opened the small door, leaving the Blade Liger on the desert training grounds. Walking in he took a seat in a small conference room, pouring himself a small cup of coffee. Van looked down at it, doing nothing but thinking.  He missed his friends, all of them. Rudolph, Irvine, Kruger, and the rest. But most of all he missed Fiona, and he longed for her more then he had the first time she had left him years ago. Though he didn't love her then, at least he didn't think he did. Van looked up and watched General Hermann walk in, handing him a folder.

   "Its all right, you don't need to get up." Hermann said keeping Van from standing up and saluting. "We have a mission for you and Sergeant Kelly Williams."

   Van held back a smile, glad there was something for him to finally do. "Yes sir."

   "We've decided to reopen are search for Organoids and from what we see now any ancient Zodians that have been put in suspended animation."

   Van nodded and searched through the folder.

   "That map shows the ruins we haven't searched yet, the ones circled haven't been toughed by anyone as far as we know."

   Van looked at it, 3 circles and 13 ruins covered a vast area of land. "Where is this? I haven't ever seen this part of Zi before."

   "It's a remote area down in the southern zone. The Empire and Republic haven't made any claims on it."

   "Why?"

   "Useless, nothing but Volcanoes and lava pits. The areas where the ruins are though is desert. I suggest you avoid the lava pits as best as you can though."

   "Why did they reopen the project anyways?"

   Hermann closed his eyes. "There's a rumor circling around that the Empire found nearly 50 pods and stashed them in those ruins." He said sluggishly. "Now if its true or not, I can't answer that. The reason I'm sending you here is because that circle right there was an old Imperial Research Center."

   Van looked at the map harder, finding a safe path to take when he arrived at the barren lands. "How come we didn't know about this before?"

   "We don't think anyone in the Empire except a few officers ever knew about this, even Prozen might not have known let alone Rudolph."

   "Who's this?" Van asked pulling out the picture of an old man.

   "He was the head of the Empire's research team about 60 years ago. That's when we believe this thing was made."

   "Wouldn't the Empire have taken everything with the after they abandoned it, if they abandoned?"

   "That's what you're going to find out." Hermann took the folder and stood up. "It's a long ride there so I suggest you get started."

   "And you wanted me to take Sergeant Williams with me?"

   "It's good live training for her. Leave by tonight, Ill make sure you have clearance to pass the Imperial border."

   Van stood up and saluted. "Yes sir."

   Fiona looked at the pictures, sorting through them as O'Connell walked in. "Nothing again." She said disappointed.

   O'Connell sat down and picked up the pictures she set down on the table. "Seven months and we have nothing." He was also disappointed. "Could there be something we missed."

   Fiona shook her head. "No, we've gone through each area thoroughly twice." She closed her eyes, now regretting ever leaving Van.

   O'Connell broke the long silence. "Any idea where a Zoid like the Tiger came from?"

   Fiona woke from her daydream. "I don't know, it seemed familiar but at the same time it seemed like something I had never seen before."

   "Apparently it had a lot more firepower but decided to drop it all. Two Hybrid Cannons and a .210 Rail Gun. That thing would have been a lot tougher to beat then it was."

    Fiona nodded. "There's nothing else we can do here."

   "Ill get everything packed up tonight and we can leave tomorrow." O'Connell stood up and walked out.

   Fiona stood up as well, stretching her tight muscles loose as she walked outside, looking up at the stars in the sky. She missed Van, and hoped this would be worth the grief and sorrow of leaving him. But it wasn't, it was far from worth it and was ready to give up on her past. "Maybe I do know everything." Fiona said softly to herself, looking up at the clear night sky. "Maybe this is everything I ever knew." She didn't break a smile or show signs of joy, knowing she was lying to herself. All she wanted was to be with Van again. But looking around at the people around her, that wasn't an option right now. She had to help these people search for the truth about her lost race weather she wanted to or not. Fiona was obligated to this task, and no matter how much she loved Van she had to continue. Van, the thought of him tormented her mind and soul, the hardheaded boy with a good heart would always be in her heart no matter how hard she tried to push him out. Finally though. Fiona smiled as she remembered the boy's handsome face and how kind he always was to her even when she had been nothing but a burden to him. For the first time in Fiona's life, she only now understood that the only memories she wanted to remember were the ones with Van.

   "You all right?" Raven asked Alice as he extended his arm out, helping pick up the fallen girl.

   Alice smiled and took his arm, feeling Raven pull her up off of the muddy ground. "I will be when you stop running so fast, this is the third time Iv fallen." She smiled though, it was funny and she wouldn't deny that.

   "I'm sorry, Iv told you that already ten times." Raven turned and looked at Shadow. "Here, ride on Shadow." He listened to the Organoid growl some, obviously not wanting to carry anyone or anything, but Raven gave him a look that silenced him and his protests.

   Alice shook her head, even after they had been together this long she was still a little afraid of Shadow. "No, I'm fine Raven, really."

   Raven shook his head and picked her up, putting her on Shadow's back. He felt her struggle a bit but he won in the end. "Both of you complain to much." Raven put his hand on Shadow's head and stroked it gently. "Don't worry Shadow, I haven't forgotten you."

   They walked on for a few miles, not stopping and rarely talking. The three of them had done nothing but travel over the year, exploring the planet and what life it held. They did it though to be together, a few other reasons circled around in their minds but the main was to be with each other. Raven and forgotten about Zoids and fighting, he had forgotten about everything his old life harvested. But one thing still stuck in his mind and wasn't sure why and no matter how hard he tried to get it out of his system, it always stayed and haunted him.

   Emperor Revlon gently put the small glass of red wine in the air, toasting to a few men who he had invited to dinner. "A toast, to freedom, peace, and prosperity."

   "This time hopefully it will last." The new Prime Minister added as he sipped the wine. "Colonel Schubaltz, how are the Imperial Forces progressing these days. I have to say Iv been left in the dark on are military issues.

   Thomas smiled as he set his glass down. "Well I suppose."

   Emperor Revlon put his glass down as well, hid baldhead shone dimly under the room lighted only by candles. The gray hair rimmed around the sides of his head, running down and forming a small beard on his chin. He was a peaceful man, one who desired nothing except to keep what he had. He in a sense was much like Rudolph in an older body, both thought and acted nearly the exact same. "Do not worry Minister Pillion, the power of are military is the least of my concerns."

   Pillion was a much different man then the Emperor. He had served personally to Prozen when he had reigned Minister and had kept many of his ideas and devious ways. Though he, unlike Prozen, respected peace and took it as it came. He had a full set of dark gray hair and a small mustache of the exact same color. "As you wish Emperor." Pillion did not hate Revlon, though he knew Prozen would be at the mans throat.

   Revlon smiled and looked at his other two guests. "McMahon, I am humbled that you would accept my invitation. You have supported myself and Minister Pillion graciously, not to mention the entire Empire, and words cannot begin to express my gratitude."

   McMahon smiled. "It's an honor your highness." He turned over and looked at Moonbay, giving her a warm, soft smile.

   Moonbay smiled back at him, she was wearing a long white dress and diamond necklace, all bought for her by McMahon. He had found Moonbay at a small colony near the Imperial border only a month after Irvine had died and the Tiger destroyed. She was alone and flat broke so he decided to take care of her and the child she was going to have. It was only going to be temporary but Moonbay had fallen in love with him again. She hadn't forgotten about Irvine, how could she forget about the man she loved, the man who she was engaged to until that brutal night where every dream she ever had was shattered before her eyes. It was a gruesome thing to watch and it was one thing that could never leave her mind weather she wanted it to or not. Moonbay did have a child, a boy and decided to name him Dominick, it was a name she had been fond of, and it was her father's name.

   It was quiet the rest of the night, they ate their dinner and dessert slowly and talked about politics something no one at the table had much interest in. Even Revlon hated talking about politics but no one else was bringing any up. A few minutes later an officer walked in and came up to Emperor Revlon and whispered in his ear.

   Revlon looked at him, surprised at what he had said and nodded. "The Republic wants to explore the Atlas territory. There asking for permission to cross are borders."

   "Why would they want to explore Atlas?" Thomas asked.

   "They didn't say." Revlon folded his hands and thought a moment. "Why does something this simple seem so complicated."

   "They may plan on taking that territory over, it is neutral." Pillion said as he leaned over towards Revlon.

   "I don't think they'll start a war Prime Minister. Ill allow them to pass but I want Colonel Schubaltz here to accompany them." Revlon pointed his hands towards Thomas as he said his name, looking back at the officer he nodded.

   "Who are they sending?" Thomas asked as he stood up, stretching away the tightness in his body.

   "Um." Revlon tried to remember the name. "Commander Flyheight and Sergeant Williams."

   "Van!" Moonbay shouted, forgetting where she was. She looked around at the people staring at her. "Sorry." She said softly. Hiding her smile she looked over at McMahon and gave him a slight nod.

   McMahon gave a slight smirk and looked at Revlon. "Your highness I would also like to accompany Colonel Schubaltz, if neither of you object to it that is."

   Thomas shrugged his shoulders. "It's fine with me." He knew the reason McMahon had asked that request.

   "Very well, if that's what you want." Emperor Revlon stood up. "Well, it was a good evening my friends. Hopefully we can do it again sometime soon." He nodded his head and walked out, Pillion doing the same.

   Moonbay looked at McMahon and smiled. "Thanks." She turned and walked out onto a balcony, looking up at the stars and moons, smiling.

   Thomas looked at McMahon and shook his head, he had a few words on his mind but decided not to say any of them and walked out.

   McMahon walked out onto the balcony and put his arms around Moonbay. He looked up at the night sky with Moonbay, trying to find the right words. "I missed you all these years."

   Moonbay smiled. "I know."

   "I know you didn't miss me, but that's all right." McMahon said smiling back.

   Moonbay looked at him smile, which seemed to sparkle in her eyes. "What makes you think I didn't miss you?"

   "The ring on your finger, your child." It didn't bother McMahon any, he knew they hadn't been together for years and it was very doubtful they would ever see each other again. But that doubt was far away now, far from sight and mind and he wasn't going to risk all of it again. "Do you still love me like you used to?"

   Moonbay turned back to the sky, knowing the answer but refusing to say it. Why she didn't know, maybe she wasn't ready to give up Irvine or maybe she didn't want to risk losing another love to a brutal death. "What do you think?"

   "I think you can't stand being without me."

   Moonbay laughed. "Think what you want."

   "That's what you asked me do isn't it." McMahon turned her around slowly with his hands and looked into her black eyes. They weren't cold and evil black eyes, but warm and comforting. "Well am I right."

   Moonbay still laughed, but it was used to show her true affections to him. Moonbay had to admit to herself, she did love McMahon more then Irvine. At least she thought she did. It was confusing, and now had an idea on what Fiona was going through all that time ago with Van and Raven. Moonbay felt McMahon slowly kiss her neck and she put her arms around his waist, not fighting it any. But why would she, she was in a deep love with this man. She closed her eyes and felt as he released her slowly. Moonbay looked at him as she opened her eyes and looked at his short brown hair and handsome face. He had gotten in one of his many suits for the special occasion and looked very, very handsome in it.

   "Guess you don't need to answer if you don't want to."

   Moonbay knew he was joking around, he loved her and she loved him maybe even more.

   McMahon listened as the soft sounds of a waltz played in the palace room below. "Remember the last time we danced?"

   Moonbay nodded. "Almost six years ago I think."

   "Well." He slowly extended his hand out to her. "Care for another?"

   Moonbay smiled and felt him put his arm down on her waist as she took his hand. She felt as they glided around the marble floor. He could dance, better then anyone she ever knew. Moonbay rested her head on his chest as they slowed down.

   "Ill take care of you Moonbay, I promised you that years ago and I'm promising it now." McMahon kissed her hair. "Ill take care of you and Dominick."

   "Is that way of proposing?" Moonbay said just as soft as him.

   "Only if you want it to be."

   Moonbay let go of him, she wanted to be with him but was afraid of losing the only two people she ever loved. "Maybe sometime in are lives. But for now." She smiled at him, showing no hard feelings.

   McMahon smiled back. "Can we at least finish this dance?"

   Moonbay walked back up to him and wrapped her arm around his neck and clenched his hand with her free hand. "We can dance all night if you want."

   For the most part they did dance all night, danced until they heard the music stop then they went back to the mansion and stared up into the night sky, falling asleep underneath the stars, moons, and heavens.

Authors Notes: Holy shit I wrote a chapter with absolutely no darkness in it what so ever. It's a miracle (see how long that lasts though). Lets see, I brought the rarest person put in Zoids on FFN and am turning him into a major character. Lot of romance for a first chap and with physco boy dead I can change the tone of my writings. But there will be some very dark parts, I can promise that.