Great Dragon Bahamaut: Episode 1: Shining Zilant Force
ON: Higa Industrial Transport, Zilant Hanger
The Zilant team was on a Higa Industrial transport train, heading through the countryside of Morant towards the testing area ahead. The train is carrying the Zilant test squadron, and their MX-01 Zilants. The pilots and mechanic's are in the storage car, and technicians with paint are asking them questions about how they wanted their units painted.
Daisuke quickly responded with, "White. White with Red stripes. It's my lucky color."
Almost simultaneously, Masato assured his respective technician, "No, I'm not kidding. I really do want it orange."
"Aww, no fair, Boss! That's what I was going to have mine painted! Now I've got to come up with something different!" Ryoko jokingly complained while tapping her foot, thinking.
Techi simply stated her preference in a no-nonsense tone, "Solid Blue, don't ask why."
Tira was a bit more indecisive, having been beaten to the punch on several of her top choices. "Red... no, orange. Crap. Everyone is taking all the good colors."
"I suppose I can replace the White on mine with Gold." Daisuke shrugs, smiling softly.
Techi spoke up, "I don't like gold. Overused as hell."
With a smile, Ryoko reached over and slapped Daisuke on the back. "Good man! It's decided then!"
Masato chuckled at the interplay between the pilots.
Daisuke grinned, giving Ryoko a thumbs up. "Well, Techi, I was thinking you might like Pink instead."
Techi scowled at Daisuke as she flipped him off, "Fuck off."
Tira sighed, "You know, it doesn't even really matter to me." Tira pouts "Except pink," she quickly adds, glancing at Techi, "don't give me pink."
Daisuke waved his pointer finger at Techi. "Well, you don't want anyone knowin' about those model kits."
Techi shrieked, "YOU TOLD ME ALL ROOM SEARCHES WERE CONFIDENTAL!"
"Model kits? That brings back some memories," said Masato with a grin.
"Now now, let's not get too frisky," Ryoko says, walking over toward Techi, "It's not like anybody will hold that sort of thing against you." Then, she turned aside and snickered quietly.
Daisuke winked at Techi and grinned, "They are confidential. And really, having model kits of classic weaponry is nothing to be ashamed of."
Techi remained silent and fumed.
Masato took note of how effectively Daisuke set off Techi for future reference.
"Then it's decided! Pink with gold lining for Techi!" Ryoko exclaimed jubilantly.
Tira spoke up, "You know, make mine mostly white. That should be pretty good, right?"
Daisuke gulped. "That's not such a good idea, Ryoko. And that does sound like a good idea, Tira."
Techi glowered at Daisuke, "No problem. I'll just repaint it with your BLOOD!"
Tira started laughing. Ryoko joins in, laughing in her own clear voice.
Daisuke sighed, "Can we at least try not to kill each other until after training?"
Masato chuckled, struck by the absurdity of the situation.
Techi continued glowering, "I can't promise anything like that now..."
Daisuke pleaded with her, "Can you promise not to take it out on Ryoko or Tira?"
Masato interjected, "Hey! Better them then us, fearless leader."
Techi spoke over the interruption, "As I said, no promises."
Tira tossed in her own feelings on the matter, "Daiiisuke, I'd be watching my own tail if I were you."
"Don't worry, I'm fully trained in the Blind Swooping Crane style martial arts, I can take care of myself." Ryoko exclaimed while moving her arms in a bizarre parody of something from a kung fu movie.
Daisuke, clearly confused, barely managed to say, "Eh?"
Techi, on the other hand, had her own theory. "Are you drunk?"
"Whacha!" Ryoko exclaimed, launching a punch at Techi that had all the force of a 2 year old's fist.
Masato had his own pet theory. "Perhaps she's been hitting Daisuke's stash of hallucinogenics?"
Daisuke shot a weird look at Ryoko. He then turned back to Techi and spoke, "It could be worse. My brother could be trying to relieve his Akira Kamiya days." A technician ran up to Daisuke and engaged him in a quiet conversation.
"Well, it was more impressive last night while I was watching that movie," Ryoko laughed.
Techi shot an icy glare at Ryoko. "Hit me again and kiss that piss poor excuse for a fist goodbye!"
Tira chuckled, "Well, watching the movie was certainly easier than reading these operating manuals." She waved her copy around to illustrate. "Seriously, could they be any more confusing?"
Techi grimaced, "Yeah...Just looking at these things made me loose the will to read..."
Masato laughed, "Heh, try accounting. It made me lose the will to live."
Tira glances at Masato, "You were an accountant?"
Techi looked skeptically at the heavily muscled man, "You don't seem like the type to be one."
Masato smirked, used to the reaction, "I managed the supplies at a garage near where I got a degree. I'm a licensed public accountant, but it's...a long story."
Ryoko shakes her head, lifting her hand up to her brow. "Urgh, Accounting. Don't make me even think of all those numbers."
Masato burst into laughter, even more used to that reaction.
Daisuke cleared his throat. "The techs are about to start painting, and want us to leave. So, it's time for the mission briefing. You are all to meet me in the Galley in 10 minutes."
Techi threw down the thick instruction book. It hit the ground with a large thud.
"Yes sir, Captain!" Ryoko called, throwing a mock salute at Daisuke before turning and picking up Techi's instruction book. "It really wasn't THAT bad, was it?"
Daisuke eyed the book. "It's not that difficult to operate the Zilant's. I was one of the first test pilots. And Masato here is the second in command of the squad."
Techi raised her hand. "More importantly, when do we get our first day off? I want to spend my sign-up bonus!"
Daisuke spoke, "We get our day off soon. However, something worse then a training mission is in store for us. Anyway, I expect to see you all in the galley in 10 minutes." With that, Daisuke walked out of the hangar car.
Techi spat in disgust, "I don't like him."
Daisuke shouted back into the hanger, "I heard that!"
Techi shouted back at him, even louder, "I WANTED YOU TO!"
Daisuke shouted right back at her, clearly getting riled up, "Yeah! And that's why I hid your journal!"
Tira thought for a moment about Daisuke’s words, "'Worse than a training mission? What? Wait up!" Tira leaps up to follow Daisuke. "What what what?"
"Maa, maa, where's the fun in making such quick judgements?" Ryoko said, shrugging.
Techi smirked, "If you don't make quick choices in battle you are doomed to die."
Masato retorted, "The same if your choices are wrong, you know." Masato sighed, not quite sure how the squad would handle so many dynamic personalities in the same place.
Techi sighed and stared out the window, “Whatever.”
Hearing Masato sigh, Ryoko walked over to him and slung her arm around his shoulder, bringing her face close to his. "It's really not that bad, is it? Even though the inmates are running the asylum. By the way, since you're so good at math, can I count on you for some favors in the future?"
Masato chuckled weakly. "Ah...sure."
Daisuke didn't head right to the galley. He headed back towards his quarters to do some reading.
With a slight giggle, Ryoko let Masato go and danced out of the room, heading for the galley. Before leaving through the door, she gave a wave and smile to those remaining and then disappeared.
Tira gives up chasing Daisuke, and turns back to the others, pouting. Under her breath she mutters, "Geeze..."
Masato wiped a drop of sweat from his forehead and walked towards the galley as well, seeming a bit shaken. As he walked off, he mumbled to himself, "She’s not a neko...not a neko...no problems...not a neko..."
Techi boldly declared, "I need something to eat." Techi got up and walked towards the galley with a bored expression.
What looked like an older, female version of Daisuke, but without the dragon tattoos walked up behind Tira. "Um, excuse me ma’am, are you Tira Gambizam?"
Tira spun to face the woman. "Yes, that's me." She gives a very energetic salute.
The woman smiled warmly, "Yes. You see, my younger brother, Daisuke, isnt the best at talking to other people. Could you stick by him and help him through his trials as commander of your squad? Oh, right, I’m Mariko Higa."
Tira continued saluting, "Yes, ma'am! We all support our commander, ma'am!"
Mariko smiled at Tira. "Thank you. He's been under a lot of stress lately.' Mariko bowed, and then walked towards the front of the train.
SCENE CHANGE: Galley
Sitting at a table in the galley already, Ryoko sat and munched on a nutrient bar as she fiddled with a small device she had produced from her pocket.
Techi tried to use the vending machine, but it gives out stealing her credits before it can give out the food. “Piece of shit!” Techi violently kicked the vending machine.
"Connector A goes to port B... C to F... Damn! Should have bought Yamataian. Damn sub-standard Nepleslian construction" Ryoko sighs. Looking up, she sees Techi assaulting the vending machine. A smile on her face, she gets up and walks over. "Oooh, no, you shouldn't do it like that!"
A taller, older looking version of Daisuke smiled at Techi. His voice would sound familiar, like the voice of Akira Kamiya from Techi's favorite Anime. "That won't work."
Masato walked into the galley and moved towards the congregation at the machine.
Techi looked at the voice’s source. It did sound rather familiar…but first things first. “You’re right! I need more force!” Techi reached for a nearby blunt object.
"Stop! Stop! Stop! Didn't anyone tell you force doesn't solve all problems!" Ryoko exclaimed, grabbing Techi's hand.
Techi ignored Ryoko’s hand, “No, but it solves most of them!”
Masato stroked his chin, "Well, if you apply -enough- force..."
"Geez, you don't understand machines at all, do you, Techi?" Ryoko sighs.
Techi shouted back, “The damn machine at my 2 credits!”
Masato thinks for a minute about how to optimally retrieve the snack with minimum damage to the machine.
The man smiled. "I'm Kenichi Higa. You must be Techi, one of my younger brother's squadmates. He told me that you're a fan of Invincible GaoGernGer. I was the voice of Akira Kamiya, and..." Kenichi smiled. "That won't work. You have to hit it in the right place." Kenichi kicked the machine in the side, causing everything to spill out.
His musings cut short, Masato looks at the snacks and then Kenichi with a mixture of awe and horror. “That works too, I guess.”
Techi looks shocked, but doesn’t confirm the man’s assertions. Recovering her composure, she smirked as she grabbed the sandwich. “Hah, I don't watch kid shows. I know where thanks is due, so thanks for doing something I would have done anyways.” Techi’s composure was slipping and she was starting to look a bit clammy.
Kenichi smiled, shrugged, and walked off just as Daisuke entered from the other doorway. "Wait. Was that… Was that my Brother?"
Masato laughs, "So it would seem. Apparently Techi is a fan of his or something, Cap."
Techi stammered, “E-excuse me... I-I need the to use washroom...”
Daisuke sighed, and smacked his forehead with his palm. "He's here just to make things difficult."
Techi brushes Daisuke aside, accidentally brushing her "assets" alongside him.
Daisuke locked up for a second, almost passing out but staying alive. "What's wrong with Techi?"
Techi shouted out from the washroom, “NOTHING!”
Ryoko began laughing.
Masato shrugged, "No clue, she just started locking up or something after your brother mentioned he was a VA or something. Wasn't quite paying that close of attention, I'm afraid." Raising his voice, he called over to Techi, "That's about it, right?"
Techi comes back from out of the washroom, seeming as a load as been lifted from her shoulders
Daisuke sighed. "You okay Techi?"
Techi calmly replied, “Please keep your hands to yourself next time. I felt you getting a feel as I ran to the washroom.”
Daisuke protested, "I didn’t do anything!"
Tira heads to the Galley, spots the table the others are sitting at and walks over.
Techi shot Daisuke a look, “Sssssuuuurrrreeeee...”
Daisuke sighed, "Look, if that's what you want to believe, then fine."
Laughing even harder, Ryoko walked back to the table and sat down again. "Geez, you two are too cute."
Techi heads over to the table and sits down. Masato follows suit.
Techi shot a look at Ryoko, "I have no interest in men. Or women, for that matter.”
"Awww," Ryoko jokingly complained.
Tira laughs as she takes a seat, "It sounds like Ms. Valdez is only interested in machines."
Techi grimaced, “Fuck no. Just children shows and nothing more than that.”
Masato nodded, "Models and shows for children, eh?"
Daisuke grinned. "Sometime's it's good to indulge your inner child."
Techi smirked, "Considering that's all you are, Daisuke, I’m sure that’s something you don’t have a problem with.
"
Ryoko can only sit and laugh even louder. She was beginning to feel like a kid in a candy store. Masato leaned over to Ryoko, "No kidding about the inmates, eh?"
"And I wouldn't have it any other way," Ryoko laughed, nodding to Masato.
Tira was optimistic. "She'll grow up eventually."
Daisuke shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "Anyway, onto the Bri-" The train was suddenly wracked by explosions, near the front. It began slowing down, and more explosions took place, this time closer to the Zilant's.
Almost simultaneously, Tira and Techi dove under the table while Masato and Ryoko braced for further impacts. Daisuke fell on top of Tech, his head landing in her "Pillows". Not even noticing this, he stood up, his commander mentality on.
Masato wryly commented, "Don't look now, but I'd say we're under attack!"
Techi shouted at Masato, “NO SHIT!”
Tira threw in her two credits, "THANKS, Captain Obvious!”
Daisuke coolly commented on the situation, "It's The Rebels! Everyone, Suit Up! I'll meet you in the Hangar!” Daisuke ran off, heading towards the hangar.
Masato laughed as he followed Daisuke, "That's Executive Officer Obvious to you, Pilot!"
Tira climbs out from under the table, giving a clumsy salute to Masato, "Yes sir!" she says with a grin.
"Party time? Woo?" Ryoko chuckled, standing and following the officers.
Techi was quite confused and started shouting at the retreating commander, “REBELS? I THOUGHT THEY WERE WIPED OUT!” Getting no answer, she started following him and asked the next most relevant question. “WHERE ARE THE CHANGING ROOMS?”
Daisuke gave a clipped answer as he continued towards the hangar, "Follow Tira and Ryoko! They're near the Hangar."
Techi shouted at his back, “Got it!”
Tira burst into the locker room. "Shitshitshitshitshit," she just kept repeating to herself.
Jogging at a somewhat relaxed pace, Ryoko trots down the train's length towards the locker room, only being rocked a bit during the continuing explosions due to her good balance. Finally, she reached the locker room right after Tira. Masato quickly ran into the locker room right behind those two with Tira bringing up the rear. They all proceeded to find their respective lockers.
Techi opens her locker, her belongings getting rattled around by the shocks
"Oooh, come to watch?" Ryoko laughs, looking at Masato.
Techi looked at the pilot suit with disgust, “You've got be kidding...”
Masato wasted no time with the lock and simply kicked his locker open before commenting back to Ryoko, "There’s only one locker room. Budget constraints."
"Aaah, gotta love Unisex," Ryoko chuckled, opening her own locker room and pulling out her piloting suit. "Geez, whoever designed these things is a pervert with a capital P."
Tira looks at the uniform Techi is holding, "I don't know what's worse, the rebels or these."
Techi sighs, and quickly undresses showing her wrapped up bust. Techi shot another look at her suit, “The suits most likely.” Techi grabs the suit and puts it on
Masato quickly started to change into his pilot suit.
Techi grimaced, “Most likely our ‘heroic commander.’”
Tira nods, but is knocked off of her feet by the next blast. "Shit!" She scrambles back up and takes her uniform out of the locker. Masato finished changing only to be floored by the explosion as well.
Bracing herself against the lockers, Ryoko quickly changed and pulled the awkward suit on bit by bit. "Damn! Too many midnight snacks! This thing is tight as Techi!"
Techi quickly puts on the rest, and mumbles to herself very quietly, "These remind me of Final Breakers suits"
Daisuke ran into the Hangar, which was in pretty good condition. Luckily, the Rebels were horrible shots. Daisuke ran across the catwalk to his Zilant, the cockpit open, with a fresh coat of paint. He noticed that Techi's Zilant was Gold, Pink, and Blue. "She's going to be pissed. Anyway, Control, This is Zilant 1, Heading out!"
Masato shouted at the partially dressed girls, "Ah fuck! Let's get moving before they destroy the train!"
Techi added, “Come on! Hurry up damn it!”
Having trouble getting the suit on, Tira complained, "Not only are these things unisex, they seem to be unisize as well."
Masato and Techi rushed off to the hangar and entered their respective Zilants.
The Catwalk retracted from Daisuke's Machine as the Zilant powered up, the machine's visor flashing once before it started moving towards the Hangar catapult.
Slamming her discarded uniform into the locker, Ryoko trots out to the hanger room and begins to head to her Zilant, which she nodded approvingly at when she noticed it's white and red color scheme. She smoothly climed into the machine and started it up.
Tira finally manages to get her pilot suit on and chases after Ryoko.
Techi called out over the comm, “Zilant 4, ready!”
Technicians gave to okay for the catapult, launching Zilant 1 into the battle
Masato quickly ran what he remembered of the preflight checklist before calling out his status, "Zilant 2 is go!"
Techi goes through the list as she walks to the catapault. “Checklist complete!
"Zilant 3, good to go Boss!" Ryoko said, finishing her pre-flight prep.
Masato guided the orange Zilant to the catapult and waited for the techs to give the okay. Grinning, he shouted at nobody in particular, "Here I come, rebels!"
Speaking only to herself and her machine, Ryoko closes her eyes and mumbles a little prayer her father taught her quickly. "... and Victory goes to those with courage!" She finished, walking towards the catapult.
Jumping into her Zilant, Tira begins starting procedures. The cockpit closes up and she shouts enthusiastically, "Zilant 5, ready!"
Masato felt a burst of pressure as the catapult flung Zilant 2 from the train
Daisuke's machine landed next to the train tracks and Masato's machine landed a bit to the right of Daisuke's Zilant.
Techi gets on the catapult.
Techi opened a link to the techs, “Zilant 4 requesting to Launch!”
The technicians gave Techi the green. Techi flys out of the catapualt and lands 30M away from Daisuke.
"Aww, no fair Techi! Cutting in front of me!" Ryoko jokingly protested. Quickly, Ryoko sets her Zilant up on the catapult, not wanting to launch last. "Zilant 3, ready to go boys!" Ryoko was given the green. The force of the catapult slams into Ryoko's Zilant, launching it forward. It gracefully lands a short bit to Masato's right. "Now, let's show these persistant guys why discretion is the better part of valor."
SCENE CHANGE: Battlefield
Daisuke spoke, "Masato, I'm counting 12 Vertical tanks shelling us from that Ridge over there. I'm pretty sure there are a few normal tanks on the other side of the train, and maybe a few more Vt's."
Masato, entirely business at this point, responded, "Acknowledged. What's our formation?"
Daisuke thought for a scant moment, "... Tira, Ryoko, Masato, go take out those VT's. Techi, you're with me. We're going after the other VT Squadrons."
Techi quickly replied, “Roger!”
Masato opened a channel to his two wingmates, "Tira, Ryoko, you two are with me. Vt's and tanks should be on the opposite side, you have authorization for lethal force." Masato readied his coil rifle as Tira's Zilant prepared to launch.
"Gotcha bossman," Ryoko signals while readying her rifle.
Tira's Zilant gets into the catapult, "Roger!" she replies over the comm. "Zilant 5 is ready to launch!" Tira was given the green. "Heeeeeel Yeaaaaaaaaaah!" Tira cheers as she's flung towards the battlefield. The Zilant falters a second as it hits the ground. "Alright, let's go!"
"Lets go, Techi-san!" Daisuke's Zilant leaped over the train, to the right side of it, hoisting up its Coil rifle and scanning the areas for VT's. He found them. "Techi. Go down the train a bit, and jump out behind them. I count 12 VT's, and 5 tanks."
Techi shouted on the comm, “I see 4 tanks! Where is 5th!?” She fired a few bursts at the tanks, using the train as cover.
"Dead." Daisuke fired off a few short bursts from his Coil rifle, while speeding along the ground using his rollers. So far, he had taken out a tank, and three VT's
Techi stays next to the train, covering Daisuke. Techi complained, “Watch your ass damn it! I already took out two firing at you!”
08:15 Masato "Right! On three, we'll use a full burst of thrusters to hop the train. One…two…”
Tira and Ryoko both confirmed the plan.
Daisuke grinned, "Heh, Sorry Techi-san." Daisuke's eyes narrowed as he realized something was wrong. "Shit! Masato, Don't!"
Masato decisively spat out the last number, "Three!" As the words left his mouth, Masato received Daisuke's transmission.
Techi instantly hit the dirt upon hearing that.
Masato jabbed at the comm button, "Fuck, abort!”
"Able to leap a train in a single bound! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a Zilant!" Ryoko yells, about to jump the train. "Woah!" She exclaims, cutting her jump and nearly slamming into the train.
"SHIT!" Zilant 5 boosts into the air, Tira cursing the entire way. "Shitshitshit."
Masato cursed, "Shit! Cover 5!"
Techi screamed for no real reason.
A barrage of missiles barely missed Ryoko, Masato, and Tira. The Rebels had air support in the form of Fighters.
Tira hits the down thrusters and slams into the ground next to Ryoko.
Techi shifted her attention to covering Ryoko.
Using her thrusters to reach the top of the train, Ryoko takes careful air at the air support and drops a couple of them. "damn it, where the hell did those come from!" Ryoko calls, performing a cushioned fall from the train top and firing a few shots into the sky.
Masato, not to be out done, leveled his rifle at the lead fighter in the formation and squeezed off a three-round burst. The shells burst through the fighter's cockpit like a rocket through paper mache'.
Techi opened a line to Daisuke, “Do have permission to use our big guns!?”
Daisuke cursed, "Damn, Regroup, Regroup! Masato! You, Techi, And Ryoko have full permission to use the big guns on the air support. Me and Tira will finish off these VT's!"
Techi cackled with glee, “OH YEAH!”
Tira brings her rifle about and fires towards the VTs. "Eat this!"
Techi shouted manically, “CANNON DEPLOY! FIRE!!!!” A massive bolt burst forth from the shoulder cannon and cored a fighter like an apple.
Masato continued to pepper the skies with bursts from his rifle. Masato spoke to his wingmates, "Try and nail them when they break formation...now!" Masato scythed fire across the fighter squad, nailing one and causing the others to break formation.
Daisuke grinned and brought his Cannon and Rifle to bear upon the VT's on the ridge. "Target Locked on. DRAGON SHOOTA CANNNON!" Daisuke fired off a full clip of shots from both his Cannon and his rifle, before running out of ammo. Daisuke ejected the dead clips and turned towards the other group of VT's as the Vertical Tanks exploded.
Techi concentrates on keeping Daisuke covered, firing bursts from her rifle to suppress the enemy forces.
Still firing her Rifle, Ryoko turns her Zilant's head and uses her pulse lasers to shred a fighter that came too close.
Struck by absurdity, Masato paused. Masato shot Daisuke a weird look, "Did...the captain just use the Shota Cannon?"
"I think the boss has a thing for overkill, both on the field and in the uniform design department," Ryoko chuckled as she swapped a new clip into her coil rifle. Masato sighed as he followed suit.
Techi “KAISER BURST!!!“ Techi loses control of herself and nails on VT dead on that Daisuke overlooked*
Daisuke smiled evilly, now filled with a blood thirst, pulled out his Vibro Sword, and charged at the last group of VT's. "Techi-chan, cover me!"
Techi shot back, “Roger! Don't get on your seven or you'll be in my way!”
Tira's rifle fire blasts through one of the VTs. "Commander!" she shouts at Daisuke's charge. Techi peppers Daisuke's location while her cannon cools
Masato engaged the RS drones, sending them after one of the remaining fighters. Nailing a pair of incoming missiles with a few bursts from his rifle, he signaled the RSDs to fire the Hi-Range Laser Cannons. A pair of brilliant beams of light cored the fighter's cockpit and sent it spiraling down near the train.
"I Have to be a Good Role Model!" Daisuke threw the Vibro blade at high speeds, slicing through a VT and coming back to him. "VIBRO BOOMERANG!" Daisuke brought down the sword and lept up with the Zilant, bringin down the blade on to a different VT. "CHESTOUU!" Daisuke took aim with his Cannon, and headshoted another VT
Techi grimaced as an explosion rocked her Zilant, “No way these are rebels! They are too well armed!”
"We can discuss that after they're gone." Tira spoke as she tore through another VT with her rifle fire.
“Well, that's about it, isn't it?" Ryoko sighed as she watched the others charge do their thing. "Geez, must be youth." She makes her Zilant perform a mockup of a human's stretch.
One of the VT Pilots screamed as his mech exploded. "OUR GREAT EMPEROR FOREVER! BONZAI!"
Techi cursed, “Damn! Reloading!” Techi fires a cannon shot into another VT.
Daisuke stabbed through another VT, cutting through the cockpit. "I suppose this is an effective test of the Zilant's."
With calm movements, Ryoko fires a few more shots at the last remaining VT's, then launches a volley from each of her shin launchers, peppering two of the remaining VTs and reducing them to rubble. "Now these things are useful!" Ryoko exclaimed, impressed with her machines performance.
Masato grinned, "Alright Ryoko, let's mop these guys u-" Midsentence, a lucky shot from a VT nailed his Zilant's head. The mighty orange Zilant erupted with smoke and fire. Swearing, Masato’s now-headless Zilant dove off the top of the train and took cover.
A chorus of shocked cries from Tira and Techi greeted that sight.
With shock she saw Masato get hit. "Masato!" Ryoko yelled, temporarily panicked. With quick movements, Ryoko threw her Zilant in front of Masato's, covering him. "You okay back there, precious mathematics-able friend?" Ryoko called, firing at the last remaining enemies.
Techi, full of bloodlust, called out, “That guy is MINE!”
Tira and Daisuke simultaneously told her to "Go for it!" as she threw her rifle aside and got out her sword
Tira reloads her rifle and takes down a VT aiming at Techi while Techi jets towards the VT that downed Masato and flies into the air to avoid being hit.
Masato sighed, out of the fight but otherwise fine.
Techi screamed, ”DODGE THIS!“ As she slammed her knife full force into the VT, then jumped away before it could explode.
Daisuke laughed, "Heh, If Masako gets killed, who'se gonna do my paperwork?"
Realizing his comm transmission system had been destroyed in the blast, Masato’s Zilant gave a quick thumbs-up to Ryoko.
Techi commented, “Those models always did have an unstable core…Is Masako alright?”
"Masako?" Ryoko laughed uproariously. "He's fine." She called over the com system.
Techi sounded relieved, “Good.”
Daisuke sighed, his Zilant sitting on the ground. "Yeah. The Train's okay to. We'll be heading back to HQ now. And, sorry, but it seems my Parents want to hold a Gala in our honor. Sorry."
"Well, will there be booze at said Gala?" Ryoko asked, hopefully. "If so, then Higa Banzai!"
Techi walks over to the mech and looks over the tank. “Hey.” She grabbed hold of the tank cannon and tried to rip it off. Techi smirked, "These suits are no power armor, but they'll do"
Masato popped the hatch and looked over the damage to his Zilant. Masato sighed, "Balls. This can't be cheap to fix."
Tira wondered aloud, "Who the heck were those guys?"
Techi grunted, "I'd like to know as well." She finished ripping off the cannon barrel, but then decides to leave it alone. “Those were too well armed to be rebels.”
Daisuke sighed, "Rebels. These were Rebels, as far as I can tell. I'll ask my brother about it. Maybe they were another corporation?"
Tira looked a bit doubtful, "I thought I heard something about a 'Great Emperor,' that doesn't sound like a Corp Head to me."
"Guess you've never met too many Corp Heads then," Ryoko chuckled.
Daisuke thought for a moment, "The head of Izanagi corp fancies himself as some kind of god emperor."
Tira laughs.
SCENE CHANGE: Hangar
Masato left the hatch open as he maneuvered back to the Zilant hangar. He jumped out of the machine and walked over to a nearby handheld comm unit. Masato chuckled, "Whoever they were, they weren't that great. If all they can do is inconvenience a Zilant with those kinds of forces, I'm not impressed."
Daisuke opened a private line to Techi. "Sorry about being an ass to you." Daisuke smiled to himself as he manuevered his Zilant into the hangar.
Techi waved it off, "We were in battle. No biggie. Just watch your ass. I nailed 2 tanks and 3 VT's about to cap your ass"
"Well, we'll find out soon anyways. In the meantime, Booze!" Ryoko called out excitedly, returning to the hanger.
Daisuke grinned, "You are a good teammate to have."
Techi grinned back, "Thanks, but be more careful alright?" She looked back at the scrap.
Daisuke open's his Zilant's cockpit, and smiled. "See, We all make a good team."
Zilant 5 heads into the hanger, "These things handle a lot differently than I expected," Tira says over the comm.
"It's fun! And they're so cute too! I just want to take it apart!" Ryoko said, looking over her mech once more.
Techi opens fire and barely nicks Daisuke’s mech with her cannon.
Daisuke shrugged. "I figure I have to get hit sometime."
Techi spoke, "Missed one."
Tira laughs, "Next time, I want to fire the cannon."
Daisuke looks back behind himself to see a tank in camo with its top blown off.
Opening her cockpit, Ryoko climbed out slowly and rubbed her hand on the armor plating. A smile was on her face until she saw Techi fire. "Hey! I won't forgive you if you keep doing that, even if you are cute!"
Masato sighed, unable to see the tank. "That's Techi for you, Ryoko."
"Kids these days have no respect for machines, no respect at all," Ryoko sighed, shaking her head.
Techi was defensive, "That tank was going to fire at Dai!"
Daisuke was thankful, "Thank you, Techi. I need to speak to you alone. In my quarters." Daisuke grinned, and started walking out of the hanger.
Zilant 5's cockpit opens and Tira stands up, "Oooo. Sounds like Techi is getting a spanking." She laughs.
"Spankings are good, sounds fun" Ryoko laughs.
"Daiiiiisuke, sounds like Ryoko is good to get in on that action!" laughed Tira.
Techi gives her the finger while still in the mech
Masato whistled, "The man works fast."
Daisuke smiled, “Actually, My brother told me to give her something. It's from him."
Techi raises her mechs hand “I can give you a slap here!”
"Err, think I'll pass on that one, Techi, " Ryoko mumbled, retreating behind her Zilant.
Daisuke sighed, "Can you slap my brother for me?"
Techi glowered, "how about I kill him instead?"
Techi gets in her proper place and powers down her Zilant.
Daisuke smirked, "You can't kill my brother. He writes our paychecks, and gives us free booze."
Masato laughs, "True, free booze is free booze."
Tira climbs out of her mech and heads towards the lockers. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't wait to get out of this."
Techi spat, “He can keep the booze!” She exited her cockpit.
"Well, that settles it. No killing Daisuke's brother." Ryoko called, returning from behind her Zilant. "Only beatings. Beatings are fine."
Techi shot a look at Ryoko, "I don't make promises"
The pilots headed back to the awkwardly unisex changing room while Daisuke headed to his own room.
SCENE CHANGE: Locker Room
Tira sighed, "Kato, we're really going to have to find somewhere else for you to change."
"Nah, let the man live out his dreams!" Ryoko chuckled, patting Tira on the back as she walked up behind her.
Techi gets her suit off and breathed a massive sigh of relief. “That thing made it impossible to breath.”
"At least, until Techi catches him looking at her..." Ryoko added. Tira laughs, nodding.
Techi ignores them and puts her cloths on, other members noticing her wraps around her chest.
Masato turned around to comment on Ryoko's statement and caught an eyeful of Techi. Masato turned back around very fast. Realizing his life may very well be in the balance, he decided to play it cool. “I DID NOTHING!”
Daisuke appeared behind Masato, wearing his normal clothing, with a grin. "Sure you didn’t."
Techi was confused. “Wait, what?”
Ryoko snickered, and began taking off her pilot suit. "Ahhh, I'm alive!" She called, free of the binding material.
Masato coughed. "Ah, Cap...watch out for Techi."
Tira sighed, "Okay, I can accept Kato in here, but can we please keep the rest of the crew out?”
Masato grinned, "Didn't you guys hear? The pre-gala party is here! Now, where's that booze…?"
Feeling particularly free, Ryoko did a quick dance, forgetting the audience and her state of undress. After a second she caught herself, but only shrugged and went back to dressing.
Up in the Air ducts, Daisuke's older brother and Sister chuckled.
Techi pointed, “Daisuke, the suit is way too tight around my chest area.”
Daisuke grinned, "I guess it's because you have a beautiful chest."
Techi sinks her nails into Daisuke's face.
Daisuke's eyes opened wide in horror.
"Shit." Daisuke was out of there as fast as possible, his face bleeding a bit.
Masato thought he heard something from the vents, but writes it off as Techi begins her assault on the Captain.
Tira groans as she removes her pilot suit, "At least with Techi around, we can get dressed in peace over here, Ryoko."
Techi spoke all too calmly, “Yes run, it prolongs the hunt…” Techi calmly walks after him.
"It's a luxury. I should take her along with me next time I go downtown, she's a great decoy," Ryoko laughed.
Daisuke walked through the halls, cursing his brother.
Masato pulled his own suit off as he got back into his civilian clothes. He grinned, "That Daisuke sure is a wildcard."
Tira laughed, "He's very energetic."
"Well, I think they go well together. Like a cat and mouse." Ryoko chuckled.
Daisuke walked through the halls, waiting outside Techi's room with a case in his hands.
Tira pulls her shirt over her head, "Well, we should be fine as long as the cat doesn't eat the mouse."
Masato grinned, "Indeed. Well, I'm off to the Galley. See you two later." Masato walked out of the locker room, not particularly caring that his locker door was still looking like it was about to fall off from the earlier kick
Tira waves back, "See you in a bit."
Now fully dressed, Ryoko began walking towards the exit. "Aah, I'll come with you, Math-knowledgeable friend! Maybe we can find some of that free booze they were talking about as well." Ryoko called, following him.
Masato grinned, "Well, I can't very well turn an offer like that down."
Tira finishes getting dressed. "I wonder if my brother knew what kind of a person Daisuke is?" she muses to herself. She closes her locker and heads out to the Galley.
SCENE CHANGE: Techi’s Room
Techi is in her room busy reading over the blueprints of the Zilant, noting possible weapon options.
Daisuke knocks on Techi's door, case still in hand.
Techi, not looking up from the manual, called out, “It’s open.”
Daisuke opens the door slightly, smiling softly. He held the case behind his back. "I'm sorry about being a dick to you earlier."
Techi waved it off, “It was in battle, no biggie. But come in, I want to discuss the pilot suit.” Techi spins around in her chair to face Daisuke.
Daisuke looks a bit sheepish, "Sure. Just to let you know, I didn’t design it. My brother and sister did."
Techi sighed, "It's not the design that's the problem. It's that mine is way too tight. I had problems breathing. Can you get it so it doesn't have to be so tight?”
Daisuke noticed some bandages under Techi’s tanktop. "Sure. But why is it so tight? Hey, did you get hurt? What are those bandages for?"
Techi hesitates, “Oh...hurt. Right.”
Daisuke sighs. "You didnt get hurt did you. What did you lie about? I promise I won't tell anyone."
Techi is about to lie, then remembered she promised to as little lying as possible upon joining. “Um yea... I kinda lied about my...uh...you know...”
Daisuke paused, thinking. "Your Bust?... Sorry! I'm not trying to be a pervert!"
Techi nodded, “Yea, I said it was a high B...”
Daisuke pressed, “But?”
Techi gritted her teeth, “But due the a DAMN MIXUP…” She crushed the pop-can in her hand, “…they messed up the size when I transferred bodies.”
Daisuke raised an eyebrow, "They accidentally made your bust larger?"
Techi grimaced, “Larger than I wanted…”
Daisuke sighed. "Well, to be honest, I wouldn’t care how large or small your bust is. I think you're beautiful anyway."
Techi nodded, “Thank you, but I am here to work. Your brother did the uniforms so I should see him right? The suits are good, it's just I can't work in them. I don't want to run our of breath on the battlefield.”
Daisuke nodded, "Right. Oh, and I got this for you. I have like 2 of these, and since you're a fan of the show, I figured you would love it." Daisuke handed her the case. "It's a limited edition, extremely expensive, fully articulated Invincible GaoGernGer figure. It's kinda easy for me to get these, since my brother served as the voice of Akira Kamiya."
Techi flinches as Dai puts them on the desk, “W-who told you that lie?” Techi eyes cannot help to be drawn to the figure, but tries to force them on Dai
Daisuke smirked, "No-one told me. I just kinda figured it out myself. I'm a big fan as well. Oh, and you do some good voice over work. There is talk of making a sequel to Invincible GaoGernGer, and if you want a Part, I could get you an audition."
Techi is unable to contain herself, filled with both anger and excitement. “G-get o-out before I skin you alive...”
Daisuke looked confused, "Techi-chan, I'm sorry. I'm trying to apologize."
Techi's smile makes it impossible to tell if she smiling with evil thoughts or extremely happy
Techi shouted at him, “ON THREE! One! Two!” She grabbed a pen off of the desk.
Daisuke sighs, "Even if you kill me, there wouldn’t be any consequences for you. I would just say the rebels used acid on me or something."
Techi ignored his words, “THREE!” She hurled the pen at Daisuke.
Daisuke catches the Pen in his left hand. "You should really try harder if you want to kill me."
Techi head butts Daisuke’s chest hard.
Daisuke smiled. "Cmon,If you want to kill me, Kill me!"
Techi mumbles under her breath “Safeties off... Limiter released…”
Daisuke spoke softly, "Techi-chan…" Daisuke, against all common sense, softly hugged the women who was trying to kill him. "Techi, you don't want to kill me, do you?"
Techi suddenly shouted, “CODE! Schlagen Sie nieder!” Techi does a flurry of punches and nails Daisuke in the chest with a kick.
Daisuke laughs and is pushed back a bit. "Is that all? A few punches to the chest? I thought you said you were gonna kill me?"
Techi gritted her teeth, “THIS IS IT! DIE!
Daisuke stood perfectly still, smiling a little bit.
Techi uppercuts HARD from nowhere and hits Daisuke's chin, able to least cause whiplash.
Daisuke smiled as blood trickled from his mouth, holding back the pain. "You can hurt me, but you can't kill me! YOU CANT EVEN BRING YOURSELF TO SAY THANK YOU TO SOMEONE! NOR CAN YOU BRING YOURSELF TO KILL ME! WAS WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BATTELFIELD A FLUKE!?" Daisuke brought back his fist and punched Techi in the stomach.
Techi stumbles back a bit
Daisuke slapped Techi across the face.
Techi shouted at him, "I don't need to kill you! If I wasn't there to save you ass we'd be cleaning your innards out of your mech!
Daisuke glared at her, "For that, I'm grateful. And when I thank you, and apologize, you try to kill me!"
Techi spat at him, "Why the hell do I want these...these childrens toys!?”
Daisuke slapped Techi again. "Maybe you should stop with the fucking act!" Daisuke brought his hand back, and slapped her again.
Techi says very quietly, "I just don't want anyone to die..."
Daisuke hugged Techi. "No-one's gonna die. I promise."
Techi stays for a few seconds, then pushes him away.
Techi lied, “I said no such thing...”
Daisuke sighed, "Sure you didn’t."
Techi spoke, "Just tell your brother I want to meet with him." Techi wipes off her blood and goes into the washroom.
Daisuke replied, "Ah, so is it a crush on a childhood Hero? Or a Crush on his little brother?" Daisuke smiled and exited Techi's room, heading towards his own.
Techi mumbled partially in response, "A crush on no one."
END