Chapter 2 – The Search for a Team
The following morning, Jason started to think about what he said to Bit about joining a team when the time is right. “Maybe I should start or join a team. It will help me with rank, and team battle gets me more money.” After he was fully awake, Jason went to the computer and put up a bulletin on the ZBC main website. If anything this bulletin will help him find a couple of people to start up a team with.
“This is Jason Robinson, some of you know me as the Crimson Fang, and I feel it is time for me to get away from this solo life and start up or join a team. Reply to this telling me where and when you want to meet up. I am available at anytime past 1 p.m.”
With the bulletin up, Jason left the computer for the kitchen for breakfast. Walking past the hanger, like he always did on the way to the kitchen, he sees my freshly repaired Zaber Fang. Jason was up until 1 a.m. fixing the Shock Cannon that was damaged in the battle yesterday against Bit.
“I think things will start to pickup Zaber. If we find a good pair of teammates to join up with, we will be leaving this place. Doesn’t that excite you?” Jason asked the Zaber Fang. The Zaber’s green eyes lit up slightly, giving its approval of what I said. “Good, that is what I hoped.”
Jason continued on to the kitchen for a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon with toast, and headed back to his room to see if there were any replies to the bulletin yet. When he got to the computer, his eyes gawked at the number of people that replied. Over 25 people replied in the span of 30 minutes.
“I guess the news of me beating the Liger Zero spread fast because I often saw posts like ‘you just beat the Liger Zero didn’t you?! I would love to be on a team with you, you will make it so powerful!’ Needless to say, I avoided those kinds of posts.”
Jason continued to scroll when I got to one post. “Well, well, the Crimson Fang, pilot of the Red Zaber Fang. This is Kirkland, from the Fierce Zaber Fangs.” “Oh jeez, not these losers” Jason thought as he read the post. “Omari’s Zaber Fang is out of commission and we need someone to replace him, and quick! This is a critical battle because if we win we get up to Class A. Someone of your caliber will help us immensely. The battle is this afternoon at 3. Please let me know.”
Jason sits there, thinking. “The Fierce Zaber Fangs eh? Well, it is better than a few rookies and fanboys I guess. I just don’t want to be associated with a crap team.” Jason continued to thinking when he checked the time. “12:30 eh? I guess I can agree to help him and his team.” Jason thought as he found Kirkland’s number from the ZBC website.
Jason called Kirkland and told him that he agreed to help him, but he wanted to meet up with them at 1:30 at the bar in town. Kirkland agreed, without hesitation, and they hung up. With an hour to spare, Jason took a shower, got changed and ready to depart to town.
Jason got the bar a little early, so he ordered a drink to stay relaxed. He found a spot at a table by the window and began to gaze out the window when he noticed Kirkland, Omari, and Lineback arrived.
“Good, you guys made it in time. Punctuality is a great first impression.” Jason said to the trio.
“Glad to see you here too Crimson; glad you took us up on our offer.” Kirkland said with a bit of relief in his voice.
“Now exactly what happened to Omari’s Zaber Fang for ya’ll to need my help?”
“Well, last week we were in a battle against the Lightning Team, and their speed overwhelmed us. They took advantage of it to cause something similar to sonic booms to hit us as they passed. They took a pass at Omari and the leg joint on his Zaber broke. We just got the replacement today, but it will take time to replace it, and we have another battle today.” Kirkland said in anguish, and frustration.
“Who is this battle against?
“The Desert Wolves. They are partial to their Command Wolves. It should be easy to win, but we needed a 3rd member.”
“Okay, that is understandable. Where is the battle scheduled to take place?”
“Dragon Valley, just southeast of here.”
“Okay, that is all I needed to know. See you on the battlefield.”
“Hey! If that is all you needed, then why did you insist on meeting us here? We could’ve discussed this over the phone.”
“Well, I needed an excuse to come to the bar and get a drink.” Jason said with a good laugh. With that, they parted ways. Jason went back to this hanger and got prepared to head out to the battlefield. He went through his routine OS and Weapon checks. Everything was cleared to go.
“You ready for this Zaber? This is one of last times we will come back here. Let’s go!”
Jason and the Fierce Zaber Fangs got to the battlefield around the same time the Desert Wolves. The Desert Wolves were a trio ordinary Command Wolves, but the leader of the group added assistance boosters to this Command Wolf.
“Wow, the Crimson Fang. How did they manage to get you to join?” The leader asked.
“I will tell you, but first let me get your name.”
“The name is Marcus Deter. I am the leader of the Desert Wolves.”
“Well, Marcus, I joined up with them because I am ending my solo career and looking for a team to join. This is nothing permanent as of yet, but if it works out with them I may stay.”
“That is good to know. I have been wondering how the great Crimson Fang would fare in team competition.”
“We are about to find out now aren’t we?” Jason replied with some sarcasm in his voice.
The judge hits the ground causing dust and debris to fly everywhere.
“The area in a 20 mile radius is a designated Zoid battlefield. All others must leave the area. I repeat all others must leave the area. Area scanned, battlefield set up, The Fierce Zaber Fangs versus the Desert Wolves. Battle mode 0982. Readyyy…FIGHT!”
With the judge giving them the go, the combatants split. Kirkland and Lineback head towards the other two Desert Wolves and begin battle. Jason heads towards them for support fire when he is cut off by Marcus.
“Me and you, right here.” Marcus said with determination in his voice.
“You want to face me in 1-on-1 combat knowing how capable I am in the aspect?”
“Yes, I want to see how I compare with the best in the world”
“That is good for you, forever improving, but I hope you can keep up man.” Jason said as he pushed forward with his Zaber.
“OK, Here I come!” Marcus exclaimed as he pushed his Command Wolf forward with boosters flaring.
The Command Wolf begins to fire his long range cannon at the Zaber Fang, but was dodged effortlessly by Jason has he hit the Command Wolf with a strike of its claws. The Command Wolf hits the ground and Marcus thrashes about in his cockpit. Jason followed up the assault with a shot from his Shock Cannon and another strike from the Zaber's claws. Jason kept moving in such a way that it looks like he is stalking his prey. Much like tigers do when they stalk prey in the wild.
When Marcus gets back to his feet, he hits Jason with a few rounds from his Cannon, and catches Jason off guard with a melee attack from his Wolf’s claws.
"Heh, good shot Marcus." Jason said picking his Zoid off the ground.
"Looks like I am not that bad eh Crimson?" Marcus said with a some confidence.
"Oh, the battle is still young. You haven't seen my best yet." Jason said as the boosters on his Zaber begin to flare.
===============================================================================
Kirkland and Lineback were having one hell of a time fighting off the other two Command Wolves. They maneuvered in such a way that Kirkland and Lineback couldn’t keep up. The two Wolves weaved in and out and fired with their Rifles repeatedly at the two unsuspecting Zaber Fangs.
“God, we can’t keep up Lineback!” Kirkland yelled.
“I know this! I am on the receiving end of this assault too.”
The Command Wolves continued to charge the Zaber Fangs with hot pursuit as the Zabers tried to retreat to safer grounds.
“Where should we go?!” Lineback exclaimed in terror.
“Uh…uh…There!” Kirkland said as he found an opening in the valley for them to run through.
“Ok, I will play your little game, but you two aren’t getting away that easily!” The pilot of the Command Wolf stated.
“Beat your ass we are!” Kirkland quickly retorted.
The two scared members of the Fierce Zaber Fangs continue to run ‘with their tails between their legs’ until they got the caught in a corner of the valley. They came to a skidding halt and turned around to face the charging Command Wolves.
“Did you forget we were in a valley you fool? If you don’t know your way around you are bound to lost and reach a dead end. Anybody with common sense knows that.” The Command Wolf pilot said.
“Yea…kind of did hehe…” Kirkland said nervously.
“Well, this is the end of the road for you two twits!” The pilot of the Command Wolf said as he charged the Zaber Fangs with his partner. They made short work of the Fierce Zaber Fangs with a combination of claws and gun fire.
“The names are Axel and Robert, be sure to remember it.”
They felt a good sense of achievement when they realized that Marcus was alone with Jason.
“Hurry, Marcus can’t handle the Crimson Fang on his own.” The two hustled back as fast as they could back through the valley the two Zaber Fangs led them through.
===============================================================================
Marcus and his Command Wolf were in rough shape, and Jason has barely sustained any damage in his Zaber Fang.
“Gosh, you are as good as your reputation says you are. No wonder you were able to beat the Liger Zero.” Marcus said as he staggered his Command Wolf back to his feet. “I expected no less from you.”
“That is good to know, but now it is time for me to finish you off so this battle will end. Hopefully Kirkland and Lineback finished off your two companions.” Jason said as he pushed the throttles forward and his Zaber Fang charged, Beam Cannon ready to fire.
“Don’t think so…” Axel said as he fired his Rifle at Jason and hit the leg.
“Argh, dammit. Looks like the Fierce Zaber Fangs are still garbage as ever.” Jason said as he stood his Zaber Fang back up. The trio of Command Wolves surrounded Jason in a triangle formation. His only way out was to blast his way through.
“So Crimson, we have you surrounded, what do you have to say about that?” Marcus said.
“What do I have to say about that eh?” Jason said as he tightened his grip around the throttles. “Sigh…I forfeit. I am not going to risk my Zaber Fang for this crackpot team.”
“I respect your decision.”
“The battle is over, the battle is over. The winner is…The Desert Wolves!” The judge says as he raised his hand to show the victory to the Desert Wolves.
“Alright Crimson, I can see you aren’t going to stay with the Zabers, good luck finding a team that fits your standards. I hope to see you again when you find that certain team.” Marcus said as him, Axel, and Robert all left the battlefield.
Jason turns off the combat system and turns around and begins to walk out of the valley, when a shot grazed in front of him. Jason turns around to see it is Kirkland and Lineback back from their encounter with Axel and Robert.
“Where the hell do you think you are going?” Kirkland said huffing.
“I am leaving, you guys are garbage. I refuse to be part of a losing team with no hope of winning.” Jason said out of frustration.
“Oh really? You aren’t leaving here unless you can disable us. You didn’t even put a fight against those guys. You know how important this battle was for us.”
“If it was so damn important, you wouldn’t have run away from your enemy like a couple of scared little kids.” Jason retorted back to Kirkland, and Kirkland kept quiet for a bit.
“Still, you have to get past me and Lineback here.” Kirkland said in a smug way.
“Don’t forget me!”
“Omari?!”
“Yup, I got the joint on my Zaber’s leg fix and now you have three Zabers to take care of Crimson…can you handle us?”
“We will just have to see won’t we?”
Jason reactivates his combat system, and the eyes of his Zaber Fang glow a vibrant green.
“Prepare yourself…”
The following morning, Jason started to think about what he said to Bit about joining a team when the time is right. “Maybe I should start or join a team. It will help me with rank, and team battle gets me more money.” After he was fully awake, Jason went to the computer and put up a bulletin on the ZBC main website. If anything this bulletin will help him find a couple of people to start up a team with.
“This is Jason Robinson, some of you know me as the Crimson Fang, and I feel it is time for me to get away from this solo life and start up or join a team. Reply to this telling me where and when you want to meet up. I am available at anytime past 1 p.m.”
With the bulletin up, Jason left the computer for the kitchen for breakfast. Walking past the hanger, like he always did on the way to the kitchen, he sees my freshly repaired Zaber Fang. Jason was up until 1 a.m. fixing the Shock Cannon that was damaged in the battle yesterday against Bit.
“I think things will start to pickup Zaber. If we find a good pair of teammates to join up with, we will be leaving this place. Doesn’t that excite you?” Jason asked the Zaber Fang. The Zaber’s green eyes lit up slightly, giving its approval of what I said. “Good, that is what I hoped.”
Jason continued on to the kitchen for a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon with toast, and headed back to his room to see if there were any replies to the bulletin yet. When he got to the computer, his eyes gawked at the number of people that replied. Over 25 people replied in the span of 30 minutes.
“I guess the news of me beating the Liger Zero spread fast because I often saw posts like ‘you just beat the Liger Zero didn’t you?! I would love to be on a team with you, you will make it so powerful!’ Needless to say, I avoided those kinds of posts.”
Jason continued to scroll when I got to one post. “Well, well, the Crimson Fang, pilot of the Red Zaber Fang. This is Kirkland, from the Fierce Zaber Fangs.” “Oh jeez, not these losers” Jason thought as he read the post. “Omari’s Zaber Fang is out of commission and we need someone to replace him, and quick! This is a critical battle because if we win we get up to Class A. Someone of your caliber will help us immensely. The battle is this afternoon at 3. Please let me know.”
Jason sits there, thinking. “The Fierce Zaber Fangs eh? Well, it is better than a few rookies and fanboys I guess. I just don’t want to be associated with a crap team.” Jason continued to thinking when he checked the time. “12:30 eh? I guess I can agree to help him and his team.” Jason thought as he found Kirkland’s number from the ZBC website.
Jason called Kirkland and told him that he agreed to help him, but he wanted to meet up with them at 1:30 at the bar in town. Kirkland agreed, without hesitation, and they hung up. With an hour to spare, Jason took a shower, got changed and ready to depart to town.
Jason got the bar a little early, so he ordered a drink to stay relaxed. He found a spot at a table by the window and began to gaze out the window when he noticed Kirkland, Omari, and Lineback arrived.
“Good, you guys made it in time. Punctuality is a great first impression.” Jason said to the trio.
“Glad to see you here too Crimson; glad you took us up on our offer.” Kirkland said with a bit of relief in his voice.
“Now exactly what happened to Omari’s Zaber Fang for ya’ll to need my help?”
“Well, last week we were in a battle against the Lightning Team, and their speed overwhelmed us. They took advantage of it to cause something similar to sonic booms to hit us as they passed. They took a pass at Omari and the leg joint on his Zaber broke. We just got the replacement today, but it will take time to replace it, and we have another battle today.” Kirkland said in anguish, and frustration.
“Who is this battle against?
“The Desert Wolves. They are partial to their Command Wolves. It should be easy to win, but we needed a 3rd member.”
“Okay, that is understandable. Where is the battle scheduled to take place?”
“Dragon Valley, just southeast of here.”
“Okay, that is all I needed to know. See you on the battlefield.”
“Hey! If that is all you needed, then why did you insist on meeting us here? We could’ve discussed this over the phone.”
“Well, I needed an excuse to come to the bar and get a drink.” Jason said with a good laugh. With that, they parted ways. Jason went back to this hanger and got prepared to head out to the battlefield. He went through his routine OS and Weapon checks. Everything was cleared to go.
“You ready for this Zaber? This is one of last times we will come back here. Let’s go!”
Jason and the Fierce Zaber Fangs got to the battlefield around the same time the Desert Wolves. The Desert Wolves were a trio ordinary Command Wolves, but the leader of the group added assistance boosters to this Command Wolf.
“Wow, the Crimson Fang. How did they manage to get you to join?” The leader asked.
“I will tell you, but first let me get your name.”
“The name is Marcus Deter. I am the leader of the Desert Wolves.”
“Well, Marcus, I joined up with them because I am ending my solo career and looking for a team to join. This is nothing permanent as of yet, but if it works out with them I may stay.”
“That is good to know. I have been wondering how the great Crimson Fang would fare in team competition.”
“We are about to find out now aren’t we?” Jason replied with some sarcasm in his voice.
The judge hits the ground causing dust and debris to fly everywhere.
“The area in a 20 mile radius is a designated Zoid battlefield. All others must leave the area. I repeat all others must leave the area. Area scanned, battlefield set up, The Fierce Zaber Fangs versus the Desert Wolves. Battle mode 0982. Readyyy…FIGHT!”
With the judge giving them the go, the combatants split. Kirkland and Lineback head towards the other two Desert Wolves and begin battle. Jason heads towards them for support fire when he is cut off by Marcus.
“Me and you, right here.” Marcus said with determination in his voice.
“You want to face me in 1-on-1 combat knowing how capable I am in the aspect?”
“Yes, I want to see how I compare with the best in the world”
“That is good for you, forever improving, but I hope you can keep up man.” Jason said as he pushed forward with his Zaber.
“OK, Here I come!” Marcus exclaimed as he pushed his Command Wolf forward with boosters flaring.
The Command Wolf begins to fire his long range cannon at the Zaber Fang, but was dodged effortlessly by Jason has he hit the Command Wolf with a strike of its claws. The Command Wolf hits the ground and Marcus thrashes about in his cockpit. Jason followed up the assault with a shot from his Shock Cannon and another strike from the Zaber's claws. Jason kept moving in such a way that it looks like he is stalking his prey. Much like tigers do when they stalk prey in the wild.
When Marcus gets back to his feet, he hits Jason with a few rounds from his Cannon, and catches Jason off guard with a melee attack from his Wolf’s claws.
"Heh, good shot Marcus." Jason said picking his Zoid off the ground.
"Looks like I am not that bad eh Crimson?" Marcus said with a some confidence.
"Oh, the battle is still young. You haven't seen my best yet." Jason said as the boosters on his Zaber begin to flare.
===============================================================================
Kirkland and Lineback were having one hell of a time fighting off the other two Command Wolves. They maneuvered in such a way that Kirkland and Lineback couldn’t keep up. The two Wolves weaved in and out and fired with their Rifles repeatedly at the two unsuspecting Zaber Fangs.
“God, we can’t keep up Lineback!” Kirkland yelled.
“I know this! I am on the receiving end of this assault too.”
The Command Wolves continued to charge the Zaber Fangs with hot pursuit as the Zabers tried to retreat to safer grounds.
“Where should we go?!” Lineback exclaimed in terror.
“Uh…uh…There!” Kirkland said as he found an opening in the valley for them to run through.
“Ok, I will play your little game, but you two aren’t getting away that easily!” The pilot of the Command Wolf stated.
“Beat your ass we are!” Kirkland quickly retorted.
The two scared members of the Fierce Zaber Fangs continue to run ‘with their tails between their legs’ until they got the caught in a corner of the valley. They came to a skidding halt and turned around to face the charging Command Wolves.
“Did you forget we were in a valley you fool? If you don’t know your way around you are bound to lost and reach a dead end. Anybody with common sense knows that.” The Command Wolf pilot said.
“Yea…kind of did hehe…” Kirkland said nervously.
“Well, this is the end of the road for you two twits!” The pilot of the Command Wolf said as he charged the Zaber Fangs with his partner. They made short work of the Fierce Zaber Fangs with a combination of claws and gun fire.
“The names are Axel and Robert, be sure to remember it.”
They felt a good sense of achievement when they realized that Marcus was alone with Jason.
“Hurry, Marcus can’t handle the Crimson Fang on his own.” The two hustled back as fast as they could back through the valley the two Zaber Fangs led them through.
===============================================================================
Marcus and his Command Wolf were in rough shape, and Jason has barely sustained any damage in his Zaber Fang.
“Gosh, you are as good as your reputation says you are. No wonder you were able to beat the Liger Zero.” Marcus said as he staggered his Command Wolf back to his feet. “I expected no less from you.”
“That is good to know, but now it is time for me to finish you off so this battle will end. Hopefully Kirkland and Lineback finished off your two companions.” Jason said as he pushed the throttles forward and his Zaber Fang charged, Beam Cannon ready to fire.
“Don’t think so…” Axel said as he fired his Rifle at Jason and hit the leg.
“Argh, dammit. Looks like the Fierce Zaber Fangs are still garbage as ever.” Jason said as he stood his Zaber Fang back up. The trio of Command Wolves surrounded Jason in a triangle formation. His only way out was to blast his way through.
“So Crimson, we have you surrounded, what do you have to say about that?” Marcus said.
“What do I have to say about that eh?” Jason said as he tightened his grip around the throttles. “Sigh…I forfeit. I am not going to risk my Zaber Fang for this crackpot team.”
“I respect your decision.”
“The battle is over, the battle is over. The winner is…The Desert Wolves!” The judge says as he raised his hand to show the victory to the Desert Wolves.
“Alright Crimson, I can see you aren’t going to stay with the Zabers, good luck finding a team that fits your standards. I hope to see you again when you find that certain team.” Marcus said as him, Axel, and Robert all left the battlefield.
Jason turns off the combat system and turns around and begins to walk out of the valley, when a shot grazed in front of him. Jason turns around to see it is Kirkland and Lineback back from their encounter with Axel and Robert.
“Where the hell do you think you are going?” Kirkland said huffing.
“I am leaving, you guys are garbage. I refuse to be part of a losing team with no hope of winning.” Jason said out of frustration.
“Oh really? You aren’t leaving here unless you can disable us. You didn’t even put a fight against those guys. You know how important this battle was for us.”
“If it was so damn important, you wouldn’t have run away from your enemy like a couple of scared little kids.” Jason retorted back to Kirkland, and Kirkland kept quiet for a bit.
“Still, you have to get past me and Lineback here.” Kirkland said in a smug way.
“Don’t forget me!”
“Omari?!”
“Yup, I got the joint on my Zaber’s leg fix and now you have three Zabers to take care of Crimson…can you handle us?”
“We will just have to see won’t we?”
Jason reactivates his combat system, and the eyes of his Zaber Fang glow a vibrant green.
“Prepare yourself…”
<img src='http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/1111/crimson2uo9.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'><br><i><b><span style='color:#CC0000'>"The deeper the fire, the hotter it burns, and the hotter it burns, the more you feel it" ~Unknown</span></b></i><br><br><b><u><span style='color
ed'>Crimson's ACs</span></u></b> *Click Link to view<br><b><a href='http://ravenrepublic.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=396' target='_blank'><u><span style='colored'>Tempest</span></u></a></b><br><b><a href='http://ravenrepublic.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=414' target='_blank'><u><span style='color:purple'>Alpha Omega</span></u></a></b><br><b><a href='http://ravenrepublic.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=419' target='_blank'><u><span style='color:orange'>Shrapnel</span></u></a></b>
ed'>Crimson's ACs</span></u></b> *Click Link to view<br><b><a href='http://ravenrepublic.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=396' target='_blank'><u><span style='colored'>Tempest</span></u></a></b><br><b><a href='http://ravenrepublic.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=414' target='_blank'><u><span style='color:purple'>Alpha Omega</span></u></a></b><br><b><a href='http://ravenrepublic.cjb.net/index.php?showtopic=419' target='_blank'><u><span style='color:orange'>Shrapnel</span></u></a></b>
