“Sisco.”

“You can’t get away from me that easily.” Jack said in that deep voice of his. “You’re MINE!!”

“Not if I can help it!” Orisha shouted back. She worked the controls furiously. ”Darn, can’t this thing go any faster?!” His Lightning Saix was gaining on her Stealth Wolf, and Orisha knew it would be a matter of seconds for him to catch up to her. She spotted an oasis ahead of her.

“There may be a chance for me, after all. If I hide in there long enough, I can probably time out the match. No win, but a tie is better than nothing.”

The ridge ahead had a gradually slope leading to the small forest, so her zoid was able to skip downward without any problem. The Lightning Saix was hot on her trail. Orisha drove into the forest, her Steath Wolf couldn’t cloak anymore on its own so she was hoping to use the trees as camouflage. Small animals were roused out of bushes and trees, running for their lives as the two heavily armored zoids stampeded through the wooden area. Orisha ran into a small clearing. Frantically, she looked behind and noticed that her persuader was…

“…Gone! But where?!”

She scanned the area but the only heat source given off were by the frighten animals living in the forest she and her friend had disturbed. The Stealth Wolf stood still while its terrified pilot contemplated what to do next. Orisha pulled at the metal ring of her collar as a tickle of sweat went down her neck. She felt uneasy as if she was being watched. A flock of birds flew out of the treetops, surprising her. But what surprised her even more was the sight of Jack’s Lightning Saix looming overhead, coming in for the kill.

“STRIKE! LASER! CLAW!”

“Oh, no! Not again!!” She screamed in horror as the Saix struck at her zoid, ripping off the shock cannon on top of it. Disabled, the Stealth Wolf collapsed on the ground as dangerous bolts of electrical discharge shot throught the air, its shock cannon laying just several yards away.

The brothers heard the siren go off, indicating the fight between Jack and Orisha was over. “Hmf. That only means one thing.” They didn’t have to hear the judge’s announcement of the victor to know who won. The small robotic figure stretched out it arms before making its final judgment.

“The battle is over…the battle is over. The winner is…the Lightning Team!”

“Ah, man!” said Zane. “That lousy bastard defeated her!”

Orixas signed to himself and put a reassuring hand on his younger brother’s shoulder. “Its our first lost. Its suppose to be harder when you make it to Class A. We can’t win every battle we have.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Zane sighed. “But I wonder how Orisha is taking it. This was her first battle, you know.”

Orixas couldn’t help but think that as well. “Mmm, good question.”

“Orisha, are you hurt?” Jack called out to her. He was hoping her communications link was not broken. Her hailing frequency was still open but he heard nothing.

“Orisha.” He called out to her again. Several moments passed and still, no answer from her. Her zoid laid deathly still on the forest floor.

“Orisha! Answer me!” The urgency could be heard in his voice. “Damnit! If she’s hurt ‘cause of me….” Fear and anxiety sweep through him like a cold wave of despair, as he feared the worst. Just when he was about to go over the edge, he heard her voice call out to him.

“Jack…I’m okay.”

A deep growl emitted from him. “Orisha! Don’t you ever scare me like that!” He was upset but relieved to know she was still alive. His voice soften, losing much of its rough edge. “Are you hurt?”

“No, just my pride.” She replied weakly, feeling embarrassed. She was seeing a side of him, he rarely show to others. “So you do care about me, huh?”

He smirked at her. “Let’s talk, face to face.” He told her. Orisha agreed with his suggestion.