Comics Index

Volume 5

Chapter 9: The Winds of Port Town

Moonbay, Zeke and Fiona look on as a big, burly face, with multiple markings and his hair back in braids, tells Van that his new clothes look nice. Apparently after their help rescuing Jadow's treasure, Moonbay took them home to their family. The man is her father, the chief of a Native American-esque tribe. The clothes used to be Jadow's and everyone is impressed with how they look on Van. They plan a big banquet, and Moonbay's father tells her to look after Van.

After the feast, the three take off again in the Gustav, with Caesar and Zeke riding on the trailer. While chatting, Moonbay tells them to get a view of Porto, a seaside town. They spy a giant dragonfly looking Zoid. It's called Wendeen, and it's a generator that uses wind to supply the city with electricity. The city is very busy with lots of people. It's independent and isn't tied to either the Republic or the Empire.

Moonbay plans to set up shop in town, and asks to borrow Zeke. She dresses the poor thing up like a clown, and Zeke is very unhappy. Van tells Zeke to stay with Moonbay while he and Fiona go investigate Zoid Eve, and the usually sympathetic Fiona just says, "Think of all the money you'll make!"

As Van and Fiona wander the streets, Van thinks he spies Raven, but accidentally runs into a girl with a shopping basket. He frantically helps her pick up the spilled groceries and mentions he's going to the library. She says she was heading that way and introduces herself as Rebecca. She leads them to the library.

Silently from atop a building, Raven observes the group.

At the library, they're told there's nothing on Zoid Eve. The librarian recommends they try out a bigger library within the Republic capital. Feeling a bit disappointed, the three walk away. Rebecca apologizes for not being any help, but decides to make up for it by introducing them to her brother who's been working far away, but is in town for a visit. They go to a town circle right around the base of Wendeen. Rebecca sees her brother, and tries to sneak up on him, but he easily avoids her. Standing up, the nicely dressed man... is Irvine! Van, Fiona and Irvine alike are surprised. Irvine drags them off away from his sister and tells them she doesn't know he's a bandit, and he'd like to keep it a secret from her.

Curious, Rebecca asks if they know each other, and Irvine says the two helped him out once. Rebecca is ecstatic, but her joy is cut short as a loud horn from the sea starts blowing. An aircraft carrier Zoid from the Empire pulls into port and starts unloading Zoids. Porto's forces go to confront the Imperial force, but an Iron Kong makes short work of them. The Kong's pilot introduces himself as Karl Lichen Schubaltz and explains he's not there to be aggressive, that they're just after a spy from the Republic. He asks the citizens to aid him in the investigation.

Enraged at Karl killing the Zoids, Van charges in on foot, and Caesar and Zeke come to join him. Zeke, however, is knocked out of the sky before it gets there. Raven and Shadow have Zeke pinned to the ground. Van tells Raven to stand down, that he doesn't want to fight Raven right now, but Raven asks Van if he really wants to fight there and then in general. Finally becoming aware of his surroundings, Van notices his friends and many townspeople who could be caught in the battle. Raven tells Van that he should instead help the Empire find the spy, or the Imperial forces might just take out their frustrations on Wendeen instead, just to test the power of some monstrous Zoid they brought.

Chapter 10: To Everyone's Satisfaction

Raven tells Van to hurry up and find the spy, because when the time comes he will kill Wendeen. Raven takes off, despite Van's protests. Van decides to retreat for the time being.

On the carrier ship, Raven meets with Karl. Karl asks Raven if the boy with the Shield Liger is a friend of his. Raven denies this and instead says that Van is his prey. Raven wants Van to make the event interesting, as he doesn't find any challenge in chopping up Wendeen.

In town, the army tells the citizens about the man they're looking for and that if he's not found by noon the next day, Wendeen will be destroyed. The citizens complain, but are told that if they refuse to cooperate, they'll be enemies of the Empire. As Moonbay and Fiona pick up shop, they notice Van just in time to catch someone run into him. It's the Republican spy! Two soldiers who were hot on his tail are closing in on him. They round the corner in time to Fiona, Van and Moonbay surrounding Zeke, who is adorned with a lovely ornamental rug. The soldiers ask what it is, and Moonbay says it's a decoration for her stall. She points them in the direction the man went running and the soldiers take off. Hidden behind the rug draped on Zeke is the spy.

Moonbay takes them and the spy to a warehouse where they can talk. The spy asks if they're with the Republic, but Van says they're not with any military or the city, he just knows how much the people of the city love Wendeen. When asked why he didn't just turn him in, Van says he doesn't want to let the Imperial army order him around, and he doesn't want Wendeen destroyed.

Under a tree, Van an Irvine are discussing a plan to fight the Imperial army. Irvine says it won't work, that the Imperial commander is a professional soldier, and his actions destroying the Zoids from Porto kept more people from being hurt. Van asks if the good commander would fight in a battle he can't win. He explains the spy is Colonel Herman, and if he can get beyond the city, he could call for a Republican backup, forcing the Imperial army to retreat.

A flashback shows Van and friends conversing with Herman. He discusses finding a terrible secret Zoid the Empire is developing called "D". When he pulls out a piece of "D", Fiona panics. The Zoid's heart is way too frightening for her. Irvine asks if Van thinks it's related to Zoids Eve and Fiona's memories. Van agrees. Irvine tosses him the keys for his Venomous Viper, Tornado, telling Van to take Herman out in that. He doesn't want Rebecca to see him getting involved. He explains that he and Rebecca are orphans; he's the only family she has and he wants to protect her. Van understands and heads off. No one notices Rebecca hiding in the shadows.

Back on the aircraft carrier, the man who had traveled with Raven before notes that Karl doesn't seem happy with his mission. He says that the mission to capture the spy is really an excuse to take the city, but Karl interrupts him, saying that as any good soldier, he does what the emperor and his commanders tell him, even at the risk of his own life, as his family has always done.

Elsewhere, Caesar breaks through one of the Imperial checkpoints, sending the soldiers into a frenzy. They run out to find the Zoid and destroy it. Meanwhile, Moonbay uses the distraction to take Herman out in Tornado. Van meanwhile stays busy with fighting the soldiers.

Back in town, Irvine looks for Rebecca. A shoe is tossed in front of him, and he recognizes it as his sister's. Unexpectedly, a gun fires from behind him.

Van's having trouble with the soldier's, but a voice interrupts the attack, explaining their strategy. A missile fires off from somewhere, hitting one of the enemy Zoids.

A flashback goes back to Irvine, as he turns to find the gun is a party toy, and that Rebecca pulled the trigger. Happy to have finally catch him by surprise, she says she's grown up, and she knows what he really is. She encourages him to do what satisfies him; that she can take care of herself.

Back in battle, the damaged Zoid goes down. The one who fired the missile is Irvine, who has come to help out, back in his bandit gear.