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Only silence would greet the desperate call, though something in the shadows seemed to stir at the call. It was roughly the same size as the Command Wolf--but the eyes that flashed forward out of the darkness were anything but. A low, challenging rumble built in the metal chest of the hidden adversary, soon blasting forth in a full-on battle cry.

Whatever it was, it pulled back into the darkness--and the ruined Command Wolf could clearly be seen. Its head had been cleanly severed from its body, sparking and crackling from the damage. With the cockpit still tightly clamped shut, it was impossible to tell if Raze was all right, or even alive at all. A heavy scrape of savage claws, and another undulating sound of threat... The unknown enemy was beginning to circle closer and Blade might catch the sight of those glinting eyes again to his left before they sank back into the darkness once more.

For a moment, it seemed as though Blade's calls would again be futile. Without warning, the dismembered head of the Wolf gave a small and tired shudder as the cockpit made to crack open. The pilot was still strapped inside, bruised, bloody, and looking more than a little dazed. He looked half-conscious, rolling eyes eventually managing to land on the still-functional Zoid of his partner before he gave his head a violent shake. "D-Damn fool... Get out of here! The mission..."

If they both died in here, there was no way the Boss would ever know what happened. He struggled weakly against the safety harness, but he could lift his arms to unbuckle them. "Don't worry about me." Raze wheezed softly, seeming to choke on his own breath. "Just get going... before--"

The interior of the Hover Cargo unexpectedly flooded red, and sirens shrieked an alarm to signal that an intruder was on board. The rogue notably winced, shouting something furiously at the other pilot, but his voice was swept away by the din. In the chaos, it seemed as though the attacker had vanished, or was carefully concealing itself; there was no sign of it. Any second, and the Zoids from outside would begin to flood in from the opened ramp. Blade would virtually be trapped inside.

Ratta-tatta-tatta-tatta--

Bullets sprayed at the fleeing heels of the Wolf, pounding against the steel flooring of the Hover Cargo. A few might have ricocheted off into the Zoid, but it would manage to escape virtually unscathed. But the hidden Zoid wasn't ready to just let Blade escape--the sound of something heavy hit the floor before the undeniable sound of thumping feet roared only seconds behind the fleeing other.

As soon as Blade would pass through the ramp, metal shrieked as the other screeched to a halt. It would not leave the transport, whatever it was--and were Blade to look, he might catch a glimpse of something decidedly azure and feline before it disappeared. Likely to deal with Raze and his destroyed partner...

Rev Raptors screamed a challenge as they raced to catch up with the Command Wolf, short but wicked blades extended. They'd veer in close to try and gouge him if they could, while the stumpy Molgas inched determinedly. They couldn't fire their missiles at such short range--not without wounding their own kind.

And somewhere in the Hover Cargo, a roar split forth amidst the chaos...

Whether or not Blade's volley of bullets had manage to hit anything or not was unknown--nothing made to surface from the shadows as the Raptors closed in. A strangled squawk emerged as one of the beasts went down hard after taking a direct hit. Another jolted as its shoulder plating was blasted up, sparks crackling as its system began to freeze from the damage.

The Molgas slithered closer, their legs pinioning furiously across the scorching sands as they opened fire with smaller, weaker gunfire. There were roughly three Raptors left among the slew of insect-type Zoids--if Blade was careful, he might be able to fight his way out.

Two of the dinosaurs banked, attempting to circle around the Command Wolf while one firmly planted its feet in front and screeched defiantly. Undoubtedly they would try to cut him from the sides, and if he turned, the lead raptor would be there to pounce.

((My apologies on how belated this is. x__X))

Chck-chck--

The raptors seemed to halt a little uneasily as the Wolf leapt forward, but it was the sound of claws against metal that had caused their sudden wariness rather than the zoid's attack. Not that they had any reason to be wary. Reptilian heads twisted slowly as the pilots began to communicate before they sprang back, a path for escape now wide open. Snarls and hisses flying from gaping maws, the Zoids began to charge at Blade's heels, never attacking, but harrying his heels. Almost like they were trying to drive him out of the area, and quickly. Another roar boomed from deep inside the Hover Cargo, this one of sheer triumph. Whatever had attacked Raze was apparently satisfied, and was fully prepared to come after the other meddling rogue.

That is, if he didn't take an obvious opportunity when it was given to him.

It was up to Blade now to report back to the one who'd hired him, seeing as his companion wouldn't be there to do the honors. The raptors paused after they were sure he was fleeing, opening their mouths and hissing defiantly. Not that they'd been very successful in battling the single Wolf, but that was another story.

Almost surly now, the enemy zoids withdrew into the shadow of the Hover Cargo, guarding it fiercely now that the intruder had been driven off. Not that they were much help, but whatever that thing inside had been...

As Blade would approach the rogue camp, a battered looking Shield Liger would stand its ground, apparently the lookout of sorts for their return. "Where's Raze?" The pilot demanded, a girl in her mid-teens. She was trying to sound tough, but her voice threatened to quiver a little. Obviously the other pilot had been important to her.

The young face would recoil in shock from the news, a few strands of light brown hair spilling from the bandanna she'd so carefully wound about her head. An ambush... She didn't need to hear anymore, knew instinctively what that'd meant. Any raid could be dangerous, but... She ducked her head a little, teeth gritting together to suppress the wave of emotion that threatened to break her. It wasn't this guy's fault, not at all, but if there was any way to have him and Raze trade places, she'd have done it in a heartbeat.

"The boss is waiting for you." She managed to choke out and cut the connection, refusing to let herself look weak in front of anyone. The liger would slowly shift out of the way, giving Blade full access to the rogue camp. The boss would be waiting at the furthest end of the camp, chewing on a piece of stale bread while staring musingly at the makeshift fire they'd made for boiling water. His Zoid loomed silently nearby, a powerful and well-cared for Dibison.

He was a big man, scruffy and tanned, his dark hair and even darker eyes giving him a stern and rather menacing complexion. They lifted silently to stare at the returning Wolf--and narrowed upon realizing it was missing its companion. That didn't bode well at all.