“We’ll take him from here,” said one of the nurses. She looked over McClare’s handy work. “Not bad.”
McClare smiled then he got back into his car. He had to deliver the rest of his passengers to their destination.
As he drove through the rest of the facility grounds he noticed the lack of anybody moving around. The base was still. It was rare to see that. Usually soldiers and scientists were running every which way on the perimeter. There was always work to be done somewhere.
Once at the detention center, McClare escorted his prisoners through the building. There were only a couple of security posts to stop at. McClare signed in at each one.
When he arrived at the detention hall to transfer custody of his prisoners he noticed the list of current residents at the center. With nearly thirty people it was the longest list he had ever seen. He didn’t even think they had thirty cells.
“We’re going to have to put the chasers together for the time being,” said the security guard.
“What happened?” McClare asked.
“There was an incident. Some doctors tried to leave unannounced. One of the pilots shot at General Ellis and then everything went to hell. We had to round them up to get order back.”
“How long will they be in there?”
“Once we get our defenses back up the planes will be up and running again. Then they will be escorted back to their homes. Until then we’ve had to make some adjustments to the living situation.”
“The scientists have been spread out to three of the rooms. Upper management wanted them more comfortable. We’ve had to condense down the chasers into one and the soldiers into two.”
“How is that fair?” McClare asked.
“I was not talking fair,” said the guard. He pushed the button to allow McClare and the others into the detention hall. McClare ushered them through the door. When McClare was through the door it closed and locked behind him.
The group approached their destination. The door to the cell buzzed open. McClare held the door open and gestured for the chasers to go inside. When he peaked in he saw Noah Sato and two others sitting in the room in silence. When the door opened they stood in stunned silence as more people were being brought inside.
After the last monster chaser was inside the cell McClare signaled for Noah to come to him. He had to squeeze through the new group of prisoners to get to the doorway. It was getting cramped in their cell.
Noah joined McClare at the door. Together they stepped out into the hall so they could speak in private.
“How are you doing?” McClare asked. His concern for Noah was genuine. It wasn’t just the fact that Noah had saved McClare’s life. McClare liked the guy.
“Okay, I suppose,” said Noah. “What the hell is going on? Why is everybody freaking out all of a sudden? Who are all of these people?”
“I don’t really know,” said McClare. “Something went down and they had to arrest everybody.”
“It’s getting ridiculous in there,” said Noah, “And now four more people. We can’t live like this.”
“I know. I’ll try to figure something out. They said they’ll be getting these people out of here once the defenses are back in place.”
“Does that mean me too?” Noah asked.
McClare shrugged. There was still no word on why exactly Noah had been held in custody for so long.
“Listen,” said McClare. “Just be careful in there. I don’t really trust these new guys. They were being chased by Waironun or attacked by others. It’s getting ugly out there. The one with the bald head, he’s been acting weird since he arrived. Keep your eye on him. The others have been okay, angry but quiet.”
Noah peaked back inside his cell. He looked at the bald monster chaser. The man was staring out the window paying no attention to the small space in the cell.
“Thanks for the heads up,” said Noah. “But get me out of here.”
“I’m doing what I can. It’s getting scary out there. Something new is coming. I have to go report it. Look after yourself.”
McClare shook Noah’s hand. When he did it he slipped a few power bars to Noah. He did it every time he came for a visit. It was a small luxury that Noah appreciated.
Then Noah went back into his cell. His six guests were already making themselves at home, and Noah was left to sit in a small space against the wall.
Noah’s patience was being tested, but he was not going to give in. He would get through this on his own.
Chapter 20
Ryugu-jo had yet to calm down after the attack from Kong. Kong was still dormant across the canyon, but within the city citizens ran in fear and panic. The Doiar’s personal military marched through the streets. They had already rounded up many of the citizens that were protesting outside the gates of the palace.
As the military progressed through the city anyone that stood in their way was swallowed up by the moving armada. The group of captives grew and grew the farther they walked. Soon the streets were clear. The caudata stayed in their homes and watched as their military marched past them. Then they watched as the innocent filed along, pushed forward by the soldiers in the back. Once the armada had passed, others started to follow. Curiosity got the better of them. They wanted to know where the soldiers were taking their hostages.
The march led all the way to outside the city. The armada stopped just before the canyon’s edge. Across the wide gap was the fallen Kong. He looked like a shadow across the horizon.
The soldiers lined up forming a barrier between their captives and the city behind them. The captives could not breach through the line of soldiers and the only other way they could go was down into the depths of the canyon.
Behind the soldiers free citizens started to swarm around the situation. The group fought to keep their distance, but still get as close to the action as possible. Protests and slurs started to ring out at the soldiers. Many of the people outside of the barrier had friends and relatives being held hostage near the canyon. They demanded freedom for their families.
None of the soldiers budged. They held the line from both the caudata inside and outside their defenses. As soon as someone got too close to the guards they would strike out with their spears and harpoons. In a matter of minutes there was a small pile of bodies separating the soldiers from the protesters outside.
Then, despite the noise of the crowd, everybody heard the horn announcing the arrival of the Doiar. All attention turned to the road coming from the city. Tol-in-Ar rode in on a carriage being pulled by two enormous octopi. Their long legs slithered through the crowd creating separation for the carriage to progress.
Tol-in-Ar’s carriage stopped at the end of the road. He stood tall on a platform high above the crowd. The Doiar overlooked the crowd of protesters, the line of soldiers, and the prisoners that had threatened him outside his palace.
A hush fell over the crowd. They waited for their leader to speak. He had led them to the surface, a task no other Doiar had accomplished. His right to rule and to lead could not be matched. His vision was their way of life.
“Stop this bickering at once,” said Tol-in-Ar. “I will not stand for it when my people run around in fear. Have you lost faith in me? There is one threat to our home, and you go running, begging for help from Lord Tatsumi. Then when he does not show you fall apart.
“Lord Tatsumi may not be here, but I am here! I stand before you the child of the kaiju. My ancestors came from Lord Tatsumi himself. He is here with me even when you do not see him.
“Look beyond the canyon. Kong has fallen. I, Tol-in-Ar, saw to it that the usurper was brought down. Kong is nothing to be afraid of. Kong will fight for mankind, but we are stronger than them. We have to be if we are to take back what is rightfully ours.
“There is no place for the weak in my city. When we are threatened again you praise me for salvation. I will see to it that we survive any attack. Death is coming! Lord Tatsumi is our creator, but I am your savior.
“Trust i
n me and you will thrive. Doubt me and I will brush you away.”
With his final words, Tol-in-Ar made a sweeping gesture with his hands. It was a signal for his personal military. Orders yelled out across the field to all the men standing at attention. They were ordered to move forward.
“The weak are feasted upon by the strong,” said Tol-in-Ar. “With your deaths there will be a swift return for Lord Tatsumi. He begs to be back in our world. With your sacrifice I will bring back our creator and he will grace us all with the fall of the Riven Mother.”
Screams returned to the crowd as they watched the armada begin to shrink their perimeter. The captives inside were pushed back. They tried to fight through the line of soldiers, but they could not break through the defenses.
Step by step, the captives were forced closer to the canyon’s edge. Pleas to stop were left unanswered. The crowd on the outside was held back by a second line of soldiers. They struggled to reach out to their loved ones that were slowly being taken away from them.
The Doiar watched as the crowd of captive protestors began to lose their fighting spirit. He smiled at his doubters’ defeat. The mob on the outside pleaded for him to give them another chance. Tol-in-Ar would not give them the satisfaction. His decisions were final.
One man tried to climb the carriage to get to the Doiar. An octopus reached out with its tentacle and grabbed hold of the would be attacker. Its arms wrapped around the man and slowly crushed him. His insides came gushing out of every orifice of the dying man’s body.
More screams were heard coming from within the perimeter of the soldiers. They had reached the edge of the canyon. The first few caudatas started to fall. Their screams ended with a loud splash into the water.
The falling victims drew the attention of the canyon’s guard, Estuar. The giant alligator rushed to the area where the people were falling. It swooped in with its mouth agape. In one gulp it swallowed the people in the water. Then it turned its head straight up. Estuar’s mouth became a giant funnel with teeth placed directly below the fearful mob above.
The guards continued their push to the canyon’s edge. More caudatas were forced over the edge as their space grew smaller. There was no longer any sound of bodies hitting the water. Everyone that fell went directly into the waiting jaws of Estuar.
When it finally came down to the last captive, the soldiers grabbed hold of her. She pleaded for them to let her go, but the guards just laughed. With her in their grip they thrust her over the edge. She flew several feet past the canyon’s edge then straight down into the hungry kaiju.
Tol-in-Ar stood triumphant. There would be no doubt in his reign. He was their ruler. He demanded to be feared, because there was no other way to keep the peace.
PART 4
BARGAINING
Chapter 21
The radar was the early announcement of their arrival. Many soldiers and pilots had been keeping an eye on the system since the early morning. It was a little past noon now. Six blips on the radar screen appeared from the south. The delivery was finally arriving.
Word spread quickly throughout the base. There were already a group of pilots waiting outside on the runway. Cassandra Weathers was one of them. She did not want to wait for a computer to tell her the helicopters were coming. She wanted to see them emerge over the horizon.
The whole base was excited for the arrival. For the civilians it meant they could once again be safe from any threat of the kaiju. For the pilots, it meant they had another chance to operate some of the greatest aircrafts ever built.
There was a lot of anxious tension on the runway as the group of pilots waited. Not many people watched the president’s speech, but word of mouth brought forth the detail that five new mechs were on their way. It sent rumors spilling through the community.
Many myths and urban legends had come out of the Mechiju Corporation over the years. They were the number one weapons manufacturer against the kaiju in the beginning. Then the Manlin showed up and they delivered Robo-Kong. It made the Mechiju Corporation almost obsolete over night. They grew desperate. Their production shut down for several years. In that time whatever they were working on was kept top secret. Stories leaked here and there. A story started to spread that Mechiju wound up with some of the design prints for Robo-Kong and was working on duplicating the technology.
There was a story about the corporation building battle armor for soldiers. They were meant to compliment Robo-Kong, but wound up too expensive and development ended after five.
Eventually the first Babel was revealed to the public. It dispelled many of the rumors that were spreading out of the company. Babel was the ultimate compliment to Robo-Kong. And just like that Mechiju was back on the map.
The helicopters came up over the horizon. Each one carried a colossal metal crate. Every pilot waiting outside stood to their feet. Their awe could not be hidden.
“Is it in pieces?”
“They said five.”
“Do you think it’s the body armor?”
“They’re as big as a house.”
“Look! There is writing on the side.”
As the helicopters got closer the labels on the side of each container got clearer. Each one had its own title: Ishbaal, Eleazar, Shammah, Abishai, and Benaiah.
The group remained in silence as the delivery was finalized. They watched as each container was placed gently on the runway. The sixth helicopter landed to the side. Several men dressed in orange jumped out of the sliding door and rushed over to the containers. They began feverishly working to release the doors. Almost in unison the doors were all unlocked.
With a loud whoosh each door crashed to the ground turning into a ramp. The inside of the containers were dark. The mechs inside were hidden in the shadows.
Weathers tried to get a better look, but there was nothing yet to see. The men in orange all hustled back to the helicopter that had dropped them off. Before entering they waited outside the doors.
Again the doors opened, this time three women and two men in black jumpsuits exited the helicopter.
“Who the hell are they?” asked one of the pilots in the group on the runway.
All attention turned toward the five in black. They walked nonchalantly toward the five opened containers. Their jumpsuits accentuated their physique. Each one was at peak physical condition.
“They’re mutants,” said another pilot.
“Are they the pilots? They already designated the pilots?”
“Those are telekinetic jumpsuits. Even Babel 4 doesn’t use those.”
“Are our training hours still good?”
“Muerda, that’s Nina Malick,” cursed Weathers. She was pointing at the woman leading the line of pilots to the containers.
“Icarus?” awed another pilot at Nina Malick’s presence.
Malick’s hair was a dyed dark red against black. Tight braids fed into a long braided ponytail that ended at the arch of her back. She wore red gloves on her hands. They could be seen from the distance signaling the other pilots which container to go to. She stepped into the last one, Ishbaal.
Captain Nina Malick’s reputation was well known. She was born in India, but her family seceded to Russia at an early age. She came up through the ranks in the Russian military, eventually choosing to stay as a fighter pilot.
In the early years of the war between mankind and the kaiju the fighter pilot was one of the most dangerous duties. Foot soldiers were hardly effective in a fight against the giant monsters. It was up to the pilots to get close to the kaiju, deliver its payload, and still be able to get free from the blast zone without being taken down by the monster. The survival rate of a plane being knocked out of the sky by a kaiju was near 1%.
In Russia, they adopted the strategy of kamikaze. Planes would make direct strikes at the kaiju when the pilots knew they were going down. It was the more honorable way to go.
As the years passed and the Tengi Treaty came into effect the fight with the kaiju was over, but it did not
end the kamikaze strategy for Russia. Despite the UN creating a global force for every country to stand behind, skirmishes and wars still broke out across the world.
Russia defended their borders with harsh results. The world was getting smaller, but Russia was not going to give up their motherland. In 2052, China was starting to spread north. They began in Mongolia, and eventually found themselves close to Russia.
The ensuing war lasted for several years. Malick had been a fighter pilot throughout the entire campaign. She had survived three kamikaze attempts.
She later went on to take the mutant enhancements. From there, she became a test pilot for new experimental jets. Nine planes had gone down on her, but her enhanced abilities kept her alive. She became known as Icarus.
The group on the runway waited anxiously. Malick was the last to go inside her container. All five of the pilots disappeared into the enclosed darkness. Then the sound of mechanics booting up and engines roaring to life echoed across the open facility.
The containers lit up from the inside. Steps were taken that could be heard from down the runway. It was the sound of metal against metal.
From the containers emerged five new mechs. They were all three stories tall and twenty feet wide. Their look was familiar to everyone in attendance. Each mech looked like a miniature version of Robo-Kong.
Cassandra Weathers nearly toppled over leaning forward. Her excitement level had not been this high in a long time. There were now five Robo-Kongs standing in a row. Suddenly her dreams of piloting a neural connected mech were no longer dead.
A man cleared his throat. The stunned pilots looked over. Takao stood next to a man in a finely pressed suit, a representative of the Mechiju Corporation.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” said the man in the suit. “I present to you the Mighty Men.”
Chapter 22
Macy’s cell had been kept dim. Whether it was just a light being out or on purpose, Macy did not know. He had lost track of time when he was in his lab, now that he was in a cell his sense of the days was even worse.
Realm of Kong: The Culling Page 9