PROLOGUE



The JSDF transport plane was crowded, jammed tight with equipment and personnel. Damn noisy too. Kyoko Bradley smiled meekly, unable to avoid eye contact with the soldiers, or their commander. Her husband Kenji was fast asleep, his head on her shoulder, when she felt a tap upon her knee.

"Amazing, Mrs. Bradley, how your husband can sleep through all this noise!" Said Captain Nakano, shouting to be heard.

"Hai, he is amazing," Kyoko replied. A curt response. There was something about the man she did not trust.

Just then, a new sound invaded the cacophony of the aircraft. A burst of high pitched, rapid clicking. One of the men reached over to the equipment rack beside him and flicked a switch. "Sorry, sir. I must have elbowed it on accidentally."

Nakano glared grimly at the man and rose. He took the small unit from its housing and reactivated it. Everyone watched in silence as he passed the slowly clicking device over the men, then turned and did the same along the other side of the plane. When he neared Kenji and Kyoko, the machine went nuts. "Tell me, Mrs. Bradley, is this new, or have you two always had this effect on Geiger counters?"

Kyo looked stunned as the captain showed her the meter. The needle was off the scale.

Kenji snuggled her and stretched out more comfortably. There was suddenly plenty of room for the Bradleys, as the soldiers all shifted as far away from them as they possibly could...



War Against The Wild Gods

Book Three; GODZILLA VS. DOGORAH

by George Thomas

(originally featured in G-Fan # 43)



Part One; HAPPINESS IS A WARM ATOM





(From the journals of Dr. Munakata) "Like natural glass or crystal, the Artificial Diamond substance I have created is not a true solid. It is a liquid with a molecular rate of flow so infinitely slow that it acts like a solid. I have shown that it is possible to manipulate the substance's flow rate with precise Radionic bombardment ( A process developed by my associates at the Electric Wave Institute.), causing it to destabilize into a liquid state, or reform into a highly refractive and immensely strong solid. A molecule thin coating could protect any surface with an impenetrable armor capable of withstanding impacts and pressures of immeasurable magnitude."

Exhausted, Maki Sato closes the worn journal and rubs his weary eyes. He was so young when the doctor died, a mere child. Yet even then he could see the old man's true brilliance, dabbling with theories decades ahead of his time. A contrast to his sometimes scattered outward demeanor. Sato was determined, those theories would now see life.

His father Kirino had been pleased with his interest, and encouraged him to continue Munakata's research. Kirino's own chosen field, developing a form of 'broadcast power' as Director of the Electric Wave Institute, had resulted only in tragedy. He had attempted to demonstrate how Atomic energy could be transmitted along a precisely modulated carrier wave. A remote power source for refueling satellites and spacecraft. The signal didn't work, instead, Kirino developed a radical form of cancer. The years of treatments and therapies held little hope. Kirino was dying, and Sato was certain there could not be much more time.



Noises from the next room catch the young scientist's attention. Then footsteps approaching. Quickly, Sato stashes the journal and reaches for the light. The office door is flung open even quicker. "Maki Sato?" Asks the shadowy figure, his accent distinctly American.

"Anata wa, desu ka? Who wants to know?"

"A friend.. Acting in your and your father's best interests. I'm here to warn you, kid; the people you're doing business with are trouble. They can only bring you down with them."

Sato was stunned. "How is it you know my business?"

The American laughed. "You're dealing with crooks, kid. Do you think their activities are completely secret? Connections both within and outside the law know all about the Ginza diamond thieves, as well as their agenda." The man paused to light a cigarette, the match flame illuminating his features. The face was old, unrecognizable to Sato.

"I know The Boss is financing your pop's continuing care, as well as your own current line of research. In return, you're giving him a new 'tool of the trade', shall we say. I'm warning you, you're wrong on both counts. You can't trust those crooks, and you sure as hell can't control that thing..."

Sato remained still as the old man moved closer, and picked up the ordinary looking piece of stone that was the focus of his concern. "Crooks or creature, kid. One of them's going to kill you."

*

Pacific ocean, just south of the Ogeshewara islands.

Godzilla prowls along the ocean's depths. There has been little peace for the beast of late, having recently faced both the challenge of Varan the Unbelievable and the attacks of Yog and its monster thralls. Now, he has returned to the familiar waters of Japan. He has returned home.

But Japan is no stranger to conflict either. It was here he first felt the touch of the Atomfire. Here where the very nature of his existence was changed by the human folk that now swarm the land. Here where he was reborn to become the King of the Monsters.

The humans, he knew, would destroy themselves eventually, leaving him to reclaim the land his kind once ruled so very long ago. And so Godzilla waits. It seems he may not be waiting long...

A surge of pure energy ripples through the sea, some strange unnameable force the monster has never before encountered. The pulse washes over him, and he knows; the humans are toying with nature again, unleashing forces they cannot possibly control! This must be stopped now, before they create some new kind of monster, one which even he may be unable to defeat.

Slowly, Godzilla turns to track the source of this strange new force. He turns toward Japan.

*

Osaka. G-Force Command.

"It is getting late, Mr. Bradley. I would like to get this debriefing over with," Nakano paced slowly behind the clear radproof panel. "But it will not be over until you have told me the whole truth!"

Ken was exhausted, and scared. They had separated him from Kyoko on arrival, and isolated him here. Then the questioning began. Nakano was a classic; close minded, self righteous. A bully, perfect man for the job. "Debriefing? Try interrogation. I've given you all the details, captain. Over and over. Why won't you accept it's the truth?"

"Come on, Bradley. Why did Godzilla first appear on Kunashirashima? Because of some prophesied stellar conjunction. Why did he then follow you to Selga? Because of some hostile alien presence there," Nakano grew visibly angry. "Do you take me for a fool?"

Ken kept his thoughts on that to himself. True, he had been in trouble before, but this was like, international, and there seemed to be no dealing with this Nakano guy. No way to convince him this was a seriously crazy coincidence. Ken decided to stop trying. "That's it, captain. No more. I want my lawyer before I say another word!"

The captain laughed. "You are not in the United States, Bradley. We do things a bit differently in Japan." Nakano leaned closer, face to the glass. "But I'm sure your Embassy would love to hear from me. To hear how you smuggled samples of a dangerous experimental compound, for God knows what purpose. How you and your new bride have contracted lethal doses of radiation, yet somehow remain unharmed. And how you seem to have other paranormal abilities as well, including being able to somehow influence the monster Godzilla, making you directly responsible for a number of untimely deaths here in my territory. Deaths for which you and your wife will be formally charged, unless you cooperate with me now."

"Maybe you're right, captain. maybe I can control that monster. That would make me somebody you don't want to mess with," Kenji smiled. "Or maybe your just an idiot." The look on Nakano's face was priceless. Kenji's smile grew brighter.

*

Ginza, Sato's lab.

"Entry number ninety one point three. The Radion bombardment has succeeded, exciting the crystalline matrix and regenerating the stone back into the complex biochemics of the original Space-Cell." Within the tube, the newborn creature pulses, vibrant and hungry. The glow of its energy enhanced form reflects hypnotically in Sato's eyes. "It is alive."

"Sato san?" A call, a knock at the door.

Maki snaps back to reality. "Again?" He mutters. Quickly, he powers down his instruments and closes the office door. "Who is there?"

"Komai. May I come in?"

"Of course, uncle. Arrashimasse."

Chief of Police Komai enters the room. An old man to be sure, his good natured smile beamed in greeting, contrasting the still sharp gaze of his eyes. That gaze softened just a bit as he bowed to his 'nephew' in greeting.

"Uncle, it is good to see you. How is Aunt Masayo?"

"She is well, Sato san. Though as usual, concerned about you. I have been sent to inquire about your welfare," Komai explained.

Sato gave a small laugh at their concern. They were good people, and loved him like a son. The affection was mutual. "I'm fine, uncle. Though busy with my work. In fact, I've just completed a critical phase of my research and am due to present it to my patrons shortly." Sato was sick of the excuses, but that would all be over very soon, he assured himself. "I'm sorry I must cut our visit short. Tell me, how is my father?"

"The same. Masayo and I spend time with him. He too sends his greetings, and looks forward to your next visit."

"I will make it soon, uncle. Now if you'll excuse me, I must prepare my presentation. I hope you understand."

"I do, Sato." Komai looked knowingly into the young man's eyes. "Be careful."

*

Osaka. G-Force Command.

Now it was Kyoko's turn to answer questions. Nakano learned quickly; she had a much shorter fuse than her husband. "I had thought your husband was being difficult because he is a foreigner. You, however, are much worse!" Said the captain, exasperated by the long ordeal.

Kyo had given her statement, then simply refused to repeat herself. Now, she sat tight lipped and stoic, demanding more answers than she had given. She was being an absolute bitch. "Kenji is only half American, as I'm sure you are well aware. Our accounts of our strange adventures must match, why do you not accept them? We have nothing to gain by deceiving you."

"Hai., Mrs. Bradley. Detail for detail your statements agree. But my instincts tell me there is something more, some mechanism linking your activities with the monster Godzilla. One which you either have knowledge and control over, or which you yourselves do not understand. I still believe it is the former that applies. In any case, I have summoned your parents from Hokkaido to aid in the interrogation. They are due to arrive shortly."

"My parents?!" Cried Kyoko. "Must they see me like this? You did not have to cause them such grief, captain."

"Any grief of theirs will be solely your concern, Mrs. Bradley. I will ask you one last time; is there anything you are not telling me?"

Kyo had to think. She could almost understand the man's concerns. Things could very well appear to be the way he described them. But influencing Godzilla? Nonsense! This was wild coincidence, mixed with a little bit of fate. Certainly nothing she or Kenji could control! She could not be sure their apparent immunity to the lethal doses of radiation they had somehow absorbed would last. They were in more than just trouble, they were in danger, and they needed Nakano's help.

"Captain, there is only this; It was a SpiritMist that saved us on Kunashira, and enabled Godzilla to defeat the Obake Varan. On Selga, there was a SpiritFire at work which..."

"Mrs. Bradley," Nakano called dismissively.

"Please! Let me finish. The Spiritfire aided Godzilla in slaying the alien Yog. In gratitude for our aid in the affair, the natives gave us the totems Kenji and I now possess. Totems which they believe grant magical powers. My husband is the hard scientist, Captain. As an anthropologist, I can only attribute our experiences to the ancient magics of these tribes," Kyo paused, searching for the words to convince him. "Or the spirits of our ancestors watching over us."

The Captain loosed a long, weary sigh. "I too am a man of science. I do not believe in spirits, magical or otherwise. I am, however, reconsidering my position on the exact nature of your involvement. Perhaps..."

"Captain!" The soldiers voice shrieked from the intercom.

"What is wrong?" Nakano demanded.

"The American, sir. He has escaped!"

A look of disbelief flooded Nakano's features, quickly replaced by rage. "Secure the base, and sound the Red Alert. I want Mr. Bradley apprehended immediately!" The captain rose and faced Kyoko. Her hands thrown across her gaping mouth, her eyes wide with the shock of the news. "Close, Mrs. Bradley. Very close. You nearly had me convinced of your sincerity. Guards! Watch her," Nakano barked. "I will have your secrets, woman."

Nakano spun on his heels and strode quickly away. The two guards stood vigil before her, their hands on their guns. "Oh Kenji," she thought. "What have you done?"

*

Kyushu. Penthouse of the Startowers hotel.

Sato waits patiently in the luxuriant meeting room, a bulky black equipment case in his lap. His delay made worse by the incessant 'hip-hop' music pumped over the audio system. "What crap," he mutters. The door opens, and a man looking much like a British Gentleman's Gentleman bows and bids him enter. Sato quickly complies.

"Mr. Sato. Dozo ohairi kudasai," spoke the man in the executive's chair.

"Domo," replied Sato, taking a seat. 'The Boss' was young, far younger than himself. A strange androgynous lad with even stranger taste. The decor was a chaotic mix of dark ages gothic and thirtieth century cyberpunk. The very air stank of money and blood. Sato instantly regretted the position he had put himself in, indebted to such a one. But his father needed treatment he could otherwise not afford, and so he had to see this through.

"So, you bring good news, Sato san? A return on my investments, perhaps?"

"The project is finished. The 'tool' is ready for use." Sato unclasps the case and withdraws a wide, tubular cannister. "Behold, Nature's ultimate jewel thief; the Dogorah Cell!"

The Boss looks incredulously at the pulsing mass floating lazily in the tube. "Amazing," he gasps. "Tell me, Sato, how does it work?"

"Watch now, see the tubes lining the cylinder's ends? Those are the Radion inductors. The dial on top controls the output. You can charge the cell, or cut off the flow, like so..." A twist of the dial and the Spacecell dims, floating slowly to the bottom of the chamber. "The Cell reverts back to a dormant stonelike state. Recharge it, and it returns to its active mode.

"Also, this button releases an inhibitor gas. A compound based on the synthetic wasp venom originally used to slay the beast. I have modified its composition so that it now affects only the cell's digestive process."

"Oh? What am I supposed to feed that?" Asked The Boss.

"Diamonds," Sato replied. "Don't worry. Tell me, have you ever done much fishing?"

"Not much."

"For centuries, Asian fishermen have employed seabirds called cormorants to aid them with their catch. The birds dive, retrieving fish for their master. In return, they are allotted one fish from every five to eat. The Dogorah Cell will serve in much the same way. The inhibitor gas prevents it from processing, or eating, more than one fifth of the booty it absorbs. A small price for so efficient an instrument," Sato ensured.

"One fifth. Hah! The beast gets a percentage," The Boss laughed. "Okay, Sato. Anything else I need to know?"

"Two things. First; the Cell weighs three pounds, with the capacity to absorb roughly five times its body weight in gems. That's fifteen pounds per job.

"Second; You must power down the Cell to extract the unprocessed jewels. Simply break the dormant stone casing. The gems will come out clean, and the cell will regenerate as good as new."

The Boss rose from his seat and gave a slight bow. "I am pleased, Sato san. The continued financing of your father's treatment can be considered guaranteed. I need only make a few trial runs to ensure all is as you say. You have done well, my friend."

Just then, the butler type enters, sweating and nervous. "My apologies for the intrusion. I have received urgent news!"

"So spit it out, Garson," The Boss ordered.

"Word has arrived from our men on the docks, confirmed by our police band monitors. It's coming sir!"

"What, Garson? What is coming?"

The butler looked about to faint. "It's Godzilla, sir. Godzilla has been sighted in Dokowan Bay!"

*

Miles from shore, Godzilla rises from the waters of Dokowan Bay. The waves foam and break as his gigantic form cleaves the surface, retreating before a power nigh as vast as the seas themselves. The creature pauses to scan its surroundings. Ahead lay the mainland, a place now corrupted by the tiny men things that dwell there. He is loathe to proceed into that place. The humans can deal only trouble for him, for they do not understand his ways, and he cannot abide theirs.

He had been far from them when he first felt the surge. The new and singular power that piqued his curiosity and drew him from the sea to investigate its source. That source was here. Somewhere within the filthy, unnatural hive the men things call Kyushu. Godzilla dives beneath the waves, and draws closer.

*

Alone in her cell, Kyoko Bradley draws the Selgan conch to her lips and softly blows. The relic issues a deep and mournful note, resonant and mild. It pleases her, and she prays; "Mikki, SeaGod of Selga, guide my Kenji. Protect him, please." The guards snap awake as the outer door opens and Nakano strides in, guiding a pair of visitors in his wake.

"Kyoko chan?" The old woman spoke.

"Mother! Father!" Kyo races to the barrier. "It is good to see you both."

"And you, my child," Paul Iso bows, and together he and Shidori press their hands to Kyo's against the glass.

"Please captain, may we not enter only briefly? What harm could come from just a short exposure?" Asked Shidori.

"I am sorry, Mrs. Iso. Direct contact cannot be permitted," Nakano confirmed, noting the subdued flash of anger in Paul Iso's eyes.

"Kyoko please, tell us how this has happened." her father asks.

"I cannot, father. I do not know myself. Kenji and I have been exposed to so many strange influences of late, it is hard to know where to even begin."

"I am sorry, daughter," Shidori began. "If only I had not contacted Anna, taken it upon myself to meddle in your work, none of this would have happened!" The old woman was moved to tears by her regrets, but Kyoko would have none of it.

"And I may never have found the man I love most dearly. Mother, that letter brought Kenji and I together. Don't ever regret your involvement in that."

Paul smiled at her words. "There now, Shidori chan. Do not cry! Tell me, daughter, where are they keeping my new son-in-law? We must congratulate you both!"

Kyo couldn't bring herself to answer. Nakano however, had no such hesitance. "Kenji Bradley has escaped this facility, Mr. and Mrs. Iso. I regret to inform you that your new son-in-law is currently a dangerous fugitive, whereabouts unknown."

"Oh no..." Shidori gasped.

"This is unthinkable!" Cried Paul. "Kyoko, where could he have gone, and why would he leave here without you?"

Kyo was near tears herself now. "I cannot justify Kenji's actions, though I believe he must have felt threatened, or afraid. Perhaps the captain can enlighten us as to any reason he may have had to feel that way?"

"Well, Nakano? Did the boy have reason to run?" Paul demanded.

She's doing it to me again, Nakano thought. "Iso sama, my duty in this matter is clear. Not only are the Bradleys a threat to the public health, but they have been withholding information from me as well. Vital information regarding their apparent influence over the monster Godzilla."

"Nani?! What kind of nonsense is that?!"

"Nonsense, Iso sama? Perhaps your daughter can explain it to you. I will leave you to discuss it. I'm afraid I will be busy with other matters for a while," Nakano strode to the doorway, then faced Kyoko.

"Not long after your husband disappeared, Mrs. Bradley, I received a very suspicious and disturbing report. It seems Godzilla has been sighted in Dokowan Bay, and will most likely make landfall in Kyushu by tonight. Enjoy your visit."

*

Kyushu Imperial Hospital.

Chief Komai walks the busy halls as he has done so many times before. A familiar path, one that leads to the deathbed of a friend.

Within the darkened room are two figures. Kirino lay prone, intricate life support and monitoring devices twist and twine about his form. Beside him, his sister Masayo. Now a resident doctor here, and the woman Komai loves.

"Masayo," he whispers. She quiets him with a gesture, finger to lips. She rises, stroking her brother's brow, and joins Komai. Once outside, Masayo breathes a long sad sigh. Komai asks; "How is he?"

"Not well," she replies. "Worse in fact. Kirino's condition is deteriorating rapidly. Tell me, have you spoken to Sato as I asked?"

"Yes, princess. But I am afraid his research is now at some critical stage. He said he would try to make it soon."

"He had better. I will never understand what drives that boy, where are his priorities?!"

"Hey, I understand, but his work is funding this care. He will come soon."

"That may be too late. It may be too late already," Masayo grimaced.

"What do you mean?" Komai drew closer, concerned.

"Kirino began speaking of strange things today, things we have dared mention only rarely in decades..." Komai held her as she began to cry. "He scared me, Komai! He said he could feel the monster's power again. He said Dogorah has returned!"

*

Ginza district, Kyushu.

Ken had been to Japan before, but he had been very young. This was unfamiliar ground, ground he had to master quickly if he wished to remain a free man.

Ken was, however, a city boy. Life in San Francisco had taught him much, including how to tell the 'good' part of town from the 'bad'. The parts the Cops could control from the ones they couldn't. He hopped on a bullet train, and headed straight for the bad part of town.

He'd hated leaving Kyo, but that bastard Nakano was pushing him too far! He had to do something, he had to get away! Luckily, city life had also taught him stealth, as well as how to pick a lock. But that knowledge had only gotten him so far. Now, he had nowhere left to go.

The sun was just beginning to set when he noticed the pair of rather dapper thugs that had spotted him, and were heading his way. His hand dropped to the Selgan runestaff that hung at his side. He hated to think of having to use it as a weapon, but these guys didn't look like they were going to give him much choice.

"Gomenasai," said the shorter of the pair. "Excuse me, but you look a bit lost. New in town?"

"More or less," Ken replied. "To be honest, I'm trying not to get spotted by the cops. Think you could help me out?"

"I knew it. You're the American, right? Jackson, aint it?"

"Right," Ken agreed automatically. These guys have obviously mistaken him for someone else. A mistake he could take advantage of, for now. "I'm glad you showed up, I was getting tired of lurking about the place." He said cooly, trying to play along.

"We're here now, Jackson. C'mon, the Boss wants to brief you on 'The Tool'."

"I'm ready," Ken lied through his teeth.



Startowers Hotel, the Penthouse.

"Come in, Mr. Jackson! Always a pleasure to welcome one of our Stateside associates."

Kenji had to stifle a laugh. This was 'The Boss'?! This kid was barely twenty, and wearing enough makeup to pass for a streetwalker. He had to remember, this was still a very dangerous game he was playing, and he had to stay careful if he wished to pull it off. "Konban wa, my Boss. The pleasure is mine." Ken bowed, a response that was quickly becoming habitual.

"So," the Boss began. "Let's discuss your assignment. We have need of a new face, someone to throw the police off our trail. You should do nicely. Half-caste, are you not?"

"Hai.," Ken responded simply, hoping to gloss over the detail.

"As I thought. Oh Garson," he called, and a butler appeared.

"Y, yes Boss?" The man replied nervously.

"Send in Shorty and Shindo, would you? And tell them to bring the Tool."

"Very good, sir." The man hurried off, and in less than a minute, the thugs who had escorted Kenji appeared. The large one carrying a black equipment case. Ken had wanted only to get his hands on a telephone, maybe some cash. It appeared he would be getting something more from these characters. He was curious.

"Open it, shorty. I trust you are not a squeamish man, Mr. Jackson." From the case, the man withdrew a large cylinder. Something was floating within it. Something alive.

"Uh, Boss..." Ken began to inquire.

"Don't worry, Jackson. You two will soon be working very closely together! I will explain how my little pet works..." Suddenly, the creature hurled itself against the glass. All those present recoiled instinctively, startled. "I think it likes you, Jackson!" The cell glowed brighter, and the glass began to bubble and smoke.

"What, what exactly is it doing, Boss?" Asked Ken.

"I, I don't know, It's never done that before. It's not supposed to be doing that!!" Cried the Boss, backing quickly away as the now flaring cell bursts free! Ken took the cue and ran like hell.

Out the door, down the hall, the elevator just in sight. Then a searing pain struck Ken from behind. It was the creature! The burning heat of it giving him little pause to wonder, just what these dimwitted crooks were doing with such a beast.

Ken heard his own scream echo down the corridor, saw the smoke rising as the thing burned the flesh from his back. Somehow he knew, it was the radiation it was after. Mercifully, he blacked out.

The entire building was now alive with the glow of the growing monstrosity. Rubble cascading down to the street as the cell bursts through the penthouse roof! The Boss cowered with his butler as his thugs got off a few quick shots, then they too joined the debris.

A deep and deafening pulse began to grow. A sound like some monstrous heartbeat filled the air as the cell drained the atomic charge stored in Ken's body. The creature leached the energy from the man, becoming more massive, more deadly. Pseudopods extrude from the monster's body, whipping through the air, churning into the surrounding buildings. Generating a vast static field to suck all matter into its now gigantic form!

The beast released Kenji's limp body among the rubble, then pulsed skyward. The energy had transformed the cell, and Dogorah the Space Monster is reborn!