Disclaimer: Godzilla: the series is property of Sony while Godzilla himself belongs to Toho.

Category: Right now it looks to be drama topped with action, romance, and a healthy serving of angst.

Rating: PG-13 for now

Comments: Well here's another dark future-fic from me. It's semi-based on the challenge that spawned Bete Noire du Avenir. This time, however, I am changing things around in an attempt to stay truer to the characters. Certain elements will be the same in both fics, but I consider this a total revamp over an extensive revision, hence its meriting its own place on FFN.

When Even Hindsight Is Clouded

Prologue: The Strict and Nice Ones

---Costa Rica---

The setting sun painted a rose-colored horizon against an inky outline of coconut-bearing treetops. Wildlife graced the picturesque landscape with an ease unmatched almost anywhere else in the world and a content silence permeated every inch of the cozy village scene. It was once an escape for tourists seeking haven from the overbearing bustle of modern civilization. Now, however, few dared step outside without the shaky knowledge that el sol watched over them. Few besides the shadowy figure that suddenly scurried up a neighboring palm tree.

Diego maintained a firm grasp on the tree trunk with his left arm while examining a coconut with his right. Finding the fruit to his liking, he gently released the trunk from the crook of his elbow, gliding down until his foot smashed into the ground and he landed rather unceremoniously on his stomach. His eight-year-old body apparently could not yet perfectly emulate the deeds of his older brothers.

Brushing bits of sand out of his shirt, Diego's ears perked at the sound of voices. Voices that spoke unaccented English. In earlier years that may have meant benign visitors, but for the duration of Diego's life, the sound of hushed whispers was never a welcome accompaniment to the ocean surf. His father repeatedly told him to leave any such whisperers be, but the child's natural curiosity refused to be quashed. Rising to his feet as quietly as possible, Diego crept behind the low cover of beach vegetation to garner a better vantage point.

Four men were talking. Two were foreign to Diego, though they appeared to hail from local parts. The other two, despite a technical status as foreigners, were not new to the child at all. He had seen them here many times before, whenever el monstruo decided it was time for a human-flavored snack. Diego had never actually seen el monstruo, but from what he had heard, he should be grateful for that fact.

Regardless of Diego's good fortune to never suffer an encounter with the local legend, however, he did in fact recognize these two men. They probably didn't know anything about him, and Diego, for his part, did not even know their names. One had a stern, square face with dark eyes that made Diego uncomfortable. Still, the strict one occasionally made an effort to be amiable, and the child couldn't fault him for trying. It was just that something seemed to lurk inside him, haunting his eyes whenever he looked upon his constant companion. There was tension there, tension Diego was not sure the other knew existed. It was plain to see now, as the nice one scooped up something from the surf and examined it while the strict one watched. Diego's little sister was not sure why he had named the other stranger 'the nice one,' as he did not smile any more than the man who appeared to be his partner. Their mother had said that was understandable, as they usually had to visit under grim circumstances.

Even so, Diego felt his nicknaming system was justified. The nice one did not yell or bark orders at the people helping them as the strict one did. He just went about examining the surroundings, separate from the others and whispering in the strict one's ear from time to time. Diego supposed he must be an outsider of sorts, especially since he did not wear the uniform clothing that perpetually adorned those that accompanied the core pair. Shifting from foot to foot to quell his restlessness, Diego decided he liked that, since the appearance of the medley of green and brown usually meant trouble for the village residents.

Something brushed against his foot. Twitching in anxiety, Diego launched an oblong leap, hoping to avoid whatever lurked among the roots of the verdant foliage. The second time it grazed his skin, however, a yelp escaped the child's lips as he instinctively tumbled away.

"Did you hear that?" Diego was not completely fluent in English, but he knew that wasn't good. Hastily scrambling to his feet, he began what he thought would be a successful escape before a strong hand gripped his collar, effectively yanking him backwards. The youngster suddenly found himself staring into the embittered face of the strict one, who seem none to pleased about discovering an eavesdropper. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

"Tony? What is it?"

The strict one (Tony, he supposed) jerked his head back to face the forthcoming profile of his colleague. "A would-be spy," the older man replied dryly.

The nice one came fully into view and blinked. "Oh."

Sputtering an apology, Diego attempted to wriggle free.

"Oh no you don't," the strict one said, "you're not going anywhere until you explain exactly what gave you the idea to listen in on matters that don't concern you in the least."

The boy could only stare helplessly, as he did not fully understand what the angry man was saying. The nice one laid a hand on his partner's shoulder in an attempt to calm him. "He's only a child. It's just a case of harmless curiosity."

Relinquishing his grip on the hostage Costa Rican, the strict one gaped at the nice one's naïveté. "Harmless? If he heard just two seconds-"

"He probably didn't understand a word of what we were saying."

"And if he did? If these people got wind of what was going on here…" Diego started to tune out as the conservation no longer focused so much on him. He did, however, wonder why they did not think to just ask him if he had heard anything. Adults had this strange habit of speaking as if children were not there.

Suddenly a gentle, yet firm, hand gripped his shoulder, forcing him back into reality as Diego found his gaze matched by uncommonly light blue eyes. His lips moving of his own accord, the child murmured a timid apology that was too soft to be completely understood by his captors.

The nice one smiled a bit at him, letting the previous murmur go ignored for the moment. "Hi."

Wary of the stranger's intentions, as if the current composure could be a prelude to explosive anger, Diego could only stare back with a wide-eyed and fearful gaze. Refusing to be discouraged, the nice one pressed on. "What's your name?"

"Diego," he replied, finding his voice at long last.

"Well Diego," the nice one began in a steady tone meant to put the boy at ease, "you do know it's not nice to listen in on other people's conversations, don't you?"

"I know, señor," Diego replied, his voice apologetic. "I was only curious."

One brown eyebrow arched. "About what?"

Summoning the courage needed to continue speaking, the South American native attempted to explain. "I have seen you both before. Sometimes you come with many other men, sometimes just a few. But you are always here." A frown suddenly came over the nice one's features, causing the boy to momentarily hesitate before plowing on. "I mean, you are not always here, but you are always here after it happens."

Out of the corner of his eye Diego could see the strict one's jaw clench, but the nice one remained calm. "After what happens, Diego?"

The child was shaking now. He did not like his current situation, but he liked what they were talking about even less. "After…after it comes. To eat." Swallowing to keep whatever bravado compelled him to eavesdrop in the first place, Diego attempted to justify his actions. "I thought that you would know something. About how to keep safe, or when he will come back. The officials and the police, they do not tell us anything."

Diego's last statement caused the nice one to aim a pointed look at his partner before leveling his gaze with the boy's. "I'm sorry, Diego, but we don't know much more than you. But I'll make sure that what we do know gets out to your family, and all your neighbors. How does that sound?"

Smiling in relief, the child nodded furiously to signify his assent. The nice one smiled and released him. "It's dark. You should go home."

Wasting no time in complying with the adult's request, Diego scampered off towards his home. Once again, however, curiosity overcame him as he paused to gaze back at the dark outlines that remained on the beach. They were speaking much more loudly now, loudly enough so that Diego could understand their conservation, and neither sounded happy with the other. "You let him go? Just like that?" the strict one exclaimed angrily.

"He was just concerned about his village's safety, a problem we wouldn't have if you pressured the Costa Rican government into being a little more forthcoming about what's going on here."

"Forgive me for not being as casual about matters of international security. Not all of us have the benefit of being privy to such prized information without years of training and experience to teach us of its implications."

"I'd rather you didn't underestimate my experience," the nice (but now angry) one shot back. "The lack of a uniform covered in little stars doesn't automatically demote me to the rank of clueless civilian. In case you've forgotten, I've devoted the past eight years of my life to cleaning up this perpetual mess," he hissed, beginning a trek towards the opposite end of the beach. Stopping for a moment, he seemed to contemplate something before he turned towards his companion. "In any case, I let him go, Major, because frankly, we have bigger things to worry about."

---End Prologue---

Confused much? Well it is an unhappy future, and obviously things change. All will be explained soon. My intention with this prologue was to raise some questions, and hopefully, some interest. :o) I'm sure you can piece together at least part of what's going on through the combination of the prologue and my little summary, or at the very least who the strict and nice ones are. R/R please!