2
Angel Attack
Misato, Shinji, Askua, and Commander Fuyutsuki sat at the captain's table on the Hermes. Below in the hold Godzilla was delivered his favorite. A steaming pile of Uranium fuel rods. Godzilla hugely grabbed the atomic substance and absorbed it into his skin. The microwave energy they normally fed him was alright but nothing gave him the boost he got from the pure stuff. As he reached for another handful of rods he froze. Askua stopped mid conversation and placed her hand on her head. Godzilla's face appeared before her.
"Be wary I sense something foul coming." He stated and then faded from her mind. As Askua pulled her hand away she glanced at Shinji.
"I know Rodan sensed it too." The words from the kids were all Misato and Fuyutsuki needed. They sprung from their seats Misato slamming her hand down on the alert button on the wall, Fuyutsuki grabbed the phone and began to bark orders into it. As the klaxons began to blare the ship lurched as something exploded against the outer hull.
Godzilla roared as he was jostled about in the hold of the ship. His own anxiety was add to Askua's as she and Shinji followed Misato and Fuyutsuki to the bridge. Fuyutsuki yelled something at Misato she turned her head and nodded, Fuyutsuki then separated from the group heading for the auxiliary bridge. As Askua passed the hallway she saw several other officers heading down the hall out of the corner of her eye. The doors to the bridge hissed open as Misato stormed in.
"Report!" She yelled heading for the command chair.
"Impact on upper hull, decks twenty eight and thirty two are venting atmosphere." One technician sated eyes never leaving his work station.
"Seal off those decks! Tactical what have you got on scans?" Misato roared sitting in her chair. The officer continued tapping keys as she replied. "Multiple slipstream events, counting around thirty. Twenty five Wraths, four Wendigos and…"
"AT field detected in area of slipstream anomalies." Another technician stated a quiver running through her voice. Baxter turned to her.
"A Absolute Terror field can only mean one thing…" He began.
"A Angel." Misato finished. "Pull up the Enoch index and tell me what were dealing with." After a long moment a technician answered. "Only two Angels are capable of space travel; Arael, and Sahaqiel."
"But witch one are we dealing with?" Misato demanded.
"AT field matches that of Sahaqiel, angel of the sky." Another explosion shook the ship.
"Explosion power was increased by fifteen percent from the last one." The Tac officer called.
"Raise shields, charge forward photon batteries!" Misato called. "Askua." She turned to look at the Emulator. "Better get Godzilla ready for EVA battle, Shinji you too." The both saluted and left the bridge. Askua left Shinji heading for the Aux Bridge where he would take control of Rodan. Askua headed for the girls locker room. Unlike most Emulators Askua felt that if her Kaiju had to fight then she should fight along side him. So as she undressed from her uniform and redressed in a skin tight red jump suit she called Godzilla.
"What's going on." He asked feeling the uneasiness throughout the ship.
"The Legion sent a advance force to stop us from reaching the planet." She stated as she zipped up the front of the suit and headed for the Grappler bay.
"This is a new tactic for them, wait why are these people here getting out my EVA armor?"
"Because they sent an Angel, one of the two that can live in space."
"I hate Space fighting! Why don't you get in a EVA suit and fight the Angel, I'll stay here and tell you what to do." Godzilla grumbled.
"You better have your scaly butt in that Gojulas armor by the time I get to my Grappler or your gonna wish you'd never been hatched." Askua growled.
"Askua, you can be quite scary at times and very intimidating you know that?"
"Yeah I know." She answered and dashed towards the launch bay.
"Photon Batteries primed!"
"Fire!"
Two beams of blue light shot across the bow of the Hermes and lanced towards the aggressors.
The space forces of the Legion were separated into three groups. Wraths, Wendigos, and Behemoths. Wraths were small agile creatures that were nothing more than a pair of bat wings and a mouth full of teeth. The creatures attacked in swarms tearing their victims apart in a frenzy of blood lust. Wendigos were more intelligent. They are the light cruisers of the Legion resembling long snakes with several tentacles shooting off their sides. Wendigos bodies were living bomb factories. Creating organic explosives much like that of a mark two nuclear warhead. The Wendigos had a limited firing range their O-Bombs could only survive for a few seconds in space before they died from the vacuum exposure. Last the Behemoths the largest of the Legion's space forces the Behemoths ferried the ground troops of the Legion from place to place. They had no over purposes.
The beams exploded before reaching the targets colliding with a massive wall like field.
"AT field fully formed, all weapons fired from this range will be ineffective until the angel is destroyed." The Tac Officer yelled.
"Damn! Launch a squadron of Grapplers to assist Godzilla and Rodan, and prepare the energy ram." Misato ordered. By the time Askua had agued with and threatened the deck personnel into letting her pilot her Grappler in the sortie Godzilla stood in the air lock covered in black and silver armor. A yellow visor let him view the outside world as he shifted in the uncomfortable suit. He quickly checked the operation of his shoulder mounted cannons, and the hip mounted avenger chain guns. He checked his air and his booster fuel, and finally his progressive knife. The progressive knife was a blade that attached to his wrist that vibrated at a high frequency and could cut through anything. Without the progressive knife there was no way to kill the Angel. The high frequency blade was the only thing strong enough to puncture the Angel's core, and once that was done the Angel would die. Godzilla had done this once before. He killed the Angel Sndalphon during the battle on Black Moon. He still had nightmares of that aquatic devil. He looked over at one of the humans through a thick sheet of inviso-steel and gave her the thumbs up, or claws up in his case. She returned the gesture and opened the lock. The void loomed before him. Godzilla activated his thrusters.
One small step for man, one giant headache for me He thought as he sailed into the space between worlds.
Asuka had just finished her preflight checks in her grapple fighter the Outlaw-1 when she heard Shinji's frantic voice over her com.
"Askua, what the hell are you doing?"
What do you think I'll doing stupid going for a stroll around the park Askua thought as she primed the boosters. "You could get yourself killed!"
"Your such a coward dummkopf." She answered as she continued adjusting controls.
"Askua there is a war going on out there!" Shinji yelled back.
"I know that, you baka pervert!" She screamed. "Just cause your scared of fighting don't assume I am!" At that remark Shinji fell silent, Askua wondered if she might have gone to far when another voice came over the com.
"Askua you get out of that fighter now!" Misato's voice rumbled out of the speakers. That spineless twit told Misato on me. Oh he is going to get it when I get back Askua fumed "You aren't cleared for combat missions yet."
"How are combat missions different from recon missions?" Askua stated.
Actually in recon when the enemy shows up you run away, in combat the enemy shows up you fight. Godzilla chimed in.
Don't help me! I know the difference! Askua hissed at him. "Don't worry Commander I the great Askua Langley Soryu will be triumphant in my first combat mission!" She declared a smile on her face. The Groans from Shinji, Misato, and Godzilla that followed her statement only broadened her smile. "Outlaw-1 launch!" Askua yelled as the Grapple fighter was catapulted out the launch tube into space.
Askua, be careful okay? For me. Godzilla whispered as the yellow tube lights flashed by.
For you I will. Askua replied.
"Of all the impertinent…Launch the Beta squadron. Tell them to link up with Askua, and Make Sure She Knows Togi's In Charge!" Misato yelled falling back into her chair. I need a beer. Baxter just laughed beside her.
"She's spirited I give her that." He commented Misato just glared, deep down she feared for Askua. The girl had a mind of her own and that was good on occasion, but her continual disregard of orders frustrated her to no end. As she watched a line of fighters form up and spread in a military formation around Godzilla and Rodan she could only pray that she would be all right.
Shinji banged his fist on the wall of the Aux Bridge of the Hermes. Stupid show off. I thought she'd listen to her commander, I always do. Stupid girl. He was so lost in thought that Fuyutsuki had to shake him to get his attention. "I'm sorry what?" He asked coming out of his stupor.
"Shinji, I'm glad you care for the welfare of your fellow Emulator, but we need you to concentrate and guide Rodan." The Commander stated in a gentle but firm voice.
"Yes sir." Shinji sighed, defeated. Fuyutsuki put a hand on his shoulder.
"Askua's a big girl. She can take care of herself." He stated before turning back to the crew that Misato had given them. Shinji sighed again. Be careful Askua, come back safe.
Don't worry. Godzilla will look after her. Rodan reassured him. Shinji nodded. If there was one creature who cared as much about Askua as he did it was Godzilla.
"Your right, but keep and eye on her out there okay."
Don't worry I'll make sure that your muse comes home to pummel you again. Both Shinji and Rodan laughed at the joke. Shinji could hide it from everyone but him. His love for Askua was his best kept secret. Shinji, one day you'll have to stop running away and tell her how your feel. Rodan stated. But right now we got an Angel to kill.
"Energy Ram primed and ready for charge!" A crewman yelled. As the ship shook again from another attack.
"Shields down to sixty percent!" Another cried.
"Tell the fighters to attack as soon a we puncture the AT field." Misato sated.
Togi and the rest of Beta squadron formed up, he watched Askua in the Outlaw-1 do a loop and enter formation on his right.
"Askua, I got not problem with you doing combat, hell I'd be honored to have you fight beside me, but get this strait. I'm the leader here and you are gona have to listen to my orders okay?"
"Okay Stooge number one." She voice chimed in over the speakers. "But don't expect me let you hog all the glory."
"No Askua, I wouldn't even try." He replied back. "Okay flight, Captain Soryu need a call sign any ideas?"
"Little Red!"
"Emasculator!"
"Shinji's bane1"
"Sexy legs!" Were some of the names yelled. Togi just shook is head.
"How about Demon." He stated. The pilots cheered in agreement. "Welcome to the club Demon lets go kick some alien ass!" He yelled. His war cry taken up by the other pilots, even Askua was drawn into the primal scream of battle. Close by Godzilla and Rodan floated next to one another. Through his link with Askua Godzilla heard the commotion, he shared this with Rodan and chuckled.
"And they call us savages." Rodan stated. Godzilla nodded.
"Humans are the most wonderful and terrible creatures." Godzilla observed as a tone from the Hermes cut the chatter of both parties.
"This is Commander Misato Katsuragi in a few seconds we will fire our energy ram and puncture the AT field. When that happens you will have a limited time to get inside before the field closes again. Good luck."
"Askua." Godzilla reached out with is mind, Askua could feel his worry.
"Relax, your starting to sound like that dummkopf, Shinji." She reassured him.
"You know as well as I that Shinji in no dummkopf." Askua twisted in her cockpit at Godzilla's words.
"I don't know what your talking about." She stated.
"Everyone needs someone." Godzilla continued. "Even the great Askua Langley Soryu." He rumbled. His last comment made her smile.
"But I have someone, you." Godzilla purred at her words and a smile crossed his lips.
"You will always have me." Askua was comforted by this fact even though she would never let it show, of all the things in her life Godzilla was the one gift she appreciated the most. Someone who understood her, someone she couldn't hide from even if she tried, and she appreciated that. Askua's inner musings were cut short by a spiraling ray of red energy that lanced from the Hermes. The ray stuck the AT field pausing as it tore though it and traveled on. The fast Wraths were able to evade the ray but a Wendigo was caught in its midsection. The creature howled as it was split in half by the ray. Its innards spilling out into the cold of space. The heat from the ray caused the O-Bombs to detonate taking out several Wraths that were too close to the Wendigo.
"That's our cue guys and gals." Togi yelled. "Light um up!" The fighters formed a V-shape with Godzilla and Rodan. In the middle.
"So Askua, what's like working with the tallest, darkest, and most mysterious man on the Hermes?" One of the pilots asked.
"He's more of a man than you'll ever be you pervert." Askua shot back.
"Ah!" The man gasped "Askua that's cold. That's colder than dry ice." He yelled as he made noises pretending to be cold.
"All right cut the chatter from here on out keep communication to a minimum. Askua?"
"Yes?"
"I'm not insulting you this is important. How hard is it to fly and help Godzilla at the same time?" Askua paused she had done it before but never in combat. Suddenly she was unsure of her abilities and regretted coming on the mission. As her courage and confidence began to spiral downward. Godzilla brushed her with his mind.
Askua you are one of the strongest humans I met, we can do this. His reassurance gave Askua all the confidence she needed.
"It will be okay but once he gets to the Angel he'll need my strength so I'll hang back then okay?"
"Not a problem, and Demon?" At the mention of her new name she bristled with pride.
"Yes?"
"I admire your confidence, and your honesty. Those are the traits I always liked about you.'' Askua was taken aback by the comment. She had never known Toji for undeserving flattery. It he stated it, it was because he believed it. This only served to boost Askua's confidence even more. As they sped towards the gap Askua noticed that it looked like some kid had thrown a baseball into a window the frayed edges resembling ruff broken glass. As they got closer she noticed something else. The edges were closing, slowly the hole was getting smaller. Askua held her breath and pushed her throttle to full. As the last fighter crossed the threshold the hole closed. They were trapped within an AT field and the only way out was to kill the Angel.
Until the point when they entered the AT field the Angel had been obscured by the swarming Wraths and ominous Wendigos. When the fighters entered the creatures moved aside to reveal the Angel in all its glory. Sahaqiel was massive. A great eye stared at them unblinking as it slowly pumped a set of massive orange wings. That all it was a winged eye. Without warning the Angel's left wing shot forward. A piece of the Angel's body was flung off, it sped towards the Hermes exploding against its shields.
"That Angel is a living bomb." Askua thought out loud.
"Keep the channel clear of chatter!" Togi's voice reprimanded. Askua felt anger well up within her. Who was he to order her around? She fought the urge to insult him, and used her anger to help her concentrate. She activated the grappler arms. Grappler fighters we designed to be used in combat as well as maintenance of larger ships. Each fighter had four arms. Two were clawed hands, one a cutting torch, and the last had an ax blade on it. It took a lot of work to fly the ship, gun, and work four grappler arms, but Askua was sure she would have no problem. The first wave of O-Bombs shot towards them, Askua quickly maneuvered out of the way while firing off a small burst from the bow mounted gun. The spay hit the target the explosion a red blossom in a sea of night. The artillery assault was followed by a wave of Wraths. Askua had was unprepared for the attack. Wraths like to disorient their prey by emitting a psychic scream. Askua found this out first hand as her mind was assaulted. She screamed as she felt her world begin to dissolve into bedlam. She screamed, and screamed sinking deeper and deeper. Suddenly strong hand took hold of her and pulled hard. She felt the figure wrap himself around her as she clung to him like a frightened child.
shhhhh. I have you my little one. Your safe. Askua broke down into sobs as Godzilla rocked her back and forth. As he comforted her, he felt a memory rise in Askua's mind. One that even after all this time still chilled Godzilla to the bone.
When they had first linked Godzilla was given Askua's memories as she was given his. It was in that moment that Godzilla new they were the same. Both of them driven by the same thing, Death. More precisely the pain it caused them and their fear of it. This was the reason he chose Askua, they were kindred spirits. Godzilla had never pressed Askua to tell him who's death it was that affected her so, and she had extended him the same for which he was grateful. Godzilla did not like to talk about his mate and the dark time he lived in, but though Askua would not tell him about it the nightmares she had were all he needed. As Askua's sobs quieted Godzilla stroked her head gently with his claw. It's time to wake up little one. We have work to do. Askua opened her eyes to see the cockpit. Slowly her senses returned to her. Togi's voice screamed over her speakers, Askua's focus then shifted out the view port. A vast mouth full of foot long teeth greeted her.
"Oh Shit!" She screamed and desperately gripped the controls. She brought the claw arms up, catching the monster's upper and lower jaw. The creature's spine covered tongue lashed the view port. Askua screamed and depressed the trigger. The Wrath was ripped apart by high velocity rounds from the bow cannon. Askua held the trigger down for several seconds after the Wrath had been shredded, finally she let go. She herd Togi's voice once more.
"Damn Demon, you sure like to cut it close. Congratulations on your first kill." Askua shook her head clearing the cobwebs.
"Uh…thanks."
"Askua you'll find a small red button on your right." She looked where he said.
"I see it."
"Press it, it's a psy shield to protect you from the Wrath screams."
"Thanks."
"I don't want to interrupt, but they're back." Came another voice. Askua looked out to see another group of the foul beasts moving towards them. A grim smile crossed her face.
"Think you horror movie rejects can scare me? I show you who the real demon is."
Godzilla had little trouble with the Wraths. He crushed one in his gauntleted claws, while three others were ripped apart by the Avenger guns on his waist. His attention was drawn to a little red Grappler that seemed to have an appetite for destruction. He watched as no less than six Wraths descended on it. His view of the Outlaw-1 was obscured for several seconds, enough time for Godzilla to begin to worry. Before he could use their link to ascertain Askua's welfare a flurry of blade and cannon fire dispersed the attackers most of whom were missing parts of their bodies. As they fled Askua gave chase, taking great pleasure in ripping them apart with blade, bullets, and even the cutting torch. Godzilla smirked, Askua had a sadistic streak that amused Godzilla to no end, whether it was torturing Shinji, and the others, or ripping her enemies apart the call sign Demon was bestowed on the perfect candidate. He returned his attention back to the battle raging around them. He grinned noticing a Wendigo had come within firing range of his shoulder mounted cannons, big mistake. The Wendigo was stuck in what passed for a head, without it the body writhed and twisted before falling silent. Satisfied with his success he returned his gaze to where the Angel waited ominously. Your next Godzilla thought as he blasted another Wrath to pieces. As if bidden by Godzilla's thought the Angel's eye turned and focused on him. Godzilla felt the blood drain from his face as a intense feeling of cold stuck him. Godzilla felt a presence in his mind, it was not gentle like Askua but harsh. It ripped its way into Godzilla's head causing great pain. Then the presence lifted, and the Angel spoke.
I am death to those who touch me The Angel said no more. Godzilla turned the Angel's statement over in his head, when Askua's comment returned to his mind. It's a bomb. It took several seconds for the gravity of his discovery to sink in.
"Mein Gott! " Godzilla cried slipping in to German, a little something he picked up from Askua. He panicked reaching out for Askua.
Askua it's a bomb, we got to get out of here! She felt the statement more than heard it. A series of images shifted through her head, the last one a explosion the size of as small moon. Askua felt the cold grip of terror in her stomach. Her hands flew quickly across the board calling up the Hermes.
"Misato, it's a trap!" She yelled frantic not knowing how much time they had.
"Askua, your not making sense." Misato's voice faded in and out with static due to the AT field.
"Misato, you've got to move away. The Angel is waiting for the ships to get closer so it can take us all out in one attack." Askua tried to calm her voice, but to no avail.
"Askua, I don't understand."
"There's no time!" Askua yelled the panic rising again added with Godzilla's made talking extremely hard. "It's waiting for the ships to get closer so it can kill itself causing an four hundred kiloton explosion!" Askua screamed. There was a long pause.
"We won't leave you." Askua was touched by the emotion the commander had let creep into her voice, but sentimentality had a time and place, this was not it.
"Then don't. Use the Energy Ram on the Gorgon to give us an escape route then you can shoot a nuke through the hole and blow that oversized eyeball to hell."
On the bridge of the Hermes Misato sat back contemplating the bold plan. "It won't be easy." She sighed. "And the time will have to be perfect."
"Leave that to us." Askua grinned.
"Okay, you'll have less than two minutes to get out before that nuke comes in, so no hero stuff right?"
"Sure what ever, it's not like I have a death wish or something." Askua grumbled.
"Fine. It will take thirty seconds to charge and aim the Energy Ram be ready."
"Good. Okay boys form up on me and get ready to hull ass in about thirty."
"What makes you think you can give orders to my squad?" Togi asked.
"Look we have no time for this." Askua sighed. "Just follow my lead for once." after a long pause Togi grunted in agreement. Askua let out a sigh of relief. That battle was over, but another would begin shortly. The red beam smashed through the AT field at an angle to avoid hitting the Angel. As soon as the red glow died down Askua hit her throttle and began to count. If the Angel was surprised at the sudden action of the humans it didn't show it, the thing just kept flapping its massive wings. As the fighter group neared the hole a glint from the Hermes informed Askua that the nuke as on its way. Were gona make it. She repeated over and over in her mind. As she near the gap a object shot passed her at immeasurable speed. The object collided with the incoming nuke. The explosion stole her eyesight for a few seconds as her view port tinted to shield her eyes.
" The Angel took out the nuke." Askua stammered.
"That settles it, we're going back to finish the job." Togi commanded. "Misato get the ships as far away as you can, and tell my sister I love her."
"Now wait a second!" Misato screamed her calm gone and in its place panic. "Just come back we'll figure something out."
"I don't think we have the time." Togi added, as the Angel who had sat so silently throughout the attack now rushed forward. "I think the jig is up." Askua heard the conversation between the two as she gunned the engines trying to outrun the fast approaching Angel.
Only got one shot. She heard in her head, her attention suddenly was drawn to Godzilla. Better make it count. Before Askua could demand what he was doing, Godzilla detached his prog knife from the armor and activated it thruster to begin to spin him.
"Askua what is Godzilla doing." She heard Shinji's voice over the com. Honestly she didn't know, but she wasn't about to tell him that.
"It's none of your business you nosey dummkopf." She sneered. As she finished the sentence Godzilla came to a sudden stop and launched the prog knife. He turned and kicked his thrusters in high.
"Now we…run like hell!" He told her, the plan suddenly made sense.
"Thrusters on full fellas I have a feeling were gona see some fire works." The prog knife sailed through space its speed only matched by its accuracy. It stuck the Angel in the center of its massive eye. The creature shuttered, and blinked. So close and yet so far It said to itself. The explosion buffeted the ships and the fighters as everything went white.
As Askua stepped out of the cockpit of her fighter on the landing deck she noticed both Misato and Shinji waiting for her. Guess I have to face the music sometime. She thought as she removed her helmet and shook her fiery tresses.
"Hey Demon!" Came a voice from behind her. Askua turned to see Togi and the rest of Beta flight standing on the landing deck still in uniform. Great the jury's here lets get the execution over with. "You made your first kill today, and now we will take you for the congratulatory drink at the officers lounge. You game?" I have never been so happy to see the stooge. Askua thought. Without a word she leapt from the fighter and joined the gang, her crimson suit standing out among the blue of the others. Shinji just sighed as Misato stomped off towards her quarters. No way I'm sharing the bar with her. She fumed lucky for her Misato kept a nice cache of beer in her room.
The room as dark the only light came from a glowing tank of orange yellow liquid. Within the tank was a young girl with fair features and frost colored hair. She sat with her eyes closed., after a few moments the liquid drained from the tube and the girl opened her eyes, they were a bright crimson. She stepped out of the tank and picked up a towel on the rack near by.
"Thank you Rei that will be all." Came Admiral Ikari's voice over the room's speakers. The girl bowed. "Thank you." She said in a small voice and exited the room. Behind a wall of mirrored glass Gendo Ikari turned to the room's sole other occupant. "Well?" He asked impatient to here the results.
"Her sync ratio had increase by fifteen percent." A feminine voice said.
"Good." Gendo smiled, a malevolent site. "She's ready. Can you recreate these results with the others?"
"Of that I have no doubt." She answered again.
"Thank you Ritsuko, you have been a great help to me." The woman smiled, taking pride in the praise the man gave her. "Now its time to call the tribes and convent the Summit of Souls." Gendo Ikari smiled again as the future stretched out before him, a future where he was God.