3
Beachhead
Askua groaned and tried to get out of bed. 'I'm never dinking again.' She promised herself as she crawled to the shower. 'I don't see how Misato does it.' Askua had gone round for round with Togi last night and won, or lost depending how you look at it. 'Dummkopf Toji, did this on purpose'
'It's not fare." groaned a very painful and weak voice. 'You get to have all the fun of being drunk and I get the hangover the day after.
"Fine next time, you get drunk and I'll grumble about it!" She snapped.
'There isn't enough alcohol on this ship to get me drunk, that's why its not fare…Askua call the chemical cleanup guys.'
"Why?"
'Because I'm about to toss my atomic cookies!' After Askua had paged the has mat team she half stumbled, half crawled to the mess hall, and that's where Shinji found her. Askua lay with her head covered by her hands. She ignored Shinji salutation as he sat down. After staring at her for a few second Askua raised her head grabbed Shinji's chin and pulled his face close to hers. Shinji looked into her clear blue, slightly blood shot eyes. He had dreamed of being this close to her.
"Shinji." She moaned softly.
"Yes Askua?" He answered their lips precariously close to each other.
"Your thinking to loud." She whispered and returned to her former position. Shinji just sat there in a state of shock. After a few moments Askua shifted her head to open one eye to look at Shinji. "Your still thinking to loud!" Before he could react Askua's arm snapped out grabbed Shinji's head and dunked his face into the bowl of cereal that was his breakfast. After a few cups of black coffee and a nausea pill from the ship's doctor Askua became a little more social. On another part of the ship Misato was having a similar problem. She fared a little better than Askua because she was used to the after effects as night of excess. She quickly downed a concoction she made herself for these occasions and stepped into the shower. As she was drying her hair with a towel the door chimed.
"Come." She stated and the door hissed open admitting a very nervous and highly excitable, Maintenance Chief, Kensuke Aida. He walked in to the room that served as the meeting and entertaining area of the Commander's residence. Though Misato had been offered a larger quarters she had refused and taken one just like that of all her personnel. As Kensuke looked around he felt something crunch under his foot. He looked down. A empty can of Yebisu beer, Kensuke picked up the smashed can and began to make his way to the garbage when he noticed that the floor, the table, the sofa all were littered with empty cans. 'Wow. The Commander must have had a wild party last night.' He thought as he began to gather up the mounds of cans. 'You could build a Grappler with all this metal ' He mused as her placed them in the shoot that was marked for metal and glass. As he sent the last can on its way a thought occurred to him.
"Wait…the ship doesn't stock that brand of beer." He muttered.
"That's right." Misato called from behind him as she moved into the room. Kensuke literally jumped.
"Ah! Misato…er…I mean Commander, I was just…" He turned around to face her. In one smooth motion Kensuke's jaw hit the floor and his eyes grew to the size of pie plates. Misato stood there in nothing more than a towel wrapped around her well endowed form.
"Chief?" She said. "Is there something wrong?" She waved her hand in front of his face. The movement brought Kensuke out of his stupor. He quickly turned beet red and faced the wall.
"Well…um…I can see that your…uh…busy so I'll just come back later." He moved for the door.
"Wait. I'm not busy." She called. "Besides if your open that door half the ship will see me in my towel and you looking very disheveled." She continued, then added in a low tone. "That's how rumors get started." Kensuke stopped in his tracks. "You stay here. I'll get dressed." She smiled and headed for the bedroom. "So what is it you came here for Chief? Not just my company I hope." Her jest was lost on Kensuke.
"Well I'm here to tell you that we finished repairs on the hull and we have some new modifications for the Grapplers that I would like you to look at."
"Really? What kind of modifications?" She asked, mildly interested.
"Oh engine stats mostly, and since it had a field test yesterday I was wondering if you would approve the N2 armor for mass production?"
"That sound reasonable. Anything else?"
"Yes, if Askua is going to keep doing combat missions I would like to add a prog knife to one of her grappler arms and put an extra lining of Triton ore to protect her from any more psychic attacks."
"I have a question myself Chief." Misato said as she exited the bedroom in her uniform. "How did Askua get in the Outlaw-1 and launch without my permission?" Kensuke averted his gaze in shame.
"Askua can be quite persuasive." He stated. Misato smiled grimly and crossed her arms.
"Of that I have no doubt." That was when she noticed that Kensuke had a bruise under his left eye. At noticing this she clamed down and changed to a more gentle tone. "How many injured?"
"She laid up two of my guys in sick bay with broken bones. I got off easy cause she needed my voice to unlock the docking clamps."
"I see…well at least you didn't blatantly disregard order just because she threatened you." She smiled this time he got the joke.
"It is hard to say no to the person who has you in a head lock and can have her three hundred foot tall pet dinosaur turn you into a pile of ash." The both laughed.
"The prog knife it okay, but the extra shielding may interfere with her connection to Godzilla."
"Okay we'll get started on the upgrades right away." He yelled excitedly and headed for the door.
"Oh, and Kensuke." She called after him.
"Yes?" He asked turning once again.
"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention my state of dress, or lack there of during the first part in this conversation." She smiled again.
"No problem. It will be our little secret." He winked and left the room. Misato starred after him for a short while. 'We all need a vacation if the Maintenance Chief is hitting on the Commander.' She thought as she made a cup of coffee an sat down to collect her thoughts before she headed to the bridge. As she was finishing her drink the com buzzed.
"Yes?"
"Commander." Baxter's voice came over the speakers. "Sorry to disturb you but we just received a subspace transmission from the Grand Admiral." Misato sighed . 'I took this mission to get away from that man.'
"I'll take I in here thank you." She walked over to her coffee table and pressed the blue sphere in the middle. The sphere floated off the table and began to spin. As the spinning reached its zenith it emitted light creating a holographic screen and keyboard floating in mid air. Misato pressed a key, activating he message from the Grand Admiral. There was both video and audio to the message. Misato only keyed the audio. Having no desire to see the smug face of the self righteous hypocrite. The message was a command for the twelve tribes to convene on Blue VI at the end of the month. When the transmission ended Misato sat stunned. 'The only reason to call the twelve tribes back would be if… oh God! Heaven help us he found the final artifact!' Misato furiously began typing on the holo board. After a few seconds a face appeared on the screen. The man had handsome features that rivaled that of James Bond from the old pre impact days. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief. His long hair was held in pony tail. He smiled when he saw Misato.
"Why Commander Katsuragi to what do I owe the pleasure of your lovely face?" Commander Ryoji Kaji said as he bowed with a flourish of his hand. It took all of Misato's will power not to turn to mush by her former lover's remarks.
"Cut the crap Kaji, this isn't a personal call!" Misato growled. Kaji's face became grim for a second before returning to its suave half smile. Misato sighed and regained her composure. "I hear on earth the sun is shining."
"The sun may shine, but the ice is slippery." Koji returned. The phrases they exchanged were code that she and Koji had created to tell each other to secure the line after the first conversation was over. After they talked about her approval of the N2 armor and Askua's disobedience they said their good byes, but neither one closed the call. Instead they both activated devices that would protect them from any prying eyes and ears.
"Clear?" She asked.
"Clear." he answered.
"Kaji what did you deliver to the Admiral?"
"I don't know. They had SEELE men guarding it all the way there, I had no chance to get a peek."
"Where did it come from?"
"Earth." Misato breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good then it wasn't the artifact."
"Misato…He took the Arc." Misato's momentary reprieve was destroyed by Koji's words.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She yelled.
"He didn't tell me until I was docked. I couldn't say no." Misato stood there shocked. 'Why would he not tell Koji? Have we been found out?' "Misato, you know what this means, have you been able to decipher your father's journals yet?"
"No." She puffed. "He keeps changing the code word every few pages its tough."
"Keep at it we only have a month to figure out what he's up to."
"I'll try. Stay close to him and find out what he got from earth."
"I'll try, Misato be careful."
"Okay." They both ended there transmissions. About that time Misato's com beeped again. "Yes?"
"Commander we got the go ahead from the Chief and would like permission to slip to the planet." Baxter's voice stated.
"Why not. They know we're coming no use in trying to be subtle now." She answered. "Assemble the force commanders in my ready room and meet me there."
"Yes sir."
Askua sat in the ready room, between Shinji and Toji. Across from her was Major Jonathan Girsbond of the Magwanaut Core. The Magwanauts where the ground forces deployed against the Legion and their followers. His blond hair was neatly trimmed and his grey eyes gave the impression that this man never relaxed. Seated next to him was Douglass Gordon. Captain Gordon was commander of one of the two dropships carried by the Hermes for planet side missions. Askua liked Gordon, their personalities were similar. Gordon had a hard time following orders that her didn't like and took no crap from nobody be they of higher or lower rank. He wore his green uniform with a peaked officer's cap pulled low over his eyes so that no one knew where he was looking. From time to time his mustache would twitch.
"So Soryu, heard you stole a ship and nearly got yourself killed yesterday." Came a very snide voice from behind her. She turned find Akria Ueda staring down at her. Ueda commanded the other dropship, and had a personal war with Askua. Ueda had been one of the Emulators that were chosen before Askua to link with Godzilla, but Godzilla had rejected him. When Askua link with no trouble he declared her is enemy. "Here's an idea next time why don't you just pilot the Gotengo, I'm sure Doug would have no problem since he runs his ship like you run your mouth." Askua saw red, she was about to break the cocky SOB's arm when another voice interrupted.
"Ueda, so nice to see you again." It hissed. Ueda turned to come face to face with a six foot tall Godzilla. Ueda's arrogant attitude deflated at the sight of the man sized monster. "You wouldn't be giving my good friend Askua a hard time now would you?" As he said this the spikes on his back began to glow neon blue. Godzilla leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "That's strike two boy, one more and you'll wish I had let Askua beat the living hell out of you. Radiation poisoning can be very painful if you catch my drift."
"Ye,Yessir." Was all Ueda could manage before he ran to the other side of the table and hid behind Gordon who Askua noticed was wearing a very large smile.
'That should keep him off your case for a while.' Godzilla projected into her mind as he placed his clawed hand on her shoulder.
'I could have taken care of him myself you know.' She stated..
'I know but he can't command with a broken arm and a black eye.'
'Oh you!' She snorted and placed her hand over his. 'These holo emitters are getting better. You feel real.'
'That's good, now I can do this.' He bent low and licked Askua's cheek. She shivered and scratched Godzilla's left ear. He closed his eyes and purred. Askua giggled then noticed that every one was staring at them.
"Um, do you two need a moment?" Toji asked.
"Why don't you perves take a picture it lasts longer!" She yelled. Godzilla emphasized her comment with a growl showing his fangs and flashing his spines. Askua noticed that Shinji was oddly quiet, not that he said much anyway. She turned and found the reason. Shinji was a master at hiding his headphones of it music player which he listened to constantly. "So Shinji what you listening to?" She asked tearing a headphone out of his ear and placing it in her own. The melodic sounds of Beethoven sounded in her ear. She made a face. "Shinji that's not music this is." She grabbed the jack out of his music player and plugged it into her own. She quickly selected a song. Shinji jumped out of his chair as Queen's We Will Rock You blared in his ear.
"Askua what the hell?" She stammered climbing back into his chair.
"Now this is real music." She stated. Shinji looked at Godzilla who just shrugged.
"She has a point kid, Rock is king."
"Oh really?" Askua said turning on him. "Is that why you listen to Phantom of the Opera?" She grinned.
"Shut up!" He yelled and playfully shoved Askua with his tail. The shove caught Askua off guard, she toppled off the chair dragging Shinji with her. Askua opened her eyes to see Shinji's face very close to hers.
"Um, Askua are you alright?" Askua then noticed that Shinji was straddling her. Askua gave Shinji a look that would melt steel.
"Get off me you dummkopf pervert!" The slap following the insult sent Shinji sailing. He brought his hand up to the ever growing red spot on his cheek.
"What was that for! You pulled me down with you!" He cried. 'That's right.' Askua agreed remembering the other guilty party she rose and began to walk towards Godzilla.
"Now Askua." Godzilla stammered backing away from the approaching red head. "Lets not do anything rash, it was just a joke." Godzilla backed into the far wall.
"I'll kill you!" Askua screamed and charged. Just before she tackled him Godzilla waved to her and his image blinked out of existence. Askua had no time to slow down before colliding with the wall. The impact was followed by gasps from those in the room.
"That's going to leave a mark." Gordon winced
"On the wall or Askua?" Toji whispered. Slowly Askua dragged herself to her feet. She held her nose with one hand.
"Where is he?" She demanded.
"Right here." Godzilla roared as her appeared behind her placing her in a full Nelson lock. "If you'll excuse us gentlemen." Godzilla bowed and disappeared again. Askua slumped to the floor her eyes glazed over. Meanwhile on the beach of a topical island Godzilla struggled to keep Askua still.
"Askua calm down!" He roared as she kicked and screamed.
"I will not! You let me go or so help me I'll skin you and make a line of handbags, shoes, and, jackets!" She screamed as she fought with all her might.
"Empty threats will get you nowhere with me." He growled shaking her hard. "Tell the truth! Why are you mad." Askua finally gave up and stopped struggling, Godzilla released his grip. Askua collapsed to the ground and began to sob. Godzilla immediately understood. 'Her anger kept her from crying.' Godzilla knelt down and wrapped Askua in a hug. She calmed down and stopped crying.
"I was just so embarrassed." She hiccupped. "Shinji landing on top of me, you letting me run into the wall, and that asshole Ueda." Godzilla growled, berating himself for letting Askua get hurt on his watch, by his own hand. He licked her face with his rough tongue.
"I am sorry little one. I didn't mean to hurt you it was just a joke." She let her head hang in the crook of his arm. She felt safe in his arms.
"I know. It's okay we can go back now." She said. Back in the ready room Askua blinked and stood up. Godzilla flickered into existence at her side. Askua sighed, looking defeated. Godzilla leaned forward placing his clawed hands on the table.
"This didn't happen. There was no fight between Shinji, Askua, and, myself. Got it!" He hissed, the malice in his eyes told everyone that it was in their best interest to forget what they saw here today. They all nodded in answer, Gordon even removed his officer's cap to show that he had no lie in his eyes. Askua walked over and took her seat, she looked over at Shinji who now had a perfect red hand print on the left side of his face. She mouthed the words 'I'm sorry.' to him and pointed to her cheek. Shinji smiled.
'And so man discovered fire.' Godzilla mused as he watched the two. 'But it is only a matter of time before he gets burnt.'
Askua sat strapped in her grappler waiting for the drop ship to hit the atmosphere and launch her to battle.
"I don't understand it." Toji spoke over the line, since the battle with the Angel in space Askua had become a full member of the Beta Squadron much to Misato's displeasure.
"What's that Toji?" She inquired back.
"Why hasn't the EDU sent us anymore ships or, supplies?"
"That's because for all they know were dead." Godzilla answered surprising both Askua and Togi.
"How?" Askua questioned.
"You know Kensuke is a bright fellow, he hooked me up with a new Thought Speak machine that I can use in battle." Godzilla answered.
"He is smart isn't he? Remind me to apologize for the black eye when we get back."
"Maybe you should apologize to the men who's arms you broke as well." Godzilla commented.
"No way, they tried to man handle me! Kensuke a least asked and apologized before trying to stop me."
"Any way what are you saying we're already dead?" Toji jumped in.
"It's like the battle of Thermopolis. They don't expect us to come back." Godzilla stated in a dry tone.
"What are you talking about? What was the battle of Thermopolis?" Askua sighed.
"Get comfortable Toji. We'll be here awhile." Askua moaned. "Okay professor I give you the floor." Godzilla sniffed indignantly.
"Thank you." He mocked. "Okay Toji, the Battle of Thermopolis was a battle fought long ago on Earth. A small group of three hundred Spartan warriors held a pass for three days against an army numbering in the tens of thousands."
"What happened?" Toji asked drawn into the story of the heroic "three hundred".
"On the fourth day the enemy found a way to get behind the Spartans, they rained arrows down on them until not a man was left standing." Silence pervaded the area. "There were whispers that an ally of the Spartans had betrayed them to the enemy for the promise of riches and power, but, that is just a story." After long moment Toji spoke.
"Is that why the Admiral called us his "Three Hundred Spartans"?" Toji asked.
"Yes. Admiral Ikari was given three hundred ships for this mission, no more no less."
"And they won't send anymore ships because if we fail they will need every thing they can muster to save Earth."
"Correct we are inconsequential to the plan. If we beat the Legion great, if we fail then a weaker Legion will be easier to beat."
"That's great and all but I intend to live to see Earth again." Askua stated.
"As do I." The others replied.
"Okay boys." Captain Gordon's voice came over the com. "Hang on to your buts, things are about to get interesting."
"Welcome to the rollercoaster ride to hell!" Screamed Toji as the bottom dropped out of the world.
Askua thought her teeth were going to shake out of her mouth as she was jarred back and forth. This was a military ship and comfort was the farthest thing from the designer's mind. The only inertial dampeners were on the bridge, and that was only to keep Captain Gordon and his crew from being thrown around like rag dolls. Everyone else on the ship was strapped down tightly. Before Askua would be on the bridge, but now she had to sit through it like every other pilot. Finally the shaking resided as the ship leveled out.
"Alright boys and girls you know what time it is." Toji called over the com. "Lets show these bug eyed creeps what a keg of whup'ass feels like."
As soon as they cleared the atmosphere the Gotengo fired a barrage of air to surface missiles cutting a swath of destruction along the red planet's crust.
"That should bring them out of hiding." Captain Gordon smirked.
"Sir, I got nothing. No movement, no AT fields, nothing." The Tac officer spoke.
"This is a new one." Gordon mused. "Prepare a shuttle and an away team." He said after a long moment. Askua wanted to go on the away team, but Gordon had said that it would take to long to get her out of the fighter and then get over to the shuttle bay. Gordon entered the Shuttle bay to see Askua standing there, a armored vest and jacket over her plug suit. He also noticed a service pistol on her hip. Gordon sighed and wiped his face with his hand.
"How does Misato put up with you?" He asked pulling his peaked officer's cap down over his eyes.
"Lots and lots of alcohol." Askua smiled. Gordon returned the smile, and before she could react he had drawn his prog katana from its scabbard on his back and placed the blade on Askua's throat. Askua didn't dare breathe.
"Hold a blade to someone's throat and you learn a lot about them." Gordon stated. After a long moment he drew the blade away and replaced it from whence it came. "Welcome to my crew Captain Soryu." Gordon grinned and offered her his gloved hand. Askua hesitated for a moment, unsure whether this was another test, but after a moment she grasped his hand in a firm handshake.
"Happy to be aboard sir." She answered with a smile of her own. "And please call me Askua or Demon."
"Okay Demon shall we take a little field trip?"
"Why not, got nothing better to do."
On the bridge of the Hermes Misato was growing impatient.
"What's going on? We should see some explosions by now!" She sated to no one in particular.
"Um, Commander?" The com officer asked. "I have a message from Captain Gordon."
"Well let me have it already!" The resounding scream and sting of curses in Japanese and English caused a very scared Kensuke to turn around at the door to the bridge and dash back to the flight deck. "Do they want to drive me to an early grave?" Misato roared stalking over to the com. "Captain Gordon what the hell do you think your doing!" She screamed into the mike. By this time anyone who could leave the bridge was making a bee line for the door.
"Well it was such a lovely day, and the Gotengo was so stuffy we thought we would have a picnic on the planet. What the hell do you think I'm doing, I'm trying to find out why there aren't any hostiles showing on my scans!" Gordon yelled back giving no ground to Misato's assault. Misato just growled and pressed another button on the com. Down in the hanger deck Kensuke was working on a fighter.
"Kensuke." Misato's voice came over the com in the hanger. Kensuke jumped smacking his head on bottom of the fighter. He cursed and slid out from under the fighter.
"Yes Commander?" He said rubbing his brow.
"Are you busy?" She asked a little harsher than she intended.
"Not really…"
"Good! Go to my quarters and gather up every remaining can of beer and bring them to the bridge."
"Yessir!" He yelled and quickly grabbed the to remaining deck personnel to help him carry the alcoholic bounty. Back on the bridge Baxter approached a still fuming Misato.
"Commander I don't think it's wise…" That was a far as he got before a death stair from Misato shut him up. Back on the planet.
"You know Misato is going to kill us right?" Askua commented as she looked around at the barren desolate planet. Hive worlds always were chunks of dead rock in space, that only had an atmosphere because the core was hollowed out and filled with LCL as a reliquary for when times were hard on the Legion. The slow break down of the LCL oxygenated the atmosphere.
"Oh she will try, but it is a lot easier to evade a drunk Misato than a sober one." Both of them laughed having heard the last message to Kensuke over the com. "Now why are we not dead?" Captain Gordon wondered aloud. "This place should be crawling with Ghouls, Wraths, Plasmavores, and, Hellrazors."
"Maybe they hightailed it when we took out the space Angel." Askua said her hand on her gun.
"Never known them to run." Gordon answered.
"Well if they didn't run away why would they not attack us like before?" Askua stated looking around feeling like she as being watched.
"Well the only reason I can figure is if they are lay so kind of…oh shit." Gordon muttered as the ground burst up from around them. Four long spike covered bodies shot up from the holes. As the tips of their bodies was a round mouth full of sharp teeth. "Ghouls." Gordon spat. Askua screamed and opened up with her pistol. Riddling one Ghoul with holes as Captain Gordon sliced another in half with his sword. As black blood sprayed everywhere the ground began to shake. "Okay field trip over back to the bus!" Gordon yelled taking off at a run the others not far behind. The came from every where at once millions of them of all shapes and sizes. 'Shit must go faster! Must go faster! Go! Go! Go! GO!' Askua and the others leapt into the shuttle as Captain Gordon dashed to the pilot's chair. The shuttle shot into the air as its occupants hung on for dear life, the pilot ordered the planet turned to ash. The Gotengo waited till the shuttle was inside the bay before unleashing hell on the enemy below them. Missiles and photon rail guns tore at the undulating mass of creatures on the ground. Askua ran like mad to get to her fighter as the Beta squad launched down one. Togi and his crew dropped released fuel air explosives on the array of monsters. Askua joined up with them as the engaged a group of Wraiths above the Gotengo. As Askua deployed her grappling arms she noticed the ax arm had a long sword like blade.
"Hey Ken, is that a prog knife on my Grappler?" She asked over the com.
"Yeah. Just got it finished before the Outlaw was transferred to the Gotengo." Kensuke beamed as her handed Misato yet another beer. She opened it and quickly downed the bitter beverage. After finishing it she muttered something under her breath then held out her hand, Kensuke obliged. "If it works I'll put in a request to have them used on all Grapplers." Kensuke added. Meanwhile on the bridge of the Gotengo.
"Nothing of scans sir." One crewman yelled. Gordon frowned.
"They should have sent an Angel after us by now." He deliberated for a moment. "Drop us down and let them deal with Godzilla." As the ship dropped towards the planet the lower hull split open and a purple glow emitted from the innards of the ship. with a roar that shook even the most mindless bloodthirsty servant of the Legion Godzilla floated out of the ship held in mid air by a gravity ray. Godzilla's back plates began to glow. A stream of blue fire issued from his sword lined maul, tearing through the creatures below. Godzilla was used to this tactic as he was spun in a circle, all the while blasting anything that moved. After Godzilla's ray died down the Gotengo released him allowing Godzilla to fall the remaining distance to the ground. Godzilla landed squashing several of the monstrosities.
"Hello boys." He hissed as his prog knife mounted on his wrist flipped forward and began to glow. As Godzilla whipped his tail around clearing the area of monsters a dark presence bushed his mind.
'Take care of the black beast my brother, I'll kill the human ship.' Godzilla shook his head a as a trickle of blood came from his left nostril. Her thin noticed the ground not far from him splitting open and four segmented legs issued forth from the abyss.
"Captain, it's a tra…" Godzilla felt burning pain in his stomach. He turned to see a vaguely human shaped creature standing in front of him.
"AT field detected!" A crewman cried.
"Pull up the Enoch index find out what were dealing with." Gordon yelled.
"AT fields match that of…" The shook violently.
"Sir something's on top of us!" another crew man cried, the fear evident in her voice.
"Visual." Gordon commanded. A holo screen flashed to life showing a round black body covered and eyes with four spidery legs looking back at them. "That's one ugly son of a bitch." As spoke the eyes blinked.
"Sir, hull breach. Crew reports some kind if acid." Gordon continued to watch the Angel blink its many eyes. He noticed that a tear fell each time an eye blinked, a tear of acid.
"Clever girl." Gordon mused. "Can we get Godzilla to wipe this bug off our windshield?"
"Love to Captain." Godzilla's voice sounded labored. "But I have my own troubles at the moment." A holo screen showed Godzilla arms locked with another Angel. This one was black and looked like a human. It had a spike on each elbow and a beaked head. Its core was right on its chest taunting Godzilla as he tried to force the Angel back.
"Sir Enoch index had identified the spider Angel as Mataral, and the human Angel as Sachiel."
"That helps us how?" Gordon retorted. The air was cut by a duel scream of Godzilla and Askua. Gordon saw that the spikes on the Angel's elbows had shot forward through Godzilla's hands and into his shoulders. The Angel retracted the spikes and Godzilla collapsed. The Angel then placed a hand on Godzilla's head, its palm over his right eye.
"Oh God!" Cried one of the crew certain that they would witness Godzilla's death in a few moments.
"God is not here today." Was all Gordon could say, then he noticed flashes of light on Godzilla's back. "But Godzilla is." Sachiel could only blink in surprise as light filled the back of Godzilla's throat. At such close range the AT field did noting more than slow the beam for a few scant seconds. When it was done Godzilla walked over to the bubbling steaming mass. He placed his foot on the core.
"Go to hell!" He yelled and smashed the core grinding it into dust. Askua had broken off from the squad when she felt Godzilla's pain. She quickly doubled back heading towards the Gotengo.
'Are you alright?' She called fear tingeing her voice.
'I'm…okay…just a little shook up, I lost a lot of blood.' Godzilla replied his mental breath slowed by the lack of blood.
'You don't sound okay. How much blood!?' Askua screamed. The link was silent.
"Sir Godzilla's collapsed." Gordon looked at the screen as the prone form of Godzilla laying in the dust as armies of nightmarish creatures moved towards him.
"Focus our bottom turrets, and keep them away from him. Damage report!"
"Sir, the acid has penetrated through are armor and is not only three decks above us. Sir we can't break atmosphere, the ship will depressurize."
"More good news." Gordon mumbled.
Askua saw Godzilla laying on the ground and the Gotengo with a spider like creature on it trying to stay aloft. After making sure Godzilla was still breathing she charged the Angel. The Angel was so intent one its goal that it didn't notice Askua until she flashed past, severing one of its legs. The Angel silently screamed and withdrew its head from the hole in the ship, searching for the thing that hurt it. Askua circled around for another attack only to be met by the Angel in mid air as it leapt at her. She brought her claw arms forward catching the Angle in air. 'Great job Askua now we're both falling.' She kicked herself. The Angel blinked, firing acid at one of the grappler arms severing it. Askua screamed and brought her torch arm forward aiming for one of the Angel's eyes. The eye bubbled and exploded. Askua gagged as green goop drenched her fighter. Through the dirty view port she saw a red shimmer where the eye once was.
"Hello." Askua smiled and thrust her prog knife forward. The Angle shuttered then separated from the Outlaw-1 the fire in its eyes winking out one by one.
Shinji and Rodan had no trouble dispatching the space forces of the Legion catching them by surprise and literally ripping them apart. After rendering the space forces moot the Gorgon added its dropships to the ones on the planet.
Deep within the planet something stirred. Zool was experiencing fear, a lord of the Legion experiencing fear. He was surprised by the humans attacking the space forces and more surprised by the defeat of not one but two Angels. He shamelessly called for assistance from the other lords. Loki answered his call.
Brother why such fear? Loki asked patronizing.
I am vulnerable! They have destroyed my escape from this world. Zool cried. Loki only laughed. Save me brother, send Behemoths to save me! Zool cried.
You are a fool to think I would save you! Loki laughed harshly We are not allies, only the fear from the master keeps us from each others throats.
Please brother I beg of you!
Mercy is for the weak! Zool shuttered as his link was severed, not just from Loki but the master and his servants on the surface, for the first time in his life Zool was alone.
"They've cut the puppeteer's strings." Gordon said as he saw the masses of Legion monsters begin to tear themselves and each other apart below. "Only a matter of time before, there she blows!" Captain Gordon yelled as a bright jet of flame shot forth from the crust of the planet. "All forces focus on the Overlord." Gordon barked into the com. "Hey Askua what's Godzilla's status?"
"He's still out." She replied.
"Don't worry I've seen the big guy take a lot more and come back strong." Gordon reassured her. Gordon looked up to see a dark form about the size of his ship hovering where the flame once was. "Hello ugly." He grinned. "Charge AZC!" He ordered.
'Must escape!' Zool thought as he propelled himself upward on his wings. Overlords resembled dropship size Cockroaches, and only showed themselves when the jig was up and running was the only thing on their mind. Grapplers buzzed around the monster bug firing their cannons, but Zool just brushed the hits off. 'The stars are safe. Must escape to the stars.'
"AZC charged sir!"
"All forces move away from the Overlord!" A few moments passed. "Fire!" a bolt of ice blue shot form the bow of the Gotengo heading strait for the Overlord. Zool's panic was so strong that her didn't feel the impact of the AZC cannon, but he did feel the cold coming on and his wings slowed. Zool was gifted one final look at the stars before his body was frozen solid. Gravity then took his course. Cheers went up from the fleet the Fifth Spear was gone and with it two Angels. It took several hours to finish off the remnants of the Fifth Spear. Captain Gordon and Askua finally stumbled on to the hanger deck of the Hermes they were greeted with a very angry Misato.
"I hope you two aren't tired." She started. "Because we have a long night of talking ahead of us!" As she continued her monologue Captain Gordon crept around behind her and gabbed her, pinning her arms to her sides.
"Askua, you did a good job today." He winked as Misato screamed a slue of curses, threats and insult. "Come on Misato. You can escort me to the brig." Gordon sighs as her carried the woman off towards the cell block.
Well that's chapter three hope you liked it. looks like Shinji may have a little compition from Captian Gordon.
comming soon Chap: 4 Shoreleave
