Gatchaman: Opportunities - Epilogue DISCLAIMER: Tatsunoko Productions holds the copyright over all names, likeness and rights of the Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman, which has been licensed to Sandy Frank Syndication (Battle of the Planets), Turner Broadcasting (G-Force) and Saban Entertainment (Eagle Riders). All these characters are used without permission, and I'm not profiting from this piece of fan fiction, so please don't sue me.

Opportunities

Epilogue
by Jacque Koh
Beta-read by Lori McDonald

The half moon looked down upon a familiar lone figure as he walked along the stretch of an ISO restricted beach, alone with his thoughts. The roll and crash of the waves was the only physical sound around the white winged figure, but he paid no more attention to this soothing music of nature now than he did the night before.

Kentaro watched him quietly from behind some rocks. As far as he knew, the crisis was over. With the recent recording, there was no more doubt over the Eagle's emotional health or his ability to continue his role as leader of the Kagaku Ninjatai.

If his observations through the day were to be believed, Ken had already embraced the healing process and he was going to be all right. So why was he here now?

"You can stop trying to sneak around, Red Impulse," Ken threw his words behind him without looking towards Kentaro's position. "I know you're there."

Kentaro flushed slightly at the ease with which Ken spotted him.

"It's late to be out. I--suspect, you haven't slept much."

"Still have some nightmares." Ken shrugged as he waited for the Red Impulse Captain to catch up with him.

"I saw the broadcast."

"That was embarrassing."

"Well, maybe overly dramatic. But very entertaining."

"Oh, I'm sure Katse will disagree with you." Ken sighed as a wry grin touched his lips.

"You were in fine form. How are you now, if you don't mind my asking?"

"'Some wounds take time to heal.' You said so yourself. The fear is still there but--at least I know I can push it aside and still think clearly. The flashbacks aren't as frequent. It can still feel really bad sometimes."

Ken took a deep breath before he continued. "I'll be talking to a counselor in the morning, but until then... I needed this walk to clear my head."

"I--I'm ready to lend a shoulder any time you need it."

Ken looked up at him in surprise. "I thought it was only a one time offer."

"D--didn't mean it like that. I only said it so you'd accept. Sometimes people need confidants more than friends." Kentaro hoped that Ken couldn't hear the pounding of his heart as he said those words. "But I'll still kick your butt if you tell anyone of it."

Ken chuckled. "Maybe I'll take you up on it sometime."

They fell silent for awhile.

"I have to accept the good with the bad. It was--unpleasant and it hurt, but the team is stronger and I think happier for it." Ken sighed as he shuddered involuntarily. "Our bird style has become more versatile. We can ditch the numbered shirts and actually wear other stuff, so we don't feel like we're in uniform all the time. I actually have a steady civilian job now, which will give me the flexibility to be Gatchaman at the drop of a hat."

"Harsh price."

"It lead to the exposure of Katse's boss. Should be worth it."

"Nothing's worth that."

Ken ignored his words. "Have to wonder about this Sosai X figure, though. It looks like Katse may have just been a front for it."

"Just a puppet on a string. I never really considered that."

"Makes him all the more pitiable if that's all he is."

Kentaro's face went black. "The attack on you was pure Katse!"

Ken breathed in sharply at this pronouncement. "I know. But after our encounter, we can probably safely assume he won't try it again. It'll be straight torture if we ever fall into his hands."

They fell silent again. But this time, it was broken by Ken's gentle humming. It took a moment for Kentaro to recognize the tune though he didn't immediately latch on to its significance.

"Mother loved the theater."

"Well, then I guess it's not surprising you have a flare for the melodramatic. Have you a secret wish to be an aspiring thespian?"

"No, just means I've probably watched every musical produced before I was eight. The theater can leave a strong impression on a kid." Ken continued to walk along the beach. "I had some time to think and... I recalled you humming a tune to me last night. It was from Les Miserables, wasn't it."

Kentaro frowned slightly at the memory.

"So it was. 'Can you hear the people sing'" Kentaro coughed uncomfortably. "I wasn't aware I was humming."

"Just little memories of mother." Ken stopped to stare out to sea. "Hakase and the team even found me a replica of mother's table."

"That was nice of them."

"They even managed to find a copy of the bottle of placebos you left behind. What was it, 'Shop-a-holic Control?'"

"As if, more like 'Sanity Contr--"

Kentaro choked. It had come out so innocently.

"I'm *not* dumb, *dad*." Ken snorted over his shoulder at him. "I can have occasional flashes of inspiration."

"Y--you must have me mistaken fo--"

"Hardly. Your mistake was letting me get too close." Ken turned to look at him. "You can't tell me I don't recognize you now."

Kentaro couldn't meet his son's eyes. He was afraid of looking to find pain and hatred smothering in the blue depths.

"Wha--what gave me away?"

"You *are* good at hiding things, father. Little things, nothing overly obvious. The cologne for one, you used it to remind you of mother, didn't you? Then there was the tune you were humming as you held me. And your comments on stormy nights and frightened children. The debacle with the handcuffs was so like you."

Kentaro flushed at the statement.

"Other things started to fall into place, like your skill in the air. Nambu Hakase's familiarity with you... Other things I wouldn't have thought of."

"I--I'm sorry."

"I was angry. I can't lie about that, father. I was furious. But--it all made its own sense. I'm not angry anymore."

Kentaro looked sharply and found himself looking into the eyes of his son. His fears were mostly unfounded, because there was no hate, or pain or even disgust in those blue eyes, only a deep longing.

"I--I've missed it too."

"Missed what?"

"The hugs."

A smile touched Ken's lips. "I won't take your head off with the beak."

There wasn't any more need to stay apart as father and son rushed into an embrace.

Kentaro let his tears fall unheeded on the white helmet as he hugged his son to him. "I'm sorry, Ken. I thought I did the right thing all those years ago, to protect you and your mother. Then you grew up and I--I didn't know how to stop the lie anymore. I'm so sorry."

"I thought you didn't love me."

"That's not true. After you--it was tearing me apart. I wanted so much to comfort you, but I didn't know how. It would have been the worst timing to even think of confessing then."

"I--I understood that. If you--didn't care--you wouldn't be here at all."

Kentaro crushed his son to him, willing the moment to last forever.

Ken started to chuckle. "You know, father, if the Galactors were watching us now and did *not* conclude that we are related, it could get embarrassing."

"You mean if they start thinking to try and seduce us using men and not ladies?" Kentaro grimaced. "Well, at least we won't be as sorely tempted. Right?"

"I am *not* gay, father."

"That's a relief. At least I have *some* hope you'll continue the family line. You ignore the Swan too much, son."

Ken chortled. "It'll change. I can at least promise you that. We still have five guards to deal with though."

"Nambu's getting better. I'll just threaten these as well." Kentaro murmured. "Son, you realize we can't--"

"As little known connections between us as possible. I understand."

"We'll always have this beach."

Ken snuggled deeper in his embrace. Kentaro unconsciously started to hum with contentment. Ken picked up the humming as well.

Kentaro changed his humming to a soft singing as they released each other.

Ken sang the next verse as they turned back towards the docks.

Kentaro grinned as he picked up the next part, with an arm firmly around his son's shoulders.

They sang together in the chorus.

The End.

Les Miserables is a musical by Alan Boubul and Claude-Michale Schonberg based on the story by Victor Hugo. It is copyright by them and I make no claims to it.

Thanks for reading.

Jacque Koh, March 1998