Part Three : KYUSHU? I HARDLY EVEN KNOW YOU!
Kyushu. The battlesite, near the shore of Dokowan Bay.
"Alright, Masayo. We are here against my better judgement, and there's no sign of Sato anywhere," Komai appeals to
his lady. "Can we please go now?"
Masayo flashes her beau a wry and determined look. "I know my nephew. He is too much like his father to let this
business go undone."
"Yeah, probably just enough to end up dead here as well," said Jackson.
"Thanks a lot," replied Komai.
"Hey, I'm just being honest. More than that kid can say."
"Hold it you two," Masayo cut in, scanning the scene with her binoculars. "Look there, ahead of the beast." She passed
the glasses to Komai.
"My God. I still don't see Sato, but what on Earth are those people doing?!"
*
"Captain, this is not working. The relics won't respond!" Kyoko screamed at the man as Godzilla continued his
inexorable approach.
"Do not lie to me again, Mrs. Bradley. I will not tolerate it." Nakano seethed, and drew his pistol. "Twice before I have
encountered you when your actions directly influenced the beast. Today's events convinced me. You will use that
influence now, or both of us will soon be dead."
Kyoko sobbed in panic, the monster was very near. Desperately, she tried the only thing she could. "Mikki, help me!"
She prayed, and blew once more upon the conch. Godzilla steps closer.
From nearby came the sound of a dog yelping. The sound grew louder, and the tiny beast appeared. It ran to Kyoko,
then turned and stood barking directly in Godzilla's path.
"No!" Kyoko screamed, fearing for the canine's life.
That's when the impossible happened. That's when Godzilla stopped!
*
The Monster King tread inland, tracking the energy's source. He could see the pair of tiny humans just a few strides
ahead, their scents naggingly familiar. No matter, his goal lay somewhere deeper into the hive, beyond these two
meaningless beings.
Then, he caught sight of something strange. A sudden flash. A tiny spark which approached him, and stood yapping at
his feet. Godzilla knew this light, it was the Spiritfire from the Aliens' island! Carried now by some tiny beast, it flashed
at him to stop, to go no further. Godzilla considered the animal, and the flame that surrounded it, but the Radion Wave
still called to him. He continued on his way.
*
"Kyoko!!" From out of the rubble, Kenji appeared, running full tilt toward his wife. Godzilla strode, his massive feet
hitting the ground, shaking the very earth they stood on. "Oh hell," Ken cursed, spying the little terrier standing alone
against the beast. He veered sharply, scooping up the pooch, and raced to Kyo's side. Then he saw the gun. "Nakano!
Are you out of your mind?"
"Bradley!" The captain screamed, seeming more than a bit hysterical. "You called that thing here, Bradley. I know it!
Stop it right now, or I will shoot the both of you."
"Then you'd better shoot, captain. We already told you, we have no power over Godzilla," Ken spoke desperately.
"So you say, but your wife has confessed. Admitting that with the tribal relics you possess you could..."
"That was the lie, captain!" Kyo shouted. "I told you what you wished to hear. How else was I to get out of that cell, to
find my husband?"
Nakano looked around him, as if beginning to truly see. "You lied to me?"
The little dog growled, squirming in Kenji's grasp. Godzilla began to stride.
Siezed by panic, Nakano gave a strangled cry, and aimed his weapon at Kyoko. With a snarl, the dog tore free from
Kenji's grasp and leapt savagely for the soldier's face! The gun went off, and Godzilla's enormous foot came down,
crushing Nakano and sending shockwaves rippling through the ground!
"Kenji, you are hit!" Kyo screamed, holding tight to her husband. They were still in the path of the monster's next step.
"We gotta go," Ken squeezed his bloody thigh fiercely. "Damn it, I can't walk! Get away from here, Kyo. Go!"
"I'm not leaving you here you big dummy. I only just got you back." Kyoko hoisted her husband's frame from beneath
his arms and began to drag him from Godzilla's path. They knew there was no time to get clear of the monster's next
stride...
A flash of brilliance rose from somewhere near the shore, and a powerful energy beam struck Godzilla from behind.
The giant reptile turned, its tail whipping high over the Bradleys' heads. The windsheer of the motion knocked them to
the ground!
There stood Sato, the Radion projector firing in his grasp! "Is this what you're after?" He fires again, striking Godzilla
about the chest. "Come and get it." Sato raced shoreward, laying a trail of power for the beast to follow. And he does!
*
"Komai! Komai! The man with the weapon, it is Sato!" Masayo cried in disbelief. "He is attacking the monster, we
have to stop him!"
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Asked jackson. "I seem to have left my particle beam weapons back at my
hotel."
"Mr. Jackson, my nephew is in danger!"
"Mark is right, Masayo." Komai was surprised to find himself agreeing with the American. "We are only three old
fogies in way over our heads. Perhaps Sato knows what he's doing."
"Speaking of old fogies," Mark began, peering through his own spyglass. "I could swear that looks like our old friend
General Iwa waiting for Sato at the shore."
"General Iwa? You're kidding!" Masayo too loooked out toward the water, and saw the ancient soldier standing near a
pair of motorboats, waving Sato on. "My goodness. I believe you're right, Jackson san!"
"Masayo, Sato is not without help here, but that couple over there is. I think we should help them, I think that man has
been shot." Komai pleaded, trying to get Masayo's attention from her nephew's plight.
"What about Sato/" She protested.
"We cannot help him, Masayo. But maybe we can help those others. Come on."
*
"Come on, boy. Run!" The retired General urged his young companion, and they entered the boats. Godzilla roared in
anger, closing upon the pair.
"You've done your part here, General. I will finish this." Sato retorted determinedly.
"Like hell," said Iwa. "Nakano called me in as an advisor, then refused to take my advice. You seemed to be the only
one making any real sense here, Sato. I'm not leaving you to die."
Sato flashed Iwa a grim look and sped off into the bay. The old soldier followed, and behind them, Godzilla too entered
the chill waters.
*
"Hello!" Cried Komai, spotting the Bradleys among the rubble. "Is anyone hurt?"
"Please help us!" Pleaded Kyoko, backing quickly away. "My husband has been shot!"
"It's okay now, I am a doctor." Masayo bent slowly to her knees to examine the man. "The bullet has passed cleanly
through the thigh, but there may still be some bone damage. Anata wa, desu ka?"
"Kenji. That's my wife, Kyoko. I''d advise you to keep your distance though. Last we knew, she was highly
radioactive."
"Radioactive?" Said Mark. "You two must be hanging with the wrong crowd or something."
"You said it," replied Kenji, appreciating the man's humor.
"Look," said Komai. "I think the Defense Force is moving in." A number of jeeps were approaching, as well as a cadre
of strangely armored men carrying what appeared to be energy weapons. Nakano's Markalite squad.
"Kenji, what if they try to arrest us again?!" Kyo gasped, panicking at the thought of further confinement. Then, from
somewhere among the debris scattered about the battlesite came a familiar barking, and the little dog appeared, running
toward them.
"Doggy! You made it!!" Said Ken, greeting the messy mutt. The terrier wagged her tiny tail and yapped, then went
straight to Kyoko.
Without thinking, she bent down to pet the little dog, and it began to lick her face. "Oh no! Go away, baby. You'll get
sick if you come too close!" She warned, remembering her condition. The terrier yapped insistantly, then looked
meaningfully at Ken.
"Kyo, listen. Let her kiss you."
"What? But Kenji..."
"I know it sounds weird, but that dog saved my life. I think she knows what she's doing."
Again, Kyo bent within reach of the pooch and scooped her up in her arms. The tiny dog licked Kyo happily. "She is a
sweet little one, isn't she? Thank you for helping my Kenji!" The dog yapped twice in response, then quickly ran away.
"Hey!"
"Mrs. Bradley!" Cried one of the arriving soldiers. "I am sorry, ma'am. We all saw what happened out here. The
Captain didn't make it, did he?"
"No, Lieutenant Tanaka, Is it not?" Kyo asked. "Why could none of you have prevented this, soldier?"
"Nakano was the Defense Force's key commander, in charge of the anti kaiju vanguard. No one could dissuade him
from thinking you and your husband hold some secret knowledge that would help protect us against the giant beasts.
Especially Godzilla. Our orders were to hold fire, not to interfere. And we do not question orders, Mrs. Bradley."
"Lieutenant, have you got a gieger counter with you?" Asked Ken.
"Hei. Corporal..." Tanaka signalled for a subordinate to bring the device.
"Please check me out. My friends here as well." The soldier passed the probe slowly over the group. There was no
response. "Now my wife, please."
Tanaka approached Kyoko, bringing the unit close. "Nothing," he reported. "You are all clean."
Kenji smiled at his wife knowingly.
"Kenji! How on Earth...?"
Just then, another flash of brilliance, accompanied by an ear splitting shriek! An enormous plume of water and steam
rose from the bay, and they heard Godzilla scream!
"Oh my God. Sato!" Masayo gasped, fearing the worst.
*
Sato's boat sped swiftly across the bay, putting some distance between him and his relentless pursuer. General Iwa kept
pace, determined to get the boy out alive.
Sato cut the motor and reached for his deadly invention; the Radion projector. Shoreward, he saw Godzilla wading
closer. There was no doubt now, the beast was indeed after the device!
The General drew alongside the scientist. "Set that thing up and get in, Sato. We're getting out of here."
Sato regarded the retired warrior. Well past his seventies, but with a powerful ageless look indicative of a man you
would not wish to be your enemy. The bay began to churn as Godzilla drew closer.
"Don't make me drag you from that boat," said Iwa. Sato locked the device on an overload setting and joined the
General. "Good work, Sato. Let's go!"
Godzilla growled, watching the humans speed away in a wide arc back towards the shore, then continued on to his own
singular goal; the now flaring power source.
The speedboat hit the sand, and the men jumped from the craft. "How much time?" Asked Iwa.
"Not enough," Sato replied. "Take cover!'
Behind them, a muffled roar, a blinding flare as the Radion core explodes, and the world around them fades to black...
*
"Sato san! Wake up!"
Faintly, Sato heard the voice of his aunt cutting through the haze which clouded his mind. "Aunt Masayo?" A strange
sensation swept over him then, like being out of touch with his body. The pain in his head brought him back. "Did we
do it? Is the creature gone?"
"They both are, my nephew." Tears rolled down the old woman's face as she and Komai helped the young man to his
feet. Sato's own tears flowed as well. His father was dead, Masayo's only brother. Together they began to grieve.
"I was a fool!" Sato cried. "I am sorry."
"Your motives were good ones, Sato san," Masayo comforted him.
"You know we love you very much," said Komai. "But you are a big dope, just like your father!"
"Hey everybody," shouted Mark. "Look who I found!"
General Iwa leaned heavily on the American, looking at all the familiar faces around him. "Komai. Masayo. Jackson,
and Sato." The old soldier bowed to each in turn.
"Are you all right, Iwa sama?" Komai inquired.
"Hei, I was just thinking. Thirty years is a long time," a toothy smile broke over the old man's face. "We should get
together like this more often!"
*
Two days later. Hokkaido, the Iso estate.
"Everyone, your attention please," Ken rose slowly from his seat, the runestaff now serving as his cane. "I wish to
thank our gracious hosts, Paul and Shidori Iso, for inviting us to their home for this victory party!" They raised their
glasses, and the Iso's bowed together before the small crowd.
"And thank you all for coming," said Shidori. "My husband and I have been journalists for many years. This way we can
get all your statements for our account of this adventure!"
"Mother!" Said Kyo, embarrassed. A pall of laughter rang through the large, open room.
"Gomenasai, I too have an annoncement to make, which our hosts are quite welcome to record." Lieutenant Tanaka
spoke. "Mr. Sato, I have been working closely with Chief Komai to resolve the legal aspects of your involvement. We
believe we have reached a solution."
Masayo clutched her nephew's hand as the soldier continued.
"With consideration of the motives behind your technically criminal activities, the courts have agreed to grant you
probationary status for a period of no less than five years, wherein you will be reporting to your uncle on a weekly
basis."
A wave of relief washed over Sato and his aunt, and they hugged. The young man turned to Komai and bowed. "Thank
you, Uncle!'
"Do not thank me yet, Sato san. You have not yet heard the whole deal." Komai retorted smugly, and Tanaka
continued.
"This status will be granted only if you agree to one condition; you must join G-Force."
A look of shock replaced the relief on Sato's face at the news.
"You will be working to adapt the Artificial Diamond substance originated by Dr. Munakata, as well as your own
Radion Wave, to add to our kaiju defense systems. You will report directly to General Iwa, who has agreed to continue
as an advisor in our efforts," Tanaka concluded. "What do you say, Mr. Sato?"
Sato was stunned! He had never even considered a career in the military. He looked at General Iwa, a man he trusted.
A man of honor. The man was smiling like a cat about to devour a songbird. Sato smiled back. "Hei. I'll do it!"
"Congratulations, kid!" Cried Jackson. "You're in the Army!" The American's good cheer spread through the crowd,
then the General spoke.
"There is one final matter to be dealt with now. Our friends the Bradleys," Iwa sipped his tea. Ken couldn't help
thinking the dramatic pause was intentional. "I was brought into this situation because of you two. I was present when
you 'confessed' your ability to influence our old friend Godzilla to the late Captain, Mrs. Bradley. I did not believe a
word of it, and told him as much. However, myself as well as those in authority at G-Force do understand his concern
regarding your involvement. It has been decided you both should leave Japan."
"General Iwa! You cannot order my daughter to leave her own country!" Paul retorted indignantly.
"I am sorry for how this must sound, Iso sama. I mean no offense, but it does seem as if Godzilla continues to appear
wherever these two go! No one can explain this as anything more than coincidence, and no one is accusing them of
anything. We merely wish for a little time, say one year, to see if there is any validity to the theory."
"It's okay, General. Kyo and I had planned to do some travelling anyway. I'm just glad you didn't decide to hold us here
instead!" Said Kenji. "Please, if you would excuse us for a moment?" Together they rose, and walked off into the
gardens.
"Poor kids," said Komai. "I hope they'll be okay."
"You know, old friend, when Bradley ran into the Boss and his gang, the American they were expecting was me," Mark
admitted. "But when I learned your nephew was involved, well, I had to try to spare you guys any more grief."
"Arigato, Jackson san. Business as usual, eh? Just like the old days," Komai gave a slight bow.
"I guess. Only it didn't quite work out for the Bradleys. I hope the Gods will watch out for them. Something tells me
they're gonna need it."
"I believe they have been, Jackson san," Shidori remarked. "I believe they still are."
*
In the garden.
"Kyo, I hope you're not too upset. We should still have a few days to hang out with your folks before any body starts
hassling us."
"I know, Kenji. It is all just so... strange. We do seemto keep encountering Godzilla. After you escaped and the
monster appeared again, I knew no argument would dissuade Nakano. I admitted we could influence the beast with the
totems from Selga. I think, I almost began to believe it myself."
"I hope you can forgive me for leaving that place, Kyo. I..."
"I do, my love. I called upon the SeaGod to watch over you, Kenji. I blew upon the conch to summmon Mikki to your
aid. I am not sure if it was of any help."
"It helped, Kyo. Believe me." He held her close, and tight. They kissed, with a love they knew no monster could ever
shatter. The moment was shattered, however, by the now familiar yapping of a little blonde dog!
"Hey, Puppy! C'mere!" The couple bent to greet the tiny pooch. The terrier yapped, wagging her short tail happily.
"Kenji, how did she...?"
"Honey, when you blew through the conch, girly girl here showed up and helped me out."
"And when Nakano forced me to face the monster, I blew upon it again and she appeared. Kenji! Could this little dog
really be..."
"I think she did drink some of the Godblood from my broken flask, and you know what 'dog' is when spelled
backwards. In English, I mean!" The dog snuggled contentedly in Kenji's arms, and turned her warm sea green eyes to
Kyoko.
"Can we keep her?" She asked.
"I don't think we could get rid of her!"
"We need to give her a name. Something appropriate, like Angel." The dog whined questioningly at Kyo's suggestion.
"Hmmm. I was calling her Einstein, cause she's so smart. But under the circumstances, I think we should call her
Mikki." At that, the dog yapped twice in approval.
"Mikki it is!" Kyoko agreed. "Come on, let's go introduce you to everyone properly! Come on, Mikki, come on girl!"
And together they rejoined the party. Husband, wife, and loyal friend. Each with just a little more love, and magic in
their lives.