Part Two: WAR STORIES
Osaka.
The cold rain pours, relentless. Maki Sato shivers instinctively, no longer really feeling the chill. His assault on the Radion labs had not stilled the voices in his head, nor erased the guilt of his conscience. He had allowed himself to create a monster. Now he had become one himself. "Something never meant to exist in our universe," he called it. Sato began to realize, he had to find a way to die.
"Konban wa, mister," came a voice, as Sato was grabbed and shoved against a wall. "You shouldn't be out so late. Give us your money quick and we let you go."
"No," said Sato, his voice a liquid rattle. "You get my money if you kill me."
"You look like a smart guy mister, don't do this."
"I 'm serious. Cut me a deal. I'm getting the best of the bargain."
"Hey, Ichi, I say we leave this guy alone," said the other assailant. "Look at him."
The thug spun the researcher around, and gazed him full in the face. The energy spent in the raid had drained Sato, leaving him almost human in form. Almost, but not quite. "He's some kind of freak!" Screamed the mugger, hurling himself from his former target.
Sato's features twisted into a liquid scowl. "What's the matter with you?" The scientist charged the men. "Kill me you bastards!"
"Come on, Ichi, let's go!" They began to run.
"I could kill you," Sato screamed in frustration. "I could kill you all!!" Maki Sato dropped to his knees, his tears of rage lost to the rain, and to his own fluid mass. Then, from the edge of his conscious perception, came the voice.
"I hate you, Sato."
"You are dead. I know you are dead. Why won't you let me be?"
"Because I made you. Now I must destroy you."
"Then do it, please. Kill me father!"
"Kill yourself, mutant. Attack Godzilla, surely he can do the job. Then you and I will both be free." The voice faded, and Sato writhed in anguish.
"Hei. I'll do it, father. Then we will both be free."
*
G-Force Command, the infirmary.
"General Iwa-San? Oname wa, Tominaga desu. Chief Komai asked me to see you." The old Detective entered the crowded ward, and bowed to the soldiers.
"Arrashimasse. Komai told me the creature which attacked us might be known to you."
"Hei. Your description leads me to believe so. I helped destroy a colony of such beings back in nineteen fifty-nine. One left quite a body count before we killed it. We called it the H-Man."
"The H-Man! Now I recall the incident. You managed to burn the creatures, yes?"
"Hei. We believe they were vaporized in the flames, but we understand so little about them. We know they were born of radiation, and we know that they kill. I can only pray whatever did this can also be dealt with, and destroyed."
A grim look passed between the soldiers, and Tanaka spoke. "Tell him, General."
Iwa fixed his gaze upon Tominaga as if trying to look into his heart. "I believe the creature is a friend of mine, detective. The nephew of Chief Komai, a young researcher named Maki Sato."
"Komai's nephew! Does the Chief know?"
"No, I did not tell him. Personal reasons."
Tominaga looked shocked, then gazed back at Iwa, measuring him as well. He decided to let it go. "What makes you think it's him?"
"You have heard of the incident in Kyushu last month, the battle of Godzilla and Dogorah?" The detective nodded the affirmative. "What the news did not reveal was that it was Sato who revived the monster. He tapped into a strange power, and used it to bring Dogorah back to life, but the energy was like a beacon to Godzilla who seemed compelled to destroy its source. Sato drove the beast away by detonating his device, but was himself caught in the blast."
"And you believe the exposure changed him, I see." Tominaga considered the story. "I'm afraid it makes perfect sense to me. But it makes killing him a last resort. That's a problem."
"That's why you're here, detective," Iwa smiled. "But I would not ask of you what I myself am not prepared to give. The Captain, however, will not be joining us, is that clear, Shiro?"
"Under protest, sir. Yes, sir."
"Thank you, Captain. Tominaga San, it's time to call in whatever favors you've got coming to you. I may be getting old and sentimental, but Sato and his family have become my friends, and I'm going to fight like hell to help them."
*
Ogasawara.
The King of the Monsters steps slowly across the threshold, and enters the ancient temple. The structure is vast in proportion, as if built for one of his own, but the stench that marks it as the work of the menthings remains.
Godzilla can almost see them now, vague and indistinct, like visions from some time long past. They are working. No, fighting. It is a battle being played out before him in the shimmering air. There is blood and fire and cries of war, and Godzilla roars, stepping into the fray.
The ephemeral armies scatter, being crushed beneath his feet. Quickly, they vanish, leaving the monster alone inside the huge building. But Godzilla knows that he is not alone. There is something else here. Something that cracked the earth, and pushed the Temple through. That showed him visions of death and horror. Something that is an enemy, one he knows he must destroy.
*
Osaka. Tanaka's home.
It had been a sleepless night, as usual lately. Shiro lay resting in the pre-dawn darkness, telling himself he was not to blame. He had been shaken by the Markalite squad's defeat on Ogasawara. When the H-Man appeared at G-Command he froze, and was quickly struck down. He had always dreamed of leading the vanguard against the kaiju that terrorized his homeland. Now that he had it, he found himself wanting. A great shame came upon him, and Tanaka vowed; he would die before he let himself fail again.
A quick, sharp sound startled the captain, and he jumped, his wounds protesting the motion with vigor. It came again, like scratching. It was coming from the back door.
"Hello!" He called, and caught two faint yaps in response. "Mikki?" He rose swiftly, ignoring the pain, and looked outside.
"I don't believe it." There indeed stood the raggedy little terrier, as eager as ever. "I don't believe it." He scooped up the tiny dog. Mikki kissed him, squirming happily in his grasp. "I don't know how you found me, Mikki, but I'm glad you're okay."
"Don't turn around, soldier," came a voice, followed by the unmistakable feeling of a gun pressed into his back. "Get inside, quickly." Shiro looked for options, and found none. "Quickly!" The voice repeated, and the soldier complied.
"Now let go of the dog and have a seat, Tanaka," the soldier did so, now facing his captor. The dog ran to the old woman with the gun aimed at him, and he realized who she was!
"Where is my son, Tanaka?" Said Anna Bradley, an edge of madness in her tone. "What have you done with Kenji and Kyoko?!"
Tanaka watched speechless as Anna narrowed her gaze and chambered a single round...
*
Tokyo. The house of Masada.
"Thank you for coming to meet us, Miname. I am sorry we don't get to visit more often," said Tominaga, accepting the tea the young woman offered him.
"It is my pleasure, uncle. Besides, you would have escorted me from work claiming 'Official Police business' had I not!"
"I am kept busy even in my retirement, Miname-San."
"I know the feeling," said Iwa. "Tominaga tells me you are a scientist, Miname-San. A biochemist, as was your father."
"Hei, though I admit, not half as skilled. Some of his research was fascinating! I have kept all of his records in order, hoping to one day expand on the work left unpublished when he died."
"Well, they say there is no time like the present," The detective began. "General Iwa has arranged a leave of absence from your job, Miname, as well as full access to G-Force's research facilities. Your father was a dear friend to me, and his records may hold the key to stopping a potential menace to Japan. I ask you now, in his name, to say you will help us."
"Uncle, I'm not sure I'm the best choice. There are others vastly more qualified who..."
"None of whom are familiar with your father's work," the General interrupted. "Sumimassen, but I have not slept, and am left cranky as well as old. We wish you to begin now, Masada. Please."
Miname considered the General. She resented his presumptions, and yet she knew he was sincere. Tominaga would not have brought him if it were not truly an important case. "You are right, General. You are cranky, but I promise I will try to help. Would you like another cup of tea?"
"Hei. Domo arigato." Replied Iwa, smiling back.
*
Ogasawara.
The surf breaks upon the rocky shore, foaming high upon the sand. Tide pools form among the crevices and depressions of the narrow beach. Pockets of calm water left over from the roiling ocean. One of those pockets becomes uncharacteristically active, the fluid slowly rising, surrounded by an aura of viridian light.
Maki Sato stands upon the shore and looks over his surroundings. This stretch of beach was more like a wasteland than a pacific island. Long tracts of shoreline appeared fused into rough sheets of glass, as if exposed to some incredible heat source. The stones themselves were all rounded off somehow, their sharp angles now melted away. A chill ran through Sato as he realized he was standing at the battlesite Tanaka had spoken of, where the Bradley's disappeared, and his squad was defeated by Godzilla.
The researcher steeled himself at the thought of the monster, and began to trek inland, plagued by the overwhelming guilt of his scientific abuses, as well as their horrible results. A thundering, inhuman scream echoed across the island, and Sato knew that beyond the next rise he would find redemption, or he would find death.
