Personal Note: After spending some time during the holidays and talking with my cousin about our respective writing experiences, I decided to put one more chapter before I get swamped by other things. I hope that she is proud of this and I wish her good luck and good hunting.
Chapter 8: Let's Go:
USS Constellation, somewhere off Landing beach Omega:
Many troops on the ground hoped that the makeshift shelters would provide some protection from the harsh cold but they proved less effective than everyone hoped and after reading reports of frostbites among the units on the icy continent, the commanders decided to rotate a select number back to the ships for treatment and to limit their exposure to the Antarctic weather. They also relocated back to one of the US carriers, to the anger of some of the troops, who felt that the commanders had no idea the hell they endured on this forsaken continent with each delay.
Yet it proved to be the right decision for while the common private had to endure the horror of battle up close, the generals had to make the hard decision of sending millions of these common privates off to die in at best dubious causes. Often making that decision required a general to be at his best of health both mentally and physically and that proved to be the case for Kitagawa right now as he and the other generals awaited the latest weather report. Plus an aircraft carrier contained more room and more advanced systems to keep track of large amounts of information.
All sat in one of the large conference rooms on the Constellation with Kitagawa brooding in thought with Reynolds sitting on the right side of him with a book in his hand. To the left sat Kawaguchi as he took a sip of his drink, his eyes drawn in as he observed the occupants in the room. Across from the room sat Brezarin along with the commanders of the British and French contingent. The only thing breaking the silence was the ticking of the clock and the sounds of classical Japanese music.
When the commanders heard a knock at the door, they all jumped in sudden surprise as they heard it and Kawaguchi immediately opened the door to find several officers, their faces in a tight grim mood. Before anyone can ask, the lead officer, a Japanese colonel said, "Sir, we believe that an acceptable weather front is moving in".
The room suddenly came alive as the occupants understood the meaning of the message and they immediately made way as the officers arrived with papers and photos in hand. Soon the table became crowded as the weather officials began to explain the situation.
The Japanese officer started off by pointing at several creases on the map, "Our weathers stations have detected a definite break in the storm moving in from the Falkland Islands area and it seems that it will hold for at most 72 hours".
Kitagawa cut in by saying while pointing to the map, "But if you look here, there are other weather fronts moving in that will collide at the same time".
Another officer, an American who had once served in Alaska, jumped in, "In fact it may be a blessing since it will give you guys cover when you attempt to attack Godzilla". He then pointed out by saying, "Despite the fact that you'll need the air support, won't you need some form of concealment to mask the advance from the kaiju's movements until you make contact with him". He then finished by stating, "Once the weather front from the Falklands arrived in a few hours, you can start using the air fleet to support the ground units".
Kitagawa nodded and listened in as the British General replied quietly, "At best, the planes armed with the heavier ordinance will have moderate to bad visibility over the target".
He replied while turning to Reynolds "But can't we use the planes from the carriers as well as the airships since they can work well in these types of conditions".
Taken somewhat by surprise, Reynolds replied, "It is possible but we'll have to ask the carrier commanders as well as Nakano to verify that fact". He then added, "If the officials here can give us a longer window then I'd take comfort in that". The others nodded their heads in agreement.
Kitagawa shook his head before turning to the subordinate officials and asked sympathetically, "Can you get more information of any changes in at most one hour"? The weather officials were about to speak when Kawaguchi cut in, "By that time, the monster will almost be completely healed and most certainly make another attempt to break out".
That fact weighted on everyone's mind as they considered the ramifications of another delay. If the thought of facing an injured Godzilla sent shivers down their spines, facing him while he was at full strength drained their faces of color as they contemplated such a situation. As he considered his limited options, the supreme commander of Operation Final Strike looked straight at his generals to gauge their opinions.
Reynolds looked pensive but the hard look in his eyes signaled that he would support whatever course Kitagawa decided to take. Brezarin looked very impatient to make any decision and the two other European generals had looks of despair in their eyes while attempting to display false bravado to cover their fears. Kitagawa took a deep breath before asking somewhat jokingly, "Anyone want to stay around in this place forever"? The others somewhat laughed in agreement at the statement as Kitagawa turned to the weather officials, "Get as much information in one hour, we'll meet back by then". He then turned to his colleagues and replied, "Signal all squadrons to prepare for combat", "We'll reconvene in one hour for final update".
Everyone cleared out of the room while Kitagawa brooded for a few more minutes while taking a last gulp of his drink. He then departed the room for his quarters.
Commanding Officer's room, Gotengo:
It had been a long day for Takeshi Nakano as he attempted to catch a few hours of sleep. He had just met with the commander of the other Gotengo class warship to discuss details of the operation as well as the status of both vessels. After that, he attended another squadron meeting and was now very tired. Many who had served with him knew that unless it was absolutely necessary, to wake up the captain would earn the visitor a brutal reprimand.
Fortunately, Ueda had the most important reason to wake his boss up and even with Nakano looking at him with his regular angry stare, he ignored it and gave the captain the message that the ship received from the Constellation. Seeing the look in Ueda's eyes, Nakano sat down on the seat and looked at the FLASH traffic for a moment before turning to Ueda, "Wake everyone up, get them fed and sound general quarters". The XO bowed and left the room while Nakano read the message one more time before stating, "So this really is it". He then headed into his restroom to wash up before heading to the bridge.
Antarctic Circle:
For those on the ground, the only way anyone could keep warm was by resting in one of the many makeshift tents or buildings, or resting inside their vehicles with the engines turned on. They kept busy by attempting to keep warm and eating rations after warming them up. Many became dead bored and that lead them to worrying about freezing to death. In fact they would rather fight Godzilla now for at least they were doing something instead of dying a slow tortuous death far from home.
Thus when the word started to filter down the chain of command, many finally took a deep breath in thanks and they struggled to get ready. Soldiers checked and cleaned their weapons while supply teams fueled and rearmed every vehicle to their full load and mechanics ensured that the weapons functioned 100 percent in the frigid weather. Soon units fit for combat marched towards the start lines at the forward trenches.
At airfields and on the carriers and the two Gotengo class warships, deck teams fueled and armed every aircraft with the largest amount of ordnance possible while pilots waited tensely in their ready rooms. Meanwhile, reconnaissance units worked feverishly to map the area as well as locate the target.
Conference room on USS Constellation, some time later:
To every senior officer on the ship, the ticking of the clock felt as if it counted down to that of making a momentous decision and in fact it was the most momentous one in their lives for what they did here now would decide the fate of all humanity. The floor shook beneath each of them as of signaling the unleashing of a dark power.
After taking one last look at the clock, General Kitagawa emerged from his temporary quarters and looked at a mirror for a moment before he headed to the conference room. Not surprisingly, everyone was already there, their faces also displaying the same grim look that he saw in himself a few minutes earlier. Taking a deep breath and whispering a prayer to his ancestors, he took his seat at the head of the table.
For a few minutes, the room became deathly silent with only the faint sound of the storm occurring outside the ship. The clock ticked for a few more minutes before Kitagawa turned to one of the officials in the room and was about to ask but the official beat him to it, "Although we can't give you an accurate long range forecast, the break is almost upon us".
Kitagawa nodded before turning to his colleagues, all who, despite their different backgrounds and traditions, had earned the ranks they head the only honorable way, through personal combat, "Gentlemen, you command the troops that I'm about to throw into battle so one last go around please".
The generals looked at each other as if trying to read their thoughts before Reynolds spoke first, "I'm not one for charging in headlong but so far it seems that fate has forced our hand in terms of the weather, the landscape, the preparation of our men, and the location of the target", "So I feel that we should go in".
Next on the list came Russian General Brezarin who replied, "I have to agree with the American general here that we should use the opportunity we have now, otherwise we will have to fight a hopeless defensive battle". He then turned to the commanders of the British and French contingents who had long resigned looks on their faces as they awaited their turn to speak.
After a moment, the British General replied, "Even though this day will become a very dark one in our lives until the day we die, I see no point in delaying the inevitable". The French General nodded his head in agreement and all eyes turned back onto Kitagawa for it was up to him alone to make the decision.
For Kitagawa, he started to wonder if this was what Admiral Yamamoto and General Eisenhower felt when they prepared to launch their own monstrous campaigns. He looked at his colleagues for a moment and then took a deep breath before telling them in a loud clear and confident voice, "Let's Go".
The faces of everyone in the room transformed into grim smiles as they rushed out to signal the entire force as well as their governments back home that the operation would begin. Last to walk out was Kitagawa who leaned against the wall to steady himself as the adrenaline of thinking so much began to fade from his mind. He was so deep in thought that he did not notice Reynolds leaning against the steel wall while waiting for him at the end of the hall until he announced his presence, "Now do you feel a little more relaxed".
Kitagawa laughed sarcastically and said, "With the profession we all took in our younger days, do you think we can relax one bit or no". His face then turned somber, "Actually, now I feel even more worried". Reynolds started to say something but Kitagawa silenced him before continuing on, "Now it is up to the people who are actually using the weapons who will make the difference as well as a lot of luck on our side".
The corridor suddenly became cold as the weather outside and Reynolds replied in a silent understanding, "Yes Sir". They then headed to one of the small crafts that would transport them back to Antarctica for even though they had high positions, they felt that they needed to be there first hand to see the grisly results. The generals soon arrived at beach and boarded their respective command vehicles before they moved into the battle line.
Cost of Antarctica:
Though the winds still howled very loud across the icy landscape, a large rumbling sound began to cancel it out. Soon black shapes started to advance inland from the coast and soon fighter planes and two enormous submarine shaped "airships" joined them as they advanced into the interior. From all five landing areas, troops and vehicles surged out of the beachhead in a seemingly endless flood. Meanwhile, with guns aimed at the beach, the ships of the fleet formed up into a large steel ring and circled the continent like sharks waiting for prey to venture out into the deep oceans.
In his seat onboard the bridge of the Gotengo, Captain Nakano observed the movements of the strike force on the large screen in front of him. Many others soon joined in and small conversations began to develop among the Americans, English, and French crewmembers that as they realized that this would be their own D-day to tell to their descendents. To the eyes of the Japanese, the sight of so much firepower assembled for one battle made them think that kami was on their side and that they would wage a Tsushima-style battle, once the type of battle every sailor of the former Imperial Navy desired to participate in.
From his spot near the weapons control area in front of the captain's chair, Douglas Gordon watched in awe at the sight of it all. So far his tour of duty here had been an interesting learning experience and had somehow managed to hold down his temper. Although he still got into the usual fights with other crew members, being constantly on station helped limit it and forced Gordon to control his behavior at times.
It also sobered him to the realities of being a soldier and made him brood on his time serving in the military. At first he had joined in solely to avoid going to prison. So far, his time in the service consisted only of disciplinary problems with his superiors. Now he had to admit that he was proud to be here. The young Caucasian man laughed at the thought and returned back to his fighter's face as the ship glided above the icy continent.
For many, it had been a long wait and finally they felt relieved that the mission they all trained so hard for would finally get underway. Still though, the unanimous thought on everyone's mind was the chances of escaping from the battle alive. Though they all covered it with a mixture of different macho-style feelings, everyone knew that Godzilla was an extremely lethal opponent and only a few survived in the horrendous battles between mankind and the radioactive kaiju.
Interior of Antarctica:
Deep within the landscape, Godzilla rested near a large ridge of glaciers with his eyes closed but very much alert as his ears picked up the unmistakable sound of a large number of engines. With an angry snarl, the monster rose up to his full height, his charcoal-gray skin blending in with the night sky. The monster turned his head around to search for any immediate threat. Seeing none, he began to advance, his tail moving around randomly in all directions, his dorsal fins partially colliding together with each other, and his footsteps shaking the ground beneath him and signaling to the lead elements that Godzilla was alive and heading for them.
Author's Notes:
For those who have seen the movie Ike: Countdown-to-D-day, it provided an inspiration to write this particular chapter since I wanted to show that what the pressure everyone was under to ensure its success and the many risks of failure. I also wanted to have at least one non-battle chapter so as to raise the anticipation for when they finally go at it.
Author's Questions:
How well did I do the interaction between the commanders as they debated about the timing of the attack?
Did I do a good job in setting up the battle you all see in Godzilla: Final Wars?
As always, please read and review.