Chapter Nine: Hope
Kobe, Japan.
"Good to see ya, Fuj," Glenn said with a smile as he shook the other man's hand. "I was a little worried that the aliens might have gotten to you."
"You should know me better than that," Fuji said in perfect English. "It takes more than an invasion to stop us." He looked over at Max. "I'm glad you're here too, Max."
Max smiled back and bowed half-heartedly, a little put-off by how cheerful his dad and Fuji seemed to be. One could almost forget that there were aliens threatening to wipe out all life on Earth, or that there were kaiju on the loose everywhere.
Or that one of them had kidnapped his girlfriend…
Doubtless there had to be a good reason. Akira Fuji was considered one of Japan's most influential citizens. In addition to Max's father, Fuji had been one of the heroes who had pushed back the Xian invasion. Fuji was also a brilliant scientist who had devised the A-cycle light ray which had been instrumental in defeating the Xian's technology. Like Glenn, when M-Watch was formed, Fuji had come onboard as an advisor; lending his expertise to the Japanese division.
Even after Glenn had left for America, the two friends had stayed in contact. Beyond that, Max didn't know very much. He had met Fuji a couple of times as a kid when the Japanese man had come over to visit, but the trips were so infrequent that Max had never really gotten to know Fuji.
There were in an underground bunker deep below the corporate headquarters for Takarada Industries, the company that Fuji had started along with his brother-in-law, Tetsuo Kubo. Max had no idea that the bunker even existed and for good reason apparently. According to his father on the way over, M-Watch had built the place in secret to serve as a command center in case aliens ever invaded again. To have one spot so secret that no alien would ever know about it. It was an expansive facility, and an impressive technological achievement.
Currently they were in a small room filled with monitors that displayed events from around the world, most of them were currently focused on the rampaging kaiju although apparently Fuji's sources didn't know where Arashi had gone off to as Max couldn't spot a screen with the blue dragon on it. On the far side of the room, on the opposite end of the door, was one huge screen that displayed a world map with icons to represent destroyed cities, alien saucers, and kaiju locations.
Several notable capitals were already destroyed and the monsters were spreading to wipe out the surrounding area. Most of Africa was colored a deep red to indicate how much territory the insect horde had claimed.
Included almost as an afterthought was a round table in the center of the room. Most of the seats were filled with Japanese dignitaries that Max didn't recognize, although he could spot the Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge and some of her cabinet. Max and his father took a seat as Fuji walked up to stand next to the main screen.
"We'll begin momentarily," he explained. "The last of our guests should be here in a minute or two."
Max looked over at his father to see if he knew what Fuji was talking about, but Glenn just shrugged, apparently as in the dark as Max was.
After a little waiting, three apparently normal Japanese people walked into the room. Two were men, both wearing suits. One of the men sported dark sunglasses while the other fancied a truly awful goatee. The last was a woman, who wore casual clothing and was quite lovely, but her impassive face sucked out all of the warmth.
"Everyone," Fuji said as he addressed the room. "Allow me to introduce our allies: the Xian Controller, Lord Sudag of the Simeons, and Queen Kyoko of the Kilaaks."
The room immediately broke into startled conversation, summed up nicely by Glenn's outraged remark. "What's the matter with you, Fuji? They're the enemy! You've given everything away!"
"They were the enemy," Fuji corrected sternly. "But they're willing to help us drive off the Demions. Let's be realistic about this Glenn, even with the K-41's, we're going to need all the help we can get."
"After what they did to Namikawa!" Glenn protested angrily as he stood from his chair. "No way I'm going to trust any one of those stinkin' rats!"
"Astronaut Glenn," the Controller addressed him calmly, unfazed by the anger directed at him. "We were forced to invade Earth. The Demions threatened to destroy us unless we subjugated your world. To prevent that, our computers told us that any and all action would be deemed necessary to insure our survival. With that reasoning, the defective unit known as Namikawa had to be destroyed otherwise our plan could have become unraveled and our existence terminated by the Demions."
"Defective unit…" Glenn snarled, bunching his hands into fists. "You murdered her in cold blood! You think you're so goddamned superior with your computers… you think that love is a virus…" Glenn's words became unintelligible as he struggled to come up with an insult that was suitably scathing.
Max just stared at his dad in shock. He had never seen him so angry. Max knew of his father's hatred for aliens; stemming from the death of Namikawa, but only the bare bones of the story. It was just one of those things that they never talked about.
"You think I'm happy working with these people?" Sudag spoke up as he stroked his goatee. "The Xians are emotionless freaks and the Kilaaks are a race of bitc-"
"Enough!" Fuji demanded, cutting off the Simeon, before looking at Glenn pointedly. "All of you. The Demions are a threat to everyone and as long as we have a common enemy, fighting amongst ourselves is pointless. Now, let's sit down and get this meeting to order."
The aliens took a seat, and Glenn reluctantly sat down, but he did his best to keep an eye on the new arrivals.
Fuji nodded. "Now, as you all know, the Demions have started their attempted annihilation of all life on Earth. Before we get into the actual battle plan, I think it would help if you knew exactly what it is we're dealing with here." Fuji looked to the Xian. "Controller, if you would..."
The Controller nodded and gestured to the big screen. The world view changed to show several horned aliens resembling the frightening visage of Centaurus. "This is the Demion race. Their bodies and coloration vary in different ways, but they are unified in a singular goal of ruling the galaxy. Those that don't submit to them are summarily destroyed. There is no middle ground with this race."
"All Demions posses an ability to warp reality and transport themselves over vast distances. A truly skilled Demion can even transport objects. With this kind of ability, only a few defenses are effective in keeping them away. Your so-called secure installations here on Earth could never hope to keep a Demion spy out."
"In addition to this, a few types of Demion can manipulate fire and use it in a variety of ways. Regardless of their physical differences, all Demions are born warriors and can endure a great deal of damage to their bodies before they expire."
"So, they really are demons," Max blurted out.
"Correct," the Controller confirmed. "This race has been the basis for all kinds of tales involving malevolent beings. Earth is no exception."
"Wait a minute," Glenn interrupted. "You're saying that these guys have been here before?"
If the Controller was annoyed at the rhetorical question, he didn't show it. "Long ago in your planet's distant past, the Demions had tried to invade Earth and steal its advanced technology. After a long struggle, they were soundly defeated by the three nations of Atlantis, Seatopia, and Mu. Their defeat was so complete that they didn't try to attack the Earth again for thousands of years."
"When it was learned that Atlantis was destroyed, and Mu and Seatopia were mere shells of their former selves, they renewed the offensive against your planet. However, to test how powerful you were, and to avoid another crushing defeat, they sent other alien races to invade for them." The Controller was silent for a moment. "We, the Xians, were forced to come up with a plan to subjugate you as well as a story to cover up any Demion involvement. The same is true for the Kilaaks, the Simeons, and the Nebula M Spacehunters."
"Where are the Spacehunters?" Prime Minister Tsuge asked. "Did they not want to be part of this alliance?"
"Eradicated," the Controller told her flatly. "Earth was not the Spacehunter's only failure. The Demions do not tolerate failure. After one loss too many, the Demions decided that the Spacehunters were no longer fit to live. They took control of anything the Spacehunters had that might be valuable to them and destroyed the rest."
With the jerky arm movement that was typical Xian, the Controller placed a hand on his chest. "When we, the Xians, failed to take over Earth, the Demions destroyed our world ship, Planet X. Similar tragedies befell the other races that were sent and likewise repulsed by you Earthlings."
"That explains why I never found Planet X again when I was sent there as an ambassador," Glenn said with a nod. "Not that I see it as any great loss. Maybe the Demions were doing the galaxy a favor."
"Glenn…" Fuji started with a warning glance. "At least wait until after the meeting to hurl insults."
Glenn waved him off, but kept his peace.
"Wouldn't the fact that Earth kept driving off invasions be an indication that we were still strong?" Max asked. "I mean, why have the Demions decided to take a personal hand in the matter now? Why not send another race to attack us?"
The Controller frowned. "There was a recent change in leadership. An ambitious general by the name of Centaurus overthrew the last ruler and assumed control. From what we can piece together, he studied the past invasions and surmised that it was in fact Godzilla that was the key to your victories. If Godzilla and the other kaiju who protect this planet were taken out of the picture somehow, the Human race would never be able to stand against his forces."
Fuji nodded. "Centaurus has been very careful in his preliminary work, but he hasn't been completely invisible. We've seen several signs pointing to a coming invasion, although admittedly nothing this bad. Every world leader has secretly been on high alert. However, we don't know if they've all escaped harm or not. We've heard from the Americans and the British that they were able to evacuate, but no word from Italy or Russia yet."
"Right now we stand poised to launch a worldwide offensive against the Demions with K-41's. They are about the only weapon that we think will have any effect against their craft. Militaries around the world have proven the hard way that conventional weapons won't do the trick. Unfortunately, with our current numbers, we'll only be able to launch guerilla strikes. This where our new allies will come in handy."
Taking his cue, Sudag spoke up as the view on the main screen changed to a live view of Tokyo being destroyed by the mechanical monsters. "We've combined a mixed fleet of saucers that will come to your aid when you launch your offensive. However, we've added another surprise." The screen centered on Mechagodzilla. "At our command, Mechagodzilla will turn against the Demions and their monsters."
"Why not all of the robots?" Glenn demanded.
The Simeon scowled at Glenn. "It wouldn't matter, Human. We Simeons built all three of those robots, but we only had time to devote to the A.I. of one; namely Mechagodzilla. We could order all three to rebel, but the Demions will simply counter the order and get them back under their control. The intelligence guiding Mecha-Kong is only complex enough to destroy. Mecha-King Ghidorah is not much different, despite it's organic components. However, since out last attack failed we've spent considerable time upgrading Mechagodzilla's intelligence in anticipation of invading again. Our greatest creation will be able to override the Demion's commands and carry-out his new orders without interference."
"And you think Mechagodzilla will be able to stand against the other two without a problem?" the Prime Minister asked grimly.
Sudag grinned arrogantly. "Without question. This latest version of Mechagodzilla incorporates all of the advances the first two had as well as some new technology. He is far more powerful than Mecha-Kong or Mecha-King Ghidorah."
"Despite the confidence of my Simeon comrade, even with the added fleet and Mechagodzilla, the odds still aren't on our side," Fuji told them as the view on the main screen switched to Monster Island. "It was learned just before Centaurus made his announcement that the rest of the kaiju on Monster Island are being held captive through mind control. This is the reason they haven't come to aid us yet."
"The Demions have three saucers above the island and are transmitting a much more powerful version of our own mind-control ray," Kyoko said, finally speaking up. "We've been studying their improvements and we believe we can block the signal, but only for a short time. The problem is it'll take a lot of power to generate a signal powerful enough disrupt the rays so we won't be able to hold it for long. You'll need to destroy the three saucers in less than half an hour otherwise they'll simply retake control of the kaiju."
"We'll be using a modified version of my A-cycle light ray," Fuji said. "A special submarine has already been outfitted with the weapon, but we'll need the K-41's for the actual attack."
A map appeared of Monster Island showing the positions of the three saucers. "A group of nine K-41's will launch and attack the saucers, three to a ship. I'm told that these particular Demion saucers were made to specifically broadcast the mind-control ray, so when we do destroy them, it should be awhile before they can send anything else to try and take control of the monsters. The big problem will be if the Demions send any other saucers as reinforcements. Obviously this is designed to be a quick strike mission so we can't afford any prolonged fighting."
"What about Saeko?" Max suddenly found himself asking. "We can't leave her with Arashi!"
"The life of one girl is not significant," the Controller told him coldly. "There are greater matters to consider."
Glenn was quick to speak up in his son's defense. "Now hold on a minute! Life might be cheap where you come from, but that's not how we do things here on Earth! We're not going to abandon Saeko."
Fuji looked at his friend helplessly. "Our resources are stretched thin as it is, Glenn. I don't agree with the Controller, but we need everybody we can get for our counterattack, that includes you and Max. I don't see how we can mount a rescue operation against something like Arashi at the same time."
Max stood up from his chair hotly. "Then you're doing it without me! I'm not going to leave her in the hands of that monster!"
Glenn stood to join his son. "You better put me on that list too, Fuj. If there's a chance she can be rescued, we've got to take it."
Fuji seemed about ready to argue the point some more, but Sudag saved him the trouble. "Not to interrupt this entertaining drama, but I have a solution that should take care of all this: we'll search for her in my saucer. Our craft are designed with stealth in mind and they can go deep underwater; we'll be able to evade detection by the Demions and find your little girl and her monster."
Glenn was quick to refuse. "Forget it, ape. We don't need your kind of help."
"Dad, no, we do need them," Max disagreed. "I know how you feel, but this is for Saeko."
"Max is right, Glenn," Fuji chimed in candidly. "Without help from the Simeons, all I can offer you is a rowboat."
Glenn held up his hands in defeat. "Alright, if you're all going to gang up on me, I guess you've made your point. I don't like it, but if it means we get Saeko back, then I I'll have to live with it." He glared at the Simeon. "I'll be watching you, so don't think about trying something funny!"
"Perish the thought," Sudag chuckled in amusement.
Fuji relaxed a little now that Glenn and Max seemed placated. "Right, now that that's settled. I want you two to promise me that if you can't find Saeko within six hours that you get back here to help with the attack. You're both damn fine pilots and the mission is going to suffer without you. It should take us that long to make the final preparations."
Glenn looked to his son who hesitated before nodding reluctantly. "Six hours, Fuji," Max agreed. "I understand. I appreciate it."
Fuji nodded back before getting up from his seat and proudly looking over everyone assembled in the room. "Remember this meeting, people. We've weathered the storm and taken the worst Centaurus can throw at us. He thinks he's crushed us, but he couldn't be further from the truth. Today marks the turning point. Now it's our turn to take back what's ours."
The End of Book One
