Ch. 31:Evacuation: Hong Kong: Finale: Athena vs. Perses

A.N.:

Hey everyone!

Sorry it took me longer than usual to update. The bad storms this week kinda made things a little rough. Freaking flooding…geez I have never seen the water get that high. I'm just glad that it wasn't any worse.

Anyway,

My schedule has now been mixed up so I don't know if I can update for the next week or so.

I hope the wait was worth it.

Oh, and to my reviewer, I agree. Alma definitely seemed more like a goddess than a ghost in the games. I am glad you like the Greek Mythology references I am making too.

Thank you to everyone taking the time to read my story! I have been editing the old chapters in an attempt to make them easier to read. I hope that they are a little bit more enjoyable now.

Again, I apologize to those that know Latin. I do not but I wanted a cute bonding moment with Alma and Becket. Blame Google translate if it is wrong...and my laziness :P

Also, please remember that Becket is telling this story to Amara in the present after chapter...I want to say four...I think. So, he is using past tense. When he shifts to present tense, he is referring to how things are in the present, (i.e. characters, events, personal reflections, that pertain to the present, or he is simply speaking to Amara directly).

Read and review if you want.

As we ascended the stairs, I asked my friend, "Any word from Foxtrot 813?"

He replied, "Negative, sir. I haven't been able to get through to anyone since Akira's influence took over the area. Even short-wave communication is useless."

I said, "Perhaps this will work in our favor."

With a confused tone, he replied, "I do not understand sir."

I explained, "Akira may be powerful, but she is overextending her power. As a result, she is weakening herself."

He said, "But she has overtaken several other universes. What is different this time?"

I replied, "Us…working together rather than fighting. She has never encountered a universe like our's."

By then, we had reached the second floor. At first, the survivors were wary of Alpha 1, as well as probably a little repulsed by the stench that we gave off being covered in sewage. However, one of the little children slowly approached him despite the protests of his mother. As the child neared him, Alpha 1 bent down and slowly extended his left arm out. The child slowly reached up and took his hand. The armored veteran stood as the other children, emboldened by the first one's actions, approached him. As Alma and I watched, they began to hug his war-scarred form.

The woman that had addressed me from the balcony approached me as she asked, "Is your friend always this good with children?"

Remembering how responsive Amara was to him, I replied, "You could say that ma'am."

The woman must have had a tiny amount of psychic power in her because she "saw" Alma standing next to me in her child form and asked her with a humorous tone, "Are you into cosplay too?"

Alma turned away from the sight of the children with Alpha 1 and studied the woman for a moment before she frowned. She then informed me, "Michael…she worked for Armacham."

Alarmed, I reached for my revolver, but the woman, with her right hand up in a defensive position, explained, "I worked at a dead end desk job at the regional headquarters in Beijing. I just handled the janitorial supply inventory…I swear. I didn't know anything about the stuff they did to people until I stayed late one night and overheard two executives discussing the 'guinea pigs'. When no one was looking, I broke into one of the executives' offices. Turned out, the 'guinea pigs' were the population of Beijing. In return for complete amnesty for their other programs, Armacham was working with our government on a population control drug that was being tested on the population."

I lowered my arm back down to my side and the woman's little boy walked past me. The woman picked up her son and held him in her arms as she continued, "I thought that I had been discrete but when I got home, I found my husband's head in our refrigerator. There was a note that warned me that if I ever said anything that my son would be next. I was so afraid that I took my son and moved to Hong Kong, changed our names, and have been living off the grid ever since. That is, until you guys rose up against them. I was finally able to show my face in public. Now, our country is doomed and people are saying that you guys are responsible. Is this true?"

I assured her, "Negative ma'am. The being responsible for this is an extremely powerful psychic named Akira. It is a long story, but the main thing that you need to know is that we are not your enemy."

She nodded slowly before she said, "How can we help?"

I replied, "First, do you know where we are? If I had a map, could you show me where we are?"

She nodded in response. I walked over to an old wooden table that was covered with empty plastic bottles and miscellaneous items. After reaching into one of my vest's pockets, I withdrew a device that resembled a LED flashlight. Holding it in my right hand, I aimed it at the tabletop. I pressed the button on the back of the device with my right thumb. At first, nothing happened. Frustrated, I slapped the device with my left hand a few times and tried again. This time, the device worked and an orange beam was emitted from the lens. As it made contact with the tabletop, it formed into a three-dimensional holographic layout of the city.

As the survivors began to gather around to stare at the technological marvel, I requested the woman, "Ma'am…"

With her child still in her arms, she approached the hologram. After a moment, she pointed towards the middle of the city. Manipulating the device with the fingers of my right hand, I zoomed in on the area and she indicated that we were in an office located approximately three blocks from the rally point at the, likely overrun, security checkpoint designated Helios 5. Knowing Foxtrot 813, he was alive and heading to the rally point. Despite the burden that they would put on us, I did not want to leave the survivors to fend for themselves. As a Special Forces Operative, I had sworn an oath to help the helpless.

I heard Alma remark in my mind, "I love it when you get like this Michael. So intense and principled…so…are you doing this out of principle or morality?"

I replied through our link, "Morality went out the window a long time ago. This is about principle."

She turned to look at me and I saw the approving look on her face as she remarked through our link, "That's my boy. I have taught you well my son."

I smirked before I replied through our link with my newly acquired Latin, "Nulla est maior magistra peritior est te, matris." (There is no greater teacher than you, Mother.)

She smirked before she said inside my mind, "Nulla est maior quam te Discipulus filium." (There is no greater student than you, son.)

I deactivated the device and returned it to the pocket on my vest. We would have to move quickly. That thing that Akira had unleashed upon the city would be coming for us. The concrete labyrinth beneath the city had it contained for the time being, but it was only a matter of time until it was free. Without primary firearms, we would be at a severe disadvantage if we were to run into one of Akira's kill teams. On top of that, our armor was in urgent need of repair. Stokes's report had the majority of Akira's forces massed around the area of the bunker, but they would be fanning out to search for us. Without the cover of the Replica Air Wings, we would have to be wary of the bat-dragon looking things like the one that we had encountered in Russia. When we moved, we would have to hug the buildings as much as possible.

Time was not on our side. The Replicas were without a commander as long as I was inside the influence of Akira's storm. Luckily, the Variant VII Replica were designed to be more flexible and autonomous than their predecessors. They would be able to operate for a little while without my personal direction. Plus, I had made it clear to them that if anything were to happen to me, that they were to follow the orders of Amara, who would be advised by Lieutenant Stokes. The problem was that Amara, despite possessing a staggeringly high intellect, simply did not have the military background that I had. She would not be able to give them exact commands, only general orders. Fortunately, the Replica Commanders, the War Dogs, were programmed to be able to take generalized orders and carry them out the best way that they saw fit.

The whole experience had exposed a dangerous flaw in the way that we had organized our forces. As the old saying went, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link". It became apparent to me that we had been operating under the belief that Alma, Alpha 1, Foxtrot 813, or myself would always be available to act as the psychic commander for the Replica Forces.

As I have been learning from Alma, she has been learning from me. When I had first encountered her in Fairport during my mission, she was so broken that she could not have given proper orders to the Replica if she had wanted too. Her time around me has stabilized her and with her alarmingly steep learning curve, she has absorbed most of my military training. She can lead the Replica in my absence but she has warned me that, "It's not my thing, Michael. That's why you and I make a great team."

Foxtrot 813, being a Fettel clone, has the latent psychic potential of Paxton Fettel. Fortunately, for us, he is stable and, personally, I think that the whole experience with Fettel numbed him away from the whole psychic thing. However, his military programming and his psychic potential make him a viable emergency back-up psychic commander.

Alpha 1 is the "go-to" back-up commander for the Replica Forces. He is programed to be a commander but he is more of a squad leader than a field commander. Besides, knowing my friend the way I do, I know that he is infinitely more comfortable with being my wingman than being a commander. I am not saying that he is what people would call a "plus one". He has the charisma and prowess to be an extraordinary leader, there is no doubt in my mind about that. However, he is just more content with being my wingman, and I respect him too much to force him into a position that he is uncomfortable being in.

Alpha 1, finally free from his new found fans, walked up beside me and asked, "What is the plan, sir?"

I replied, "We are three blocks from Helios 5. Knowing Foxtrot 813, he is already on his way there. We are going to escort the survivors there on foot. Once we are there, we should be able to find supplies and means of transportation to the Extraction Point at the docks."

He replied, "Copy that, sir. At your back."

I looked at the woman and said, "I need you to translate for me." She nodded in response. I looked at the crowd of survivors and began, "I need your attention, please." She spoke to them in Cantonese. They all looked at me. I continued, "Three blocks from here is a security checkpoint." I waited for the woman to finish before I continued, "The other member of my team is headed there." She translated for the survivors. I then said, "With any luck, we will find supplies and means of transportation to the Extraction Point at the docks." She translated for me again. I continued, "All those willing to come with us, we will make adjustments for." She translated for me and I noticed a few of them perk up slightly.

I said, "Now, I want to lay some ground rules." She translated and then I continued, "First, understand that we are hurting as much as you are." I waited and then continued, "That means that we cannot guarantee your safety." After waiting, I said, "Second, these are not ordinary bad guys. Make no mistake, they do not take prisoners." A few of the survivors looked uneasy as she finished translating. I continued, "Third, when we tell you to do something, do not hesitate or you will die." She translated and then I said, "I will not lie to you, there is a good chance that you will not make it." That definitely spooked them. I finished, "However, your chances with us are a lot better than being on your own. Anyone brave enough to risk it, step forward."

They all stepped forward. I nodded and said, "Alright, let's move out."

After letting the survivors gather up whatever they could carry, we exited the office building. With me at the lead and Alpha 1 bringing up the rear, we proceeded towards the security checkpoint. The city itself was almost unrecognizable. Akira's anger had warped and transformed the buildings into rusted, industrial versions of themselves. Lakes of molten metal occasionally bubbled up from the metal floor that was once the concrete and asphalt surface of the city. It reminded me of the nightmare version of my old home in Fairport. As I navigated the alien landscape, it dawned on me what Akira was doing. She was slowly transforming the planet into her own personal Hell.

We were a block from the security checkpoint when I suddenly heard the sound of wings. I motioned for everyone to get down. Everyone found a crevice to hide in and we waited. After a moment, one of the winged abominations like the one that we had encountered in Russia landed on the rusted roof of a nearby building. I held my breath as it sniffed the air for a moment. We would be in perilous danger if it noticed us. However, to my immense relief, it let out a strange throaty grunt and then took off into the Hellish sky.

I waited for a minute before I motioned to everyone that we were moving out. The rest of the trip to the security checkpoint was uneventful. Finally, we arrived at the abandoned checkpoint. The football field sized site was fortified with barbwire fencing and riot barricades. At the front gate, there were two towers for sharpshooters. At the center of the complex, I saw what had once been the riot control tower. I began to worry that Akira's influence had transformed all the supplies into things that were useless. Still, we would have to risk it.

As we approached, I saw a squad of Akira's soldiers inside the complex. We would be outmatched in a straight up fight. I paused as I thought through my options. Alma materialized next to me as she said quietly, "Let me handle them."

After realizing that I had no other choice, I relented and replied, "Very well. Go nuts."

She giggled as she dissolved into a cloud of ash. I looked back at the squad of Hellspawn. At first, everything was quiet. Then, I noticed one of them place his left hand up to the side of his gas mask as if his communication gear was malfunctioning. He lowered his hand back down to his rifle and as he did, he gave off an agonized groan while he looked towards the other soldiers. They mimicked the first one by placing their left hands to the side of their gas masks. I admit that I found myself strangely fascinated by their behavior.

They all turned to one of them, who seemed to be a bit more, what I can only describe as imposing. He began motioning with his left hand while he gave off similar agonized groans. The other soldiers began going off, alone, to different areas of the complex. As they slowly moved with their rifles raised up as if they were scanning their surroundings, I suddenly heard the distinct sound of Alma giggling. The soldiers stopped dead in their tracks and swiveled around randomly as they searched for the source of the giggling.

Suddenly, at the far corner of the complex, one of the soldiers let out a loud cry before abruptly stopping as a loud, wet, popping sound filled the air briefly. I knew that sound well. It was the sound of Alma liquefying the flesh off someone's body. I saw the soldier in the nearby corner rush over to investigate. However, seconds later, his body slammed up against the barbwire fence. As I watched, the barbwire began to snake around the creature's head. One of the soldiers rushed over and attempted to help his comrade.

The wires suddenly twisted and the creature's head fell to the ground. As the body and head began to dissolve into a cloud of ash, the other soldier recoiled back and raised his rifle. The other soldiers rushed over, but as they did, Alma materialized in her child form at the opposite side of the complex. She giggled to get their attention and as they swiveled around, she disappeared. They aimed their rifles at the spot where she had disappeared and slowly approached it.

As they passed a shipping container that had been transformed into a large, rusted, metal cage, Alma appeared on top sitting at the edge with her legs draped over the side. The soldiers remained oblivious to her presence and continued towards the spot that she had previously occupied. Suddenly, one of them stopped with his body posture saying that he had heard something. While the other soldiers continued, oblivious to lose of the one, the lone soldier slowly turned around and looked back at the cage. By then, of course, Alma was gone. While he was looking the other way, Alma materialized behind him.

When the soldier looked back, he recoiled slightly in shock. He started to swing his rifle around but, suddenly, he cried out and dropped his weapon. His hands went down to his right foot and he acted as if he was sinking or being dragged underground. His comrades rushed to his aid as Alma was long gone by the time that they turned around. As I watched, the soldier was slowly but violently dragged underground while the others attempted to free him from whatever it was that was attacking him. Finally, with a sick, wet, crunching sound, the soldier exploded in a geyser of black blood and one of his comrades was left holding his severed right arm.

Alma's giggling filled the air and the creatures began to fire in all directions with their assault rifles. Suddenly, one of them cried out as his body became enveloped by a red aura. After a short struggle, he suddenly began to fire upon his comrades. Under the possession of Alma, he gunned down one of his former allies. As the downed creature dissolved in a cloud of ash, the other retreated away from the possessed soldier as he continued to unload his assault rifle into his former ally. The Alma possessed soldier dropped his weapon and slowly followed the other. As his body was racked with rifle rounds, the soldier raised his arms up into the air and began to laugh with a demonic voice.

Slowly, Alma closed the distance and suddenly snatched the rifle from the soldier's grasp. She threw it aside and took a grenade from the inventory of the soldier that she was possessing. She grabbed ahold of the other soldier and held him close. She made sure that the creature watched as she pulled the pin out of the grenade and then cocked it. The other soldier tried to get away but she held him close as she calmly held the cocked grenade in her right hand. Three seconds later, the grenade exploded and the two creatures were reduced to clouds of black blood. As the clouds settled, Alma, in her child form, emerged with a smirk on her heart-shaped face and with bright, glowing, Hellish eyes.

Beside me, Foxtrot 813 remarked, "She certainly enjoys playing games huh, sir?"

Having known that he had been there since around the time that the barbwire had decapitated the solider, I replied, "Heh, yeah." With Alpha 1 on the other side of me, the three of us began to laugh darkly.

The woman asked with revulsion in her voice, "Oh my God, do you really find that funny?"

I turned back and replied with a confused tone, "Of course. Don't you?"

She said with a shocked voice, "No! That's horrible."

I looked at Alpha 1 and gave him a questioning gesture. He simply shrugged in response. I shook my head and then motioned for everyone to follow me. I sprinted towards the front gate. When I got there, Alma was waiting for me. As she smirked at me, I commented, "At least you didn't miss one this time." She huffed and then giggled briefly. After everyone had entered the complex, Alpha 1 closed the front gate with the controls inside the booth between the two sides of the front gate.

We began to search the complex for supplies. However, to my dismay, everything had been transformed by Akira's influence. At the rear of the complex, I found what had once been a M54 five ton, 6x6-cargo truck. However, it had been transformed into a large generator that had molten metal dripping out of the far end of it. Frustrated, I pounded my right fist into the rusted exterior of the generator. I placed my ski mask covered forehead against the generator as I thought through what to do next.

"Michael…" I glanced over to see Alma smiling slightly. She raised her right hand up and placed it on the surface of the transformed truck. I recoiled back as the rusted object gave of a metallic moan. As the air was filled with the sound of sheering and warping metal, the object reformed back into its original form of a forest green camouflaged M54 cargo truck. Known for its ruggedness and dependability, the iconic M54 cargo truck, despite being manufactured in the 1950's and 60's, was still just as reliable then as it was back when it was originally manufactured.

I looked over at Alma before I quickly scooped her up and kissed her on her lips. Afterwards, we simply gazed at each other for a moment. Sensing that the display of affection was making the survivors uncomfortable, I lowered her back down the ground. Alpha 1 had jumped into the cargo bed and was rummaging through the crates stacked in the back. I looked up at him as I asked, "Anything useful?"

Holding up a M60E3, he replied, "Uh…M60E3...with…" He glanced towards the boxes before he continued, "I would say around three hundred rounds of ammunition."

I asked, "How's your aim with one of those?"

He replied, "I prefer shotguns but I am just as proficient with other weapons, sir."

I nodded before I said, "Cover fire."

He replied, "Roger that, sir."

I looked over the survivors and told them, "Mount up."

The woman asked, "In a cargo truck?"

Walking over the driver-side door, I replied, "If you would rather walk, then by all means walk."

Before she could reply, the ground suddenly began to shake so violently that I fell backwards onto my back. As I looked towards the high rises, that had been transformed into huge old school oil wells referred to as pumpjacks, I was shocked to see the enormous rusted structures topple to the ground as a much larger shape rose out of the ground. When I was finally able to make out what it was, I was dumbstruck.

It would have been a textbook example of a dragon with glossy black scales except that it was partially decayed. The bones of its snout, ribcage, and tail were exposed with patches of flesh hanging down from the bones. Its once brightly glowing red eyes were now mere embers. When it stretched out its bat-like wings that were larger than its body, I saw that they seemed frail and had holes in various areas. It immediately glared at us with its diminished eyes and tried to give off a fearsome roar. However, all that came out was a mournful, agonized, cry of pain that quickly tapered off into a whimper.

The shock I felt at the sight of an actual dragon was outweighed by the pity that I felt for the tormented creature. I realized that Akira's negative influence must have reduced the once powerful ancient creature to little more than her victim. The evil that I had felt earlier in the tunnels must have been anguish that I had wrongfully categorized. However, even in its diminished state, it was still a powerful being that was a force to be reckoned with.

Scrambling to my feet, I yelled, "Get on the truck!" Not needing any other further incentive, the survivors rushed to board the cargo truck. Meanwhile, I opened the driver-side door and jumped into the seat. As I cranked the five-ton vehicle, the survivors climbed into the cargo bed.

Alma materialized in the passenger seat and gave me a worried look. I gave her a reassuring smile in response. I heard Alpha 1 loading the M60 and after a moment, Foxtrot 813 called out from the cargo bed, "All survivors onboard, sir. Get us the fuck out of here!" He had just finished that last statement when the dragon landed inside the complex a couple of feet away. The impact caused the truck to bounce slightly, which was shortly followed by the sound of the M60 firing as Alpha 1 shoulder fired the machine gun at the enormous creature. Pressing the accelerator to the floor, I drove the cargo truck away from the being as fast as the massive engine could push the heavy frame.

When we came to the rear gate, I mowed down the barbwire obstacle and continued off through the nightmare version of the streets. Over the rumble of the engine, I heard the agonized roar of the dragon as it chased after us. As I barely managed to maneuver the heavy truck around the rusted objects, Alma complained, "Michael, can't you drive this thing a little smoother?"

Annoyed, I replied, "It is a five-ton cargo truck, what the fuck do you want from me?"

I looked at the side view mirror just in time to see the dragon's snout open up to reveal the railroad spike-like teeth lining its jaws. From its open mouth, it suddenly ejected a burst of flame at us. I just barely managed to dodge the blast and when I looked back at the mirror, I saw the message, "Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear". Irritated, I drew my revolver and shot the mirror off the side of the truck as I muttered, "Oh kiss my ass."

As I placed my revolver back in its holster, Alma commented, "You're right Michael, that mirror was an eyesore."

I glared at her but she simply returned an innocent smile. Turning back to face the road, I had to apply the brakes in order to make the turn. Alpha 1 called out, "Reloading." At the end of the street, I had to turn again. As I began to turn, the dragon's snout collided with the side of the truck. The vehicle's left side lifted up off the road. The survivors screamed and in my peripheral vision, I saw a small body begin to fall out of the cargo bed. Activating my reflexes, I left my right hand on the steering wheel while I used my left hand to open the door. I used a psychic blast to force the door open and then I grabbed the child in mid-air. As I hauled the young boy into the cabin, I felt the truck right itself.

I deactivated my reflexes after I had I brought him into the cabin. Alma took him from my grasp and held him in her lap. As the child cried, she gently rocked him and cooed reassuring statements. The forward motion of the truck caused the driver-side door to close back shut. The dragon's snout had left a large dent in the side of the frame. Fortunately, we were nearing the docks. Alpha 1 remarked with an annoyed tone, "Rounds are just bouncing off it, sir. Might as well just give it the finger."

Realizing the absurdity of the situation, I began to laugh. "Michael…?"

I turned to look at Alma, who had a concerned, maternal look on her face. I smiled before I explained, "There is a dragon chasing us."

Her concerned expression morphed into a wispy smile before she said with a mock nerdy voice, "Excelsior!"

Alma, Alpha 1, Foxtrot 813, and I began to laugh hysterically as I continued to maneuver the M54 around the rusted obstacles and the occasional fire blast from the creature that was chasing us. Repressing my laughter for a moment, I said, "Hey Spartan, why so down?"

They replied in unison, "Dark Signal is up on kills and there isn't enough enemies to go around!" We laughed even harder. To be honest, I do not know what was terrifying the survivors more, being chased by the dragon or our behavior. Finally, the dock in question came into sight. It was clear that the last battalion of Replica had been evacuated because I could not see any activity.

As I prepared to mow down the gate leading to the dock area, I was caught off-guard as the dragon suddenly flew over us and landed right in our path. As I attempted to swerve around it, the creature sent a fire blast at us. The blast caught us despite my best attempts to dodge it. The front of the truck frame was covered in flames for a brief moment. Fortunately, metal is not flammable and the flames died off.

I drove between the dragon's limbs, just barely avoiding its jaws as it attempted to bite the truck as I drove beneath it. On the other side, I plowed through the gate and nearly cried out in relief when I saw the Replica Sea Knight with its loading ramp down. Hovering above the Sea Knight, I saw an escort Apache attack helicopter. The Sea Knight's crew motioned towards us. I drove as close as possible and brought the truck to a stop a few feet away from the helicopter. As Alpha 1 continued to fire the M60 at the dragon, Foxtrot 813, the Replica crew, and I assisted the survivors as they made their way to the waiting helicopter. Meanwhile, the Replica controlled Apache kept the dragon at bay with its cannon and rocket fire.

Just as it seemed that we were going to pull off the evacuation without any further drama, the M60 clicked as it ran out of ammunition. Seconds later, I heard a loud crash and glanced over to see that the dragon had used its jaws to bite the Apache in half. The two fiery sections of the downed helicopter now sat near the demolished gate. A cry tore my gaze from the helicopter's remains to one of the children. The young boy had tripped and was now lying on the ground. I looked up at the dragon and saw that the creature was opening its mouth.

Realizing what it was about to do, I rushed over to the child. I had just reached him when the dragon had sent the blast of fire. With no time to move the child, I lowered myself over the top of him to shield him from the blast. I waited for the agony of being scorched by the Hellfire, but it never came. Confused, I glanced up just in time to see a second blast of fire, coming from the direction of the harbor, block the dragon's blast. Seconds later, what sounded like a freight train roared overhead and the dragon let out an agonized cry as an enormous explosion racked its chest.

I stood and helped the child to his feet. I motioned for him to get on the Sea Knight before I moved to discover the identity of our last second guardian. Alpha 1, Foxtrot 813, and Alma joined me as I ran over to the edge of the dock. There, I smirked slightly as I recognized the silhouette of Athena in the harbor. It dawned on me what had happened. Athena had used one of her "beehive" rounds to counter the dragon's fire blast and had then sent a traditional high explosive 18.1-inch round. The dragon let out the best roar that its diminished body could offer and then flew towards the battleship.

As we watched, the ancient being and the armored weapon of shock and awe had a duel. As the air around Athena became filled with flak bursts and machine gun fire from her anti-air armament, her mighty main guns rotated as she tried to get a clear shot at the creature. However, the nimble being was able to avoid her projectile-based armament. It sent a fire blast at the stationary warship, but, at the last second, one of Athena's main 18.1-inch guns was aimed the right direction and she sent a "beehive" round to counter the blast.

The dragon attempted to capitalize on its superior speed and agility by charging the warship. However, as it flew in to try to attack the battleship's vulnerable superstructure, her fore 6.1-inch turret scored a pointblank hit on the creature. Giving off a mournful cry, the creature recoiled back as it spun through the air. In the brief second that it was disorientated and stationary with its back to the warship, Athena blasted the dragon in the area between where its wings were attached to its body with an armor piercing 18.1-inch shell. The large explosion ejected massive amounts of blood and fire erupted along its wings. The crippled creature howled in misery as it steered itself to crash, hard, near us on one of the docks. As it landed, it demolished a nearby warehouse. I motioned to my three companions and they nodded in response.

As we slowly approached the creature where it was lying on its left side, it attempted to lift its head up and give off a threatening growl. However, it was only able to manage a pitiful whimper before it lowered its head back down to the rusted ground. The only further indication that the defeated creature was still alive was its slow, raspy breathing. I looked over at Alma and she nodded. Together, we prepared to put the poor creature out of its misery. However, at the last second, Amara suddenly appeared in front of it as she cried, "No!"

Shocked, I said, "Amara, get away from it."

She replied stubbornly, "Daddy, no."

She turned around to face the miserable dragon. I could see her reflection in the creature's right eye. She slowly walked over to the dragon's side. Alpha 1 and I tried to rush forward to get my daughter away from the dangerous, hurt, and cornered creature but Alma held us back. I shot her a look but she said, "Trust me."

Still uneasy, I watched as Amara knelled down at side of the dragon's head. She said softly, "It's okay…don't be afraid." She placed her right hand on its head. Before my eyes, the creature's body began to heal. Transfixed, I watched as the dragon was freed from Akira's influence and was returned to its former glory. Its partially decayed body morphed back into its glossy black smooth exterior. Its ember-like eyes became fearsome glowing red eyes. Its wings became strong looking and flawless. She stood back up as the creature slowly rose to stand before her.

In complete awe, I watched as the dragon, the ancient embodiment of the evils of mankind, lowered its snout to rub against Amara gently as it also wagged its tail like a puppy. She giggled as she petted the ancient being's snout. Two sides of the same coin: Amara and Akira. Akira had all but killed the poor creature but Amara had restored it. It was at that moment that I was stuck by the enormous difference that a few decisions could make. That choice that I had made in the amplifier had vastly altered the course of events that would unfold. Down one path was ruin, destruction, and Akira. Down the other was rebirth, rejuvenation, and Amara. I began to wonder how unique our universe was. Akira had made it seem like our's was the only one that had me at my goddess's side.

Amara interrupted my train of thought when she asked with an pleading tone, "Can I keep him Daddy? Pleeeasse? I'll feed him and everything!"

Uncomfortable with the idea of having a dragon as the family pet, I replied with an uneasy tone, "Uh...wow...um...I don't think..."

Beside me, my goddess came to the rescue of her daughter, "You did say that she could have a pet."

I replied, "I meant a puppy or a fish or something. Not a…you know what? I'm covered in sewage and at this point, it has soaked through to my underwear. If you are happy Amara, I am happy. Let's go."

About an hour later, I stood under the deluge provided by the showerhead of one of the showers inside Athena. We were steaming towards the rest of Task Force One. Overhead, the dragon, named Perses (the Greek Titan God of Destruction) by Amara, followed us, having apparently bonded with Amara. Since we had left the area of Akira's influence, I had been able to reestablish my link with the Replicas. By rough estimates, we had been able to evacuate approximately forty percent of the population at the loss of around two hundred NATO and Spartan personnel. Knowing that it could have been a lot worse, I was satisfied with the operation.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I failed to detect the new presence in the shower. That is, until she pressed the soft curves of her nude seductive form into my back. She whispered into my left ear with a silky voice, "Does this bring back memories my love?"

Aroused, I half-heartily objected as I replied, "I'm trying to get clean here sweetie."

She giggled with her adult voice before she said, "You can get clean…after we are done."