BIONIC Rim

Chapter 4

The next day, all five factions gathered in the Mess Hall for a special discussion. Jaller stood with Nidhiki and his wingman Vira, the most accomplished pilots Metru Nui had to offer. Feeling a bit awkward in the presence of these national heroes Jaller attempted to start a conversation.

"Some spread, huh?" Jaller asked Vira.

"What do you mean by that, fire-spitter?" Vira replied.

"I mean, it seems strange that we, mere microorganisms against giant Rahi. It seems we should have lost eons ago, but we stand here now."

"It is quite a feat," Toa Nidhiki chimed in. "And to think, Turaga Dume has suggested canning the Jaeger program."

"What? Why? I haven't even gotten into the cockpit yet."

"Dume has taken the damage costs of the last few Kaiju attacks into account, and says the Jaegers are too destructive in their own right to fight Kaiju."

"But you saw the Xian Wall. What other options do we have?"

"Exactly, none," Vira answered. "I want to pilot a Jaeger so I can service my nation. It does me proud to know a Matoran can contribute to our greatest national security issue now."

The crowd silenced as leaders from the five factions took the floor. Lhikan addressed the crowd.

"Greetings," he began. "The forecast indicates an incoming Kaiju attack. Yesterday, Zakaz was hit with its own Kaiju problem. A Category 4 Parakrekks attacked Zakaz. It took the combined might of Crushing Blow and Nektann's personal Jaeger to down it. We need better trained pilots to conquer Kaiju this big. Those of you who have piloted before know of the intense physical and psychological strain Jaegers can bring you. We have devised a training exercise for newcomers, though. Off to the stands, and do us proud!"

There was a resounding cheer. Jaller just held himself and stayed away.

Those darn Jaegers. How am I going to manage Searing Tsunami? One mind is bad enough, but TWO at once…


The exercise in question was melee combat. Devised by the Vortixx and introduced by their ambassador Roodaka, The concept was to disarm or disable one's opponent with an elongated staff. This combination of physical prowess and mental stability was meant to simulate driving a Jaeger under high stakes.

Jaller watched as his co-pilot held her own very well against seasoned veterans. Not one person seemed able to lay a touch on her. During a confrontation with a large, red Skakdi, the Skakdi attacked viciously, but Halhi thrust his attacks away as if batting a fireflyer from her mask. The beast could not even come close.

"3-0 that's the match." The Makuta was officiating the event. "Has anyone not had a turn?"

Jaller mostly stared at the floor. He looked up for just a split second, and then saw the Mask of Shadows gazing right at him.

"Your turn, Ta-Matoran." Makuta shoved Jaller into the ring as a Dark Hunter handed him his pole.

"Remember," Hahli said, "I really like you as a co-pilot and I don't want to humiliate you too much, so I'll give you this one tip. The key is poise."

Poise, yes, Jaller thought. He just had to keep his footing and pay attention to his opponents moves.

Before he could do anything, Hahli struck first. "1-0," Makuta shouted.

That was disastrous, Jaller whispered under his breath. He regained his footing and stood with the pole. This time, he deflected Halhi's first two thrusts and went for a dig at Hahli's chestplate.

"1-1"

This was it. He had done it. Just two more. He raised his staff horizontally above his head and parried one attack before Hahli slapped his mask.

"2-1"

Shoot. Jaller lifted his staff. Halhi retaliated. They struck each other without making much progress. Hahli took two steps back and Jaller went for a strike. Hahli was ready, though, and swung her staff nearly disarming Jaller. Jaller clutched his staff tight and went for a second dig.

"2-2"

Jaller gasped. Holding his own against the top Matoran pilot seemed impossible. And yet, here he was, holding his own against the top Matoran pilot. He felt his confidence soar as he shot down another attack by Hahli. Then another and then one last attack. He noticed Hahli pull away her attack one last time, before he took an opportunity attack. He jabbed at her forearm and the staff flew across the room, striking a Dark Hunter.

"Wow," a stunned Makuta shouted. "This was…unexpected."

Hahli rose to Jaller and touched fists with him. "You're a natural, Jaller."

"You really think so. I was just trying to stay in the fight."

"Yes, and you're will to stay in was enough to give you your goal. You'll be a fine Jaeger pilot."

If Matoran could blush, that is what Jaller would have done.


Nuparu wired his homemade headset into the test tube with thirty feet of Protodermis cable. He and Avak worked all night trying to build a mechanism for tapping into the Kaiju brain. Well, mostly just Nuparu. Avak spent the time shouting at Nuparu calling him "delusional" and "foolhardy." Nuparu was used to this name-calling. When you've built something as disastrous as the Krahli, you will get called many names.

Avak stood by. "You're taking this too far. Even if you could read the brain, what would you find there other than 'I want food?' There is nothing there worth reading, I tell you."

"That's what they all said," Nuparu replied. "Which is exactly why I intend to prove you and every other archivist wrong."

With that, he donned the headset and began to analyze the brain signals he received. The experience of receiving multiple brainwaves at once was horrible. Nuparu saw before him bright flashes of magenta and blue, combined with a splitting headache. The Kaiju clearly operated on stronger neural functions than any Matoran. After the initial shock of having their brains fused faded, Nuparu finally saw images through his pain. He never could have imagined the complexity or destructive potential of this vision.

The Kaiju, more specifically this Kanohi Dragon, had brain waves dating back thousands of years, almost to the dawn of the universe. They remain repressed for long intervals at a time, but when it was time for new races to take command of the universe, the Kaiju emerge and cleanse the universe, allowing the creation of new beings.

Only once before had this event happened. At the creation of the Universe, before the Matoran first arrived, the Kaiju had cleared the way. But since there was no resistance, the mission went undeterred. Now, though, civilization had emerged. And it was fighting back!


"…Very interesting."

An archivist named Tehutti had heard Nuparu's account of his mind meld. "I never thought to consider this the natural order. It's really quite tragic to think the Kaiju have no choice but to destroy, and we just have no other option but to confront them."

"I know. But we aren't ready to give up as a species yet," insisted Nuparu. "But I think I need another brain scan to see if they have any other tricks."

"We have no more brains, but I do know someone who can grant you one. An Onu-Matoran named Mavrah owns a facility at the mouth of Onu-Metru specializing in Kaiju organs."

"Then I guess we have a trip to my homeland, Avak," Nuparu suggested. "Let's go!"