Chapter 2: First line of defense.
Skies over Japan:
The skies of Japan filled with the sounds of jet engines screaming in at full throttle. From as far the eye could see every Japanese military aircraft that could fly had formed up into formation with the E-767 and E-2 AWACS and aircraft taking up the rear.
On the ground and water, military units positioned every anti-aircraft weapon they could get their hands on at every conceivable point. They ranged from machine guns to Patriot missiles. At sea, all four Kongo class destroyers, armed with the advanced Aegis radar defense system, sailed up to positions east of Japan with SM-2 missiles ready to launch.
Maritime Defense Command:
In the Maritime Defense Command Center, everyone watched the enormous radar screens as swarm of Gyaos closed in on the aerial defense line. They wondered out loud if any of the other nations would assist or they would face this threat alone along with the assistance of the turtle monster known as Gamera. From the radar screen, it seemed that the Gyaos swarm would slam into a wall of steel with Gamera arriving from the south to assist.
As they watched the screen, both generals nodded in confirmation of what was to happen next as Otani picked up a phone which linked with Air Defense Command, "All long range missile batteries are to commence an attack". He then turned to rejoin everyone as they prepared to watch the unfolding spectacle.
Skies of Eastern Japan:
From all over Eastern Japan as well as in the ocean, missiles leapt from their batteries and arched upward into the sky before heading straight to their targets. As soon as the first missiles left their tubes, the crews reloaded as soon as possible.
The Gyaos swarm continued on its course in a crazed fashion as they didn't expect any resistance. That statement proved very wrong when the lead Gyaos creatures suddenly angled their heads up in shock as they spotted the heat trails of missiles.
Though the missiles had proven almost near useless before back in 1995, many flew in the sky and eventually, Gyaos birds stared to drop like flies. Unfortunately, the first salvo ended without dropping many and the rest screamed forward in anger at the blockade.
Seeing that the swarm continued its advance, the command center immediately issued its order via the AWACS, "All aircraft attack, repeat, attack".
Many of the pilots flying tonight were veterans of the previous monster attacks in 1995 and 1996. Having seen the results of monster battles and knowing the fate awaiting Japan, they swore to fight to the last round and to the last gallon of gas if it would help defeat the threat.
Once they received the order, the pilots immediately armed all of their air-to-air missiles and accelerated to full burn to deliver in the first few shots before their opponents reacted. Soon, waves of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles leapt from the railings and headed straight for their targets.
The Gyaos creatures already had reformed and continued on their course when suddenly more missiles slammed into their hides. More Gyaos creatures started to fall to the missile salvo and it threw the rest into chaos. That brought as precious amount of time as the fighters dove in among the swarm, firing their machine guns.
The Gyaos creatures did not take long to respond and soon thin yellow beams cut across the skies in large numbers, eventually cutting into some of the fighter squadrons. Soon, it turned into a vicious melee with the Gyaos outnumbering and outmaneuvering the F-15s, F-2s, and F-1 fighters.
Very quickly, the battle turned against the JASDF squadrons and soon they were busy using every trick in the book to fight their way out. Once a fighter ran out of missiles, it resorted to using 20mm machine guns, which even though it didn't have the kicking power of the missiles, did sting the Gyaos creatures, especially the eyes. The yellow beams of the Gyaos caused many of the fatalities but the creatures also rammed them out of the sky or used their claws and heads to snipe them out of the air.
Many felt that they would not make it out without assistance and that there was none left but that changed in the next few minutes when a fireball suddenly cut through the swarm of Gyaos creatures.
Everyone turned to see a huge turtle-like shape diving into the battle at full speed while continuing to fire fireballs from its mouth at the bat-like creatures. Once it came into view, the human pilots immediately scattered since they clearly wanted to be out of Gamera's way as he continued to trade long range shots with the Gyaos.
Maritime Self Defense Command:
On the command net, the Maritime Defense Command heard the sound of the battle and it sent chills down their spines. As soon as the word came in about Gamera arriving, everyone winced at the thought in a mixture of irony and hope. Irony that the monster they attempted to destroy yesterday now turned out to be their best chance for survival and hope that Gamera's assistance would really make the difference for their country's survival.
Air Battle:
The Gyaos screamed in anger as their eternal nemesis pelted them with orange balls of flame. As one, they turned towards Gamera with some closing in to peck him while others started firing the yellow sonic beam again.
Though Gamera fought instinctively hard, the wound suffered at the hands of Iris slowed him down. The turtle monster continued to fire rapid shots of his fireballs at his opponents to partially kill and force his assailants to back off. Unfortunately he was one with the Gyaos outnumbering him, which they soon took advantage of to swarm him.
Despite the combined defense, the battle started to edge towards the Japanese mainland and soon the people on the ground noticed the battle going on right above them. When the debris started to rain down upon them, they started to panic, delaying the movement of troops to the battle zone and presenting and inviting target for any Gyaos that broke through the blockade.
Back in Maritime Defense Command, the sounds of battle made everyone wince and the sight of planes disappearing off the scopes sent shivers down their spines. After looking at the map for several more minutes, Takagi stood up and yelled out, "Order all air units to regroup and allow all air defense batteries to fire with everything they have once our air units clear out of the way".
One of the radar officers immediately asked, "What about Gamera"?
Takagi bristled but understood and replied, "We'll just have to hope that our gunners are good aimers or that the monster himself will clear out of the way once we launch". He sat back down as the orders made their way to the air-defense units.
In the air, the Japanese fighter pilots and Gamera both battle savagely against the odds and more Gyaos continued to die but Japanese pilots also fell and Gamera suffered more injuries. When they received word, several wanted to stay but the flight leaders could clearly see the odds against them so they immediately broke contact and regrouped over the Home Islands.
As the Gyaos continued to fire their beam weapons, Gamera flew in with his shell facing right back at the birds, the hard material of the shell deflecting the yellow beam right at the bird creatures, cutting many of them into pieces. Before the swarm reformed, the turtle monster fired several more fireballs before heading away at full power.
Everyone in the command center was counting down the seconds the fighters needed to clear out. It was a nerve wracking wait and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the word came down and the commanders showed it by transmitting the orders "All batteries are to commence firing".
Another wave of SAMs (surface to air missiles) of all types emerged from their launch tubes and headed straight for Gyaos. They soon exploded amongst the creatures, killing many more and scattering them in confusion. Smelling prey all around, the swarm scattered with some heading down towards the water while the rest headed straight for the main islands.
The Aegis radars on the destroyers picked up and despite the overwhelming numbers, the crews on the ships rushed to their battle stations and started firing everything they had left. Soon the sky lit up with more explosions but only a few more Gyaos fell before the rest swarmed over the ships. Two of the four destroyers fell to accurate yellow shots that cut the destroyer hulls in half instantly. The other two suffered a more brutal fate as the birds slammed their steel plated heads against the ships and picking off sailors with their legs and jaws.
The rest flew on towards mainland Japan, their combined screeches and screams sending many shivers down the spines of everyone who could hear it.
Ruins of Kyoto:
After finding a way out of the ruins of Kyoto Station, Mayumi Nagamine and Asagi Kusanagi managed to get Ayana Hirakasa and her companion to one of the hastily set up aid stations, which were already handling the many wounded.
As Nagamine talked with one of the officers, she turned to see Asagi talking with Ayana and consoling her as Ayana seemed on the verge of tears after view the rows of injured and the dead. Nagamine could only wonder to herself what the young Japanese girl would endure in the future and hoped that she would be alright.
Though she did note the increased activity with the troops in the last few minutes, she had no idea what was going on until Asagi suddenly walked slowly out of the tent and back outside. She immediately ran to the younger Japanese woman's side and upon noticing Asagi's pained face, she asked, "Has it begun Asagi"?
The young woman nodded with a little fear at the question, "The battle has already begun and already it has turned against us". She paused before answering the scientist's silent question, "All we can do is hope for the best". The young woman prayed silently towards the kaiju that she once shared a mental bond with and prayed for the kiaju's safety.
Author's notes:
1. So far Asagi and Nagamine are the two old characters from the trilogy. I may put in the others at a later date.
2. Any questions on how should I proceed and should I invite in other countries as well since we all know Japan itself, along with Gamera, is still no match for the Gyaos swarm.
3. How am I doing on this thus far and in all of my Godzilla fanfics?
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