Another one down! This chapter we get to see a few familiar faces...sorry this one's a little short, like I've said previously on other stories...I like the ending spot. :)
I don't own anything in here...except for Romani, his siblings and any unrecognizable name from Pacific Rim and Godzilla (2014).
Chapter 5
Later that evening, up in Alaska, a few men in military garb came into a small school building. They flashed IDs at the front desk and walked down the hall without much talking. They came to a door and opened it, revealing a tall, burly, white-blond man standing at the blackboard, writing the next day's lesson for the little kindergarteners on it.
"Cherno Alpha," one of them started.
"There no one by that name here," the man replied, not turning around and continuing to write on the black board.
"You're Afon Kaidonovsky, right?"
"Perhaps…" the man started slowly, stopping his writing, "Why you want to know?"
"You're going to have to come with us," one of them said stepping forwards.
"And…why would I do that?" the man asked, turning around, his golden eyes flashing dangerously.
"Your presence has been requested by one of the higher ups," another explained.
"And if I not want to be going with you?"
"You don't have a choice, Cherno,"
"There no one by that name here," the man growled, eyes flashing, "You have wrong place. Go check Oblivion Bay, Jaeger might be there,"
"Brat?" came a female voice from the door, "Chto zdes' proiskhodit?"
The golden eyed man turned to face an almost just as tall white-blond woman with dark brown eyes. She blew a chunk of white-blond hair from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear from where it had fallen out of her braid.
"Anya, vybrat'sya otsyuda," the man warned, "Ya pozabochus' ob etom,"
Anya's brown eyes widened as a shadow fell over her…and it wasn't her brother's.
"Cherno! Look out!"
The man, Cherno, whipped around, his hand flashing out and grabbing the assailant's arm and flipping him over his shoulder, sending him crashing into his comrades.
"Anya! Run!" Cherno ordered, shoving her out the door and following close behind.
Both brother and sister raced out the doors to the school, stopping almost immediately as soon as they rushed out the door.
They were surrounded, a group of soldiers stood in front of the building, leveling multiple guns in the sibling's direction.
A low, rumbling, metallic snarl ripped through the area…Anya put a hand on her older brother's shoulder, feeling him nearly vibrating with anger.
"This not supposed to happen," Cherno spat bitterly, "Why they not just leave us alone!? Give us peace for all we did for them!?"
Anya gave a shrug right as a white blur shot out of the trees and bowled through the front lines, stopping next to Cherno and Anya.
"Hey, Cherno," the blur, a woman, smiled, her golden eyes sparkling, "Looks like you could use some help,"
"Tacit Ronin!" Cherno rumbled, "Timing is never better,"
Tacit beamed, taking out her twin katana and twirling them around in challenge.
"Ready?" she asked coyly.
"Always," Cherno rumbled, smashing his fists together as hunter-green armor flickered over them and as an amber visor snapped down over Tacit's eyes.
And the two Jaegers charged.
"You know you don't have to go," Ryan told Romani, "We could really use you here,"
"I have a family Ryan," Romani reminded them, "I need to be with them. Dad told me to protect them…to keep them safe no matter what. I'm going to keep that promise in honor of his memory,"
"We understand," Octavia said with a faint smile, "Hey, since I've got to stay here and you're going back to the States…if you happen to stop in LA, can you tell Kat that her Mom's so proud of her for winning the tournament?"
"I'll do that," Romani said, hugging her, "It was good to see you both again…it's been a long time since I've seen you,"
"Not since your mother died," Ryan muttered, "Gipsy was a good woman. We were sad to hear she'd been gone. We figured you guys just didn't want to talk to anyone anymore,"
"That's not true," Romani corrected, "And you guys know it,"
"You'd better get going," Octavia told him, "We'll have to meet back up some time,"
"I'd like that," Romani smiled as he turned around and started to walk towards the top deck, followed by an officer.
"Sir, right now we're 50 miles from Hawaii," the officer told Romani as they walked across the flight deck to a chopper, "This transport will take you there. You're catching a commercial flight back to San Francisco,"
"Thanks," Romani nodded as he climbed in and pulled out his phone, dialing his wife's cell.
"I'm gonna need you to brush your teeth," Gwen grinned as Charlie leaned away from the sink, nose wrinkled in playful dislike.
Her golden-eyed son started laughing, revealing said teeth.
"Disgusting!" Gwen mock swooned, "Those are terrible! We gotta brush them!"
"Nooo!" Charlie wailed pushing away and trying to duck his head away from the toothbrush his mother wielded.
"Open up!" Gwen grinned.
Charlie clamped his mouth closed, crossing his arms and shaking his head…grinning all the while.
"If you won't open up…then I'll have to take drastic measures," Gwen warned playfully…and she started tickling her son.
Charlie shrieked with laughter, falling off the stool and Gwen stuck the brush in his mouth. The little Half-Jaeger looked at his mother with a playful glare, eyes almost glowing as he took the brush and started to brush his teeth.
"Good boy," she grinned, ruffling his hair as Charlie spit into the sink, rinsing out his mouth.
The five year old planted a minty-smelling kiss on his mother's cheek and started towards his room to get into his pajamas.
Gwen shook her head and walked back into the living room, noticing her flashing phone. The woman picked up the device and messed around with it, activating the voice message someone had left.
"Gwen…" came Romani's voice and Gwen gave a sigh of relief, "I…I don't know what they're saying on the news…There was an accident in Japan…"
He seemed to break off, trying hard to keep the sorrow out of his voice but failing miserably.
"Dad's gone," he rasped, and Gwen closed her eyes, shaking her head, "I'll explain when I see you. I'm heading to Hawaii. I'm gonna catch a flight from there. I'll see you soon,"
Romani held his head in his hands, running his fingers through his dark, black curls. This wasn't how it was supposed to be! Angel and Sylph…he had managed to reach them and he told them what happened to their dad. He also said that he would tell them more details once he got back to San Francisco.
Angel was more understanding…Sylph was demanding answers that minute and wasn't wanting to take no for an answer. But when Romani snapped at her…she shut up and apologized.
"Aloha! And welcome aboard! The train will begin moving shortly!" the man over the PA system announced, making Romani shake his head in annoyance.
He already had a headache…and that annoyingly cheerful voice was making it worse!
"For the comfort of others, no smoking, please. Thank you,"
Romani gave a shake of his head as he pulled out the tiny soldier toy and ran his thumb over it. Charlie would be so happy to see this…
"Please remember to stay clear of the automatic doors," the PA stated…
There was a yell and Romani looked up just to see a little Japanese boy pounding on the doors, calling for his mama…who was on the platform while the train pulled out. Romani jumped up and tried to get the doors open, but his fingers couldn't find purchase on it.
"Mama!" the boy wailed.
"I can't get the doors open," Romani apologized to the frantic parents, "Just stay right there! I'll bring him back, I promise!"
The boy started running to the back of the car and Romani went after him, wrapping the boy in a strong embrace. Dear God, he couldn't have been much older than Charlie! Romani whispered soft comforts into the boy's ear, mentally kicking himself for not paying more attention in his Japanese language classes. His mom was the best at it…Sylph had an ear for it too…but Romani took after his dad, not being so good in foreign languages.
"Alright," he murmured as he sat the boy down, "I'm gonna sit you down here. I'm gonna get you back to your mom and dad, okay?"
The boy nodded.
Romani gave a smile and dug in his pocket, revealing the soldier.
"Here, is this what you want?" he asked and the boy's eyes lit up, Romani handed the soldier to the boy, "Take good care of him for me,"
He shook his head and ruffled the boy's hair.
"I better not miss my flight kiddo," Romani chuckled with a faint smile.
Tacit, Cherno and Anya had somehow managed to get away, running towards Cherno's car and getting in.
"Don't care how many times I see it," Anya said with a smile as she strapped herself in and Cherno hit the gas, "See you fight is amazing!"
"Yeah, don't get used to it," Tacit warned, "That was crossing the line back there…Pentecost won't be too happy we've done this,"
"We need to get Natasha, Galina and Luka," Cherno growled, "Am not leaving them there for those humans to get,"
"Coyote's already there," Tacit reassured him, "We'll pick them up and head to Oakland,"
"In California…why?" Anya asked.
"Stacker says that's where he wants us…something about Gipsy's son,"
They pulled into the driveway and Cherno nearly killed himself getting out of the car and shooting towards the house.
"Cherno!" Natasha yelled, running out of the house and being swept into a long kiss by the Jaeger before he sat her down, "There were men all around the house…but Coyote came and drove them off,"
Cherno turned to his comrade in arms.
"You have my thanks, Coyote comrade," Cherno nodded, "Thank you,"
"It's been a while," Coyote admitted, shouldering what looked to be a shotgun over his shoulder, "But I do remember how to fire one of these,"
"Where are Galina and Luka?" Cherno asked.
"Here Papa," Galina said, coming out of the house, "Luka went on his trip this morning…remember?"
"Ah…forgot," Cherno nodded.
"I can take Natasha and Galina to a safehouse," Coyote said, "You and Roni need to get to Oakland…I'll pick up Luka on the way and meet you there once I get them to safety,"
He lowered his voice and spoke to Cherno.
"You will have to tell them," he muttered, "About you…about what they are…"
"They know," Cherno stated, "I tell them when this came back,"
He touched his call sign.
"Still having trouble believing it," Galina piped up, crossing her arms, "But when your eyes suddenly change color and you have a tattoo you swear you didn't get…well…Papa told Luka and me everything,"
"Well that's that then," Tacit sighed, looking up at Coyote, "Stay safe…if you die…I'm going to kick your butt,"
Coyote kissed her on the cheek, "Don't worry, Roni, I'll be ok,"
Romani was sitting on the train with the boy, golden eyes half-way closed…and then the boy started stirring, turning around in his seat. Romani turned around just to see a few fighter jets race past.
"Whoa!" the boy gasped…
Right as the power went out, forcing the train to jerk to a stop. The passengers screamed as they pitched forwards and Romani heard the boy whimper as the lights flickered out.
"You ok?" he asked softly, the boy nodded mutely, "You give it 10 seconds, lights gonna come back on. It's ok. I promise,"
The boy grabbed Romani's hand and Romani gently squeezed it. The boy leaned into Romani's shoulder and Romani smiled…right as a sharp pain seemed to split Romani's head in two.
The lights flickered back on and Romani gave a reassuring smile to the boy.
"There ya go, what did I tell you?" he smiled, making the boy beam back.
Romani looked up towards their destination…and his heart nearly stopped.
The monster…the thing that killed his dad…the MUTO, the Kaiju…
Was right in their path.
The people on the train started screaming and gunfire was heard.
"GET DOWN!" Romani ordered, using his body to shield the boy.
The gunfire stopped and Romani looked up just to see the giant, gaping maw of the monster starting to clamp down on the train.
"Let's go!" he called, yanking the child back as the boy started to yell.
The train crunched to a stop, hanging on the rail, people started to tumble out, Romani himself even slid down a bit, grabbing onto a seat and hanging on for dear life.
The boy cried out and Romani looked up to see him sliding towards him. Romani let go of the seat with one hand and grabbed the boy, holding him tightly.
"I've got you," he soothed as the boy started sobbing, "It's ok, I've got you,"
He could hear the monster roaring in the background and he swung the boy onto his back. The boy nearly choked him, but Romani managed to haul himself upwards.
The young Jaeger froze, however, when he saw his hand that had been gripping onto the seat. He had left dents in the metal…
And he saw a flicker of steely blue fading from his hand.
The boy gave a cry from his position on Romani's back, pointing towards the air strip.
Romani tore his gaze away from his hand and looked up…just to see this even bigger monster walk onto the air field…
And roar.
"Charlie, please turn that TV off," Gwen said as she walked to the sink and saw her son on the couch.
She heard the TV still going and she looked at her son.
"Hey, did you hear me?" she asked, "Off,"
Still nothing.
"C'mon Charlie let's go, it's bedtime!" she coaxed, walking past him, "Charlie!"
"Mommy look!" Charlie chirped, pointing at the TV, "Dinosaurs!"
Gwen stopped and turned around, looking at the TV as Charlie shook his head and frowned.
"No…Kaiju," he corrected, eyes narrowing as a low, rumbling growl fluttered from his chest.
Gwen stopped, looking at her son…who looked ready to jump up and through the TV screen…
But even more so at the pale, silver-white armor on his tiny hands.
Gwen blinked rapidly and put a hand to her mouth.
Now…it all made sense.
The eye color changing, the mark…and Angel, Sylph, and Gipsy all had it too…
Romani's stories that he used to tell Charlie about the Jaegers being human were true.
And now Gwen knows the truth. Romani's gonna figure it all out soon enough. He's starting to put the pieces together...especially after seeing Godzilla for the first time. I can't tell you what's going to happen next, but I really hope you'll like it.
Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please let me know!
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.