Chapter Fifteen

The people turned on their television sets and saw the woman whom they had come to trust as being the voice of the front. As she spoke, her viewers could hear a sense of urgency in her voice. "This is Connie Matsu live on the scene at New Orleans, Mississippi. For those of you just tuning in, we are here where a tremendous three on one battle was fought between Godzilla and the machines of Steel Reign II a short time ago. Despite the iron giants' best efforts, however, the King of the Monsters walked away the victor and, as you can see, the devastation wrought here is the like of which you'd expect from the walls of Jericho. But this didn't happened thousands of years ago, it happened today."

Miss Matsu's viewers watched her pause as she overlooked the city from the grassy hill she was on and she pointed to the military forces as they worked tirelessly to rescue the people they could. "From here you can see a tent city already being set up so that victims of the battle can be treated; sadly there isn't much that can be done. However, as terrible as the destruction was, it could have been even worse if not for Godzilla, of all things.

An image of Godzilla taken from the battle replaced the image of Connie Matsu, though she was still heard in the voice-over. "As you can see in this footage taken from military observers, the King of the Monsters is catching the falling upper half of a building and in the process is keeping it from crushing the humans seen below. This left him open to attack and we see in this footage that he was indeed ambushed while his attention was diverted. Why Godzilla did this we don't know and perhaps never will, but some people are suggesting that he actually did it with the intention of safeguarding human life. That claim however, cannot be proven."

The image returned to Miss Matsu and she turned her gaze towards the camera as she continued her dialogue. "Regardless of what really happened with Godzilla, it is over shadowed by a far more pressing concern. As we know, civilian casualties were astronomical in the course of the battle, despite G-Force's record of avoiding them. This is due to the fact that G-Force places the protection of civilians first at all times. Indeed, though there's been no official press release, it is rumored said that Commander Raschell of G-Force North America authorized this attack only after the US military told him that the city had been evacuated. It obviously was not.

"This has led to tremendous doubt in President Emmerich's leadership capabilities in addition to creating a credibility gap as a result of his being the one that personally assured G-Force North America that New Orleans was evacuated. It also raises the question of whether or not this will hamper war efforts. Indeed, the frustrated American public is outraged by what it perceives as an impotent and weak administration. As for Godzilla himself, we are uncertain of his whereabouts at this moment. The last confirmed sighting was when he slipped back into the Mississippi and, according to analysts, Godzilla could now have reached the Red River, Arkansas River, or the Gulf.

"What will happen next, is anybody's guess but it seems that the battle is over… for now."

"Can you hear me Miki? Are you there?"

Kyle looked at what felt like the thousandth time at the hospital room's wall clock and saw that in all the hours that he had spent kneeling at Miki's bedside, she had yet to show any signs of consciousness. He then apprehensively looked back at her and felt his stomach turn at the sight. She was covered completely in bandages and there were tubes coming out from every part of her body; at this point she looked to be in some living death. As was their purpose, the machines all around Miki continued their function and kept her from dying. As for Kyle, all he could do as he sat was listen to the beep that signaled she yet lived was pray to God that it wouldn't stop. He heard it again and again, beep, beep, beep.

He listened intently because he wasn't sure if Miki would live. The doctors were doing everything they could, everything from synthetic Solgel Island red water to psychic music but it wasn't enough. She was so badly injured that he'd heard the doctors of the military hospital whisper if they were even doing her a favor by saving her. She was in a coma and she might never wake up; even if she did, the injuries she received would be permanent.

However, he wasn't the only one that wept for Miki. His grandfather, Steven Martin, had come as had Tomas, Director Goodhue, Commander Aso, the Elias, and Professor Hayashida. They all wept for their dear friend. Kyle, however, had done more than weep.

Desperate to save the life of the woman he loved, he had used an experimental gene therapy based on research done by a scientist named Shinoda. It was research into Regenerator G-1, the technical name for the genetic code that allowed Godzilla to heal from any wound or disease almost instantaneously. Shinoda had suggested that if Regenerator G-1 could somehow be applied to humans that it could revolutionize medicine. However, it was just barely being made, not even the first lab animal tests had been conducted.

Not that Kyle had cared when he heard that it might save Miki's life.

In any case Kyle gently put his hand on her forehead and spoke with a broken voice. "It'll be OK, I'm here now Miki. You can beat this, you're a brave woman; I know you can win somehow, some way. You'll get better Miki, you gotta. We have our whole lives ahead of us. We'll laugh together, we'll work together, we'll make a home together, we'll have a family together, and we'll grow old together."

With that, he placed the diamond ring in her unfeeling hand and closed her hand around it. "I wanted to give you that ring for a while now. The first time was just before the Monster Wars began, back on Infant Island. My grandpa told me that I should just get the courage and ask the question; hey if I face down Godzilla for a living, then I should be able to do something this small right! I loved you since the first day that I met you and knew wanted to spend the rest of life with you."

That was when Kyle felt the tears come up again and he began trembling. "Oh Miki, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for everything. My God I can't believe what I almost did! You're the best friend anyone could ever have, and for a long time I was hoping that we might become more, that we might marry and be together forever… And since the Monster Wars began, I've been brushing you off and looking away. I promise that it's going to change, even if it means having to forgive Godzilla and… playing nice. Once you get better I'll get better too; I'll try. I promise…

"But if you don't…" At that Kyle withdrew his hands from Miki's and tearfully looked away. "But if you don't… then God and you forgive me because I'll kill that reptilian sumbitch, I swear! I'll kill Godzilla for what he's done to me… and to you." Fighting back a tear, Kyle ran a hand over Miki's forehead and said, "I promise."

For a time there was only silence as he contemplated what he said and realized how difficult it would be to keep that vow if worse came to worst. He was going to be court-martialed for what he had done, if he was lucky. Some people wanted him shot dead on the spot. But then he was already lucky just to be allowed to be with Miki for these few hours. Deep inside, Kyle somehow felt that he deserved anything that happened to him because he had not only jeopardized the entire mission but he had placed innocent civilians in danger as well. What was he doing? Had his grandfather been right all along in saying that all hate does is cause more pain?

However, those were questions to be answered another day because that was when a soldier opened the door to tell him that he had to leave. Kyle nodded his tear stained face and gave Miki one last kiss before slowly getting up from his knees and walking out the door.

With that the comatose Miki Segeusa was left alone on her hospital bed and on life support but if Kyle had remained but a short time longer then he would have seen an amazing sight. Desperate to save her life, he had demanded that Miki be given the Regenerator G-1 gene therapy. Regenerator G-1, more than anything else, was what made Godzilla all but invincible to human attack because it meant that any cut, any tear, any sickness would be undone in seconds. Shinoda was right in saying that it could revolutionize medicine for the better but was wrong in thinking that it would ever be used on any wide scale.

That was because of… side effects. What kind of side effects? They could never be predicted but they were always dangerous, or at least undesirable. This wasn't surprising; after all, the proposed Regenerator G-1 gene therapy meant grafting DNA from Godzilla, a giant monster, to human DNA. In theory, all it would do was temporarily give a human the King of the Monster's recuperative powers but in reality, his ever-altering genetic code meant that it would never be so simple.

In Miki's case, this lack of simplicity was seen when her eyes flew open and shone the color of gold, the same as Godzilla's eyes.

Some time later, Kyle Martin was put on trial for his actions in the New Orleans battle. At the moment, he had already been before the military tribunal for some hours now in the grim, dimly lit room and he had no hope of anything coming out in his favor. The court was really just a formality, a kangaroo court; with it being such an open and shut case, everyone knew that. Even with slight defense from Hayashida, Kyle's lawyer said as much. Truth be told, even Perry Mason himself couldn't have done anything more for him than plead insanity.

Seeing the severity of the situation of the trial, Comander Aso himself was there as the judge. He had had high hopes for Martin but now it seemed that those hopes were dashed. However it would not end there, looking at him in the courtroom he might have to deal with Raschell as well. "Kyle Martin, you have been told of the crimes of which you stand accused," said Aso. "As a result of these actions, the mechas called Red Ronin and MOGUERA, both essential to Monster Wars war effort, have been nearly destroyed thus ruining billions of dollars in investments and scrapping military plans. Also, a disastrous level of property damage was suffered and worst of all how your rash actions led to unacceptable civilian casualties.

"Oh, and to respond to what your lawyer said, although G-Force itself encounters 'considerable' collateral damage in fighting Godzilla and other kaiju, every step is always taken to prevent it. Quite the opposite with you where the audio and video tapes show you actually goading Godzilla to battle despite direct orders from your commanding officer, who has also served as a witness against you. Audio tapes, video tapes, eyewitnesses testimony from trained observers, do you have anything to say in your defense or should I just go and tell the warden to reserve a prison cell for the next one hundred years?"

Shame faced and silent, Kyle Martin looked around and saw the military men that were arrayed against him. With them were Director Goodhue and Hayashida, along with his friend Tomas Santos. As he looked into their angry, disappointed, and confused faces, Kyle fumbled for something, anything, to say in his defense but found that his mouth went empty. "I… I have nothing to say. I'm guilty."

Aso looked down from his judge's stand and scrutinized the accused with a raised eyebrow. "That's it? You're not even going to try to defend yourself?"

Silent, Kyle looked to the floor before answering. "No, sir. I did it and I know I have to pay the price."

The unforgiving Aso grew grim. "So you plead guilty. While I do feel some admiration for you in that you choose to accept responsibility for your mistakes, I'm sorry to say that it can do nothing to lessen your sentence. That being the case, the court has no choice but to declare you guilty and—what?" At that he saw his judge's gavel levitate from out his hand and hover for a time before settling down. A stunned look came across the faces of everyone in the room and Aso gasped. "Damn it Martin, if you did this as some cheap joke, I'll hold you in contempt!"

"Don't waste your time Commander, it wasn't him that did it." On hearing that, everyone in the courtroom turned the doors to see who said that and to their surprise it was Miki Segeusa. Out of her hospital gown and dressed quite fashionably, the apparently healthy psychic crossed her arms and smiled. "I was the one who did that Commander, with a touch of TK."

Kyle went to her and held her hands. "Miki, what are you doing here? Are you alright? You should be resting right now."

Seemingly at beyond full strength, Miki just laughed. "Oh Kyle, if you only knew what you were saying. I'm more that alright; I'm better than ever. A clean bill of health, 110%. Oh and as for how, Regenerator G-1 gene therapy really does work. It not only healed me up but it even got rid of a cold I was dealing with for weeks before! Oh and thanks for giving it to me."

Everyone looked at her in shock at what she just said to which she replied, "It also boosted my powers so I know what's going on but onto more important things."

She sat on a railing and crossed her legs as she contemplated her words. "Having been at Kyle's side for years, I know for myself that mistakes he can make and I can not deny that he stands guilty of what he has been accused. However, it's not as black and white as you might make it seem.

Miki sighed and hung her head. "The American campaign has been terrible, the New Orleans battle especially so. The civilian casualties were incalculable and every effort must be made to keep something like this from happening again.

"However, the real blame of that goes to President Emmerich with how he promised us that the city was evacuated." She then cast a disparaging look at one of the military men in attendance. "Part of that should also go to Commander Raschell for how he refused to call off the attack after I told him that there were still people in the city. And let's not forget the psychological risks involved in using psionc interface, it always raises the question of the pilot's actions. That was one of the reasons that Angela was never rebuilt and the main reason that there was opposition to using Red Ronin. Why, Hayashida himself warned that Kyle's past history with Godzilla might influence his actions and said that in this trail. If anything, it seems that UNGCC is just looking for a scapegoat and found one in Kyle.

"If there is anything that we must be careful of, especially in war, it's that we can't give in to hate. This is true even now and especially now. Kyle is guilty as charged, but it would be wrong to punish him beyond what his crime would demand. Considering the technical expertise he can offer, it would also be unwise considering the increasing shortage of manpower demands that we use every man we can find. I strongly suggest a lightening of sentence in dealing with Martin here Commander Aso."

On hearing that, the man fairly fumed because, as a military officer, he didn't take orders, he gave them. After all, he was the Supreme Commander of G-Force Alpha and since the Monster Wars began he had assumed command of all Earth armed forces battling King Ghidorah. He hated hearing this from anyone, especially coming from that leftist, monster coddling, bleeding heart, goody good. Sneering at Miki, he growled "And what if I refuse?"

Miki looked up to the judge's stand where Aso was. "Then I will leave G-Force now and forever."

At that, several men got up in protest to tell her that she couldn't do that and to be serious. Yet on seeing that she was serious, they begged her to reconsider; after all, she was the only one that could keep Godzilla in check or predict his next move. Kyle then walked up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "What the heck is going on? Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

Miki then put her hands on his arms and smiled. "I know exactly what I'm doing Kyle and I'm doing it for you. It's not over yet, we'll need everybody's help to defeat King Ghidorah and that means you. Besides, we have our whole lives ahead of us. We deserve the chance to be together, to laugh together, to grow old together, to live together, and to grow old together. And we can't do that if you're in prison!"

She then took his hands in hers and said, "I do this gladly for you Kyle, because I love you."

With that they both embraced one another and held each other tight. That was when they heard the judge's gavel pound and they both turned to see what was happening. Red faced and angry, Aso looked with a hateful expression at both Kyle and Miki. "Fine. Kyle Martin, you'll be on… parole until further notice, WITH constant supervision AND the removal of all privileges AND suspencion of pay AND whatever the hell else I can think of. As for you Miss Seguesa… there are other psychics in the world and I want you to know that if need be we could persuade the Elias themselves of our point of view. I had better not see an outburst like this ever again because if I do, I'll have you tried for treason and hanged!

"Understood?"

Solemn faced, she nodded. "Understood sir."