LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE
A CROSSOVER STORY
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
OCTOBER 2013, WEEK THREE
"The board is set"
TEXAS, USA
[McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, 8:02 AM]
Shinji was at the bow of a boat. With his team there, and some of Captain Yukiko's crew rowing them to shore. Her ship was within distance with its sails folded. In a separate boat, Shinji and Koji's horses were being transported to shore by boat. As Shinji looked ahead, Koji looked above to see flocks of birds flying south. So did Hakeem, Anan, Kamiya, and Xiuying. The Japanese also noticed this, alongside George. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes, Canadian Geese, and Golden Cheek Warblers. The air chill surprised them. Since they were now in the Gulf of Mexico and Texas just ahead, it would be still pleasantly warm until at least November. However, the air chill coming from the north suggested they were in the middle of autumn, at the very least.
"It's colder than normal," Shinji commented to no one, but one of the rowers heard him and replied, "Aye. But that's what the magi have planned for all of this."
"What do you mean?"
"When does anyone seek to fight in the snows?"
"No one. Unless you're from the far north."
"Aye. But even they avoid it if they could."
"I wish we could avoid all of this. But here we are."
"Aye. Here we are."
The two fell silent again with others observed their surroundings. The shinobi twins with Kamiya stared at Shinji. Wanting to confront him once they get on land. They remained mum when leaving Cuba, but now in American waters, they have time to confront him about their family heirloom. But Kamiya advised them against this due to the mystics aiding Shinji.
"We need to find a way to separate them," Hideo signed to Kamiya in Japanese Sign Language, "But no doubt Koji would catch wind of any overt and covert methods we may use."
Kamiya replied, "We may not need to. We'll use the conflict ahead to provide time for us to do so."
Then, Mizuki began to sign to them, "Even if we do find time to talk with him about this, he may be reluctant to hear us out. To know his friend and lover is a butcher."
"He's no saint. I'm sure of that," her brother signed to her, "How can, you be sure?" She signed back.
But Kamiya chimed in, "The way he fought you all in Cuba, showed he's a soldier. Takuya and Ryu fought alongside him when the demons attacked. They can attest to that. He may not be the finest martial artist like Takuya or Ren. Or an expert swordsman like Ryu or yourselves. Or driven by a code of honor like Touma, or our recruit." He eyed George.
"He's driven all right. Driven to travel across the world to face an enemy when it would be easier to create defensive strategies back in Japan," Hideo signed, "But no, we're all here in foreign land and our only guide to the locals, is someone who trusts foreigners more than his kin."
"There's Koji, brother." Mizuki reminded him.
"That's not a guarantee. Koji is a mystic. His loyalties are not to the world but the hereafter." Hideo replied.
Kamiya looked to his charges, "One way we will know what sort of man Manabe is, is to see how he truly takes charge of all of you—when fighting alongside others here."
The twins were silent before they nodded, acknowledging their retainer's words and wisdom. Ren, Touma, Takuya, Ryu, and George had a similar conversation with Xiuying regarding Shinji. The topic they discussed the others didn't, was whether Shinji is a good man. Sure, he's a mild-mannered man who seeks to keep them together and get along with the foreigners on board Yukiko's ship and the mystics themselves. However, based on what the shinobi twins and Ren had observed a few weeks ago when Shinji had a private conversation with Hakeem, Anan, and Koji, there were layers to him that indicated he had untold rage and sadness he bottled up over years. If the war were to spill into venues they were not prepared for, he may just go off. And that was something they were hoping to avoid and even protect Shinji from. His own darkness.
As the boat landed on the beach, there was no one for miles. They got off the boat and the second one, the ship's crew helped the horses to come ashore. The stallions neighed and gaited about to relieve tension. They needed to gallop. Koji and Shinji approached their horses and tended to them. Soothing them, they then put their supplies on their back. Getting them ready for the trip north.
His hope for a horse gallop north with his team, taking their time to survey the land was shattered with the approach of an incoming Plumber craft coming for them. It was the same craft Kevin used to transport all LMM to Bellwood back in August. The green Concord like craft, the Rust Bucket III, landed with the back hatch opening. When it opened, a tall and muscular man greeted them with his hands behind him, blue eyes, neatly combed blonde hair, and a smile that exuded pride not only as a Plumber, but as an American, "Welcome to America everyone! Come aboard!"
Shinji called for the team to board the spacecraft. Takuya and Ryu swallowed their fear of flying and walked up the ramp. Followed by Kamiya and Xiuying. Shinji, Koji, Hakeem, and Anan were the last to board the spacecraft. With Koji and Shinji assuring their horses everything will be fine. Once all were aboard, it lifted upward and headed west.
The horses were anxious, but calm. The team went upstairs to the main cockpit of the craft where there were seats to sit down. But the spacecraft was much sturdier than normal aircraft so standing was preferable for everyone. The trip was only one hundred and eleven miles, so they'll arrive at their destination in just a few minutes. Shinji sees Kevin piloting craft and walks up to him.
"Good morning."
"Morning yourself. I'm still groggy from waking up early to pick you guys up."
"I'm surprised you were able to find us. Let me guess, you triangulated my satellite phone."
Kevin nodded, "Yep. But also, Gwen. She detected you guys arriving near where I picked you all up."
"Where is Gwen by the way? Normally she's with you, and Ben."
Shinji pointed out Gwen's absence to which Kevin shrugged his shoulders, "She's with the magi. Same with Ben. They even gave him DNA of two powerful megafauna of Earth. A dragon and a war eagle."
Koji was shocked by this, "That's bold of them! Normally they would never trust such power to a normal man."
Kevin snickered, "Too late. It's gotten to his head. Then again," and his face softened, "Nah, he'd be all right."
Shinji and Koji looked at each other and nodded, "And what is Gwen learning from the lawmakers," Koji asked casually.
"Is that what you call them," Kevin asked to which Koji replied, "Among other things."
Kevin smirked slightly, "Well, she's learning how to toe the line between them, the Plumbers, and those who are fighting against Vilgax. And with the Home Guard coming in from the South and the Midwest, we got our hands full."
"Home Guard?" Shinji asked as he stood up from touching his toes.
"Volunteers who's been the first and last line of defense in those areas since before the Civil War to protect homesteaders from threats in the frontier, and wars that occurred. Like the Seven Year War between the Brits and the French."
Shinji smiled, "Looks like things are looking up for us." But Kevin wasn't, "It appears that way. But what I'm curious about is what everyone really wants when it's all said and done."
Shinji was silent when Kevin brought this up. He was right. Everyone fighting for Vilgax or against him are sure to have their own agendas in the middle of it all. In addition, he and his team will be looked upon and wonder if they had their own agenda in traveling far from home to come here and fight. Shinji knew what everyone else's reasons were: looking for that new challenge to push their limits. He glanced at Koji and whispered, "We need to talk."
"Again? I thought we had settled things," Koji smiled but dropped it when Shinji wasn't, "Okay. Let's."
Both went downstairs of the spacecraft where the American just walked past them. Once they were in the clear, Shinji couldn't help but bring something to attention, "Why did you promise the others they would find a good challenge and glory here? I've put up a front for this entire time, but that didn't sit well with me. Why promise them something that you know, will more than likely, send them home in body bags?"
Koji sighed and held his staff, "Like we said to them before we left. They would've followed us and endanger themselves in the process. Sure, they're a gun hoe bunch of young men and woman, but really, what do they really know of the world?"
"Based on what they've alluded to, chances are, a lot."
"Even so, this is a test of their courage and strength. But more importantly, it's also to show whether they will follow you as their leader, or not."
"Why's that important?"
Koji leaned into whisper, "The twins and their retainer now know your sword is possibly their family heirloom. And now are considering if I know anything of it."
"And?"
"All I would disclose to you is this—Emiko would only give you this powerful blade, if she knew in her heart of hearts, that you would keep them in check. Preventing them from seeking vengeance for their clan."
Shinji was stunned. He looked at his steed where his sword hung alongside his supplies. The weight of responsibility now associated with the o-katana/kogarasu-maru sword. He then recalled when attacked by the alien scouts, the sword withstood a weapon clearly designed to be a sword breaker. The sutras along the blade glowed when he sparred with Ryu, and during that spar there was energy feedback between their blades. Conflicting energies that were repelling one another. Would the two eventually have to fight again? And if so, for what purpose?
"And the rest of them?" Shinji added, "I doubt Emiko foresaw me leading a team like this."
Koji cryptically replied, "You'd be surprised by how much she alluded to this eventual outcome. You are a member of LMM. But you're also your own man. Never overlook that."
Koji clasped his friend's shoulder, "Let's back upstairs. They'll be wondering what we're talking about."
"Right."
The rest of the trip was uneventful when they finally arrive. Up in the air, they can see the huge ship overshadowing the small city just east of the larger city of Houston. Helicopters were hovering near the ship's elevation to document for local and national news outlets. CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, even Fox was documenting the news on the ground. As the conflict drags on, no doubt international media will arrive in due time. Interviewing the US military, Plumber officers, volunteer fighters, and a declaration of conquest by one of Vilgax's captains. The volunteer fighters were the most passionate. But there was little discipline. Preferring shock attacks and retreating. The US military aided by utilizing Plumber sanctioned weapons and logistics. The Plumbers themselves were prominent by this point in barricading the city of Bellwood. Separating it from the rest of country. This will become no man's land in the weeks ahead between the three forces. The one force that has yet to make a visible move, were the esoterics.
When this news came up, as Kevin flew just east of the Lake Houston Wilderness Park and lowered the spacecraft down the opening hangar door for the underground base, Shinji's team looked to Anan, Hakeem, and Koji. The three were mute and Touma, the 'heart' of the group wanted answers as to why their kind weren't part of the fight. He wore a white hooded sweater with kanji on the back that said, "愛、正義、名誉 (Love, Justice, and Honor").
"時々あなたたちは私の肌の下に入るだけです。もしあなたがすべてこの力を持っているなら、なぜそれを使って、初日に侵入しているエイリアンを破壊しないのですか? なぜこれをプレイして、多くの人が死ぬ危険を冒すのですか? (Sometimes you guys just get under my skin. If you all had all this power, why not just use it, and destroy the invading aliens on day one? Why play this out and risk so many to die?)"
Hakeem was the first to respond in English when Koji translated for him and Anan, "We could. But as I suspect, there's already a plan in play. Most notably, the colder than normal temperatures. Birds fleeing south as we noticed when we made landfall, in Cuba, even while sailing in the Mediterranean. Something is already in motion."
"Not to mention," Koji interjected in Japanese, "The US military and the Plumbers probably were informed of this plan. The magi needed their cooperation because this is going to affect a large section of the country. European nations were also notified of this affecting them as well. Thus, shifting how international resistance will conduct their campaigns."
And finally, Anan who was adjusting her sari, made of thicker material to keep her warm. She was never one for the cold. Ironic considering her home was London. "Plus, using full esoteric power is not something we collectively take lightly. This is something our culture has come to terms with since the dawn of civilization. Many conquerors have come and gone. Human, or otherwise. Your own country too, has its share of ancient battles."
Koji translated for Hakeem and Anan, so their responses were understood by the Japanese. George needed no translation. English was his mother tongue after all. And he knew several Chinese languages, Japanese, and Korean.
"ああ? どういう意味ですか? (Oh? What do you mean by that?)" Touma demanded an answer. Which prompted Ren to speak as he held a conspicuously living rose over his purple blazer, green flannel trousers and brown loafers, "私たちの国の神々。彼ら全員が直面した戦いと裁判。彼らも地球を歩いた。 (Our country's gods. The battles and trials they all faced. They too walked the earth.)"
"それは単なる神話です。彼らが地球を歩いたとしても、彼らの誰も干渉せず、私たちを救うことはできません。 (That's just a myth. Even if they did walk the earth, none of them would interfere and save us should shit hit the fan.)" Takuya rested with his hands behind his head. Wearing a green buttoned jacket, blue gi trousers, and black boots with the pants tucked in.
"You shouldn't worry about god or the gods. It's the local wildlife," Koji replied, which earned him looks from everyone. Kevin who finished landing the Rust Bucket III was listening in on the conversation. Translating in real time their foreign languages with his Plumber badge.
"I doubt animals would bother us." Kevin spoke out loud, but Koji corrected himself, "Not the regular fauna. I meant the ones that walk in our dreams and nightmares."
Kevin knew what Koji meant, "Cryptids? They're still around?"
"They never left. But they're under tight control across the world. America is no exception."
"What happens if they're turned loose?" Kevin asked, but Koji made no reply save for his eyes. The look on his face was all Kevin needed.
The Rust Bucket's back hatch opened for all of them to exit. Kevin walked in front of them, "Come on. Max gotta give you all pointers on what's going on, and what to do so you all don't die."
Shinji couldn't help but laugh, "Damn! And the ship just left," which Kevin also laughed, "Too late to go back!"
They all walked together to Max's office. They passed human and alien officers. The rush of activity in spoken in English and many alien languages. The unique sounds filled their ears. There was one however that sounded uniform from the rest. Perhaps the official language for the Plumbers used across the galaxy. Shinji's team could only guess. As they walked, they were quietly observed by the officers.
They then entered his office, which for all practical reasons, the war room. With a holographic chart of the world displayed on the opposite wall, colored green and black. Several spots indicating skirmishes. Those colored red were the ones in the past month or so. Yellow meant imminent, and purple meant occurring at this very moment. Shinji looked at Max, who now had a prosthetic right arm with flexible metal plating, advanced polymers underneath, and neural based circuitry that eliminated phantom limb syndrome.
Max motioned with his new arm, for everyone to take a seat. The door closed behind them, and Kevin took his seat, near the projected image. Max then began to speak.
"It's not been declared yet, but we are now officially at war. As you can see, skirmishes are happening on six continents. In the Canadian Rockies, the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico, the Andes and the Patagonia region, troops are traveling westward in the Sahara, arms and supplies transported in Western and Eastern Europe, local resistance in Western Siberia, multiple groups popping up in China and Japan, and finally a planned raid against a communications relay in the Australian outback."
He took a moment to observe Shinji's team, "Are they up for it," he specifically asked Shinji.
"More than." He replied in English, to which Max acknowledged with a nod, "Then we can proceed."
Koji translated what he said to the team, save for George. Max continued with what was going in Bellwood since Vilgax's ship arrived. Here in the underground base, it was re-purposed for housing the evacuated residents. Human and alien. Under Town was sieged within minutes and many fled into Houston before they headed for this base. Due to Plumber presence, they maintained a delicate balance between the two groups. While the adults were quick to comply, the young were restless for information and opportunity to do something. Anything.
Over the very short period, youth groups sprouted to provide news from Bellwood. Guerilla tactics on bypassing the military blockade and returning before soldiers on both sides could apprehend them. Magazines popped up around the underground base for humans and aliens to learn what Bellwood became. A stronghold of Vilgax and his emerging propaganda machine. Portraying himself as not just a conqueror, but someone who could provide order for humans. An alternative to the constant squabbling between nations, cultures, societies, languages, religions, and other creeds since the dawn of human civilization. A ruler who promised to respect human autonomy within their nation-states.
Shinji listened intently with Koji acting as an interpreter. The Japanese processed the information they knew they were here to work. It wasn't going to be an eventual showdown with the big bad, but a conflict with multiple fronts and will require different thinking. George understood either way and had his own aspirations for what will come.
When the meeting was over, Shinji and his team got up, "We will prepare rooms for all of you when you operate in Bellwood," Max added as he turned off the hologram of the world on the wall.
"Thanks, but I think we'll be okay on the surface." Shinji spoke, "Besides, it would be more practical to be within limits of a sieged city."
"That would put all of you at risk. Please, reconsider and remain here at the base where it is safe."
"We're now at war, just as you said. Soon, there will be no safe place for all of us."
Then George spoke, "How about half of our group remains here and the rest in Houston?"
"And without a leader for the other half to coordinate an evacuation?"
"The second half won't be leaderless. I can take the—"
But Shinji stopped him, "If you're proposing what I think you are, you can shove it."
George blinked, "I—I just thought—"
"Well, you thought wrong," Shinji was about to raise his voice, but took a second to calm down, "If we split up without a plan, we're going to get fucked out there. And even coming here to regroup won't help. Understood?"
George wanted to object, but since Shinji was the leader, not counting the old man and woman, he held his tongue. Hearing this guy cussing with calm seriousness was a surprise. The others looked at Shinji with equal interest.
"Crystal."
"Good." Shinji then looked at Max, "Sir, with all due respect—I'm gonna need help with the horses. I doubt there are ranches for them in downtown Houston."
Max chuckled, "No there isn't. But I know where."
A little while later, Max took them all to a ranch on the surface. Near the edges of Lake Houston Wilderness Park. The ranch owner was an old friend of Max's younger days. The horses were sensing their new surroundings and galloped around. Max and the ranch owner talked and caught up. Shinji meanwhile unrolled a map of the Greater Houston Metro Area. There was an encircled area with Bellwood present. He laid it upon the ground as he looked it over, his eyes scanned down to the coast, towards Galveston, the Gulf, eastward to Louisiana, and southwest towards Mexico, which wasn't shown.
"まあ、私たちはねじ込まれています。 (Well, we're screwed.)" Takuya commented, "わかる (I know.)," Shinji replied as he quietly planned.
"私たちは日本から切り離されているので、同盟国は来ず、中国人は時間内に助けを送らないでしょう。 (We're cut off from Japan, so our allies won't come, and the Chinese won't send help in time.)" Ren commented on the situation and then added, "さくらの森の同胞団は、中国、日本、韓国に対して防御的に準備ができている可能性が高いです。 (The Brotherhood of the Sakura Forest are more likely to be ready defensively for China, Japan, and South Korea.)"
"私は状況を知っています。そこの友人とここの ⁇ は、同胞団のスタンスについてすでに私に知らせました。配管工を除いて、私たちは一人でここにいます。私たちの決定は状況に応じて行われます。私たちにできることは何でも、道を行く。(I am aware of the situation. A friend there, and Koji here have already informed me about the brotherhood's stances. Excluding the Plumbers, we are on our own here. Our decisions will be situational. Whatever we can do, will reverberate down the road.)" Shinji commented as he marked portions around the city of Houston.
He sat up and capped his marker, "私たちの前にはいくつかのx要因があります。私たちは、ホームガードがどのように自分自身を配置するか、そしてすでにここにいるかどうかを知る必要があります。 (We have several x factors ahead of us. We need to know how the Home Guard will position themselves and if any are already here.)" Shinji spoke up as he looked to the two, and at the map.
Then he heard footsteps crunching the dried leaves on the ground. He looked up to see it was Ryo, "私はあなたが話していることを耳にしました。ここで使用できる戦術があります。 (I overheard what you were talking about. There's a tactic we can use here.)"
"ゲリラ? (Guerilla?)" Shinji asked, to which, Ryo nodded in agreement, "私たちは彼を強くて速く攻撃します。それから私たちは姿を消し、彼を混乱させ、カードを胸に近づけます。私たちが日本で直面した敵に対してうまく働き、おそらくここで働くでしょう。 (We strike him hard and fast. Then we disappear, confusing him and keeping our cards close to our chests. Worked well against an enemy we faced in Japan, and would more than likely work here.)"
Ryo implied past adventures in Japan a few years ago before his group of friends separated. Shinji nodded, understanding what Ryo meant without having him to divulge extensive details.
"同意する。それには、ヒューストンでの拠点が必要です。ベルウッドに十分近いが、私が述べたように再編成するには十分遠い。そして、物事が熱くなりすぎた場合、ここに後退するためのトンネル入口の近く。 (I agree. And with that, we will need a base of operations in Houston. Close enough to Bellwood, but far enough away to regroup as I've mentioned. And close to a tunnel entry point to retreat here should things get too hot there.)"
Ryo nodded as he crossed his arms, "私には計画のように聞こえます。他のものはどこですか? (Sounds like a plan to me. Where are the others?)," he meant the mystics, only to see them approaching from above.
Koji, Hakeem, and Anan flew with orbs of energy below their feet to take flight. As they drew closer, they pointed their feet towards the ground and slowed their descent. They landed and Koji spoke, "This forested area is safe enough. It's good work on the Plumbers' part for setting up a second base near Bellwood."
"Good." Shinji rolled up his map, "Looks like things are falling into place," he said smiling, "For once, huh?"
Koji smiled and looked to their horses, "Looks like we won't be able to ride them into battle without a cavalry. So much for reenacting a heroic charge to rally the people," which earned him a pat on the back from Hakeem.
"There will be time for that. It's time for us to go to Houston. Let's get the others," Hakeem said as he walked to the dirt road nearby.
Shinji, Takuya, Ren, and Ryo walked to get the others. Thankfully, were nearby. However, they too had their own private conversation regarding Shinji as leader and whether to abide by his orders. "私たちは彼を信頼していますか? 今、決断する必要があります。 (Do we trust him or not? We need to make a decision now.)" Hideo asked with his arms crossed across his chest.
"選択の余地はありません。 (We have no choice.)" Touma remarked, "私たち全員から、あなたたちを含まない (Out of all of us, not including you guys)," he looked to Xiuying and Kamiya, "彼は最もフィールド経験のある人です。 (He's the one with the most field experience.)"
"彼だけじゃない (He's not the only one.)" George muttered with his eyes closed and his hands behind his head, relaxing against a tree, "しかし、それは仕方がない。私たちは彼のゲームをプレイします。そして、いわば彼がボールをいじっているのを見た場合、私たちは座って彼のリーダーシップについて話し合う必要があります。 (But that can't be helped. We'll play his game. And if we see him fumbling the ball so to speak, we need to have a sit down and discuss his leadership.)"
Xiuying and Kamiya were silent as they listened to Touma and George. Kamiya looked to the Kuragari twins with his hands in his pockets, "二人は? あなたは何と言いますか? (What of you two? What do you say?)"
Hideo sighed as he crossed his arms, "シンジは本当に彼の剣が本当は何であるかを知らないようです。そして、それがリーダーとしての彼の本当の立場にとって何を意味するか。私は彼に対してそれを保持しません。 (Shinji truly seems ignorant of what his sword truly is. And what that means to his true position as leader. I wouldn't hold that against him.)"
Mizuki nodded, agreeing with her brother. She had her hands behind her back, "彼は今、完全な状況を手にしているだけで圧倒されているようです。しかし、彼はそれについてもすべて落ち着いています。彼は予測するのが難しく、それは危険かもしれません。 (He just seems overwhelmed now with the full situation at hand. But he's also calm about it all. He's hard to predict and that could be dangerous.)"
Xiuying nodded with her hands behind her, "良い洞察。それで、私たちはそれで同意しています。少年に自分を証明する機会を与えなさい。そうでなければ、私たちはここアメリカで ⁇ なしです。 (Good insight. So, we're in agreement then. Give the boy the chance to prove himself. Otherwise, we are rudderless here in America.)"
Touma and George grunted in response. They agreed, with reservations. The Kuragari twins agreed with a nod. They were then approached by Shinji, Takuya, Ren, and Ryo. Then they discussed about housing options in Houston. Shortly after, Max approached them and in good faith, arranged housing for them all in Houston.
Midtown, Houston
[10:05 AM]
Shinji's team settled into their new living space for the duration of the conflict. A converted loft in what once was a warehouse. The building was less than half occupied due to it being a new living space. Communal showers were in the main hallway on the seventh floor. Shinji was busy setting up a communication station in his room. A combination of human and Plumber technology. It was a mixture of coding to ensure a secure encrypted network, as well as switches and dials to selected frequencies for select locations: Quebec Province, the Sahara, and the Patagonia region based on approximate intelligence from mystic using and Plumber surveillance.
Max oversaw the setup, alongside the American Plumber who welcomed them in the Rust Bucket III. Shinji's team was within earshot outside his bedroom door. Koji and George would translate English to Japanese for the rest. Shinji made the final adjustments and with a monitor, he dialed in on the three locations. He felt his heart race to finally speak with friends after some time.
"This is SK 001. I repeat, this is SK 001. Calling in, over."
Quebec Province, Canada
[Le Verendrye Wildlife Preserve, 11:05 AM]
Autumn was setting and certain trees were awash in vibrant scarlet, gold, and ginger, while the rest were evergreen. At the communications station, 5 km outside of Lizavetta's town, Danny listened to a welcoming voice, "This is SK 001. Calling in. Over."
"This is DP 005. Hey 001."
"I've arrived with my team. I'm going to patch in the others. Over."
"Keep it brief dude. Speaking from experience, we could be spied on."
"Roger. Standby. SK 001 to DY 003. Over." Dante's was the second voice to ring out.
Patagonia Region, Chubut Province, Departamento Cushamen, Argentina
[Lago Cholila, 12:06 PM]
At a Capernaum camp, Dante managed to set up a communications station for himself, and for those who volunteered to fight alongside their forces. Overlooking the lake from on one of the surrounding hilltops, he received Shinji's message. He was excited to hear his voice. "This is DY 003. Looks like you made it 001!"
"It was a long boat ride! We even had to make two pit stops along the way! Let me patch in the others."
"Unfortunately, we must make this quick. In case he's listening in."
"Copy that. SK 001 to LMM 1515. Over."
"This is LMM 1515. We're in position over." It was Christine Nguyen's voice.
Timbuktu, Mali
[Military Encampment, 3:06 PM]
In one of the tents slated for communications, Christine responded, "Well not quite. The others are running logistics and supplies and the red head is with the armed forces. She's excited and scared at the same time. How are you SK 001."
Like Danny and Dante, Christine, and by extension everyone involved here, agreed to speak in code over the radio, satellite phone, and private chatrooms. With this level of a threat, not revealing each other's' names and locations was a sound decision.
"As DY 003 and DP 005 have noted, my team and I have arrived here."
Christine was surprised, "You're in the hot zone already?"
"Yep. We're going to do what we can here before the rest of you arrive."
She was immediately concerned, "What the hell man? You're right in the lion's den! Our leader here is going to have a stroke when he finds out!"
"Ye of little faith," Shinji's voice, leveled and calm rang out, "Trust me. I'm here with not only the hot heads, but also the mystics. At least while here on the ground, we can relay in real time to all of you. Yes, it's a risk. But a necessary one."
Even as he tried to calm her down, Dante and Danny have also voiced their concerns.
"You could be surrounded with no backup. And even if you do call for help, chances are this Vilgax will send soldiers to attack us separately. Like before." Danny's voice sounded off.
"I agree with DP 005. However, I do see why you chose this particular path. And I would like to add this; be careful out there. You hear?" Dante's voice was heard.
"I will. I wish we can chat longer. But with Vilgax likely monitoring everything, we should hang up for today. This is SK 001 sounding out. Over and out."
"This is DP 005 sounding out. Over and out."
"And this is DY 003 sound out. Over and out."
Christine hesitated, "And this is LMM 1515 sounding out. Careful boys."
All three chimed in, "Roger." The radio crackled out. Asuka just rushed into the tent, "Don't tell me I missed them?"
"Sorry Asuka. But as instructed by our superiors, we can't chat longer than five minutes," Christine said with a heavy heart and Asuka silently cursed.
"It's going to be okay." Christine got up to hold her friend's arms, "But as Mohammad told us. If we lose focus, we lose it all."
Asuka nodded her head and regained her composure, "Right. Thank you. Okay, remember, we attack before dawn. Get to bed early because the rest of the forces are in position. You're coming with me, Eda, and Bernhard."
"Uh, me? Why?"
"To keep communications open. We're splitting up and some of us will remain here at the base. Jang included."
Christine was surprised, "Well, fuck me!" Which got her a cheeky response, "Don't, Asuka!"
"Sorry, but that was so tempting!"
"Whatever," she smacked her red-headed friend lightly on the arm. The two shared a laugh.
Midtown, Houston
[10:10 AM]
Shinji cuts off the signal and did a system's check for anyone listening in. So far, nothing was detected. He relaxed somewhat in his seat and looked to Max, "I want to say something," he then looked at the other American Plumber, "Privately."
Max nodded, "Step outside, son." But the American Plumber objected, "But sir, surely what he wishes to address can be said openly."
"Unfortunately, this can't. Now please, wait outside." The American Plumber looked at his superior officer with surprise, and at Shinji with a look of slight indignation. But said nothing to him.
"Yes sir." And when he left Shinji's bedroom and closed the door, Max and Shinji had their long-waited discussion.
As the two heard the fading footsteps of the other Plumber officer, Shinji spoke first, "Wilfredo disclosed about what your prior plans were for me, Dante, Asuka, and the rest of LMM. I'm upset but not surprised. To be honest—the organization I once worked for done that very thing. Controlling us for their own agenda. The last thing I want for this conflict to do for us, is to sour our already fragile partnership."
Max looked upon the young man. Despite Shinji's outward appearance of gentility, these past eight years hardened his resolve. Instead of dancing around the subject, it was better to rip off the band aid in one swift motion.
"You must understand. Those plans were brought up and I did consider carrying them out during the aftermath of the High Breed Invasion. But after what had happened—and what I was dealt with," he moves his prosthetic arm for Shinji to get what transpired after the Void Lock, "I can safely say those plans are no longer considered."
Shinji silently acknowledged before replying, "I believe you—to a point."
"What can I do to show I'm honest with you?"
"Right now—only an assurance of allowing my team here to operate as we see fit during this conflict. Currently, we're in Houston, but across the DMZ—"
Max finished his statement, "Is what will become unfortunately; no man's land."
Shinji nodded, gulping his anxiety for what's to come, "Make no mistake, we will do whatever it takes to win this."
Max listened, but had to remind Shinji, "There is protocol in place from both the Casey Accords, and the Galactic Code of Conduct." But all he got from Shinji was silence and hearing him repeating his previous statement, "Make no mistake. We will, do whatever it takes to win this."
Max nodded, silently acknowledging Shinji as no longer a temperamental pilot of a mecha unit, but as a leader. Shinji then saw the older man bowing his head, "Looks like we're on the same page."
"Just."
Max then left Shinji's room. He walked past Shinji's team, bidding a farewell to the mystics and the elders. He exited the loft and headed downstairs towards the basement. Once there, the two entered an elevator to take them six levels down to then take the tunnel system back to the secondary Plumber facility.
"You weren't truthful with him were you," the American Plumber pointed out to Max, "No. But I wasn't lying per say. But he and I agreed on the main points. For now, that's enough."
The American Plumber looked at Max with an uncertain look, "What do you mean?"
"We will do whatever it takes to defeat Vilgax. And if we must bend the rules, or break them, we will."
This caused the American to become nervous with anticipation, "Your grandson will have other ideas."
"He's no longer a boy."
"I never meant—"
"No, but you implied it. Please be careful with what you say regarding this matter."
"Understood, sir."
Back in the loft, Shinji turned on his communications station to recheck it. When he opened his bedroom door so Koji and he can discuss this arrangement, there was a ping surprising him. He rushed back to the desk and patched in, "SK 001 here! I repeat, SK 001 here! Over!"
He hoped it would be Wilfredo or Fatma, even the magi in Europe, or Delilah in Israel. Hearing from one of them would give me more insight on what his friends are doing. Separated from everyone else. To his and Koji's surprise, it was Fatma's younger sister, hailing in from the Oort Cloud and Plumber Research Satellite Theta. The rest of his team peered into his bedroom, looked around and Marjan's face appeared on the screen. In the video, it appeared she was in her living quarters, with star blossoms in bloom, thanks to her new Florauna colleague.
"I should greet you with a codename, huh?" she asked Shinji with a smile and he nervously chuckled, "It's preferable—otherwise we'd all be targeted. No matter how much distance we maintain now."
She smiled, "Well look at you. Never considered you to be leader material. No offense."
As Shinji laughed continued his conversation with Marjan, Touma noticed a beautiful young woman on the screen. Her dark brown hair, tanned skin, brown eyes, delicate facial features, and a smile that got his heart racing. He tuned out the conversation she was having with Shinji.
"None taken. I wish we could chat longer."
"Any word from my sister?"
"None. Knowing her, she must be on the move."
"You're more right than you can imagine."
"What do you mean?"
"Our legends, myths, they're real—they're all real."
"As the mystics have shared, yes."
"Including fauna?"
Koji stepped closer to the screen and spoke, "It's best we keep this short. People can listen between words. Remember that."
Marjan nodded, "I understand. I'm sorry and—" she caught glimpses of Anan and Hakeem, "I'll come join you guys when my research is complete."
Hakeem tapped his staff on the floor, "May God protect you," with a bow. Marjan smiled and returned with, "May the Lord burn brightly within you."
Smiles were exchanged and bid each other a goodbye. The screen went black, and audio ceased. Shinji checked his station to make sure no one was listening in. As he puts in the passcodes provided by the Plumbers and coding appeared on screen, Touma grasped Shinji's shoulder and turned him around.
"What the—" and he looked squarely at Touma with a surprised look, "Touma?"
"彼女は誰ですか? あなたのガールフレンド? (Who was she? Your girlfriend?)" He asked incredulously.
"いや! 彼女は私の友人の妹の一人です。しかし、それは彼女も私の友人になるでしょう。 (N-No! She's one of my friend's younger sister. But that would also make her a friend of mine too.)" Shinji replied with a light chuckle but then looked up at Touma. Confused by his piercing gaze.
"しかし、あなたは彼女をそのように「好きではない」。正しい? (But you don't 'like' her, that way. Right?)"
"た？ (No?)"
"本当に？(Really?)"
"うん! どうして? (Yeah! Why?)"
Which then Touma dropped the figurative mic, "彼女は独身ですか? (Is she single?)" Which made Shinji all the more confused.
"だって？ (Excuse me?)"
"彼女はとてもきれいです! 彼女の目、彼女の笑顔、彼女の笑い。私は恋していると思います! (She's so pretty! Her eyes, her smile, her laugh. I-I think I'm in love!)"
Shinji's expression went from surprise to bewilderment. He looked to Touma's friend, "なんてこった! (What the hell guys!)"
Takuya and company sighed collectively, "すみません、彼は打たれています。 (Sorry dude, he's smitten.)" Takuya said, and Shinji now had another thing to worry about, a lovesick fool on his team.
Kaua'i, Hawaii
[Wainiha Bay, 5:12 AM]
A man dressed in his Shaolin robes, named Benkei, stood on one of the beaches of Wainiha Bay. He looked back at his cottage where his children were sleeping. His grabbed travel sack and hoisted it over his left shoulder. It's been with him since his early days of traveling and training in Asia. His Dao was holstered at his waist and held his bō staff at the ready. His head was shaved, thanks to his American wife, Lina Johansson. On his forehead were the six marks. The first three represented the three gems: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The second three represented the bows of his order: ridding himself of bad habits, cultivate good thoughts, and accumulate wisdom to alleviate people's suffering. He breathed in and exhaled the early morning air. Cool, salted, soothing—he felt ready.
Then he heard footsteps. A smirk formed across his face when he then heard other footsteps alongside the first steps. He turned around to see his family. His wife, ever the loyal wife he could hope for was also ready to go. Wearing travel robes, she received while traveling with him in the past. Her blonde hair was cut to neck length with her travel sack held over her shoulder as well. She had no weapon, but he wasn't worried. He also noticed his three children; twin sons aged fifteen, and his daughter aged nine. His daughter wore blue pajamas while his sons wore white tank top shirts and boxers.
"I've told you kids, only your mother's coming along. You three remain here with our family friend. We need you to hold down the fort while we're away." He reminded them.
His sons were adamant on coming along, "But pops! If it's just you and mom, you guys could be surrounded with no one to back you up! Take us along! Akamu can watch over sis here."
"Hey! I can chip in!"
"You'll just get in the way." One of the twins teased.
"You forget, I'm trained like you guys. No way you two can go without me."
"You're too young!"
"And you guys are selfish!"
"Enough!" Their mother, Lina called to order and the children immediately shushed up.
"Akamu will watch over you three. No ifs and or buts. Your father and I trust you three enough to hold down the fort. It's going to get bad there and we cannot keep an eye on you if you are itching to prove yourselves and leave our side. Do I make myself clear?"
The three children replied in unison, "Yes, mom."
"Good." Then Lina went over to hug the three together, "I have faith in you. Me and your father. You two are becoming fine young men."
She kissed her twin boys, embarrassing them slightly. And kissed her young daughter, "And you will become a great young lady. Enjoy your youth."
"Are you two coming back, when it's over?" she asked, nervous by her mom's words.
"Don't worry. Me and your father will return, with plenty to talk about. Maybe even souvenirs."
This brought a smile to her daughter's face and her sons had looks of concern. But then were reassured by their father, with him patting their shoulders. His look of confidence in their training and skills filled them with the same confidence as well, "I trust you boys. Now when those aliens come, kick their ass right back to space."
"Yes, sir."
"Good. And don't worry, Akamu will resume your training when he arrives."
"Did someone call me?" and there came a tall muscular man, with tattoos across his body and carried a heavy wooden staff, a Taiaha, with carvings on it, and had two weapons hoisted at his waist. A wahaika, a club made of whale bone, and a mere, an edged tear shaped club made of nephrite jade called pounamu.
"Akamu," the three kids ran to him high fived him while the man, jolly in personality despite his huge size gave them a bear hug. Enthusiastic to for what's to come, "Don't worry kids! We got plenty of ass to kick when they come!"
He got the kids to laugh with some jokes. Their parents looked on and Akamu caught their gaze, "Good luck."
"We will," Lina remarked while giving her three children one more air kiss.
"Count on it," Benkei added while forming a determined fist and pounded his chest twice.
Lina then knelt to the ground and drew a circle in the sand. Marking around it's edges with Chinese and Nordic runes. Indicating the bond, she and Benkei share. Then she placed her right hand over it and summoned the Door to Anywhere. Out from the sand, stone doors carved with imagery of native Hawaiian legends. Warriors to local fauna. The doors then opened to reveal Houston on the other side. Benkei and Lina stepped through, and the doors closed behind them. Akamu and the children looked on as the stone doors returned to the sand.
While Benkei and Lina make their way across Houston, scaring the rich locals of River Oak and fascinating the young, across the Pacific, in inland China, Vilgax's declaration of war was about to be made.
Wudang Mountains, China
[Sunday, 11:21 PM]
Plumber Division 20's facility lied abandoned. Vilgaxian forces were salvaging remaining weapons, shield technologies, and computing technology for their efforts. Synchronizing the tech with Vilgax's mothership. While teams of men were scattered about, one core team in the main control room was handling something much more valuable for the conqueror: information. Stationed officers of Earth, the current Magister and his past exploits on Earth, recent events involving Ben Tennyson, and documenting various heroic activity across the planet. The United States was to his mild amusement, filled with new young heroes filling in the ranks when the Plumbers or Ben Tennyson cannot appear to handle certain threats. Then a file came up involving Danny Fenton, and another involving a group with the acronym, LMM. Both files had the same encryption level of the Tennyson elder, family, and grandson. After taking time to decrypt the files, information was revealed on why they were heavily secure. The team leader then decided to contact Vilgax directly.
After bringing the main monitor in the control room online, he logged in to contact his leader. Then Vilgax appeared, "Speak, Panterasapien."
The lion humanoid, male with native armor for war in his home world, in his case, the highlands near mountains on the largest continent to contend with wind, cold, and uneven terrain spoke, "The database here is accessible. I am relaying the data as we speak," he spoke with a deep guttural tone.
"Very good. Anything interesting to report?"
"Aside from the weapons cache, nothing. Well—only for two files heavily encrypted. On the level of Magister Tennyson and the Omnitrix bearer."
"Send them."
"Already done."
Vilgax pushed on buttons on his touchscreen computer monitor. Holographic files formed above the screen. Accessing Danny Fenton's file, as well as LMM's. With both, he quickly viewed video footage on documented activity of both. He didn't need to think too long on what to do about both.
"Send a squadron of sensory hunters against this Fenton hero. His intangibility could prove too much for our ground and air troops."
"And this LMM?"
"Death squads. Effective immediately."
"Death squads?"
"Yes. They are too unruly in comparison to the Fenton or the Tennyson boys. Best to eliminate them before their actions would cause things to get out of control."
"For us?"
"For everyone."
"Understood."
"Once everyone there is finished, destroy the mountain."
The Panterasapien was surprised. Vilgax hadn't done this since the first world he truly conquered several years ago. Since then, he hasn't made a grand gesture of this magnitude. He was largely pragmatic in his approach to challenge the Tetramands and Incurseans over interstellar trade and military might. Now, here, this may signal not only the start of the war, but also to signal the two powers and the Plumbers; once Earth falls, the Galactic Council would need to bring in the second science sector to come and redraw the galactic map.
The Panterasapien and his kin across the planet hope to seek a new challenge. From what he observed, humanity will fall in a matter of days. Hiding his bemusement, he saluted Vilgax, "Understood."
It wasn't until twelve o'clock local time when everyone on base was finished with whatever they were doing. Stockpiling weapons, defense technology, computing technology, food and water, and valuable information that dates to the 1980s. Regarding Plumber interactions with local militias across Asia, esoteric incidences that led to the Two Days of Darkness/Taiwan Incident, as well as another heavily encrypted file on local fauna classified as 'cryptid'. Which for many of them, sounded hyperbolic. Nevertheless, as aircraft began to take off, there were devices located around the base of the mountain. No bigger than a 2013 Smart ForTwo automobile, numbering seven. Each of these devices were drilled into the base of the mountain, emitting low frequency vibrations through an electrical current. Harmonizing with the topography of the mountain, the surrounding land, and once the frequency reached its peak, the inevitable happened.
First, there was a small earthquake like rumbling. Miles away, Chinese seismologists would detect an earthquake underneath one of the Wudang Mountains. Rocks tumbled down; the earth cracked open. Minutes passed, the seismologists recording unusual high activity until it ceased entirely. The mountain was destroyed. Locals were beyond stunned while alien craft flew away undetected. One of the famed mountains of Wudang was destroyed. For esoterics in China and soon, the world, it was official. War was declared. No quarter will be given.
To be continued.
This took longer than expected but hey, again, I wanted to do a war arc justice. Especially with an ambitious crossover like this. As well as nuancing the characters therein. Read, review, critique, and see you all very soon.