Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
The Red Bamboo commander had his soldiers lined and ready. Slowly they all got into their trucks. It was time to head out to collect their newest toy. Soon, the government to feel their might, and the kaiju's foot!
Quiet. Peace. The endless deep stretching ahead. The-
Kenji felt the spike. He was noticed. However, he didn't run, nor did he probe. Instead, he waited. Waited.
Just watch, like Grandma Miki did. Don't pry, don't ask, just watch. See what he does.
The mind did not lash out this time. Instead it simply observed, almost…curious.
After Tokyo, Kenji realized that in the past years he'd made no progress trying to probe their enemy's mind. Probing was , he elected instead to simply watch. After all, Grandma Miki didn't try her first probe for a while after she learned that he could retaliate. But then, Kenji had been too excited to think about that. But now was different. No influencing, no attempts to delve deeper. Just a surface level examination, see how long it took for his presence to be noticed.
Not long as it turned out. However, after the first few hostile and painful ejections, Kenji slowly became…tolerated. Or at least, ignored.
However, he knew better than to push his luck. That was what got him thrown out in the first place. Instead he watched through the King's eyes as the ocean stretched before him. He finally understood why he loved the water so much. It was his one place of peace.
Finally, Kenji opened his eyes.
He jotted down his findings in his journal, then picked up his grandmother's to read again. He was almost like Izuku now.
Godzilla has come to tolerate me, she wrote. That isn't to say he cares. I'm still just another insect to him, though one that at least he's come to recognize. It's like if you had a distinctive green bee that occasionally wandered around your yard. You recognize it, you might even be somewhat fond of it, but if you squish it you squish it.
He has a hard personality, from a hard life. However, he's also…out of place. He may stand atop this world, but it isn't his own. That has long passed.
Kenji looked up when he heard the knock at his tent. He got up and saw Izuku outside.
"Are you busy?" he said.
"No," Kenji said. "I was actually just finishing."
"Do you know where he's going next?"
"I don't think even he does. He's just wandering right now. When he decides to go ashore he'll just do it."
"And then we fight him."
"Or whoever's unlucky enough to be close fights him. Speaking of, you guys going to Yaizu?"
Izuku nodded. "We're joining the AMF group there, and moving together in Anguirus's last direction."
"Good, I'm coming with you. Ogashira and I are meeting someone. He wasn't at his home, but I have a feeling he'll be there."
"Who?"
Ochako blinked. Why was a little girl standing in the middle of the wreckage? More importantly, why did said little girl have a child-sized radiation suit?
Ochako stepped toward the girl, who seemed completely unbothered to be in an irradiated ruin. "Excuse me, are you alright?" Ochako said.
The little girl glanced at her and gave a curt nod. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm waiting for my father." Behind her face shield, her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't be Uravity, would you?"
Ochako tilted her head. "I am. Where is your father?"
The girl pointed at the midst of the ruins. Ochako's heart sank.
"How long has he been there?" Ochako said.
"Just half an hour. I'm watching the car. I'm a fan of yours. I've seen your Agency's finances. Most Heroes who rise as fast as you immediately splurge. You've stayed quite frugal and avoided unnecessary expenses."
Ochako felt embarrassed. "Thanks? Most people don't notice that. What's your name?" Ochako looked at the nearby SUV parked atop the rubble. It had lights and other equipment added on, like it belonged to a stormchaser.
"I'm Io Shinoda." The girl held out a small bottle. "Here, have some of our family's sake brew. It'll calm your nerves after a long day."
The girl's actions reminded Ochako a bit too much of those times when she was little where she tried to convince the owners of destroyed buildings to use her parents' business, even repeating their advertising. Glancing at the van, she saw a logo.
G.P.N.
Godzilla Prediction Network.
Those guys Sekizawa said hired former AMF scientists. Nearby, Ochako heard footsteps. A man wearing radiation gear came out of the rubble, holding a small containment case. "Io, ready the car. We got what we came for."
Noticing Ochako, he said, "Hello ma'am. Is there an issue?"
Ochako was pretty sure this area was restricted, especially from people taking samples. However, she wasn't entirely sure and decided to just let it pass. So, she said, "Sir, I recommend you and your daughter both leave. This area isn't safe."
He nodded. "On my way. We'll get decontaminated when we arrive at the main camp."
"Good."
He got into the car, which the kid had started, then drove it toward the safety area. Ochako scratched her head. That was weird.
She finished her patrol, then made her way back toward the city center, where the command center was. She changed from her radiation Hero costume to her standard one. Then, she heard the familiar rumble of maser tanks. Coming down were a column of the ever familiar MBAW-93s, with the distinctive markings of G-Force.
Midori.
Mifune walked down the street, with X silently following. It allowed Mifune time to think. The street was rundown, with graffiti lining the warehouses, litter dotting the sides of the road, and weeds growing along the warehouse's outer walls.
The buildings stood alone, silent, as wind blew by. Whatever secrets occurred in the rest of them, the buildings would never reveal.
Flames devoured the house in front of him. A crowd of onlookers screamed for someone to call a Hero, or the fire department, anyone. The one Hero present watched, ignoring appeals to go in, saying it was too dangerous.
He struggled against the crowd, switching rapidly from snarling curses at the crowd to screaming at the house. He had to get in. He had to get in. Finally, he elbowed one of his neighbors in the face, and bit another in the arm. They let go just long enough for him to rush inside.
Only one warehouse mattered to him. The one where he kept the thing that mattered most. He opened his locket and looked at the smile within.
If only the academy, the AMF, everyone had listened to him, this would never have happened. That damned machine would never have been built. Now it was too late. They'd pay. They'd all pay. He'd been helpless to save his world, now they would be helpless to save theirs. All his life they belittled, stepped on, manipulated him. Now, they would burn in the consequences of their actions.
Mifune turned the key, input his special code, and then scanned his eye. X did the same. They both entered the warehouse's "official" office, before going into the warehouse proper. It was dark except for one open white square of four walls in the middle. From the top of the little room, light streamed upwards, lighting the warehouse like a nightlight.
Izuku got out of his tank. He exchanged greetings, arranged for their tanks to be serviced, then met with the other commanders. All in all, as expected. At the end of it all, he felt ready to relax. Then he heard a familiar voice.
"Midori!"
He looked up. "Ochako!" The two ran to each other and hugged.
"How are you?" he said.
"I'm good, how are you?" she said. Her expression became stern. "How close was it?"
"How close was what?" Izuku said, trying very hard to look innocent.
"You know damn well what I mean Midori," Ochako growled. "You and I are going to have a long chat."
"Right…um, Kenji!"
"Oh no," Kenji said, passing by. "I have work to do with Ogashira. I'm staying out of this lover's quarrel."
"What did you just say?!" Ochako said, causing both men to flinch.
"Uhhh…Ogashira!" he said to the approaching woman. "Is it time to leave? Now?"
"Yes," she said. Then she turned to Midori and Ochako. "Uravity. Midoriya."
"Yes?" they said in unison.
For a moment, Ogashira examined them the way one would a new tool. Then she said, "Come with me.
Kenji turned to her, confused. "What?"
"A Hero will show that this is serious, and Midoriya will put him at ease. Now come." She turned and walked away, with Kenji close after.
Ochako and Izuku exchanged glances, then followed as well. This was weird. Why were they being brought along? And who were they meeting? Soon they'd left the main camp, and arrived at a small alcove nearby.
In that alcove was a modified SUV, standing next to a makeshift tent with the flap open. Inside, Izuku could see some kind of workstation, like the one Kenji would set up in the field.
At their approach, a young girl lunged for the tent flap and threw it shut. She then marched in front of them and folded her arms. "Who is it?"
Ochako murmured, "Again?"
"Io," Ogashira said, "Is your father here?"
The girl, Io, stared with more steel than some veteran kaiju fighters, "Depends. What's your business?"
"You already know. He's probably shared it with you already."
Io glared, but walked to the car and knocked. "Dad. Visitors."
The van opened, and a man in his forties came out. "Ogashira. It's been a while. How are Yaguchi and Miyasaka?"
"Both fine. How's retirement? I've seen some of your work."
"Believe me, we both know. You read the papers we send to active AMF subscribers. It's why Io charges them extra."
Ogashira glanced at Io, who shrugged unrepentantly. "You wanna read our stuff, you have to pay."
Kenji stepped forward. "Dr. Shinoda, it's been too long."
"Kenji! You've grown up. The newer guys have told me about your work studying the kaiju mind. Quite interesting." Shinoda then noticed Izuku. "Izuku Midoriya? The Emerald Madman?"
Izuku stiffened. "Dr. Shinoda!" he said. "Kenji told me about you."
"Good things I hope." He shook Izuku's hand. "We've heard a lot about you. They say you're some sort of kaiju fan."
Izuku felt embarrassed. "Well, they are pretty cool…"
The man let out a hearty laugh. "Great to hear a kaiju fighter recognize that! Too many of your friends just want to kill them all. Also some of the guys recorded your mutter storms. If you listen on 0.5x speed, they're quite insightful."
Midori felt like he'd just gotten a piece of rare merchandise.
Shinoda nodded to Uraraka, "Uravity. My daughter admires your work."
"She told me," Ochako said, looking rather bewildered.
Finally, Dr. Shinoda took a seat on a large chunk of concrete and turned to Ogashira. His expression became grave. "What is it you wanted to talk about?"
Io put a hand on her father's chest to hold him back. She held out papers.
"What are these?" Ogashira said.
"NDAs. They prevent you from disclosing anything proprietary about our network that does not directly involve your investigation. Standard procedure. You want us to talk, you sign these," the girl said, turning up her nose with a defiant glare.
They all exchanged incredulous looks at the ten-year-old's demand, while Shinoda shrugged. "She handles the business end, not me."
Ogashira rolled her eyes and signed, then had the others do the same.
When they had signed, Shinoda said, "So?"
"It's about an old colleague," Ogashira said. "What can you tell me about Dr. Mifune?"
Shinoda grimaced.
Kenji took a seat near Ogashira, reaching out with his mind. Ogashira would watch the man's words. Kenji would try to follow his thoughts, or more accurately, his emotions. They were easier than the mind, and could be just as insightful about a man's honesty.
"Mifune was brilliant," said Shinoda. "Nobody knew more about kaiju. He came to us because nobody else would give him funding or attention. Unfortunately, a lot of his work was left unfinished when he resigned. Shame what happened after."
"Do you know anyone who'd want to continue his work? Or perhaps avenge him?" said Ogashira.
Shinoda shook his head. "Him? No. The man was brilliant, his work second to none, ut…" The man paused.
"Yes?" Ogashira said, her face impassive.
"I hate to speak ill of the dead."
"Please. We need to understand everything you know about him."
Shinoda sighed. "He was an ass. Arrogant, condescending, and angered if anyone questioned him in the slightest. Most people could barely stand him as it was. If you asked anyone on his team, they'd say his only remotely tolerable trait was how much he loved his daughter. Sweet girl. Terrible to have been taken so soon."
No sign of deception. Only embarrassment, nostalgia, and bitter memories. Every emotion matched what he was showing. No sign of any deeper scheming.
Ogashira said, "Really? I heard you were quite close with him."
Shinoda chuckled. "Only by comparison. He had a soft spot for me after Io was born, especially after my wife died. Katsura actually babysat Io when she was young. It helped that I was just smart enough for him to think I was worth talking to. But aside from that…he could be as nasty with me as anyone else."
"What do you know about his work?"
Shinoda opened his mouth, then he frowned, then he said, "You don't actually think I'm behind the psionic transmitters do you?"
There was no panic in his mind. Only confusion, and the slight worry that anyone would have if suspected of terrorism.
Ogashira's mouth twitched. "I never said anything about psionic transmitters."
Now he was just indignant.
"Please Ogashira. All of us know about the transmitters. All of us except the ones who left the AMF within the last eight months. They are very insistent that they know nothing about them."
Kenji felt some sheepishness from Ogashira.
Shinoda fidgeted with a pencil. "The kaiju behavior was obvious. Especially after it happened with all of them. We've known it was psionic transmitters since Tokyo." Still no sign of deception. More annoyance at being treated like a fool.
Ogashira pursed her lips. "Fine. You caught me. Do you know who might make one?"
Shinoda shook his head. "You're guess is as good as mine. Nobody would have done it on Mifune's account. They'd do it for their own reasons."
"Such as?"
"No idea. Nobody knew enough to make one. Mifune was the closest to building one, might have even tried, but he's dead and never shared that knowledge with anyone."
"He had an assistant when he died," murmured Ogashira as she flipped through papers. "He helped collect Mifune's effects."
Shinoda looked confused. "Did he? Never thought the man would hire an assistant. I suppose he had no choice." Shinoda stood up. "Anyway, I'm sorry to say I can't help you find anything." He walked back to his van and pulled out a printed sheet of paper. "But I can give you this."
Ogashira looked at the paper. Her brow furrowed.
"Godzilla's last trajectory. Use it well."
"Thank you," said Kenji.
Shinoda looked at all of them once more.
"I wish you the best of luck in your search Ogashira. Nice seeing you Saegusa, and nice meeting you Midoriya and Uraraka. I hope all of you pull through when this is over."
"Thank you sir," Izuku said, while Ochako said her goodbyes to the little girl. The three of them all took their leave.
"Anything?" Ogashira said.
"No. Nothing," Kenji said. "He was just as he seems."
Another dead end. But if he didn't do it, then who? And why?
The world was a mix of misty black and glowing orange. His skin peeled and blistered. His lungs wrenched, desperate to squeeze out the poison seeping in. His arms screamed for him to let go, drop the weight he carried and run. He couldn't do that. Not with her in his arms.
He staggered onto the grass, still holding his precious weight. The pathetic sheep who'd sat helpless a minute ago now came, willing to help now that the lion's share was done. But right now he didn't care, he held out the weight in his arms and pleaded for their help.
In the middle of the box sat a hospital bed, with an IV, heart rate monitor, and everything else a hospital would have. And on that bed, lie a girl, barely into her twenties.
"Katsura," Mifune said, slowly brushing his daughter's hand. "Look how beautiful you've grown."
Mifune stroked his daughter's cheek. Yes, X had kept his end of the bargain. Now, Mifune would keep his. He would show them all, and his daughter would live. Win, win. And if he didn't…well Mifune could handle that.
Outside X spoke with the attendants in their strange personal code, but that was no matter to Mifune. Instead, he pulled the chair up in front of Katsura's seat, kissed her cheek like he had when she was a little girl, and gently held her hand.
It was nice writing some of Mifune's softer side with Katsura. And introducing the GPN. They won't be major, but it was fun showing them.
It was also fun writing Io. Ochako would have loved her as a kid.
Hope you enjoyed! Reviews make me smile!