Chapter 6: Preparations
EDF Base-Same Day
General Gordon read over Dr. Mafune's report carefully. Everything seemed to be in working order, exactly as needed. Project Atragon was well on it's way to being completed with Project Millennium not being too far behind. He closed the report and immediately opened another report from Captain Storm. The rest of the Super X's had been finished and were being outfitted with ordinance. Good, he thought to himself, we will be able to proceed. He closed the report and opened his phone. His finger quickly dialed the screen and he put it to his ear.
"General Gordon sir, how can I be of help," a voice answered.
"I was told the Super X's are currently being fitted with their ordinance today. Would that be correct?"
"Yes sir, we have 3 of the 9 left to go. They should be finished by later this evening."
"I'd like you to delay that and unload 3 of the other Super X's."
There was a pause on the other line, as if the voice didn't know how to respond.
"Is there a problem with that order," the General asked.
"Not at all sir. Sure General sir. I can do that. Any reason that we should be made aware of?"
"I'm going to be sending you down new weapon specs for these particular units. You are to acquire the materials and get them fitted and ready to roll within the next 2 days."
He immediately emailed the specs to the worker on the other line. The phone went quiet again for a few minutes before the voice piped up once more.
"Ok General, I got the specs you sent. I'll do my best to ensure these changes are done. Will the rest of the units need modified after we do these 6?"
"No, you are to outfit the rest of the Super X's with cadmium missiles as per the original design. These 6 units in particular are going to be used for a different threat that requires special care and consideration. I appreciate all your fine work soldier."
"Thank you sir, I'll see it done."
Gordon hung up the phone. He took a deep breath and let out a satisfied sigh. Everything was going to plan. Before long, Phase 2 would be up and running. He cracked his knuckles as he opened his phone once more and made another call. A slightly more shrill and nervous sounding voice came on the line.
"I'm at work, can this wait," the voice asked shaking and quiet.
"No it can't. Everything on my end is moving without issue so I need you to run a test for me," the General replied.
"A test, now? I can't be caught doing this. I'll get fired or even arrested and then where does that leave you Gordon?"
"You can and you will because if you don't I'll guarantee not only your arrest but a seizure of everything you own and where will that leave your family? Do you forget how much I have on you? Selling Monarch secrets to so many different shady organizations. Could land you in deep with..."
The voice interrupted.
"Fine, fine. Dammit. What do you need me to do Gordon?"
The General smiled.
"I need you to jam all audio and visual communications to and from the Hollow Earth. Just briefly, a few minutes. I want to know how well it works."
General Gordon could hear the anxiousness in the voice as it responded.
"Give me a couple minutes and I'll get it done."
"Excellent. And I'll be able to see it from my end as well, correct?"
"Yes, yes," the voice snapped, "Just give me a couple damn minutes."
The line disconnected and the General immediately pulled up a display of Monarch's communications feed. He didn't like having to resort to such a lowly tactic but if it ensured compliance and a means to making the EDF effective he would use it. He should be grateful he thought. These organizations did end up paying for a large portion of the EDF. Hypocritical as it was, the ends still justified the means he felt. Almost on cue, the monitor read a communications blackout to Hollow Earth. Gordon smiled once again. This was shaping up to be another success.
"I can't reach the HEAV Dr. Andrews," Len said as he continued trying.
"Put in a call to Monarch and let them know we're going to need another HEAV down here. Until then, keep tracking her."
Sullivan took over trying to reach the HEAV as Len began to call the surface. Without warning, everything shut down. All the monitors rang with alarms, various indications of a drop in communications. They weren't without power but they found themselves cut off. The monitors no longer detected the HEAV or showed Kong or anything, just the flash of alarm bells and warnings. Dr. Andrews almost panicked. Now was not the time for everything to crash.
"What the hell is going on," Franklin yelled looking over the different screens and monitors.
"It looks like we've lost all our signals," Len said trying to do what he could to fix the problem. His fingers moved deftly over the keyboard as his IT mind worked at the problem.
Just as quickly as it had happened the alarm bells ceased and everything returned to it's original state. The crew were dumbfounded.
"I knew you were a helluva techie Len but damn that was fast," Diane said, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"That wasn't me," he said confusingly.
"Where's Jia," Ilene shouted.
A few presses later and the HEAV was back on screen, traveling through the air of Hollow Earth. Dr. Andrews gave a sigh of relief.
"I think your little girl is heading to the Iwi doctor," Sullivan said pointing out the trajectory of the HEAV.
"Get a message to the surface and let them know we need another HEAV. Also inform them of the blackout and see if they can't find out what happened," she said. -
Gordon watched on as the display showed the communications disruption. He immediately dialed the same number once more.
"Congrats Doctor. It looks like a successful test from this end. And judging by how quickly you did this, I'm sure you had no trouble on your side either."
The voice was once more quiet and nervous sounding.
"No General...no trouble at all," it replied.
"Excellent work. I will need your services again in 3 days. I'll send you the details. You're to be ready with a total communications blackout then. This one will need to be for a longer period of time. So I don't care what you have to do, you make damn sure that things stay dark until I give you the go ahead. Understood?"
Silence once more. Gordon felt agitation building within him.
"Doctor? Is this a problem?"
"...No sir. I'll get it done."
"Wonderful news. The EDF and I appreciate all your efforts, even if we have to twist your arm a little. And soon the world will as well. I'll be in touch."
Gordon hung up the phone with a grunt. Sometimes you have to put them in their place, he thought. It could be so frustrating at times. But necessity brought about uncomfortable things. Not so much for him as others but still. He began typing at the computer, pulling up a couple reports. He couldn't wait to be back in the field. All of this desk work didn't suit him but for now he had to be an armchair General. That would change soon though, if things continued going as well as they were. He needed the proper tools at his disposal and that required time. He also had to plan ahead to ensure that everything was in order. Tactics were just as important, if not more so. He couldn't let anything slip up. If he didn't take his time, then he couldn't save the world. And that was the most important thing in the end. And so Douglas Gordon would have to remain patient. For the good of all. He looked over his operation notes and began to plan for the upcoming operation.
Godzilla's eyes lulled open once more. It's body had been racked with pain for what seemed ages, causing the mighty beast to exist in a state of daze while it's body adjusted to this new condition. Suddenly the pain rose to a large crescendo that ripped through Godzilla's body with such intensity it couldn't hold back. It's clawed hands tore into the ground as it let loose a mighty roar. It's body shook and convulsed before finally stopping once more, the pain actually draining away. Slowly it slipped into darkness and once more the King of the Monsters felt it no more. The pain was gone and so to was the cause. Godzilla settled back in and closed it's eyes once more. It felt that it's strength would be returned once it awakened. And then it could leave it's subaquatic sanctum once more.
Hollow Earth
"Looks like everything is back up and running Dr. Andrews. Not sure what happened but all the diagnostics came back ok," Len finished taking another drink of coffee. If he was gonna be stuck here longer, he might as well enjoy it.
"What the hell. Ok. Any word on Monarch about another HEAV," Ilene asked, distress on her face.
"Monarch said they won't be able to dispatch one right away but as soon as one's available, they'll send it down," Diane replied.
"You gotta be kidding me? What the hell are they using them for?"
"Beats me. That's all they told me," Diane said with a shrug.
"Ok, fine. I'll just go myself," Ilene said as she stood up.
Sullivan and Franklin looked at her quizzically.
"Where are you going," Len asked.
"I'm going to walk to the Iwi village. I know that's exactly where she's going. And I'm going to bring her back."
Franklin stepped in front of her as she tried to walk by.
"Hey I know you're upset, but this isn't the way to handle it," he said putting a hand up.
"My daughter just stole a HEAV and ran off and you're telling me to wait. I can't just sit here and let her go out there alone!"
Franklin put his hands on her shoulder.
"You're absolutely right. But you also can't go running around out there either. Who knows what you could run into and the Iwis aren't exactly close by either."
"I've got to do this! Get off of me," she shouted throwing his hands off of her. Everyone else stood up.
"Dr. Andrews you're not thinking straight! Just calm down and wait for them to send a HEAV. As soon as it gets here you can go. But we can't let you hurt yourself," Len spoke up.
Ilene looked around and saw the concern on everyone's faces. Finally she sat down with a huff and wiped the tears from her eyes. She was hurting so much and didn't know what to do. For the first time in her life, she felt truly helpless. Was Jia at fault or was it all on her? Had she made the wrong choice? Doubt and sadness took her into it's arms. Ilene Andrews put her head in her hands and began to cry.
General Gordon finished the final touches to his plan. Looking over the details he seemed satisfied. He had handpicked the crew that would be piloting the 6 Super Xs. Captain Strom would not be among them. Gordon had made that choice based on what he knew of the Captain's personality. While he believed in the duty of the EDF, he may not wholly agree with the methods necessary to achieve victory. No, Gordon would craft a story should the Captain be inclined to ask. Gordon looked once more over everything. The Super Xs were being fitted with an arsenal of modified set of high-explosive incendiary/armor-piercing or HEIAP missiles in place of the cadmium. These would pack a lot more punch than the others. Cadmium was still an effective weapon, but for what Gordon had in mind for a target, it required much much more. White phosphorous flares would also be implemented as a diversionary tactic to allow the team multiple openings for the assault. Yes, Gordon thought to himself, this should be more than enough for what we need. He booted off the computer and sat back. In 3 days, at 0100 hours, Phase 2 would begin.
