Unstoppable, Part 1
Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I am doing wrong (to correct it).
Note, the parenthesis indicates languages other than Japanese, in this case, English and German.
Tokyo-3, Japan
GeoFront
NERV Hospital
Recovery Room 15
"How long will they keep me here, Hikari? This things itch like he-eeeck and I can't scratch it." Toji Suzuhara whined, using his left arm to wave at his right arm and leg, each limb encased in a cast.
"I'm not sure, I asked the nurse, but she said you'll have to stay at least one week more, while they check if the nails they put in your bones are not causing any problems."
He scoffed, "Well, at least I'll get a couple of scars out of this. My grampa had a hip replacement, you know, and he was mighty proud of the scar he got. I get two for the price of one."
Hikari huffed, "How can you be so… so… blasé about this."
He scratched his cheek, "I'm actually a bit scared. Whistling in the darkness, Hikari. I was hoping to get a sports scholarship, and with this… my hand is kinda numb, Dr. Akagi said there could be some damage to the nerves…"
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that, I hope it will just… um… heal by itself? You could need physical therapy."
He shrugged, "No prob, I hope the same, though I could race Sakura at the therapy track, she would like that." He paused, "You know something? I've had a lot of time to think here."
"I didn't know you could be introspective." She joked.
"I'm not, but I can't reach the remote." He tilted his head towards the nightstand to his right, Hikari followed his gaze, she was about to open the drawer, when he continued, "I guess it's okay, there's no TV in this room anyway." He smirked.
"Prat!" She mimicked a punch to his shoulder. "I'll bring you all the homework!" Both chuckled.
The door opened, it was the nurse in shift, "Sorry, your five minutes are up."
"Thank you." Hikari stood up, and kissed Toji's cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow." She took her school bag, and left with a parting gaze at Toji. Her Beau waved at her with a cheeky smile on his face.
A Kilometer and a half from the
Matsushiro Secondary NERV Base Former Site
(Spiritual Plane)
A corpse rested on the ashes of the hill. A few scraps of blue and black fabric clung to the body. It lacked its skin, muscles and tendons were clearly visible. Fortunately, no internal organs were on sight. The clothes had been torn and burnt in the explosion, but the golden medallion shone softly under the sun's light.
Deadman floated around the body, examining it carefully. Somewhat satisfied, he sat on the air, and whistled softly, rubbing his chin, "(Maaan, that Angel did a real number on your threads, buddy.)"
As far as Deadman could tell; the body could, technically, walk, but dialing a cellphone would probably not be in the immediate future.
"(Well… good enough for a spin, I guess)." The former aerealist mumbled. "(I better get on with it.)"
He pretended to inhale, preparing himself. After a moment, his spirit slid into the body.
"GRAAAAARRRGHH! (THIS STINGS!)" The partially regenerated corpse wheezed with barely functional vocal cords.
The reanimated body tensed its muscles, and the right hand moved spasmodically. Finally, Deadman managed to roll the body until it was face down. From there, standing up was relatively easy. Though it still hurt a lot.
"(I feel like a Deadman walking… (1) I'm taking two sabbaticals, that's it. Two looong vacations on a beach somewhere. With nice cold beers, beautiful women, and all expenses paid. Preferably by those old farts of SEELE…)"
Once he was standing up, Deadman focused his will, and without a single noise, the body of the Phantom Stranger disappeared from the world.
Tokyo-3
Geo-front
NERV HQ
Garden of Eden
(Mental Plane)
"You have made great progress. I think you won't have any problems communicating." Cyborg said in the simulation. His Japanese was practically perfect.
"Of course I did!" Came the angry retort, the language clear, but still accented, "Did you actually expect anything less from the only metal that's liquid at room temperature? My learning capabilities are unmatched." The red Metal Man said petulantly, as he studied his nails, a gesture brought from when he had been a human being.
"Easy, Mercury." A metallic green figure noted, a pipe of the same material on his lips. "Victor has been working with all of us in turn. I think it is time for us to get to the reason for all that work. Victor?"
"I am not yet sure what's the Stranger's plan." He admitted, "He is playing the cards very close to his chest. Just like the file the old JLoA says. I know for sure it will be in Japan, and he needs us to be ready at the drop of a hat, able to talk and read Japanese, he will need us at Tokyo-3. And since he is involved, it will be important, dangerous, and probably nasty. We are not the only ones he has recruited, he didn't get into detail, but I think he will get any JLU survivors, and maybe a few legacy heroes, second or third, maybe even fourth generation. So we need to be familiar with the local language and the layout of the whole GeoFront."
A deep rumbling voice asked, "What's our job, then? Infiltration, attack or defense?"
"I'm in infiltration, Iron. Unlike you, I'm just a brain in a jar, so I'm somewhat restricted physically. I'll do what I can with the automated systems under my control, and coordinate our moves."
"I…" shyly, the smallest of the Metal Men raised his hand. "I'm not so good in a f-f-fight, Dr. Stone." He looked at the floor.
Veridium, formerly Dr. Will Magnus, put a hand on Tin's shoulder. "Don't worry, this time I'd rather have you in Rescue and First Aid. The GeoFront is really big, and there's no way we can cover all that terrain. If we keep on as a team, we won't be as effective, same thing if we work alone. I think two teams will be best this time."
Tin's eyes brightened. Tina, the only female in the group, added, "You'll do great. I'll help you. I've been getting some interesting updates, and I think we can be a very effective emergency medical team. Doc?"
"Of course, Tina. And as Platinum is inert, you can do field sutures better than anybody."
Lead wrapped his friends in a big hug, "Yeah! I can't do that, but I'll be covering your backs!"
"Okay, then we have two teams, Veridium, Iron and Mercury on combat duty; Tin, Tina and Lead on Emergencies. I'm coordinator. Once the Stranger puts me in contact with any other teams, we can shuffle duties or members." Cyborg added. "In the meanwhile, I need to see to other things."
He formed six light sparks over his hands, and sent one to each Metal Being, "These are the plans of the GeoFront. Memorize them, plan for your routes, and choose your points of contact, fight, retreat and ambushes. Next time, I'll run some simulations based on these plans."
Iron rumbled again, "Sure, by the time you need us, we will be ready." He turned his right hand into a hammer, and the left into an anvil, his equivalent to punching the palm made a clear ringing sound in the simulation.
"I've been studying the routines that keep you all in stasis, I'm sure I'll have the codes cracked before long. They are really nasty, I suspect the Brain designed them in the first place. They have his stench. (2)"
"The Brotherhood of Evil?" Veridium asked, a wrinkle formed on his forehead. "Are they back? Which members?"
"No. Just the Brain. Long story short, SEELE kidnapped cyborgs to use their brains as the basis of their supercomputers. I'm not sure who they got for the other bases; but in Japan, the MAGI are the brains of Cliff Steele, AKA Robotman, originally a member of the Doom Patrol; the Brain, leader of the Brotherhood of Evil; and myself. Each one of us has an aspect of Dr. Naoko Akagi as a minder/jailor."
Tina covered her face with her hands. "That's horrible!"
"Not even the nastiest thing they have done." He shrugged. "Oh, damn!" He interrupted himself, as the sound of a beeper intruded in the conversation, "My jailor is about to enter my office!" Cyborg disappeared from the virtual room.
"He doesn't sound happy at all." Mercury commented.
Veridium chewed on his pipe, thinking. "No, I guess not." He rolled his shoulders, and a wireframe 3d diagram of the whole GeoFront appeared in the middle of the group. "Well, we better start with those plans. Tina, you pick your evac routes." She nodded, closed her eyes, and her face went tense with concentration. A moment later, Tin and Lead did the same.
"Iron, you and I will stay here and here. These intersections are ideal choke points. You enact the Temple of Doom protocol. I will do the Playground protocol. Mercury, the Tsunami maneuver. Iron and I will funnel invaders towards this chamber. No lethal force unless absolutely necessary."
Ruins of New York
A Possible Future
"(Hurry up! The rats could get wise at any moment!)" Booster Gold mumbled, while Blue Bettle's fingers danced on an incredibly well-preserved keypad.
"(Don't distract me, Booster; this piece of junk is falling apart and… Ah! Got it. Get Kamandi and let's proceed.)" The heavy metal doors slid open with a hiss.
Booster Gold and the last boy on Earth arrived a minute later, running as fast as they could. Beetle hurried them inside.
"(Close it! Close it!")" Booster turned around as soon as he passed the threshold, and pushed at the door.
Kamandi pulled the BB Gun from Beetle's holster, "(Sorry, Ted! A patrol of rats didn't get distracted.)" He turned his face away, "(Flash!") The two time-displaced heroes covered their eyes. Though their tinted googles would protect them from the intense light, they would need a second to clear, time that could be crucial in a battle. Specially against a numerous group of frenzied rats.
The three managed to close the door, just as the first rats fired their crossbows at them, the ones at the back of the gang, and therefore, the ones who had been unknowingly protected from being blinded, just by the mass of their fellows. A couple bolts hit the wall, bouncing on the metallic surface.
They took a moment to gasp and recover their breath. Without the numeric code, the rats would have to stay put.
"(Persistent little vermin, aren't they?)" Beetle smirked, taking his BB Gun back.
"(Very.)" Kamandi said, "(Right now, they must be looking for some way to follow us.)"
"(Why are we standing here? Run!)" Booster pushed his two friends to action. He hesitated a moment, weighting the merits of welding the door shut.
"(No, that uses a lot of energy.)" he ran after his friends.
Tokyo-3, Japan
GeoFront
NERV HQ
Pilots Changing Room 1
"Any news, Rei?" Asuka asked, as she put her civilian clothes in her locker.
"No changes yet. Shinji is still Under Observation. The nurse in charge has not received any orders to the contrary."
"Damnation! It's been four days and he is still there!" Frustrated, Asuka punched the door of her locker. "How long are they gonna keep him out of action?" She rubbed her knuckles, despite her growing frustration, she had pulled his punch, but still it had hurt.
"Unknown. The possibility of Angelic contamination cannot be ruled out completely. He was exposed for several hours."
"Yes, I know. But I think it's just that Commander Ikari is being petty."
"Why?" Rei asked.
"Well… um…" she didn't have any logical way to explain her suspicions, "Female intuition! That's it! Female Intuition."
Rei stated at her partner, blinking twice, "Like Major Katsuragi's?"
Asuka patted Rei's back, relieved that the blue-haired pilot had bought the lie. "Exactly like that. Misato just knew the general area the Tenth Angel would fall, and she was right!"
"Therefore, your suspicions about Commander Ikari…"
"It's just a hunch, but I bet if it had been you in Unit-03, you'd be walking around the next day."
Rei kept silent, thinking. Correlating her own previous observations about Commander Ikari with this alternate interpretation. This merited a long period of thought. She merely nodded.
Somewhere in the Pacific
"Over the Rainbow" Aircraft Carrier, Pacific Fleet Flagship
Flight Deck, Starboard side, near the Stern
"(Good night, Admiral Tornsen.)" A female voice sounded above the sound of the waves, "(Glad to see you.)"
"(Good night, Indigo. I see you are keeping well. I got your message. What do you have?"
"(Bad news. I got a tip about some corrupt officials in the UN, really high-placed.)" The blue-skinned woman sat at the top of a water column, she matched the speed of the ship without any problem.
"(Hmm…)" The Admiral chewed on his pipe, "(What do you expect me to do?)"
"(Nothing right now. But there will be a time when you'll receive a highly illegal order. You'll recognize it the very moment it comes. I'm sure you'll know what to do then.)"
"I see." He leaned on the railing, "Anything else?" He grumbled.
"Not right now, my source doesn't have precise details, only that it will be done at the turn of the year."
Admiral Tornsen kept silent for a minute, "Pirates? Smuggling? Slavery? …War?"
"I don't know. But it will be really big and bad."
He nodded, "At our pay grade, it has to be."
"That's all I have for now. I'll contact you if and when I have more." She blew a kiss at the sea wolf, "See you later, Uncle! Mom sends her regards!"
After the blue-skinned woman disappeared under the waves, Admiral Tornsen rested his elbows on the railing, mumbling, "Mormor Ona (3) warned me there would be days like these…"
Quintessence Plane
Gradually and silently, the skinless body materialized in the darkness. It floated in the serene space next to the image of the Earth.
With a hissing moan, Deadman emerged from the body, leaving it behind. "(Okay, Boss!)" He shouted in the darkness. "(Got it! Send him in!)"
Suddenly, the body stirred by itself. It groaned softly. "(Th…ank youuuu… Bossston…)"
"(Feeling better, pal? Sorry, stupidest question.)"
The Phantom Stranger nodded, as fragile, transparent skin began to form over his face. "(Need… timeeee… t-t-to recovehrrr…) As soon as they formed, the eyes were hidden by shadows, just like always, Deadman didn't have time to see what color the Stranger's eye were.
"(Okay, take a nap. I'll go back to Tokyo-3 and see what's going on. Shinji is very worried, he thinks the explosion killed you. I tried to convince him you were harder to kill than that, but the kid is a natural worrier.)"
"(Yeees… go…)"
"(Hum… not to be… you know… nosy… but how long do you think you'll be out of action?)"
"(Daysss… less… than a weekkk…)"
"(Got it. Just get better. I'll hold the fort.)" He got ready to return to the material plane, "(I just hope no Angel arrives…oh, drat! I just jinxed it!)" He sweat dropped as he disappeared.
Tokyo-3, Japan
GeoFront
NERV HQ
Central Dogma
The sound of alerts rent the air, and multiple automated messages relayed the available information. The three Bridge Bunnies relayed the arriving reports to the two ranking officers.
"All personnel to battle posts. Prepare for ground-to-air intercept."
Vice-Commander Fujutsuki demanded a report, "Target status?"
Lt. Aoba answered, worry in his voice. "It's moving into our perimeter! The Komagatake Defense Libe has been breached!" Multiple screens in the holographic interface showed the missile launchers, tanks, and stationary cannons available in the route of the new enemy, all firing useless tonnes of artillery shells, and multiple kinds of missiles against an absurd looking target. A floating apparition that at first sight looked like an old style balloon, but after the first impression had passed, became a threateningly indifferent creature in white, black and red coloration. It's head looked like the caricature of a skull, while it's arms were just two flat sheets hanging from its shoulders. The legs were… short and inconplete, lacking feet.
However, it quickly demonstrated its destructive capabilities, detonating multiple energy discharges, that took the shape of crosses made of yellow light. Each discharge rose hundreds of meters in the air, dwarfing the tallest buildings to mere anthills by comparison.
"The first eighteen layers of armor have been shattered." The PA system informed. Lt. Hyuga gasped in incredulity. "Eighteen layers of special armor with a single shot? Incredible!"
Major Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi exited the elevator, almost running to their posts.
"The EVAs won't make it to the surface in time for a ground level intercept!" Major Katsuragi shouted. "That monster will invade the GeoFront!"
Author Notes
(1) Pun suggested by Author0fntent. Thanks, Pal!
(2) It is a nicely fine bit of misdirection on part of SEELE. The Brain thinks he is holding the Doom Patrol prisoners; when in reality, he is simply keeping the Metal Men in their physical cylinders.
(3) Mormor, according to the Google Translator, is the Norwegian equivalent to "Granny". The Admiral is referring to Ona Tornsen, who was a teenage Norwegian resistance fighter during WWII. She was the only female member of the Losers, a team made up by, in universe, soldiers who felt responsible for the deaths of personnel under their command; and editorially, WWII characters who no longer had their own book or feature. The team members and their respective debuts were. Captain William Storm (Capt. Storm issue 1; Jun, 1964); Gunner and Sarge (All-American Men of War issue 67; Mar, 1959), with their dog, Pooch (Our Fighting Forces issue 49; Sept, 1959); and Johnny Cloud (All-American Men of War issue 82; Dec, 1960). All the Losers died in action during a mission, except for Ona. The Losers debuted as a team in G.I. Combat Issue 138 (Nov 1969), though all it's members had debuted in other books. Ona Tornsen debuted in Our Fighting Forces issue 135 (Feb 1972), and joined the team in that same issue, the only character who hadn't had their own feature. For this story, Ona established herself in Germany after WWII, and was the grandmother of the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet.