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Chapter 5
She nodded eyes narrow. “I want you all to listen. The actions
that the Zi America took part in were highly irrational and unnecessary. Although we may have halted Godzilla’s approach
in land, we did it at the cost of our best weapon. Colonel Stoning, I am ordering you a suspension from duty for the next
six months. As for you General Krueger, you must face the consequences as well. You failed to stop Stoning at all, and let
the Gojulas into battle without final preparation. You will also face suspension for four months. As for the rest of you,
Zi America and Zi Japan will be merging into one organization, entitled the Zi Organization.”
Krueger’s head
sank for a moment. The room was quiet. His head then rose.
“I understand completely, Madame President. But what
of the Gojulas? It still has some fight in it.”
“Well, we can safely agree on that Colonel Stoning will not
be piloting it. Besides, it can’t last much longer.”
“The unit is still operational, Madame President.
Stoning said so himself.”
“Krueger, do you really want to risk sending the damaged Gojulas into battle once
more?”
Krueger’s heart sank. All the time and effort that was put into building the weapon and it was defeated
within a few hours of deployment.
But hope rang out in the most unexpected of voices.
“Madame President.”
Van said. He stepped forward. “I am Lieutenant Van Flyheight, the son of Major Dan Flyheight. I have piloted several
other Zoids and, by your permission, will you let me pilot the Gojulas till its end?”
The President was quiet and
then smiled. “You are very much like your father, Van. Just like Krueger told me. Do you truly that the Gojulas has
some fight left in it?”
“Yes, I do. This is no ordinary weapon.” He replied.
“Van Flyheight
is one of our most aspiring pilots. It would do us great if he were chosen as a replacement pilot.” Krueger said, with
much enthusiasm.
She nodded. “Fine then. Once we got the unit on its feet again, it is in your hands, Lieutenant.
Good luck.” The screen faded out.
Van turned to Krueger. “General, I am sorry.”
“Don’t
be.” He said. “All you have to do now is pilot the Gojulas, or what is left of it. Herman.”
Krueger
turned to Herman and placed an arm on his shoulder.
“I want you take over my position on this project. You’re
the only one capable of doing so.”
Herman was silent a moment, but a smile appeared. He saluted. “It would
be my honor, sir.”
Krueger smiled. “Now then, let’s get Lieutenant Flyheight to that Gojulas.”
***
Godzilla continued his march toward the coast. He wished to be away from these pestering humans with their constant
attack. Maybe on his way out he would destroy one more city out of pleasure…
Then he sensed it. The sweet attraction
of his food. Radiation. Godzilla turned north and began a new quest to find the energy he so desired.
***
The Gojulas
stood on its feet. Van stood some distance from its feet. All around him were dozens of people ranging from mechanics to soldiers
to munitions men. The flame thrower was being refueled as Van waited, and some rocket pods were being installed in place of
the chest turrets. But only one Super Cannon remained. Those two cannons were the only two in existence, and now there was
only one. Additionally, the NT-20 Diamond armor was shot, so a basic energy shield was being installed. Though, Van knew he
was going to have keep on his toes.
Nearby, Colonel Stoning was being lifted into a medical truck. Herman and Krueger
stood next to the truck. Stoning twitched in his stretcher.
“Krueger, I…”
“Save it, Trey.
I won’t need to hear your voice for the next six months.”
Van shook his head at the arrogant pilot who was
being piled into the truck. He went over to Herman and Krueger as the truck drove off.
“You ready for this, Van?”
Krueger asked.
“Yeah.” Van answered.
“Just don’t let your personal feelings get in the way.”
Krueger said sternly. “If you’ll excuse me, I am going to return to the base to pack up my things. Good bye, gentlemen.”
He turned to a jeep parked nearby.
“General, wait.” Van said. Krueger turned.
“Thank you, for being
there for me when I needed you most.”
Krueger smiled. “Your father would be proud.” Then he got in the
jeep and left for the base.
“Don’t worry about him.” Herman said. “He has been through worse.”
“Yeah, I know. Herman, you’re the right man to succeed him.”
“Thanks, Van. Now, let’s
get ready.”
A soldier ran up to the two. “Colonel Herman, scouts say that Godzilla has shifted course. He
is headed for nuclear power plant north west of here.”
“Sounds like our cue, Lieutenant.” Herman said.
***
Godzilla loomed over the power plant. Already, he could hear the blaring alarms going off and saw the small humans
running for dear life. He did not care. All he wanted was the precious nuclear material inside.
Plunging his claws into
the building, he smashed away walls and dug for the core. Smoke billowed out, and when it cleared, Godzilla was gripping into
the core. His spines crackled with energy as he savored the nuclear energy pouring into him.
He was just about finished
when three explosions happened on him. He lifted from the hole and saw a five draconic machine flying overhead. Purple in
color and armed with missiles and a tail blade, the Redlers flew in a scattered formation. Two came in and dropped a salvo
of missiles onto Godzilla. The puny weapons did nothing to him, and he replied by blasting the two fighters out of the sky
with an atomic blast. The other three began an attack run from behind. They fired all their missiles, which still did nothing
to the radioactive giant. Godzilla’s tail rose up and smashed two of the Redlers from the air. The final one began a
suicide run. Flipping the craft upside-down and extending the tail blade, the Redler sped in and attempted to slash open Godzilla’s
shoulder. The blade just glanced off and the Redler flipped in midair. It crashed into the ground, not destroyed, just inoperable.
But those Redlers were the least of Godzilla’s worries. They were just to distract him. Godzilla turned to see an
enemy once thought gone. The Gojulas flew in, carried by the White Herons. Godzilla would defeat his enemy the same way as
before.
The Gojulas slammed into the sand and shrieked. The White Herons sped away. Godzilla insisted on delivering the
first blow. He stepped quickly towards the mechanical monster. Bringing his arm back, he launched an attack when he was close.
But it never connected. Instead his arm was caught in the grasp of the Gojulas good hand. Godzilla was surprised and readied
another arm attack, this time with the other one. Again, the attack failed, this time as the Gojulas shoved Godzilla to his
side. A firm knee was placed into Godzilla’s side, causing the monster to shuffle backwards.
Van felt the controls
of the Gojulas. They were much harder to use than that of the Command Wolves and such, but he was adapting quickly nonetheless.
His enemy came at him again, but this time Van fired the Super Cannon and landed a shot right in Godzilla’s face. The
explosion consumed his head and roar of pain was heard from behind it. Godzilla’s spine glowed blue, but for a much
longer time. His newfound energy was surging together. Van quickly made the Gojulas bend over so that it nearly touched the
ground with its head.
Godzilla’s beam blasted away the smoke and shot right over the Gojulas. The tips of its backspins
were burned away, but Van saved the machine from certain doom. He smiled.
“Try this on for size.” Van said.
He pressed a button and a barrage of rockets fired from the best of the Gojulas. The missiles impacted on Godzilla, but did
not do much. Instead, they disorientated him for a moment. Long enough for the Gojulas to whack its tail into side. Godzilla
cried out as the metal appendage crashed into him. The machine was fighting much better all of a sudden. He would let it stand.
Powering up a beam, he fired it at the Gojulas. This time it connected.
Van shook in the cockpit. “Come on, Gojulas.
Keep those shields going!”
The shield held out as the beam died away, but it was going to be a while till it recharged.
The Gojulas fired three shots from the Super Cannon, each hitting Godzilla squarely in the chest. Godzilla fell over from
the force. Van moved the Gojulas closer. He looked over the body.
Suddenly, the tail of Godzilla swept the Gojulas of
its feet and the weapon tumbled over. Van screamed as he fell from the seat and was knocked into a wall. The Gojulas crashed
into the ground. Overhead, Godzilla roared in victory, but he was not done. He lifted the Gojulas from the ground. Once again,
he was going to dismember his foe. Only this time, he was taking the head. Grabbing the top and bottom jaws, he began to pull
the jaws apart.
Inside, Van stirred. He opened his eyes, and saw the cockpit rising. Van quickly got into his chair and
strapped in. Godzilla was trying to rip the head in two!
“Eat this!” Van shouted as a torrent of flames escaped
from the open maw of the Gojulas and washed over Godzilla’s face. The creature shrieked as he released the jaws. Van
ceased the flame attack and then clamed the jaws of Gojulas onto Godzilla’s neck. He swung the body around to right
and released. Godzilla went headfirst into the sand. With him down, Van began an all-out attack on Godzilla. He fired the
Super Cannon, rockets, and flame projector all at once. Explosions danced over Godzilla’s body as the flames covered
his body. Pieces of his armored hide were blasted off from the Super Cannon fire.
Van stopped as the Super Cannon cooled
down. The rocket pods were all empty, but there was still a quarter tank of fuel for the flame left. He still had more ammo
for the Super Cannons. Van looked on as Godzilla’s body burned. The beast was not dead, but Van was going to make damn
well sure he would be soon. He angled the cooled down Super Cannon at the monster.
The atomic beam slammed into the Gojulas’
chest. The shields held for no more than a few seconds. The beam tore into the already damaged chest. It moved across and
burned into the shoulder. Van yelled as the machine shook violently and sparks flew in the cockpit. Godzilla rose from the
ground, his back still ablaze. A look of malice was in his eyes. Charging, Godzilla slammed into the Gojulas. His claws dug
into the hole in its chest. The hands returned holding internal wiring and machinery. Grabbing the right arm, Godzilla tore
the limb off and tossed it aside. Now, minus both arms, the Gojulas was in a bad position.
Van desperately tried to train
the Super Cannon onto Godzilla, but the monster just blasted it to scrap metal with his atomic beam. Van had no choice left.
He had but one option. Opening a panel, Van set the fuel tanks to explode. There was still enough fuel inside to create a
good sized explosion. However, he never managed to put in the final code.
Godzilla’s great paw shook the machine.
Van’s fist crunched into the small keyboard, effectively ending his detonation code. He looked out at Godzilla from
the cockpit. A dim glow began to surround the creature. It began to get brighter. Van knew what was coming. He would just
let the monster blow up himself. Removing himself of the seat, he quickly ran to the escape pod, jumped in, and pressed the
eject button. He made it out seconds before the nuclear pulse detonated off of Godzilla.
The pulse reached the fuel tanks,
and an even greater explosion added to the one at hand. The escape pod shook as a shockwave sped over the area. Van’s
pod crashed into the desert sand. Meanwhile, a smoking crater, some ten meters deep, was all that remained. The power plant
was left in ruins.
Then something stirred from the smoke. From the black cloud, a toothed snout poked through. Silver
dorsal spines shimmered in the light of day and a sinuous tail slipped out from the smoke. Godzilla emerged, triumphant. The
beast roared in victory, and then began heading for the ocean. He was sick of this place, with their attacks. Perhaps next
time, he would venture to Japan once more…
Van stepped from the pod. He looked up and watched as Godzilla left the
battlefield.
“Till next time.” Van said.
Epilogue
Krueger
stood in the control room. A military jet was awaiting him outside with his things on board. He was just wrapping up a conversation
with Shinjo Odaiba, who had returned to Japan.
“And you think that he will return to Japan?” Krueger asked
Odaiba on the large screen.
“I cannot say, but it is a possibility. It is a lucky thing we made two branches. The
weapons here should be more than a match for him.” Odaiba said.
“I hope so.” Krueger replied. “I
wish you luck, Shinjo. May our paths cross again someday.”
***
Shinjo Odaiba closed the connection. His assistant
stood nearby in the office.
“So what do we do now, sir?” He asked.
“What do you think? Begin production
on the infantry units and the final preparations on the battle units. I guess it is a lucky thing we began Zoids construction
much earlier than the Americans. Now that we have our knowledge of the Zoids battle unit at its highest, and we know for a
fact that they work under pilots, we can begin researching that AI System. Just remember. I don’t want them that smart.”
***
In the small Nevada town of Whetstone, not much happened. So no one noticed when the dust covered man went a nearby
payphone. He dialed in a number no one else would know and then spoke a code no one else would know.
“Mr. Creed?
Yes I witnessed the battle. The unit was still in mid testing stages but fully operational. Yes, no one knew of me inside
the base. They didn’t suspect a thing. Yes, I also got the blue prints you asked me for. They are early drafts, but
useful nonetheless. Yes, I know what I must do now. I appreciate your thanks Mr. Creed. Goodbye.”
The man hung up
the phone. Slipping the cyanide pill into his mouth, he bit down on it. He felt it crack. He began walking. His job was done.
This last action was so he would never compromise his boss’ ideals. Yes, Bio-Major would have a new series of weapons
on their hands. All thanks to a man who no more than a dead corpse in the dusty street.
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