Episode 16
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OP - Mercy Drive - Burn in my Light
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"Oh good you're here," Dr. Williams told Hawk and the others that made up most of the main squad that made up Alpha Team. He guided them toward the entrance to one of the hangers, one that had been recently reassigned to house something else. He seemed almost giddy as he let them enter first. There they got their first real look at the partially covered metal frame of the "super jet" William had finally convinced the board to get built a few months prior. "It's not much now in this state but the inside is almost complete. I can't wait to show you."
"We can't wait to see it," Hawk spoke for the group.
Williams started to enter the jet then stopped and quickly turned around almost causing the group to walk into him. "Wait, one of you is missing. Mr. Scott!"
From one of the maintenance bays by the engine Ken poked his head out and looked around to find him, "Yeah Doc?"
"It's time for Alpha Team tour of the ship," he told him while waving him forward. "You're part of Alpha Team so you're in too."
Looking back at something in the hull he looked back at them, "I'm helping build this thing I already know what the inside looks like."
Hawk spoke up before Williams could say anything, "Ken get in the line."
Realizing this battle was over before it even began he looked at one of the other technicians, "Keep an eye on that gauge I set up. I thought I heard something start to shake as the system stated to pressurize."
"You got it," she said.
"Alright," Williams clapped his hands, "now we can go inside." He lead them inside the jet, almost skipping as he did so. Jess held back for Ken to catch up.
"Did you ever finds out what those two chairs in the back were supposed to be?"
"They're two mini one man jet fighters," he told her.
That bit of news attracted the attention of the two pilots in the group. Ryo looked at him, "Really?"
"Yeah," he answered. "They're supposed to disengage and reattach in midair."
Bill didn't look sure at that bit of news, "How is that suppose to work?"
He hesitated a bit before answering, "He's... still working that part out."
"You had to ask," Ryo told Bill as they entered the body of the ship. Going toward the front they entered what they all assumed was the cockpit. Most of the control panels were completed, and few yet looked like they had any power yet but they got a good idea of the layout.
"The pilot and co-pilot sit up here," William said with out any preamble as he went to the front of the room. Then he turned toward the center chair, "Captain you'll sit here. You can actually control the ship from that station in front of the chair. In case both jets have been have been launched."
"I better log some time in the simulator," Hawk muttered.
"Oh Wade," he said as he walked toward the chairs situated in the back, "This is weapon control. Since you are the teams 'crack shot', I think that's the right term, you'll be right at home right here. And over here," he said going to the last chair, "is the engineering display so this will be your chair Mr. Scott."
Ken blanched a little as his eyes widened a bit with a bit of a squeak in his voice, "My chair?"
"Mr. Scott in engineering?", Bill smirked.
"Shut up," Ken told him before returning his attention to Williams. "Why do I have a chair?"
"This is Alpha Team's jet and you are part of Alpha team and a mechanic as well, therefore it's your chair," he said like it was the most natural thing in the world. Based on the facts it was. In Ken's mind however...
Ken stepped a little closer, "Ah Doc, I don't think you got the memo but I'm strictly ground and pound. Me and planes do not mix."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Williams told him as he walked away with Ken looking on in disbelief. "Since Mr. Scott already let the cat out of the bag how would the two of you like to take a look at those jets?"
"I'll check them out," Bill offered. "You get familiar with those controls. I want my co-pilot to be well versed in their operations."
"I'm not the co-pilot in this situation," Ryo called out as he left the room. He turned a pleading eye toward Hawk.
"We'll figure that part out later," he assured him.
"You better hope he doesn't play the 'Razor Wing one pilot' card," Jess teased her usual wingman.
"We'll figure it out later," Hawk repeated.
Meanwhile Ken kept looking at his chair in total silence. Then he bolted out of the room, "Oh Doc."
"I'll head him off," Jess volunteered as she gave chase.
"Ground and pound," Ryo said with a bit of disbelief once they were alone. "When did Ken start talking like one of the Trackers?" Hawk gave him an amused look, that was what the pilots called the Scan Track crews. Of course they called the pilots "Winger" but that was a whole other story.
"He's finally starting to fit in," Hawk told him. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day?"
"But he's one of us," Ryo protested.
Hawk's grin got a little bigger, "And I've been waiting for somebody else on the team to say that for almost as long."
***
"The continued favoritism shown to Alpha Team is completely unacceptable!", Jamira shouted. He had barged into Brook's office a few moments prior and those were the first words out of his mouth. Not even an angry hello, how rude. "It's bad enough the men are commanded by a man with no taste for battle. Now they're getting an over powered jet!"
"Dr. Williams created the over powered jet in question Commander," Brooks told him, trying to be a
calming influence in this conversation. "Since Alpha Team is primarily a squadron of flyers it was only natural that they would get first tibs." If it was possible it seemed like the man was seething even more. "I'm sure if your nice to Dr. Williams I'm sure he'll be more than willing to create some sort of super tank for Beta Team."
Jamira slammed his hands on top of the desk, knocking over a picture he had on it. "I do not find this funny."
"And I suggest you remember who you are talking to Commander," Brooks said sharply as he stood. Jamira backed up a bit but he didn't look repentant. Brooks picked up the picture and looked at it, "My Grandfather used to say anger can be a man's undoing. You can be angry but don't let it color your actions." He placed the picture back on the desk. "Perhaps they are words you should learn to live by." Jamira said nothing. "So why come to me with this particular complaint? There would be several other board members who would be more sympathetic." Although a little more nervous that he went over Hawk's head therefore less likely to do anything.
"You seem more level headed," Jamira told him. "You also have Richardson's ear in most matters."
"I wouldn't say I have his ear exactly," Brooks commented. "It's more like I'm a sounding board who talks back on occasion."
"But he trusts you more than anybody else on the board," he argued. "Everybody here knows that."
"You flatter me Commander but..."
"You can make them see I'm right about this," he continued. "Beta Team is just as important as the Alphas." This was a plea that stunk of desperation in some ways. Brooks almost started to pity the man.
"I'm not going to make any promises," Brooks conceded. "But if you truly want to prove Beta Team's worth you should show them the next time a creature shows up. Make a little noise as it were."
"Prove our worth," he repeated. Jamira looked back down at the picture on the desk, then realized it was the only picture on the desk. He looked back at Brooks with a quizzical eye. "No pictures of your Father?"
"He spent too many hours looking over my shoulder while I was working when I was younger," Brooks explained, "and I didn't that feeling while I am here. Grandfather was a little more relaxed while he worked, something I try to imitate. The pictures of my Father and myself are back at my home office. But do remember what I said Commander." He left the room without saying anything, an increasingly common occurrence. But how he detested to pretend to be nice to that man.
But he did leave at the right time as Brooks started feeling a familiar sensation. Using a new trick he just learned he sent a quick pulse of dark energy that shorted out the monitoring devices in the room. A second later the vortex formed right in front of him. Hopefully Scott wasn't anywhere close by or this could get rather messy. "What can I do for you my masters?", although he wanted to tell them this was not the best spot or time.
"The creature you sent over has proven to be worthless Avatar!", the shape inside said.
"A pity," Brooks said. "Unfortunately it was the only creature I could get a hold of in such a short amount of time. And if you weren't so insistent on a flying creature..."
"That is not relevant," he was told. Ah yes, this was exactly the conversation he needed right after the one with Jamira.
"It's also the first attempt at turning a creature from this universe into something you can use against the light beings," Brooks said trying a different train of thought. Sooner or later security was going to notice those devices were down and call in to check on him. "There is bond to be some sort of trial and error involved." A hard thought to swallow since he thought that bat he captured could have worked. But he guessed that depended on if his masters had a vampire myth on their side of things.
"True," the voice conceded. "The experiment is considered to be a failure. The creature you dubbed Pestar is worthless."
"Maybe not," Brooks said thinking about his conversation with Jamira. "It may have an unintended side effect if I play things over here correctly."
"In what way Avatar?"
"There is a seed of descent in the forces over here," he explained. "If played right it could cause those cracks to grow. And if that fails then they will waste ammunition on a creature you were already planning on destroying any way."
"Your words make sense Avatar. Very well, we will prepare to send Pestar over the dimensional rift."
"I'll pick a proper location shortly," and the vortex disappeared. And just like clockwork security paged him. "Yes, is there a problem?"
***
"All clear Captain." The Captain, a man who had spent more than few year on the water, nodded but kept his eyes on the seas before him, and an ear for those he had positioned around the ship to keep an eye on the sea around them. Three ships in the past two weeks had mysteriously blown up. He figured it was some sort of equipment failure but reports of lights in the sea itself made the men under him jumpy. That and those blasted monsters that had been showing up lately. A combination that made him put in the current set up around the ship to help put their minds at ease.
"I can't wait to get to shore," The ship's X-O said, a woman who had served under him for a couple of those years. There was a more modern term for her position but the Captain liked the term Executive Officer, or X-O, and was allowed a few eccentricities.
"You worried about those lights too?" he asked.
"No, I have a hot date after we dock."
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend."
"I haven't picked him out of the crowd yet," she said with a sly grin.
"Comments like that make me glad I instituted that no sex among the crew rule years ago."
"And I hope you don't wonder why most of them disappear for hours on end after we dock and unload."
"This old sea dog's not that old little missy," he grunted before breaking out into a smile. "And if you
weren't so busy picking your next man out of the crowd you'd realized I'm usually one of the missing."
"So the old seas dog still has some life in him," she smiled back. She turned around to look at the charts behind them. He took a quick, and admittedly unprofessional, glance at her rather lovely backside. If only he was a few years younger, and that rule wasn't in place.
And thoughts like that made him remember why he put the rule in place to begin with.
"We got lights starboard!", his man on that side shouted into his radio. His X-O went to the bridge windows on that side and looked out. She looked back and shock her head. That would have been all except he was still looking in that direction and saw the flash she didn't. And if this was the sea playing trick then this was a pretty good one because the trick was moving.
"All hands brace for a potential impact!", he yelled over the comm. The X-O turned around to see the light flash again and getting closer.
She ran for the radio, "This is the oil tanker Hayata, we have light flashing on our stabord side. Our position is..." Some kind of roar cut her off. Then the sun seemingly blacked out despite the fact the could see it reflected on the sea.
The Captain looked out the window with widening eyes, "Mother of God."
"Monster," the X-O got out. Another roar and explosion later that ended up being the last word ever heard from the ship.
***
"Is that Scan Track ready?", Jamira barked as he marched his way through the garage. Those around him quickly got out of his way but Chief Albright stood his ground. This was his area and nobody was going it intimidate him.
"An hour ago," he told him while going over his work schedule. "I sent you a message then."
"I expect to be told personally Chief."
"The moment I can get a budget for some message runner I'll get right on that," he said walking away.
"I'm still talking to you Chief," Jamira grabbed him by the arm. "You do not walk way from a superior officer."
"And despite the fact people call me 'Chief' I do have the same rank as you Commander," he said freeing his arm. "A rank I received before you if you want to get technical."
"And I outrank the both of you," Hawk told them as he quickly got involved. "So I highly suggest both of you dial it back."
"Captain Hawk," Jamira, with a large amount of sarcasm, started to say.
Hawk wouldn't have none of it, "Commander Jamira, may I suggest before you start up anything with a fellow officer make sure you're not in enemy territory first." He glanced around the garage to prove his point. "Chief I'll let you get back to business."
"Thank you Captain." Then he turned toward his staff, "Alright get back to work, show's over."
"To you he's cordial," Jamira grumbled.
"I don't tell him how to use a wrench he doesn't tell me how to use a gun," Hawk told him. "But that's not why I'm here. We got a call an hour ago. Another ship was destroyed."
"More of those flashing lights?", he asked.
"We got that this time plus something else," he informed him. "Monster."
Jamira demeanor changed into something a little more serious, "Do we know what kind?"
Shaking his head he went on, "That was the last thing said before the transmission was lost. We had some research teams flying over the area the lights were seen in since they were first reported, so hopefully we'll find out pretty soon."
"You wouldn't be telling me this unless it was coming to ground."
"Bridge detected a sharp turn toward land with this latest sighting. We have a couple of potential landing zones targeted already. Our forces are going to be stretched a little thin trying to cover them all. You better get Beta Team prepped and ready to go."
"Don't tell me how to run my unit," Jamira grunted. "You just keep your flyers out of our targeting sights."
As he walked off Hawk called out, "We're on the same side you know."
"And Alpha and Beta teams are supposed to be equal too," Jamira said although Hawk didn't hear it.
***
In the war room Alpha Team stood around the holotable as a map displayed the location of the lost ships, complete with dotted lines to highlight the pattern. There was a gently curve with the first three but definitely a sharp turn with the last one. The map also showed how close to land it actually was and those potential landing areas. Hawk filled them in on the plan so far, "We're going to break up the Scan Track among these four possible landing zones. Razor Wings will be stationed at this airport right here," he pointed at a section of the map that was highlighted a different color than the landing zones. "Once we have a confirmed sighting the Wings will launch and work in concert with the Tracks in that area."
"Is there any reason why those spots were picked as potential landing zones?", Ryo asked.
"Yes there is," he answered. "As you know all four ships were oil tankers. The ships have been found with no survivors and no trace of the oil they were carrying in the ocean at all. So here in this area we have a refinery, a couple of storage facilities and a dockyard were the oil is supposed to be unloaded."
"I can't believe we're still using oil," Ryo commented.
"It may not be the best solution," Ken said, "but it keeps those fancy Razor Wings and Scan Tracks going."
Jess smirked, "Spoken like a true mechanic."
"Save the debate for later," Hawk told them.
"So where do you think this oil guzzler is going to pop up first?", BIll asked. Hawk knew he was trying to ease the tension a bit with the joke in his question, but he knew Bill enough to know it was a serious question. He said nothing as he watched them work it out on their own.
"I think it's going to be the docks," Jess said after awhile. "Everything points to the creature being aquatic and we don't know if it can go on land."
"This one storage facility is pretty close to the shore," Ken spoke up. "And there'd be less ships getting in it's way."
"Not that it had problems with ships before," Bill pointed out. "It's going to be the docks, it's directly on the main path it's taking."
I'm just saying."
"It's sensing the oil somehow right?", Ryo said. "It's only attacked ship carrying oil despite the fact there were several ships in this general location. I'm with Ken on this one, it'll go after that storage facility. It is the largest food source, if it's using the oil as food."
"Finally somebody agrees with me on something," Ken said.
Jess told him, "Don't get used to it." He shot her a look.
"I have to admit those are all pretty good theories," Hawk said taking control of the discussion. "I personally would have picked the refinery but all four of you made some good arguments and points. And I'm proud to have all of you under me. Ken get to the Scan Track Hanger and join your group. That drive to the coast is going to take a couple of hours at least. Ryo, Bill and Jess we'll launch in a hour and a half. We'll refuel once we hit the airport. If Bridge's calculations are correct we should be set up in plenty of time before it makes land fall. Monster Squad move out!"
"Roger!"
***
"How many passengers do you think we're pissing off with this little venture?", Bill asked as he and Ryo walked between the rows of Razor Wings occupying the airfield.
"Well we gave the Tower and airlines plenty of warning to divert and reschedule flights to other airports for today," Ryo answered. "But I'm guessing quite a few."
"I got to tell you buddy, there are times I tink the waiting is actually worse than the giant monster fight itself."
"Well I'm not going to disagree with you." They reached their respective Jets as the Captain and Jess where finishing up the weapon checks on Razor Wing one and two. "How's she looking Jess?"
"We're ready to fly," she told him.
"How are we Captain?", Bill asked.
"We are the same sir," he said with a big grin. Bill got real embarrassed and looked around to make sure nobody else heard that. "After five checks we had better be." Getting out of the cockpit he patted the side as he walked around her. "I should tell you there's been a slight change of plans, we're holding some of the Wings back."
"Why are we doing that?", Ryo asked.
"The board is worried about a stray shot hitting a storage tank or a ship full of oil. We're to hold back a couple of squads and load them up with a set of missiles fixed up with a special fire retardant to combat the flames."
Ryo nodded, "Makes sense."
"Wait," Bill spoke up, "we're not part part of the fire duty are we?" Ryo and Jess exchanged looks suddenly wondering that themselves.
Hawk looked at Bill with a critical eye, "Is there anything wrong with being on fire duty Waters?"
Bill suddenly stood a little straighter, "No. It's just... ugh... Ryo?"
"You're on your own on this one," he told him.
"You're supposed to back up your teammate," Hawk told him, "no matter how deep he's in it. Do you have an opinion Wade?"
"We're trained to fight strange creature not fires," she said.
"See, she backed him up. But you are also trained to follow orders and if you were placed on fire duty I know you would do it no questions asked. However being in command I do have the choice, and I never wanted to be firefighter when I was growing up."
"Castle to Captain Hawk."
"Hawk here, do we have a sighting yet Bridge?"
"No sir, just a relay transmission from the garage." The four of them looked at each other as Bridge continued. "Commander Jamira is complaining that something is wrong with his Scan Track and demanding the best mechanic we have in the field. The Chief asked if it would be okay to borrow your man for the assignment."
"Captain no," Jess said as she figured out who he was asking for. "Jamira hates him."
"Captain you wouldn't," Ryo joined in.
"Yeah civilian's a pain but even I wouldn't do that to him," Bill added.
Hawk looked at them hiding the small sense of pride he was feeling. "Well he is the best we have in the field right now and he came in with a set of skills that I don't want to go to waste. I'll contact him Bridge, he'll complain less if it comes from me. Well at least not out loud. Hawk to Scott."
"Scott here."
"I have a little side assignment for you that you may not like."
***
Jamira was chomping at the bit as the other Scan Tracks raced to their assigned locations. With the few that stayed with him, those who were loyal to him that is, they were in firing range if the beast showed it's head. And the dock below them still wasn't evacuated yet. As a new Scan Track reached their position he anger grew even more as he saw who got out of it. "What are you doing here?!"
Ken fought real hard to ignore the sudden urge to get back into the Scan Track. "Captain Hawk sent me. He said you were having trouble."
"Jamira to Hawk."
"If this is about Ken yes I sent him," he responded before the question could be bellowed. "You said you wanted the best currently in the field and that's him."
"I meant a mechanic from the garage in the field."
"Mechanics from the hanger don't usually go out into the field. Besides one from the hanger wouldn't get here in time. Deal with it and let him do his job. Hawk out."
Jamira didn't look at him as he waved toward the Scan Track. Ken made sure to give him a wide berth as he passed him. "The Chief wasn't much on details when I contacted him, so what happened?"
"It stopped," one of Jamira's men commented as they stood by the open hood. The ones in the other Scan Tracks tried to stare a hole into him. He hadn't had a reception this warm since his first official day back at Castle.
"A little more detail would help get this done faster," he told them.
"It sputtered than stopped."
"Sputtered huh?" Ken pulled a small flashlight out of his pocket and immediately inspected underneath the vehicle.
"What are you doing civilian?" Jamira demanded.
"We had a similar problem in our group," he explained as he checked out the fuel lines. Pulling his head out from underneath he looked at the group, "Did you hit a really hard pump on the way here?"
"What if we did?", the driver asked.
"A simple yes or...," all of them, including Jamira, glared at him. So he decided to cut out the sarcasm for the moment and continued his search, "Because if you did... yeah right there. A hole in the fuel line about the size of a pencil. You guys are lucky the other one had a huge gap in it. Had to replace an entire section."
"Just fix it civilian," Jamira told him.
"Yes sir," he said. "Phil get me the repair kit."
"You got it Ken." Both of them knew it was standard procedure to use the kit of the Track that needed fixing. But seeing how these weren't the most agreeable of guys this was the next best thing. "I'll see if we have any spare fuel."
"Good idea," he said as he started to patch the hole. "I should be done in no time Commander.""Make it faster than that," Jamira barked.
"We got fuel," Phil announced as he came back. Ken finished putting the patch seal around the line making sure there wasn't any gaps. Hopefully this will last them long enough to get them back to Castle.
"Fuel her up," Ken told him as he got out from underneath the Scan Track. They ended up putting two
fuel cans into the tank. Ken had them start the engine after a few moments and stayed on the ground long enough to make sure the patch held. "You're good to go Commander."
"We could have done that," he sneered. Then he started barking orders at his team.
"It's great to be appreciated ain't it?", Ken told Phil as they got back to their Scan Track. "Come on guys let get back to where we're supposed to be.
"We got lights!", somebody shouted. They all looked at the light previously reported among some bubbly, churning water Ken looked down at the still full docks.
"I hate it when she's right," he muttered.
"Target that thing as soon as it comes out of the water," Jamira ordered. Ken looked at him then back at the people just now starting to run.
He turned toward Jamira, "They're still evacuating."
"Not my problem. It should have been emptied hours ago."
"We're supposed to saves lives."
"Fine," Jamira turned around, "go down there and help." Ken started to wave his guys down there but the Commander stopped him. "Just you civilian, and not as a UNDF representative."
"What?"
"Shut up civilian," Jamira snapped at him. "You want to be a hero fine but your not doing it play acting as one of us. You want to be a soldier than get back in that Scan Track and follow the orders I give you such when to fire. You go down there with that jacket on and I will have you arrested for insubordination and desertion of duty." Jamira's men looked like they were waiting for him to do just that. "I'll be happy to accept your resignation if you so choose." Ken stared at him while hearing the churning water in the background. He started to unstrap the wrist scanner as he headed for his Scan track.
Phil tried to plead with him, "Ken contact Hawk."
"We don't have time," he said as he handed him the scanner and his weapon. Making sure Jamira didn't see him pocket his "good luck charm" he handed Phil the Jacket. "Besides I'm just the civilian, so no big loss right?", he felt a small form lump in his throat. "I know he outranks you but try to stall him for as long as you can. It's been great working with you guys." He ran toward the dock as fast as he could trying not to think about what he just threw away.
Jamira stood there triumphant watching him go. "Good riddence. You're part of my group now so get ready." He didn't wait for any kind of conformation as he headed back toward his vehicle.
Phil turned his back to make sure Jamira didn't see him hit his communicator. "Coleman to Hawk, we have a situation."
Hawk listened to the short version of what happened knowing he didn't have time to be stunned. "Commander Jamira what are you thinking?! That wasn't your man!"
"I took care of your trash for you," he said. "You can thank me for it later." And he ended the communication before Hawk could say a word.
"Jamira! Jamira! Damn it!" Hawk pounded the side of the Razor Wing in frustration. The others looked at him with some worry. Despite all of this they had a job to do. "Ryo, Jess in the air. Ryo you're in command of the air assault. If that things pops it head out of the water make sure it stays at sea long enough so we can finish evacuation. Bill, contact a couple of Scan Tracks from Area A to pick us up. We're going after Jamira."
"What about Ken?", Jess asked. Hawk could tell Ryo and Bill were wondering about him too.
He gave the only answer he could at the moment, "I'll deal with Ken later. Right now I need to get control of the situation before it gets even more out of hand."
***
Ken had a hard time convincing the dock security to let him help get people out of there. Then he remembered he still had his UNDF ID with him and as far as the guard knew it was still good. And he bought his story about him being off duty and in the areas to explain the way he was dressed. Thank God he didn't ask about the hair. "Come on let's go!" he shouted while waving people toward one of the exits.
"Ugh," somebody tripped and fell to the ground. A couple of people had ran over him and on him by the time Ken and another guard got to him to help him up.
"Come on ,this is no place for a nap."
"Thanks," the guard said s he helped the guy out. Ken looked where the Scan Tracks were, how long did he actually have? A roar made him look at the sea and found a bat like head sticking out of he water.
"****," he started pushing people toward the gates. The he heard the first barrage of missiles. "Down!", he shouted right before they hit the creature. It seemed unfazed as more of it came out of the water, which included two enormous, extremely thick star shaped wings that head was perched between. Those wings were so big it seemed to walk on them instead of flying with them. Then he heard the familiar engines of the Razor Wings that came up and shot it from behind. Then the Scan Tracks fired again. From his vantage point it looked like the monster was trying to go in the direction of whatever was attacking it. He turned toward the Scan Tracks and shouted, "Stop firing!". "Of course he knew they couldn't hear him from this distance, not that Jamira would have listened to him any way.
The something exploded as a missile missed it target and hit a storage tank. The creature seemed to be attracted to that as it moved toward it. Some more Razor Wings came in from behind. "Missiles away!", Jess said as she hit the trigger. Those exploded on the back of it's head. Then the creature looked at them and opened it's mouth and sit out a stream of fire, causing even more tanks to explode.
"****," Ryo grunted as he got the out of the stream's path.
"Do you think it's using the oil to do that?", Jess pondered.
"I'll worry about it later."
"Let's do this Dax," he said quickly looking for a place he could go unseen for a moment and finding it. Once there he raised the Spark Magnifier over his head and activated it.
***
Jamira watched the column of light appear, the other thing he was waiting for. Make a little noise Brooks had said. He watched as the giant made his usual, "Shiah!" sound and took the creature on. His back was turned to his position. Now was his chance.
"All units target Ultraman!"
"This is Captain Hawk," he cut in. "Belay that order!"
"Fire!", Jamira shouted as he turned his communicator off. HIs unit and those closest to him followed that order without hesitation. He would find a way to court martial those who didn't.
The missiles hit Daxium square in the back. He grunted in a mixture of pain and shock as he looked back in the direction it came from. That's when he saw another round come at him and he quickly put his shield up to protect himself. "Ken why are they doing this?"
"It's not all of them," he answered from the protected area, "just one idiot and his followers." He tried not to think about all the ones he heard at Castle saying they want a shot at the giant. "At least I hope so."
Pestar shot his fire at Daxium while he was distracted, causing him to drop his shield as another round of missiles was fired. Then a couple of Razor Wings led by Ryo and Jess tried to intercept them with their own fire.
"What are those Razor Wings doing?" Jamira demanded.
"Following orders," Hawk told him as he pointed his weapon at them. Jamira turned and raised his weapon only to see Bill and the UNDF soldiers with them had him covered. "Which is more than I can say for you."
"I'm doing what need to be done," he insisted. "There are two dangerous beings right there and I'm taking them both down."
"Richardson's order..."
"I don't give a damn about that old fool's orders! He sits safely behind a desk and I'm a soldier in the middle of this mess. I know what needs to be done better than he does."
"You can argue with him back at Castle." Hawk looked at Jamira's men, ready to fight their own at a moments notice. "I'm placing Commander Jamira under arrest for insubordination among other charges. Now the question is how many of you are going to join him?"
Jamira's men held their position, one even had Hawk dead in his sights. Slowly Jamira raised his hand and motion for them to lower their weapons. "This will be settled before you know it." Bill and Phil came forward to place him in custody. He wouldn't let them touch him but he left with them.
Hawk turned away from him and paid attention to the battle of the giants. "All units in the air aid Ultraman however you can. Razor Wings in reserve start that bombing run on the fires. The sooner we get this under control the better."
Ryo and the other pilots complied with the order and turned their missiles on Pestar. It fought not to go down as a wing gave out. Daxium unleashed the Dimensional Storm Ray to finish him off once and for all. He watched as a new set of Razor Wings came in and attacked the fire with their special payloads. Knowing he couldn't help fight the blaze he flew off into the sky, "Shiah!"
***
"So am I under arrest or what?", Ken asked as he sat on the bumper of one of the cars in the parking lot with a UNDF soldier silently guarding him. Something told him this was a situation he should be getting used to once Richardson was done with him. "Should I take that as a yes?"
A couple of Scan Tracks pulled up and Hawk and the rest of the team got out of the, He suddenly found the ground in the other direction real interesting. Hawk motioned for the others to stay where they were as he walked toward him holding his former jacket. "Take a walk," he told the guard who nodded and walked away. He waited for Ken to look at him. Hawk felt the weight of the jacket in his hands before speaking, "I had Coleman tell me the specific of what exactly happened with Jamira before I came for you. So I won't be charging you with desertion. It's also why I'm currently keeping my fist from connecting with your jaw. I just want to know why you thought this was the right idea."
"Jamira was going..."
"Stand up when you're talking to me," Hawk ordered sharply. Ken did so, looking him in the eyes.
"Jamra was going to fire on that thing despite the fact the docks weren't fully evacuated."
"So far that's confirming what Coleman and the others told me."
"Coleman told me to call you and I thought I didn't have the time. I made a choice that I thought could save some more lives. A long time ago my dad told me there were times what a man choose told what kind of a man he was. I choose to save lives, even if it was only a couple more than what it would have been."
Hawk slowly nodded as he understood what he was saying. "Did you think Richardson would get you back in after this?"
"No," Ken told him truefully, "I figured once I was out I was out." And if Richardson had his way he'd be back, being dissected or something just to get to Dax.
"If I was in your shoes I might have made the same call," Hawk told him. "But you still should have contacted me, I would have ordered you down there and we wouldn't have to go through this. Listen to me Ken, regulations state that any resignation has to go through your commanding officer and be of your own free will. You were forced to quit and I didn't get it so consider your resignation officially denied." Ken started to speak but Hawk poked a finger into his chest.
"But let's get one thing straight right now. Everybody else may see you as the civilian operative, even you. But you are a full fledged member of this team who has more than proven himself. We have put too much work into you for to just throw it away. You are part of Monster Squad and you never, never, quit on us again. Is that understood Scott?" There was no mistaking the disappointment Ken was seeing in his face.
He couldn't hide the shame he was feeling at the moment, "Yes sir." Hawk's expression softened a bit and he patted the younger man on the shoulder before handing back the jacket.
"Come on son, our team is waiting for us." Putting the jacket back on as they walked the team greeted him and welcomed him back.
***
Hours later Jamira stood in Brook's home office. He was currently suspended from duty while they were decided on what to do with him. "You have to do something. This was your idea."
"No," Brooks said as he sat behind his desk, "I believe I told you to make a little noise to get yourself noticed. Not to fully ignore an order put in place by Richardson. That is fully on you. Even I couldn't smooth talk my way out of this one with even the silverest of tongues."
"You have to do something. This is my life we're talking about!", Jamira slammed his hands on top of the desk. Brooks moved to catch a glass that looked like it was about to fall but didn't. "This is my career on the line and I need help."
"What did I tell you that my Father said about anger Commander. And I suggest you should be thankful you still have that rank."
"Your Grandfather," Jamira said suddenly.
"I beg you pardon?"
"You said your Grandfather told you that."
"Oh yes, I did didn't I?" Remembering something else Jamira looked at the desk in this home office then at the walls. He looked at Brooks with some confusion. "I also told you there pictures of my father and myself in this very office." He gave him an innocent shrug, "Apparently I made a slight mistake." A battle honed instinct made Jamira reach for a weapon that wasn't there any more. Brooks cocked an eyebrow as he watched him. Then he raised a hand and unleashed a beam of dark energy that sent Jamira crashing across the room. Laying against the wall in a heap his chest was smoking but he was still alive.
Each breath making him wince in pain he got out, "What... what are... you?"
"I am what I always have been," he answered as he stood and walked around the desk, "a Brooks through and through." Tiny arcs of dark energy dancing between his fingers he smirked, "Although a couple of decades ago I made some acquaintances that made me more than that. Now Commander what should I do with you, hmm? I could blast you like I did Richardson's son and a few others but I keep leaving the skeleton for some reason. Probably some mental block I currently can't figure out. And it would leave me with some remains to dispose of and I want to avoid that if possible."
Jamira knew this was his time, he was going to die, which is why the sudden noise coming out of his mouth surprised him, "Hahaha!" Laughing so hard he started crying.
Brooks watched him, somewhat perplexed, "Is something particularly funny Commander?"
"This is why Hawk has his job," he told him. "You put him there to weaken the forces. I knew there was a reason why it wasn't me."
He almost felt pity for the man as he let him in on the truth, "Captain Hawk is in command because he was the right man for the job. He had all the qualities the board was looking for in leading the troops. I agreed and voted him in as well. Quite honestly you're lucky you even in command of Beta Team."
"Jamira wasn't fully comprehending, "But why would you...?"
"Why would I?", frustration about the actual situation instead of the question started to build. "I have to appease my masters by hindering and weakening the forces over here and at the same time not look like I'm doing it. Backing you instead of Hawk would put up a microscope I don't need hanging over me." He started pacing around the room, "Nobody understands this delicate balancing act I have to preform on a daily basis!" Calming down a bit a thought occurred to him that made him smile as he turned his back on Jamira. "Scott might understand better than most, but I don't think he'd appreciate the nuances."
"Scott?", Jamira asked in confusion. "The civilian? What does he have to do with this?"
Almost dumbfounded Brooks looked back around to stare at him. "Really? After a couple of misspoken words by myself you're able to figure out something not quite right. But after said revelation I drop a huge hint and you... How did you ever make it to commander? Fine I'll spell it out for you." Squatting down in front of him he spoke slowly.
"Ken Scott is Ultraman."
"What?", Jamira couldn't process the information and Brooks couldn't stop himself from enjoying the stunned look on his face.
"I've known ever since Richardson had him brought in the first time," he said almost casually. "In fact I'm pretty sure Richardson knows too, hence the order and the whole civilian operative nonsense. And if he knows then so does his bodyguard. I am a little surprised Hawk hasn't put two and two together yet. It is rather obvious once you think about it. Oh," he said as another thought came to him, "Scott apparently sensed me too, he didn't know who it was at the time but I made sure he couldn't since then.
"Ah," Brooks went as yet another thought came to him, "I know what to do with you now." Holding up a hand and with some concentration he made a vortex form right next to Jamira. He could only watch as a shape appeared. It looked at him then back at Brooks.
"What is the meaning of this Avatar?"
"Things with Pestar didn't work out like I hoped they would," Brooks told him. "However I have discovered an excellent consolation prize. Would you say you are ready for a human test subject?"
It looked down at Jamira, "I would say we are."
"What is that?", Jamira demanded.
"That is one of the acquiescence I was talking about earlier. They call themselves the Zettons. They are quite war like and aggressive. You would probably enjoy their company if you weren't being experimented on."
"What?" Another portal opened up beneath Jamira and he slid in slightly. Two more shapes appeared and grabbed him by the arms as they started to pull him in. The further he went the more he could see the misshapen heads and single eye staring at him. "Nooo...." his cried were cut off as the vortex closed.
"This one had better be more successful Avatar," the shape told him.
"I promise nothing with this one my masters. Even though he somehow rose to the rank of Commander in the forced he was rather useless. If he doesn't survive it would be a huge loss since you could use the data you collected on the next one."
"We will see Avatar," and the vortex disappeared. Brook went over to the spot the Commander had been and readjusted a painting on the wall that had knocked loose when he hit. His sudden disappearance would cause questions. But that also means the majority of the attention back at Castle would be focused on locating him. Which means he could be a little more subversive in weakening the forces.
Or perhaps he could push forward a project that might be useful to himself and his masters. "Where was that project file? King something I believe it was called."
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ED -Shinedown -Fly from the inside
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