[FIC] Gang and Girl Visit Hinata: Havoc Ensues (pt. 13)
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:58 am
Su and Sara fought their own small war from within the safety of the laboratory. Accessing an external camera network, the girl from Molmol directed attacks by large numbers of explosive-laden F-86 model airplanes. Sara had the opportunity to push the detonation switches. Simultaneously, hoardes of small T-64s rolled out into the yard, heading for any enemy vehicle in sight. The numbers were truly staggering. They too were packed full of high-explosives, and were used as tracked mines. Sara could never remember having this much fun before.
“Blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…” Sarah looked like a concert pianist, banging away at a panel of switches. The view screen showed small explosions taking place all over the yard. “Blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up….”
As Sara lived out her every fantasy, Su attacked an over-stacked platter with gusto. Hoagies. Turnovers. Soup. Noodle dishes. Batter-dipped fish. Ice cream. Japanese pizza.
“mmmphff, mmphffph. Mrrmrrmphf.” Gulp. “You are doing very well, Sara. We are almost out of toys. They will know not to mess with us again.”
In all actuality, their efforts were mainly a nuisance, a distraction. Some soldiers had been injured, but most were merely irritated and annoyed. That was of tactical value, as many tended to waste ammunition destroying the swarming toys. Focusing on the toys, they were not attacking more crucial targets. They were also easier prey for individuals whose priorities were more realistic.
“There’s my Daddy again!” Sara exclaimed, forgetting about her switches for a moment. Seta had flashed into view, gutted two soldiers with a combat knife, grabbed their weapons and fired, then passed out of camera view. On another screen, Haruka rolled under a GAZ-3937 and rolled out again. The limpet mine she planted tore the truck in half.
Sara got back to work. “Blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…OH BOY, I GOT ONE!!!” Three T-64 mines blew up at the same time, at just the right place. A front wheel was blown off of another GAZ-3937, causing it to come to a quick stop. The soldiers jumped out of the vehicle, starting to run for safety. Their efforts were thwarted by a continuous stream of 40mm grenades. “WOW!!!” Pieces of soldier spalttered the side of the truck. A small mecha walked into view: Mr. Chupi. “It’s that LOSER!!!” Sara watched as Mr. Chupi tore a large plate of metal off of the disabled vehicle, holding it up in front of him. A rocket-propelled grenade blew the plate out of its hands, but the mecha was unharmed. It rushed forward to take out the impudent soldier that had dared attack it. “He’s getting good. I hope he doesn’t stay that way.”
Su put down a half-eaten hoagie, lettuce hanging out of her mouth. “Mmphf, yes. That would not mmpphff be much fun.” She quickly downed a large cup of tea. “I hope that Sousuke lets me keep that Mr. Chupi. It would make a great wedding present. I could build more of those guys. We could play with them in the back yard. Maybe in the hallways.” A familiar face caught Su’s attention on one of the twelve screens. “Oh look, there is Motoko. She is all covered with blood. "She has been a naughty naughty girl!”
“There’s my Daddy, too.” Seta could be seen talking with Motoko. Soon they were joined by Haruka. Seta pointed towards the building. Motoko and Haruka nodded their heads. Soon, they all ran out of view.
“Blow up a few more, Sara. It is time to go upstairs. If we do not hurry, there may be no more soldiers left!” Su kicked a large cabinet, causing the drawer to slide open. A number of small mega positronic cannons sat inside. “Be very careful with this, Sara. It is not a toy. Let’s go play.” She was totally unaware of the incongruity of her statement.
“Oh boy. Let’s go kick some tail!!!” Sarah cradled the gun like she had been born to it. She turned her hat, bill to the back. “Lots and lots of tail.”
Su looked insulted. “Sara, you should NOT use that word!” She shook her finger at Sara.
“What?” Sara was puzzled.
“I believe the correct term is ass.” Su jumped up and did a backflip, stretching out some kinks.
“Oh!” Sara looked shocked for a moment. Then she wrinkled her brows and got a really devilish look on her face. “Let’t go kick a LOT of ass!”
“Children these days.” Su looked at Sara. Sara looked at Su. They both broke out in laughter, dropping to the floor and rolling about.
Finally ready to leave, Su turned off the lights. She turned them back on a few seconds later. “There is something I should check. I almost forgot.” She punched in the call numbers for a flight of Mr. Cherry RPVs. They located the Ultra Super Mecha Tama. Headless and tailess, it was standing near the old Annex Building. A large Arm Slave, with some familiar MolMol markings, was approaching the MT4 from the South. “THAT is really really terrible!”
“What? Soususuke’s in danger?” Sara looked concerned.
“Oh. Yes. That too. I cannot believe that someone used my Molmol painting patterns. They did not ask my permission first. They are very very VERY bad men.” Su turned out the lights, grabbed Sara’s hand, and started running. “We must go tell someone what we saw. I hope I will still have a husband-to-be.”
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Moments before Su and Sarah entered the living room area, Seta and Motoko left through the front door. Haruka was already out front, talking to the commanding officer of the local JSDF base, while a bunch of his frightened soldiers tried to ogle her without being too obvious. A number of city leaders and concerned citizens crouched down along the stairway to the Apartments.
From inside his Arm Slave, Keitaro thanked a few hardy monks who had just reloaded his grenade launcher for him. He set Mr. Chupi on a course for the left side yard. Kitsune waved down from the roof as she and Kurz walked the perimeter, seeing what kind of an obvious threat remained.
Inside, Mutsumi was doing her best Florence Nightingale, passing out watermelon and cold drinks. Kaname lay on one futon, her leg being cleaned and sutured by a paramedic. Naru was applying an antiseptic ointment to Shinobu’s notched ear, as the younger girl held tightly to her assault rifle, eyes sequentially checking each visible window and door. She was still standing, as it was too painful to sit down. She refused to drop her blood-soaked drawers in front of the male medical attendant. A woman doctor was on her way.
“Does anybody know where Sousuke is?” Kaname asked everyone in earshot. “I hope he’s OK.”
“I just know he will be” Shinobu said in a squeaky voice, trying to convince herself as much as well as Kaname. “The battle is almost over, and that means the rules should be changing back to our way. We always have happy endings. Sort of.”
“No, Shinobu.” Haruka had just walked in from outside. “You might as well consider what we went through to be a skirmish, the appetizer before the main course. The battle that Sousuke is fighting is the only one that matters. He wins, and we all win. He loses, and we all lose. I doubt we’ll see many changes in the rules until that fight is decided.”
“Yes,” Naru said. “If we hear from Seta that the enemy Arm Slave has won, then we’ll have to evacuate this building. We’ll need to get out of the city quickly.” Haruka nodded her head in agreement.
“Oh my!” Mutsumi exclaimed. “I’d better get more watermelon cut up for the ride, in case we have to leave.”
Haruka turned to Kaname. She purposefully tried to distract the worried girl. “Next time you see Melissa, you tell her she owes me a round of drinks. I won’t bore you with the details now, but the leader of the JSDF base is an old buddy and he owes me a favor. They won’t interfere, and they won’t snoop around. I told them we were holding mock war games and things got a little out of hand. He’s had opportunity to deal with Su and her creations before. In this story, we can get away with a lot.”
“Did somebody mention my name?” Su and Sara walked in, wearing camoflauge outfits and over-sized helmets. “I have something to report before we go outside and play.”
“What is it, Su?” Naru asked, hands on her hips. Go outside and play? That had a worrisome ring to it.
“Sousuke and the Ultra Super Mega Tama are fighting a very very bad Arm Slave near the old Annex building. He is NOT taking good care of my toy. He has lost the head and the tail already. It is only fair that I take the head and the tail off of some other turtle." She smiled. "Where is Tama?” She started leaping off of furniture and people when the Hot Springs turtle in question flew by, once again inciting a one person riot.
Haruka took out a cell phone. “They’re out by the old Annex building,” she mentioned to an as yet unidentified individual. Seta’s reply was faint but audible: “Roger that. Out.”
“Hey, that was my Daddy!!!” Sara said, making an unsuccessful grab for the phone. “Come on Su, let’s go. If we don’t hurry, everything will be finished before we get there. Nobody gets to play with my Daddy but me!” She and Su made a bee-line for the back door.
“We’d better stick close to them.” Haruka said to Naru. “Shinobu, keep a sharp look out. There could still be soldiers in hiding. Don’t trust any unfamiliar civilian. The enemy may not be beyond using simple guerilla tactics. Keitaro‘s just outside. Call him if you need back-up. Kitsune and Sgt. Weber are on the roof.”
Kaname reached out and tugged on Haruka’s pants as she walked by. “Su only mentioned Sousuke. She didn’t say anything about the other Arm Slaves.” She didn’t have to say that she was worried about Melissa.
“I’ll keep an eye out for them on the way up. Let’s cross our fingers and hope for the best.” Haruka followed Naru outside. The slight delay proved to be costly, both literally and figuratively.
Like a pair of young and sprightly bird dogs, Su and Sara had flushed a pair of frightened enemy soldiers out of hiding. One ran back into the maze of hedges. The other ran in the direction of the unoccupied back wing of the Inn.
“The game is afoot!” Su exclaimed, mowing down row after row of hedges with the mega positronic cannon. It almost looked like something out of a cartoon: bushes and fragments thereof shot straight up, dozens of feet above the ground. Leaves flew in every which way during their descent. Rapidly moving exclamations of “ouch and ooch and eech preceded the skyrocketing of successive shrubs.
“Time to kick some ass!” Sara growled, firing as she brought her gun around wildly. The only person who was not in danger was the fleeing soldier. Naru and Haruka had to jump to the ground as the stream of glowing projectiles passed over them. The hits on the buildings started high and moved lower and lower. The initial explosions sent Kurz and Kitsune running for cover. As a large part of the roof they were standing on broke loose, they rode it as it slid downward. At the last moment, Kurz jumped and grabbed an intact overhang with one hand and Kitsune with the other. The roofing shattered on the ground, three stories below, bouncing wood fragments off of an unsuspecting Mr. Chupi.
The other explosions took out banks of previously untouched windows and wall panels. Just as Sara managed to direct a few shots at the heels of the disappearing enemy, she ran out of ammunition. She saw the look on Haruka’s face. She ran. “Daaaddddddyyy….”
Naru chased after the two younger girls.
“Kids these days.” Haruka lit up a cigarette. She dreaded making a call to the insurance company. She shook her head. What could be worse than this? Her cell phone rang. She checked the caller ID. “Shit!” It was Grandma Hina.
Haruka tossed the cell phone away and headed after the others.
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Sousuke was terribly disoriented. The only reason he was conscious at all was because the AI had subjected him to a serious of electric shocks.
His head was spinning. He was nauseous, and had vomited over the control panel and parts of his support harness. His thoughts came rushing in, then receded, just like waves on a beach. He thought about Afghanistan. He pictured his parents. He remembered Russian soldiers, gunshots, death. His thoughts gradually became more current. He saw Kaname’s face.
INJECTING MENTAL STIMULANT
He grabbed his arm. There was a faint tingling in the rest of his body. His thoughts began to clear. There is wok to be done. There were people he had not been able to protect when he was young. There was at least one person he must protect now. There was also someone he needed to kill.
“Locate the enemy Arm Slave, sweetheart.”
ENEMY MACHINE LOCATED, 300 YARDS TO THE NORTH, SPEED 48 K/HR.
“Thank you, sweetheart. Run a systems check.”
WORKING. AMBI-PLASMIC GENERATOR FULLY OPERATION. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE IN THE CURRY RESERVOIR. WE ARE LOSING CURRY SLOWLY, CURRENTLY AT 82% OF TOTAL CAPACITY. ONE LEG IS ELECTRONICALLY DEAD. WE CAN MOVE ON THREE LEGS AFTER REORIENTING THE PILOT MODULE. THAT WILL PRECLUDE USE OF HAND-HELD WEAPONS.
There was a pause, as different panel lights went out and others lit up. Sousuke sat back and rubbed at sore spots where his harness had dug into his shoulders.
WORKING. ALL FIRES ARE OUT AND THE HULL IS SUFFICIENTLY COOL. MISSILE SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL. MEGA POSITRONIC CANNON COMPLETELY VENTED. INDUCTANCE TEST REVEALS WEAK AREA IN CONTAINMENT APPARATUS.
The AI continued to list other less significant findings. Despite the stimulant, Sousuke found his eyelids drooping. He had to fight to remain awake.
MAXIMUM STIMULANT LOAD ALREADY INJECTED. WORKING. SEARCHING DATA BANKS FOR OTHER METHODS OF MENTAL STIMULATION.
The view screen turned on. Music started playing. Sousuke did not recognize the song, but he would have recognized the type of music if he spent time in strip clubs.
DATA VALIDATED AND CROSS-CHECKED. THIS MATERIAL IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS A STIMULANT TO THE MALE SYSTEM
A life size magnification of a centerfold model was projected on the view screen. The woman wore next to nothing. Her most obvious attributes were mind-boggling. Sousuke began to sweat.
“That is not what is needed.” Sousuke said quickly.
DISSATISFACTION NOTED. PREFERENCES WILL BE STORED FOR FUTURE NEED. CYCLING TO NEXT SELECTION
A different woman filled the view screen, equally exposed but more sleek in overall contour.
“Let me rephrase. That kind of thing is not appropriate now.” His sweating grew more profuse.
RECHECKING PRIOR DATA. TESTOSTERONE LEVELS APPEAR NORMAL. INITIATING PSYCHO-SEXUAL TESTING. PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS COMPLETELY AND TRUTHFULLY
“Sweetheart, do you remember the inkblot?” Sousuke could not believe that he was faced with this situation as Ahriman grew closer and closer.
There was no reply. Sousuke sighed and mopped his forehead.
“Sweetheart, prepare all missiles for firing. When the enemy enters range, fire salvos similar to before, at your own discretion. Continually scan the enemy’s visible shielding. You have authorization to assume aiming responsibility for the cannon if week points are detected. Do me proud.”
UNDERSTOOD. I WILL DO MY BEST. FOR YOU.
Thank you, sweetheart.” Sousuke took a moment to consider tactical options. After that, he worked his way through strategic dos and don’ts. He could not put off the inevitable any longer. “Sweetheart, I am going to supply you with coordinates. Please locate a communication satellite at that point.” He typed a series of numbers and letters onto a keyboard. “Next, I will provide you with a code name and and access numerics. You will dial that number for me. You will then forget all numbers that I gave you. Is that understood?” He typed in more characters.
UNDERSTOOD. SATELLITE LOCATED. WORKING. ATTEMPTING CONNECTION. DIAL TONE ESTABLISHED. COMMUNICATION OPEN
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Sousuke said, meant for the AI.
“Oh! And it’s nice to hear from you too, dear.” Tessa chuckled. “This is all so sudden, not that I mind….” Obviously, the link had been established.
“Uh…I was…”
“I trust this is something important, Sousuke. I just stepped out of the shower. I’m naked and dripping wet…” There was an air of deviltry in Tessa’s voice.
“Uh…yes…I…”
SOUSUKE! WHO IS THAT WOMAN. IS SHE YOUR GIRLFRIEND?
Uh oh. Sousuke began to sweat again. “Uh…Captain Testarossa…she…”
“Sergeant Sagara, are you there with a woman?” Tessa’s voice had a hint of steel in it.
“Uh…no…I…”
NO? NO!!!
“Uh…I mean ‘yes’…”
“YES?” Tessa’s voice went up a couple of octaves.
Sousuke sat still, his nerves shot. He looked at the view screen. Ahriman was in sight now. The moment of truth had arrived. “Sweetheart…Tessa…” He knew that choice of words would cause trouble, but time was of the essence.
“I do not have time to play right now. I will speak without interruptions. The enemy Arm Slave has technologies that would make it near indestructible if fully developed. Faulty as it is, the power system is near break down. Supply sufficient stress, and it should fail, opening the craft to destruction by conventional means. I am the last A.S. pilot. I must request an all out cruise missile strike at these coordinates, with absolutely no delay. If I am victorious, I will send a signal for missile self-destruct.”
Sousuke thought for a brief moment. “Gauron has destroyed his undergound base. That no doubt wiped out his mainframe computer records along with any knowledgable scientists and technicians. It is likely that he has a data disc with him. Hopefully, destroying him will end the threat. The enemy approaches. I must engage. Sagara out.”
“Understood, Sergeant. Good luck. Testarossa out.” Tessa had sounded concerned.
Ahriman fired a barrage of missiles, a cluster of five traveling together like some artistic hand of doom. The MT4 automatically fired its peripheral rockets in one last burst, rolling to the side as the booster fuel ran out. The missiles hit the spot where the headless A.S. had been standing, sending fragments of rock and soil flying.
“Kashim you are so nimble, so annoying. Just like a little dog. I had a little dog as a child. I took him fishing with me. He helped me catch a shark. “ Gauron laughed, spittle at his lips. “He yelped when I put him on the hook. What will you do, Kashim, now that I have a hook ready for you?”
LAUNCHING MISSILES. PROBING FOR DEFENSIVE WEAKNESSES. THAT IS A BAD BAD MAN
Missiles screamed and darted, swarming towards the gigantic Arm Slave. Sousuke swung up the Mega positronic cannon, firing shots in rapid succession. schumpp schumppschumpp schumppp schumppp schumpp schumpp schumpp shumppp schumppp schumppp schumppp schumpp shumpp schumpp schumpp schummmp kashunk. 83... 82... 81... 80... 79...78... 77... 76... 75... 74... 73... 72... 71... 70... 69... 68... 67...ERROR.
Ahriman was momentarily hidden from view by a covering of flashing lights. Bits of metal flew out of that sparkling cloud. A huge detached portion of hull plating rolled into view. The missiles disappeared into that cloud, just as the lights were fading away. The huge machine was thrown back on its back, its nimbus of light flashing on and off like a conversing firefly. Smoke boiled out of the side of the Arm Slave, accented by flashes of errant electricity.
DANGER. PROJECTILE IMPACTION OCCURRED. LODGED ROUND WILL DETONATE IN FIVE SECONDS…FOUR…THREE….
Thinking quickly, Sousuke threw his cannon at Ahriman. A large explosion---67 rounds worth---knocked the behemoth up onto its side.
“Fire everything you have left, sweetheart!!!”
FIRING. DIE, PIG!!!
The last of the MT4s missiles jumped out, ignited, and rushed on their way. This could finally be it. Sousuke thought.
Ahriman’s Lambda Driver shield stabilized, staying on continually. The missiles were rendered ineffective. Still on its side, the giant machine returned fire. Whhhhiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
“Shit!” Sousuke barely had time to swear. Whangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhang. The MT4 was thrown backward, hopping along on one leg, vainly trying to maintain balance. The back of the huge A.S. ran up against the Annex Building. Blue bolts of lightning reached out from the building, running up and down the length of the stricken machine. Someone or some THING was not too happy….
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! MAJOR SYSTEMS FAILURES. SHIFTING MAJORITY OF POWER TO LIFE SUPPORT. LEFT ARM INOPERABLE. RIGHT ARM STILL FUNCTIONING. IT HURTS. IT HURTS.
“Hang in there, sweetheart.” There was little Sousuke could do. He had the MT4 grasp its anti-armor dagger. He brought it up defiantly.
Still belching forth smoke and sending sprite-like sparks dancing across the ground, Ahriman picked itself off the ground, slowly extending into a standing position. The Gatling gun spun rapidly. Only two rounds were left, and they both missed. All projectile weapons had been spent.
“Kashim, what would I ever do without you? We will soon find out!” In its last remaining hand, Ahriman unsheathed a short multi-purpose blade. “That was the best fight I ever had. Thank you, Kashim. I will never forget you.” Gauron paused. “I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.” He laughed. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. I don’t need a weapon to kill you, Kashim.” He threw down the dagger. He set a course straight for the MT4. “How many steps do you have left, Kashim? One…two…three…” With each step of his Arm Slave, Gauron counted.
I FAILED YOU, SOUSUKE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
“We both failed, sweetheart. We both did our best. I am proud to have served with you.” There was a mechanical sound, akin to sobs. Remembering the MT4's claws. Sousuke let his dagger fall to the ground. It probably wouldn’t matter either way. That scalar field would bring his death. Kaname! he thought.
As Ahriman walked forward, the fifth rider of the Apocalypse, its nimbus began to flicker and attenuate. It went out altogether. The machine stopped for a moment while secondary power systems came on line. They allowed movement, but were insufficient to power the scalar shield or the Lambda Driver.
“Damn this useless piece of shit to Hell!!!” Gauron was understandably upset. He went to retrieve his dagger. “Looks like I’ll have to do things the old fashioned way. Kashim. That’s OK. Sometimes the old ways are the most satisfying.”
Sousuke was bolstered by a new surge of hope. If that damn generator was down for good! There was no way to be certain. It was time to add another element to the battle.
“Cheer up, sweetheart. We are back in business. Connect me to Mr. Sakata, immediately.” Don’t count your chickens yet, you bastard Sousuke thought for Gauron’s sake.
WORKING!!! CONTACT ESTABLISHED. PATCHING IT THROUGH.
“This is Kentaro Sakata here. Do I finally get some screen time? I have been waiting very patiently. You know, as one who passed his entrance exam to K-University on the first try…” he was interrupted by Sousuke.
“Enough, Mr. Sakata. There is no time. Have you been following the location of the enemy?”
“Yes, and I must say…” He was interrupted again.
“Good. The killing field is down. Commence Plan Mole-1 immediately. Sagara out.”
Ahriman was approaching at top speed. Manipulating a number of keypads, Sousuke used the MT4s remaining radar unit to measure parts of the enemy vehicle. Ahriman’s arm and legs were significantly longer than those of the MT4. Gauron had the advantage in reach. It might prove to be the deciding factor. Atropos, please….
“HEEERRREEE’SSS JOHHHNNNYYY!!!” Ahriman leapt, landing right in front of the MT4. Sousuke swept the deadly claws forward, but he was out of reach. Gauron drove the dagger in, just missing Sousuke. He drew it back out again, preparing for the final stab.
Too busy in their confrontation, neither Sousuke nor Gauron had seen the van speeding towards them, a young woman perched on top. They did not see the girl jump off. They did not see the man throw himself out of the driver’s side door at the last possible moment.
Seta’s van, filled to the max with explosives, exploded on contact with Ahriman’s near leg. The explosion caused the Arm Slave to stumble forward, one foot crashing into the Annex building.
Blue lightning surrounded Ahriman. The power of the Annex filled Gauron. “I LOVE YOU KASHIM!!!!!!”
Suddenly, time stood still. Ahriman floated upward gradually…moved back a few dozen meters…then slowly landed. The MT4 underwent a similar process. It appears that Mr. Akamatsu, through great effort, was able to reassert control of the story for a brief moment.
Time started up again. Ahriman raised the dagger. The earth at one foot fell in, and the Arm Slave sank until its hip lodged at the mouth of the growing crater. The spinning drill bit of Kentaro’s vehicle could be seen protruding out of the hole.
“SECRET TECHNIQUE, ULTIMATE SWORD ATTACK” Motoko put everything she had into that attack. Su, Sara, Naru, and Haruka stepped into the clearing just in time to see the final strike.
The MT4 dropped to the ground.
The unseen force of Motoko's blow sped outward. The impact with Ahriman was spectacular. As the holding chamber in the non-functional Ambiplasmic generator ruptured, and the captive positrons rushed to celebrate their freedom with the escaping antiprotons, the explosion rocked the dying Arm Slave, sending countless beams of bright light piercing through its hull moments before the final detonation. A smoking crater remained. Acres of land around it were littered with twisted and melted fragments of metal. Generally intact, the MT4 was thrown dozens of meters away.
“Kashim is dead. SHITHEAD!!!” Sousuke banged on the control console. He felt his last remaining strenth ebb out of him. He and the Arm Slave were in terrible shape, but they would survive.
SOUSUKE!!! SUCH LANGUAGE. WE WILL HAVE TO WORK ON THAT
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End of pt. 13
“Blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…” Sarah looked like a concert pianist, banging away at a panel of switches. The view screen showed small explosions taking place all over the yard. “Blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up….”
As Sara lived out her every fantasy, Su attacked an over-stacked platter with gusto. Hoagies. Turnovers. Soup. Noodle dishes. Batter-dipped fish. Ice cream. Japanese pizza.
“mmmphff, mmphffph. Mrrmrrmphf.” Gulp. “You are doing very well, Sara. We are almost out of toys. They will know not to mess with us again.”
In all actuality, their efforts were mainly a nuisance, a distraction. Some soldiers had been injured, but most were merely irritated and annoyed. That was of tactical value, as many tended to waste ammunition destroying the swarming toys. Focusing on the toys, they were not attacking more crucial targets. They were also easier prey for individuals whose priorities were more realistic.
“There’s my Daddy again!” Sara exclaimed, forgetting about her switches for a moment. Seta had flashed into view, gutted two soldiers with a combat knife, grabbed their weapons and fired, then passed out of camera view. On another screen, Haruka rolled under a GAZ-3937 and rolled out again. The limpet mine she planted tore the truck in half.
Sara got back to work. “Blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…blow up…OH BOY, I GOT ONE!!!” Three T-64 mines blew up at the same time, at just the right place. A front wheel was blown off of another GAZ-3937, causing it to come to a quick stop. The soldiers jumped out of the vehicle, starting to run for safety. Their efforts were thwarted by a continuous stream of 40mm grenades. “WOW!!!” Pieces of soldier spalttered the side of the truck. A small mecha walked into view: Mr. Chupi. “It’s that LOSER!!!” Sara watched as Mr. Chupi tore a large plate of metal off of the disabled vehicle, holding it up in front of him. A rocket-propelled grenade blew the plate out of its hands, but the mecha was unharmed. It rushed forward to take out the impudent soldier that had dared attack it. “He’s getting good. I hope he doesn’t stay that way.”
Su put down a half-eaten hoagie, lettuce hanging out of her mouth. “Mmphf, yes. That would not mmpphff be much fun.” She quickly downed a large cup of tea. “I hope that Sousuke lets me keep that Mr. Chupi. It would make a great wedding present. I could build more of those guys. We could play with them in the back yard. Maybe in the hallways.” A familiar face caught Su’s attention on one of the twelve screens. “Oh look, there is Motoko. She is all covered with blood. "She has been a naughty naughty girl!”
“There’s my Daddy, too.” Seta could be seen talking with Motoko. Soon they were joined by Haruka. Seta pointed towards the building. Motoko and Haruka nodded their heads. Soon, they all ran out of view.
“Blow up a few more, Sara. It is time to go upstairs. If we do not hurry, there may be no more soldiers left!” Su kicked a large cabinet, causing the drawer to slide open. A number of small mega positronic cannons sat inside. “Be very careful with this, Sara. It is not a toy. Let’s go play.” She was totally unaware of the incongruity of her statement.
“Oh boy. Let’s go kick some tail!!!” Sarah cradled the gun like she had been born to it. She turned her hat, bill to the back. “Lots and lots of tail.”
Su looked insulted. “Sara, you should NOT use that word!” She shook her finger at Sara.
“What?” Sara was puzzled.
“I believe the correct term is ass.” Su jumped up and did a backflip, stretching out some kinks.
“Oh!” Sara looked shocked for a moment. Then she wrinkled her brows and got a really devilish look on her face. “Let’t go kick a LOT of ass!”
“Children these days.” Su looked at Sara. Sara looked at Su. They both broke out in laughter, dropping to the floor and rolling about.
Finally ready to leave, Su turned off the lights. She turned them back on a few seconds later. “There is something I should check. I almost forgot.” She punched in the call numbers for a flight of Mr. Cherry RPVs. They located the Ultra Super Mecha Tama. Headless and tailess, it was standing near the old Annex Building. A large Arm Slave, with some familiar MolMol markings, was approaching the MT4 from the South. “THAT is really really terrible!”
“What? Soususuke’s in danger?” Sara looked concerned.
“Oh. Yes. That too. I cannot believe that someone used my Molmol painting patterns. They did not ask my permission first. They are very very VERY bad men.” Su turned out the lights, grabbed Sara’s hand, and started running. “We must go tell someone what we saw. I hope I will still have a husband-to-be.”
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Moments before Su and Sarah entered the living room area, Seta and Motoko left through the front door. Haruka was already out front, talking to the commanding officer of the local JSDF base, while a bunch of his frightened soldiers tried to ogle her without being too obvious. A number of city leaders and concerned citizens crouched down along the stairway to the Apartments.
From inside his Arm Slave, Keitaro thanked a few hardy monks who had just reloaded his grenade launcher for him. He set Mr. Chupi on a course for the left side yard. Kitsune waved down from the roof as she and Kurz walked the perimeter, seeing what kind of an obvious threat remained.
Inside, Mutsumi was doing her best Florence Nightingale, passing out watermelon and cold drinks. Kaname lay on one futon, her leg being cleaned and sutured by a paramedic. Naru was applying an antiseptic ointment to Shinobu’s notched ear, as the younger girl held tightly to her assault rifle, eyes sequentially checking each visible window and door. She was still standing, as it was too painful to sit down. She refused to drop her blood-soaked drawers in front of the male medical attendant. A woman doctor was on her way.
“Does anybody know where Sousuke is?” Kaname asked everyone in earshot. “I hope he’s OK.”
“I just know he will be” Shinobu said in a squeaky voice, trying to convince herself as much as well as Kaname. “The battle is almost over, and that means the rules should be changing back to our way. We always have happy endings. Sort of.”
“No, Shinobu.” Haruka had just walked in from outside. “You might as well consider what we went through to be a skirmish, the appetizer before the main course. The battle that Sousuke is fighting is the only one that matters. He wins, and we all win. He loses, and we all lose. I doubt we’ll see many changes in the rules until that fight is decided.”
“Yes,” Naru said. “If we hear from Seta that the enemy Arm Slave has won, then we’ll have to evacuate this building. We’ll need to get out of the city quickly.” Haruka nodded her head in agreement.
“Oh my!” Mutsumi exclaimed. “I’d better get more watermelon cut up for the ride, in case we have to leave.”
Haruka turned to Kaname. She purposefully tried to distract the worried girl. “Next time you see Melissa, you tell her she owes me a round of drinks. I won’t bore you with the details now, but the leader of the JSDF base is an old buddy and he owes me a favor. They won’t interfere, and they won’t snoop around. I told them we were holding mock war games and things got a little out of hand. He’s had opportunity to deal with Su and her creations before. In this story, we can get away with a lot.”
“Did somebody mention my name?” Su and Sara walked in, wearing camoflauge outfits and over-sized helmets. “I have something to report before we go outside and play.”
“What is it, Su?” Naru asked, hands on her hips. Go outside and play? That had a worrisome ring to it.
“Sousuke and the Ultra Super Mega Tama are fighting a very very bad Arm Slave near the old Annex building. He is NOT taking good care of my toy. He has lost the head and the tail already. It is only fair that I take the head and the tail off of some other turtle." She smiled. "Where is Tama?” She started leaping off of furniture and people when the Hot Springs turtle in question flew by, once again inciting a one person riot.
Haruka took out a cell phone. “They’re out by the old Annex building,” she mentioned to an as yet unidentified individual. Seta’s reply was faint but audible: “Roger that. Out.”
“Hey, that was my Daddy!!!” Sara said, making an unsuccessful grab for the phone. “Come on Su, let’s go. If we don’t hurry, everything will be finished before we get there. Nobody gets to play with my Daddy but me!” She and Su made a bee-line for the back door.
“We’d better stick close to them.” Haruka said to Naru. “Shinobu, keep a sharp look out. There could still be soldiers in hiding. Don’t trust any unfamiliar civilian. The enemy may not be beyond using simple guerilla tactics. Keitaro‘s just outside. Call him if you need back-up. Kitsune and Sgt. Weber are on the roof.”
Kaname reached out and tugged on Haruka’s pants as she walked by. “Su only mentioned Sousuke. She didn’t say anything about the other Arm Slaves.” She didn’t have to say that she was worried about Melissa.
“I’ll keep an eye out for them on the way up. Let’s cross our fingers and hope for the best.” Haruka followed Naru outside. The slight delay proved to be costly, both literally and figuratively.
Like a pair of young and sprightly bird dogs, Su and Sara had flushed a pair of frightened enemy soldiers out of hiding. One ran back into the maze of hedges. The other ran in the direction of the unoccupied back wing of the Inn.
“The game is afoot!” Su exclaimed, mowing down row after row of hedges with the mega positronic cannon. It almost looked like something out of a cartoon: bushes and fragments thereof shot straight up, dozens of feet above the ground. Leaves flew in every which way during their descent. Rapidly moving exclamations of “ouch and ooch and eech preceded the skyrocketing of successive shrubs.
“Time to kick some ass!” Sara growled, firing as she brought her gun around wildly. The only person who was not in danger was the fleeing soldier. Naru and Haruka had to jump to the ground as the stream of glowing projectiles passed over them. The hits on the buildings started high and moved lower and lower. The initial explosions sent Kurz and Kitsune running for cover. As a large part of the roof they were standing on broke loose, they rode it as it slid downward. At the last moment, Kurz jumped and grabbed an intact overhang with one hand and Kitsune with the other. The roofing shattered on the ground, three stories below, bouncing wood fragments off of an unsuspecting Mr. Chupi.
The other explosions took out banks of previously untouched windows and wall panels. Just as Sara managed to direct a few shots at the heels of the disappearing enemy, she ran out of ammunition. She saw the look on Haruka’s face. She ran. “Daaaddddddyyy….”
Naru chased after the two younger girls.
“Kids these days.” Haruka lit up a cigarette. She dreaded making a call to the insurance company. She shook her head. What could be worse than this? Her cell phone rang. She checked the caller ID. “Shit!” It was Grandma Hina.
Haruka tossed the cell phone away and headed after the others.
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Sousuke was terribly disoriented. The only reason he was conscious at all was because the AI had subjected him to a serious of electric shocks.
His head was spinning. He was nauseous, and had vomited over the control panel and parts of his support harness. His thoughts came rushing in, then receded, just like waves on a beach. He thought about Afghanistan. He pictured his parents. He remembered Russian soldiers, gunshots, death. His thoughts gradually became more current. He saw Kaname’s face.
INJECTING MENTAL STIMULANT
He grabbed his arm. There was a faint tingling in the rest of his body. His thoughts began to clear. There is wok to be done. There were people he had not been able to protect when he was young. There was at least one person he must protect now. There was also someone he needed to kill.
“Locate the enemy Arm Slave, sweetheart.”
ENEMY MACHINE LOCATED, 300 YARDS TO THE NORTH, SPEED 48 K/HR.
“Thank you, sweetheart. Run a systems check.”
WORKING. AMBI-PLASMIC GENERATOR FULLY OPERATION. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE IN THE CURRY RESERVOIR. WE ARE LOSING CURRY SLOWLY, CURRENTLY AT 82% OF TOTAL CAPACITY. ONE LEG IS ELECTRONICALLY DEAD. WE CAN MOVE ON THREE LEGS AFTER REORIENTING THE PILOT MODULE. THAT WILL PRECLUDE USE OF HAND-HELD WEAPONS.
There was a pause, as different panel lights went out and others lit up. Sousuke sat back and rubbed at sore spots where his harness had dug into his shoulders.
WORKING. ALL FIRES ARE OUT AND THE HULL IS SUFFICIENTLY COOL. MISSILE SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL. MEGA POSITRONIC CANNON COMPLETELY VENTED. INDUCTANCE TEST REVEALS WEAK AREA IN CONTAINMENT APPARATUS.
The AI continued to list other less significant findings. Despite the stimulant, Sousuke found his eyelids drooping. He had to fight to remain awake.
MAXIMUM STIMULANT LOAD ALREADY INJECTED. WORKING. SEARCHING DATA BANKS FOR OTHER METHODS OF MENTAL STIMULATION.
The view screen turned on. Music started playing. Sousuke did not recognize the song, but he would have recognized the type of music if he spent time in strip clubs.
DATA VALIDATED AND CROSS-CHECKED. THIS MATERIAL IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS A STIMULANT TO THE MALE SYSTEM
A life size magnification of a centerfold model was projected on the view screen. The woman wore next to nothing. Her most obvious attributes were mind-boggling. Sousuke began to sweat.
“That is not what is needed.” Sousuke said quickly.
DISSATISFACTION NOTED. PREFERENCES WILL BE STORED FOR FUTURE NEED. CYCLING TO NEXT SELECTION
A different woman filled the view screen, equally exposed but more sleek in overall contour.
“Let me rephrase. That kind of thing is not appropriate now.” His sweating grew more profuse.
RECHECKING PRIOR DATA. TESTOSTERONE LEVELS APPEAR NORMAL. INITIATING PSYCHO-SEXUAL TESTING. PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS COMPLETELY AND TRUTHFULLY
“Sweetheart, do you remember the inkblot?” Sousuke could not believe that he was faced with this situation as Ahriman grew closer and closer.
There was no reply. Sousuke sighed and mopped his forehead.
“Sweetheart, prepare all missiles for firing. When the enemy enters range, fire salvos similar to before, at your own discretion. Continually scan the enemy’s visible shielding. You have authorization to assume aiming responsibility for the cannon if week points are detected. Do me proud.”
UNDERSTOOD. I WILL DO MY BEST. FOR YOU.
Thank you, sweetheart.” Sousuke took a moment to consider tactical options. After that, he worked his way through strategic dos and don’ts. He could not put off the inevitable any longer. “Sweetheart, I am going to supply you with coordinates. Please locate a communication satellite at that point.” He typed a series of numbers and letters onto a keyboard. “Next, I will provide you with a code name and and access numerics. You will dial that number for me. You will then forget all numbers that I gave you. Is that understood?” He typed in more characters.
UNDERSTOOD. SATELLITE LOCATED. WORKING. ATTEMPTING CONNECTION. DIAL TONE ESTABLISHED. COMMUNICATION OPEN
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Sousuke said, meant for the AI.
“Oh! And it’s nice to hear from you too, dear.” Tessa chuckled. “This is all so sudden, not that I mind….” Obviously, the link had been established.
“Uh…I was…”
“I trust this is something important, Sousuke. I just stepped out of the shower. I’m naked and dripping wet…” There was an air of deviltry in Tessa’s voice.
“Uh…yes…I…”
SOUSUKE! WHO IS THAT WOMAN. IS SHE YOUR GIRLFRIEND?
Uh oh. Sousuke began to sweat again. “Uh…Captain Testarossa…she…”
“Sergeant Sagara, are you there with a woman?” Tessa’s voice had a hint of steel in it.
“Uh…no…I…”
NO? NO!!!
“Uh…I mean ‘yes’…”
“YES?” Tessa’s voice went up a couple of octaves.
Sousuke sat still, his nerves shot. He looked at the view screen. Ahriman was in sight now. The moment of truth had arrived. “Sweetheart…Tessa…” He knew that choice of words would cause trouble, but time was of the essence.
“I do not have time to play right now. I will speak without interruptions. The enemy Arm Slave has technologies that would make it near indestructible if fully developed. Faulty as it is, the power system is near break down. Supply sufficient stress, and it should fail, opening the craft to destruction by conventional means. I am the last A.S. pilot. I must request an all out cruise missile strike at these coordinates, with absolutely no delay. If I am victorious, I will send a signal for missile self-destruct.”
Sousuke thought for a brief moment. “Gauron has destroyed his undergound base. That no doubt wiped out his mainframe computer records along with any knowledgable scientists and technicians. It is likely that he has a data disc with him. Hopefully, destroying him will end the threat. The enemy approaches. I must engage. Sagara out.”
“Understood, Sergeant. Good luck. Testarossa out.” Tessa had sounded concerned.
Ahriman fired a barrage of missiles, a cluster of five traveling together like some artistic hand of doom. The MT4 automatically fired its peripheral rockets in one last burst, rolling to the side as the booster fuel ran out. The missiles hit the spot where the headless A.S. had been standing, sending fragments of rock and soil flying.
“Kashim you are so nimble, so annoying. Just like a little dog. I had a little dog as a child. I took him fishing with me. He helped me catch a shark. “ Gauron laughed, spittle at his lips. “He yelped when I put him on the hook. What will you do, Kashim, now that I have a hook ready for you?”
LAUNCHING MISSILES. PROBING FOR DEFENSIVE WEAKNESSES. THAT IS A BAD BAD MAN
Missiles screamed and darted, swarming towards the gigantic Arm Slave. Sousuke swung up the Mega positronic cannon, firing shots in rapid succession. schumpp schumppschumpp schumppp schumppp schumpp schumpp schumpp shumppp schumppp schumppp schumppp schumpp shumpp schumpp schumpp schummmp kashunk. 83... 82... 81... 80... 79...78... 77... 76... 75... 74... 73... 72... 71... 70... 69... 68... 67...ERROR.
Ahriman was momentarily hidden from view by a covering of flashing lights. Bits of metal flew out of that sparkling cloud. A huge detached portion of hull plating rolled into view. The missiles disappeared into that cloud, just as the lights were fading away. The huge machine was thrown back on its back, its nimbus of light flashing on and off like a conversing firefly. Smoke boiled out of the side of the Arm Slave, accented by flashes of errant electricity.
DANGER. PROJECTILE IMPACTION OCCURRED. LODGED ROUND WILL DETONATE IN FIVE SECONDS…FOUR…THREE….
Thinking quickly, Sousuke threw his cannon at Ahriman. A large explosion---67 rounds worth---knocked the behemoth up onto its side.
“Fire everything you have left, sweetheart!!!”
FIRING. DIE, PIG!!!
The last of the MT4s missiles jumped out, ignited, and rushed on their way. This could finally be it. Sousuke thought.
Ahriman’s Lambda Driver shield stabilized, staying on continually. The missiles were rendered ineffective. Still on its side, the giant machine returned fire. Whhhhiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
“Shit!” Sousuke barely had time to swear. Whangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhangwhang. The MT4 was thrown backward, hopping along on one leg, vainly trying to maintain balance. The back of the huge A.S. ran up against the Annex Building. Blue bolts of lightning reached out from the building, running up and down the length of the stricken machine. Someone or some THING was not too happy….
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! MAJOR SYSTEMS FAILURES. SHIFTING MAJORITY OF POWER TO LIFE SUPPORT. LEFT ARM INOPERABLE. RIGHT ARM STILL FUNCTIONING. IT HURTS. IT HURTS.
“Hang in there, sweetheart.” There was little Sousuke could do. He had the MT4 grasp its anti-armor dagger. He brought it up defiantly.
Still belching forth smoke and sending sprite-like sparks dancing across the ground, Ahriman picked itself off the ground, slowly extending into a standing position. The Gatling gun spun rapidly. Only two rounds were left, and they both missed. All projectile weapons had been spent.
“Kashim, what would I ever do without you? We will soon find out!” In its last remaining hand, Ahriman unsheathed a short multi-purpose blade. “That was the best fight I ever had. Thank you, Kashim. I will never forget you.” Gauron paused. “I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.” He laughed. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. I don’t need a weapon to kill you, Kashim.” He threw down the dagger. He set a course straight for the MT4. “How many steps do you have left, Kashim? One…two…three…” With each step of his Arm Slave, Gauron counted.
I FAILED YOU, SOUSUKE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
“We both failed, sweetheart. We both did our best. I am proud to have served with you.” There was a mechanical sound, akin to sobs. Remembering the MT4's claws. Sousuke let his dagger fall to the ground. It probably wouldn’t matter either way. That scalar field would bring his death. Kaname! he thought.
As Ahriman walked forward, the fifth rider of the Apocalypse, its nimbus began to flicker and attenuate. It went out altogether. The machine stopped for a moment while secondary power systems came on line. They allowed movement, but were insufficient to power the scalar shield or the Lambda Driver.
“Damn this useless piece of shit to Hell!!!” Gauron was understandably upset. He went to retrieve his dagger. “Looks like I’ll have to do things the old fashioned way. Kashim. That’s OK. Sometimes the old ways are the most satisfying.”
Sousuke was bolstered by a new surge of hope. If that damn generator was down for good! There was no way to be certain. It was time to add another element to the battle.
“Cheer up, sweetheart. We are back in business. Connect me to Mr. Sakata, immediately.” Don’t count your chickens yet, you bastard Sousuke thought for Gauron’s sake.
WORKING!!! CONTACT ESTABLISHED. PATCHING IT THROUGH.
“This is Kentaro Sakata here. Do I finally get some screen time? I have been waiting very patiently. You know, as one who passed his entrance exam to K-University on the first try…” he was interrupted by Sousuke.
“Enough, Mr. Sakata. There is no time. Have you been following the location of the enemy?”
“Yes, and I must say…” He was interrupted again.
“Good. The killing field is down. Commence Plan Mole-1 immediately. Sagara out.”
Ahriman was approaching at top speed. Manipulating a number of keypads, Sousuke used the MT4s remaining radar unit to measure parts of the enemy vehicle. Ahriman’s arm and legs were significantly longer than those of the MT4. Gauron had the advantage in reach. It might prove to be the deciding factor. Atropos, please….
“HEEERRREEE’SSS JOHHHNNNYYY!!!” Ahriman leapt, landing right in front of the MT4. Sousuke swept the deadly claws forward, but he was out of reach. Gauron drove the dagger in, just missing Sousuke. He drew it back out again, preparing for the final stab.
Too busy in their confrontation, neither Sousuke nor Gauron had seen the van speeding towards them, a young woman perched on top. They did not see the girl jump off. They did not see the man throw himself out of the driver’s side door at the last possible moment.
Seta’s van, filled to the max with explosives, exploded on contact with Ahriman’s near leg. The explosion caused the Arm Slave to stumble forward, one foot crashing into the Annex building.
Blue lightning surrounded Ahriman. The power of the Annex filled Gauron. “I LOVE YOU KASHIM!!!!!!”
Suddenly, time stood still. Ahriman floated upward gradually…moved back a few dozen meters…then slowly landed. The MT4 underwent a similar process. It appears that Mr. Akamatsu, through great effort, was able to reassert control of the story for a brief moment.
Time started up again. Ahriman raised the dagger. The earth at one foot fell in, and the Arm Slave sank until its hip lodged at the mouth of the growing crater. The spinning drill bit of Kentaro’s vehicle could be seen protruding out of the hole.
“SECRET TECHNIQUE, ULTIMATE SWORD ATTACK” Motoko put everything she had into that attack. Su, Sara, Naru, and Haruka stepped into the clearing just in time to see the final strike.
The MT4 dropped to the ground.
The unseen force of Motoko's blow sped outward. The impact with Ahriman was spectacular. As the holding chamber in the non-functional Ambiplasmic generator ruptured, and the captive positrons rushed to celebrate their freedom with the escaping antiprotons, the explosion rocked the dying Arm Slave, sending countless beams of bright light piercing through its hull moments before the final detonation. A smoking crater remained. Acres of land around it were littered with twisted and melted fragments of metal. Generally intact, the MT4 was thrown dozens of meters away.
“Kashim is dead. SHITHEAD!!!” Sousuke banged on the control console. He felt his last remaining strenth ebb out of him. He and the Arm Slave were in terrible shape, but they would survive.
SOUSUKE!!! SUCH LANGUAGE. WE WILL HAVE TO WORK ON THAT
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End of pt. 13