Domovoi Part 21

“Coyote, do you hear me?”

That was a rhetorical question – Stacker Pentecost knew there was no way Coyote Tango could hear his words.  She had no way of picking up audio, and though she had an uncanny ability to feel vibrations, the faint ripples his voice made in the air were too weak for her to sense.  It was like asking a whale if they could launch themselves into the air and take flight.

But Coyote sent back an affirmative pulse anyhow.  She “heard” him.  She was deaf to his voice, but she could sense the thoughts that formed the words milliseconds before they left his mouth.  Despite her blind/deaf state, she could understand him.

Stacker allowed himself a smile as he looked up at Coyote, the Mark I crouched over him like a child studying an insect.  Even hunkered down like this, she towered over him, and both of them knew that all it would take was a single careless movement on her part to destroy him.  But he feared no such thing – she was far too careful, and would rather tear out her own core than willingly harm her Ranger.

“Status report,” he requested.

Coyote tilted her Conn Pod to one side, making a quick tally before responding.  Fourteen attempted minor break-ins, mostly by vandals and Jaeger enthusiasts wanting a souvenir.  Two attempts at major break-ins by scrap-metal vendors.  One attempt by PPDC officials to remove chassis of Matador Fury for raw materials to build the Wall.

“How many of these attempts were successful?”

Her tone was smug as she responded.  Zero.  Scared off most.  Actively chased a few.

“You allowed yourself to be seen?  Do you realize how dangerous that could be?”

Her mental tone could best be described as a gleeful chuckle.  Who will believe them?

He had to concede that point.  “Well done, Coyote Tango.  You’ve done exemplary work here.”

There was so much else he wanted to say to her.  He wanted to tell her that he missed her, that he was so proud of the work she had done to preserve her kind, that Mako was shaping up to be a fine young woman and that she reminded him a great deal of Coyote.  His dignity and professionalism kept him from saying it aloud… but Coyote could read his heart, and though she didn’t embarrass him by acknowledging all those things he couldn’t say, she glowed with pleasure at being able to sense them.

“Coyote Tango… I’m going to be gone for a while.”

How long is a while?

“I don’t know.  Perhaps a year, perhaps longer.  I don’t know when I’ll return.”

Surprise, sadness… a soft whine of dismay.  Why?

“I’m needed in Hong Kong.  We are gathering our forces for one final attack… an attack that can close the Breach forever.  They need a leader… and since the leaders of the PPDC have elected to bury their heads in the sand, someone needs to step in and take up the banner in their stead.”

And that someone is you?

“There’s no one else fit for the job.  We’re gathering the last operable Jaegers and moving out.”

Let me come with you.

“No, Coyote.  I need you to stay here, where it’s safe for you.  You have a mission, remember?”

Let me come with you, she repeated, keening softly.  You need every Jaeger you can get.  I want to fight with you.  Please… don’t leave me here.

Pentecost stepped forward and gently laid a hand on her ankle.  His touch was infinitely light, barely more than a tickle, but a shudder moved through Coyote’s frame anyhow.

“I wish it were possible, Coyote… but the world is not ready for you.  The PPDC cannot know that you and your kind live yet.  They will have you destroyed if they found out.  No… we need time.  Once this war is over, perhaps… but until then you need to stay here.  Guard the bodies of the fallen, that they may return when the time is right… or that they may help the others return.”

Coyote keened again, but nodded, keeping a firm grip on her disappointment.  Are any of the others close to full sentience?

“I do not know… but I suspect Cherno Alpha will be the first to move under his own power.  His bond with his Rangers is stronger than any I’ve ever seen, and he’s among the oldest.  If any make that final leap to sentience, it will be him.”

She nodded.  Promise me, Stacker, that should Cherno become fully sentient before the strike on the Breach, you’ll let me come to the Shatterdome.

“I doubt that will happen… but I promise.”  He patted her ankle gently.  “I will miss you.  But I will return as soon as I can.”

And I will hold you to that.  Fight well, Stacker… Father.  I’ll be waiting for you.

He nodded in reply, and turned to go.  Coyote waited until the faint vibrations of his footfalls had faded, then moved deeper into the graveyard, seeking out her usual hiding place.  

Pentecost would never live to see his promise fulfilled… and all of Oblivion Bay shook with eerie, grief-stricken cries the moment Striker Eureka detonated his fatal payload at the bottom of the Pacific.  

***

Cherno Alpha, Crimson Typhoon, and Mustang Omega stood in a triangular formation in the knee-deep waters of the Hong Kong harbor, Mustang at the forefront and Crimson and Cherno flanking him on either side.  Rain poured down from an ominously starless sky, slicking their plating to a high gloss.  Blue-black water churned about their legs, waves slapping against their thighs as if trying to pull them under.  Behind them, Hong Kong glowed in a dazzling spread of light and color, seemingly oblivious to the oncoming threat; ahead, darkness brewed, interrupted only by a faint sapphire light as the second Leatherback approached the coast, murder on its reptilian brain.

Cherno shivered, both from sudden fear and a vain attempt to shake some excess water from his joints.  This night was far too similar to the night of the double event for his liking.  The storm, the city behind him, the oncoming clone of Leatherback… even the three Jaegers poised to stop the attack at all costs.  Knowing that Leatherback was alone was some small comfort, and he clung to that as best he could.

“Mustang, you’re to take out Leatherback as soon as possible,” Tendo ordered.  “Aim for the EMP organ right off if you can.  Crimson, Cherno, back the Rossis up as best you can.  And for God’s sake, don’t let that thing make landfall!”

Crimson’s response was a burst of information that would appear as English letters on the LOCCENT’s readout screen – COPY, TENDO CHOI.

COPY Cherno echoed.

“We really don’t need backup for this,” said Lance.  “We got this.  You can call Crimson and Cherno back if you think this is gonna be too much for them.”

Anger burned through Cherno’s anxiety, and his engines snarled in response.  Herc cut in before he could fire off a retort, though.

“You worry ‘bout your own damn Jaeger and let us worry ‘bout the others, Rossi,” he barked.  “Here he comes!  Watch ‘im close – don’t know what tricks this bugger’s gonna have up his sleeves.”

Cherno shook himself again, trying to clear his processor.  He spread his legs and arms in a wrestler’s stance, keeping his visual receptors locked on the submerged blue light that surged toward them.  Crimson raised both right hands, fingers hooked slightly, left hand at waist level with the palm flat.  Mustang just raised both fists like a boxer, shifting restlessly from foot to foot as it awaited the Kaiju’s approach.

Another voice sounded over the radio feed – Sasha’s.  “You can do this, Cherno Alpha.  You are strong.  And you are not alone.  We are with you all the way, even if we are not in your Conn Pod.”

He pulsed his gratitude back, though privately he feared that it wouldn’t be that easy.  Already fear was congealing in his internals, and he worried that he would freeze as soon as Leatherback surfaced, that the memories would be too much…

Crimson sent out another information burst, this one directed to pass through the LOCCENT and appear as a text readout in the Rossi’s cockpit.  BRACE YOUR LEGS, MUSTANG.  THE KAIJU WILL AIM TO KNOCK YOU OVER FIRST THING.  IF YOU FALL DOWN AT THE BEGINNING OF A FIGHT, IT’S OVER.  THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO KEEP ON YOUR FEET AS BEST YOU CAN.

“We got this,” Lexie replied.  “We aren’t complete newbies, you know.  We already got a kill under our belts.”

Crimson turned his Conn Pod to give Cherno a look.  Are these two for real?

Before Cherno could reply, Leatherback surfaced.  He breached like a whale, launching himself out of the water with a titanic roar, fists raised over his head to pummel whatever was unlucky enough to be closest to him.  Mustang backpedaled a few steps, and the Kaiju’s blow fell short of its goal, slamming into the water just in front of him and sending another wave crashing against the black Jaeger’s front.

“Ugly bastard,” Lance muttered.

“Since when was there ever a pretty Kaiju?” asked Lexie.

Leatherback pushed himself to his feet and squinted at the three Jaegers through the pouring rain.  He growled low in his throat as if confused – did the Kaiju hive mind somehow allow him to recognize Cherno and Crimson?  Did he somehow understand that his predecessor had aided in their near-destruction months ago, and did their appearance now puzzle him?

He’s confused, Cherno told Crimson.  If we are going to take him out, now is the time!

Crimson bobbed his Conn Pod in response and translated for Cherno.  MUSTANG, LEATHERBACK IS CONFUSED.  THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO STRIKE.

“Shut up, we’ve got this,” Lance snapped as Mustang raised his arms, twin blades sliding out from their hidden sheaths.  The titanium alloy gleamed wetly in the blue-tinged light, and Cherno couldn’t help a quick burst of envy.  If he requested it, could he be granted a weapon like that – something like those blades or Crimson’s saws or Gipsy’s chain sword?  

AIM FOR THE HEAD Crimson advised.  THAT BLUE SPOT AT THE TOP OF THE SKULL, NEAR THE BACK.  THAT’S THE EMP CENTER – IT HAS TO BE DESTROYED FIRST.  TRY TO STAY OUT OF HIS REACH – HE’S STRONG, BUT SLOW.  USE THAT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

“Shut up, Cyclops!” Lexie demanded.

I’VE FOUGHT THIS KAIJU BEFORE Crimson pointed out, the text readout unable to convey the mounting irritation Cherno could feel coming from him.  I KNOW A FEW TRICKS.

“Yeah,” Lexie replied snidely.  “Fought it and got owned by it.  Why don’t you stand aside and let a Jaeger that’s not obsolete handle this?”

Cherno squealed in angry shock.  Crimson just stared, appalled.

“Shut your damn mouth an’ just fight the thing, Rossi!” Herc ordered.  “The hell are you waitin’ for, Christmas?”

“For Crimson to shut up and let us handle this!” Lexie shot back.

JUST GIVING ADVICE Crimson protested.

“Less talk from all of you, more action!” Herc snapped.  “Take that bugger down!”

Leatherback seemed to shake off his confusion at that moment, and he lunged forward, aiming to grab Mustang.  Mustang swung an arm blade, the edge grazing the simian Kaiju’s shoulder, and he shied back.  A low growl rumbled in his throat as he made a few more half-hearted strikes, each time repelled by the swinging blades.  Privately Cherno wondered just what Leatherback was up to – this wasn’t normal behavior for a Kaiju.  Usually they simply charged mindlessly into a fight, heedless of their own injuries, preferring a full-on assault to any sort of self-preservation…

HE’S TESTING YOU Crimson warned.  TRYING TO GAUGE YOUR REACH AND YOUR ABILITIES.  THE LONGER YOU FIGHT HIM, THE SMARTER HE AND THOSE CONTROLLING HIM WILL BECOME.  EITHER KILL HIM OR TAKE OUT HIS EMP ORGAN NOW.

“Since when did YOU become Marshal?” Lance demanded.  

HE’S JUST TRYING TO HELP! Cherno protested.

“You know how you both can help?” Lexie sneered.  “You can both go to Oblivion Bay where you frickin’ belong!  Shut the hell up and let us fight!”

“Don’t you DARE talk to Cherno like that!” Alexis bellowed.

“Everyone just shut up!” Herc roared.  “Stop actin’ like brats an’ kill that Kaiju!”

Cherno raised his fists and stepped forward… but staggered back as a metallic arm struck him in the chest.  A sharp pain flooded his sensors, and his readouts flashed a warning – his hull had been breached, exposing wiring to the air and rain.  The damage wasn’t critical, but it left him reeling all the same.

“Rossi!”  Cherno had never heard Herc so angry before.

“Cherno!” Sasha shouted.  “Are you all right?”

I’m fine, he replied dazedly, though they both knew that was a lie.  It wasn’t the wound – it was little more than a cut – but the knowledge that another Jaeger had struck him in anger that left him numb with shock.  This was different than being attacked by Crimson or Coyote – this was a deliberate attack, and to know another Jaeger, another set of Rangers, had struck him with intent to hurt…

Crimson’s right arms clamped onto Mustang’s shoulders, yanking the black Jaeger back.  His text readout couldn’t shift to display emotion, but the hissing thrum of his engines conveyed his fury all the same.  

WHAT DID CHERNO DO TO YOU?

“This is our fight, scrapheap!” Lexie screeched.  “Get out of our way!”

THIS ISN’T ABOUT GLORY FOR YOU Crimson shot back, the hiss intensifying.  THIS IS TO PROTECT A CITY.  A NATION.  THE WORLD.  WHO STRIKES THE FATAL BLOW DOESN’T MATTER – ALL THAT MATTERS IS STOPPING LEATHERBACK FROM DESTROYING HONG KONG.  WE FIGHT TOGETHER, YOU ARROGANT CHILDREN.  DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

Mustang lunged, both fists striking Crimson in the chest.  The Mark IV reeled back, arms flailing, only for Mustang to strike again, sending Crimson toppling beneath the waves.  He barely had time to push himself to his hands and knees before the black Jaeger tackled him, arms wrapped around him and trying to drag him back down again.

“Rossi!”  Herc’s voice was blistering with rage.  “Goddammit, cut the neural handshake on the RC pod!  The Rossis have gone way too far!”

More angry and frantic chatter filled the connection with the LOCCENT, but Cherno was past hearing it by now.  He could only stare in horror as Crimson and Mustang grappled in the water, the former trying to throw his opponent off and the latter with arm blades still armed and threatening to take off limbs or pierce armor.  This was wrong, this was all wrong!  The Jaegers were supposed to protect humankind, not fight each other!

Slate-gray shifting against black caught his visual sensors, and he turned to see Leatherback stalking toward the city, giving the Jaegers a wide berth.  The Kaiju might not understand what was going on, but he wasn’t stupid – he was going to take full advantage of this situation.

At that, the horror and confusion drained out of Cherno, replaced by grim determination.  Crimson and Mustang were in no position to stop Leatherback… and he was the only thing standing between it and millions of innocent lives.  It was up to him to destroy the Kaiju before it made landfall.

With a thundering roar of his engines he charged, fists raised, spray wreathing him as he plunged through the waves.  Before Leatherback even had time to turn around he had struck, one fist smashing into the back of his head.  Bone cracked under his knuckles, and cyan-colored blood ran down the beast’s back as the blow crushed several tendrils of his EMP organ.  

The Kaiju screamed, twisting around to return the blow.  Metal buckled under his fist, and Cherno staggered back a few steps, but he was oblivious to the pain.  Again and again he struck, fists wrapped tightly around the “Roll of Nickels” cylinders, each blow snapping bones and tearing hide.  Leatherback got in a few blows of his own, leaving deep dents in Cherno’s armor, and once he managed to hook his fingers beneath a plate of armor on his torso and tear it off.  Wiring hissed and sparked in the rain, and his damage readout screamed a warning, but he ignored it.

Leatherback finally raised both hands at once, shoving Cherno back several steps.  Cherno tilted forward to regain his balance, foot spikes digging into the sea floor to anchor himself.  He knew full well what Leatherback was about to do – he hadn’t seen it himself, but Gipsy had related it in tones of dread.  The Kaiju wanted a few stolen moments to arm his EMP weapon… a weapon that would leave Crimson and a huge swath of Hong Kong defenseless.

No!  Cherno lunged forward, hoping beyond hope that he was fast enough for this.  One step… two… reach…

Leatherback squealed as massive fingers tangled in his EMP organ.  The crackling energy that had been building up in his skull jolted Cherno’s arm, but he didn’t relax his grip.

For Mama, he said coldly, and gave a brutal yank, ripping the organ out by the roots.

The Kaiju’s tortured scream echoed across the water and rolled across the city.  He stumbled backwards, shaking his head like a dog that had just been stung by a bee.  Bright blue ichor poured down his face and skull, making his horrific face even more of a nightmare to behold.

Cherno closed the gap between them and raised the dripping organ in his fist.  For Papa.  And he rammed it into Leatherback’s open, screeching mouth.  

The Kaiju gagged, residual energy from the organ sending painful shocks through his mouth and down his throat.  He doubled over and tried to cough up the obstruction.

Cherno grabbed Leatherback’s chin and pulled his head up, forcing him to look him in the Conn Pod.  For Crimson… for Striker… for Gipsy… for all my kind!  Dasvidaniya!

The final blow crackled with energy from Cherno’s Tesla coils, but it wasn’t the electricity that dealt the fatal blow.  Leatherback took the punch directly in the face, bones crunching to rubble, fragments of skull driving into his brain and cutting it to pieces.  His body thrashed, hands scrabbling at the Mark I’s armor, but he was already dying, the rain of blows Cherno continued to unleash on him doing little more than pulp his flesh and internal organs.

Finally Cherno pulled back, fists dripping with ichor, frame shuddering as he tried to rein in his anger and battle-lust.  His readouts blared with warnings – he was overheating, wiring had shorted out from exposure to the elements, and there was a low-level leak in his hydraulic system – but he was too on edge from the recent kill to pay much attention.

“Cherno!  Cherno Alpha, can you hear us?”

He shook again, then sent back a reply.  I HEAR YOU.

“You’ve taken damage,” Tendo replied.  “How do you feel?”

I AM…  He had to pause a moment and take stock of himself.  I AM WELL.  BETTER THAN I EXPECTED.  That wasn’t a lie – it had been far too long since he’d had a successful battle, and he had almost forgotten how sweet the taste of victory could be.  To finally take on a Kaiju again – and win – made his systems sing with ecstasy.  This was what he had been built for…

“Well done, Cherno,” Tendo told him, not bothering to mask the pride in his voice.  “Your performance was exemplary!  Come on home and we’ll get you repaired.”

WHAT ABOUT CRIMSON?  The horror returned, and he whirled to face the other two Jaegers.  In the heat of the battle he had forgotten about Crimson and Mustang entirely!

“We’re taking care of that… just get on back to the Shatterdome.  Technicians will be with you shortly.”

The LOCCENT’s method of “taking care of that” had evidently been drastic.  Crimson was back on his feet, sporting myriad scratches and an ugly rent in his chest armor.  He waded back toward the Shatterdome, the limp and darkened form of Mustang Omega draped over one shoulder.  The red Jaeger didn’t seem badly damaged, but he simmered with anger… and a hatred that made Cherno recoil instinctively.

I’m fine, Crimson lied.  So is Mustang.  They shut him down remotely.

Crimson…

I don’t want to talk about it right now.  Let’s just get home.  The Marshals will sort this out.  His engines snorted.  If they have any sense, they’ll have the Rossis tossed out on their backsides immediately.  By Lightcap, I’ve never seen such egomania in a Ranger before.

Despite the insanity of the entire situation – the cloned Kaiju, the Jaeger battle, everything – Cherno couldn’t help a mental chuckle as he hurried over to help Crimson carry the offline Mustang.

What’s so funny?

By Lightcap?  Where did you come up with that?

Well…  Embarrassment colored Crimson’s tone.  The humans have curse words based on their deities – they like to believe they were created by a higher power.  Since Lightcap created us, I thought it was appropriate.

I guess so… but I don’t think she’d be too happy that we’re thanking her for life by using her name as a swear word.

I suppose that’s true… but at the moment it’s the least of our worries.  Let’s get home… we both need repairs, and the humans have a mess to clean up.

***

To say that Coyote was upset at hearing that Mustang had attacked Cherno and Crimson – and that the Rossis would not be discharged from their duties despite that – was an understatement.  The gray Jaeger snarled, a low rumbling that every human present could feel in their bones, and clenched her fists, sending the technicians trying to repair her damaged foot scattering in panic.  Her anger flooded the room like radiation from a leaking reactor, and her words touched every mind in the hangar, making those unused to the Jaegers’ mindspeech recoil.

I will make them pay!

No!  Cherno reached up and clamped her shoulder, trying to pull her back.  We’re not supposed to hurt humans!

Never said anything about HURTING them, Coyote pointed out, though there was a nasty edge to her “voice” that made Aleksis wince.  Put a good scare in them, though.  Make them think twice about insulting or attacking a Jaeger.

“The Rossis are facing disciplinary action,” Tendo informed her – if he had been spooked or intimidated at all by her show of rage, he didn’t show it.  “But like it or not, we still need them.”

“Why?” demanded Raleigh with a scowl.  “They’ve already proved that they have zero respect for the Jaegers – their own or any others.  Hell, they just attacked two of them for no reason!”

Aleksis nodded, and chose that moment to make himself heard.  “Cherno or Crimson could have been killed.  And even if not… they let the Kaiju get past them.  Had it not been for Cherno, the city would have been destroyed.”

Cherno had been hovering at Coyote’s side, fretting over her display of temper, but at that he drew himself up with pride, crooning happily.  Aleksis kept his expression neutral but spared the Jaeger a wink.  Cherno had done well – he had not only conquered his fear, but he had single-handedly taken down a Category IV Kaiju.  Despite this current fiasco with Mustang’s Rangers, he wasn’t about to let anyone forget that, and he felt the older Jaeger deserved to bask a bit in his victory.

“I know that, Kaidonovsky,” Tendo replied.  “And we’re not about to forget that, either.  But Dr. Lightcap has convinced us to give the Rossis one last chance.  She’s hoping she can get through to them, and teach them to have the proper respect for the Jaegers.  It’s her hope that if she can educate them, they’ll treat Mustang like a team member and not just a weapon… and we may see some development from him.  Until then, they’ll be on strict probation, and Marshal Hansen is going to be keeping a close eye on them to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Hu whistled.  “Hate to see what kinda personality Mustang’ll get with those two…”

“Enough,” Tendo told him.  “Let us handle the Rossis.  All of you focus on getting your Jaegers battle-ready again.  That goes for Gipsy and Coyote too.  Because we don’t know when the next Kaiju will make landfall, and we need to be prepared for an attack at any time.”  He turned and walked off, reaching up to rub the bridge of his nose as he went.

Raleigh sighed.  “Poor guy… he’s got so much on his plate right now.  I almost feel bad for snapping at him.”

“I still do not agree with him,” Sasha snapped, walking up at that moment.  “They were only pests before.  Now they are dangerous.  They hurt Cherno and Crimson once – what is to stop them from doing it again?”

Gipsy keened softly at that moment, and Raleigh nodded in her direction before translating.

“Gipsy says that a lot of people here have gotten a second chance – herself, me, Mako, Cherno and his parents, even Coyote in a way.  If they get a reprieve, shouldn’t the Rossis?”  He made a face at that.  “Not that I agree with that sentiment…”

The blue Jaeger gave a huff of expelled air and made a poking motion at Raleigh.  She didn’t even come close to connecting, but he recoiled anyhow.

“Hey, I may be your Ranger, but I can still disagree with you!”

“Crimson says he doesn’t agree either,” Cheung put in, “but that we should probably drop it for now.  We’ve got more important things to worry about.  Like the Kaiju and the new Breach and that underwater base the Precursors have supposedly got.  He wants to know if we’re any closer to finding it.”

Aleksis shrugged, though privately he was grateful for the change in subject.  It was saying something when the Rossis could irritate and anger people without even being present.

Mako had been silent up until that point, but she spoke up at that.  “We have found nothing yet.  But Tendo thinks it might be close to the old Breach.”

“That would make sense,” Raleigh replied.  “We kind of blew up all the sensors there along with the old Breach.  It’s a big blind spot, so of course they’d set up camp there.”

“Tendo wants to be sure before we plan an attack,” Mako explained.  “It is hard, though, without our scientists to help us.”

Sasha frowned.  “I have not seen Dr. Geizler or Dr. Gottlieb in a long time.  Do they not work here anymore?”

Mako shook her head.  “Tendo sent them away.”

Aleksis frowned as well.  Dismissing their scientific team when they still had a war to fight?  That made no sense.  Unless the Shatterdome’s money woes were far worse than he realized…

“He did not terminate them,” Mako went on.  “He won’t tell me details, but he gave them a mission elsewhere.  But… he is worried.  He has not heard from them in a few days.”

“You don’t think something happened to them, do you?” asked Jin.  “I sure hope not.  I liked those guys.”

Cherno shifted and gave a soft keen of worry of his own.  Aleksis made his way toward the Mark I to give him a reassuring pat, though he couldn’t help but share his worry.  A continuation of the Kaiju War, Jaegers attacking other Jaegers, their most valuable scientists gone missing… how much more insanity could the Shatterdome take?

***

Tendo would have loved nothing more than to collapse in his chair upon coming back to his office… but someone else was occupying his seat.

“Well, don’t you look like hell, buddy.”

He halted in his tracks, squeezing his eyes shut a moment in the hopes that what he was seeing was just a trick of his tired, overworked mind.  It didn’t work – the man still sat there, leaning back in his chair with his ridiculously shiny shoes propped up on the desk.  In one hand he carried a flask of some expensive-looking liquor; the other lay atop the dog in his lap, kneading the loose skin on the back of his neck.  Bruno looked entirely content with the arrangement, obviously not caring whose lap he was occupying so long as they gave good scratches.

“How did you get in here?”

Hannibal laughed and tossed back a drink.  “Money talks, Tendo.  Few dollars here, the promise of a dose of Kaiju bone powder to a stupid guard there, and boom, I’m in.  You really gotta tighten security in this joint, pal.”  He scooped Bruno out of his lap and set him on the floor, then swung his legs down from the desktop.  “You look like you could use a drink.  I don’t normally share my good stuff, but you look like you need this more than I do.”

Tendo waved away the proffered flask.  “However you got in, get out.  This is a restricted area.”

Hannibal snorted.  “Don’t give me that crap.  Like it or not, you need my help.”

“I would think we’d be your biggest competition,” Tendo retorted.  “If we win the Kaiju War, there goes your business.”

“Nah.”  Hannibal shook his head.  “I ain’t worried.  You guys didn’t get the job done right the first time, so who’s to say you’ll get it done right this time?  Besides, IF you guys win – and that’s a really big IF there – I still got a few years before I run completely out of product.”  He tossed back another drink.  “Beyond that… I’m flexible.  I ran guns before getting into the Kaiju-bits business.  First rule of business is that you learn to adapt with the times, or go extinct.”

Tendo supposed Hannibal was trying to make some kind of point with that last sentence, but decided to let it slide.  “What’s in this for you?  Why are you helping us?”

“Well, it sure ain’t out of the goodness of my heart.  Let’s just say we have a common enemy.”  He scowled.  “That little sabotage of your new Jaeger made the news… and I’m pretty damn sure that the people behind THAT are also the people behind my last shipment of goods getting firebombed before it could make it out of the city.”

“The Cultists.”  That made sense – given that Hannibal Chau made his living and more from the very creatures the cult worshiped, of course they would have no love to spare for him.  “We have our own agents inside the cult, providing us with information.  With any luck, we can prevent them from attacking the Shatterdome again.”

“I figured as much,” Hannibal noted, a note of disgust in his voice.  “And how you lucked out with that I dunno – been trying to get a plant in there for years and they always root ‘em out.  So… deal, then.  I help you, you help me by passing on whatever dirt on the cult your agents dig up.  Sooner we can get them off our backs, the better.”

“How do you propose to help us?  We’re not asking for another loan.”

Hannibal cackled.  “What, suddenly you don’t want my money?  Didn’t stop you before, and besides, you guys need it.  But no, that’s not what I was talking about.”  He pulled a sheaf of paper from inside his suit jacket and slapped it down on top of the desk.

Tendo pulled the paper closer… then pushed it away with a sigh.  “It’s a tabloid.  That’s very little help to us unless you’re trying to keep us updated on the anti-Jaeger gossip.”

“C’mon, Tendo, I know you’re smarter than that.”  Hannibal reached out and flipped the newspaper open, then jabbed a finger against one article in particular.  “That one.”

Against his better judgment, he leaned in to scan the headline – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HIGH PRIEST OF JAEGER CULT ON PACIFIC ISLAND.

“Kinda funny, ain’t it?” Hannibal noted with a grin.  “It’s not just the Kaiju who get their own set of fanatics.  Maybe you guys should recruit your new Rangers from there, eh?”

“If you came here just to make fun of us…”

“The picture, Tendo!” the Kaiju-czar insisted, giving him a disgusted look.  “Look at the picture!  Goddammit, I swear this job has made you dumber…”

“You do realize most of the pictures in these papers are Photoshopped,” Tendo pointed out, though he peered at the photo anyhow.  Contrary to what he’d just said, this picture didn’t look digitally manipulated at all.  It showed what appeared to be a serene, picturesque island village... with a huge metallic shape looming over the thatch-and-bark buildings like a crashed alien ship.  The thing was so draped in flowers, seashells, and palm fronds that the dun-colored alloy was only visible in patches, but the general shape – rounded off at the aft, harshly angular at the fore – made his heart nearly stop.

“That’s a Jaeger Conn Pod,” he realized.  “It’s…”  It was impossible, wasn’t it?  This Jaeger had been utterly destroyed!  Yet Gipsy had been assumed lost and had come back… had this Jaeger pulled off a similar miracle?

“Don’t look at the Conn Pod,” Hannibal suggested.  “Look at the white guy.  The one off to the right of the picture.”

If seeing Striker Eureka’s Conn Pod was enough to nearly stop his heart, seeing the man Hannibal referred to nearly finished the job.  Despite the deep tan and the angry red scars marking the young man’s chest and abdomen, there was no mistaking that expression – angry and sullen, but at the same time cocky and self-sure.  An expression that matched his father’s, no matter what the elder would say, and a set to the shoulders that suggested a Ranger…

“Holy shit… its Chuck Hansen.”  How was this even possible…

Hannibal smirked.  “I’d suggest you get a boat or a plane out there, before the news crews beat you there.  An’ keep me posted, all right?  This looks like it could be real interesting.”