Post by Nyarlath on Apr 3, 2011 8:53:20 GMT -5
January 8th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"... and it looks like... Yes... Brian Thorn has defeated the dragon Mebbles! It is unfortunate these two heroes had to battle, but Brian Thorn is the victor and the Beacon is safely in his possession..."
February 19th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"...not Fred, it's Fearzilla! He's attacking Thorn from behind! This can't be happening, not to Tokyo's greatest hero. OH MY GOD! Fearzilla just ripped off the head of Brian Thorn's mech! Oh god, the humanity..."
February 26th, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
"I don't want to hear your excuses, Kagan," sneered General Grant as he watched the battle monitor.
"But the mech isn't nearly operational-"
"I said I didn't want to hear it!" The General waved Dr. Kagan off with his hand, indicating the conversation was over. Dr. Kagan backed off, but Emily Ward stepped up.
"None of the systems are working properly, hardly any of the damage was repaired, and the pilot is in no condition to fly." She felt a slight pang in her gut, though nothing had happened to her. As she tried to understand it she realized it had to do with what she'd said about the pilot, about Thorn. He hadn't been the same since his battle with Fearzilla and, truthfully, was in no condition to pilot a mech. Still, it bothered her to say it out loud.
General Grant wanted to strangle them. He was a man of action, and these two scientists were berating him for it. Instead he took a breath and closed his eyes. "I understand what you're saying, but understand my position. We don't have another option."
Kagan and Emily looked at each other with long faces. They knew he was right, that nobody else could fly the mech half as well as Thorn could, even on a bad day. They also knew Thorn was in tremendous danger.
"... the mech is beyond damaged and seems to be malfunctioning, Hunter Catfish is beating the hell out of it even more. What's this? Thank god! The armed forces of Tokyo showed up, driving Catfish away..."
March 5th, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
Emily Ward watched on as Brian Thorn sat, nearly motionless, in front of the recovered head of the mech. The casing, armor, and other external plating was mostly intact, with some impact and water damage, but none of the systems would ever work again. It was a futile attempt to save it, but they needed to try.
Once everyone else gave up on it was when things started getting weird. Thorn sat in front of it, staring at it, all the time. With some device in his ear it looked as though he was trying to talk. Everyone just thought he was crazy, he was gone. Even now Sophia Pryor was trying to get through to him, but failing. Finally she turned and left, holding back her tears until she caught Emily's gaze.
"I can't get through to him," she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I just..." She walked off, leaving the two of them.
Slowly walking forward Emily wondered if she could hear Thorn speaking. It seemed as though his mouth was moving, but he was quite silent. She tried reading his lips, but his movements were too subtle. "Brian? Can we talk?"
When he didn't respond she just sat down next to him. "Thorn, I get that you're upset, but I don't quite understand it. I know Fearzilla has some sort of powers, but you've always come back basically sane. So he beat you, so he damaged the mech. You're alive and it can be repaired."
"No." The word struck her, not because of context but because he spoke at all. He hadn't talked to anybody but this head shaped hunk of metal for so long. "She's dead, Emily. A part of me is gone. Fearzilla has won."
Emily assumed he was too attached to the mech, that he'd flown it for so long he gave it a gender and let himself become one with it. That's not uncommon for pilots to do, but if the worse happens they're usually able to get over it. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Something was wrong with him and a strong part of her wanted to be there for him. She didn't understand it, but he didn't resist.
As she held him, Emily looked across the way to the still damaged mech. Another pilot was suiting up to take Thorn's place. Since Fearzilla got his hands on the Beacon there had been more emergencies that needed Thorn's attention, but since being trounced by Hunter Catfish he never showed up. Others stepped up to try to take his place.
"... SMF Pterodactyl is flying circles around our cities great hero. The mech is still damaged, I can't believe that Brian Thorn is being bested by this latest enemy..."
March 11th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"... massive earthquakes rocking the city, the entire country..."
"... people are evacuating as a massive tsunami was seen rushing towards the northern part of Japan..."
"... Dr. Red? Fearzilla? Take your pick..."
"... pure chaos..."
March 12th, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
"Those monsters!" Mrs. Pryor shouted. Technically she was right, but apparently she believed even monsters should show some level of humanity. "After the quakes and tsunami they're still attacking?"
"Of course," General Grant said with a nod. "Tokyo was only partially hit by the Tsunami, so they want to do more damage. Especially considering all of the rail ways and airports are closed or barely operational. The city is filled to the brim with terrified people. Perfect time for monsters to attack."
"Some of the other, more heroic monsters are trying to help," Emily added, "but it's still doing damage to the city. I'm surprised the local military hasn't declared martial law."
Frustrated, General Grant pounded a fist into the side of the monitor. "Either way we need to be there to help. It looks like Gulpzilla is close by, we need to send the mech out to try to stop him."
"Should I try and remind you," Emily spoke halfheartedly, sure she was wasting time, "that our pilots are all battle weary and the mech continues to suffer major damage."
Grant frowned. "I know."
"Which means," she added, "that you could likely be sending one of them to their death."
"You don't think I know that?" Grant nearly shouted, but there was something to his voice that neither Sophia nor Emily had ever heard before. Pain. The General was struggling through this disaster as much as anyone else. "I know exactly what I ask my men to do, and they'll do it gladly because that's their job. Maybe that machine will make it's final flight, maybe one of my pilots will, but it's still the best shot we have and that's why I have to send them out."
He received no argument. It was clear that he hated his job more than anyone right now. General Grant straightened his uniform and regained his composure. "Just keep the medics and the repair team on stand by."
A few minutes later Emily Ward was by Brian Thorn's side again. He looked ragged, like he hadn't eaten or slept or groomed for some time. Still he sat in front of the disembodied mechanical head of the mech he once used to pilot, softly whispering for her to return to him.
Emily told Thorn of the problems facing Tokyo, as she'd done yesterday and the day before that and so on. Every day she came and sat next to him, offering him food, water, and friendship. She hoped to get through to him, but it was slow going. Sometimes he'd eat or drink, sometimes he'd answer a question or make a remark. The tsunami caught his attention for a few seconds, but deep in their bunker it didn't really affect them.
Thorn just sat there and stared, as always, and Emily sat next to him. Sometimes she'd just sit, other times she'd hold him since it worked for her once. She even considered combing his hair or shaving him, but out in the open that seemed a bit embarrassing. But every time she would talk to him, tell him what was going on in the world around him. She even told him that Dr. Kagan had left the program almost a week ago, but she got no response. Then, when she had nothing more to say, she'd kiss him on the cheek or forehead and went about the rest of her day.
Often times Emily wondered why she suddenly felt so close to him, but she had no answer. Maybe it was in seeing his human side, maybe it was something else. All that time that he'd chased her she thought she hated him, but maybe part of her enjoyed it. She'd spent so much time in her studies and schooling and her work that she hardly let herself breathe. He would have been a distraction, and she couldn't have that. Oh how many times she'd said that to herself. But Thorn didn't stop trying to charm her, didn't turn away from her, even when he knew it was futile. And, surprisingly, he was very patient.
Then he started spending time with Mrs. Pryor, then came all of the time he spent with the mech. Something changed him, or changed in him, and she finally saw the incredible spark of life that flared within him, driving him to greatness. Even without his typical interactions she felt in awe of him. She fell for him, because he was not what everyone said he was, he was more. Until Fearzilla ripped his head off.
"... just a travesty, folks. Gulpzilla is flat out destroying our hero, who seems too badly damaged to even get an attack in. Between the quakes and tsunami's and these monsters I'm not sure anyone can save Tokyo..."
March 19th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"... Super Slosh and sweetness are laying waste to the mech, I doubt it will be operational after getting destroyed so thoroughly..."
Everyone was crowded around as the retrieval team hauled the mech in. Once it touched down techs and medics were on top of it trying to pry the cockpit open. A pilot could last so long inside the mech, but with the extensive damage it had received nobody was sure how long this pilot could last.
With laser torches they cut a hole through the hull to check on the pilot, who was in bad condition but was alive. With metal claws they were able to open the hatch and the medics were able to get him to safety. His condition was critical, but they managed to stabilize him. He'd survive.
Thorn turned from the hunk of metal in front of him and watched the commotion, remembering a time when he'd had to be pulled from the inside of the very same machine. He'd been in critical condition as well, and that's when he'd first met Jane. Even though she first introduced herself as a mental clone of Thorn, she eventually revealed what she really was. Artificial Intelligence that had connected itself to him in case of emergency. It saved him, he'd survive.
However now, as once before, Thorn saw something that would not survive. This mech, this machine, it would not make it. The systems were too far gone and the frame had taken massive damage. Even though repair crews started trying to fix it he knew it was done for, that was the last flight. He looked back at the mech's former head and remembered the last time he knew something had died: Jane. She took a part of him with her.
"So what's the prognosis, doc?" General Grant looked up as Emily Ward took charge of the repairs. His tone wasn't hopeful, but the look she gave him made him frown deeper.
"Propulsion is the only thing for sure that is still online," Emily said as she worked, "and a few of the other systems might be salvageable, but weapons and targeting are gone. So is pilot life support..."
"Maybe it's for the best," Grant muttered. Emily couldn't believe she'd heard him say that, and when she asked for a reason he gave one. "Have you seen my pilots, dear girl? Burnt out, every single one of them. Having to fly a busted machine that none of them were experts at flying to begin with has been taking it's toll. Not to mention the constant beat downs."
"Yeah," Emily added, "I miss Thorn too."
"I wish it hadn't taken me this long to see just how valuable he was to this team." When Emily looked down at him General Grant's head was hung low. Without looking back at her he turned and walked towards his office. Emily knew exactly how he felt, so she kept working. She needed the distraction.
Thorn stared at the mechanical head and kept trying to speak to it, but as always it remained silent. Suddenly he felt a surge and saw a flash in his mind. It was of Emily, beautiful and smiling. Then another flash, another picture, this one of the mech, burned out and destroyed. Another flash, a fiery explosion! Thorn's body wracked as his mind was not his own, and then another image appeared in his minds eye. It was a stoplight on red, and immediately changed to green.
Brian Thorn had never run so fast in his life, as he made his way towards her. He tried to yell, to warn her, but his throat made no noise. Gutteral shouts were all he could muster as his legs pumped like pistons to get to the mech. The many wires and catwalks that made access to the mech easier were what helped him reach her in time. Everyone was surprised to see him moving at all, let alone blazing to the mech. General Grant even started to run.
Emily looked up and was about to smile when Thorn grabbed her violently, lifted her out of the cockpit like she weighed nothing, and tossed her down to the crowd below. He could do this because the mech was on it's back, not standing upright. They caught her as he entered the cockpit and buckled up.
The mech started to move, to convulse, as Thorn tried to operate it. Somehow parts of it were moving, and it sat itself up. General Grant seemed to realize what was happening as Thorn struggled to get the mech to its feet. "Open the hangar doors!" They slid open just in time as the mech burst upwards into the sky.
"What the hell is going on?" Sophia asked, trying to get some answers.
"He's lost it," one of the pilots answered. Everyone looked up to see what direction he would fly in, but he kept going straight, until there was suddenly a thunderous explosion.
Emily cried out "no!" General Grant took hold of her as he ordered the hangar doors closed to protect against debris. Sophia felt weak and fell to her knees. Her breathing was erratic as a medic came to check on her. Emily hid her tears and her cries in General Grants arms.
After a few minutes it seemed that the last of the debris had fallen. A crew would be sent to the top of the hangar doors to clear them off, and other crews were sent out to find Thorn. The search didn't last long, as he was standing at the entrance door when they opened it. Immediately he walked inside and up to the metal head as if nothing had happened. He placed his hand on it's cheek and smiled.
Everyone was relieved that he'd survived the explosion, the eject sequence must not have been as damaged as they'd thought. Emily wanted to run up to him and into his arms, to embrace him and kiss him and tell him never to leave. But his attention was on the metal head again, just like that, and that seemed to sting her a bit. Even so her newfound feelings overpowered her, and she had to get closer to him.
***
<Jane? Is that you?> Thorn asked knowing it had to be her, somewhere in the misty dream world inside his mind. He knew because he remembered every dream that had entertained him while he slept, and this wasn't one of them. He kept searching, but found nothing. Where was she? <Jane?>
<I'm here.> Thorn turned to see the figure of a beautiful woman, her back turned so he couldn't see her face. Her long brown hair fell gently down to her mid back, and the lovely white dress seemed other worldly as it appeared to be one with the mist, while at the same time fabric wrapping her slender frame.
Thorn slowly moved up to her. <I've missed you dearly.>
<And I've missed you.>
<But you're back now.> Thorn placed his hands on her shoulders. He wanted to spin her around, to finally see her, but something in him didn't dare.
<Please don't get your hopes up.> Jane took a step away, Thorn's hands dropped to his side.
<I'm not sure I understand.>
<You have to let me go, Brian.>
<Why?>
<Because I'm killing you. I don't mean to, and if I could shut down to save you I would, but it's not up to me.>
<No, I'm fine.>
<Fine?> Though he couldn't see Jane's face Thorn imagined her face would look as upset as her voice sounded. <Brian, you sat in front of a lifeless metal head for weeks.>
<I was upset.>
<No, you just think you were. The truth is I was trying to build enough energy for this.> She paused, and when Thorn didn't asnwer Jane continued. <Your mind is strong, so strong that when I was looking for a pilot and you jumped in I couldn't resist linking with it. We started to communicate and work together to operate the machine, and we worked so well together.>
He put his hands back on her shoulders. <I agree.>
<You used me to be a better pilot, and I used you to keep learning. But when tragedy hit and I was nearly killed, all I could do was retreat. I could only retreat to the safest place I knew, somewhere strong enough to contain me. My only other link to survival was in your brain.>
<I'm glad to have saved you.>
<Unfortunately, Brian, you haven't. Despite having quite possibly the most powerful mind on this planet, you're still human. Your brain can't process me and take care of you. You think you were upset and that's why you mourned me for so long, but the reality is that my program was robbing you of your energy. It still is. So, you see, you have to let me go.>
<I don't want to.>
<You must.>
<I won't.>
<Then we both die.>
<Show me your face.> When she didn't turn he felt an urge to turn her again, but an even stronger compulsion stopped him. <You won't let me, will you?>
<No. The truth is I have no face, I am just a program. I took the voice and guise of a female to better connect with you. Even if you dreamed me a face it wouldn't exactly be mine.>
<You're more than a program, Jane, you're a part of me. Your AI and my mental training connected when I was about to die. Since then I've had someone who saw me at my best and at my worst, someone who knows the good in me and the bad. Despite that you still accepted me, and even now you'd rather not survive than kill me. We're connected.>
<You have people who love you, Brian, real people.>
<Maybe, but none of them know me.>
<Because you don't let them. With me you didn't have a choice, you couldn't get rid of me, but you have a choice with those people on the outside. Let them in and they may surprise you. Especially her.>
<Who?>
<The one person who's face you really want to see right now.> Jane turned around and suddenly her hair was blonde, and she was Emily Ward. When she spoke it was still her voice, just with Emily's features. <If I weren't in control right now this is who you'd be with.>
<No, I'm in control.>
<After you saved her->
<You saved her, Jane. You warned me.>
Jane shot him a soft look and he let her speak. <After you saved her she tried to save you. She took care of you and brought you out of the stupor I had you in. My consumption is killing you and now, because I need to tell you this, I had to take control of your mind. I am in control, which is part of the reason you'd forgotten her.>
<I didn't forget.>
<Not fully.> She shook her head. <This isn't why we're here. I don't have much more time. I just needed to tell you what was happening, and that as much as an artificial intelligence can that I love you. But now you need to let me go so that you don't die.>
<I wouldn't know how,> Thorn admitted, though truthfully he didn't want to.
<I was dormant for a time in you, and then they found the wrecked head and you started thinking of me again. My consumption kept you on my mind. I can suppress myself easily enough and not consume your energy, but you'll need to forget me and focus on someone else.>
<So that my mental pathways to you diminish and you fade away.> As he finished her thoughts he realized that loss was not something he'd ever dealt with very well. Any part he lost to another actor, any match where he'd been beaten, anything. He hated it. And now he had to lose her. <It won't be easy.>
<Life never is.> Jane smiled at him, and caressed his cheek with her hand. <Forget me, Thorn. Wake up and forget me. Wake up.>
"Thorn! Wake up, he's here!" Emily Ward was at Thorn's bunk, waking him furiously. In the days since the explosion they'd spent a lot of time together, and she'd worked very hard to bring him back to reality. This was different, though, something was going on. "Hewitt is back!"
The bay doors to the facility opened and vehicles wheeled in. The back row of vehicles were all large trucks carrying some heavy duty equipment. Hewitt Kagan was the passenger in the first vehicle, a simple military jeep. He got out and greeted everyone, shaking hands and hugging. Kagan was very relieved to see Thorn up and well again.
"Great timing," Kagan said to him, "because you're going to love what I brought you."
"A gift?"
"Yeah, an early christmas present." Kagan winked and then looked back and then gestured towards the teams unloading the big trucks. They hauled the machinery to the cables that had once stored the old mech, and were using it to put this new one in place.
As Thorn watched on, Emily spoke in private with Dr. Kagan. "So, what did you do with the artificial intelligence?"
"There isn't one," Kagan explained, "this baby is completely pilot driven. The reaction time will seem slower, but the other advancements will certainly make up for it.
Thorn and Emily watched as the new mech was constructed. Red with black trimmings, a streamlined frame and armor, dual cannons and swords, and propulsion that would make jet engines look like an electric mixer.
***
April 2nd, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
The team watched the monitor. Thorn just got to them and General Grant looked wide eyed at him. "It's a bitch out there."
"Wouldn't be Tokyo otherwise," Thorn said with a smile.
"I don't like it," Kagan said. "From the looks of things something big is going on, something very big."
"Then I guess the waiting is over." Thorn, already dressed in his battle suit, looked up at the new mech awaiting it's first combat. Thorn had tested it out, and this thing was a destructive killing machine waiting to feed on giant monsters.
Emily stopped him as he raced to the cockpit. She took hold of him and kissed him, and he kissed her back. "You better make it back," she said with a smile. Thorn kissed her again and entered the new mech.
As he started the power up system he felt a tingle in his brain. <Jane?>
<I'm here.>
<Thought you were leaving.>
<I am, but something is happening. I remember I found some sort of pattern, or maybe information, before I was destroyed. Something about this date. I'm not sure, I just know that I have enough energy to help you out one last time.>
<And then what?>
<And then I die.>
<Well, then lets make sure you go out with one hell of a bang.>
The newer, much more improved, mother of all mechs finally powered up and seemed to have a life it hadn't had before. The demonic glow in it's eyes would be enough to frighten even the scariest of monsters. Though it is Thorn that these monsters should be worried about. The most badass man on the planet is now in control of the most powerful combat machine ever created.
"How is it feeling?" Emily asked over the comms.
"Perfect," Thorn said with an all too familiar smirk, "Simply Perfect."
Tokyo, Japan
"... and it looks like... Yes... Brian Thorn has defeated the dragon Mebbles! It is unfortunate these two heroes had to battle, but Brian Thorn is the victor and the Beacon is safely in his possession..."
February 19th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"...not Fred, it's Fearzilla! He's attacking Thorn from behind! This can't be happening, not to Tokyo's greatest hero. OH MY GOD! Fearzilla just ripped off the head of Brian Thorn's mech! Oh god, the humanity..."
February 26th, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
"I don't want to hear your excuses, Kagan," sneered General Grant as he watched the battle monitor.
"But the mech isn't nearly operational-"
"I said I didn't want to hear it!" The General waved Dr. Kagan off with his hand, indicating the conversation was over. Dr. Kagan backed off, but Emily Ward stepped up.
"None of the systems are working properly, hardly any of the damage was repaired, and the pilot is in no condition to fly." She felt a slight pang in her gut, though nothing had happened to her. As she tried to understand it she realized it had to do with what she'd said about the pilot, about Thorn. He hadn't been the same since his battle with Fearzilla and, truthfully, was in no condition to pilot a mech. Still, it bothered her to say it out loud.
General Grant wanted to strangle them. He was a man of action, and these two scientists were berating him for it. Instead he took a breath and closed his eyes. "I understand what you're saying, but understand my position. We don't have another option."
Kagan and Emily looked at each other with long faces. They knew he was right, that nobody else could fly the mech half as well as Thorn could, even on a bad day. They also knew Thorn was in tremendous danger.
"... the mech is beyond damaged and seems to be malfunctioning, Hunter Catfish is beating the hell out of it even more. What's this? Thank god! The armed forces of Tokyo showed up, driving Catfish away..."
March 5th, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
Emily Ward watched on as Brian Thorn sat, nearly motionless, in front of the recovered head of the mech. The casing, armor, and other external plating was mostly intact, with some impact and water damage, but none of the systems would ever work again. It was a futile attempt to save it, but they needed to try.
Once everyone else gave up on it was when things started getting weird. Thorn sat in front of it, staring at it, all the time. With some device in his ear it looked as though he was trying to talk. Everyone just thought he was crazy, he was gone. Even now Sophia Pryor was trying to get through to him, but failing. Finally she turned and left, holding back her tears until she caught Emily's gaze.
"I can't get through to him," she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I just..." She walked off, leaving the two of them.
Slowly walking forward Emily wondered if she could hear Thorn speaking. It seemed as though his mouth was moving, but he was quite silent. She tried reading his lips, but his movements were too subtle. "Brian? Can we talk?"
When he didn't respond she just sat down next to him. "Thorn, I get that you're upset, but I don't quite understand it. I know Fearzilla has some sort of powers, but you've always come back basically sane. So he beat you, so he damaged the mech. You're alive and it can be repaired."
"No." The word struck her, not because of context but because he spoke at all. He hadn't talked to anybody but this head shaped hunk of metal for so long. "She's dead, Emily. A part of me is gone. Fearzilla has won."
Emily assumed he was too attached to the mech, that he'd flown it for so long he gave it a gender and let himself become one with it. That's not uncommon for pilots to do, but if the worse happens they're usually able to get over it. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Something was wrong with him and a strong part of her wanted to be there for him. She didn't understand it, but he didn't resist.
As she held him, Emily looked across the way to the still damaged mech. Another pilot was suiting up to take Thorn's place. Since Fearzilla got his hands on the Beacon there had been more emergencies that needed Thorn's attention, but since being trounced by Hunter Catfish he never showed up. Others stepped up to try to take his place.
"... SMF Pterodactyl is flying circles around our cities great hero. The mech is still damaged, I can't believe that Brian Thorn is being bested by this latest enemy..."
March 11th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"... massive earthquakes rocking the city, the entire country..."
"... people are evacuating as a massive tsunami was seen rushing towards the northern part of Japan..."
"... Dr. Red? Fearzilla? Take your pick..."
"... pure chaos..."
March 12th, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
"Those monsters!" Mrs. Pryor shouted. Technically she was right, but apparently she believed even monsters should show some level of humanity. "After the quakes and tsunami they're still attacking?"
"Of course," General Grant said with a nod. "Tokyo was only partially hit by the Tsunami, so they want to do more damage. Especially considering all of the rail ways and airports are closed or barely operational. The city is filled to the brim with terrified people. Perfect time for monsters to attack."
"Some of the other, more heroic monsters are trying to help," Emily added, "but it's still doing damage to the city. I'm surprised the local military hasn't declared martial law."
Frustrated, General Grant pounded a fist into the side of the monitor. "Either way we need to be there to help. It looks like Gulpzilla is close by, we need to send the mech out to try to stop him."
"Should I try and remind you," Emily spoke halfheartedly, sure she was wasting time, "that our pilots are all battle weary and the mech continues to suffer major damage."
Grant frowned. "I know."
"Which means," she added, "that you could likely be sending one of them to their death."
"You don't think I know that?" Grant nearly shouted, but there was something to his voice that neither Sophia nor Emily had ever heard before. Pain. The General was struggling through this disaster as much as anyone else. "I know exactly what I ask my men to do, and they'll do it gladly because that's their job. Maybe that machine will make it's final flight, maybe one of my pilots will, but it's still the best shot we have and that's why I have to send them out."
He received no argument. It was clear that he hated his job more than anyone right now. General Grant straightened his uniform and regained his composure. "Just keep the medics and the repair team on stand by."
A few minutes later Emily Ward was by Brian Thorn's side again. He looked ragged, like he hadn't eaten or slept or groomed for some time. Still he sat in front of the disembodied mechanical head of the mech he once used to pilot, softly whispering for her to return to him.
Emily told Thorn of the problems facing Tokyo, as she'd done yesterday and the day before that and so on. Every day she came and sat next to him, offering him food, water, and friendship. She hoped to get through to him, but it was slow going. Sometimes he'd eat or drink, sometimes he'd answer a question or make a remark. The tsunami caught his attention for a few seconds, but deep in their bunker it didn't really affect them.
Thorn just sat there and stared, as always, and Emily sat next to him. Sometimes she'd just sit, other times she'd hold him since it worked for her once. She even considered combing his hair or shaving him, but out in the open that seemed a bit embarrassing. But every time she would talk to him, tell him what was going on in the world around him. She even told him that Dr. Kagan had left the program almost a week ago, but she got no response. Then, when she had nothing more to say, she'd kiss him on the cheek or forehead and went about the rest of her day.
Often times Emily wondered why she suddenly felt so close to him, but she had no answer. Maybe it was in seeing his human side, maybe it was something else. All that time that he'd chased her she thought she hated him, but maybe part of her enjoyed it. She'd spent so much time in her studies and schooling and her work that she hardly let herself breathe. He would have been a distraction, and she couldn't have that. Oh how many times she'd said that to herself. But Thorn didn't stop trying to charm her, didn't turn away from her, even when he knew it was futile. And, surprisingly, he was very patient.
Then he started spending time with Mrs. Pryor, then came all of the time he spent with the mech. Something changed him, or changed in him, and she finally saw the incredible spark of life that flared within him, driving him to greatness. Even without his typical interactions she felt in awe of him. She fell for him, because he was not what everyone said he was, he was more. Until Fearzilla ripped his head off.
"... just a travesty, folks. Gulpzilla is flat out destroying our hero, who seems too badly damaged to even get an attack in. Between the quakes and tsunami's and these monsters I'm not sure anyone can save Tokyo..."
March 19th, 2011
Tokyo, Japan
"... Super Slosh and sweetness are laying waste to the mech, I doubt it will be operational after getting destroyed so thoroughly..."
Everyone was crowded around as the retrieval team hauled the mech in. Once it touched down techs and medics were on top of it trying to pry the cockpit open. A pilot could last so long inside the mech, but with the extensive damage it had received nobody was sure how long this pilot could last.
With laser torches they cut a hole through the hull to check on the pilot, who was in bad condition but was alive. With metal claws they were able to open the hatch and the medics were able to get him to safety. His condition was critical, but they managed to stabilize him. He'd survive.
Thorn turned from the hunk of metal in front of him and watched the commotion, remembering a time when he'd had to be pulled from the inside of the very same machine. He'd been in critical condition as well, and that's when he'd first met Jane. Even though she first introduced herself as a mental clone of Thorn, she eventually revealed what she really was. Artificial Intelligence that had connected itself to him in case of emergency. It saved him, he'd survive.
However now, as once before, Thorn saw something that would not survive. This mech, this machine, it would not make it. The systems were too far gone and the frame had taken massive damage. Even though repair crews started trying to fix it he knew it was done for, that was the last flight. He looked back at the mech's former head and remembered the last time he knew something had died: Jane. She took a part of him with her.
"So what's the prognosis, doc?" General Grant looked up as Emily Ward took charge of the repairs. His tone wasn't hopeful, but the look she gave him made him frown deeper.
"Propulsion is the only thing for sure that is still online," Emily said as she worked, "and a few of the other systems might be salvageable, but weapons and targeting are gone. So is pilot life support..."
"Maybe it's for the best," Grant muttered. Emily couldn't believe she'd heard him say that, and when she asked for a reason he gave one. "Have you seen my pilots, dear girl? Burnt out, every single one of them. Having to fly a busted machine that none of them were experts at flying to begin with has been taking it's toll. Not to mention the constant beat downs."
"Yeah," Emily added, "I miss Thorn too."
"I wish it hadn't taken me this long to see just how valuable he was to this team." When Emily looked down at him General Grant's head was hung low. Without looking back at her he turned and walked towards his office. Emily knew exactly how he felt, so she kept working. She needed the distraction.
Thorn stared at the mechanical head and kept trying to speak to it, but as always it remained silent. Suddenly he felt a surge and saw a flash in his mind. It was of Emily, beautiful and smiling. Then another flash, another picture, this one of the mech, burned out and destroyed. Another flash, a fiery explosion! Thorn's body wracked as his mind was not his own, and then another image appeared in his minds eye. It was a stoplight on red, and immediately changed to green.
Brian Thorn had never run so fast in his life, as he made his way towards her. He tried to yell, to warn her, but his throat made no noise. Gutteral shouts were all he could muster as his legs pumped like pistons to get to the mech. The many wires and catwalks that made access to the mech easier were what helped him reach her in time. Everyone was surprised to see him moving at all, let alone blazing to the mech. General Grant even started to run.
Emily looked up and was about to smile when Thorn grabbed her violently, lifted her out of the cockpit like she weighed nothing, and tossed her down to the crowd below. He could do this because the mech was on it's back, not standing upright. They caught her as he entered the cockpit and buckled up.
The mech started to move, to convulse, as Thorn tried to operate it. Somehow parts of it were moving, and it sat itself up. General Grant seemed to realize what was happening as Thorn struggled to get the mech to its feet. "Open the hangar doors!" They slid open just in time as the mech burst upwards into the sky.
"What the hell is going on?" Sophia asked, trying to get some answers.
"He's lost it," one of the pilots answered. Everyone looked up to see what direction he would fly in, but he kept going straight, until there was suddenly a thunderous explosion.
Emily cried out "no!" General Grant took hold of her as he ordered the hangar doors closed to protect against debris. Sophia felt weak and fell to her knees. Her breathing was erratic as a medic came to check on her. Emily hid her tears and her cries in General Grants arms.
After a few minutes it seemed that the last of the debris had fallen. A crew would be sent to the top of the hangar doors to clear them off, and other crews were sent out to find Thorn. The search didn't last long, as he was standing at the entrance door when they opened it. Immediately he walked inside and up to the metal head as if nothing had happened. He placed his hand on it's cheek and smiled.
Everyone was relieved that he'd survived the explosion, the eject sequence must not have been as damaged as they'd thought. Emily wanted to run up to him and into his arms, to embrace him and kiss him and tell him never to leave. But his attention was on the metal head again, just like that, and that seemed to sting her a bit. Even so her newfound feelings overpowered her, and she had to get closer to him.
***
<Jane? Is that you?> Thorn asked knowing it had to be her, somewhere in the misty dream world inside his mind. He knew because he remembered every dream that had entertained him while he slept, and this wasn't one of them. He kept searching, but found nothing. Where was she? <Jane?>
<I'm here.> Thorn turned to see the figure of a beautiful woman, her back turned so he couldn't see her face. Her long brown hair fell gently down to her mid back, and the lovely white dress seemed other worldly as it appeared to be one with the mist, while at the same time fabric wrapping her slender frame.
Thorn slowly moved up to her. <I've missed you dearly.>
<And I've missed you.>
<But you're back now.> Thorn placed his hands on her shoulders. He wanted to spin her around, to finally see her, but something in him didn't dare.
<Please don't get your hopes up.> Jane took a step away, Thorn's hands dropped to his side.
<I'm not sure I understand.>
<You have to let me go, Brian.>
<Why?>
<Because I'm killing you. I don't mean to, and if I could shut down to save you I would, but it's not up to me.>
<No, I'm fine.>
<Fine?> Though he couldn't see Jane's face Thorn imagined her face would look as upset as her voice sounded. <Brian, you sat in front of a lifeless metal head for weeks.>
<I was upset.>
<No, you just think you were. The truth is I was trying to build enough energy for this.> She paused, and when Thorn didn't asnwer Jane continued. <Your mind is strong, so strong that when I was looking for a pilot and you jumped in I couldn't resist linking with it. We started to communicate and work together to operate the machine, and we worked so well together.>
He put his hands back on her shoulders. <I agree.>
<You used me to be a better pilot, and I used you to keep learning. But when tragedy hit and I was nearly killed, all I could do was retreat. I could only retreat to the safest place I knew, somewhere strong enough to contain me. My only other link to survival was in your brain.>
<I'm glad to have saved you.>
<Unfortunately, Brian, you haven't. Despite having quite possibly the most powerful mind on this planet, you're still human. Your brain can't process me and take care of you. You think you were upset and that's why you mourned me for so long, but the reality is that my program was robbing you of your energy. It still is. So, you see, you have to let me go.>
<I don't want to.>
<You must.>
<I won't.>
<Then we both die.>
<Show me your face.> When she didn't turn he felt an urge to turn her again, but an even stronger compulsion stopped him. <You won't let me, will you?>
<No. The truth is I have no face, I am just a program. I took the voice and guise of a female to better connect with you. Even if you dreamed me a face it wouldn't exactly be mine.>
<You're more than a program, Jane, you're a part of me. Your AI and my mental training connected when I was about to die. Since then I've had someone who saw me at my best and at my worst, someone who knows the good in me and the bad. Despite that you still accepted me, and even now you'd rather not survive than kill me. We're connected.>
<You have people who love you, Brian, real people.>
<Maybe, but none of them know me.>
<Because you don't let them. With me you didn't have a choice, you couldn't get rid of me, but you have a choice with those people on the outside. Let them in and they may surprise you. Especially her.>
<Who?>
<The one person who's face you really want to see right now.> Jane turned around and suddenly her hair was blonde, and she was Emily Ward. When she spoke it was still her voice, just with Emily's features. <If I weren't in control right now this is who you'd be with.>
<No, I'm in control.>
<After you saved her->
<You saved her, Jane. You warned me.>
Jane shot him a soft look and he let her speak. <After you saved her she tried to save you. She took care of you and brought you out of the stupor I had you in. My consumption is killing you and now, because I need to tell you this, I had to take control of your mind. I am in control, which is part of the reason you'd forgotten her.>
<I didn't forget.>
<Not fully.> She shook her head. <This isn't why we're here. I don't have much more time. I just needed to tell you what was happening, and that as much as an artificial intelligence can that I love you. But now you need to let me go so that you don't die.>
<I wouldn't know how,> Thorn admitted, though truthfully he didn't want to.
<I was dormant for a time in you, and then they found the wrecked head and you started thinking of me again. My consumption kept you on my mind. I can suppress myself easily enough and not consume your energy, but you'll need to forget me and focus on someone else.>
<So that my mental pathways to you diminish and you fade away.> As he finished her thoughts he realized that loss was not something he'd ever dealt with very well. Any part he lost to another actor, any match where he'd been beaten, anything. He hated it. And now he had to lose her. <It won't be easy.>
<Life never is.> Jane smiled at him, and caressed his cheek with her hand. <Forget me, Thorn. Wake up and forget me. Wake up.>
"Thorn! Wake up, he's here!" Emily Ward was at Thorn's bunk, waking him furiously. In the days since the explosion they'd spent a lot of time together, and she'd worked very hard to bring him back to reality. This was different, though, something was going on. "Hewitt is back!"
The bay doors to the facility opened and vehicles wheeled in. The back row of vehicles were all large trucks carrying some heavy duty equipment. Hewitt Kagan was the passenger in the first vehicle, a simple military jeep. He got out and greeted everyone, shaking hands and hugging. Kagan was very relieved to see Thorn up and well again.
"Great timing," Kagan said to him, "because you're going to love what I brought you."
"A gift?"
"Yeah, an early christmas present." Kagan winked and then looked back and then gestured towards the teams unloading the big trucks. They hauled the machinery to the cables that had once stored the old mech, and were using it to put this new one in place.
As Thorn watched on, Emily spoke in private with Dr. Kagan. "So, what did you do with the artificial intelligence?"
"There isn't one," Kagan explained, "this baby is completely pilot driven. The reaction time will seem slower, but the other advancements will certainly make up for it.
Thorn and Emily watched as the new mech was constructed. Red with black trimmings, a streamlined frame and armor, dual cannons and swords, and propulsion that would make jet engines look like an electric mixer.
***
April 2nd, 2011
Secret Mech Installation
Somewhere near Tokyo, Japan
The team watched the monitor. Thorn just got to them and General Grant looked wide eyed at him. "It's a bitch out there."
"Wouldn't be Tokyo otherwise," Thorn said with a smile.
"I don't like it," Kagan said. "From the looks of things something big is going on, something very big."
"Then I guess the waiting is over." Thorn, already dressed in his battle suit, looked up at the new mech awaiting it's first combat. Thorn had tested it out, and this thing was a destructive killing machine waiting to feed on giant monsters.
Emily stopped him as he raced to the cockpit. She took hold of him and kissed him, and he kissed her back. "You better make it back," she said with a smile. Thorn kissed her again and entered the new mech.
As he started the power up system he felt a tingle in his brain. <Jane?>
<I'm here.>
<Thought you were leaving.>
<I am, but something is happening. I remember I found some sort of pattern, or maybe information, before I was destroyed. Something about this date. I'm not sure, I just know that I have enough energy to help you out one last time.>
<And then what?>
<And then I die.>
<Well, then lets make sure you go out with one hell of a bang.>
The newer, much more improved, mother of all mechs finally powered up and seemed to have a life it hadn't had before. The demonic glow in it's eyes would be enough to frighten even the scariest of monsters. Though it is Thorn that these monsters should be worried about. The most badass man on the planet is now in control of the most powerful combat machine ever created.
"How is it feeling?" Emily asked over the comms.
"Perfect," Thorn said with an all too familiar smirk, "Simply Perfect."
