TBVF: Chapter 19: Hard Knock Days

Title: The Blue Vast Future
Author: Ariel Chew
Genre: Sci-Fi, Humor, Friendship, Family
Summary: A SB#187 team aged-up to be in a Kaiju battle. Ariel’s merely a 21-year-old supervisor of Gamma Rapper, but with all the training of the Academy she has, will it prepare her for the biggest turns of events of the century?
~*~

Ariel rushes after Aaron, worried about what the Ranger was about to do, but she stops in shock outside of the room right as Aaron points his index finger at someone, shouting.

“What in the world is going on here?!”

Ariel gasps. “Nazri?! What are you doing-” Indeed, sitting next to an unconscious Eric, sits a grinning Nazri who lifts a hand in greeting. He’s dressed in his old Ranger DriveSuit, where he got it Ariel has no idea, but she has a feeling that Achik has a hand in this.

“Well, I’m sure you’ve seen the situation. Achik wants all hands on deck, so I came back.” Nazri stands, and for a fleeting moment Ariel catches sight of a circulatory burn down the side of his neck as he walks closer to Aaron, placing a firm hand on the taller Ranger’s shoulder. “I never thought of getting back into a Jaegar again, not after Azizi’s death… But if this means cutting all ties with the Kaiju, I knew I have to come back.”

Nazri bumps a fist against Aaron’s chest, before he steers Aaron out of the room and down to the Drive-Suit room. “Ariel, you mind passing a message to Achik the reinforcements are on their way?”

Ariel beams, nods quickly and runs off to the Control room. Almost slamming face-first into the door, she cheers: “Achik! Everyone! Gamma is on his way!”

Zul grins, and so does Asyikin and Achik while Iris and Ashleigh share a look of confusion.

“Gamma? Someone’s piloting with Aaron?”

Instead of replying Iris, Asyikin taps on the intercom. “About time, Nazri. JumpHawk, Hanger team, get ready to release our reinforcement.” And to the two Jaegars, Asyikin lets Zul take over.

“Beta, just hang on for a bit more! Gamma’s coming to the rescue!”

>-<

Beta Strucker puts both arms in front of him, blocking the onslaught of attacks their Kaiju opponent was giving with all eight limbs. Initially they were still able to land some solid punches, but now the Kaiju has showcased its dodging and quick retaliating skills.

This octopus is quick!

Yeah. And did you notice the movement of its limbs? Talha queries. It’s moving as though it has eight swords for limbs.

Amirul scowls. “This Takoyaki is really [annoying]!”

“Did you guys just named a Kaiju after a food?!” Iris disbelieving hollers over the intercom, and Talha softly chuckle over the shared headspace as embarrassment doubles its intensity from Amirul.

“[Yes. Perhaps after fighting we should all go eat some takoyaki.]” Talha replies, much to Amirul obvious displeasure. Now who’s making fun of who?

You deserved it. Talha smugly answers, blocking an attack with their left fist. We should probably focus–

An unexpected roar resonates from their back, the only warning they have before something hits their back. They grunt, turning to their side, only to discover they just got double-teamed by the Kaiju.

So Onibaba is helping Takoyaki to take us out while Storm is disabled. Talha sighs, fists clenched as they get ready for an inevitable fight. Which one do you want to take out first?

Amirul shrugs. Let’s get rid of Onibaba then, he’s interfering our fight with Takoyaki.

With that said, Beta rushes in and slams into Onibaba, knocking it back a few steps from the run. Beta wrestles the Kaiju, unaware that Takoyaki had followed them in aid of its reptile partner, jumping onto them with sword-like limbs on the ready.

“Oh no you don’t! Rolling Thunder!”

>-<

“Ha! We made it in time!” Aaron grins, Nazri mirroring his partner as they pushed Takoyaki away from Beta punching the living daylights out of Onibaba.

“Sorry for the wait, Beta! Can you guys cover for us for a little longer? We have a reactor to charge up Storm.”

“Nazri? Is that you? You’re back!” Amirul cheers, Nazri responding with a hearty laugh.

“Yeah. Looks like everything’s a mess after I’m gone. You rookies still need to learn a thing or two from an old timer like me.” Aaron laughs at Nazri’s fond tone.

You know we’re all glad to have you back.

Nazri hums. Yeah. Though I would prefer to be back under different circumstances…

“Alright! Let’s go reboot Storm.” While still in their power mode, Gamma quickly darts over to Storm, where they hook up a digital reactor to charge up the disabled Jaegar. Unfortunately, since it takes a while for Storm to fully come online, Gamma would have to defend an angry Takoyaki from attacking the recovering Jaegar.

“Wait, who’s piloting Gamma with Aaron?” Communication system is the first to be restored, Bel’s excited voice chiming in clearly through the intercom.

“It’s Nazri!” Iris enthusiastic reply has the Storm pilots in a frenzy commotion. As much as Nazri and Aaron would like to respond in any kind, they’ll have to leave any proper response until they finish off Takoyaki.

“Listen up: Beta and us will hold off these two Kaiju. Storm, once you’re ready, carry the payload and finish the mission!” Nazri calls out the order, Aaron complying in kind as they give Takoyaki an uppercut.

Aaron, time to make this Kaiju live up to its namesake.

Aaron chortles. One Takoyaki coming right up!

>-<

15 seconds… 10… 5… 1! Storm Dragon lights up, fully charged and instantly starts moving once their tank shines green. Unlike the other Jaegars, Storm Dragon has an external port that makes them easy to charge on the spot for some extra boost. With Beta grappling with Onibaba down and Gamma facing off Takoyaki, Storm takes long strides towards the Breach.

Just a bit more…! Leo grits out, pushing against the increasing pressure as they approach the Breach. They’ve sheathed their swords once they could move, leaving them free-handed to discharge the package into the Breach.

“LOCCENT, we’re closing into the Breach. Just another fifty meters to go for the drop.”

“Go for it!” Iris calls out.

Leo flicks a few switch, Storm turning around, their back facing the entrance of the Breach. Ready?

Just unclasps the thing and set the timer to 15 seconds. Bel gives the affirmative nod through their Drift. I just want to get out of here. My gut feeling’s been nagging me all day and I just want this to be over with.

Leo rolls his eyes; nevertheless, he still does as he’s told.

“15 seconds. Let’s go back and help the others.” With the timer ticking, Storm turns back.

>-<

This stupid Kaiju! Amirul and Talha simultaneously growl aloud, Onibaba managed to flip itself upright and now resorts to spitting some kind of water bubbles at them. As Beta is not as quick and agile as Storm or Gamma, they have to hold their ground with their fists. They can cut through the bubbles, but it must have contained some sort of acid, fizzing once it comes into contact with their armor.

“I never thought we would have to use that move again.” Talha mutters, letting out a breath as he passes along the idea to Amirul. Amirul shrugs.

“If we have to use that in order to defeat this guy, why not?”

With their mind made up, they withdrew their knuckle blades. Instead, they loosen their fists, open palms facing Onibaba. Their main weapon was never the metal knuckles – rather it was something more traditional.

Onibaba charges at them, seeming unaware of their change in plan. Beta drops its center of gravity, feet apart as they anticipate Onibaba’s move. Without disappointing, Onibaba strikes their right arm; and Beta moves to the right, blocking the claw with their left arm. Hooking their right leg behind the Kaiju’s right leg and pushing hard on Onibaba’s caught arm, they send it toppling onto the ocean floor.

Heh! I bet they’ve never fought silat before! Amirul victoriously grins, before Talha chides.

Don’t get too excited.

Yes, yes. Amirul affectionately does an eye-roll, Beta drawing out their other weapon – A Kris fit for the use of a Jaegar, with the traditional designs of the Malay culture engraved onto the dagger.

They stuck the dagger into Onibaba’s massive belly, Onibaba howling in time as the waters around them starting bubbling, the ground shaking uncontrollably.

Don’t tell me this is-

>-<

Storm looks back, watching the nuclear payload exploding from a safe distance. Although this is their first time making use of a weapon of this caliber, Bel is not sure if all this rumbling is normal.

“LOCCENT, is the Breach destroyed? We can't see anything through all this smoke.”

“Negative! The Breach is not destroyed!” Asyikin answers, her voice on the side of hysterics as she continues. “A third signature is coming through the Breach, and the readings are huge!”

“What?! But we’ve dropped it down the throat!” Leo calls out in surprise, and so does the other Jaegar teams.

“Gentlemen, I believe we’re having the first Category V Kaiju coming through.” Achik gravelly announces, and Aaron swears a few colorful choice words as reply.

“Brace yourselves. Now, it’s the actual battle.”

~*~

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