[IC] He Who Hunts Monsters

[Stern Algorithm]

The Pacific Branch of the Committee for Extraterrestrial Threat Mitigation is located on Kiritimati Island, pronounced 'Christmas Island', part of the Republic of Kiribati, and former test-site for United States nuclear weapons. It is a central location, close to where the Equator crosses the International Dateline, so CETM forces have even odds of reaching either Australia, the east coast of Asia, or the west coast of the Americas.

It is the third ever "Imminent Impact" alert that the Pacific Branch of CETM has had: the first had been during Incident 2, when EO2 was defeated by Walker Rex and CETM's naval fleet, Project Myrmidon; while the second had been during Incident 3, questionably referred to as the 'False Alarm". There of course, had been no "Imminent Impact" alert for Incident 1, as it was the devastation wrought by EO1 that caused the creation of CETM in the first place. In the Secretary's Office, a holographic projection of the Earth hovered over a table, showing a dotted red line indicating EO4's descent path and eventual impact site, somewhere between Kirimati island and Australia.

"Third in a row, what are the odds?" joked Dr. Raymond Park.

Dr. Helen McCulloch shot him a weary but cutting glare, but didn't respond, saying instead, "We'll send out Walker Rex and the Fleet, like we did with EO2."

Secretary Margaret Oleander remained silent while considering the options before replying, "Our...'advisor'...has warned us that this one will be stronger."

"Walker Rex can handle it," Dr. McCulloch reiterated, vouching for Project Colossus, "And if that's not enough, we still have the Frog."

"I'm well aware of that, but the question isn't simply how strong EO4 will be, but how strong the ones that come after will be. Our 'advisor' has warned us that many more will come, each one stronger than the previous. If your trust in Project Colossus is well-placed, then we have insurance, and should take this opportunity to test Project Titan," Oleander posited.

"I DON'T think that will be necessary, Secretary," Dr. McCulloch stood her ground.

"What is the status of Project Titan?" Oleander asked, ignoring Dr. McCulloch.

"Well, currently, only Nephilim is stable, but not only is she stable, she is in top condition and absolutely ready for a field test," Dr. Park said while grinning in a manner that was not at all malicious, though Dr. McCulloch felt a certain smugness coming from him.

"Only Nephilim?" Oleander asked, "Interesting, considering Nephilim was a...gift...from our 'advisor'. Very well, these are my orders, 'Deploy Walker Rex and Frog...'" Dr. McCulloch glanced back at Dr. Park with victory in her eyes before Oleander continued, "'...as support. Have them on standby while we field test Nephilim', understood?"

"Absolutely!" Dr. Park said, getting excited.

"...yes..." Dr. McCulloch agreed reluctantly.

"Very well, meeting dismissed," Oleander concluded.

The three exited the office to enter the Command Room. "Ensign Ning, issue these deployment orders: Walker Rex and Frog are to standby and be ready to provide support if things go sour, Nephilim to engage EO4," Oleander commanded.

"I'll see you in the hangar!" Dr. Park said to Dr. McCulloch as he left the Command room to find a jeep to take him to the port hangar, where he would meet with Petty Officer, Third Class Natalie Ning, the Nephilim.

Oleander turned to Dr. McCulloch to provide some scant consolation, "At least it was Nephilim and not the other one."

McCulloch looked back and nodded weakly, before heading out to commandeer a jeep of her own, cursing under her breath that Dr. Park didn't just wait for her so they could go together. At the hangar, she would check with the engineering crew and the pilots: Lieutenant Commander Richard Conwood and Ensign Griffon Green.

[KatherinWinter]

Griffin looked up when his machine's code name was called. He was familiar enough with the other machine to know that he was playing support. But he didn't mind. He had designed his machine to defend. Growing up with no one to defend him he had vowed to protect as many as he could. Which was why he had joined the military a seventeen and Colossus later. When attacked he defended. He didn't care who the attacker was. He headed from his apartment to the garage where his machine was stored. He had work to do.

[Oak7ree]

Walker Rex, as it is known, is a first generation bipedal attack vehicle designed to cross difficult terrain and engage the enemy with highly advanced rail gun or with more conventional machine guns and auto cannons. Rex also has either thermally targeted rocket system called Nimbus that launches several rockets at the enemy..., Richard read from an old manual he had helped to write a few years ago. The manual detailed Rex' technical data and how to use it effectively. He had written how he had defeated the Extraterrestrial Two. He didn't like remembering it, though. Three days fighting a giant monster from the outer space and sitting in a tall tin can armed with barely tested weaponry hadn't been the most pleasant experience. Although without him, Rex and the Myrmidon Fleet, thousands of innocents might have been killed. It had been a risk worth taken, Richard thought.

Richard was in his office, filing a few reports of his tour to American military schools, giving guest lectures and making couple public appearances. He had returned to the base in the Christmas Island few days ago, and had slept one day straight before starting to write his reports about the tour and training with the Myrmidons.

The office wasn't a large one, but it was adequate for him. There were a workstation and a couple comfortable chairs with a coffee table between them. The room had one wall covered with books and another wall covered with trophies and articles about CETM and him from different international newspapers. Two walls remaining were mostly made from glass, one opening outside and the last wall to the inside and giving Richard a view that was envied. The windows could be dimmed whenever a need arose from a switch, but Richard didn't enjoy using the function.

Richard stretched his arms. Working in an office made his limbs stiff easily, and he was feeling slightly tired. He had had some close quarters combat training with a platoon of security guards in the afternoon, and he had sparred longer than anyone else. Richard yawned, and looked at his watch. It's almost midnight, and there will an early morning. I should get some sleep before the morning exercises, he thought. Suddenly, as he was standing up and starting to take his things with him, his radio buzzed and relayed a message.

"Command to Conwood, are you still awake? Over"

Great, like I didn't have anything better to do with my life Richard thought annoyed. Picking the radio, he answered. "Command, this is Conwood. I am receiving."

"Great. Secretary wants you to the hangar. A new Extraterrestrial contact has been sighted, and you're wanted to wait and support the Nephilim if needed with the Frog. Over."

Richard knew his duty. "Understood. Is there anything more, Command? Over."

Negative, sir. Command over and out. The radio clicked and stopped receiving. Richard stood in his office for a few seconds in silence. A new contact?

[Tricheus]

Natalie was getting restless. Since being accepted into Project Titan 6 months ago, Natalie went through rigorous tests, experiments, and exercises to get used to her new-found powers. She threw all of herself into it, eager to quickly become a valuable asset in Earth's defense.

But she had spent the last week doing absolutely Nothing! Dr. Park had ordered Natalie to relax, something or other about filling up her reserves. Even though it was now a part of her, Nephilim was still something she really didn't know a lot about. Thus, she reluctantly relied on Dr. Park for his advice and knowledge. If not for this fact, Natalie would have disobeyed orders and kept at her training regimen to keep pushing her limits.

While Natalie was sitting on her bed grumbling with her discontent, her room's intercom spoke with Nicole's voice.
"Nat! We have contact!! They need you in the hanger now!!!"

Natalie was almost immediatley running out of her room with a hungry grin on her face.
"FINALLY!"

[Stern Algorithm]

"Ensign Ning," Oleander said to the communications and information specialist, "Please make your way to the Achilles and continue your duties there." The Achilles was the main aircraft carrier of Project Myrmidon, and the fleet's command ship. Ning's performance during drills had impressed Oleander enough that Oleander considered her the ideal person for the role of coordinating the Colossi and the Titan. "Oh yes, and you haven't met him yet, but please coordinate with Mr. Metharom when you arrive."

---

When Natalie arrived at the Hangar, Dr. Park was there waiting for her while a young man stood next to him. "Officer Ning!" Dr. Park said jovially, "I hope you're excited for your first mission. We're putting you to the test, and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully. Give it your all, but don't push yourself too hard, Myrmidon and Colossus will provide backup so retreat if you have to. I look forward to the data this will provide! Oh and one more thing, this is Tirapon Metharom, he'll be your personal communications specialist. He uses telepathy! Isn't that something?" During tests, orders were issued to Natalie in her Nephilim state through loudspeakers, which was less than ideal in a real combat situation whereas any implanted transceiver device might be dangerous due to her changing sizes and giant headphones seemed an outlandish idea, this was Dr. Park's solution to maintaining communications with Natalie.

Dr. McCulloch arrived at the hangar a short while later, having made a detour to grab herself an oversized mug of coffee. She sipped quietly as she watched Walker Rex and Frog being prepared for mounting onto "The Platform": a formation involving four Myrmidon Destroyers and the two Colossi allowing the Colossi to be transported without using their own power. She saw Ensign Griffon aiding with the preparation. He had been a brilliant member of the engineering team and had worked closely with her research and development team to bring the Frog plan to fruition. It turned out that he was also a great pilot for the Frog, knowing the ins-and-outs of a machine he had helped manufacture. Dr. McCulloch approached him, taking another long sip, "...Conwood here yet?"

[KatherinWinter]

@Stern Algorithm
"I haven't seen him yet. But I haven't been here very long and I haven't really looked around. He might have gone right to Walker Rex. He could have decided to check it over before checking in. I'm sure he will be here soon." Griffin answered Dr. McCullouch. The doctor was one of the few people he respected. It took a lot for someone to earn his respect. Especially when that person had power. But the doctor had managed to do that in the years they had worked together.

[Oak7ree]

Richard walked to the hangar, smoking a cigar. He had detoured to his private quarters to pick his backpack he kept always packed for rapid situations like this. He had his officer's uniform on and a black beret on his head. He carried a big olive green backpack, that held his combat gear and clothes. Richard gazed around the hangar. The engineers were already preparing the Rex, and Richard spotted Doctor McCulloch - "the Great and Terrible", as one of her assistants had once told Richard. Beside her was Ensign Griffon. A good young lad, but he apparently had some trusting issues. He has a lot to learn, Richard thought, and exhaled some smoke from his lungs. Like I did at his age.

Richard walked to the two. All the engineers and the like were hurrying around to their posts. A few of them saluted Richard, and he saluted them back briefly. Standing beside McCulloch and Griffon, he asked, "How are the midgets?". He put the cigar in his mouth. Richard sometimes referred the Colossi as midgets just to annoy her.

[Tricheus]

Having just sent out the call orders, Nicole chirped out "Yes Secretary!" before making her way to the Achilles. Nicole was eager to see Nat in action!

---

After Dr. Park's introduction of Tirapon, Natalie extends a hand to the young communications specialist,
"Good to meet you. It will be interesting to see what telepathy feels like. I look forward to working with you."

Then turning to Dr. Park, "Doctor, do we know anything about EO4 yet? What is the ETA?"

[Stern Algorithm]

The members of the Achilles' bridge welcomed Nicole, a spot at the communications console having been reserved for her. She had taken this position in the past during training and testing exercises. However, next to her was an empty seat with a placard with the name, "Metharom, Tirapon".

---

@Stern Algorithm
"I haven't seen him yet. But I haven't been here very long and I haven't really looked around. He might have gone right to Walker Rex. He could have decided to check it over before checking in. I'm sure he will be here soon." Griffin answered Dr. McCulloch.

@KatherinWinter

Dr. McCulloch nodded, before hearing:

"How are the midgets?"

@Oak7ree

"Speak of the devil," Dr. McCulloch thought to herself before turning around to greet Richard. "Good, you're here," Dr. McCulloch said, not letting her annoyance come through, "I'm afraid for that information, you'll have to ask the engineering team; I don't fix this stuff, I just come up with it, and if they're doing their jobs, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about." Taking a step back to address both Richard and Griffin, she continued, "I'm sure you've got your orders, otherwise you wouldn't be here. I just wanted to say..." Dr. McCulloch paused, sighed, and took a long sip from her mug; she wasn't used to giving out compliments or motivational speeches, but she felt one was in order, "These orders do not reflect negatively on your performance; you, Lieutenant Commander, are well aware how lauded your last sortie against EO2 was, and you, Ensign, your tests have been phenomenal. It is in fact, due to your success that you are being placed on backup. There are more...unknowns...to be tested with Project Titan that take priority. So if you felt slighted by these orders in any way, well, get over it, you're professional soldiers." Perhaps not quite a motivational speech, but she didn't want them taking the orders personally or feeling insulted. Perhaps she herself took it personally and merely projected that same sentiment onto them. At any rate, she thought Project Titan was a bad idea, but she had grown weary of trying to convince Secretary Oleander.

After Dr. Park's introduction of Tirapon, Natalie extends a hand to the young communications specialist,
"Good to meet you. It will be interesting to see what telepathy feels like. I look forward to working with you."

@Tricheus

"L-likewise," Tirapon said, returning the handshake. He stared intensely at Natalie.

Then turning to Dr. Park, "Doctor, do we know anything about EO4 yet? What is the ETA?"

@Tricheus

"Impact will occur in several hours, but the location has been pinpointed," Dr. Park replied, "Nothing is known about EO4 yet, other than an abnormally high density compared to the previous Organisms. You'll be assigned to the Achilles and will deploy from the deck, while The Platform will follow close behind. The fleet should get there soon after impact." He gave her a wink and a cheesy hand gesture, "Knock 'em dead!"

"Hello? Establishing a connection. To confirm connection, think at me, 'yes'," came Tirapon's voice in Natalie's head.

[KatherinWinter]

@Stern Algorithm
Griffin rolled his eyes. He never too orders personally. That would be a waste of his time and energy. He was happy to do whatever they assigned him to do. Well for the most part. There were some jobs he would rather not do, but he would never refuse a mission. He had worked too hard to get where he was. He was determined to make the most of this chance to turn his life around. "I would be more offended if you left me behind."

[Tricheus]

Natalie would have given Dr. Park a harsh questioning look for his cheesy lighthearted attitude if not for the sudden psychic message from Tirapon.

'yes, yes i can here you! is hear the correct word? but anyways, yes i confirm a connection.'

Natalie then turns to Tirapon and gives him a good-natured, re-appraising smile. She then turns away and looks inward, mentally readying herself for the coming battle...

[Stern Algorithm]

@Stern Algorithm
Griffin rolled his eyes. He never too orders personally. That would be a waste of his time and energy. He was happy to do whatever they assigned him to do. Well for the most part. There were some jobs he would rather not do, but he would never refuse a mission. He had worked too hard to get where he was. He was determined to make the most of this chance to turn his life around. "I would be more offended if you left me behind."

@KatherinWinter

"Well, yes, I suppose things could always be worse," Dr. McCulloch agreed absentmindedly, though she was referring to something else entirely. She kept reminding herself that of the Titans, Nephilim was the safest. "Good to know you're not taking it personally," Dr. McCulloch concluded before the chief engineer came and drew her attention away to discuss the final preparations for the Colossi.

Natalie would have given Dr. Park a harsh questioning look for his cheesy lighthearted attitude if not for the sudden psychic message from Tirapon.

'yes, yes i can here you! is hear the correct word? but anyways, yes i confirm a connection.'

Natalie then turns to Tirapon and gives him a good-natured, re-appraising smile. She then turns away and looks inward, mentally readying herself for the coming battle...

@Tricheus

Tirapon smiled back weakly, he was glad she didn't seem angry that he had the ability to read her thoughts but he still felt bad about it. "Yes, 'hear' is an appropriate word. I'll be coordinating with you from the bridge."

---

The Myrmidon fleet set sail in the direction of Australia. Natalie was stationed on the Achilles, while Richard and Griffin were stationed on the Platform. Around these two main ships were various attack and support craft: battleships, recon ships, submarines, and the like. Tirapon had taken a seat on the bridge next to Nicole; though he did not have an official position, his job was very similar to hers. The fleet moved forward on dark waters for a few hours when an announcement was made that EO4 had impacted. A long while later, the fleet was hit by some mild turbulence, expected aftershocks of EO4's splashdown. Soon a thick, warm fog rolled in, conjured by the heat and kinetic energy released by such a large object hitting the water at terminal velocity. Veterans from the fight against EO2 remembered the fog from that battle. Radio contact was made, recon ships having picked up the beast with their long-range detection equipment and the fleet began to follow. Eventually, the fleet passed the impact point; EO4 was moving inland. The fleet broke out of the fog, which was fortunate; In the battle agaisnt EO2, the beast had not moved and remained in the fog, making fighting it with ranged weapons extremely difficult, drawing out the battle. Once the fog was breached, the fleet made visual contact. At first they thought it was an island, but upon closer inspection it was a creature several hundred meters long with a massive, jagged, dense shell on its back, swimming towards Australia. An announcement came to all ships from Kiritimati Base, "Our advisor has identified EO4 as the Volta Alien. 'Volta Alien' will now replace the codename 'EO4'.

Admiral Tamerlane Hargreaves of the Achilles issued his orders which were basically reminders: Nephilim was to engage Volta Alien, while Walker Rex and Frog would remain on standby. Tirapon issued these mental orders to Natalie.

[Tricheus]

Natalie had been standing arms crossed on deck of the carrier Achilles when the orders were issued through Tirapon. She slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath.

Raising her right arm into a fist over her head, it started glowing as she shouted "NEPHILIIIIIIIIM!!!"
Then as a brilliant blue glow surrounded her, Natalie floated skyward veering towards the Volta Alien, increasing in size and velocity.

The now formed Nephilim stopped and looked down upon the alien threat. Not wanting to attack the hard shell, she maneuvered herself to have a better angle at the creatures head, gathered her energy, and flew down near-instantly with a flying side kick.

[Stern Algorithm]

There was massive splash as Nephilim collided with the Volta Alien's head, much of the water pluming into steam. Here it was already becoming relatively shallow; the Volta Alien, after being kicked reared up on its hind legs, submerged up to its 'waist', and let out an otherworldly roar. From it's 'mouth', which looked merely like a gaping hole above the lower jaw of some deformed 'beak', issued forth red tentacles that attacked Nephilim.

"Colossus units, remain on standby, but warm up your machines," Admiral Hargreaves ordered.

The ships consisting the Platform began the process of separating from the Colossi, allowing them to move about freely on their own.