Return of Jetman Episode 2

RETURN OF JETMAN

"Generation Conflict"
(Episode 2)
by Christopher Elam
(based on the work of Lewis Smith)
© 2002 Christopher Elam

 

Jet Phoenix studied his charges intently from the observation booth above the Skywatch training center. He had only recently begun conducting sessions in full Jetman gear. The results had proven to be disappointing. It wasn't that his five member team was incapable. Far from it. Individually, each had exceeded his expectations. It was when a situation called for teamwork that they fell short.

Gai knocked a training robot to the floor with a laser burst from his Wing Gauntlet. He picked up another and tossed it to his brother Ken, shouting, "Catch!"

Unfortunately, Ken flew out of the robot's path rather than taking it out. The bulky droid instead collided head-first with Gohan. The machine was reduced to scrap metal by the impact, while Gohan was sent sprawling to the floor. Reiko rushed over to give her teammate a hand, but Gohan popped right back up unassisted. He called up to Ken as he zipped around.

"Hey buddy!" Gohan complained. "You're supposed to shoot the robots, not run from them!"

"Run?" Ken questioned as he landed directly in front of Gohan. "Run?!?! Are you calling me a coward?"

With that, Ken shoved Gohan back down to the floor. Reiko tried to restrain the incensed Ken, but also got shoved down for her troubles. Seeing what was going on, Etsuko sped over to defend the others.

"What are you...?" she started to say, but Ken grabbed her mid-flight and sent her slamming against the wall. He was full of fury now and he wasn't about to listen to reason.

Gai had seen enough. Ken had escalated a simple disagreement into a brawl. He locked his forearm around Ken's neck and held him tightly.

"This is over, Ken," he whispered. "Now."

Jet Phoenix entered the training room. "I want everyone to power down immediately. I believe an explanation is in order."

"What's to explain?" Gohan shrugged. "Ken missed his cue, I called him on it, and he lost his cool."

Jet Phoenix turned to face Ken. "Do you have anything to add?"

Gai had released Ken when they had all returned to normal, so he couldn't stop his brother from getting right in Jet Phoenix's face.

"Yeah, I do!" Ken asserted loudly. "I'm tired of jumping through hoops! We get super powers, we move into this place, and then we just wait? When do we DO something?"

"We do something when the time is right," countered Jet Phoenix. "Until then, we train and plan so we're ready."

"Sure," Ken said sarcastically. "This from the man who won't even tell us a thing about himself. Just what are you hiding?"

The rest of Jetman watched the exchange with rapt fascination. None of them had found the courage to voice Ken's questions. Jet Phoenix stepped away from Ken and considered his words carefully.

"My reasons are my own," he offered. "And they aren't your concern."

That wasn't the answer Ken wanted. He swung wildly at Jet Phoenix, but his fist was caught in mid-punch by the enigmatic commander. The grip was unyielding as Ken struggled to free himself.

"You're all under a lot of pressure, so I'll overlook this incident," Jet Phoenix said softly. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again."

Jet Phoenix released Ken's fist and turned to the rest of the team. "Training session's over. I'll see all of you tomorrow unless something comes up."

Jet Phoenix then left the training center, leaving behind a humbled Ken Tendo. Ken turned to face his comrades, his rage having subsided. Their piercing gaze demanded he say something.

"Guys," he stammered. "I...I'm sorry. I guess this deal with our parents missing has me on edge."

"Ah forget it!" Gohan dismissed. "It was nothing!"

"Like hell it was!" Etsuko said indignantly as she pushed her brother aside to stare Ken down. "This is serious business and the last thing we need is a loose cannon like you!"

"Screw you," Ken retorted nonchalantly. "I don't think anyone appointed you leader."

Etsuko turned away from him in disgust, then whirled around to deliver a spinning roundhouse kick to Ken's jaw. He fell backwards to the floor. Satisfied, Etsuko nodded and walked away, leaving the rest of the group to help Ken back to his feet.

"Lucky shot!" he called out as Etsuko blithely ignored him. "You won't get another one!"

Gai was exasperated as Ken busied himself by brushing away imaginary dirt. "Ken, she's right. You've got to control yourself."

Ken flashed a grin as he looked to his brother. "Hey, why change now?"

Gai shook his head. "You're hopeless," he muttered as he stalked away.

Seeing a golden opportunity for further needling, Ken instantly trailed behind his brother. "Tell me about your kendo lessons! They sound fascinating!" he said in exactly the tone of voice that indicated his total lack of sincerity.

Gohan and Reiko looked at each other, suddenly acutely aware they were the only ones still standing in the hallway. There was a long awkward pause as they each tried to find something to say.

"Hey, do you play video games?" Gohan blurted out.

Reiko winced. "No, not really," she said. "I'm not that good at them."

Another awkward pause. This was hard.

"Soooooooo," Reiko finally said. "You want to go out and get a soda?"

Gohan's face brightened. Yes! A girl was talking to him! "Sure," he answered, trying very hard not to betray how nervous he was. The fact that he seemed rooted to the spot when Reiko went to leave didn't help him.

Reiko's shaggy white tresses shook as she laughed. "Are you coming?" she managed to spit out.

With great effort, Gohan moved and joined Reiko on her foray.

***

At that moment, aboard the ship Helldevil beyond Earth's atmosphere, Hedes scurried around his laboratory making sure everything was in place. He was expecting his master at...

"Lord Xenotos!" he exclaimed as the door slid open. "I didn't think you would be here so soon!"

"I told you I would be checking on the project status," Xenotos stated flatly. "Do not act surprised that I adhere to my schedule, not yours."

Hedes swallowed hard. "Very good, my lord. As you can see, the four subjects have been readied."

Hedes gestured to the four tubes against the wall. Encased in each was a member of the original Jetman team, clad in a recreation of his original uniform.

Ryu Tendo, 51, veteran Skyforce commander. Red Hawk.

Raita Oishi, 47, successful farmer and businessman. Yellow Owl.

Kaori Tendo, 47, wealthy philanthropist and wife to Ryu Tendo. White Swan.

Ako Hayasaka, 43, singing star and actress. Blue Swallow.

"Excellent work," Xenotos approved. "And what of our fifth member?"

"He is ready as well, my lord," Hedes confirmed as he brought Xenotos' attention to a separate tube. Xenotos smiled wryly as he examined the figure encased within it. Yes, it was all going to plan.

"Everything is also completed and in order on the additional project," Hedes said with no small amount of glee. "All that is left is to find an appropriate subject."

"Leave that to me," Xenotos replied as he made his way out the door. "You have served me well, Hedes. Be prepared for our strike."

A short time later, Lord Xenotos sat in meditation. The task at hand required him to exercise his mental abilities to the fullest. He was using the formidable powers of his mind to scan the Earth for an appropriate subject for his operation.

He found her in Yokohama. She was exceptionally brilliant but consumed by rage. She stood at her apartment window, gazing at the city at night, and felt nothing but contempt.

"I am Lord Xenotos," he projected to her. "Why do you hate?"

She thought she was dreaming, but figured she had nothing to lose. "All my life, I've been denied. My father died when I was 3 and no one wanted me. I was bounced from one home to another. My classmates scorned and ridiculed me because I was different."

The young woman continued, her bitterness growing with each passing second. "All I have around me is pain and misery. I wish I had the power to smash the world!"

Lord Xenotos materialized in front of the woman. "Take my hand and your wish will be granted."

Slowly, the young woman reached out and took the outstretched hand. There was a flash and they were both gone.

***

Jet Phoenix entered his quarters and pressed the security lock. Finally, he was able to shed the uniform that felt like his second skin. He removed his helmet and looked in the mirror. Then he sighed.

At least the threat to Earthship was nil. The alien craft had shown no signs of getting anywhere near it and had no exterior weapons to boot. All Skyforce had to do was jam the teleportation signal and the station was relatively safe.

"Too bad we don't have that capability here," he thought. One more reason to worry. As if playing nursemaid to a bunch of kids wasn't bad enough. What had he done to deserve this?

He laid in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Nights like this one made him wish he could sleep. He understood Ken's feelings better than any of the team could realize. He wanted action and he wanted it soon.

***

"I still can't believe you're Ako Hayasaka's daughter!" Gohan said as he sucked down his last bit of soda. "I love her music!"

Reiko took a long drag on her cigarette as she walked beside Gohan on the busy Shinjuku district street. "Well, it's not all it's cracked up to be," she replied as she blew a smoke ring into the air. "We don't have the best relationship."

That admission caught Gohan off guard. "I would have thought you had a great life."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, it's not bad," Reiko said. "But it can be really hard. For one thing, there's just me and Mom. The guy she had been seeing cut out when Mom got pregnant with me."

"Man, I'm sorry Reiko."

"Ah, don't be," Reiko dismissed with a wave of her hand. "I've met him and he's a jerk. We were better off without him. Mom's had boyfriends since him, but keeping them is tough with what she does."

"I'll bet," Gohan concurred. "I know she's always working on some music project or a movie or something."

"Yeah," Reiko said as she puffed her cigarette again. "That meant she didn't have as much time for me as I wanted. So I, y'know, rebelled to get back at her."

"Rebelled?"

"This hair for one thing," Reiko said as she pointed to her snow white mane. "Mom freaked out when she saw it!"

Gohan laughed. "I know it freaked me out when I met you! I figured you were really wild!"

"That's the idea! To make everyone think I'm 'bad'!" Reiko said as she took Gohan by the hand and planted them both on a nearby bench.

"Thing is," Reiko continued, "I've said a lot of stuff too. Horrible stuff. I just want to be able to tell Mom I really do love her."

Reiko sniffed a bit as the emotion started to get the better of her. Gohan put his arm on her shoulder. "We'll find them Reiko. We'll bring them home."

"Thanks Gohan," Reiko said as she glanced down at the cigarette in her hand. "I started smoking to get under Mom's skin. I should probably try to quit."

"Sure," Gohan said. "You'll want to be healthy when you go to your university!"

Oh man, what did that mean? Gohan knew it. He was going to blow it.

"University?" Reiko said and then she laughed. "I doubt I'll be doing that!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Grades, Gohan," Reiko said as she tapped a finger into her palm. "Mine sucked. I busted my butt and just barely made it out of school. I wasn't good at it. No way I can make it at a university."

"Well, what will you do?" Gohan asked, genuinely puzzled.

Reiko shrugged. "Don't know yet. Mom wants me to go into the music business, but I really don't feel comfortable around people that much."

Gohan jostled her a little. "I don't know, you seem pretty comfortable now."

"Guess you're right," Reiko chuckled. "Thanks for talking to me Gohan. You're a great friend."

Ouch. The "f" word. That meant he had no chance at all. Gohan almost panicked, unsure what he should do next. Then he realized there was no pressure at all. Reiko was fun and sweet and he really liked her. He could talk to her and not have to worry about making a fool of himself. This could work out after all. And besides, she might have a cute friend.

Just then, Gohan espied a familiar face in the crowd. "Hey Etsuko!" he called out to his sister.

Etsuko was surprised to be suddenly facing Reiko and Gohan. "Oh hi," she said as she shuffled her feet and gripped the bag she was carrying tightly. "I was just out doing some shopping."

"Want to join us?" Reiko offered. "Plenty of room on this bench."

"No, no, that's OK. I really need to get back to Skywatch."

Etsuko quickly disappeared back into the crowd. Gohan and Reiko watched her with great curiosity until she lost herself amid the mass of people.

"Wow, what's bugging her?" Gohan wondered.

***

The Skywatch priority alarm sounded at 6:30 the next morning. The team scrambled to pull themselves out of bed, don their Skyforce uniforms, and report to the conference room. Jet Phoenix was already waiting for them when they arrived.

"Landing at Mount Fuji," he reported as he joined the team as they rushed to the hangar. All six of them boarded their Fighters and took off.

There was no chatter at all as the Fighters sped to the scene of the alien landing. Each of them knew that this was their first - maybe their only - chance at recovering the original Jetman. The implications weighed heavily upon them.

When they got into position, Jet Phoenix and the Jetman team beamed down. They found themselves in a small valley, Lord Xenotos standing no more than 50 meters from them. Beside him was an attractive Japanese girl.

"He's got another hostage!" Gai exclaimed as he moved to activate his henshin bracelet.

"Hold back," Jet Phoenix cautioned as he restrained the young man. "I'm not so sure she's a hostage."

Even with the distance, Jet Phoenix had noticed the hard expression on the girl's face. Her eyes almost seemed to radiate shafts of broken glass. Whatever she was, she was no innocent bystander.

"I'm pleased you were all so prompt!" Lord Xenotos announced with a flourish. "It would be a shame if you were late for your own funeral!"

"I'll give him a funeral," Ken seethed.

Xenotos continued his grand declaration unabated. "Normally, I would not lower myself by taking an active part in this battle. But you Jetman fools have cost me precious time! Therefore, I challenge you to a duel of champions!"

Lord Xenotos gestured to the young woman. She lifted her left wrist deliberately to reveal that she also wore a henshin bracelet. "Cross Changer!" she exclaimed as she activated it. In a flash, she was garbed in her own special uniform.

"Green Wyvern!" she pronounced with satisfaction.

"Very impressive," Jet Phoenix said. "But one against six? Are you that overconfident?"

"Oh, did you believe that was all?" Lord Xenotos asked incredulously. With a wave of his right hand, the rest of his champions were teleported down from Helldevil - Red Hawk, Black Condor, Yellow Owl, White Swan, Blue Swallow.

"Chojin Sentai Jetman!" they cried out.

"He's using our parents to fight us!" Etsuko gasped in disbelief.

"Oh, I'm so not liking this," Reiko whined.

Gohan pointed to them in surprise. "Hey, I thought the original Black Condor was dead."

"He is," Jet Phoenix angrily replied. "That imposter is mine."

Lord Xenotos threw back his head in derisive laughter. "See you in Hell, Jetman!" he said as he teleported back to his ship.

"Cross Changer!" Jetman transformed as they raced to engage their mind-controlled predecessors in battle. But though the new generation was far more powerful, their hearts were not in the fight. And it showed.

Gai tried to take his father down with as little force as possible, but it quickly became clear that Ryu Tendo would not be so obliging. "Bringer Sword!" he shouted as he unsheathed the weapon and struck his son with it. Though his suit protected him from injury, Gai tumbled to the ground from the impact.

Ken was faring no better in his duel with his mother. He couldn't bring himself to even hit Kaori Tendo, so he could only evade her attacks. "Bird Blaster!" she shouted as she unholstered her laser gun and fired at Ken repeatedly. Even mesmerized, her aim was still uncanny and every shot struck Ken, sparks flying as his suit absorbed considerable punishment.

Gohan and Etsuko tried in vain to tackle the man mountain that was their father. But Raita Oishi was incredibly resilient and shrugged off the half-hearted punches of his children with ease. Then he picked up a huge boulder and hurled it at them. They barely avoided being crushed.

Reiko and Ako Hayasaka slowly circled each other. "Mom, please, snap out of it," Reiko silently begged. But her wishes did her no good. Ako leapt at her daughter and levelled her with a double-handed chop.

Jet Phoenix would've helped his team even the odds, but he had his own hands full. He had attempted to take on the mystery Black Condor immediately, but had found his way blocked by Green Wyvern.

"Ah ah," she scolded. "Your fight is with me!"

Well, if that was how she wanted it. Jet Phoenix swung at her and she weaved out of his way. Another swing, another miss.

"Now, it's my turn!" she said and delivered a thundering punch that sent Jet Phoenix crumpling to the ground. Then she proceeded to kick him repeatedly as he lay there. She drew her Wing Sword and struck him again and again. All the while, "Black Condor" stood by, a passive observer.

Jet Phoenix's anger welled up inside him as he endured Green Wyvern's abuse. He struggled to his feet and grabbed her by the shoulders, tossing her aside.

"I'll deal with you later," he said as he confronted the one he really wanted - Black Condor. A single uppercut rocked the mystery man and that was all the opening Jet Phoenix needed. He ripped the helmet off the imposter.

A robot. Not a very good one either. Jet Phoenix couldn't even understand the point. But he didn't have long to consider it.

"Wyvern Boomerang!" he heard right before he was clocked from behind. The metallic boomerang returned to its master, who dematerialized it now that it was no longer needed.

"I told you, your fight is with me!" Green Wyvern screamed as she stepped over her prone opponent. "Maybe this will convince you!"

Green Wyvern picked up the Black Condor robot and heaved it into the air with all her might. She was as surprised as anyone when it exploded while still in the sky.

A double cross. She would have to address that later. Meantime, she hoisted Jet Phoenix over her head and then threw him into the mountainside.

Jet Phoenix groaned as he careened into the mountain. He could feel it. Something had gone wrong. He pushed it to the back of his mind as he jetted back into the fray. He had more important matters to deal with at the moment.

The tide of the battle turned for Jetman when Gohan noticed Reiko receiving a merciless beating at the hands of her mother. His father momentarily forgotten, he rushed over and bodyslammed the hapless Ako Hayasaka. She didn't even attempt to get up.

Then it dawned on Gai. Their concern for their parents had been their weakness. They had approached the battle all wrong.

"Jetman!" he commanded. "Switch opponents! That's how we can beat them!"

Reflexively, the others obeyed him without hesitation. Reiko rolled over to Kaori Tendo's position and activated her Swallow Division power. The quartet of Blue Swallows made short work of the original White Swan. Then Etsuko used her Swan Ice to quickfreeze Ryu Tendo. Finally, Gai and Ken delivered simultaneous kicks to Raita Oishi. And just that quickly, the battle was over. Almost.

Green Wyvern paused in the midst of her assault on Jet Phoenix and saw that her "allies" had fallen. Now she was on her own. Nothing new there.

"I should've known it would come down to just me!" she sneered. "Doesn't matter! I'll take you all!"

As she spoke, an unearthly green glow began to emanate from her. Jet Phoenix, badly dazed, managed to activate his helmet communicator.

"Get away from her!" he warned.

"Wyvern Power Drain!" she announced as Jetman retreated out of her field. In their haste, however, they neglected to bring their beaten predecessors with them. The original Jetman's bodies were wrenched with pain as the Birdonic energy was siphoned from them.

"Enough!" Jet Phoenix cried as he chopped at Green Wyvern's ankles, breaking her concentration and sending her to the ground. She rose quickly, but he was there to meet her. They traded blows again, but this time Jet Phoenix got the better of her. He would not back down now.

Green Wyvern couldn't believe it. She had nearly destroyed this man and yet he fought on. Was he even human? She took to the air, trying to get a chance to regroup.

Jetman took that opportunity to mount their offensive, for all the good it did them. For even on the run, Green Wyvern was a fierce opponent. Her Wyvern Boomerang swatted both Ken and Etsuko out of the air. Then she grabbed Reiko as if she were standing still and hurled her into Gohan. With three moves, she had taken out four Jetmen.

Gai knew he had to move fast. "Hawk Fire!" he exclaimed as blistering flames shot from his palms. Green Wyvern drew her Wing Sword with blinding speed and used it to effortlessly absorb Gai's attack.

"Wyvern Slash!" she screamed as she struck Gai with the sword. Green Wyvern stood over Gai's helpless form. She had defeated Jetman single-handedly.

Now, it was Jet Phoenix's turn to be horrified. This woman was almost possessed. How could they defeat her?

"I'm tired of this farce!" Green Wyvern said. "Let's end it! DRAGON WYVERN!"

On her command, a huge shadow blotted out the sun. A grand war machine both birdlike and serpentine hung in the air. It was Green Wyvern's personal mecha - Dragon Wyvern.

Green Wyvern laughed and beamed herself aboard the ship. Jet Phoenix and Jetman were not far behind in returning to their own vehicles. Wyvern guided her craft toward the Jet Fighters. It discharged high intensity eye beams and thrashed its lengthy tail.

"You're wrong if you think you can take me!" Green Wyvern declared malevolently. "DEAD WRONG!"

"I'll draw her attention," Jet Phoenix radioed as he circled the Dragon Wyvern's head. "You know what to do!"

"Right!" Gai confirmed. "Icarus Gattai!"

The Jet Fighters linked together to form the humanoid whole. Now, it was time to really bring the fight to this woman.

"Jet Icarus!" Jetman proclaimed as one.

Green Wyvern cursed under her breath. Two could play at that game. She stabbed a series of buttons on her control panel and heavy machinery began to reshape itself around her. Quickly, her mecha landed on the ground in its own robot form.

"God Wyvern Transformed!"

Jet Phoenix continued to circle and launch volleys of laser beams. It took all of his flying skills to avoid being knocked from the sky by God Wyvern. Then, he pulled up and away from the battle. He had to give his team a chance.

"Devastation Pulse!" Green Wyvern commanded as a surge of energy was emitted from God Wyvern's chest. The blast jolted Jet Icarus, but Gai, thinking fast, pulled one of the many levers on the control panel.

"Jet Punch!" he said as his robot's fists were launched as missiles at God Wyvern. The fists locked back into place as Green Wyvern struggled to get her bearings.

"Birdonic Saber!" Jetman said as the weapon materialized in Jet Icarus' hand. It was time for their final kill technique.

Green Wyvern had other ideas. "Wyvern Blade!" she said and the titanic weapon appeared in God Wyvern's hand. Jet Icarus' Birdonic Saber slash was blocked! The two robots clanged their swords in a duel of giants. Then without warning, Green Wyvern activated God Wyvern's jets, converted her robot back to Dragon Wyvern and flew away. She didn't allow herself to relax until she was well into space.

The battle had been exhilarating. She knew that the Jetmen would take her sudden flight as surrender, but she saw it differently. She hadn't left because she was afraid she might lose. She had been afraid she might win...too soon.

She finally had the power to lash out and she meant to enjoy it. She didn't care who got in her way, not even Lord Xenotos. Besides, there was still the matter of that bomb to discuss.

She thought about how Jet Phoenix had tried to humble her. That was the biggest mistake of his life. He would be the first to taste her unfettered wrath.

***

After weeks of uncertainty, the reunion of two generations of Jetman was a joyful one. The Skywatch reception area was brimming with excitement.

"Excuse me everyone," Jet Phoenix announced. "Gohan has just returned with a very special guest - Mrs. Satsuki Oishi!"

"Satsu-chan!" Raita exclaimed as he ran to hug his wife. In her arms, he felt like a normal man again.

The battle had not come without a cost. The original Jetman had lost all their Birdonic powers, probably permanently. All of the energy had been drained from them by Green Wyvern. In a way, she had done them a favor. Now the Chaos Coalition would pay them no mind.

There had been other costs too, but Jet Phoenix refused to dwell on them. He wanted to drink in the celebration as he stood apart from the gathering. On the other side of the room, he could see Ako and Reiko Hayasaka deep in discussion. He couldn't hear their words, but their body language and tearful embrace spoke volumes. They had begun to heal what had been broken for far too long.

Then Gohan walked up to the two women and began bowing profusely to Ako, causing them both to laugh. Probably apologizing yet again for bodyslamming her, Jet Phoenix thought.

Gai, Ken, and Etsuko were talking amongst themselves. Well, it appeared "bickering" might be more appropriate for Ken and Etsuko and "peacemaking" for Gai. This new Jetman was certainly a combustible group. Just like the old days.

"Excuse me...Jet Phoenix, was it?" Kaori Tendo asked as she walked up to him.

"Yes, that's right," he confirmed. "Can I help you, Ms. Rokumeikan?"

Kaori was startled to hear her maiden name, but recovered enough to ignore the slip. "I just wanted to thank you for doing such a good job in training them. After seeing them, I really think they can do it."

"Well, they have a natural affinity for the job. Must be in the genes."

Kaori smiled and observed the festive gathering. "When I see this, it reminds me of Gai Yuki. I wish he were still alive to be here."

"But Gai is alive, Kaori," Ryu said as he joined them.

"What do you mean, Commander Tendo?" Jet Phoenix asked as he absently ran a finger across the bottom of his visor.

"As long as we keep his fighting spirit alive, Gai Yuki - Black Condor - will never die!"

Beneath his helmet, Jet Phoenix smiled. Typical Ryu Tendo. If they only knew the truth.

 

TO BE CONTINUED

 

NEXT TIME ON RETURN OF JETMAN

Green Wyvern returns! Her mission? Revenge! Can Jet Phoenix hold his own against an opponent that has already defeated him? And what is the terrible secret that may mean victory...or certain death? For the answers, be here for RETURN OF JETMAN Episode 3 - "Grand Designs"!

 

 

Story © Christopher Elam, based on the TV series CHOJIN SENTAI JETMAN and the original "Return of Jetman" stories by Lewis Smith. JETMAN and all characters from the CHOJIN SENTAI JETMAN series © TV Asahi/Toei/Toei Agency. Original characters © Christopher Elam & Lewis Smith.