FATHER'S RESOLVE
Part 38 Of GODZILLA AND QUEST



       Disclaimer: G&Q has been such a long story that I usually refer to=
 its
general disclaimer, which is on record with most of the JQML archivers as=
 a
precedent to Part 1. Today, however, I need to refer to Part 37, the pass=
age
that was written around Jonny's explanation of his escape from Dr. Zin's
caves. I did in fact borrow the idea for it from a book called SHIBUMI, b=
y
Trevanian, the author of THE EIGER SANCTION and other wonderful stories.
       NOTES: Once again, I need to firm up matters surrounding Rachel, A=
my
and Jordi before I can close G&Q and proceed on to the third and last boo=
k of
my trilogy. QPK was Book One, G&Q was Book Two, and the recovery of Jessi=
e and
other matters surrounding each of the Bannon, Quest, Carpentier, Walter a=
nd
Bayles families will be dealt with in Book Three.
       Book Three, and the trilogy in general are yet to be named..

Jagle



Christ Hospital
Cincinnati, Ohio
19 April, 1998
1700 Local Time



       Race was once again awake, though he hadn't managed to get much sl=
eep
at all. He had dozed through the long wait that was required for the doct=
ors
to fully evaluate the condition of Jessie, though before that he had been
subjected=97 and that was exactly the right word=97 to the wrath of his s=
ister.
Cheryl had already been angry to overflowing, and seeing her niece being =
in
such a bad way had finally caused her to erupt both explosively AND in fu=
ll
view of everyone in the E.R., right up to the hospital chief surgeon and =
the
ranking federal law enforcement officers. Estella had also witnessed the
tirade, though Hadji, Cameron, Catherine and Cindy were each asleep under
guard in the waiting rooms upstairs.
       The doctors had later emerged shortly after 10 a.m. and aroused Ra=
ce
and Estella for a private discussion about their daughter. Their report w=
as
centered mostly on the obvious: Jessie was critically traumatized mentall=
y, as
well as badly abused physically. She had not, however, been internally br=
oken
and harmed. Her injuries were all contusions, scrapes, and one or two min=
or
lacerations, all of which would fully heal. But her mind, that was indeed
another matter. She was not responding to any stimulus, and the doctors h=
ad
needed to be quite "invasive" while caring for her. They had drawn blood,=
 set
I.V.s, had an O.B/Gyn in to take those samples that were needed in order =
to
ascertain other conditions, and the girl had not flinched even her eyes f=
or so
much as a moment of it. She was indeed quite far away.
       Only after Jessie had been gently set in bed in a room across from
Dani's had Race finally allowed himself to fall asleep on a sofa beside h=
er.
Estella similarly fell asleep nearby in a chair. Jeremy, however, dutiful=
ly
had them aroused at 4:30 p.m. as he had earlier been ordered to do, and s=
o
Race was now about to bring everyone together who could get up and walk t=
o the
nearest waiting room. The primary care doctors also stopped by in the mid=
dle
of walking their rounds, and the law enforcement officers were also there.
Hadji, Dani and the three Bayles kids were also there, but everyone had t=
o
wait a few moments for Amy and Robbie, who were coming upstairs from her
having finally had a sonogram.

       Their huge smiles and amazing news brought several moments of happ=
iness
into an otherwise dismal day.

       "You two look like you want to burst out singing," Race saw. "What
color will you be painting the baby's room?"
       Amy masked a truly huge smile with her hand, and Robbie just turne=
d
beet red.
       Estella took it all in and asked the obvious question: "Have you m=
ore
than one child coming?"
       Amy answered. "It would seem that my man here may be called 'Mr.
Prolific.' We're getting twins... a boy and a girl."
       Trace burst out with great booming laughter, to which Kari discree=
tly
gave him an elbow; they were in a hospital, and the big engineer was show=
ing
just a bit too much gusto. Robbie then made the rounds shaking hands, and=
 the
ladies all shared hugs with Amy. Race let it go on for only a few moments=
, though.
       "All right. I've asked you all together so that we might organize =
our
movements. The Doc's orders are as follows: I, Hadji, the lady and the li=
ttle
girl are to fly in Watts to New Mexico, to the Wildey Ranch, where the Do=
c and
Jonny are already waiting with Zin and Melana. ...Are they cooperating, b=
y the
way?" Race asked of the woman and her daughter.
       "So far," the leading federal officer replied. "They are growing m=
ore
confused by the hour, though. I have no idea how they'll take it if we te=
ll
them that we want to fly them to New Mexico."
       "I'll talk to them about it," Race replied. "Are they medically fi=
t to fly?"
       "Absolutely," a physician replied. "The real question is are YOU f=
it to fly?"
       "I could be more awake and alert," Race admitted. "The problem wit=
h
that is the Doc wants to cut Amy and Rob loose from all this so that they=
 can
go on home and rest."
       "Amy can go home in the Learjet. I'm rested and recovered enough t=
o
back you up in Watts," Robbie replied.
       "I beg your pardon?" Amy wondered.
       "Docs?" Race asked.
       "Another physician spoke out. "Major Walter should take a break, a=
nd
I'd recommend that she do so at home. Robbie is fit to fly, though he nee=
ds
outpatient care. I can write the orders for that, and it will then be up =
to
him not to exert himself."
       Race continued. "Amy, you and Steve go on home in the Lear. He can=
 rest
up some and  return to Lafayette in a couple of days. You can stand by wi=
th
Dragonfly, and also guard Dani if the doctors will release her."
       The first physician again replied. "Miss Carpentier is not fit to =
fly
in a pressurized airplane. Her fever has broken, but her chest is drainin=
g,
fouling her throat and sinuses."
       "We can keep it below eight thousand feet, Doc, and pressurize no
higher than two thousand feet," Amy answered.
       "And at what rate are you able to descend the cabin as you land at=
 Palm
Key?" The Doctor was a pilot, himself.
       Amy just smiled. "Slowly, Doc. Can you give her a little something=
 that
will help her head stay clear?"
       "All things considered, yes... if you are certain that you will no=
t
descend her faster than is absolutely necessary."
       Race tried to make it final. "All right, then. Amy and Steve will =
take
Dani on home in the Lear."

       "I don't want to go," Dani simply replied.

       Every eye turned to her. "What's this?" Jordan asked. He was smili=
ng,
though, being very well aware of both what was on his sister's mind, as w=
ell
as who she held close to her heart.
       "Had it not been for Jessie's strength and friendship, I would not=
 have
been able to endure mother's death and my moving away from Halifax. I mus=
t be
allowed to remain with her now that she needs help."
       Jordan outright grinned, meeting her with eyes full of love and pr=
ide
for the fact that she was indeed growing more formidable by the day. Race
considered it, then turned to Trace. "I guess you'll be delayed in your
returning to Rendova."
       "That's no problem."
       Amy then replied. "Well, if the both of you are going to remain he=
re in
Cincinnati, then so will I."
       Robbie then grinned. "Stop by my room when we break out here, my d=
ear.
I believe you left a little something there that you'll need."
       "You mean that you don't have it with you?"
       "You know that I do."
       "Alrighty."
       "Then it's all settled," Race concluded. "Rob, Hadji and I will ta=
ke
the lady and the little girl to New Mexico in Watts. Jordi and Kari have =
a
date to keep with the Cats from CONNIE." He then turned towards a U.S. Na=
vy
lieutenant commander who had been quietly waiting just inside the door to=
 the
room. "Are your jets ready?"
       "Yes, sir."
       "Have you met Dr. Carpentier yet?"
       "No, sir. I've met just Ms. Eskind so far."
       "Your voice seems familiar somehow, Commander," Jordan said.
       "It should," Kari smiled. "She was the leader of the fighters that
appeared and killed Zin's monster that day at Rendova. Commander Patti St=
iles,
meet Dr. Jordan Carpentier. ...Jordi, this is Patti."
       Jordan, however, extended a hand that the Commander then took. "Th=
ank
you," he finally said with eyes full of gratitude.
       "I understand that the lab was built by your father?"
       "Yes. It is an advanced proof of concept demonstration for growing
cities in the sea."
       "I'm sorry. You did say 'growing?'"
       Jordan had to smile. "It's a long story. Why don't we talk about i=
t on
our way out to CONNIE?"
       "That would be a better idea."
       Jordan then walked over and embraced his sister. "You won't be abl=
e to
sing for Jessie for at least a few days."
       "No," Dani agreed. "I can sit with her while her mother sleeps, th=
ough,
and her room could use some color."
       "That it could," Jordan laughed, holding her out at arm's length n=
ow.
"Listen: I'll be back as soon as I can, and if Jessie is well enough, the=
n
you, Kari and I will take a break and fly up to Halifax for a month or so=
."
       "I don't understand. Why will Kari go with us?"
       "Huh? Didn't I tell you about Kari while you were at Rendova?"
       "No. Is that YOUR ring that she's wearing?"
       Uh, oh. "Yes it is. She and I are engaged."
       "Oh, Jordi." Dani then embraced Kari. "I would love to hear all ab=
out
this, but it will have to wait." She was unhappy that she had been left o=
ut in
the dark, but then so had everyone but Dr. Clark and Trace for the longes=
t time.
       "Don't feel badly that we didn't tell you. Our engagement was kept=
 a
secret from almost everyone at both Rendova and the Scripps Institute. I'=
m
afraid that we had become so involved with keeping up appearances that we
ended up deceiving even you."
       "'Deceiving,' sister? I refuse to see the two of you in such an un=
happy
light. You had better go now. The Commander has been standing by all
afternoon, and she has only so many more hours to fly before she must res=
t."
       "Yes."
       Dani then returned to Jordan, hugging him once more. "Impossible
brother. Please be careful."
       "We'll see you soon." Jordan and Kari then left with Commander Sti=
les.
       Race then spoke again. "So Dani, Amy and Trace will stay here with
Estella and Jessie."
       "...And Cheryl and her kids," Amy added. Michael was still confine=
d to
his hospital bed, and the balance of the Bayles family was staying in a n=
earby hotel.
       "Thanks, Amy," Race smiled. "I'll talk with Stephen at the airport.
Robbie will be with Watts in New Mexico, and Jeremy will remain with the =
Lear.
He's qualified to fly it, so I'll have him take Steve straight on up to
Lafayette. He'll then bring the jet back here so that it will be ready if=
 you
need it."
       "Righty-o."
       "All right. Hadji, call up Jeremy and tell him we'll be with him a
little after 7 p.m. Also, call up the Doc. We should be on the ground in =
New
Mexico by 8 p.m., their time."
       "Yes, Race." Hadji then left.
       "Rob, meet us down in front of the hospital in one hour."
       "Will do, boss." Robbie and Amy then left.
       "Doctors, I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time."
       "It's really not a problem."
       "Oh?"
       The leading federal officer then spoke up. "They're dedicated to y=
our
group, Race, by the order of the Chief Surgeon."
       "I see. Thank you all, gentlemen. If you'll excuse me now, I need =
to
speak privately with Professor Valasquez, and then I need to see my daugh=
ter
one more time. After that I need to speak with the lady and the little gi=
rl."
       "She will receive the best care that we can give. There is a very =
good
child psychologist over at Children's Hospital that specializes in cases =
like
these. Her name is Professor Mary Ava Goyle."
       "I have heard of her. She is very good," Estella replied.
       "We'll get her for you. Will you be able to provide your daughter'=
s
full background without Commander Bannon being available?"
       "Yes. If the Professor needs to question him, it can be arranged. =
He
is, after all, quite mobile."
       "Yes, Professor. Well, we will speak again tomorrow morning. Good
evening and good luck, Commander."
       "Thank you. Good night." The doctors and law enforcement officers =
then left.
       Race met his ex's eyes. "'Mobile?'" he smiled. "That's putting it =
delicately."
       "Yes, it is."
       "You know, all of this might just give us the opportunity to be a =
real
family once again. Zin is Benton's one remaining major enemy, and if the =
woman
down the way really is Rachel..."
       "You know that you could never leave him... not after all of these=
 years."
       "Not entirely, no. I'd still want to be with him on those trips th=
at
he'll need me. But Estella, Jessie has put us both to shame with her
unwavering faith. I think that if it's still possible, then we should giv=
e it
one more try."
       "Oh, Race. If your sole motivation is to honor her, then it will n=
ot
work. You and I have to feel real love again."
       "I realize that. Do you believe that we can't once again discover =
that love?"
       Estella smiled. "No. Honestly, I do often miss you."
       "You feel it, too? I was sure that only I was."
       "You are too honest to even begin to try and hide it. I, on the ot=
her
hand, am trained to lock away my emotions."
       "It's a damn difference, that. Well, I guess we'd better tend to
business, then. Why don't we go see Jessie?"
       "Yes."


       It was still terrible to look at Jessie, even after she had been s=
o
well cared for. She had the look of the classic thousand yard stare, her =
eyes
devoid of all life.
       Estella had received a call from one of her associates in Columbia=
, and
Race was alone with their daughter at the moment. He reflected back on ev=
ery
time in which he had ever sat in a chair in order to simply watch Jessie
sleep. It was at such moments that Race believed that he could actually f=
eel
God to be in the same room with them. But this evening... Well, he wasn't
feeling God at the moment. He then sat beside Jessie on the bed. Her head=
 was
set slightly away from him, and so he gently caressed her hair. After a
moment, a single large tear escaped his eye. After another few moments, h=
e
spoke to her...
       "I am so sorry, Jessie, for all of the pain that I've ever caused =
you.
It's so unfair in that you've never given me anything but joy. Even when =
I'm
seven thousand miles away, just thinking about you lights up my life. I l=
ove
you, kiddo." He then bent down and softly kissed her on the temple.
       "That was very beautiful," Estella said from behind him.
       "I only hope that we can get her to come all the way back."
       "Yes. ...Dani was right about this room. It is too bare."
       "I'm sure the two of you will tend to that."
       "We will. We are fortunate to have her, you know?"
       "Jessie?"
       "Yes, but I was referring to Danielle. Have you ever heard of Prof=
essor Goyle?"
       "No. Why do you ask?"
       "I've read some of her books. She says that singing to a traumatiz=
ed
girl or boy can be a very powerful medicine."
       "Come to think of it, you never did sing to her. I remember only t=
hat
you hummed very softly."
       "Even that was good for her. But Dani..."
       "...Knows a thousand songs by heart."
       "She has that wonderfully rich voice, as well. I can't wait to hav=
e her
help at that."
       "Let's hope that this doesn't go on nearly that long."
       "Yes. ...You had better go. The sooner that you finish with Zin, t=
he better."
       "Yeah." Race then rose in order to leave. He was almost to the doo=
r
when Estella stopped him.
       "Race?"
       "Yes?"
       "Do NOT die."
       "Nor yourself. The one thing that I've learned during this last mo=
nth
is that none of us are safe as long as Zin has even one operative left al=
ive
on this Earth."
       "That doesn't bode very well for us."
       "It may have come to the point where that doesn't matter."
       "If only we had seen it that way years ago."
       "Yeah. ...I want you and Dani to stay as close together as possibl=
e.
That'll make it easier for Amy and Gallagher to protect all three of you.=
"
       "You don't trust the federal officers?"
       "Not as much as I trust Amy and Gallagher. I'll be back as soon as=
 I
can, okay?"
       "All right." Race then left.
      =20

        Two hours later, Watts was in the air heading west.



End Part 38



Jagle

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