Chapter 12: Green Area
"This is our base," Goro said, gesturing around as the group of survivors took in their surroundings.
The green area was a stark contrast to the wastelands they had traveled through. Towering trees with thick canopies provided shade, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze. A small, clear stream meandered through the terrain, surrounded by vibrant patches of wildflowers and bushes heavy with fruit. Birds chirped from the branches, and small animals darted through the underbrush, unafraid of human presence.
The survivors stood in awe. Riggs took a step forward, his stern expression softening as he scanned the area. "I didn't think a place like this still existed on the surface."
Lila, the doctor of the group knelt by the stream, cupping water in her hands and letting it splash her face. "This... this is incredible," she murmured.
Mara's sharp eyes darted around the edges of the clearing, her hand instinctively on her makeshift weapon. "It's beautiful, but we're exposed. If beastmen find us here—"
"We'll defend it," Boro said confidently
Orik the mechanic walked over to a makeshift workshop near a tree, where parts of scavenged Gunmen were neatly arranged. "You've been busy," he said, inspecting a partially assembled weapon.
"We've had to be," Goro replied. "The Beastmen don't take kindly to humans making a stand on the surface. We've had to fight for every inch of this place."
Goro looked at the group, his arms crossed. "We've managed to carve out a little sanctuary here, but it's not perfect. Riggs, your group is welcome to stay, but we need to work together to keep this place safe."
Riggs nodded. "We're grateful. We'll do our part."
Kamina jumped down from Gurren-Lagann. "This place isn't just a base. It's the start of something big! Humans like us, we're gonna turn this into more than just a hiding spot. We'll make it a symbol of rebellion!"
Simon nodded slowly. "Yeah... a place where people don't have to be afraid anymore."
"Yes! And we shall name this group of rebellion Team Dai-Gurren!" Goro declared, his voice filled with determination.
Kamina's grin widened, his arms crossing over his chest. "I like this. It's got a ring to it! Team Dai-Gurren... Yeah, that's the name that'll shake the heavens!"
Riggs chuckled softly, the first sign of amusement from the otherwise stoic man. "Bold name for a bold group. Let's hope we can live up to it."
"Live up to it?" Kamina scoffed. "We're gonna surpass it! This name isn't just for us, it's for everyone who's still fighting, everyone who's still dreaming of the surface and freedom. Team Dai-Gurren is about proving that humans can rise above anything!"
Goro placed a hand on Lagann's head, a small smile on his face. "It's not just about fighting, though. It's about building something better. A future where people don't have to hide underground anymore. Where they can live and thrive."
Simon looked up from where he was sitting, his quiet voice chiming in. "A place where everyone can belong."
The survivors exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with resolve.
"Team Dai-Gurren it is," Riggs said firmly, extending his hand.
Goro grasped it, sealing the pact.
—
"Riggs, there's an underground settlement east of here called Giha Village," Goro said, turning to Riggs. "It's where Kamina, Simon, and I came from. I want you to take someone with you and head there. Let anyone who wants to come to the surface know they're welcome here in the green area."
Riggs nodded, his expression serious. "Giha Village, huh? If it's where you all started, then it must be worth the trip. I'll take Ria with me; she's quick on her feet and can talk to people without scaring them off."
A petite woman with short, wavy hair and bright eyes perked up. "You got it, Riggs. I'll make sure to bring back as many people as I can."
Goro placed a hand on Riggs' shoulder. "It's not going to be easy. Some of them might be afraid to leave, and others might not trust the surface. Just let them know there's a safe place here, and they'll be welcomed."
Riggs grunted in agreement.
Kamina leaned against Gurren, grinning. "Don't forget to tell them about the amazing Team Dai-Gurren! They'll come running once they hear about us."
Riggs and Ria began preparing for the journey, gathering supplies and checking their maps. The mission was vital, not just for bringing people to safety but for spreading the message that humanity could reclaim its place on the surface.
As the two set off eastward, Goro turned back to the group. "Alright, Team Dai-Gurren. While they're gone, we've got work to do. Let's make sure this base is ready for whoever Riggs and ria bring back."
—
"Orik, can you build this?" Goro handed over a neatly rolled blueprint.
Orik unrolled it and studied the lines and annotations, his brow furrowing in thought. "Hmm... sure, I can build it. But what is this exactly?"
"It's the first step in our revolution," Goro replied. "This is a communication tower. It'll transmit sound waves and, eventually, even produce images to any location where we place beacons."
Orik tilted his head, intrigued. "Sounds ambitious. What's the end goal?"
Goro crossed his arms, his eyes sharp with determination. "I'm not the kind of person who can stay rooted in one place. I'm going to travel and save who I can. So make drones that can spread these beacons across the world. With this, we can connect with others, those who've been hiding underground or isolated on the surface. If they hear our message, they might join the fight."
Orik gave a small smirk. "You're not just building towers, you're building a network of hope. Alright, leave it to me."
—
Over the next few days, Orik worked tirelessly on the communication tower. Goro, Kamina, and Simon assisted where they could, hauling materials and holding parts in place. The survivors from Riggs' group watched with a mix of curiosity and hope, their spirits lifting as the towering structure began to take shape.
"You really think this thing will work?" Kamina asked, leaning on Gurren's arm as he watched Orik weld a section of the tower.
"It's not about thinking, Kamina," Goro replied, adjusting a cable. "It has to work. If we're going to unite people, they need to know they're not alone."
Simon, who had been quietly attaching wires, hesitated before speaking. "What if... people are too scared to join us? What if they don't believe we can fight the Beastmen?"
Goro placed a hand on Simon's shoulder. "That's why we're doing this, Simon. To show them it's possible. They need to hear our voices, see us fighting, and know there's a chance."
Kamina grinned "When they hear about Team Dai-Gurren, they'll have no choice but to join up. We're unstoppable!"
As the sun set on the green oasis, the tower stood tall, its makeshift antenna reaching into the sky. Orik wiped his brow, stepping back to admire his work. "It's done. Now we just need to test it."
The group gathered around as Goro powered up the system. Static crackled through a nearby speaker, followed by a faint hum as the tower came to life.
"Now for the results," Goro said, a hint of anticipation in his voice as he placed the beacon on the ground. The device emitted a low whirring sound, its lights blinking as it powered up. With a sudden burst of energy, the beacon projected a holographic image of Goro into the sky, towering over the group.
Everyone stared in awe, their eyes wide with amazement. The projection was not perfect by any means, its edges were a little fuzzy, and the image flickered slightly, but the sheer possibility of what it represented was enough to leave them speechless.
"Wow… it's like he's really here," one of the survivors murmured.
Goro watched the projection, his thoughts distant. To the others, it was a groundbreaking achievement, a new tool to connect with the world, a way to communicate with people far and wide. But to Goro, it was a reminder of what had been lost.
He remembered the advanced technology of his past life, of the year 3000, where holographic projections were flawless, where communication across vast distances was instantaneous and seamless. This was a crude imitation, nothing more than a shadow of what once existed.
But Goro pushed those thoughts aside. this was a step toward making that reality come true. The beacon was still a powerful tool, just not the perfect one he knew could be possible.