Clifford
April 14th, 2005, 07:36 PM
Ok here is my kaiju Story please comment on it.
Cliff
:devil:
1
Chucks Minigun strafed fire across his sights the damn blur was next to impossible to hit. “Freaking Bird! Red three do you copy?” There was no answer everyone was dead or maybe too engaged to answer suddenly his radio came alive. “Red Three Down! Repeat, Red Three Down!!” A static voice screamed. “Freaking Bird, Hold on James Back up is coming.” Chuck Looked out his cockpit window to see red three Plummet into the Football stadium in an orange explosion, Good thing it was empty now. four minuets ago there would have been more casualties than Aaron. Long streams of black smoke marked the remainders of his Apache squadron only he and James remained to survey the wasteland, overturned cars slid across concrete pushed by impossible winds. No windows remained within three hundred meters of their position and worst of all the occasional screech of the monstrous bird called Ladnar. The beast had landed at the stadium and began eating civilians that’s when red wing from the local airbase was called in and summarily murdered. Chuck and the others may as well have been shooting at a shadow, How the hell can something so big bee that fast? No time to think about that now they had to escape.
Their weapons were useless and to eject meant to be eaten by that bird. “Captain I have a visual on The bogie.” James sputtered through the failing radio. “ Twenty-one Degrees north, It landed I have a clear shot. Request right flank strafe.” Chuck flew into action if he could only paint the damn bird he might be able to Nail it with a missile. “No time!” he thought to himself as he rattled off thirty rounds from his Minigun. It chewed concrete but No luck the bird was gone in a blink. “Captain I have lost visual.” Chuck surveys the surrounding, “Damn nothing!” he whispers to himself. A blur here a wisp of movement there the damn bird was too damn fast to track with the naked eye. Suddenly Ladnar was on James its claws descending on his Apache. “Get the hell outs there red four, Its right on your tail!” it was too late, A horrible series of rapid fires clangs rang across the skyline even over the engines of the Apache helicopter as each blade on his Chopper broke off impacting the damn birds Talons. Chuck barely pulled up as one broken blade glanced his landing strut. James was screwed. “Captain! I am Goin …” Nothing, The bird landed hard causing the Apache in its talons to explode while still in its grasp. This barely made Ladnar blink. Though the monstrous bird did seem to be a little disappointed that what was left was inedible.
“Your going to pay for that You Damn monster!” Chuck said through quiet rage that was quickly building Ladnar seemed distracted Now was the time. Missile locked, He fired and he missed somehow the freak monster moved the top of the building exploded in a soray of shrapnel, flame and smoke.. “Damn.” Chuck spit out in anger. “Commander Warner return to base. This Conflict is over.” Came the stodgy voice of air commander Philips. “Sir!?” Chuck Protested “Now Captain, That is an order.” The commander Crackled through the radio. “…Yes sir.” Chuck reluctantly conceded, turned his Apache around and headed for base. Ladnar however appeared to have other ideas. One sonic boom later all was dark Chuck had entered a universe of pure flaming pain.
2
Several weeks later Chuck awoke in the hospital the one eye he could still see out of gazed down at his broken body. The aft compartment of his apache exploded when the monster broke the sound barrier catching his ejector seat aflame he impacted without the aid of a parachute. That was something right? Only a few people have done that right? Whoop-de-Do Just his luck he lived only to become a cripple. Full body cast to boot. Chuck did a quick assessment of his mobility one eye and two fingers. No bad considering a fall from five hundred feet he managed to think through the dull pain which permeated every twitch of his one good eye. Chuck found a button near his working finger he decided to take his working digit for a test drive. A few seconds later the doctor entered with a nurse. The doctor was about two meters tall with a bald head and thick glasses. Chuck half expected one of those round shinny things stuck to one of those headbands you always see in old mad scientist movies. “Ah so you are awake Mr. Warner, Good to see that.” Funny didn’t feel so good.
“You had quite a crash the slip stream of that monster basically disintegrated your Chopper and I am afraid between the crash and the damage caused from the explosion nearly every bone in your body is injured. Various breaks and fractures all about your skeletal system.” The nurse interrupted the doctor with a tap on the shoulder. “Doctor!” the doctor caught himself. “Ah yes very sorry. Anyway Mr. Warner you are indeed very lucky despite all of this I believe that in several years you will regain about 90% of your bodily function. The news hit him, He probably would have flinched if he wasn’t in the body cast.
Chuck tried to talk but only succeeded in making some weird noise which to him sounded like a dog whimpering, he felt small and useless. “Don’t try to talk Mr. Warner, Here let me help you.” The doctor pulled out something like a small remote with all the letters of the alphabet and tucked it between chucks two working fingers. “There just type whatever it is you want to say and the speaker will produce the words. It Made chuck feel even smaller but it did feel go to be able to communicate. Chuck began pecking on the small remote. “Did we get it?” a few more pecks went by. “The bird?” Chuck finished. “The Bir…Oh Ladnar Well I am not sure.”
“Let me answer that question doctor.” Chuck knew who it was. “Chuck The tanks never came. The brass decided that it was pointless, nothing we have can touch that monster.” It was Philips. “We had to try.” Chuck peck out on his box. “I know soldier but we also have to follow orders, tanks aren’t cheap we’d have thrown them away for probably nothing.” Chuck wanted to argue but he couldn’t have thought of a good argument except for maybe that his squad died for nothing, he didn’t have the strength for it anyway through all the drugs and logic that assaulted his mind right. After his whole squadron of highly trained apache pilots were annihilated in ten minuets and the only because the bird was probably playing around with them. What the hell could some clumsy slow tanks have down?
“What now?” chuck new mechanical voice spoke. “Well Soldier I think its time for you to recover, Than we can talk about what’s going to happen next.” Chuck had a good idea and it was summed up in three words, Revoked Flight Status. Chuck had a long road ahead of him and he wasn’t about to give up. He was still alive that meant there was still a chance for payback and god be damned if chuck wasn’t going to give it one hell of a try.
3
The fourteen months went by slowly, The annoying Physical therapist kept saying stuff like “Don’t push your self.” And “One step at a time.” And the ever popular “You have your whole life ahead of you.”. Bull, All chuck had been before was gone now all that remained was his revenge there would be time for lives, Baby steps And a family after the monster was Pillow stuffing. Chuck felt he was making real progress he could move about without the damned wheelchair. Sure he had to use crutches still and it took his five minuets to make it across a room. As his kegs didn’t quite work right and he basically had to relearn how to walk. Today was no different than all those other days with Emanuel, Chucks irritating physical therapist. Sure she was a Cute little African American number but all of her cheery little phrases always grated on his nerves. Oh well he could have gotten the fat dude with the clammy palms so it wasn’t all-bad.
“Chuck you have a visitor.” Emanuel Said with her seeming trademark happy smile. In walked Philips. It occurred to chuck that Philips was smoking in a hospital In his thirteen years in the Military he had never seen Philips smoke let alone in a hospital. Something was wrong. “Excuse me doctor.” Philips said To Emanuel. “Could I have a moment with Chuck alone?” She nods and steps out. ”Chuck I am afraid I have all sorts of bad news.” He it comes Chuck thought. “I am afraid the Brass has decided to revoke your flight status.”
Though it still stung a little Chuck saw that coming a mile away. “Yeah what else?” chuck said soberly. “Well it’s that monster, That Ladnar creature.”
“Oh what now?” Chuck whispered under his breath his hands suddenly shaky. That happened allot lately even around non-giant birds. “Keep this under your hat Chuck but the bird has landed in Americas bread basket and is consuming food stock by the tons Namely about Six thousand tons a day. If we don’t do something soon we are screwed.” Chucks heart sunk. “Why revoke my status and than tell me I cant do anything about the Freaking bird?” Chuck Growled at the Air commander. “I know its cruel son but you said to keep you updated on the bird no matter what. It just so happen that your revoked flight status is an unfortunate coincidence, What’s worse other countries are buying into this Giant monster nonsense seem like each country has its own city stomping mascot. Hell the government even has a name for the problem, The gargantuan menace they are billing on the television. With the damn internet its almost impossible to keep anything under wraps these days.” Chuck was silent for several moments. “You said there were more of them? More monsters?” Chuck finally said. “Yup it seems so not a season goes by without discovering some new giant beast tromping along in some long forgotten valley or something. So far nothing as dangerous as Ladnar, Knock on wood, But some real Doozys. “
“Like what?” Chuck Managed.” Well let me think. Well the Japanese are being plagued by some giant sea serpent, Don’t quite remember the name. And in southern Texas, down Mexico way there is some bunch of giant ants or something. And you know all those rumors about the lock-ness monster?” Chuck Looked a little skeptical. “Don’t tell me Nesse is real?” “Nah just screwing with you. But in Africa some giant elephant is stomping across the savanna People call it Behemoth after some religious reference. Don’t get me started on the religious nuts. All sorts of cults are breaking out. While other established religions are calling it a sign of the end times or some such idiocy. Hell legends about giant squids have persisted for centuries no telling what else might pop up.” Great a world of monsters, What next Space aliens or zombies. Chuck laughed at his own thoughts not that it helped the shaking or anything. “Please leave Philips I need to digest all of this.” Chuck sat down. “You got it son, You keep up the good work here and I will see what I can’t do about getting you a cushy desk job somewhere.”
4
Several months passed and chuck was getting around with a cane pretty well. The sun shined the birds chirped and Chuck made it to a park bench and began reading his copy of Moby Dick, Interesting read. Chuck Slowly glanced up from his book as the high pitched whine of sirens suddenly went off. He looked across the bay-side toward the city he could hear the Thunderous drumming of what sounded like thousands of chopper blades. Suddenly in the distance The tops of two Skyscrapers disintegrated as supersonically fast wings tore it to pieces. The Skyscrapers Toppled like a card castle in a hurricane. The terror bird screeched and flame bellowed forth from it massive mouth. The bird locked its gaze directly on chuck. Even from several miles away Its eyes seemed to glow and its face contorted in demonic flames the color of Pain and death. Like a Bloodshot blink Ladnar was above Chuck it’s great beak open the corpses of hundreds of people falling from its mouth. Women, children and even pets toppled crushed and half-chewed falling toward Chuck all of them screaming.
Suddenly Chuck was in his bed Sweat running down his face the grip on his came was clenched with white knuckles. Through the terror he hoped it was sweat which stained his Pajamas as well, No such luck. Chuck gazed through his room in the VA hospital. It was dark and the dim streetlights outside seemed to cast dark blue shadows everywhere. Despite the warm weather the room seemed cold. Chucks vision eventually came to rest on the window where a humanoid shillouette calmly sat strumming its fingers on the window seal A cigarette winking in the darkness illuminating very little.
“Emanuel?” Chuck said hopefully, sure she was annoying but it didn’t stop him from having a wet dream or two about her, Emanuel didn’t smoke. “Bad dream?” Said an unfamiliar voice. “Chuck Stood up almost falling over but caught himself on the foot board of the bed. “Who are you?” Chuck said accusingly As he half his cane out in a defensive posture. “Oh that’s not important Mr. Warner.” Came the cool voice of what sounded like a middle age woman. “I believe that I have something that you want.” She paused waiting for the obvious response, Chuck didn’t fail to please. “Yeah and what’s that?” Chuck asked on cue. “Why revenge of course.” Chuck Smiled. “Are you interested?” She finished. “Against that bird?” She nodded “And many other horrible monsters just like it.”
Chuck though about it for about a second. “Yes! I am interested.” Chuck spoke. “Good Mr. Warner.” Suddenly there was a gun in her hand just as suddenly there was a dart in his neck. Chuck quickly dozed off the last thing he saw was a hand coming down to retrieve the dart it was missing a pinky.
5
Chuck was getting sick a tiered of waking up in strange places. “Sorry Mr. Warner for the tranquilizer but it is important that you not know how to get here incase you change your mind. “ Chucks vision gradually went from a big white blur to a semblance of color and vertigo. “Don’t worry Mr. Warner the disorientation will pass, just a small side effect of the sedative I used.” Chuck remembered now his vision cleared to reveal a middle aged woman. She has short graying hair and a slim figure a scar ran from the left corner of her mouth to the inner corner of her right eye. Her face was serious as were her steel blue eyes. “Where am I?” chuck finally croaked out. “I cant tell you yet Mr. Warner, Sorry about all the cloak and dagger but I have to be sure you are right for this organization.” Chuck was really starting to dislike this Old broad.
“Call me Ann. Mr. Warner I belong to a certain shall we say unofficial organization which has been put together to deal with this so called Gargantuan menace.” Yeah that’s right, Gargantuan menace that’s what Philips called it. “You mean the monster right?” chuck asked. “That is Correct Sir, The monsters. There are more of them than you know Mr. Warner.” She took a long puff off of a Cigarette “Stop with the Mr. Warner BS Ann call Me Chuck or captain But that Mr. Warner stuff is driving me nuts.” Chuck grabbed his temples, they ached from the drug. “Very well captain Warner the video I am about to show you is from Africa, these clips were takes from some various internet sites. Anyway Mr. War.. I mean captain.” She paused with a half smile.” Sorry about that force of habit I suppose.” She pushed play on the Remote sitting next to her on the arm of the recliner she flicked her ashes into a trey with her free hand..
“This first video is from Africa Captain.” The image is obviously from a video camera being clumsily wielded by some drunken person judging from the jerking image. Various African dialect can be heard. One drunken soldier waves into the camera as he sucks down another brew. A second drunk soldier honks harassing some nearby Hyenas. The sounds of random shots ring out every now and than as the camera jerks about with each drunken whim and bump. We can see the image of a zebra which is quickly gunned down by the drunken soldiers. A bit behind and to the right we see a large gray stone protruding from the ground Probably about sixty meters tall.
The drunken soldiers stop by the zebra to admire their handy work there are four total counting the camera man. one is near a tree taking a whiz. The second is by the zebra and The last is poking the jeep the camera pans clumsily between the two of them. The one near the Jeep says something and the other two come over too the Conveyance. The Soldier points toward the rock laugh and commences to open fire with the machine gun mounted on the Jeep. The soldiers let out a torrent of laughs to match the machine gun fire. One drunkenly points his finger at the rock making a gun noise of his own. Suddenly the rock seems to shudder and twist to revel something that looks like an elephant only Much larger. The Enraged beast trumpets shorting the audio on the Camera. Large clouds of dust poof up as the beast tramples toward the drunken quartet they scramble in disorganized panic. The camera catches nothing but dust and darkness and than finally static.
“That Captain was the Behemoth. Intelligence indicates that that particular beast was created by a west African laboratory, Unfortunately the creature escaped. One soldier from the video managed to make it back to his Jeep but sadly the enraged Monster followed him back to the base. Reports say the base was destroyed in fewer than seven minuets. I assure you Chuck that the soldiers there were not drunk. Sources tell us that the artillery and even high yield explosives had no effect on the creature besides angering it even more. Though you couldn’t tell from the video the creature was more like a gorilla in the form of its body.” Chuck took a moment to digest the information. “Yeah so what another monster which the military is unequipped to fight, I know the story Ann my whole Squ..” Ann interrupted “Yes, yes your whole squadron was Killed by the monster the media has dubbed Ladnar. We have all suffered loses at the had of the gargantuan menace Take my Once good looks for example.” Chuck took this as an invitation to pry. “Yeah I had been meaning to ask you what your story was.” Chuck paused.
Ann got visibly hard in the face but only slightly. “well without going into too much detail. I used to be a reporter for Action news and was covering a certain little civil war in a certain country. Let me lust say that some giant monster have certain talents which make them effective hunters. This particular beast could effectively turn invisible It stalked and killed a well trained gorilla leader, He was my friend. And it also killed a us Special Forces unit. No one ever saw the monster but ultimately the beast cost me my finger and my looks. But hey at least I am alive.” She pauses for a second as if collecting some thoughts. “Its getting bigger too originally foot prints indicated something roughly the shape and size of a tyrannosaur judging by the footprints I believe it was something like one meter long recent measurements put the monster footprints at nine Meters long. Making this monster about fifty-two meters tall .” It was one big critter.
6
Chuck spent the remainder of the evening reviewing various tapes, pictures and files about the Gargantuan menace alone. He never thought there could be so many. 19 in total count but none by his imagination were worse than Ladnar. One creature in particular though gave him the creeps the file codename Hrug. It seemed that Oil slick bacteria had formed into one giant colony and became something of a blob that flick always scared him he had a fear of suffocation stemming from a childhood accident. Chuck banished his case of the Heebe Jeebies and picked up the phone “Ok Ann I have read the files you wanted. What dose all of this have to do with me?”
“Well Chuck we want you to help us try and kill some of these monsters seeing as how you actually lived in a direct confrontation with one of the G’s. We thought you would be a good choice.”
“G’s?” Chucak questioned.
“Oh I am sorry that is short for gargantuan, Sort of a blanket term for these Aberrations.”
“ahh.”
Anyway as I was saying Captain you lived.”
“Lived. Ha! I was damn lucky that’s all.”
“Be that as it may you and two others are the only ones which can make that claim. And frankly we need all three of you.”
“Yeah and why is that?”
“well we have a weapon which we think might actually be effective against the creature and it takes 3 to operate it I pilot and two gunners..”
“Weapon, what weapon? Ladnar decimated my whole crack squadron of Air force bad asses we never even touched the *******. This Behemoth creature sucked down artillery fire for several minuets and just shrugged it off. The worst yet some giant crab took a hit from experimental navy rail-gun at point blank range and still decimated the battle ship with little more than a scorch mark on it shell. What the hell kind of weapon do you have than could possibly hurt these things. They seem for the most part indestructible. “
“We have developed a prototype weapons platform which has certain experimental armaments which we believe are capable of at least injuring these creatures.”
“Oh yeah like what kind of weapon systems are we talking about?”
“Well Chuck I am afraid I can’t tell you that part until you agree to join up.”
Chuck didn’t have to even think “Ok I’m in.”
“Very well Captain. The weapon platform is called the troll Manned combat Automaton. Basically imagine a giant robot roughly the shape of a man. You see there are several weapons that in theory could Kill one of these beasts. But the vehicles were too flimsy to protect the weapons for too long against the Attacks of G’s. Thus they could never deliver enough ordinance to kill one.”
“Giant robot? This kind of sounds like a load of BS Ann. Tell me about the weapons.”
“Oh very well chuck. The primary weapon is a one-hundred-kilowatt Laser which is powered by a Plutonium element. This can flash fry a hole even through space ages super alloys at upto 1 mile. Second are the onehundred-twenty MM uranium Sabo rounds these should prove effective at stunning these creature long enough to fire the Primary. There are several back up weapon systems as well Most of which are designed to keep the G’s away from the Platform. MOAB missile launchers, Incendiary spreaders, and gas dispensers being the most prevalent. The gas types range from simple Tear gas to VX nerve Agent.” Chuck Dreamed of seeing Ladnar spasm under the effects Of VX.
“Where is this Troll Thing anyway?”
“Well Chuck it is well We will just take you there in a few weeks. That way you can train with it first hand. Well the simulator anyway. Can’t have someone just playing around with 30 billion in military hardware now can me Captain.”
“Whatever Ann I am getting some sleep.”
“I was just going to suggest the same thing, If you get hungry just push the red intercom button and ask for something. Lots of spare MRE’s here.”
“Will do Ann.” Chuck hit the sack.
7
Several days later chuck was escorted into a classroom With Ann where a skinny kid was lecturing several other people. He had a laser pointer pointing at some sort of blurry splotch of a beach. “see there this is the G’s droppings. According to our tests is identical the dropping of Limulus Polyphimus or the ordinary horse shoe crab. As you can see this sample however is much larger than what the small creature could normally produce. The standard horse Shoe crab can attain a maximum length of point six meters. The largest similar species present in the fossil records is roughly three point three meters long. This specimen judging from report and the weight of this stool is fifty five meters or one-hundred-eight feet long. Now the reason that this particular G is a priority kill is because of its reproductive habits. There is little risk of other G’s reproducing with the exception of the hive of course. Because of their great size differences between a givven g’ and its next closest species the sexual organs are just too incompatible and a coupling would kill one participant or another. But Limulus Polyphimus fertilized its eggs in a spawning pool all this creature would have to do is deposit its eggs on one of these beaches and we would have to deal with a tremendous population boom of Mega-Limulus, As I like to call them..
“How big?” one of the Students called out.
“Well the standard Horse shoe crab lays somewhere between two thousand to twenty thousand eggs. Best case Scenario is possibly two thousand creatures. After three years once again taking a best case into account there would be four million creatures and three years after that eighty billion creature. And that’s assuming that the food would be sufficient enough which it probably isn’t.”
“Holy Crap!” Someone gasped out.
“Holy crap is right” The skinny kid exclaimed. “Now you see why this is such a priority kill if the worst happens we have six or so weeks probably more to find the nest before the Crabs hatch.”
“So what the hell are we waiting for?” Chuck called across the room.
“Captain please calm down.” Ann put her four fingered hand on Chucks shoulder. Chuck squirmed away obviously uncomfortable with the touch.
“Calm down? Are you nuts eighty billion giant crabs in six years and you want me to freaking calm down? Forget that you said we have a weapon to use against these Sob’s and you want to just sit around and listen to some diaper wearing punk chatter on?” Chuck stopped to suck in a breath.
“Captain there are ways to do things, and besides you aren’t ready to operate the weapons platform yet.”
“Hey runt how long we got till crab mating season?” The kid whoever he was didn’t appreciate Chucks tone. “Well we have about a month.”
“Good C’mon Ann show me where this simulator is.” This time chuck was with the inappropriate touching, He grabbed Ann by the arm and begins hobbling toward the door. With suspicious strength Ann resisted and Chuck couldn’t put on the power with his gimpy leg.
“Mr. Warner! Please unhand me!” Chuck paused everyone was staring he finely let Ann’s arm go forcibly.
And continues. “I didn’t Bring you here to get all out of control as a matter of fact if you keep that attitude those higher up’s are likely find you unfit to operate the platform and I know that you don’t want that to happen. Now listen to Professor Horby he knows what he is talking about. He is the foremost expert on animal behavior. “ She looked at chuck a slight glint of concern at the angry look on his face.
“Fine!” Chuck found a seat. “Who are the rest of these Yay-hoo’s anyway?”
“Well this is sergeant Juliet Mc Sweeny of the Texas state national guard she will be piloting the Troll with you. She is an expert tank operator and a top notch mechanic.”
“Nice to meet you.” The sergeant said as she pulled of her green cap and adjusted the strap for a more comfortable fit. She had dirty blond hair and cloudy green eyes that seemed to make her face blend in with her uniform kind of robbing it of its inherent beauty.
“So Sergeant what monster did you face down?” Chuck inquired he recognized the name from a file but couldn’t remember which one.
“Oh nothing big Just some giant ants. Nothing my M1-A1 and me couldn’t handle. At least not until the big ones came out that is.” Her face drooped a bit.
“Big ones?” Chuck asked.
“Yeah some kind of warrior cast just like ants their mandibles or whatever you want to call them tore through our armor like it was wet toilet paper.” Her face drooped in sadness a little more.
“And what about you?” Chuck pried. “Who are you?”
A trim young man in a navel uniform made his way over to chuck and gave him a stiff armed salute.
“Ensign Ricky Martinez reporting sir!” his heels clicked together at he came to a stop and flattened edge of his hand rested near his forehead. “I will be your pilot aboard the troll weapons platform Sir!”
Chuck recognized this name he was aboard the destroyer which engaged the giant crab or Mega-Limulus as chuck just found out.
“Yeah I recognize the name.”
“Gentlemen can we please get back to the briefing?” Dr Horby inquired. Everyone drifted back into his or her Seats. The doctor continued.
“as many of you well know G’s are incredibly resilient, almost invincible this one especially if termination becomes a problem aim for joints that is where the Chitin is weakest. If that proves ineffective strike for the reproductive organs located here.” The red dot glided toward a certain part of the Crabs anatomy. “If we can’t kill it at least we can cripple its reproductive cycle.”
And on The lecture went on for two more hours Chuck was bombarded with various charts and diagrams which game him a headache he wanted to get in that simulator and this lecture to him was just an unfortunate formality before that happened.
8
Training in the simulator was abnormally complex compared to the controls of the apache which had the handy Hud targeting system. The simulator was like a super detailed Video game but only more realistic.
This simulator probably cost several million its self. No sense was spared except for smell. When a simulated monster struck the cockpit shook. Damage indication lights started blinking and all sorts of bells and whistles blared allover the control board. The damn game was Hard too the crew only managed to win maybe one out of every ten fights with a simulated G. Chuck supposed the high difficulty was to get them as good as possible. Chuck also noticed a few flaws the amount of shaking in the cockpit didn’t seem consistent. He was getting as much shaking from The Ladnar simulations Wing wind as strong while in his much smaller Apache. This troll thing was supposed to be on a scale similar to that of the Monsters he was to fight there shouldn’t be so much Shake. Chuck let it go though all and all judging by the graphics this weapon platform thing might just do the trick. Though Chuck and Juliet were to be the gunners everyone had to know every system inside and out incase someone got hurt though Chuck was Juliet and Ricky’s senior by at least ten years they seemed surpassingly mature and able. Guess fighting skyscraper-sized monsters will do that to someone.
9
though it took him thirty tries Killing Ladnar in the simulation proved therapeutic, Chuck slept like a baby and had non Giant monster based nightmares which always seemed like a scary movie rather than something to be frightened of. Zombies, werewolves and Hannibal Lector played out some strange scenarios in his dream. Its was all pretty laughable compared to the real life nightmare he would face. Chuck had no idea how soon. the loud Chirp of the alert tore him from his relatively peaceful slumber. “Figures.” Chuck Mumbled as he groggily got up from the bed.
“Code red G activity, Repeat Code red G activity! All personnel report to stations.”
“This is it chuck!” chuck said to himself more clearly as he quickly slapped on his BDU
Minuets later Dr Horby, Ricky and Juliet are quickly walking down the hall chuck struggles to catch up with his bum leg keeping him a bit behind.. “well Which one is it?” Juliet was asking Dr. Horby. “Woah hold on a second doc don’t start the show and tell without me.” Chuck said as he made after them with an off stepped gate.
“Good You are all here.” The doctor said “As I was about to say The G we are dealing with on this particular outing is none other than the creature Dubbed Mega-Limulus I believe that you recognize him from by class the other day.
“The giant crab right?” Ricky asked.
“Correct the creature according to locals in Mexico claim the creature he been raiding villages, no doubt putting on bulk for matting season. I know we already went over this but the creature main offensive weapon seems to be its tail. This tail unlike the rigid tail of Limulus Polyphimus is flexible think of it as something like a very sharp whip though its is unlikely it can grapple with this apparatus, however keep a sharp eye and an open mind. Its secondary seems to be its large claw. Limulus Polyphimus lacks large claws. However Mega-Limulus has a pair of offensive claws similar to those on a fiddler crab.”
About than they reached the hanger chuck was itching to see the troll in person. The door hissed open as the hydraulic slid it upward, Nothing but an old stripped down B-52.
“What the hell?” Chuck gawked out in a stunned voice.
“Problem?” Horby asked.
“Uh where is the machine, you know the troll.”
“It is on location of course that is where it will be most useful we don’t have the resources to create delivery system for expedient deployment from anywhere. Really it’s the troll’s greatest flaw.
This revelation didn’t seem to sit to well with chuck. The golden nugget that was the Troll all of a sudden seemed useless when it comes to his main reason for joining this nameless organization. What was he supposed to do sit around in one spot and wait for that freakish bird waltz into his crosshairs? Sure he might be able to kill it but would he ever truly even have the chance? A million other questions pecked their way into his brain like a million microscopic Ladnar’s giggling confusing humorless Limericks of doubt into his every plan.
10
The whole plane trip chuck was silent Ricky and Juliet chatted casually about the mission, when addressed chuck gave simple answers, Lots of foul toned yes’s and nos with a couple I don’t cares thrown in for good measure. Chuck perked up a bit after the plane landed sure it was improbably as all hell but he though that any chance was better than none. And regardless after this mission he would be a hero though almost no one would probably know about it except for the witnesses. Hey who knows maybe Philips was right about the interned maybe some Nerd was stalking around in the Bushed with his digital camera even as they spoke. Who knows it might even make the news.
The trio took a Hummer to the naval base where the aircraft carrier moving the ogre would dock. The next village where Mega-Limulus was likely to show up was just a few miles up the coast from the base. The sea around the areas was baited with large quantities of chum this wasn’t for the Giant crab this was to attract Sharks which the monster seemed to like to eat according to sources, as Dr Horbie would say.
The tri were shipped to the Air craft carrier Ogasawara as soon as they arrived at the base. The chopper ride was very quite except for the chopping noise of course this was some sort of Russian chopper maybe a Hind. This was starting to look like a multi national deal Mexican base, Japanese Aircraft carrier, Russian chopper quite the cosmopolitan little organization indeed.. Chuck sat in anticipation the thought of finally seeing the troll in person snuffed out his bad mood from earlier, well for the most part anyway.
The tiny spec of the Ogasawara quickly grew into the monstrous naval machine it was. However its cargo put the might ship to shame. The Ogasawara was low in the water because above it stood 36,000 tons of military bad attitude. The troll by Chuck estimation was just aver about 200 feet tall and the thing bristled with more guns and armor than his whole squadron did back in the day. The thing was humanoid it even had arms and hands from each shoulder were three cannons. Chuck figured those were the 120 MM Uranium sabo Cannons. On the Monstrosities chest was sort of a concave shaped section. Judging from the operation classes that had to be the primary, The Joten laser cannon. Fire that puppy you had better prey that you hit because you are dead in the water for about twenty seconds while the reactor recharges the systems. Chuck didn’t seen the moab launchers but he knew that they were somewhere in the abdomen. The flame and chem. dispensers were in the rams to give a wider firing arch.
Chuck was so impressed he about wet himself. None of the Gargantuan even came close to that things size. The simulator didn’t seem to do it justice all of the G’s were similar size. Guess the information was a bit wrong when they designed the simulator. Chuck wondered how much of a liability that was going to be. Chuck also hoped that this wasn’t one of those lowest bidder jobs.
11
To chuck the waiting was tedious they had now been in Mexico for three days and not so much as a ripple on the water. Mexico was very beautiful all sunshine and beaches as far as you could see down the coast. The occasional gull lazily drifted across the skyline. Ricky and Juliet seemed to be enjoying themselves. Chuck suspected there might be a little more going on with those two than giant monster squad duty not that it was Chucks business. The ancient Greeks used to keep family members in the same squadrons, the idea was that a soldier would fight harder if he was protecting a loved one so Juliet and Rickeys little passion didn’t bug Chuck too Much. That thought bugged Chuck though was that all these two were to him. Did he see himself as some decadent Greek General trying to eek out any little advantage he could. Is that all these two were to him a tool to exploit like the Troll battle platform? Chuck couldn’t think about that now these two were military just like him weather he was using them was irrelevant they were here to do a job and if chuck weren’t with them than someone else would be. It was luck it just as easily could have been James in this seat or Aaron, Chuck knew he was lucky to be here.
12
Juliet and Ricky were in the mess hall eating something that vaguely resembled eggs. Juliet was stuffing her face while Ricky sat quietly occasionally talking a bite. It was obvious he was deep in thought. “Something wrong Hun?” Juliet whispered. Fraternizing was strictly off limits the there little romance had to be kept secret. “What? Oh I was just thinking. What do you think of Captain Warner?”
“Hmm I never really thought about it. Kind of seems like a jerk to me?”
“I don’t mean personally I mean…well don’t you find it strange that they revoked his flight status and all of a sudden he is in command of a multi billion dollar doomsday weapon. I mean its obvious that the guy is unstable and has a chip on his shoulder the size of Godzilla.”
“Yeah I guess that is weird. Maybe the brass wants him because of that fact. Maybe his abnormal obsession gives him the drive. Who knows it’s not our place to question orders.”
“Yeah I guess your right but I don’t like the idea of some loose cannon being in charge of my life and this mission. I mean this nut can get us killed.”
“Don’t worry so much hun. I know a little something that can get you mind off of things. I happen to have some wine I picked up in a couple weeks ago what do you say we go find some secluded place and have a nice meal under the stars?” Juliet rubbed her foot against his under the table.
“Sounds nice.” The two hastily finished the eggs and made for the deck.
13
Chuck was sitting on deck that night watching the coastline in the dark. He couldn’t see much the odd house light or beach fire which dotted the coast every few miles. Chuck couldn’t sleep he didn’t have his sea legs and the waiting was tedious and boring. Chuck scanned the horizon again trying to spot a single wave out of place than he caught it, not a wave but an optical illusion there were two moons on the water and none on in the sky, it was a new moon. Chuck rushed to the command deck.
“Captain we need to drop depth charges right now the Monster is right under us!”
“What? How did the monster get under us without or sonar picking up its movements.”
“I don’t know maybe it was here the whole time and just haven’t moved. We need to nail it when its sleeping, we need to nail it now!” The captain looked at Chuck suspiciously.
“What kind of game are you playing?”
“Grr no game damn it! Just come look ok.” The captain thought about it for a moment.
“Very well Captain Warner.” The two made it to the deck and sure enough the blazing dorsal eye’s of Mega-Limulus shone about fifteen meters apart.
“Drop depth charges, Ready the Troll!” the captain nervously stammered into his hand held radio.
Suddenly the rest of the ship was a beehive of activity. Soldiers manned deck guns and depth charges. Chuck, Ricky and Juliet made their way to the Troll and began a systems prep as the first of the depth charges Exploded Sending water fifty feet into the air. Before the second went off the boat began to slightly tilt The troll Slid toward the edge of the deck causing the tilt to worsen The aircraft carrier was capsizing.
“We have to jump or this ship is toast!” Chuck yelled into his head set. “Yes sir!” Ricky shouted back. The Leg actuators wrenched into Action each step seemed that it might split the Carrier in two. Great sparks scraped against the deck as the Troll took its First steps.
“Firing rockets Captain.” Ricky warned. The whole Machine shook as it gained altitude showering jets of flame over the deck the troll moved over the water. The Ogasawara seemed to bob in the ocean like a cork in a toilet once the burden of the troll was lifted from the deck. Monsterous island Island that was the Shell Of Mega-Limulus Broke the surface of the Water muck debris and sand rolled off the creatures shell in great clumps of filth, as the muck cleared the red/brown carapace of Mega-Limulus shone in the firelight from the Ogasawaras deck . Deck guns Fired into the monstrous shell and pinged off like a BB gun on a fire door.. Mega-Limulus turned from the Ogasawara and like a crack of serrated lightning the right front corner of the carrier Was totally obscured in an explosion of water. Once the H2o settled back into the ocean Chuck could see that something sheared off that shoulder of the ship a perfect diagonal cut sheared through every deck. As the peace of the Ogasawara sunk into the ocean chuck could hear the Captain on the radio barking orders in Japanese. Though he couldn’t understand the words he could understand the panicking, The troll crew had to do something. “Holy hell.” Rocky managed to stammer out.
“Keep your head Martinez, Land on it!”
“What?” Rickey and Juliet both said in disbelief.
“Land on the monster face down!”
“You did see what it just did to the Ogasawara right?” Juliet stated.
“Yeah I saw. And I say if we are going to beat this monster we need to pin it down while the Carrier makes for a get away. We cant blindly go firing our guns in that direction that would sink the Ogasawara for sure. We need to move into the more favorable firing position that the ship possesses. Until that bucket moves we cant do anything without endangering both the ship and the civilians. Mega-Limulus Let out a piercing cry which sounded like a cross between a nasally roar and a train whistle only much louder. Those inside of the soundproof cabins of the troll could feel the cry more than hear it. “Ok we are going in Sir brace for impact. When we get closer lay down some fire from the one twenties. ” The Troll positioned it’s self over The Gargantuan. The beast looked up standing on its four rear sets of legs its sword like tail slashing in the water behind it The creature seemed curious about this strange object above it. “just a little closer and…” Chuck sent twenty rounds from the One-Twenties into the monster large chips of shell fragmented like pop-rocks as the Uranium rounds tore into it but no blood. The monster Shrieked in pain this time there was defiantly some sound in the crew could hear. “It’s submerging!” Juliet Said. “Darn! Cut the rockets Ricky just drop now we don’t have time to lower our selves.” The Shaking stopped for a second before the crash Jarred everyone everywhere. “A hit Captain.”
“Well Grab it, Use the hand actuators!”
“Already on it Sir.” The Troll’s mammoth hands clamped down on the monster shell. Mega-Limulus seemed stunned atleast for the moment.
“Fire Primary on my Mark three..two.”
“Sir That’s unadvised to much sand and filth has been kicked up in the water primary will be ineffective and we will be sitting ducks.” She was right chuck remember that Weapon system briefing and another thing about water diffusing the laser energy or some such nonsense. Mega-Limulus was starting to stir the monster was deceptively strong despite the Troll outweighing it and probably by a large margin the creature was moving with relative ease.
“Ok we have to hoist it up and drag it to shore.” Chuck commanded.
“Sir that area is populated.” Juliet replied.
“We don’t have much choice, you said it our self the primary is too ineffective in the water if we sat here we are never going to get a shot.”
Yes sir.”
Ricky wrenched into the controls, he put forth quite and effort which made his arms ache and his knuckles white but the Crab monster was lifted And slowly the troll made for the coast. By this time Mega-Limulus was no longer stunned And apparently angry but probably it was just scared like any animal would be, But true to nature and scared animal if a dangerous animal. The Troll began to violently shake as the monsters sword tail begins slashing and slamming in a series of high velocity strikes each sending jarring shudders throughout the Platform.
“Report!”
“Sir we have lost the one twenties on the right shoulder.”
“Crap!” that was chucks side.
“Just get the monster to the Shoreline, I need to take the fight out of this beast.” Chuck scanned a list of chemical agent that were available the choices were numerous from mustard gas to tranqs and irritant and also a nice selection of nerve agents. Chuck though the tranqs would be the best choice and typed in his code. Two huge vents opened up on the upper torso of the troll greenish smoke began billowing from them. Within several seconds the monster went limp on the trolls arms.
“Good work Sir.” Juliet commended.
“There will be time for thanks later just drop it near the shore. Or Just get it close enough so its not totally submerged.” Several minuets later the Troll was on the beach.
“Ok put it down.” Ricky just let the arms drop and the monstrous Mega-Limulus lay still on the beach.
“Is it dead sir.” Juliet asked.
“Hmm I don’t think so I just used some Knock out gas, doesn’t seem like that would kill it. Oh well it going to be dead in a few seconds anyway. I suppose this is less cruel. Move away from the G Ricky.”
‘Yes sir.” The troll began moving into firing position, is the beach was going to be made into one big piece of molten glass and that monster was going to be Crab ala king. The trolls chest opened up to revel a large barrel with a smaller transparent tube protruding from it’s end.
“Primary maximum charge in five seconds.” Those five seconds nave came The monsters Tail slashed up from the sand slammed the Troll in the elbow rocking the robot to the ground and tearing of its already strained forearm. The Shot from The Joten Laser went wide and for a second all anyone could see was the color green as a result the tree line was set ablaze instantly and a giant trench was burned into the shore. Inside the troll everything went dead. An instant later Mega limulus was on its feet again Pummeling the Troll with clubbing blow after clubbing blow from its giant claw. Despite being powerless the weapon mechanism was purely mechanical she could fire and the crabs lower right abdomen was lined up pretty good. Juliet let off a twenty round burst, somewhere around round eighteen one of the three one twenties jammed in the chamber blowing off that shoulder and the remainder of the mangled arm.
“Yep it was a lowest bidder job alright,” Chuck said to himself. It seemed that the one-twenty was effective though the creature was bleeding from its multiple wounds, seemed the armor wasn’t as thick on the underbelly. Mega-Limulus apparently had enough of this fight and made hastily for the ocean.
Mega-limulus entered the bay hastily going out to sea when suddenly the water in front of it exploded upwards.
“Torpedos!” Ricky said over the radio. Mega-limulus shirked more is surprise than pain.
“How long until we recharge?”
“twenty four seconds.”
“Darn I hope those submarines can hold that monster off long enough to power this Piece of junk up and moving.” Torpedo after torpedo Plowed into the monstrous crab this just herded the monster back onto the beach but doing little else beside perhaps frightening it a bit. The troll was at enough power to move again but its would be several seconds before they could fire the primary again. Rickey desperately grabbed into the monster sword like tail. Mega-Limulus shirked and tried to turn but the act was futile it was being dragged and it couldn’t get good footing in the loose sand.
“Sir with all of this jarring we can get a lock with the primary.”
“Don’t worry I have a plan, set the Laser on auto I am going to fire a Her at point blank to stun it. This will probably Knock us out as well but with the laser on auto it should Fry that crab.”
“Sir?”
“Just do it!”
“yes sir!” Juliet set the laser on a ten second time delay and chuck fired the Moab missile directly into the monsters back. The shock wave blinded everyone and jarred the cabin far worse than anything the monster had done everything went black except for the white hot pain in everyone’s head.
14
“Captain wake up!” came Juliet’s voice through muffled fog. His eyes cracked painfully open and smoke burned them. “Wha..” was all chuck could manage to say. “C’mon captain we don’t have much time the robot is on fire the Primary malfunctioned. Juliet pulled on Chucks arm trying to wedge him from the gunners safety seat. Chuck started absently pulling on the strap luckily it gave. Chuck hoisted himself up through the hatch it took a great deal of strength to pull himself out the smoke had done a number on his lungs and it hurt to move. “What about Ricky?” Chuck managed to gasp out in between short breaths.
“He is already on the beach, I think the Ogasawara sunk so there isn’t probably going to be any help.”
“Damn, Did we kill Mega-Limulus?” Chuck was breathing a little better out in the open air.
“See for yourself.” Juliet pointed down the beach but all chuck could see was the Blur caused by the smoke. He focused a bit and gazed through the haze almost like magic the smoke cleared a bit he could see Mega-Limulus half way in the bay water that was darkened by the creatures fluids. Mega-Limulus its self was obviously quite dead. Strait down the creatures back shell was a three-meter wide burn that went at least from Chucks estimation was five meters deep. It was only a guess as black stinking smoke was pouring from the wound blotting out the stars. Juliet helped chuck down to the beach he flopped down next to an unconscious Ricky Martinez. Ricky was all Banged up, Just from a casual glance it looked like a broken leg and collar bone, no telling how many internal problems. No doubt he got it the worst from the steering mechanism jerking all over the place when the robot went down.
“Don’t worry kid we got one.” Chuck Found himself saying. Ricky’s face twitched in pain.
15
The office was dark only the shadow is some kind of fern back lit by some illumination from outside spread across the cold floor. The sounds of a quartet of fingers strumming across a wooden desktop were the only noises about. A Cigarette winked in the darkness every now and then illumination the face of the woman known only as Ann. The shrill ring of a telephone pierced the silence. It rang a second time and the strumming stopped. Ann picked up the phone.
“Hello I have been expecting your call.” Ann paused for a Moment listening.
“Actually it went better than we thought.” Another pause.
“I know our people are already working on the modifications to the new prototype.” Yet another pause.
“Yes this platform is codename Ogre, It should be by our estimations 17% more combat effective than the troll model.”
“Well we will Auction the old plans off to help fund the construction of the new platform.”
“Yes I know that, The Crew? Oh they are alive only one is in critical condition.” Pause.
“Both gunners are alive and active, while the Pilot is in critical condition suffered trauma caused by equipment.” Another pause, Ann took another moment to take another drag off of her Cigarette.
“Don’t worry that wont be a problem Mr. H. I hope to see you soon.”
Ann listened for a bit linger than hung up the phone leaned back in her chair and took a long puff.
“It’s almost time.”
.
16
Two days later Ricky still hadn’t come out of the coma. The steering mechanism banged him in the head. He also suffered multiple fractures and some probably some hearing damage. Not that they could tell for sure until he woke up. Juliet had yet to go see Ricky, chuck figured that she didn’t want to see him like this. Besides a couple scrapes sprains and bruises the two of the were unhurt. The first day and a half they had to scream to hear one another over the ringing in their ears. Comes with the territory, Human ears were never meant to deal with sound that loud. Later on the third day Chuck a Juliet decided it was time for a celebration or rather Chuck did and Juliet went along for the company. In a nearby village they found quiet little dive chuck made his way for the Jose Quervo and Juliet found a table. Chuck Grabbed the bottle and two shot glasses than made his way to the table.
“Ahh here we go.” Chuck took a swig and let out a sigh He glanced over to Juliet and waved the bottle temptingly.
“No thank you Captain.” Juliet said through her gloom. Chuck Shrugged.
“Enough of that bull We are off duty Call me Chuck And I will call you Juliet.” Chuck grinned.
“Alright…CHUCK!” She said with overexaderation. Though she wasn’t trying to be funny This prompted Chuck to laugh a bit.
“Good… JULIET!” She laughed a bit too.
“Sir?” Juliet said. As she nodded toward the bottle.
“Ohh. Ok” Chuck handed the bottle over to Juliet who gave it a long look before sucking down a swig. Her face contorted a bit and she gagged for a second.
“Smooth ain’t it?” Chuck teased.
“Uhh Yeah.” She forced herself to down another swig. “even Better the second time.” She smiled a bit.
“See there you go, and here I was all worried.” Chuck downed a shot as well.
“Yeah I guess we should Celebrate Hu?”
“That’s right we are celebrating here. We won and we are better of than most that have tried, Bless their souls.” Chuck Grabbed another Shot glass and poured one for Juliet and him. Chuck listed his glass to toast something. Juliet catching the hind did the same.
“To everyone who didn’t make it.” Their Glasses clanked together and they downed their shots. They drank for a while longer.
“Do you want to dance chuck?” Juliet said a bit of drunk In her voice. Chuck was a bit surprised.
“Sure but you lead My leg is Still tricky, I would probably step all over you so be careful.” Juliet Chuckled and pulled Chuck to his feet and made their way to a bare spot in the bar. Not so much a dance floor as an empty spot on the floor but it did the trick. Just as it happened a romantic Spanish song began playing on the Jukebox.
“Mmm I love this song Chuck.” It wasn’t exactly a purr in his ear but chuck got the idea behind this dance especially when she lowered her shoulder onto his. Chuck was going to ask her what the song was about considering he couldn’t speak any Spanish. However he found himself asking a different question.
“Juliet, What about Ricky? I thought the two of you had a thing.”
“I don’t want to think about him right now Chuck, I want to think about right here and right now.” Chuck was sure that was a Purr if he ever heard one, And he was too drunk to protest they Kissed.
End of first story
Cliff
:devil:
1
Chucks Minigun strafed fire across his sights the damn blur was next to impossible to hit. “Freaking Bird! Red three do you copy?” There was no answer everyone was dead or maybe too engaged to answer suddenly his radio came alive. “Red Three Down! Repeat, Red Three Down!!” A static voice screamed. “Freaking Bird, Hold on James Back up is coming.” Chuck Looked out his cockpit window to see red three Plummet into the Football stadium in an orange explosion, Good thing it was empty now. four minuets ago there would have been more casualties than Aaron. Long streams of black smoke marked the remainders of his Apache squadron only he and James remained to survey the wasteland, overturned cars slid across concrete pushed by impossible winds. No windows remained within three hundred meters of their position and worst of all the occasional screech of the monstrous bird called Ladnar. The beast had landed at the stadium and began eating civilians that’s when red wing from the local airbase was called in and summarily murdered. Chuck and the others may as well have been shooting at a shadow, How the hell can something so big bee that fast? No time to think about that now they had to escape.
Their weapons were useless and to eject meant to be eaten by that bird. “Captain I have a visual on The bogie.” James sputtered through the failing radio. “ Twenty-one Degrees north, It landed I have a clear shot. Request right flank strafe.” Chuck flew into action if he could only paint the damn bird he might be able to Nail it with a missile. “No time!” he thought to himself as he rattled off thirty rounds from his Minigun. It chewed concrete but No luck the bird was gone in a blink. “Captain I have lost visual.” Chuck surveys the surrounding, “Damn nothing!” he whispers to himself. A blur here a wisp of movement there the damn bird was too damn fast to track with the naked eye. Suddenly Ladnar was on James its claws descending on his Apache. “Get the hell outs there red four, Its right on your tail!” it was too late, A horrible series of rapid fires clangs rang across the skyline even over the engines of the Apache helicopter as each blade on his Chopper broke off impacting the damn birds Talons. Chuck barely pulled up as one broken blade glanced his landing strut. James was screwed. “Captain! I am Goin …” Nothing, The bird landed hard causing the Apache in its talons to explode while still in its grasp. This barely made Ladnar blink. Though the monstrous bird did seem to be a little disappointed that what was left was inedible.
“Your going to pay for that You Damn monster!” Chuck said through quiet rage that was quickly building Ladnar seemed distracted Now was the time. Missile locked, He fired and he missed somehow the freak monster moved the top of the building exploded in a soray of shrapnel, flame and smoke.. “Damn.” Chuck spit out in anger. “Commander Warner return to base. This Conflict is over.” Came the stodgy voice of air commander Philips. “Sir!?” Chuck Protested “Now Captain, That is an order.” The commander Crackled through the radio. “…Yes sir.” Chuck reluctantly conceded, turned his Apache around and headed for base. Ladnar however appeared to have other ideas. One sonic boom later all was dark Chuck had entered a universe of pure flaming pain.
2
Several weeks later Chuck awoke in the hospital the one eye he could still see out of gazed down at his broken body. The aft compartment of his apache exploded when the monster broke the sound barrier catching his ejector seat aflame he impacted without the aid of a parachute. That was something right? Only a few people have done that right? Whoop-de-Do Just his luck he lived only to become a cripple. Full body cast to boot. Chuck did a quick assessment of his mobility one eye and two fingers. No bad considering a fall from five hundred feet he managed to think through the dull pain which permeated every twitch of his one good eye. Chuck found a button near his working finger he decided to take his working digit for a test drive. A few seconds later the doctor entered with a nurse. The doctor was about two meters tall with a bald head and thick glasses. Chuck half expected one of those round shinny things stuck to one of those headbands you always see in old mad scientist movies. “Ah so you are awake Mr. Warner, Good to see that.” Funny didn’t feel so good.
“You had quite a crash the slip stream of that monster basically disintegrated your Chopper and I am afraid between the crash and the damage caused from the explosion nearly every bone in your body is injured. Various breaks and fractures all about your skeletal system.” The nurse interrupted the doctor with a tap on the shoulder. “Doctor!” the doctor caught himself. “Ah yes very sorry. Anyway Mr. Warner you are indeed very lucky despite all of this I believe that in several years you will regain about 90% of your bodily function. The news hit him, He probably would have flinched if he wasn’t in the body cast.
Chuck tried to talk but only succeeded in making some weird noise which to him sounded like a dog whimpering, he felt small and useless. “Don’t try to talk Mr. Warner, Here let me help you.” The doctor pulled out something like a small remote with all the letters of the alphabet and tucked it between chucks two working fingers. “There just type whatever it is you want to say and the speaker will produce the words. It Made chuck feel even smaller but it did feel go to be able to communicate. Chuck began pecking on the small remote. “Did we get it?” a few more pecks went by. “The bird?” Chuck finished. “The Bir…Oh Ladnar Well I am not sure.”
“Let me answer that question doctor.” Chuck knew who it was. “Chuck The tanks never came. The brass decided that it was pointless, nothing we have can touch that monster.” It was Philips. “We had to try.” Chuck peck out on his box. “I know soldier but we also have to follow orders, tanks aren’t cheap we’d have thrown them away for probably nothing.” Chuck wanted to argue but he couldn’t have thought of a good argument except for maybe that his squad died for nothing, he didn’t have the strength for it anyway through all the drugs and logic that assaulted his mind right. After his whole squadron of highly trained apache pilots were annihilated in ten minuets and the only because the bird was probably playing around with them. What the hell could some clumsy slow tanks have down?
“What now?” chuck new mechanical voice spoke. “Well Soldier I think its time for you to recover, Than we can talk about what’s going to happen next.” Chuck had a good idea and it was summed up in three words, Revoked Flight Status. Chuck had a long road ahead of him and he wasn’t about to give up. He was still alive that meant there was still a chance for payback and god be damned if chuck wasn’t going to give it one hell of a try.
3
The fourteen months went by slowly, The annoying Physical therapist kept saying stuff like “Don’t push your self.” And “One step at a time.” And the ever popular “You have your whole life ahead of you.”. Bull, All chuck had been before was gone now all that remained was his revenge there would be time for lives, Baby steps And a family after the monster was Pillow stuffing. Chuck felt he was making real progress he could move about without the damned wheelchair. Sure he had to use crutches still and it took his five minuets to make it across a room. As his kegs didn’t quite work right and he basically had to relearn how to walk. Today was no different than all those other days with Emanuel, Chucks irritating physical therapist. Sure she was a Cute little African American number but all of her cheery little phrases always grated on his nerves. Oh well he could have gotten the fat dude with the clammy palms so it wasn’t all-bad.
“Chuck you have a visitor.” Emanuel Said with her seeming trademark happy smile. In walked Philips. It occurred to chuck that Philips was smoking in a hospital In his thirteen years in the Military he had never seen Philips smoke let alone in a hospital. Something was wrong. “Excuse me doctor.” Philips said To Emanuel. “Could I have a moment with Chuck alone?” She nods and steps out. ”Chuck I am afraid I have all sorts of bad news.” He it comes Chuck thought. “I am afraid the Brass has decided to revoke your flight status.”
Though it still stung a little Chuck saw that coming a mile away. “Yeah what else?” chuck said soberly. “Well it’s that monster, That Ladnar creature.”
“Oh what now?” Chuck whispered under his breath his hands suddenly shaky. That happened allot lately even around non-giant birds. “Keep this under your hat Chuck but the bird has landed in Americas bread basket and is consuming food stock by the tons Namely about Six thousand tons a day. If we don’t do something soon we are screwed.” Chucks heart sunk. “Why revoke my status and than tell me I cant do anything about the Freaking bird?” Chuck Growled at the Air commander. “I know its cruel son but you said to keep you updated on the bird no matter what. It just so happen that your revoked flight status is an unfortunate coincidence, What’s worse other countries are buying into this Giant monster nonsense seem like each country has its own city stomping mascot. Hell the government even has a name for the problem, The gargantuan menace they are billing on the television. With the damn internet its almost impossible to keep anything under wraps these days.” Chuck was silent for several moments. “You said there were more of them? More monsters?” Chuck finally said. “Yup it seems so not a season goes by without discovering some new giant beast tromping along in some long forgotten valley or something. So far nothing as dangerous as Ladnar, Knock on wood, But some real Doozys. “
“Like what?” Chuck Managed.” Well let me think. Well the Japanese are being plagued by some giant sea serpent, Don’t quite remember the name. And in southern Texas, down Mexico way there is some bunch of giant ants or something. And you know all those rumors about the lock-ness monster?” Chuck Looked a little skeptical. “Don’t tell me Nesse is real?” “Nah just screwing with you. But in Africa some giant elephant is stomping across the savanna People call it Behemoth after some religious reference. Don’t get me started on the religious nuts. All sorts of cults are breaking out. While other established religions are calling it a sign of the end times or some such idiocy. Hell legends about giant squids have persisted for centuries no telling what else might pop up.” Great a world of monsters, What next Space aliens or zombies. Chuck laughed at his own thoughts not that it helped the shaking or anything. “Please leave Philips I need to digest all of this.” Chuck sat down. “You got it son, You keep up the good work here and I will see what I can’t do about getting you a cushy desk job somewhere.”
4
Several months passed and chuck was getting around with a cane pretty well. The sun shined the birds chirped and Chuck made it to a park bench and began reading his copy of Moby Dick, Interesting read. Chuck Slowly glanced up from his book as the high pitched whine of sirens suddenly went off. He looked across the bay-side toward the city he could hear the Thunderous drumming of what sounded like thousands of chopper blades. Suddenly in the distance The tops of two Skyscrapers disintegrated as supersonically fast wings tore it to pieces. The Skyscrapers Toppled like a card castle in a hurricane. The terror bird screeched and flame bellowed forth from it massive mouth. The bird locked its gaze directly on chuck. Even from several miles away Its eyes seemed to glow and its face contorted in demonic flames the color of Pain and death. Like a Bloodshot blink Ladnar was above Chuck it’s great beak open the corpses of hundreds of people falling from its mouth. Women, children and even pets toppled crushed and half-chewed falling toward Chuck all of them screaming.
Suddenly Chuck was in his bed Sweat running down his face the grip on his came was clenched with white knuckles. Through the terror he hoped it was sweat which stained his Pajamas as well, No such luck. Chuck gazed through his room in the VA hospital. It was dark and the dim streetlights outside seemed to cast dark blue shadows everywhere. Despite the warm weather the room seemed cold. Chucks vision eventually came to rest on the window where a humanoid shillouette calmly sat strumming its fingers on the window seal A cigarette winking in the darkness illuminating very little.
“Emanuel?” Chuck said hopefully, sure she was annoying but it didn’t stop him from having a wet dream or two about her, Emanuel didn’t smoke. “Bad dream?” Said an unfamiliar voice. “Chuck Stood up almost falling over but caught himself on the foot board of the bed. “Who are you?” Chuck said accusingly As he half his cane out in a defensive posture. “Oh that’s not important Mr. Warner.” Came the cool voice of what sounded like a middle age woman. “I believe that I have something that you want.” She paused waiting for the obvious response, Chuck didn’t fail to please. “Yeah and what’s that?” Chuck asked on cue. “Why revenge of course.” Chuck Smiled. “Are you interested?” She finished. “Against that bird?” She nodded “And many other horrible monsters just like it.”
Chuck though about it for about a second. “Yes! I am interested.” Chuck spoke. “Good Mr. Warner.” Suddenly there was a gun in her hand just as suddenly there was a dart in his neck. Chuck quickly dozed off the last thing he saw was a hand coming down to retrieve the dart it was missing a pinky.
5
Chuck was getting sick a tiered of waking up in strange places. “Sorry Mr. Warner for the tranquilizer but it is important that you not know how to get here incase you change your mind. “ Chucks vision gradually went from a big white blur to a semblance of color and vertigo. “Don’t worry Mr. Warner the disorientation will pass, just a small side effect of the sedative I used.” Chuck remembered now his vision cleared to reveal a middle aged woman. She has short graying hair and a slim figure a scar ran from the left corner of her mouth to the inner corner of her right eye. Her face was serious as were her steel blue eyes. “Where am I?” chuck finally croaked out. “I cant tell you yet Mr. Warner, Sorry about all the cloak and dagger but I have to be sure you are right for this organization.” Chuck was really starting to dislike this Old broad.
“Call me Ann. Mr. Warner I belong to a certain shall we say unofficial organization which has been put together to deal with this so called Gargantuan menace.” Yeah that’s right, Gargantuan menace that’s what Philips called it. “You mean the monster right?” chuck asked. “That is Correct Sir, The monsters. There are more of them than you know Mr. Warner.” She took a long puff off of a Cigarette “Stop with the Mr. Warner BS Ann call Me Chuck or captain But that Mr. Warner stuff is driving me nuts.” Chuck grabbed his temples, they ached from the drug. “Very well captain Warner the video I am about to show you is from Africa, these clips were takes from some various internet sites. Anyway Mr. War.. I mean captain.” She paused with a half smile.” Sorry about that force of habit I suppose.” She pushed play on the Remote sitting next to her on the arm of the recliner she flicked her ashes into a trey with her free hand..
“This first video is from Africa Captain.” The image is obviously from a video camera being clumsily wielded by some drunken person judging from the jerking image. Various African dialect can be heard. One drunken soldier waves into the camera as he sucks down another brew. A second drunk soldier honks harassing some nearby Hyenas. The sounds of random shots ring out every now and than as the camera jerks about with each drunken whim and bump. We can see the image of a zebra which is quickly gunned down by the drunken soldiers. A bit behind and to the right we see a large gray stone protruding from the ground Probably about sixty meters tall.
The drunken soldiers stop by the zebra to admire their handy work there are four total counting the camera man. one is near a tree taking a whiz. The second is by the zebra and The last is poking the jeep the camera pans clumsily between the two of them. The one near the Jeep says something and the other two come over too the Conveyance. The Soldier points toward the rock laugh and commences to open fire with the machine gun mounted on the Jeep. The soldiers let out a torrent of laughs to match the machine gun fire. One drunkenly points his finger at the rock making a gun noise of his own. Suddenly the rock seems to shudder and twist to revel something that looks like an elephant only Much larger. The Enraged beast trumpets shorting the audio on the Camera. Large clouds of dust poof up as the beast tramples toward the drunken quartet they scramble in disorganized panic. The camera catches nothing but dust and darkness and than finally static.
“That Captain was the Behemoth. Intelligence indicates that that particular beast was created by a west African laboratory, Unfortunately the creature escaped. One soldier from the video managed to make it back to his Jeep but sadly the enraged Monster followed him back to the base. Reports say the base was destroyed in fewer than seven minuets. I assure you Chuck that the soldiers there were not drunk. Sources tell us that the artillery and even high yield explosives had no effect on the creature besides angering it even more. Though you couldn’t tell from the video the creature was more like a gorilla in the form of its body.” Chuck took a moment to digest the information. “Yeah so what another monster which the military is unequipped to fight, I know the story Ann my whole Squ..” Ann interrupted “Yes, yes your whole squadron was Killed by the monster the media has dubbed Ladnar. We have all suffered loses at the had of the gargantuan menace Take my Once good looks for example.” Chuck took this as an invitation to pry. “Yeah I had been meaning to ask you what your story was.” Chuck paused.
Ann got visibly hard in the face but only slightly. “well without going into too much detail. I used to be a reporter for Action news and was covering a certain little civil war in a certain country. Let me lust say that some giant monster have certain talents which make them effective hunters. This particular beast could effectively turn invisible It stalked and killed a well trained gorilla leader, He was my friend. And it also killed a us Special Forces unit. No one ever saw the monster but ultimately the beast cost me my finger and my looks. But hey at least I am alive.” She pauses for a second as if collecting some thoughts. “Its getting bigger too originally foot prints indicated something roughly the shape and size of a tyrannosaur judging by the footprints I believe it was something like one meter long recent measurements put the monster footprints at nine Meters long. Making this monster about fifty-two meters tall .” It was one big critter.
6
Chuck spent the remainder of the evening reviewing various tapes, pictures and files about the Gargantuan menace alone. He never thought there could be so many. 19 in total count but none by his imagination were worse than Ladnar. One creature in particular though gave him the creeps the file codename Hrug. It seemed that Oil slick bacteria had formed into one giant colony and became something of a blob that flick always scared him he had a fear of suffocation stemming from a childhood accident. Chuck banished his case of the Heebe Jeebies and picked up the phone “Ok Ann I have read the files you wanted. What dose all of this have to do with me?”
“Well Chuck we want you to help us try and kill some of these monsters seeing as how you actually lived in a direct confrontation with one of the G’s. We thought you would be a good choice.”
“G’s?” Chucak questioned.
“Oh I am sorry that is short for gargantuan, Sort of a blanket term for these Aberrations.”
“ahh.”
Anyway as I was saying Captain you lived.”
“Lived. Ha! I was damn lucky that’s all.”
“Be that as it may you and two others are the only ones which can make that claim. And frankly we need all three of you.”
“Yeah and why is that?”
“well we have a weapon which we think might actually be effective against the creature and it takes 3 to operate it I pilot and two gunners..”
“Weapon, what weapon? Ladnar decimated my whole crack squadron of Air force bad asses we never even touched the *******. This Behemoth creature sucked down artillery fire for several minuets and just shrugged it off. The worst yet some giant crab took a hit from experimental navy rail-gun at point blank range and still decimated the battle ship with little more than a scorch mark on it shell. What the hell kind of weapon do you have than could possibly hurt these things. They seem for the most part indestructible. “
“We have developed a prototype weapons platform which has certain experimental armaments which we believe are capable of at least injuring these creatures.”
“Oh yeah like what kind of weapon systems are we talking about?”
“Well Chuck I am afraid I can’t tell you that part until you agree to join up.”
Chuck didn’t have to even think “Ok I’m in.”
“Very well Captain. The weapon platform is called the troll Manned combat Automaton. Basically imagine a giant robot roughly the shape of a man. You see there are several weapons that in theory could Kill one of these beasts. But the vehicles were too flimsy to protect the weapons for too long against the Attacks of G’s. Thus they could never deliver enough ordinance to kill one.”
“Giant robot? This kind of sounds like a load of BS Ann. Tell me about the weapons.”
“Oh very well chuck. The primary weapon is a one-hundred-kilowatt Laser which is powered by a Plutonium element. This can flash fry a hole even through space ages super alloys at upto 1 mile. Second are the onehundred-twenty MM uranium Sabo rounds these should prove effective at stunning these creature long enough to fire the Primary. There are several back up weapon systems as well Most of which are designed to keep the G’s away from the Platform. MOAB missile launchers, Incendiary spreaders, and gas dispensers being the most prevalent. The gas types range from simple Tear gas to VX nerve Agent.” Chuck Dreamed of seeing Ladnar spasm under the effects Of VX.
“Where is this Troll Thing anyway?”
“Well Chuck it is well We will just take you there in a few weeks. That way you can train with it first hand. Well the simulator anyway. Can’t have someone just playing around with 30 billion in military hardware now can me Captain.”
“Whatever Ann I am getting some sleep.”
“I was just going to suggest the same thing, If you get hungry just push the red intercom button and ask for something. Lots of spare MRE’s here.”
“Will do Ann.” Chuck hit the sack.
7
Several days later chuck was escorted into a classroom With Ann where a skinny kid was lecturing several other people. He had a laser pointer pointing at some sort of blurry splotch of a beach. “see there this is the G’s droppings. According to our tests is identical the dropping of Limulus Polyphimus or the ordinary horse shoe crab. As you can see this sample however is much larger than what the small creature could normally produce. The standard horse Shoe crab can attain a maximum length of point six meters. The largest similar species present in the fossil records is roughly three point three meters long. This specimen judging from report and the weight of this stool is fifty five meters or one-hundred-eight feet long. Now the reason that this particular G is a priority kill is because of its reproductive habits. There is little risk of other G’s reproducing with the exception of the hive of course. Because of their great size differences between a givven g’ and its next closest species the sexual organs are just too incompatible and a coupling would kill one participant or another. But Limulus Polyphimus fertilized its eggs in a spawning pool all this creature would have to do is deposit its eggs on one of these beaches and we would have to deal with a tremendous population boom of Mega-Limulus, As I like to call them..
“How big?” one of the Students called out.
“Well the standard Horse shoe crab lays somewhere between two thousand to twenty thousand eggs. Best case Scenario is possibly two thousand creatures. After three years once again taking a best case into account there would be four million creatures and three years after that eighty billion creature. And that’s assuming that the food would be sufficient enough which it probably isn’t.”
“Holy Crap!” Someone gasped out.
“Holy crap is right” The skinny kid exclaimed. “Now you see why this is such a priority kill if the worst happens we have six or so weeks probably more to find the nest before the Crabs hatch.”
“So what the hell are we waiting for?” Chuck called across the room.
“Captain please calm down.” Ann put her four fingered hand on Chucks shoulder. Chuck squirmed away obviously uncomfortable with the touch.
“Calm down? Are you nuts eighty billion giant crabs in six years and you want me to freaking calm down? Forget that you said we have a weapon to use against these Sob’s and you want to just sit around and listen to some diaper wearing punk chatter on?” Chuck stopped to suck in a breath.
“Captain there are ways to do things, and besides you aren’t ready to operate the weapons platform yet.”
“Hey runt how long we got till crab mating season?” The kid whoever he was didn’t appreciate Chucks tone. “Well we have about a month.”
“Good C’mon Ann show me where this simulator is.” This time chuck was with the inappropriate touching, He grabbed Ann by the arm and begins hobbling toward the door. With suspicious strength Ann resisted and Chuck couldn’t put on the power with his gimpy leg.
“Mr. Warner! Please unhand me!” Chuck paused everyone was staring he finely let Ann’s arm go forcibly.
And continues. “I didn’t Bring you here to get all out of control as a matter of fact if you keep that attitude those higher up’s are likely find you unfit to operate the platform and I know that you don’t want that to happen. Now listen to Professor Horby he knows what he is talking about. He is the foremost expert on animal behavior. “ She looked at chuck a slight glint of concern at the angry look on his face.
“Fine!” Chuck found a seat. “Who are the rest of these Yay-hoo’s anyway?”
“Well this is sergeant Juliet Mc Sweeny of the Texas state national guard she will be piloting the Troll with you. She is an expert tank operator and a top notch mechanic.”
“Nice to meet you.” The sergeant said as she pulled of her green cap and adjusted the strap for a more comfortable fit. She had dirty blond hair and cloudy green eyes that seemed to make her face blend in with her uniform kind of robbing it of its inherent beauty.
“So Sergeant what monster did you face down?” Chuck inquired he recognized the name from a file but couldn’t remember which one.
“Oh nothing big Just some giant ants. Nothing my M1-A1 and me couldn’t handle. At least not until the big ones came out that is.” Her face drooped a bit.
“Big ones?” Chuck asked.
“Yeah some kind of warrior cast just like ants their mandibles or whatever you want to call them tore through our armor like it was wet toilet paper.” Her face drooped in sadness a little more.
“And what about you?” Chuck pried. “Who are you?”
A trim young man in a navel uniform made his way over to chuck and gave him a stiff armed salute.
“Ensign Ricky Martinez reporting sir!” his heels clicked together at he came to a stop and flattened edge of his hand rested near his forehead. “I will be your pilot aboard the troll weapons platform Sir!”
Chuck recognized this name he was aboard the destroyer which engaged the giant crab or Mega-Limulus as chuck just found out.
“Yeah I recognize the name.”
“Gentlemen can we please get back to the briefing?” Dr Horby inquired. Everyone drifted back into his or her Seats. The doctor continued.
“as many of you well know G’s are incredibly resilient, almost invincible this one especially if termination becomes a problem aim for joints that is where the Chitin is weakest. If that proves ineffective strike for the reproductive organs located here.” The red dot glided toward a certain part of the Crabs anatomy. “If we can’t kill it at least we can cripple its reproductive cycle.”
And on The lecture went on for two more hours Chuck was bombarded with various charts and diagrams which game him a headache he wanted to get in that simulator and this lecture to him was just an unfortunate formality before that happened.
8
Training in the simulator was abnormally complex compared to the controls of the apache which had the handy Hud targeting system. The simulator was like a super detailed Video game but only more realistic.
This simulator probably cost several million its self. No sense was spared except for smell. When a simulated monster struck the cockpit shook. Damage indication lights started blinking and all sorts of bells and whistles blared allover the control board. The damn game was Hard too the crew only managed to win maybe one out of every ten fights with a simulated G. Chuck supposed the high difficulty was to get them as good as possible. Chuck also noticed a few flaws the amount of shaking in the cockpit didn’t seem consistent. He was getting as much shaking from The Ladnar simulations Wing wind as strong while in his much smaller Apache. This troll thing was supposed to be on a scale similar to that of the Monsters he was to fight there shouldn’t be so much Shake. Chuck let it go though all and all judging by the graphics this weapon platform thing might just do the trick. Though Chuck and Juliet were to be the gunners everyone had to know every system inside and out incase someone got hurt though Chuck was Juliet and Ricky’s senior by at least ten years they seemed surpassingly mature and able. Guess fighting skyscraper-sized monsters will do that to someone.
9
though it took him thirty tries Killing Ladnar in the simulation proved therapeutic, Chuck slept like a baby and had non Giant monster based nightmares which always seemed like a scary movie rather than something to be frightened of. Zombies, werewolves and Hannibal Lector played out some strange scenarios in his dream. Its was all pretty laughable compared to the real life nightmare he would face. Chuck had no idea how soon. the loud Chirp of the alert tore him from his relatively peaceful slumber. “Figures.” Chuck Mumbled as he groggily got up from the bed.
“Code red G activity, Repeat Code red G activity! All personnel report to stations.”
“This is it chuck!” chuck said to himself more clearly as he quickly slapped on his BDU
Minuets later Dr Horby, Ricky and Juliet are quickly walking down the hall chuck struggles to catch up with his bum leg keeping him a bit behind.. “well Which one is it?” Juliet was asking Dr. Horby. “Woah hold on a second doc don’t start the show and tell without me.” Chuck said as he made after them with an off stepped gate.
“Good You are all here.” The doctor said “As I was about to say The G we are dealing with on this particular outing is none other than the creature Dubbed Mega-Limulus I believe that you recognize him from by class the other day.
“The giant crab right?” Ricky asked.
“Correct the creature according to locals in Mexico claim the creature he been raiding villages, no doubt putting on bulk for matting season. I know we already went over this but the creature main offensive weapon seems to be its tail. This tail unlike the rigid tail of Limulus Polyphimus is flexible think of it as something like a very sharp whip though its is unlikely it can grapple with this apparatus, however keep a sharp eye and an open mind. Its secondary seems to be its large claw. Limulus Polyphimus lacks large claws. However Mega-Limulus has a pair of offensive claws similar to those on a fiddler crab.”
About than they reached the hanger chuck was itching to see the troll in person. The door hissed open as the hydraulic slid it upward, Nothing but an old stripped down B-52.
“What the hell?” Chuck gawked out in a stunned voice.
“Problem?” Horby asked.
“Uh where is the machine, you know the troll.”
“It is on location of course that is where it will be most useful we don’t have the resources to create delivery system for expedient deployment from anywhere. Really it’s the troll’s greatest flaw.
This revelation didn’t seem to sit to well with chuck. The golden nugget that was the Troll all of a sudden seemed useless when it comes to his main reason for joining this nameless organization. What was he supposed to do sit around in one spot and wait for that freakish bird waltz into his crosshairs? Sure he might be able to kill it but would he ever truly even have the chance? A million other questions pecked their way into his brain like a million microscopic Ladnar’s giggling confusing humorless Limericks of doubt into his every plan.
10
The whole plane trip chuck was silent Ricky and Juliet chatted casually about the mission, when addressed chuck gave simple answers, Lots of foul toned yes’s and nos with a couple I don’t cares thrown in for good measure. Chuck perked up a bit after the plane landed sure it was improbably as all hell but he though that any chance was better than none. And regardless after this mission he would be a hero though almost no one would probably know about it except for the witnesses. Hey who knows maybe Philips was right about the interned maybe some Nerd was stalking around in the Bushed with his digital camera even as they spoke. Who knows it might even make the news.
The trio took a Hummer to the naval base where the aircraft carrier moving the ogre would dock. The next village where Mega-Limulus was likely to show up was just a few miles up the coast from the base. The sea around the areas was baited with large quantities of chum this wasn’t for the Giant crab this was to attract Sharks which the monster seemed to like to eat according to sources, as Dr Horbie would say.
The tri were shipped to the Air craft carrier Ogasawara as soon as they arrived at the base. The chopper ride was very quite except for the chopping noise of course this was some sort of Russian chopper maybe a Hind. This was starting to look like a multi national deal Mexican base, Japanese Aircraft carrier, Russian chopper quite the cosmopolitan little organization indeed.. Chuck sat in anticipation the thought of finally seeing the troll in person snuffed out his bad mood from earlier, well for the most part anyway.
The tiny spec of the Ogasawara quickly grew into the monstrous naval machine it was. However its cargo put the might ship to shame. The Ogasawara was low in the water because above it stood 36,000 tons of military bad attitude. The troll by Chuck estimation was just aver about 200 feet tall and the thing bristled with more guns and armor than his whole squadron did back in the day. The thing was humanoid it even had arms and hands from each shoulder were three cannons. Chuck figured those were the 120 MM Uranium sabo Cannons. On the Monstrosities chest was sort of a concave shaped section. Judging from the operation classes that had to be the primary, The Joten laser cannon. Fire that puppy you had better prey that you hit because you are dead in the water for about twenty seconds while the reactor recharges the systems. Chuck didn’t seen the moab launchers but he knew that they were somewhere in the abdomen. The flame and chem. dispensers were in the rams to give a wider firing arch.
Chuck was so impressed he about wet himself. None of the Gargantuan even came close to that things size. The simulator didn’t seem to do it justice all of the G’s were similar size. Guess the information was a bit wrong when they designed the simulator. Chuck wondered how much of a liability that was going to be. Chuck also hoped that this wasn’t one of those lowest bidder jobs.
11
To chuck the waiting was tedious they had now been in Mexico for three days and not so much as a ripple on the water. Mexico was very beautiful all sunshine and beaches as far as you could see down the coast. The occasional gull lazily drifted across the skyline. Ricky and Juliet seemed to be enjoying themselves. Chuck suspected there might be a little more going on with those two than giant monster squad duty not that it was Chucks business. The ancient Greeks used to keep family members in the same squadrons, the idea was that a soldier would fight harder if he was protecting a loved one so Juliet and Rickeys little passion didn’t bug Chuck too Much. That thought bugged Chuck though was that all these two were to him. Did he see himself as some decadent Greek General trying to eek out any little advantage he could. Is that all these two were to him a tool to exploit like the Troll battle platform? Chuck couldn’t think about that now these two were military just like him weather he was using them was irrelevant they were here to do a job and if chuck weren’t with them than someone else would be. It was luck it just as easily could have been James in this seat or Aaron, Chuck knew he was lucky to be here.
12
Juliet and Ricky were in the mess hall eating something that vaguely resembled eggs. Juliet was stuffing her face while Ricky sat quietly occasionally talking a bite. It was obvious he was deep in thought. “Something wrong Hun?” Juliet whispered. Fraternizing was strictly off limits the there little romance had to be kept secret. “What? Oh I was just thinking. What do you think of Captain Warner?”
“Hmm I never really thought about it. Kind of seems like a jerk to me?”
“I don’t mean personally I mean…well don’t you find it strange that they revoked his flight status and all of a sudden he is in command of a multi billion dollar doomsday weapon. I mean its obvious that the guy is unstable and has a chip on his shoulder the size of Godzilla.”
“Yeah I guess that is weird. Maybe the brass wants him because of that fact. Maybe his abnormal obsession gives him the drive. Who knows it’s not our place to question orders.”
“Yeah I guess your right but I don’t like the idea of some loose cannon being in charge of my life and this mission. I mean this nut can get us killed.”
“Don’t worry so much hun. I know a little something that can get you mind off of things. I happen to have some wine I picked up in a couple weeks ago what do you say we go find some secluded place and have a nice meal under the stars?” Juliet rubbed her foot against his under the table.
“Sounds nice.” The two hastily finished the eggs and made for the deck.
13
Chuck was sitting on deck that night watching the coastline in the dark. He couldn’t see much the odd house light or beach fire which dotted the coast every few miles. Chuck couldn’t sleep he didn’t have his sea legs and the waiting was tedious and boring. Chuck scanned the horizon again trying to spot a single wave out of place than he caught it, not a wave but an optical illusion there were two moons on the water and none on in the sky, it was a new moon. Chuck rushed to the command deck.
“Captain we need to drop depth charges right now the Monster is right under us!”
“What? How did the monster get under us without or sonar picking up its movements.”
“I don’t know maybe it was here the whole time and just haven’t moved. We need to nail it when its sleeping, we need to nail it now!” The captain looked at Chuck suspiciously.
“What kind of game are you playing?”
“Grr no game damn it! Just come look ok.” The captain thought about it for a moment.
“Very well Captain Warner.” The two made it to the deck and sure enough the blazing dorsal eye’s of Mega-Limulus shone about fifteen meters apart.
“Drop depth charges, Ready the Troll!” the captain nervously stammered into his hand held radio.
Suddenly the rest of the ship was a beehive of activity. Soldiers manned deck guns and depth charges. Chuck, Ricky and Juliet made their way to the Troll and began a systems prep as the first of the depth charges Exploded Sending water fifty feet into the air. Before the second went off the boat began to slightly tilt The troll Slid toward the edge of the deck causing the tilt to worsen The aircraft carrier was capsizing.
“We have to jump or this ship is toast!” Chuck yelled into his head set. “Yes sir!” Ricky shouted back. The Leg actuators wrenched into Action each step seemed that it might split the Carrier in two. Great sparks scraped against the deck as the Troll took its First steps.
“Firing rockets Captain.” Ricky warned. The whole Machine shook as it gained altitude showering jets of flame over the deck the troll moved over the water. The Ogasawara seemed to bob in the ocean like a cork in a toilet once the burden of the troll was lifted from the deck. Monsterous island Island that was the Shell Of Mega-Limulus Broke the surface of the Water muck debris and sand rolled off the creatures shell in great clumps of filth, as the muck cleared the red/brown carapace of Mega-Limulus shone in the firelight from the Ogasawaras deck . Deck guns Fired into the monstrous shell and pinged off like a BB gun on a fire door.. Mega-Limulus turned from the Ogasawara and like a crack of serrated lightning the right front corner of the carrier Was totally obscured in an explosion of water. Once the H2o settled back into the ocean Chuck could see that something sheared off that shoulder of the ship a perfect diagonal cut sheared through every deck. As the peace of the Ogasawara sunk into the ocean chuck could hear the Captain on the radio barking orders in Japanese. Though he couldn’t understand the words he could understand the panicking, The troll crew had to do something. “Holy hell.” Rocky managed to stammer out.
“Keep your head Martinez, Land on it!”
“What?” Rickey and Juliet both said in disbelief.
“Land on the monster face down!”
“You did see what it just did to the Ogasawara right?” Juliet stated.
“Yeah I saw. And I say if we are going to beat this monster we need to pin it down while the Carrier makes for a get away. We cant blindly go firing our guns in that direction that would sink the Ogasawara for sure. We need to move into the more favorable firing position that the ship possesses. Until that bucket moves we cant do anything without endangering both the ship and the civilians. Mega-Limulus Let out a piercing cry which sounded like a cross between a nasally roar and a train whistle only much louder. Those inside of the soundproof cabins of the troll could feel the cry more than hear it. “Ok we are going in Sir brace for impact. When we get closer lay down some fire from the one twenties. ” The Troll positioned it’s self over The Gargantuan. The beast looked up standing on its four rear sets of legs its sword like tail slashing in the water behind it The creature seemed curious about this strange object above it. “just a little closer and…” Chuck sent twenty rounds from the One-Twenties into the monster large chips of shell fragmented like pop-rocks as the Uranium rounds tore into it but no blood. The monster Shrieked in pain this time there was defiantly some sound in the crew could hear. “It’s submerging!” Juliet Said. “Darn! Cut the rockets Ricky just drop now we don’t have time to lower our selves.” The Shaking stopped for a second before the crash Jarred everyone everywhere. “A hit Captain.”
“Well Grab it, Use the hand actuators!”
“Already on it Sir.” The Troll’s mammoth hands clamped down on the monster shell. Mega-Limulus seemed stunned atleast for the moment.
“Fire Primary on my Mark three..two.”
“Sir That’s unadvised to much sand and filth has been kicked up in the water primary will be ineffective and we will be sitting ducks.” She was right chuck remember that Weapon system briefing and another thing about water diffusing the laser energy or some such nonsense. Mega-Limulus was starting to stir the monster was deceptively strong despite the Troll outweighing it and probably by a large margin the creature was moving with relative ease.
“Ok we have to hoist it up and drag it to shore.” Chuck commanded.
“Sir that area is populated.” Juliet replied.
“We don’t have much choice, you said it our self the primary is too ineffective in the water if we sat here we are never going to get a shot.”
Yes sir.”
Ricky wrenched into the controls, he put forth quite and effort which made his arms ache and his knuckles white but the Crab monster was lifted And slowly the troll made for the coast. By this time Mega-Limulus was no longer stunned And apparently angry but probably it was just scared like any animal would be, But true to nature and scared animal if a dangerous animal. The Troll began to violently shake as the monsters sword tail begins slashing and slamming in a series of high velocity strikes each sending jarring shudders throughout the Platform.
“Report!”
“Sir we have lost the one twenties on the right shoulder.”
“Crap!” that was chucks side.
“Just get the monster to the Shoreline, I need to take the fight out of this beast.” Chuck scanned a list of chemical agent that were available the choices were numerous from mustard gas to tranqs and irritant and also a nice selection of nerve agents. Chuck though the tranqs would be the best choice and typed in his code. Two huge vents opened up on the upper torso of the troll greenish smoke began billowing from them. Within several seconds the monster went limp on the trolls arms.
“Good work Sir.” Juliet commended.
“There will be time for thanks later just drop it near the shore. Or Just get it close enough so its not totally submerged.” Several minuets later the Troll was on the beach.
“Ok put it down.” Ricky just let the arms drop and the monstrous Mega-Limulus lay still on the beach.
“Is it dead sir.” Juliet asked.
“Hmm I don’t think so I just used some Knock out gas, doesn’t seem like that would kill it. Oh well it going to be dead in a few seconds anyway. I suppose this is less cruel. Move away from the G Ricky.”
‘Yes sir.” The troll began moving into firing position, is the beach was going to be made into one big piece of molten glass and that monster was going to be Crab ala king. The trolls chest opened up to revel a large barrel with a smaller transparent tube protruding from it’s end.
“Primary maximum charge in five seconds.” Those five seconds nave came The monsters Tail slashed up from the sand slammed the Troll in the elbow rocking the robot to the ground and tearing of its already strained forearm. The Shot from The Joten Laser went wide and for a second all anyone could see was the color green as a result the tree line was set ablaze instantly and a giant trench was burned into the shore. Inside the troll everything went dead. An instant later Mega limulus was on its feet again Pummeling the Troll with clubbing blow after clubbing blow from its giant claw. Despite being powerless the weapon mechanism was purely mechanical she could fire and the crabs lower right abdomen was lined up pretty good. Juliet let off a twenty round burst, somewhere around round eighteen one of the three one twenties jammed in the chamber blowing off that shoulder and the remainder of the mangled arm.
“Yep it was a lowest bidder job alright,” Chuck said to himself. It seemed that the one-twenty was effective though the creature was bleeding from its multiple wounds, seemed the armor wasn’t as thick on the underbelly. Mega-Limulus apparently had enough of this fight and made hastily for the ocean.
Mega-limulus entered the bay hastily going out to sea when suddenly the water in front of it exploded upwards.
“Torpedos!” Ricky said over the radio. Mega-limulus shirked more is surprise than pain.
“How long until we recharge?”
“twenty four seconds.”
“Darn I hope those submarines can hold that monster off long enough to power this Piece of junk up and moving.” Torpedo after torpedo Plowed into the monstrous crab this just herded the monster back onto the beach but doing little else beside perhaps frightening it a bit. The troll was at enough power to move again but its would be several seconds before they could fire the primary again. Rickey desperately grabbed into the monster sword like tail. Mega-Limulus shirked and tried to turn but the act was futile it was being dragged and it couldn’t get good footing in the loose sand.
“Sir with all of this jarring we can get a lock with the primary.”
“Don’t worry I have a plan, set the Laser on auto I am going to fire a Her at point blank to stun it. This will probably Knock us out as well but with the laser on auto it should Fry that crab.”
“Sir?”
“Just do it!”
“yes sir!” Juliet set the laser on a ten second time delay and chuck fired the Moab missile directly into the monsters back. The shock wave blinded everyone and jarred the cabin far worse than anything the monster had done everything went black except for the white hot pain in everyone’s head.
14
“Captain wake up!” came Juliet’s voice through muffled fog. His eyes cracked painfully open and smoke burned them. “Wha..” was all chuck could manage to say. “C’mon captain we don’t have much time the robot is on fire the Primary malfunctioned. Juliet pulled on Chucks arm trying to wedge him from the gunners safety seat. Chuck started absently pulling on the strap luckily it gave. Chuck hoisted himself up through the hatch it took a great deal of strength to pull himself out the smoke had done a number on his lungs and it hurt to move. “What about Ricky?” Chuck managed to gasp out in between short breaths.
“He is already on the beach, I think the Ogasawara sunk so there isn’t probably going to be any help.”
“Damn, Did we kill Mega-Limulus?” Chuck was breathing a little better out in the open air.
“See for yourself.” Juliet pointed down the beach but all chuck could see was the Blur caused by the smoke. He focused a bit and gazed through the haze almost like magic the smoke cleared a bit he could see Mega-Limulus half way in the bay water that was darkened by the creatures fluids. Mega-Limulus its self was obviously quite dead. Strait down the creatures back shell was a three-meter wide burn that went at least from Chucks estimation was five meters deep. It was only a guess as black stinking smoke was pouring from the wound blotting out the stars. Juliet helped chuck down to the beach he flopped down next to an unconscious Ricky Martinez. Ricky was all Banged up, Just from a casual glance it looked like a broken leg and collar bone, no telling how many internal problems. No doubt he got it the worst from the steering mechanism jerking all over the place when the robot went down.
“Don’t worry kid we got one.” Chuck Found himself saying. Ricky’s face twitched in pain.
15
The office was dark only the shadow is some kind of fern back lit by some illumination from outside spread across the cold floor. The sounds of a quartet of fingers strumming across a wooden desktop were the only noises about. A Cigarette winked in the darkness every now and then illumination the face of the woman known only as Ann. The shrill ring of a telephone pierced the silence. It rang a second time and the strumming stopped. Ann picked up the phone.
“Hello I have been expecting your call.” Ann paused for a Moment listening.
“Actually it went better than we thought.” Another pause.
“I know our people are already working on the modifications to the new prototype.” Yet another pause.
“Yes this platform is codename Ogre, It should be by our estimations 17% more combat effective than the troll model.”
“Well we will Auction the old plans off to help fund the construction of the new platform.”
“Yes I know that, The Crew? Oh they are alive only one is in critical condition.” Pause.
“Both gunners are alive and active, while the Pilot is in critical condition suffered trauma caused by equipment.” Another pause, Ann took another moment to take another drag off of her Cigarette.
“Don’t worry that wont be a problem Mr. H. I hope to see you soon.”
Ann listened for a bit linger than hung up the phone leaned back in her chair and took a long puff.
“It’s almost time.”
.
16
Two days later Ricky still hadn’t come out of the coma. The steering mechanism banged him in the head. He also suffered multiple fractures and some probably some hearing damage. Not that they could tell for sure until he woke up. Juliet had yet to go see Ricky, chuck figured that she didn’t want to see him like this. Besides a couple scrapes sprains and bruises the two of the were unhurt. The first day and a half they had to scream to hear one another over the ringing in their ears. Comes with the territory, Human ears were never meant to deal with sound that loud. Later on the third day Chuck a Juliet decided it was time for a celebration or rather Chuck did and Juliet went along for the company. In a nearby village they found quiet little dive chuck made his way for the Jose Quervo and Juliet found a table. Chuck Grabbed the bottle and two shot glasses than made his way to the table.
“Ahh here we go.” Chuck took a swig and let out a sigh He glanced over to Juliet and waved the bottle temptingly.
“No thank you Captain.” Juliet said through her gloom. Chuck Shrugged.
“Enough of that bull We are off duty Call me Chuck And I will call you Juliet.” Chuck grinned.
“Alright…CHUCK!” She said with overexaderation. Though she wasn’t trying to be funny This prompted Chuck to laugh a bit.
“Good… JULIET!” She laughed a bit too.
“Sir?” Juliet said. As she nodded toward the bottle.
“Ohh. Ok” Chuck handed the bottle over to Juliet who gave it a long look before sucking down a swig. Her face contorted a bit and she gagged for a second.
“Smooth ain’t it?” Chuck teased.
“Uhh Yeah.” She forced herself to down another swig. “even Better the second time.” She smiled a bit.
“See there you go, and here I was all worried.” Chuck downed a shot as well.
“Yeah I guess we should Celebrate Hu?”
“That’s right we are celebrating here. We won and we are better of than most that have tried, Bless their souls.” Chuck Grabbed another Shot glass and poured one for Juliet and him. Chuck listed his glass to toast something. Juliet catching the hind did the same.
“To everyone who didn’t make it.” Their Glasses clanked together and they downed their shots. They drank for a while longer.
“Do you want to dance chuck?” Juliet said a bit of drunk In her voice. Chuck was a bit surprised.
“Sure but you lead My leg is Still tricky, I would probably step all over you so be careful.” Juliet Chuckled and pulled Chuck to his feet and made their way to a bare spot in the bar. Not so much a dance floor as an empty spot on the floor but it did the trick. Just as it happened a romantic Spanish song began playing on the Jukebox.
“Mmm I love this song Chuck.” It wasn’t exactly a purr in his ear but chuck got the idea behind this dance especially when she lowered her shoulder onto his. Chuck was going to ask her what the song was about considering he couldn’t speak any Spanish. However he found himself asking a different question.
“Juliet, What about Ricky? I thought the two of you had a thing.”
“I don’t want to think about him right now Chuck, I want to think about right here and right now.” Chuck was sure that was a Purr if he ever heard one, And he was too drunk to protest they Kissed.
End of first story