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Before the military
could cover it, the Media had arrived. All the channels, local
and International, Had flocked to the island. Godzilla was a celebrity!
(Even if it was dead.) Too many people, asking too many questions...
This was not good, it was, a zoo!
The phone in
Max's room started ringing around 6:30am. He went to reach
for it, forgetting he wasn't alone... Startling her awake. "Yeah"
He asked to the other end. "WHAT?!! You can't be...serious?!....You
sure, it's dead?....Ohhhh, shit!...Even the Documentary Channels??.. Give me
a break....Huh?.. Yeah, I think, I can find her... Won't be a problem,
see you in twenty, ahh, better make it, thirty." He hung up, still
digesting the information.
"What's going on?"
Tammy asked. "Let's see,..It's 6:45 in the morning, no one ever,
lets me sleep in anymore, Molokai's been invaded by every news agency
on the face of the planet...And, oh yeah, Godzilla's carcus washed
ashore!.. Other than that, everything's wonderful!" He managed a warm
look to her. "Then, you've gotta go?" She asked. "No,.. We gotta go!..
I did, tell you, you were drafted, right?"
By 7:20,
another of Stanton's limos had come. Murphy and Sue were already
aboard, as the others entered. "Well, this looks promising." Murphy
said, seeing the pair. "You two got everything strightened out, then?"
He asked. "Yeah, I think we're up to speed." Max said, Tammy
nodding in affirmation. Sue smiled at her, "I told you, you were
destined for greater things." She added, as everyone laughed. "Now for
the bad news,.. We got a regular Three Ring Circus, over on
Molokai! The news leaked, before we could do anything." Murphy said,
getting right to business. "Yeah, you told me that, already... Stanton
must be having a cow!" Replied Max. "... More like, a herd!" Murphy
corrected. "He's got the local law, keepin' everyone at a safe
distance." He added. "Still warm, then?" Inquired Max. "Oh, yeah!.. Even with
our cadnium bath!" Exclaimed Murphy. "Where are
we going?" Tammy interrupted. The others looked at her, realizing the
woman's 'rookie' status. "We're off the to see the wizards at
Fendtech! Stanton will fill us in, when we get there."
After entering through
another run-down looking facility, The four entered the real base. This
place was more extensive than the one in Washington. Max was reminded,
this was an opperations center, where the other, was more of
a research facility... Either way, the place was massive and busy.
There were flashing red lights, everywere... Condition Red. The four
members, were led into another massive room, filled with computer
stations,.. With a difference. Two of the walls, were actually gigantic
video panels, used to plot opperations. Currently, they dispayed unique
images of Godzilla's body, as it lay on Molokai. Each screen had
a different explanatory key... One gave a radiation output, showing
hotspots... While the other, looked to be a Sonar Ultrasound. Sue
and Tammy were fascinated. This was, after all, their line of study.
"It's been a
hell 'uv a Morning, folks... So let's get right on it." Stanton
exclaimed from one of the computer stations. "...Ohh, and ah,.. Welcome
to FendTech, Miss. Serricuti... I wish it was under better circumstances."
He added. A bit warmer for Tammy's benifit. The others smiled... Tammy
nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Stanton." She said quietly, as if only half
aware... She was fixated with the giant images of Godzilla. The
realization, that she had not seen the creature, set in. "...Sort
of a 'WOW', thing... Huh?" Max whispered to her. "If that's what
you want to call it." She answered, with measured concern... Still lost
in the vid-scans.
"Well people... That's
what we're dealling with!" Stanton said, walking over to the others,
to a better viewpoint. "...Every orgin, every bone...Every major structure... So,
the question is... What can you tell me about it?" He finished,
joining them. "How did we get these?" Sue asked. (Physiology was her
department, after all.) "I got a chopper over there... It's got a rad-scan,
and a special Sonar device, built like an Ultrasound,.. On a
big-ass, scale!" Stanton offered. "I'd say so..." Max added. "..It's the only way
we can get some work done, without everyone in the world knowin'
about us, that is." He finished, sounding irritated.
Sue stared at
the image..."Let me see, if I can clear this up, a little."
She said, going to one of the computer stations. She started playing
with the image, using a program she had developed. Suddenly,
the image became color-coded... Clearly defining the inner structures. "That's
much better." She said, looking up at the wall vid, once
again. "Woah!..." Max exclaimed, Tammy gave him a look.
"Ok, Tammy... You're
the dinosaur expert. What's your take?" Sue asked. "Ahh,.. Well,
from what I can see, here... He's not unlike most Theropods,.. But
with some unique,.. changes..." She started, trailing off, looking perplexed.
"What are you seeing?" Sue asked, as if, seeing it also.
"...This is totally unlike, any marine reptile in the books!"
She started. "How do you mean?" Stanton inquired. Tammy gathered herself.
"...Groups of reptiles, returned to the sea, presumably, because hunting was
easier... Arms and legs, turned into fins,.. One type, even looked like
a fish! But, they were only amphibious to a point... They all
breathed air." She was on a roll, now. "...Go on..."Sue baited.
"...This one, can breath water! Those structures in his neck...Those
are gills!" "We didn't see any gills the other day, when he
went after the ships!" Murphy rebuttled. "You wouldn't...They're protected
under a series of shield scales...Like armor plate!" Sue added,
defending the finding. "Then, this bastard can live it's entire life,
underwater?" Stanton asked with frustration. "Yes they could,.. But they still
needed the land." Tammy said. "Sorta like, Alligator Plus..." Max
said. "That would be a close description." She answered, smiling again.
"Real good, actually! Gators and Crocs, are more advanced then most
reptiles... A step above cold blooded, but not warm, enough. The have
chambered Hearts, that pump, not seep... Godzilla's build, is even more
advanced. Nicely done, Max" Sue said, complementing.
"What's the deal,
with this screen?" Tammy asked, looking at the radiation monitor. "It's showing
us 'hot spots'... Area's of concentrated radiation..." Stanton explained. "You
should be lookin' at that, Max... You're the Elements wizard!" Added
Stanton. Max looked to the screen, feeling jabbed again. "...And, what
exactly, am I looking for?" Max replied, slightly irritated. "I wanna
know, what kind of *'Heavy's' we're dealing with, That's what!" Stanton
barked. "Obviously, the monitor's showing ,.. some seriously hot stuff,.. But,
unless I have a sample,... I can't tell you Jack!" Max fired.
Stanton thought for a moment. "I was afraid of that." He
said, standing down. "I can... tell you something, right now..." Tammy
said, quietly and with concern. The others looked to her, noting
her tone. "...He's not dead!" She finished.
"Come again??" Stanton
asked "...If I read this, like any other thermal chart,.. There
are higher temps, in all the vital areas... Heart, lungs,..brain,...ah, What's
this?" Tammy asked, pointing to a brightly lit area near the shoulder.
"A lucky hit, that cost the Navy 140 men." Stanton said, flatly.
"Well,.. It's healing." She said. Sue had re-examined the monitor, while
Tammy explained. "...She's right, John! We din't kill him... He's hibernating,..
Repairing himself!" She now confirmed. "Son of a bitch!... How long
before he wakes up, again??" Stanton asked. "That's anyone's guess... But
it won't be, before that wound heals." Sue added. "Then, it
looks like we do field work, tonight!.. After I get rid of them
News-Jockeys!" Stanton exclaimed. "...Field work??" Max quietly echoed, not
believeing what he just heard. The others looked just as shocked.
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That afternoon,
the military came in to clear the island. The residents were
asked to evacuate, most were more than happy, to do so.
The most difficult, (Of course.) were the
news crews. These people, it seemed, feel invincible to all that
happens to the other guy. Either way, they had to be threatened
with Law suits and arrests, in order to leave.
At FendTech, the
group spent the afternoon, going over the operation. There would
be two teams, Murphy and Sue, would collect samples from the
wound, made by the Navy. Max and Tammy, had the most dangerous
job... It would be a first, even for FendTech. Both had been
offered the chance to back out, but neither did. By 8:00pm,
they were on a chopper, heading toward Molokai. Again, Stanton
remained at H.Q... Removed from any danger. (Common practice in these
orginizations, Keep the snake's head alive and kicking.) The team
members, now were openly nervous. After all, what they were about to
do, goes against common sense.
By 8:20pm, the
time to reconsider, had passed. The copter had set down, and it's
passengers suited up in protective gear. This would keep radiation exposure
to a minimum. The group took a few moments, gathering the
size of this animal. (As well as their wits.) They stood near
it's head, It's massive form, stretching back to the beach, and
beyond... This was all, hard to accept.
"...Now I
know, how Steven Boyd, felt..." Max muttered. "Huh?" Asked Murphy. "Nevermind."
Max replied. But Tammy got it, " ...But I don't wanna be Raquel
Welsh!" She added with a nervous smile. "I,.. agree..." Max said. "So,
were do you want to start?" Sue asked. "I suppose, running and
screaming in the other direction, is out??" Max tried to quip.
"...Afraid, not... But I gotta admit, it sound's good!" Murphy confessed.
"I know,...this is nuts." Sue agreed, the added. "...But it's
our Job." "...Is it too late, to change professions?" Asked Max. The others managed a quick laugh. Murphy pulled
out his hand held Radiation Detector. "I say, we do now...Think
about it, later." He said, readying himself. "Why not?.. He's not
waking up, anytime soon." Sue agreed. "...Sure, you guys got the
easy part... You don't have to go inside!" Max exclaimed.
"Well, you're the radiation expert,.. Where else, you gonna get... core
radiation?" Murphy gave back. "Let's get going then,... Before I thow
up!" Max said, switching on his high powerd lamp. Tammy followed his
lead, both walking toward the creature's mouth. Sue and Murphy
started off, toward the wound site...The Sue turned to face them
once more. "...Tammy, Max...? You two, take care,.. Stay safe, ok?"
She said, as Murphy agreed with a nod. "I'm planning on it!"
Affirmed Max.
Godzilla's mouth
looked like a tunnel enterance,..With teeth. It was half open, and
easily 40 feet from cheek to cheek...Huge, dark and forboding.
Max wasn't lying, he really did feel sick. Before him, rows of
teeth. Most of which, were larger than he was. He paused for a
moment, psyching himself up. "Let's do it, Tamara!" He said. The woman
took his hand, looking deeply into his eyes. An understanding with-out
words. Together, they entered the void.
___ ___
___
Murphy held open
a large bottle, with radiation hazzard markings on it's side. Sue
was busy filling it, with thick, dark syrippy material... Godzilla's blood.
"This stuff's, pretty freakin' hot!" He said, watching the radiation
detector, "...Let's get what we need, and back off." He added,
while Sue finished the chore. "I hear you,.. These suits won't
block all of it." She said, now looking at the cavernous wound. "...You
could stick a car, it there!" She exclaimed. "...yeah, and microwave
everyone in it!" He reminded. "I know,.. I hope the others,
are all right!" She said, realizing the concern. "They should be,.. Those
new, Heavy Nuke, suites, are top of the line." Murphy rationalized.
"...I know,.. But to ask someone to do, what they're doing... It's
a hell of a risk!" She exclaimed, looking at him. " I know,.. But
their monitors, look good, so far." Murphy said, looking at a
hand held sensor device. (This was a tracking unit. Both Tammy and
Max could be positioned with it, along with their vital signs.)
"Where are they, now?" Asked Sue. "About 45 feet, in that
direction." He said, pointing towards were the creature's lower jaw,
met with it's neck. "...In there, somewere." He finished.
____ ____
____
Max
and Tammy were huddled together, using the lamps to get some
sort of bearing. They had paused to do this, and take readings.
Max pulled a two dollar 'wind detector' from his case. (One of those, windcup things, people put in their gardens.)
He held it out, and the cups began to spin, ever so
slightly. Godzilla was breathing... If barely. "...Ok,.. This is about
as creepy, as I ever wanna get!" He said quietly, watching
the monster breath. Then, looked at Tammy, adding. "...Bet you never
thought, you'd be doing this, yesterday!" Tammy gave a quick laugh,
keeping vigil over the Radiation Detector. "Never in a million years...
But I'm not sorry!" She affirmed, then added. "...We've got some,
serious radiation, here." "It's gonna get worse, the deeper we go...
I hope Stanton's right, about these suites!" Max said, with concern.
"Me too, or it's gonna be a real short, relationship!" She said, giving
Max a worried smile, taking out a copy of the Ultrasound. This
would be used like a roadmap, a way to tell their progress.
"Ok,.. We're
at the opening of the Esophigial passage, just behind the pallet."
She said, after studying the 'map.' "...What?" Max asked. "His
throat, Max... That way!" She pointed. "Remember, he's on his side,
that effects orientation ." She added. "I'll keep
it, in mind." He replied, looking at another feature, caught in
his light. "What is that, Tammy?" He inquired, pointing at the find.
In front of the two, (In the direction, they needed to go.)
Was a large, round openning. Tammy looked at it, then brought her
light, all around the tunnel. There was another of these opennings,
on the opposing side. "...I think, they're gland opennings... Like a
Spitting Cobra! They could explain alot, about his firestorm!" She
exclamed. "How so?" Max inquired. "I'll tell you later,.. Now, let's
get going!" She pressed.
The two, carfully
moved by the obstruction. Then moved up an incline... ( The esophagus
propper ) The passage was of good size, and movment wasn't that
difficult. Along it, the two noted inner gill openings, where large
amounts of blood gained oxygen through oversized pollups... "Ok,.. Here's
were we need to go." Tammy said, pointing to another opening...
This one was even more unsettleing. A large flap of pink
flesh, kept moving back and fourth, openning and closing over
the enterence. "...That's the wind pipe... The flap keeps food from
mixing with air... Remember, he's breathing!" She said. "... That's a comforting
thought." Max said, as both eased past the obstruction.
They walked a
little further, until this passage began to fork... There was sound
from everywhere... This had passed creepy, and was down right, horrifying...Thought
Max, looking around. "...Where the Hell, are we?!" He said
loudly...To be heard over the noise. "Above the lungs!.. All this
sounds', comming from blood movement,.. His Heart's close by. Add to
this, air circulation." She replied. Max was becomming aware of something
else. "...Turn off your light!" Tammy looked at him, like he'd
gone mad... But complied. The whole place was electric with radio-activity!
Glowing bright enough to see read by! "Ohh Shit!...Shitshit...I forgot
to check the radiation monitor!" She fired, lecturing herself. "...Not like, this is
unusual,..or we had, nothing else to worry about!" He replied, placing
things back in prospective. "...We've burried the needle, and then some!"
She exclaimed. "Let's just get our samples, and get the hell
outta here!" He said. "I couldn't agree, more!"
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