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Murphy and
Sue, were relieved to see the others emmerge from the belly
of the beast. But it wasn't over, yet. Max and Tammy had
to remain in the suites, as both were extensively decontaminated.
(A remotely operated station had been set up, for this.) After
the chem wash, it was safe enough, to finally get out
of the outfits. (The all important samples, had been placed in
safe containers, before the Decom. wash.) After this extensive clean
up, the four were coptered back to FendTech.
It was 12:25am,
when the copter set down, again. Now, it was back through another
Decom. (Just to be safe.) The four were then, rushed to
the command room... The celibration had already begun, as they
entered. After all, they had taken the study of Godzilla, to
a new level. Most of the attention, was focused on the 'Inside
job' team. " It took alot of guts,..To be in alot of guts!" was
the motra of the gathering. Stanton gave a short speech, and
toast. Then, the party was ended... Except for Max and Tammy.
Stanton wanted to see them in his office. Now, both were sitting
in front of his desk.
"...I know you
guys are tired. But I figured, you'd wanna hear, your next
assignment." Stanton explained. The two gave a nod. "... But first,
I gotta tell ya... What you two did, took Balls of Brass... And
Iron Ovories!.. No offense." Tammy waved it off. "None taken." "...I'd
be hard pressed, to get any military boys, to do the same!
I know, I'm impressed!" Admitted Stanton. "Thank you, sir." Max
answered for both. "...From the phone call I got earlier, So's
the big man, in Washington!" Stanton smiled, puffing his hibitual
Cigar. "Nicely done!" He added.
"Now, about that
assigment..." He started, switching gears. "It's nice and cushy... I figured
you deserved it. Of course, it involves your particular talents,
as well!" Max and Tammy looked on, slighty puzzled. "... I want
you, to get to work on those samples... I wanna know everything,
about 'zilla's physiology... I have a hunch, it involves something new."
Max, having a hunch of his own, wanted to confirm it. "Yeah,..
That's right up Tammy's ally... So, what's my deal?" " I thought, you'd
never ask... You're going to be looking for new Elements, Max... Confirm
that theory of yours!" Stanton said, knowing this would open an
old wound. Max had thought as much, "...I see." He said,
with a feeling of apprehension. "...I know, I shot it down...
But, I did it, for your own good!" Offered Stanton. Max
was enlightened, if confused. "...But, you almost cost me a career...
Not to mention, my credability!" Max fired, not able to contain
his feelings, any longer. Now, it was Tammy, who was confused.
"... But, I also got you in, Max! ... Made sure, you got
that job, over at the Department of Geology." Stanton added. "...That
was pretty convienient for you,...I'm sure." Max exclaimed. "I didn't put
a lid on you, for shits and giggles!.. I was ordered to!"
Stanton bellowed... Stopping the argument. Max stood down, perplexed. "...I've seen
alot of 'newbies', with big ideas... most of 'em, never get
noticed... Max Harrison, comes along, puts his in a thesis,.. Get's
the damned thing, published!.. Got alot of people's attention!"
Stanton recalled. Max sat, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"...Problem was, your wacked out theory,.. Just might explain, everything
about 'Operation Overkill!" Finished Stanton. Max felt the bricks hit. His
mind connected it all, faster then he could follow. His eyes were
wild with thought. Tammy still looked lost. Of course, she didn't
have a clue abuot what happened 15 years ago. "..Could of,
damned well got you killed, at the very least! Not to mention,
a new Cold War!" Stanton added. Max saw even more new connections,
this was big. the whole time, he muttered, with-out voice. Tammy decided,
it was time to enter the room, again. "...If you two are
done, acting like guys... could some-one fill me in?" She asked.
Stanton and Max looked to her at once... As if she really
had left the room.
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"...Well,.. It is,
your theory." Stanton passed. Max thought about where to start, as
Tammy looked on. "Well, uhh... The center of the Earth, is hotter
than the sun... This is unique, as our planet is very small.
It dawned on me, this has never really, been explained." Max
started, Tammy listening intently. "I follow." She said. "...The problem
led me to nuclear physics. As the closest example of what
I was looking for, came with Atomic detination..." He continued. Tammy
nodded, she was still with him. "Then it occured to me,
that although hot, these reactions were quick,.. Unsustained. Thats when
I figured, there had to be more Elements, in the Periodic
Table... fueling the furnace, at the Earth's core." He finished.
"Well, that's not exactly, a wild theory..." She said, still slightly
confused. "... That wasn't, the big problem... I figured, if we kept
screwing around enough... We'd create a bomb, that would bring about
unkonwn, Elemental reaction!" Tammy sat, jaw dropped... Max, thinking about
what he just said, then added. "...Operation Overkill, I presume?"
"We did it,
in 1951... This bomb, was going to be the biggest thing,
ever exploded, a Hyper Thermal Nuclear weapon... Nick-named 'Golieth.' It
Knocked a hole in the ocean!" Stanton said... The others sat in
silence, as he explained. "They did it, out in the middle of
nowhere, South Pacific. Smartest decision of the whole project!" Stanton
continued.
"What exactly,..
Were these results, aside from Godzilla? I mean..." Max inquired. Why
not? 'Overkill' was now, an open subject. Stanton looked at him, replying
in a mater-of-fact tone. "About 2,500 men... There were several ships,
all monitoring the blast. They figured, some of 'em, were close...
But then, the boom... Was larger then anyone expected! Some guys
were vaperized, others were frozen stiff. The explosion pushed the
atmospher aside, long enough to expose 'em, to deep space. There
was a ring of ice, three feet thick, sitting in the middle
of 80 degee ocean water." " ...Kinda lived up to it's name,
then..." Max stammered. "...And then some. Those ships, were so
hot, they lit the night sky! We got radiation signatures, we
ain't never seen, before... We got 'em again, in Tokyo! They figured,
some unkown Element was created! I'm guessing, Godzilla runs off
it... You were right, all along... If we didn't stop you,.. Some
other country, might try the same thing."
"...So, I published
my theory,.. and became a problem with National Security... And I've
basically, been in P.C, ever since..." Max said. "That's one way
to put it, I suppose." Smiled Stanton. Suddenly, John Stanton wasn't
the same guy, Max had a grudge with. Even with no way, of
knowing the truth, for all these years... Max felt guilty.
"Godzilla's the
key, in this theory of yours... Tomorrow, I want you to
start on the 'how and why? Now get outa here...Get some
sleep, you two look horrible!" Stanton said, smiling. This was the
true beginning of a great team.
___
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___
The labs at
FendTech, were hopping for the next few days... Max and Tammy
went over the samples, with a fine tooth comb... And then a
smaller one. Sue worked with them as well, Making sure the findings
could be reproduced... And comparing them, with her own studies. Murphy
bounced between the research labs, and his electronics station. He
was helpful with the actual handling of the specimines. ( The
radiation was so high, the samples would have to be tested from
a 'safe room.' by remotes.) Murphy adapted, and in some case's
built, the attatchments for the robotic arms.) The group worked
long hours... And some progress had been made. There were signs
of something unusual,..yes. But no direct evidence... Nothing solid. As
if, they were seeing effects, with no sign of a cause. This
was a mystery... One that needed to be solved quickly. Godzilla
was healing.
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