Characters:
Saburo Miyasaki Lead Scientist on Kaiju Deterrent projects
General Isamu Koga Commander of Special Kaiju Forces
Admiral Martin Fitzsimmons Commander of the Japanese US Kaiju Forces attachment
Professor Yoshiro Akiyama Department head of the College of Kaijuology Hiroshima University
Major Katashi Ito Commander of M.A.S.E.R. 1and Platoon Kasai and Mizu
Master Sargent Takumi Rokuda Gunner for M.A.S.E.R. 1, Platoon Kasai
PFC Shinji Ueno Driver of M.A.S.E.R. 1, Platoon Kasai
PFC Goro Yamada Communications officer of M.A.S.E.R. 1, Platoon Kasai
PFC Ken Fujimoto System maintainer of M.A.S.E.R. 1, Platoon Kasai
PAGE ONE: Full splash page
PANEL ONE:
The shot is inside a rather large laboratory. The primary object in the middle of the panel should be a large slab of steel that has been melted completely through, and is still white hot.
1 (SFX)
WHOOOOOT …. WHOOOOT
2 CAPTION
Military laboratory on base in Yokosuka.
3 SABURO MIYASAKI (off panel)
YES! We did it!
PAGE TWO: 4 panels, 2 horizontal, then 2 square
panel one:
Wider shot of the lab. In the distance is the metal slab, set upon a large base of concrete. The primary focus is the still glowing, a smaller version of the classic M.A.S.E.R. we know from the films. But, this is just the barrel and focusing dish, with huge power cables coming out of the back. There are several technicians around and one very excited looking scientist-type.
1 (SFX)
WHOOOOOT …. WHOOOOT
2 SABURO MIYASAKI
Finally!
PANEL TWO:
This is a shot of the standard double lab doors flying open as the base commander, General Isamu Koga bursts into the room followed by 2 MP's brandishing weapons.
3 (SFX)
WHOOOOOT …. WHOOOOT
4 ISAMU KOGA
What the hell is going on in here!? And somebody shut that damn alarm off!
5 MP #1
Yes Sir!
PANEL 3:
Miyasaki is bowing deeply to the General.
6 MIYASAKI
General Koga, my sincere apologies. We have been working all night on the M.A.S.E.R. prototype and… well, since we ran ahead of schedule, we decided to test fire early.
PANEL 4:
Miyasaki is showing the General an instrument panel and a main power gauge is burned out.
7 MIYASAKI
Sadly, I had not calculated the power usage properly, so we set off the over-load alarm.
PAGE THREE: 5 panels, 2 square, 1 large, 2 square
PANEL 1:
Koga is looking, with a bit of a wry smile on his face, over the melted target plate and the pool of molten metal that is cooling down.
1 KOGA
Well, Saburo, it looks as if you have had a small margin of success? And I understand that this is a prototype?
PANEL 2:
Koga and Miyasaki walking to a wall-sized display panel in the lab.
2 MIYASAKI
Yes Sir. Allow me to show you the finalized version.
PANEL 3:
Miyasaki working the controls pulls up the design for the finalized unit. This would be the Type 66 M.A.S.E.R. unit, like what was used in "War of the Gargantuas". The display panel should be large; this is why this is a large panel.
3 MIYASAKI
This is the Type 66 M.A.S.E.R.
4 KOGA
Type 66?
5 MIYASAKI
We are hoping that, with the high-yield prototype fission reactor we are working on in conjunction with the American's, that we will see firepower in the 66 gigawatt range.
PANEL 4:
Still at the current panel, Koga looking surprised.
6 KOGA
Excellent! But, we may have need of the prototype right away. Something has come up.
PANEL 5:
Miyasaki looking extremely worried. In the back ground, you can see a kaiju threat level poster for the first time. Distant, but you can see the color scheme.
7 MIYASAKI
General, this prototype could not affect "G" in any way whatsoever. This is just does not generate enough raw power.
8 KOGA
I understand, but we have news of a new kaiju that has appeared; a smaller species. At best, green or blue level threats, not red like "G"
PAGE FOUR: 4 panels, 2 square, 4 horizontal
PANEL 1:
Scene shift. A field in North Korea showing a meteor impacting into the middle of the field.
1 SFX
KRAAA-KOOOOM
2 CAPTION
A small farming village outside of Sinhung, N. Korea.
3 KOGA
It happened several days ago. A meteor impacted in a farming area just outside of Sinhung, North Korea.
Panel 2:
The crater showing the meteor and a single praying mantis at the edge of the crater. Waves of energy are coming off of the meteor. The mantis is glowing slightly.
4 KOGA
As near as the Americans can tell, it is giving off some form of radiation that is mutating a species of praying mantis there. We have designated them 'Kamacuras'.
panel 3: Large
There is a small set of village huts. One of the mantises is next to one of the huts and about twice the size of the hut. One of the mantis's arms is raised to swing down on the hut.
5 KOGA
So far, we only have reports of three of the Kaiju. But, we can't take the chance. We have offered the North Korean government all the help we can, as has the U.S. and South Korean military.
panel 4: large
Essentially the same scene, but the roof has been torn off and the mantis has its head deep inside the hut. You can now see, all around, there are other huts that have been demolished and two other mantises and people running in all directions.
6 KOGA
Of course, they have refused our offers of help. All we know now is that the three Kamacuras are moving across North Korea at a steady rate, heading east. The next major land mass is Japan. We have to be ready to repel these kaiju. They are smaller than any other kaiju we have encountered, so hopefully we will have better luck.
PAGE FIVE: 6 panels, 6 small
PANEL 1:
Back to the lab, Miyasaki is looking both excited and worried.
1 MIYASAKI
General, once I make a few adjustments, I should have three working prototypes. The issue is power. We are still waiting for the Americans to finish their reactor.
PANEL 2:
Koga is going to pick up a phone, looking furious.
2 KOGA
Seriously?! Admiral Fitzsimmons assured me they would have that project done by last month. They need to get, how do they put it? "On the ball" with this!
PANEL 3:
Miyasaki is going through what looks like tons of notes, flying everywhere.
3 MIYASAKI
There is a possibility, Sir, that, if necessary, we could tap into the national power grid. It is a last resort, because of the strain on the system, but if needed, we could do it.
PANEL 4:
A door with "Office of Naval Operations Commanding Officer Admiral Martin Fitzsimmons"
4 FITZSIMMONS (from behind the door)
Fitzsimmons! …. Koga, how are you doing? Are we still on for drinks this weekend?
PANEL 5:
Interior of the ONO. Large desk. Looking across the desk at the Admiral. Window in background. On the wall is a large picture of an aircraft carrier. Fitzsimmons looks a little haggard.
5 FITZSIMMONS
WHOAH! Hold on there. I meant to call and tell you our boys may have finally cracked that egg. Yes… We should have a working unit within, possibly, two days.
PANEL 6:
Split panel between Koga and Fitzsimmons
6 KOGA
Excellent news Martin, because I feel we are going to need it with this new situation in N. Korea.
7 FITZSIMMONS
Really? Our people don't even think these "Kamacuras" are going to be heading this way...
8 KOGA
Are you kidding? One of the most densely populated areas on the planet? Trust me, they are coming.
PAGE SIX: 4 panels, 2 square, 2 horizontal
PANEL 1:
1 CAPTION
2 weeks later.
A beach area on the coast of N. Korea. The three Kamacuras are standing there, looking out over the ocean to the east.
PANEL 2:
Wings have sprouted from the abdomens of the Kamacuras. One of them has already taken a leap into the sky.
2 (SFX)
BBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZRRRZZZZRRZZZ
3 CAPTION
Food... It is foremost on their mind. They can sense it.
PANEL 3:
All three are now in flight. Flying low over the ocean water. Two of them out in front, one that looks as if its wing is slightly damaged, but only slightly.
4 (SFX)
bbbbbzzzzzrrrrzzzzzrrzzzzz
5 CAPTION
They know they must feed. They must reproduce. They must reach the food.
PANEL 4:
Same scene, but from a different angle. This is from above the three Kamacuras, looking down on them. Below them are their 3 shadows on the water, but there is a fourth, larger shadow from under the water.
6 CAPTION
But, they are not the only creatures looking for food this day.
PAGE SEVEN: Splash page
PANEL 1:
There is a massive eruption of water as Ebirah rears up from the ocean, piercing the trailing Kamacuras with its' thin pincer.
1 SFX (from water)
SSPPLOOSSHH!
1 SFX (from Ebirah)
SSSSQQQQQQQQUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEE
1 CAPTION
Ebirah will eat well this day.
PAGE EIGHT: 5 panels, 4 small, 1 horizontal
PANEL 1:
A shot of a college campus, this is Hiroshima University, the brand new College of Kaijuology.
1 CAPTION
Hiroshima University, home of the first College of Kaijuology, the new super-science to study the emerging giant monsters of the world.
PANEL 2:
Office door, with the title of "Department Head: Professor Yoshiro Akiyama
1 Yoshiro (from behind the door)
No, that is not an option. I am well aware of the risks, but these creatures need to be studied.
PANEL 3:
The inside is just like a standard professor's office, except there are various skeletal models around which appear to be various kaiju (Godzilla is definitely primary on his desk. Another interesting fact is, there are a couple of other Godzilla's, showing a definite evolution of the creature.
1 Yoshiro
No, that is not an option. I am well aware of the risks, but these creatures need to be studied.
PANEL 4:
Same location, better showing the Godzilla skeleton displays.
1 Yoshiro
I understand that, General. But all I am asking is to be allowed into a combat zone should something occur. And trust me, it will. Yes, I realize that it has been several years, but Godzilla will return, he always does. And this time I want to be ready with the proper equipment…
PANEL 6:
Same location. View from behind Yoshiro, looking over shoulder at what is on his desk. Various drawings of Godzilla in his various stages of development. 1954 version to Classic Showa to Heisei to Millennium, then the beginnings of a drawing that look like the 2014 version.
1 Yoshiro
Because General, I have theory. Godzilla is an evolving creature, and if my theory is correct, we could be on the cusp of a catastrophic change.
PAGE NINE: 6 panels, 6small
PANEL 1:
The outside of a tent operational headquarters
1 CAPTION
The country side just south west of Oga.
2 Koga
I want all personnel to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Projections are showing this to be the best possible location for the Kamacuras to make land-fall.
PANEL 2:
Inside the command center. General Koga speaking with various commanders. They are all around a table showing the area and you can see 3 Kamacuras figures on the edge of the board over the water. Koga has a standard riding crop and is pointing towards an area on the map.
1 Koga
We must stop them before they can do any harm to the general population.
PANEL 3:
A rather large flat-bed vehicle with a tarp over the back cargo. These are the 3 prototype M.A.S.E.R.s.
PANEL 4:
Another large flat-bed carrying the Stryker. (you can look up the Stryker+Tr for the proper design)
1 Koga
While I understand that the prototypes are not the most mobile of weapons, as well as the American's mini-fusion reactor, we have converted a Stryker tracked vehicle to carry them, with a modified trailer for the reactor.
PANEL 5:
The Stryker is off the flat-bed, and the M.A.S.E.R. units are being attached to the top via crane.
1 Koga
The 8th Battalion will have 3 priorities. 1: protection of the civilian population, 2: contain the Kamacuras, and finally, 3: protection of the M.A.S.E.R. units. Of course if they have the opp….
PANEL 6:
Soldier at, what looks to be a radar console. Red light flashing.
1 Soldier
GENERAL! Targets acquired, but there has been an aspect change of target. Now reading only 2 Kamacuras, not 3. Repeat, 2 Kamacuras, NOT 3!
PAGE TEN: 4 panels, 2small, 2 large horizontal
PANEL 1:
General Koga has moved over to the radar station
1 Koga
Only 2? Where the hell is the third one?
2 Soldier
Unknown Sir. I am still only showing 2 targets. They are making a direct course of Oganishi Beach.
PANEL 2:
General Koga has picked up a military walkie-talkie.
1 Koga
Red alert! Red Alert! All personnel proceed to Oganishi Beach. Repeat! Two targets are making land-fall at Oganishi Beach. Coastal outposts – be on the lookout for missing third target. Repeat – third target is missing.
PANEL 3:
Images of M42 "Duster's" riding down dirt roads. Duster is a tracked vehicle with duel 40mm cannons out of the top turret.
1 Koga
Anti-Aircraft batteries to forward positions.
PANEL 4:
Images of fortified position of MIM-23 Hawk missile emplacements.
1 Koga
Hawk units, as soon as targets are within range, fire at will. I repeat, FIRE AT WILL!
PAGE ELEVEN: 4 panels, 4 large
PANEL 1:
Picture of the two remaining Kamacuras flying low over the ocean.
1 SFX
TTHHHHRRMMMMMMMMMM!
PANEL 2:
MIM-23 Hawk emplacements. There are several of the 3 missile units in view, from the rear. Control panels have a large red light flashing. Unit at the far end has missile ignition.
1 SFX
SSSHHHRRRRRROOOOOOOOMMMMMM
PANEL 3:
View of the beach from the vision of the Kamacuras. Might be nice to do this in insect vision, multiple views. Over the beach, behind is the tree line. Over the tree line, a barrage of missiles. Through the trees, several of the M42 Dusters.
PANEL 4:
Shot of the Kamacuras. One is made an erratic course change to avoid the missiles. The second, larger one, takes a direct hit.
1 SFX
BOOOM
PAGE TWELVE: 4 panels, 4 large
PANEL 1:
Larger Kamacuras crashing into beach head. Huge dirt spray .
1 SFX
?
PANEL 2:
Several of the Duster units opening fire. Some on the downed Kamacuras, some on the still airborne.
1 SFX
THOOOMM! THOOOMM! THOOOMM!
PANEL 3:
Shot of flying Kamacuras upside down as it evades another set of missiles.
1 SFX
FWOOOSH
PANEL 4:
Downed Kamacuras, showing no damage at all from the missile hit, taking several shots from the Duster units.
1 SFX
BA-Boom, Ba-Boom
PAGE THIRTEEN: 6 panels, 6 small
PANEL 1:
Far end of the beach, the Stryker vehicle with the M.A.S.E.R.s is approaching.
1 SFX
Rrrrrruummmmble
PANEL 2:
Inside of the M.A.S.E.R., looks almost like a two person video game console. Gunner 2 flipping switch.
1 M.A.S.E.R. GUNNER 1 CAPTAIN ITO
Initial power up. GO!
2 M.A.S.E.R. GUNNER 2 SEARGENT ROKUDA
Initial power up. Check!
PANEL 3:
Gunner 1 sitting in front of a large monitor with what looks like a flight joystick in his right hand. Using left hand to flip another switch.
1 GUNNER 1 ITO
Targeting assist system on.
2 GUNNER 2 ROKUDA
Targeting assist system. Check!
PANEL 4:
Both Gunners looking at each other.
1 GUNNER 1 ITO
Well, we're ready as we'll ever b…
2 SFX
HMMMMMMMMMM!
3 GUNNER 2 ROKUDA
What the hell was th…
4 SFX (computerized voice)
Core fusion achieved. Power levels at 100 percent.
PANEL 5:
Both Gunners looking at each other. Sweat now apparent on foreheads.
1 GUNNER 2 ROKUDA
Guess we're really ready now Commander.
2 GUNNER 1 ITO
You think?
PANEL 6:
Still inside the vehicle, but now you can see there is a drive in front of the 2 gunner positions.
1 GUNNER 1 ITO
Pilot, move us into position. Slowly.
2 M.A.S.E.R. Pilot
Yes Sir!
PAGE FOURTEEN: 4 panels, 4 large
PANEL 1:
The carnage of the beach where the larger Kamacuras crashed. There are several Dusters around, in various stages of destruction. The Kamacuras has one currently in its claws, tearing it apart.
1 SFX (Kamacuras)
Skreeeeee! Skreeeeee!
PANEL 2:
Inside of the M.A.S.E.R., behind the Gunner stations
1 M.A.S.E.R. GUNNER 1 ITO
I will take the airborne target, you concentrate on the ground target.
2 M.A.S.E.R. GUNNER 2 ROKUDA
Yes Sir.
PANEL 3:
The flying Kamacuras looking around for its counterpart.
1 GUNNER 2 ROKUDA
Target acquired! Firing!
PANEL 4:
Same shot of the Kamacuras, except we can now see the M.A.S.E.R.s in the foreground. M.A.S.E.R. beam is hitting it square in the head. The head explodes.
1 GUNNER 1 ITO
Excellent shooting! Now, concentrate firepower on the larger one!
PAGE FIFTEEN: Splash Page with smaller inset frame
PANEL 1:
Both M.A.S.E.R.s targeted on the larger Kamacuras. One beam hitting the rear abdomen, the other hitting mid-thorax. I want this image in the smaller inset frame. The large splash page should be the image of the Kamacuras exploding violently.
1 SFX
Fffzzzzzzzzzzzz!
2 SFX
Ssssspplllorrrggggg!
PAGE SIXTEEN: 4 panels, 4 large
PANEL 1:
Inside of the command center. There is what looks to be a general celebration.
1 Koga
Cease fire, all personnel, cease fire. Congratulations. We finally have our first win against a kaiju!
PANEL 2:
Koga is now on a phone.
1 Koga
Saburo! Congratulations my boy. The prototypes worked magnificently. We need to begin production on the full-scale model right away.
PANEL 3:
Miyasaki on the other end, in his lab. He is seen bowing deeply.
1 Miyasaki
General Koga! Thank you Sir. It is a great honor. My assistants have already begun the working on the M-60's. I am continuing work on the Heat Cannon project.
PANEL 4:
The work table below Miyasaki has the schematics for the Atomic Heat Cannon. Same weapon from the MOTHRA film. He has his hand on the illustration, in pride.
1 Miyasaki
We cannot rest in this war.
PAGE SEVENTEEN: 4 medium panels
PANEL 1:
Open water, mid-pacific. Looking down. Light waves.
1 Caption
Two days later…
PANEL 2:
Entering the water, seeing fish and other aquatic life.
PANEL 3:
Seeing the ocean floor, with a massive chasm opening up. The scene is much darker to show depth.
PANEL 4:
Deep into the trench. Now you can see the dim outline of Godzilla.
PAGE EIGHTEEN: 4 medium panels
PANEL 1:
Godzilla, lying on the bottom of the trench. Close up of his head, eyes are closed.
1 CAPTION
The cold is welcome. Restful. Comforting.
PANEL 2:
The explosion of an atomic bomb at sea.
2 CAPTION
Then he remembers the bright light. The searing heat... The PAIN!
PANEL 3:
Same as panel 1 on this page, but Godzilla's eyes are open.
3 CAPTION
And then, as always… The hunger.
PANEL 4:
Godzilla starting to swim to the surface. Passing a blue whale, and dwarfing it.
4 CAPTION
Ever since the change, the pain has never ceased. Along with the hunger. Sometimes it subsides, but always, it returns. The cold depths help, but... Eventually...
PAGE NINETEEN: 4 medium panels
PANEL 1:
What looks like Mission Control at NASA, except every person seated is military. Soldier at a radar type station, getting a blip on the screen. He looks panicked.
1 SFX
BLOOP
2 SOLDIER
OH $&%* !
PANEL 2:
Soldier at same station, hitting a red button next to the screen. A red siren like light has lit up on top of his station.
3 SFX
BLOOP
4 SFX
EERRRRGGGG, EERRRRGGGG
5 SOLDIER
Alert !, Alert ! High radiation signature. Possible G-Event. I repeat,
Possible G-Event. Can anyone else confirm?
PANEL 3:
Another soldier at a station across the room, the other stations red light about 2 rows and 4 stations over.
6 2nd SOLDIER
Confirmed. Radiation signature confirmed. Definite G-Event.
PANEL 4:
Godzilla still swimming to the surface, we are now looking up at him from under and can see the surface shimmering.
7 CAPTION
No longer does the hunger come from his belly, but his whole being. He aches with it. The cold depths can no longer contain it.
PAGE TWENTY: 4 medium panels
PANEL 1:
Godzilla is on the surface, the classic 1/3 of his body floating out of the water.
1 CAPTION
Wave upon wave of hunger wash over him. Then, he senses it.
PANEL 2:
Back in the G-Control room. General Koga has entered through a set of double doors, looking alert and stern.
2 KOGA
Alright, I need a SIT-REP two minutes ago!
3 1st SOLDIER
Not sure Sir. We showed a radiation signature matching G, but it's just sitting there. No movement for 15 minutes.
PANEL 3:
Godzilla's head whips around, and his eyes have narrowed.
4 CAPTION
He remembers when he could smell his prey. No longer. He now "feels" his prey. His food.
PANEL 4:
Godzilla dives under the water.
5 SFX
SPLASH
6 CAPTION
The pull is weak, meaning his prey is far away.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE: 3 medium panels
PANEL 1:
G-Control room. 2nd Soldier looking up and shouting to General Koga. Beep from his radar screen
1 SFX
BLOOP
2 2nd SOLDIER
Sir! Definite radiation-contact movement. Satellite imaging has authenticated target. Target is G, and it is moving.
PANEL 2:
G-Control room. Koga, looking at the main screen. Shows Pacific with Japan and a red dot (target G)
1 KOGA
Calculate course. I want to know exactly where he's going.
PANEL 3:
Out in the open ocean There is a large wake being created. We can see Godzilla's spines cutting through the water.
1 2nd SOLDIER
Calculating. Current course puts G landing near the Shiuoka Prefecture.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO: Splash page
PANEL 1:
Tranquil coast line. Broken only by the silhouette of a large nuclear power plant.
1 2nd SOLDIER
Sir… He's headed straight for the Hamaoka nuclear power plant.
2 KOGA
Oh my God…