It was a warm, but not unbearably hot, summer day, in which the sky was endlessly blue, with not a cloud in sight. A salty breeze rose up and lightly tousled the brown hair of Nick Tatopoulos. The biologist was currently sitting cross-legged outside the abandoned Staten Island Ferry boathouse which now served as the headquarters for the H.E.A.T. team, watching as the 180 foot tall mutant reptile, known throughout the whole world as Godzilla, swam along the harbor.
As he sat, Nick took a moment to consider how much his life had changed. A few years ago, if anyone had ever told him that he would one day find himself as the leader of a group of scientists/adventurers who traveled the world fighting against any mutation that reared their heads, or that he would be sharing a unique bond with the radioactive-fire-breathing, supper-fast, super-smart Godzilla, he'd have thought they had been watching too many science-fiction movies. However, Nick could no longer imagine his life any other way. Especially not without Godzilla. At first, Nick's interest in the creature had been purely scientific, a chance; a chance to study a major biological discovery. But it wasn't long before he found himself genuinely caring for the mutation. He would not soon forget the day when he believed Godzilla had been destroyed by the military, back when he had been half-grown. It was at that precise moment in time that Nick had realized how much Godzilla had become a part of him. When it had seemed like Godzilla had died, Nick had felt part of himself die with the gargantuan creature. But Godzilla had miraculously survived, and Nick had made a silent oath that no matter what it took, he would never again let anyone threaten Godzilla's life.
As Nick sat contemplating, he sensed someone coming up behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a man in his late fifties, walking up with the aid of a cane.
"I trust I have the honor of addressing Dr. Nick Tatopoulos?" The man inquired.
"I suppose you do." Nick nodded, getting to his feet, slightly surprised to be addressed so formally. "How can I help?"
"My name is Samuel Brookins." The man introduced himself. "I have a terrible dilemma. My nephew and his friends were on an internship in the African desert. But they have gone missing. Their camp was found deserted a week ago, in serious disarray. My nephew's camera was found among the wreckage. They contained these photographs." Brookins passed Nick a manila envelope. Inside were a series of blurry shots featuring a strange creature.
"It appears to be some sort of mutant fox." Nick surmised, examining the pictures.
"I know it is bold of me to ask," Brookins announced. "But I know your people have experience with these creatures. I hope you would be kind enough to head down to the Sahara desert, and see if you could find my nephew?"
AN: Very short, I know. The plot will pick up soon. Promise.