It started when we received a distress call from Modesto.
"Monster on Rampage".
Forty-three seconds – and Strike Team Three was already in air, preparing for the standard Operation Capture. "Standard" in our business means "no alerting President" and "no using weapons of mass destruction".
Judging by vague descriptions of the Watchers, our object was something big and strong. It already destroyed the local church. What a nice start of career - if you planning to become a Major Threat to Society, or course!
We landed in Modesto when I discovered what the Watcher's Team neglected to tell.
The church wasn't destroyed by "it".
Her name was Susan. Susan Murphy. And it was supposed to be the happiest day in her life.
No, I was never married, and, believe me, I never wanted to be. For W. R. Monger serving his country always comes first. But I was asked to be the best man couple of times. Thought I knew enough about weddings. But in Modesto I had to admit that my experience was too limited and this wedding wasn't something you can be prepared for.
So… where am I? Susan? Ah, yes. I'm not getting younger, you see.
On the day of her wedding Susan Murphy was hit by a meteorite. Was it a regular space rock, she'd be just killed, end of story. But it consisted of quantonium, extremely rare element, almost not-existent on Earth. Susan absorbed its power, and her life was changed forever.
During the ceremony Susan started growing up until she reached 49` 11 1/2". C'mon, try to imagine yourself in her place. She is nervous, worrying not to stumble, preparing herself to say "I do". And then – BOOM! Everybody and everything all of a sudden started shrinking. Fiancée, parents-in-law and guests are running scared. That's what people call "worst wedding ever".
My memory isn't as good as it was, but I still remember her - tears in blue eyes, remains of wedding dress barely covering her body, cries for help. Susan didn't look dangerous at all, it you forget about her height.
But, like I said, I was a soldier, and soldiers are following orders. I signaled Strike Team to attack; she was sedated and brought to the prison facility.
Operation Capture was successfully finished.
But the problems only started.
(To be continued…)