Part Two: EBIRAH



Kyoko Bradley lay restless in her posh suite. If only Kenji were here to share it! This place was incredible, from what she could see of it from her window. There came a knock at the door. "Come in," she said, and Mistress Iako entered the room. The ageless looking woman seemed subtly different somehow. Kyo could not quite bring herself to trust her.

"Mrs. Bradley, forgive me for imposing on you at such a late hour, but I knew you would want the news right away. We have found your husband!"

The tears came then, and Kyo thanked her ancestors for her good fortune. "Thank God! Tell me now, where is he?"

"The natives found him and your other companion. They were searching the shore for you. The Selgans are caring for them at their village, and will escort him here in the morning," Iako reassured her.

"That's wonderful! Although I had not realized there was any native culture left here. I mean, your resort is very beautiful, but I am an anthropologist..."

"And you don't mind sleeping in huts. I appreciate your honesty, I will leave you now to rest," Iako turned to leave.

"Wait, please. I am quite unable to sleep right now, and I have so many questions! Tell me, how did you know my name?"

Just then, a beeper sounded, and Iako pulled the transceiver from her sash. "Moshi moshi," she paused as the caller relayed the message. Kyoko watched as the woman's face twisted into a grimace. "I understand. Domo arigato." Iako's face shifted again, back to a more congenial demeanor. "I'm afraid I must leave you now, Mrs. Bradley. It seems the storm has caused far more damage than I had thought."

"But Miss Iako..."

"Try to rest, we will speak tomorrow. And I will get to meet your new husband! Oyasumi nasai, Bradley san." Iako quickly left the suite, locking the door behind her.

Kyo was not so sure she liked it here. Kenji was okay, thank God, but what about this strange woman who had come to her aid? There was something wrong in this place. She would get no sleep tonight.



*



On the shore.

"God damn storm!" Hiroki raged, pacing down the beach, a bottle swiped from a sleeping tourist's patio in his hand. "That's twice now, Mikki. Twice!" He spat, then chugged down the last of the strong rice wine. "I suppose I should be thankful, huh? Nobody died this time..." Hiroki's rage was giving way, to an old familiar pain.

"Why did you take her, Mikki? Why did you take my sister? I accepted the exile, they said it was your will. That my offense was unforgivable. The weather was clear, a beautiful day. Mom and Dad tried to warn me, the Spirit of the Sea was uneasy. I was too much the modern mariner to listen, and Susaki paid the price." The booze and the anguish overcame him, and he fell to his knees. "Now I'm right back where I..."

The words stuck there. Hiroki's throat shut tight at the sight of what now appeared before him. It was a glow, a shimmering trail flowing from the resort's main tower, out into the sea. The sailor dropped the empty bottle, and shook his head to clear it. The glow was still moving, still there. "I'm seeing things, flipping out," he spoke to himself, watching the pulsing spheroids moving purposefully away. "Either that, or those are really the space-thingies dad keeps jawing about."

He concentrated, and could see the glowing mass emanating directly from the penthouse. Iako's room. "Holy shit! Have my folks been right about this all along? I think I'd rather be losing my mind!" He looked at the discarded bottle, empty, then back out to sea. The shimmers were fading farther into the distance. He decided he had to know the truth. He turned, and started toward the resort...



*



Open ocean.

The alien Astro-Quasars stream intently across the sea floor. They know this area well. Nearly devoid of true animal life, it is inhabited instead by strange and unknown varieties of plant and protista.

A monstrous nudibranch, nearly thirty meters long, corkscrews slowly overhead. The giant eel grass sways at its passing. Mammoth anemones cluster and crawl in their time lapse ballet, as the tube snakes dart in and out of their cylindrical shells.

Suddenly, an immense crimson claw shoots from the tangled vegetation to capture the nudibranch! There is the creature the Quasars seek, the giant lobster Ebirah!



*



The penthouse.

"Iako, we have company," said the voice on the transceiver.

"I know," she replied. "Let him come, and stay out of sight." Sounds from the balcony signaled her visitor had arrived. She clicked off the radio and tucked it back into her sash. "Come in, Hiroki san. I have been expecting you."

Slowly, the man stepped out of the shadows. "Have you? Well, let me assure you this was completely unexpected on my part," he slipped into the room. "I saw your little friends, Iako. Now tell me what the hell is going on!"

"You drunken fool. I have no idea what you are talking about," Iako replied grinning.

"It's all true isn't it? The aliens really are here, and they've taken over your mind." Hiro was steadier now. He drew closer to the woman, to look into her eyes.

"No closer, Selgan. I'm warning you."

"No Iako. I'm warning you. You cost me, lady. You cost me my sister, my family, my life!" Hiroki seethed. "It took a long time for you to slip up like that, but slip you did. Now I'm on the case lady. Your case." Slowly, Hiroki backed away. "You have made your own worst enemy tonight," he said, and was gone.

Iako feared he was right. It seemed there would now be two fronts on which she must fight. She would deal with the drunkard later. Right now, Godzilla was coming. The beast had somehow resisted her control. Now it must be destroyed.



*



Godzilla glides onward through the depths, hunting. Ahead, he spies the island, the nest of the alien enemy. Earth already has a vast abundance of evil, these Quasars would be destroyed!

Intent upon his goal, Godzilla never notices the pressure wave rising from below until it is too late. Suddenly Ebirah attacks!

The beast's giant pincers grab Godzilla's neck and pull, dragging him deeper toward the sea floor. Godzilla rages at the assault, flailing madly against the force of the rapid descent for a claw hold on his opponent. He clutches at the claws clamped tight around his throat, and begins forcing them apart. Gaining some leverage, he can see the mutant lobster now. It is an enemy he has faced before. But within Ebirah's stalk extended eyes, Godzilla can see other things as well. He howls! The aliens pulse within his opponent, the Quasars control the sea monster now!



*



Dawn at the resort.

Kenji, Riko, and a few of the more fearless natives approach the main gate. Riko wasn't kidding, Ken thought. This place was impressive! A smile of joy came over his face, as running toward him from across the courtyard came his beloved Kyoko!

"Kenji! Kenji!" She races to her husband's arms, and they embrace. The Selgans and resort staffers alike look on happily as the lovers reunite, their tears mixing with their kiss.

"Kyo, I thought I'd lost you," said Ken, holding her tight. "You wouldn't happen to have seen an airstrip around here, would you? I think we should try to avoid sea travel for a while!" He joked, and Kyo broke into laughter.

"I love you, Ken Bradley. Now shut up and kiss me."

"Ahem," one of the staff stepped forward. "Gomenasai, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley. My name is Kodo. Mistress Iako wishes me to welcome you to the Selga Submarine Hotel! After your ordeal, we believe some relaxation is in order. You are welcome to stay with us at no expense until transport can be arranged for you to leave," the man smiled broadly. "Consider it a wedding gift!"

"Oh, Kenji, isn't this wonderful? Wait until you see this place!" Kyoko beemed. "Kodo san, where is Miss Iako? I wish to thank her for her generosity."

"The Mistress regrets her absence, and promises to attend you as soon as her duties allow. Come now, if you would. We have prepared quite a breakfast for you and your friends," Kodo spoke happily.

"Uh, listen Kodo san," Ken began, giving his wife's arm a subtle squeeze. "Thanks for the offer and all, but Kyo and I would prefer to stay at the village. We..."

"Kenji, what are you saying?" Kyoko scolded.

"Kyo, Riko here is Hiroki's father. They have already shown me so many interesting things about their native culture that I..."

"Kenji, I have been at this research for three years without a break. I would much prefer a honeymoon with my new husband before taking on a whole new tribal culture to study."

"But Kyo, you don't understand..."

"Kenji, this time I insist," she stated emphatically.

Mentally, Ken weighed the wrath of his bride against the threat of alien monsters. "Okay, Kyoko. We'll stay." He quickly decided he'd rather face the monsters!



*



The sea monster's grip was incredible, its claws now piercing Godzilla's hide! Ebirah's true advantage is its maneuverability, twisting its body above its saurian opponent, and slamming him violently to the ocean floor! The tremendous impact rocks the landscape, sending plumes of silt and stone cascading into the vast undersea depths!

The mutant lobster straddles its motionless foe, its claws sweeping clear the clouds to see. The King of Monsters has fallen! The Quasars shimmer and spark as Ebirah screeches its triumph into the sea!

Suddenly, the massive claws are pinned in an irresistible grip! Ebirah lurches back, to gaze down at its foe, and is hit full face with a shattering thermonuclear blast! The aliens writhe in tune with the battered Ebirah. Godzilla is fighting back!



*



The Honeymoon Suite was the most elaborate and expensive affair on the entire island, and after years of jungle jumping across the Pacific, Kyoko Bradley was in heaven!

Kenji too admired the luxuriant accommodations, but the natives warnings still echoed in the back of his mind. It had been beautiful to share the day here with his love, but he knew it could all be too good to be true. "Kyo, do you feel okay?" He asked.

"Mm, I feel wonderful," she replied, rolling closer to trap him playfully in the satin sheets.

"That may be kind of a problem. Kyo, neither one of us were more than bruised in that shipwreck, were we?"

"You know, you are right," she began. "Ha ta! Why hadn't I thought of that until now?"

"I figured it out 'cause it happened to me once before. On Kunashira, when the mist overtook me on the road to Oneda."

"The Spiritmist. I remember how you healed almost instantly when it touched you."

"You got it," said Ken. "And it touched us both. We may be experiencing some kind of residual effect."

"Do you think its dangerous?" Kyo asked with concern.

"Possibly. But we may have an even more immediate problem..."

"Kenji, no! This is supposed to be our honeymoon!"

"I know, hon. But listen, I got this wild story from the locals about the people who run this resort..." Ken hesitated, unsure where to begin. This was gonna sound silly as hell. "Tell me, have you noticed anything suspicious around here?"



*



The village.

Riko broods solemnly over a ritual fire, adding bits of herb and bone to the tiny blaze. The island priests assist in the ceremony, passing Riko a long thin flask with a strange image graven on it. It is the symbol of the SeaGod.

"Mikki, guide us," he spoke. He put the flask to his lips, drained it, then spat forth the contents in a fine spray, extinguishing the blaze. The priests drew closer, to peer into the embers.

"It is true," Riko spoke in disbelief. "It is Hiroki. Hiroki is the chosen one!"

At that, the priests began to pray!



*



Dusk. The Resort.

The Bradley's stroll along the shore, their thoughts plagued with strange doubts. What should have been a glorious sunset was dulled by an ever deepening gloom. "Kyo, we have got to be sure before we commit ourselves to a plan of action. It was hard enough just telling you about it, some kind of proof would be nice before we go running to the authorities," Ken exclaimed.

"Kenji, I am afraid! I let the beauty of this place distract me, but the Selgans' story could have some merit. My identification was lost in the shipwreck, yet that woman knew my name. She may have read my mind or something!" Kyoko shook in the chill ocean wind. "What if it is true? What are we going to do?"

"We've got to find Hiroki," said Ken. "I want to examine the Helio-7, and he's probably the only one willing to take us to it."

"Examine the spacecraft?" Asked Kyo.

"Yeah, it might provide some clues to the nature of the creatures. Assuming they exist, that is." Ken turned to his bride and embraced her. "I got us into this one, Kyo. I'll find a way to get us out."

"My silly husband," she kissed him hard. "We will get through this together."



*



The sea monster twisted frantically to escape the force of Godzilla's blasts, the aliens now shimmering wildly about its form! Godzilla pressed the attack, if only he could slay the beast before the Quasars could escape its body...

Suddenly, Ebirah's struggles ceased. Godzilla cut the beam and watched as the alien enemy streamed swiftly off into the distance. The mutant lobster squeaked pitifully in Godzilla's grip, then the light went out of its scorched and sightless eyes.

Twice now, the aliens had attacked him. Twice, they had managed to escape. Godzilla was determined they would not escape again.

The nest was near. Godzilla could smell it. He dropped the lifeless lobster and glared fixedly after his true prey. The hunt was nearing its end, and Godzilla began it as only he could; with a single, giant step!



*



Midnight. The village.

Hiroki creeps silently among the darkened huts, unseen. The stone facade of the temple of the SeaGod looms before him, and haltingly, he slips inside.

The altar lights still burn, and upon the obsidian slab Hiroki spies an assemblage of objects. There is a shallow bowl, painted white. A slender flask with the symbol of the SeaGod painted on, and a headband like those worn by the island priests, only finer. He stood there, as still as the stone pillars surrounding him. Self doubt still gnawing at his booze soaked brain.

"Mikki," with a single shaky step, "guide me." Hiroki's journey has begun.



*