The Last Godzilla Story
by George Thomas
Part One
"Damn, not again!" A fist slammed down hard on the monitor console, the control center's klaxons all blaring at once. Combat status indicators strobing off the displays like they were having hot flashes. A monster had been sighted in Osaka Bay, and worse, the General was pissed.
"Which one is it, Colonel Saegusa? Gojira?"
"It's Angilas, sir."
"Excellent. Him we can repel. I want it done, Colonel. Drive the beast out to sea. You know the drill."
"Yes sir!"
General Akira 'Ahab' Munabe rose from his station. There was a slight pause as the synaptic impulse to walk was translated into an electronic signal that his artificial legs could respond to. He strode across the command center, and entered the war room.
"ARES, activate display," he instructed, and the room responded. A translucent wall opaqued, generating an image of the globe. Locator circuits kick in, transmitting coordinates to the screen. A pale green light casts over the man as position indicators begin filling the display, showing the locations of Earth's monsters. The main cluster, as always, was around the islands of the Pacific. Right around Japan.
"Okay, ARES, give me the numbers." The display condensed to the right, allowing numerical readouts to fill the left side of the screen. They were accompanied by the deep metallic voice of the system's audio program.
'System parameters set for twenty subjects: 14 terrestrial/ 5 aquatic/ 1 in geosynchronous orbit. 3 subjects are currently active, 4 remain unlocated.' The computer pronounced.
"And where is Godzilla?"
'Unknown.' The machine replied.
It had been over five months since they lost track of the beast. Munabe preferred to know his enemy's location, his strengths and weaknesses. Lack of information was like a window of opportunity, an invitation for attack. "List active subjects," said Munabe, and the screen responded.
'First Subject: Juvenile Godzillasaurus mutation, codename; Gigantis. Location: Ogasawara island./ Second Subject: Insectivorid larvae mutation, codename; Mothra Alpha. Location: Pacific Ocean 130 miles south of Philippine Islands./ Third Subject: Anguirusaurus mutation, codename; Angilas. Location: Osaka Bay. Warning! Attack on Japanese mainland imminent.'
"I know that, ARES. List unlocated subjects," Munabe instructed.
'Cephalopod mutation, codename: Devilfish.'
"We're always losing him. Go on."
'Presumed saurian mutation, codename: Baragon./ Mutant arachnid, codename: Spegiah./ Mutant saurian, codename: Godzilla,' ARES concluded.
"Can you elaborate on probable location of last subject?"
'The highest probability shows Godzilla within the magma layer just below the continental plates.'
"Inside the planet", Munabe thought. "It is hiding inside the planet. The heat and pressure there must be incredible! He must think he's safe there, he knows I cannot find him. That must change. I will find a way to track the beast, and then I will destroy him."
* * *
Yukio Saegusa stared from her office window, lost in thought. In the Atrium, the children gathered around the great Cherry Blossom. They sang to the lovely tree as they did every day at this time. It was the last one left blooming in all of New Tokyo. Soon, she feared, it too would be gone.
It was a matter of economy, the Council had told her. Budget cuts were unavoidable. The funds were needed to support other more promising enterprises. The Stratoshield; designed as an artificial ozone layer. The retrocloning of aquatic resources, now that all the whales had been hunted into extinction. And the ARES Defense Net that monitors both natural and electronic activity all across the globe.
This was the age of the cyberspy, the Council had explained. The artificial intelligence achieved by modern computers was at a level where the talents of the students and faculty at the Psionic Research Institute would soon be obsolete. They had been categorized as a non essential expenditure. Nothing personal, they assured her. Nothing personal. Yukio was shaken from her brooding by a knock on the door. "Come in," she said blandly.
"Mother!" Colonel Eiji Saegusa entered. Her only son. So handsome, she thought. The very image of his father. "Mother, I have important news!"
"Eiji, please have a seat. Is this an official, or a social visit?" Yukio asked, amused by her son's enthusiasm.
"Both," he replied. "You have heard the reports of our route of the monster Angilas no doubt?"
"Angilas? I'm sorry, my son. I've been preoccupied, I had no idea."
"Oh, mother you ARE out of touch. The General put me in charge of the operation, my team drove the beast away! I was then summoned to attend the General in the war room..."
"In the ARES Nexus? But no one is permitted to enter the Nexus but Council members."
"You are right. I have been incepted into the Council." Eiji smiled.
Yukio was stunned. "That's wonderful, son," she replied, trying to seem truly pleased.
"I'm sorry I cannot reveal any details to you, but it involves a leave of absence for the General. He has decided to leave me in command of the Nexus," Eiji hesitated. "Conditionally."
"Can you explain, Eiji? What conditions do you mean?"
"The General asked me to forward a message for him," Eiji took an official looking packet from his coat. "I do not know what this is about, but the message is for you."
* * *
The monster Godzilla drifts within the flowing magma deep beneath the planet's solid crust, searching. Following a trail of trace elements, isotopes that would lead it to the deposits of heavy metals it seeks. It is ingesting the radioactive substances, absorbing them. It has come here to feed.
The waves of atomic particles grow stronger. The scattered pulses of energy becoming a bombardment, penetrating the beast, enticing it deeper and deeper toward the planet's core. Godzilla can feel the heady rush of the forces surrounding its massive form. It is sensual, intoxicating. Slowly, the creature begins to propel itself closer to the source of its objective, the source of its power.
* * *
The Council Hall stood empty, the officials and staff had all gone home. Yukio's footsteps smacked sharply through the wide, dimly lit corridors, approaching the conference room where General Munabe requested they meet. She felt vulnerable and alone in the vast complex, and was relieved to find the appropriate door. She rapped firmly on the simuwood surface.
"Araishimasse," a voice bade her enter. "Dozo."
"Konban wa, General," Yukio replied, closing the door behind her.
"My thanks for your cooperation, Saegusa san. It is a very important matter I wish to discuss. One that involves you, and your research. Please, be seated."
"General, may I speak freely?" Yukio inquired, scanning the meeting room.
"Hei. This meeting is unofficial and unmonitored. You may speak as freely as you wish."
"Domo. General, as I'm sure you are aware, 'my' Institute has lost the funding it needs to continue our research into Psionics, research pioneered by my grandmother, Miki Saegusa. My son has informed me of his 'conditional' induction as a member of the Council that cut that funding. Now I find myself here, responding to a request for assistance from you sir, my son's commanding officer," Yukio continued, looking vexed by the circumstances of which she spoke. "Frankly, I am anxious to hear the purpose of this sequence of events, for I do not like the direction they seem to be leading either myself or my son."
"Saegusa san, you are quite direct in conveying your position. I shall endeavor to extend you the same courtesy," Munabe began. "I need you to help me locate the monster Godzilla."
"Locate Godzilla? Why?"
"So that I may finally destroy the beast, of course."
"General, surely the ARES system can..."
"ARES cannot find him. We lost track of the creature nearly six months ago. All my attempts to discern the monster's whereabouts have been fruitless. Honestly, you are my last resort, Saegusa san."
Now Yukio knew why she had been summoned here, and she could tell what was coming next. Carefully, she considered her response. "And what makes you think I am even capable of such a feat, General?"
"Because your grandmother was. Your own studies indicate these talents tend to skip a generation, then remanifest. Your mother, Emiko Saegusa, was a Telekinetic, and so I understand is your son. Your own empathy to psionic activity in plant life has been well documented, as was your grandmother's. I believe the Psychic link she established with Godzilla was passed along with it."
Yukio held her anger in check, trying not to reveal her outrage. Munabe had her cold.
"As I stated previously, this is strictly an unofficial meeting. You can choose to walk away, and things will remain as they are. Except of course for Eiji's Council appointment. That would be forfeit. If however you agree to assist me, I can ensure both your son's new position, and the continued funding of your work."
"I suppose then, unofficially of course, I may consider this blackmail?" Yukio growled, no longer able to deny her anger.
"Unofficially, Saegusa san, yes, you can."
* * *
The Pacific ocean; U.S. waters north of the Caroline islands.
The creature known as Mothra Alpha swims northward, back to the islands of Japan. The giant larva undulates its segmented body fiercely, racing against the waves. Racing to warn its brother. Below, something had been awakened, something that now gave chase!
It had almost reached the Equator when it sensed the enemy, its instincts triggering its flight. It was vulnerable here to such a foe. The open ocean was no place for battle with one of ITS kind.
The water temperature was changing, becoming cooler. It would follow the cool currents home. Suddenly, an immense tentacle broke the surface, colors shifting across the slimy flesh like an oil slick. The alpha larva reared and screamed as another of the whiplike members rose. Then another, and another...
There was no way out now. The Mothra began firing its webbing around the beast's massive arms. The arms rose higher, then crashed down upon the giant caterpillar. One by one they coiled around him, twisting and pulling the larva down. It thrashed and heaved in the creature's grip to no avail. A look akin to terror swept over the Mothra's normally placid visage as it disappeared beneath the waves. In a moment it was over, and the monsters were gone, leaving only a growing slick of ink and blood to mar the ocean's surface, and stain the water black.
* * *
The Nexus.
"Phase one has been initiated, ARES. Have the subprograms been encoded and installed?"
'Affirmative. Authorization for response to colonel Saegusa's input has been confirmed.'
"What about his mother, Yukio Saegusa?"
'Psionic link transfer will begin at your command.'
"Probability of success?"
'Success of transfer now at 99%. Safety override factors are all offline.'
"Excellent. The operation begins at dawn." General Akira 'Ahab' Munabe allows a brief smile to settle on his grim, radiation scarred features. A shame, he thought, the Saegusa's would have to be sacrificed, but personnel have always been expendable in this line of work. What cost a handful of lives compared to the thousands lost in the fight against the monsters? A noble cause, he told himself. An honorable death.
The Council would never officially condone this course of action. That is why those among them of like mind had formed a Cabal. An inner circle of power and influence whose agenda mirrored Munabe's own. Now that agenda would be fulfilled. Now he would have his revenge on the beast that scarred and crippled him. Now he would see the monster Godzilla dead!
* * *
Eiji stood at the Atrium door, unwilling to intrude upon the happy scene before him. His mother led the students in song around the Cherry blossom tree. Eiji could feel the soothing melody in his mind and in his heart. He knew his mother's talents allowed the tree to feel it too, and he smiled.
She was such a gentle soul, he thought. So much in contrast to the intense hostility of his commander. The man was called 'Ahab' for good reason. Why, he wondered, had Munabe requested that meeting? He had come here determined to find out.
The final notes faded, and Yukio led her students in a bow. "Arigato children! You may play for one hour while Mr. Noguchi and I prepare your next lesson."
"Domo arigato, Sensei!" The children chimed as one.
"Eiji!" Yukio beamed, spotting her son. "Children, please welcome my son, Colonel Eiji Saegusa of ARES Command."
"Arrashimasse, Colonel Saegusa san!" They again spoke collectively.
Boy, Eiji thought, was it cute when they did that! "Konichi wa, children. I applaud your beautiful song!"
"Arigato, colonel Saegusa san!" There they go again, Eiji smiled!
"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Yukio asked, leading her son from the Atrium as the children dispersed. "Nani?" She exclaimed, feeling a tug on her coat. It was little James, the school's youngest charge. A telepath from North America.
"Sumimassen, Sensei," the child waved her closer, to whisper in her ear. "He wants to know why Ahab sent you a note!" He explained with an impish grin.
"Thank you, James. Now go on and join the others."
"Hei, Sensei!" He replied with a giggle.
"Gomenasai, my son. I'm afraid James' talents still far surpass his tact," Yukio explained, embarrassed.
"It's alright, mother. He was quite accurate. I am extremely curious as to the purpose of that meeting you told me of. I believe my promotion was somehow contingent upon your response, and my promotion has just been approved. So tell me, shall we celebrate these developments, or is there some cause for me to decline the offer?"
"No, Eiji. You must accept the job," Yukio said quickly. "The General sought only my approval, due to what happened to your father when he held that same position." That hurt, she thought. To lie in the name of her late husband, lost in an assault on Godzilla. An assault Munabe had ordered. It was believable at least, and she knew she could no more deny Eiji this opportunity, than she could admit to him the truth behind it. Then there were the children. The funding of her research would now be assured. All she had to do was help Munabe. That, and deceive her only son.
"I'm relieved to hear it. Of course I will accept the position, but first I insist we celebrate! Will you join me for dinner, before I must report back for duty?" Eiji smiled warmly.
"Hei, I would be happy to," Yukio replied. Before I must report for duty as well, she thought.
* * *
Far below the Earth's surface, Godzilla's feeding was done. It had consumed vast deposits of radioactive elements, recharging itself. Augmenting the invisible plasma field generated by its massive form. The field that keeps it safe within the magma.
Sated now, Godzilla begins to rise, propelling itself away from the planet's molten core. Its long sojourn beneath the crust was over, the time had come for it to return to the surface. The time had come for it to return home.
* * *
ARES Command.
"General, incoming message for you, sir. Priority One."
"I'll take it in the war room, Lieutenant. Colonel Saegusa, you have command." Munabe rose, and entered the Nexus. "ARES, access comlink, and take your monitors off the line." The General faced the screen, and the shadowed image of his associate, 'Mr.Sin'. It was a codename, of course. Being a member of the Cabal, you were either discreet, or you were dead. This kind of direct contact at the Nexus could only mean trouble. "Mr. Sin. I don't suppose you bring me good news."
"No, Ahab. I do not," the image replied. "As instructed, ARES has been forwarding all Biotracking data to my location so we may control the information released to the Colonel. Something has happened. The system has lost track of Mothra Alpha."
"What do you mean, 'lost track', Sin?" Asked Munabe.
"According to ARES, the creature has just disappeared. The problem is, he is not the only one. This is not some systemic glitch, Ahab. A report from an American cargo vessel confirmed it. They said the larva was attacked by what appeared to be a cluster of giant tentacles."
"Tentacles? Devilfish!" The General swore.
"Hei, I believe so. ARES recorded only a temporary radioactive surge, but the Americans report they are tracking a vast slick of what appears to be ink, very near the Regasala trench."
Damn it, thought Munabe. Damn it! It was as if the beasts too were working against him! How could the octopus avoid the sensornet, or defeat almost any of those other monsters? It had always been among the least troublesome of their number, yet four other creatures were also missing. Could they all have met the same fate as the Alpha Larva? No, not all of them. Not Godzilla.
"There are far too many unanswered questions surrounding these events, Ahab. Your project must be delayed."
"Mister Sin," Munabe began, intense. "Our Cabal was formed to work outside the Council's non-agressive norms. To stand against these monsters, not coddle them. I have had to pull some very sensitive strings to procure the resources I need for this mission, and I cannot let this opportunity slip from my grasp now."
"Ahab, I am talking about an event which took place in US. territorial waters. It cannot be hidden from either the international community, nor the Council. They will demand we take action, a job they will not leave up to anyone but you. Your mission will proceed once the matter of this Devilfish has been resolved," concluded Sin. His tone confirming the Cabal would not tolerate Munabe's contention.
"And what of the Saegusa's?" Asked Munabe. "Their part has already been initialized."
"Mrs. Saegusa's funding has been restored, her son has his Council seat. You will instruct her to remain patient and quiet if she wishes to keep her school, and her son, alive."
"This is the Cabal's final decision?" The General asked.
"Any other course of action would compromise our long range plans. I know you understand."
"I understand, Sin. ARES, cut the link." It was a contemptuous dismissal. Munabe didn't care. God damned monsters, God damned politics! The Cabal was as bad as the Council, drowning in the very system it was created to oppose! Still a few hours until dawn. Time enough for the General to play his Ace. The entire Nexus stood ready for him to assume control, and with it, access to the one weapon he knew not even Godzilla could withstand. The G-Bomb, a weapon deemed far too deadly to ever be deployed. He had but to give the word, and the ARES network would be his alone to command. The mission would commence. He finally had the means to destroy his enemy, and if necessary, the Cabal as well.
* * *
Eiji closed the comlink access panel and unplugged his ear jack. There was something about his mother's manner during dinner that had left him suspicious, and uneasy. He did not have to be telepathic to know she was hiding something. Now he was sure. Munabe must intend to use her psilink to track down Godzilla, Eiji surmised. The Nexus was becoming less reliable in that capacity by the day. At least the monsters are not playing by Munabe's rules. The Devilfish had delayed the mission, and bought Eiji some time. He would confront his mother about the entire matter tomorrow. Perhaps together they could find a way to thwart this "Cabal", and end the General's mad agenda of revenge.
* * *
The ocean could be such a vast and lonely place, and the monster Angilas had had quite enough of it. He had attempted to make landing on the Mother island, but the tiny menthings that dwell there had forced him back. No matter, he was heading away from them now, back to his caverns on Ogasawara.
A strange scent was sifting in the current, catching his attention. Angilas stopped his advance, floating still upon the water. There was something moving up ahead, closing in from the horizon. Something big, and fast. The creature knew, it was coming for him.
An enormous wake of jet propelled speed exploded from the waves as the Devilfish attacked! The giant octopus encoiled the spiked saurian in its atom powered arms and squeezed. It dare not try to crush him as it had the insect, lest its flesh be shredded against the creature's bony spikes. It could however, force the air out of the beast.
A groping tentacle drew close to Angilas' jaws. The monster lunged, biting down on the slimy appendage, slicing off a fair measure of its length. The Devilfish shifted color, changing from dull orange to deep blood red. The red turned to purple, so dark it seemed the very color of malevolence. The octopus extended its horny beak and drew it tight against the unarmored underbelly of its opponent. Like a switchblade, the rasping tongue shot forth, its barbed tip penetrating Angilas' hide, disemboweling him. The monster trembled and screamed. It died long before its dim brain would even register its own defeat.
The Devilfish labored with its catch, forcing it down below the waves. It would drag the carcass back to the trench, to join the others now rotting in its midden at the bottom of the sea. The strange substance it had consumed had somehow increased its power, giving it an instinct that bordered on intellect. The Devilfish had learned a behavior it had never before known. It had learned to hoard its food.
by George Thomas
Part One
"Damn, not again!" A fist slammed down hard on the monitor console, the control center's klaxons all blaring at once. Combat status indicators strobing off the displays like they were having hot flashes. A monster had been sighted in Osaka Bay, and worse, the General was pissed.
"Which one is it, Colonel Saegusa? Gojira?"
"It's Angilas, sir."
"Excellent. Him we can repel. I want it done, Colonel. Drive the beast out to sea. You know the drill."
"Yes sir!"
General Akira 'Ahab' Munabe rose from his station. There was a slight pause as the synaptic impulse to walk was translated into an electronic signal that his artificial legs could respond to. He strode across the command center, and entered the war room.
"ARES, activate display," he instructed, and the room responded. A translucent wall opaqued, generating an image of the globe. Locator circuits kick in, transmitting coordinates to the screen. A pale green light casts over the man as position indicators begin filling the display, showing the locations of Earth's monsters. The main cluster, as always, was around the islands of the Pacific. Right around Japan.
"Okay, ARES, give me the numbers." The display condensed to the right, allowing numerical readouts to fill the left side of the screen. They were accompanied by the deep metallic voice of the system's audio program.
'System parameters set for twenty subjects: 14 terrestrial/ 5 aquatic/ 1 in geosynchronous orbit. 3 subjects are currently active, 4 remain unlocated.' The computer pronounced.
"And where is Godzilla?"
'Unknown.' The machine replied.
It had been over five months since they lost track of the beast. Munabe preferred to know his enemy's location, his strengths and weaknesses. Lack of information was like a window of opportunity, an invitation for attack. "List active subjects," said Munabe, and the screen responded.
'First Subject: Juvenile Godzillasaurus mutation, codename; Gigantis. Location: Ogasawara island./ Second Subject: Insectivorid larvae mutation, codename; Mothra Alpha. Location: Pacific Ocean 130 miles south of Philippine Islands./ Third Subject: Anguirusaurus mutation, codename; Angilas. Location: Osaka Bay. Warning! Attack on Japanese mainland imminent.'
"I know that, ARES. List unlocated subjects," Munabe instructed.
'Cephalopod mutation, codename: Devilfish.'
"We're always losing him. Go on."
'Presumed saurian mutation, codename: Baragon./ Mutant arachnid, codename: Spegiah./ Mutant saurian, codename: Godzilla,' ARES concluded.
"Can you elaborate on probable location of last subject?"
'The highest probability shows Godzilla within the magma layer just below the continental plates.'
"Inside the planet", Munabe thought. "It is hiding inside the planet. The heat and pressure there must be incredible! He must think he's safe there, he knows I cannot find him. That must change. I will find a way to track the beast, and then I will destroy him."
* * *
Yukio Saegusa stared from her office window, lost in thought. In the Atrium, the children gathered around the great Cherry Blossom. They sang to the lovely tree as they did every day at this time. It was the last one left blooming in all of New Tokyo. Soon, she feared, it too would be gone.
It was a matter of economy, the Council had told her. Budget cuts were unavoidable. The funds were needed to support other more promising enterprises. The Stratoshield; designed as an artificial ozone layer. The retrocloning of aquatic resources, now that all the whales had been hunted into extinction. And the ARES Defense Net that monitors both natural and electronic activity all across the globe.
This was the age of the cyberspy, the Council had explained. The artificial intelligence achieved by modern computers was at a level where the talents of the students and faculty at the Psionic Research Institute would soon be obsolete. They had been categorized as a non essential expenditure. Nothing personal, they assured her. Nothing personal. Yukio was shaken from her brooding by a knock on the door. "Come in," she said blandly.
"Mother!" Colonel Eiji Saegusa entered. Her only son. So handsome, she thought. The very image of his father. "Mother, I have important news!"
"Eiji, please have a seat. Is this an official, or a social visit?" Yukio asked, amused by her son's enthusiasm.
"Both," he replied. "You have heard the reports of our route of the monster Angilas no doubt?"
"Angilas? I'm sorry, my son. I've been preoccupied, I had no idea."
"Oh, mother you ARE out of touch. The General put me in charge of the operation, my team drove the beast away! I was then summoned to attend the General in the war room..."
"In the ARES Nexus? But no one is permitted to enter the Nexus but Council members."
"You are right. I have been incepted into the Council." Eiji smiled.
Yukio was stunned. "That's wonderful, son," she replied, trying to seem truly pleased.
"I'm sorry I cannot reveal any details to you, but it involves a leave of absence for the General. He has decided to leave me in command of the Nexus," Eiji hesitated. "Conditionally."
"Can you explain, Eiji? What conditions do you mean?"
"The General asked me to forward a message for him," Eiji took an official looking packet from his coat. "I do not know what this is about, but the message is for you."
* * *
The monster Godzilla drifts within the flowing magma deep beneath the planet's solid crust, searching. Following a trail of trace elements, isotopes that would lead it to the deposits of heavy metals it seeks. It is ingesting the radioactive substances, absorbing them. It has come here to feed.
The waves of atomic particles grow stronger. The scattered pulses of energy becoming a bombardment, penetrating the beast, enticing it deeper and deeper toward the planet's core. Godzilla can feel the heady rush of the forces surrounding its massive form. It is sensual, intoxicating. Slowly, the creature begins to propel itself closer to the source of its objective, the source of its power.
* * *
The Council Hall stood empty, the officials and staff had all gone home. Yukio's footsteps smacked sharply through the wide, dimly lit corridors, approaching the conference room where General Munabe requested they meet. She felt vulnerable and alone in the vast complex, and was relieved to find the appropriate door. She rapped firmly on the simuwood surface.
"Araishimasse," a voice bade her enter. "Dozo."
"Konban wa, General," Yukio replied, closing the door behind her.
"My thanks for your cooperation, Saegusa san. It is a very important matter I wish to discuss. One that involves you, and your research. Please, be seated."
"General, may I speak freely?" Yukio inquired, scanning the meeting room.
"Hei. This meeting is unofficial and unmonitored. You may speak as freely as you wish."
"Domo. General, as I'm sure you are aware, 'my' Institute has lost the funding it needs to continue our research into Psionics, research pioneered by my grandmother, Miki Saegusa. My son has informed me of his 'conditional' induction as a member of the Council that cut that funding. Now I find myself here, responding to a request for assistance from you sir, my son's commanding officer," Yukio continued, looking vexed by the circumstances of which she spoke. "Frankly, I am anxious to hear the purpose of this sequence of events, for I do not like the direction they seem to be leading either myself or my son."
"Saegusa san, you are quite direct in conveying your position. I shall endeavor to extend you the same courtesy," Munabe began. "I need you to help me locate the monster Godzilla."
"Locate Godzilla? Why?"
"So that I may finally destroy the beast, of course."
"General, surely the ARES system can..."
"ARES cannot find him. We lost track of the creature nearly six months ago. All my attempts to discern the monster's whereabouts have been fruitless. Honestly, you are my last resort, Saegusa san."
Now Yukio knew why she had been summoned here, and she could tell what was coming next. Carefully, she considered her response. "And what makes you think I am even capable of such a feat, General?"
"Because your grandmother was. Your own studies indicate these talents tend to skip a generation, then remanifest. Your mother, Emiko Saegusa, was a Telekinetic, and so I understand is your son. Your own empathy to psionic activity in plant life has been well documented, as was your grandmother's. I believe the Psychic link she established with Godzilla was passed along with it."
Yukio held her anger in check, trying not to reveal her outrage. Munabe had her cold.
"As I stated previously, this is strictly an unofficial meeting. You can choose to walk away, and things will remain as they are. Except of course for Eiji's Council appointment. That would be forfeit. If however you agree to assist me, I can ensure both your son's new position, and the continued funding of your work."
"I suppose then, unofficially of course, I may consider this blackmail?" Yukio growled, no longer able to deny her anger.
"Unofficially, Saegusa san, yes, you can."
* * *
The Pacific ocean; U.S. waters north of the Caroline islands.
The creature known as Mothra Alpha swims northward, back to the islands of Japan. The giant larva undulates its segmented body fiercely, racing against the waves. Racing to warn its brother. Below, something had been awakened, something that now gave chase!
It had almost reached the Equator when it sensed the enemy, its instincts triggering its flight. It was vulnerable here to such a foe. The open ocean was no place for battle with one of ITS kind.
The water temperature was changing, becoming cooler. It would follow the cool currents home. Suddenly, an immense tentacle broke the surface, colors shifting across the slimy flesh like an oil slick. The alpha larva reared and screamed as another of the whiplike members rose. Then another, and another...
There was no way out now. The Mothra began firing its webbing around the beast's massive arms. The arms rose higher, then crashed down upon the giant caterpillar. One by one they coiled around him, twisting and pulling the larva down. It thrashed and heaved in the creature's grip to no avail. A look akin to terror swept over the Mothra's normally placid visage as it disappeared beneath the waves. In a moment it was over, and the monsters were gone, leaving only a growing slick of ink and blood to mar the ocean's surface, and stain the water black.
* * *
The Nexus.
"Phase one has been initiated, ARES. Have the subprograms been encoded and installed?"
'Affirmative. Authorization for response to colonel Saegusa's input has been confirmed.'
"What about his mother, Yukio Saegusa?"
'Psionic link transfer will begin at your command.'
"Probability of success?"
'Success of transfer now at 99%. Safety override factors are all offline.'
"Excellent. The operation begins at dawn." General Akira 'Ahab' Munabe allows a brief smile to settle on his grim, radiation scarred features. A shame, he thought, the Saegusa's would have to be sacrificed, but personnel have always been expendable in this line of work. What cost a handful of lives compared to the thousands lost in the fight against the monsters? A noble cause, he told himself. An honorable death.
The Council would never officially condone this course of action. That is why those among them of like mind had formed a Cabal. An inner circle of power and influence whose agenda mirrored Munabe's own. Now that agenda would be fulfilled. Now he would have his revenge on the beast that scarred and crippled him. Now he would see the monster Godzilla dead!
* * *
Eiji stood at the Atrium door, unwilling to intrude upon the happy scene before him. His mother led the students in song around the Cherry blossom tree. Eiji could feel the soothing melody in his mind and in his heart. He knew his mother's talents allowed the tree to feel it too, and he smiled.
She was such a gentle soul, he thought. So much in contrast to the intense hostility of his commander. The man was called 'Ahab' for good reason. Why, he wondered, had Munabe requested that meeting? He had come here determined to find out.
The final notes faded, and Yukio led her students in a bow. "Arigato children! You may play for one hour while Mr. Noguchi and I prepare your next lesson."
"Domo arigato, Sensei!" The children chimed as one.
"Eiji!" Yukio beamed, spotting her son. "Children, please welcome my son, Colonel Eiji Saegusa of ARES Command."
"Arrashimasse, Colonel Saegusa san!" They again spoke collectively.
Boy, Eiji thought, was it cute when they did that! "Konichi wa, children. I applaud your beautiful song!"
"Arigato, colonel Saegusa san!" There they go again, Eiji smiled!
"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Yukio asked, leading her son from the Atrium as the children dispersed. "Nani?" She exclaimed, feeling a tug on her coat. It was little James, the school's youngest charge. A telepath from North America.
"Sumimassen, Sensei," the child waved her closer, to whisper in her ear. "He wants to know why Ahab sent you a note!" He explained with an impish grin.
"Thank you, James. Now go on and join the others."
"Hei, Sensei!" He replied with a giggle.
"Gomenasai, my son. I'm afraid James' talents still far surpass his tact," Yukio explained, embarrassed.
"It's alright, mother. He was quite accurate. I am extremely curious as to the purpose of that meeting you told me of. I believe my promotion was somehow contingent upon your response, and my promotion has just been approved. So tell me, shall we celebrate these developments, or is there some cause for me to decline the offer?"
"No, Eiji. You must accept the job," Yukio said quickly. "The General sought only my approval, due to what happened to your father when he held that same position." That hurt, she thought. To lie in the name of her late husband, lost in an assault on Godzilla. An assault Munabe had ordered. It was believable at least, and she knew she could no more deny Eiji this opportunity, than she could admit to him the truth behind it. Then there were the children. The funding of her research would now be assured. All she had to do was help Munabe. That, and deceive her only son.
"I'm relieved to hear it. Of course I will accept the position, but first I insist we celebrate! Will you join me for dinner, before I must report back for duty?" Eiji smiled warmly.
"Hei, I would be happy to," Yukio replied. Before I must report for duty as well, she thought.
* * *
Far below the Earth's surface, Godzilla's feeding was done. It had consumed vast deposits of radioactive elements, recharging itself. Augmenting the invisible plasma field generated by its massive form. The field that keeps it safe within the magma.
Sated now, Godzilla begins to rise, propelling itself away from the planet's molten core. Its long sojourn beneath the crust was over, the time had come for it to return to the surface. The time had come for it to return home.
* * *
ARES Command.
"General, incoming message for you, sir. Priority One."
"I'll take it in the war room, Lieutenant. Colonel Saegusa, you have command." Munabe rose, and entered the Nexus. "ARES, access comlink, and take your monitors off the line." The General faced the screen, and the shadowed image of his associate, 'Mr.Sin'. It was a codename, of course. Being a member of the Cabal, you were either discreet, or you were dead. This kind of direct contact at the Nexus could only mean trouble. "Mr. Sin. I don't suppose you bring me good news."
"No, Ahab. I do not," the image replied. "As instructed, ARES has been forwarding all Biotracking data to my location so we may control the information released to the Colonel. Something has happened. The system has lost track of Mothra Alpha."
"What do you mean, 'lost track', Sin?" Asked Munabe.
"According to ARES, the creature has just disappeared. The problem is, he is not the only one. This is not some systemic glitch, Ahab. A report from an American cargo vessel confirmed it. They said the larva was attacked by what appeared to be a cluster of giant tentacles."
"Tentacles? Devilfish!" The General swore.
"Hei, I believe so. ARES recorded only a temporary radioactive surge, but the Americans report they are tracking a vast slick of what appears to be ink, very near the Regasala trench."
Damn it, thought Munabe. Damn it! It was as if the beasts too were working against him! How could the octopus avoid the sensornet, or defeat almost any of those other monsters? It had always been among the least troublesome of their number, yet four other creatures were also missing. Could they all have met the same fate as the Alpha Larva? No, not all of them. Not Godzilla.
"There are far too many unanswered questions surrounding these events, Ahab. Your project must be delayed."
"Mister Sin," Munabe began, intense. "Our Cabal was formed to work outside the Council's non-agressive norms. To stand against these monsters, not coddle them. I have had to pull some very sensitive strings to procure the resources I need for this mission, and I cannot let this opportunity slip from my grasp now."
"Ahab, I am talking about an event which took place in US. territorial waters. It cannot be hidden from either the international community, nor the Council. They will demand we take action, a job they will not leave up to anyone but you. Your mission will proceed once the matter of this Devilfish has been resolved," concluded Sin. His tone confirming the Cabal would not tolerate Munabe's contention.
"And what of the Saegusa's?" Asked Munabe. "Their part has already been initialized."
"Mrs. Saegusa's funding has been restored, her son has his Council seat. You will instruct her to remain patient and quiet if she wishes to keep her school, and her son, alive."
"This is the Cabal's final decision?" The General asked.
"Any other course of action would compromise our long range plans. I know you understand."
"I understand, Sin. ARES, cut the link." It was a contemptuous dismissal. Munabe didn't care. God damned monsters, God damned politics! The Cabal was as bad as the Council, drowning in the very system it was created to oppose! Still a few hours until dawn. Time enough for the General to play his Ace. The entire Nexus stood ready for him to assume control, and with it, access to the one weapon he knew not even Godzilla could withstand. The G-Bomb, a weapon deemed far too deadly to ever be deployed. He had but to give the word, and the ARES network would be his alone to command. The mission would commence. He finally had the means to destroy his enemy, and if necessary, the Cabal as well.
* * *
Eiji closed the comlink access panel and unplugged his ear jack. There was something about his mother's manner during dinner that had left him suspicious, and uneasy. He did not have to be telepathic to know she was hiding something. Now he was sure. Munabe must intend to use her psilink to track down Godzilla, Eiji surmised. The Nexus was becoming less reliable in that capacity by the day. At least the monsters are not playing by Munabe's rules. The Devilfish had delayed the mission, and bought Eiji some time. He would confront his mother about the entire matter tomorrow. Perhaps together they could find a way to thwart this "Cabal", and end the General's mad agenda of revenge.
* * *
The ocean could be such a vast and lonely place, and the monster Angilas had had quite enough of it. He had attempted to make landing on the Mother island, but the tiny menthings that dwell there had forced him back. No matter, he was heading away from them now, back to his caverns on Ogasawara.
A strange scent was sifting in the current, catching his attention. Angilas stopped his advance, floating still upon the water. There was something moving up ahead, closing in from the horizon. Something big, and fast. The creature knew, it was coming for him.
An enormous wake of jet propelled speed exploded from the waves as the Devilfish attacked! The giant octopus encoiled the spiked saurian in its atom powered arms and squeezed. It dare not try to crush him as it had the insect, lest its flesh be shredded against the creature's bony spikes. It could however, force the air out of the beast.
A groping tentacle drew close to Angilas' jaws. The monster lunged, biting down on the slimy appendage, slicing off a fair measure of its length. The Devilfish shifted color, changing from dull orange to deep blood red. The red turned to purple, so dark it seemed the very color of malevolence. The octopus extended its horny beak and drew it tight against the unarmored underbelly of its opponent. Like a switchblade, the rasping tongue shot forth, its barbed tip penetrating Angilas' hide, disemboweling him. The monster trembled and screamed. It died long before its dim brain would even register its own defeat.
The Devilfish labored with its catch, forcing it down below the waves. It would drag the carcass back to the trench, to join the others now rotting in its midden at the bottom of the sea. The strange substance it had consumed had somehow increased its power, giving it an instinct that bordered on intellect. The Devilfish had learned a behavior it had never before known. It had learned to hoard its food.