Chapter 13: Discoveries

Madison and Martin diligently went through each of the data files that had been pulled in the search. They were meticulous in their pursuit, opening each piece of information and scanning over it. Numerous reports and data collections on all kinds of titans, research notes of their various environments, and other generalized info accounted for most of what they saw. Then there was field reports and staff logins. Personnel details and equipment schematics. But there was absolutely nothing on or even about the EDF. The only intel they had found that even mentioned the EDF was the liasons between the two. Madison groaned as she sat back in the chair she had pulled up.

"Seriously? We've been at this for hours and there isn't anything here. Are you sure this friend of yours programmed this thing right?"

Martin sat back himself now, his face in thought.

"He is the real deal. The program did it's job. Perhaps the EDF has some stronger firewalls guarding it's data. Or Monarch isn't as connected as you all thought."

"It doesn't matter now. I followed your instructions and we got nothing at all. We're going to have to find another way around this."

They sat there quietly for a few minutes. Tension could be felt between the two.

"I have another idea, but it's even riskier.," Martin said.

"Even more than illegally downloading all of Monarch's database to a flash drive and stealing it away," she retorted.

"We go directly to the source and jack one of the EDF's computers."

Madison shook her head and stood up.

"I think you've lost it if you think we can just break into the EDF."

"Something you're afraid of Madison? Sure you're the same girl that snuck into Apex and helped expose what they were up to?"

Madison turned away and bit her lip.

"I'm not afraid. I will do whatever it takes to expose the EDF and what they're doing. My issue is how are we supposed to successfully pull it off?"

Martin took a breath before speaking.

"We just find someone I can interview there and use that as our in. Nice and simple."

"Nice and simple? Do you usually make it a habit of criminal acts in pursuit of truth?"

"Like you said doctor, I'll do whatever it takes to expose the EDF."

"There's just one problem with that plan. We don't even know where they're base of operations is."

Castle Bravo
Ilene Andrews rubbed her tired eyes as she struggled to keep fatigue from setting in. She had been going over all the information Monarch had on the event. From what she could gather, they had managed to pinpoint most of the incursion points that had been activated. Monarch had also been able to identify all of the titans that had risen. What she couldn't find was a connection. There had to be something. If the EDF had caused this there had to be something to show. Most of the creatures that had attacked from Hollow Earth were savage or feral. Predators that did nothing more than hunt to survive. There had been others that were more passive, such as some of the Vertacines. One of the aspects that really bothered her was Kong and his tribe's appearence. The apes never seemed to do anything without Kong's approval so if they had appeared and attacked as well, then there had to be a stronger force at work. And the footage of Kong destroying the Argo was unsettling. She didn't know what to believe anymore. And the very little she did know, she did not like. She knew they had lost contact with the Hollow Earth Outpost. That had to mean it was destroyed like some of their other facilities. She also knew that she worried for Jia. With her still in the Hollow Earth, she feared what may happen to her. A large pit filled her stomach and Ilene was unsure how to remove it.

"Any luck finding anything," Hampton said, coming up behind her with coffee in hand.

"Nothing yet," Ilene replied, taking the coffee and sipping it, "I've not found any connection between the titans and the attacks. Starting to drive myself crazy."

"You're not the only one looking Ilene. Why not take a break? You're not the only one looking over all of this."

"A break right after you've given me this delicious coffee? Not likely. Besides, it's a good distraction."

"You're worried for Jia," Hampton said with a sympathetic sigh.

"It's obvious, huh."

"Well she is your daughter. I've got kids too, so I know what it's like."

"Any of your kids have a rebellious Hollow Earth outing before a massive attack?"

Director Hampton chuckled.

"No, but then again they aren't as lively as Jia is either. We'll figure all this out. I think you should get some rest and then consider going back for Jia. Wouldn't be a bad idea to see if her or the Iwi have any knowledge on what's happened."

Ilene nodded and stood up.

"That's a good idea. Thank you Rachel."

Ilene gave the Director a hug and walked off. Director Hampton watched her as she walked away and then sat down to examine the console.

EDF Base

"Dr. Mafune, thank you for coming. How goes the adaption," General Gordon asked.

"It's just as we expected. The cryo-biological energy that Shimo could generate and produce is already being implemented and adapted for use with Project Millenium."

Gordon took a drink and cleared his throat.

"I'll have to thank that Russell girl sometime. Her theory on Titan Energy Adaptation as well as Apex's energy syphoning technology have really given us a needed boost against the titans. How soon will it be ready?"

Dr. Mafune looked at his tablet and quickly crunched the numbers.

"It will still be another week or two before we can activate for a test run. Once we can confirm a successful test, then perhaps another week to finalize."

"Have you tested the VR control system for Project Millenium yet?"

"Yes General. All our simulations and pre tests have shown the VR control system will work."

"And Captain Turner? How is he doing with the VR testing?"

"He is proving to be an exceptional pilot. Project Millennium will be no trouble for him at all to pilot."

"Dr. Mafune, you never cease to amaze me. Keep me posted as you continue to make progress," Gordon said as he shook Mafune's hand.

Dr. Mafune walked away as a well dressed woman entered the room with some papers in hand. She saluted.

"What is it Kathy?"

"General Gordon sir, this just came in," she said, handing him the papers.

"Thank you Kathy," he said with a nod as she walked away.

General Gordon quickly skimmed over the 3 pages he held. His demeanor grew more and more lively as he continued to read. From what he gathered, he didn't even have to make the next move. It was already being done for him.

Hollow Earth
Kong arose from his sleep, his muscles aching. He looked over what remained of his tribe. There was a clear unease amongst them. Kong had known that something was wrong. From the moment he felt the aching throb in his skull and seen what had happened with the others. His tribe wouldn't of acted on their own, especially of this degree. He could also sense others on the surface, fellow dwellers of Hollow Earth. Faye came to hime as he stood. She placed her arms on him and gave a soothing and sorrowful hoot. He looked at her and could see the remorse on her face. He held her close and put his forehead to hers. He then gave a series of grunts and hoots. They withdrew from eachother and she signed to him.

"Suko fine," she had said as she pointed.

Kong looked in the direction she was pointing and saw Suko sitting in front of a fallen ape. He looked distraught. The blade of Kong's destroyed axe lay in it's chest. Kong moved towards him slowly. Suko looked up, tears in his eyes as he bounded for Kong. They hugged as he patted Suko's head. Kong looked once more over his defeated brethren. A rage burned in him, one he had not felt for a long time. The great king would avenge his tribe and stop this from happening again.

Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean
The submarine continued it's descent as it neared the deep water vortex. The same submarine Monarch had used many years ago to find Godzilla with Mothra's aid was once more making it's journey. The submersible made it's way through the caverns of Godzilla's lair, it's speed spurned on by the vortex.

"We're almost there," Captain Pritchard said as he turned to Allan Henry.

Allan Henry smiled nervously, his head glistening with sweat. Claustrophobia seemed to kick in and the dull roar of the swirling water outside and engines inside did not seem to help. When he had mentioned to Director Hampton about scouring the area Godzilla had been reported to of disappeared at, he didn't realize she'd want him to lead the team. He came along relunctantly but made sure to bring his anxiety meds along.

"Any idea how much further," he asked nervously.

"Should'nt be much longer Henry. You'll be alright."

"Sir, we've reached the cavern," the navigator said.

"Alright, slow ahead by half," the Captain responded.

The submarine pushed on. The water had risen some since the explosion of the nuclear warhead by Dr. Serizawa a decade before. The blast had cleared a lot of the area, both widening it and filling it with more water. The Monarch team continued to monitor the radiation of the area as the submarine continued on.

"So why are we here again doctor," the captain asked.

"We had been unable to track Godzilla for some time. His signal disappeared completely. When it came back, he was first tracked here. We've already done initial scans of the area once more and this is still the only place he could of come from. We're here to see if we can figure out why and how he managed to lose us."

"Maybe he just likes his privacy doctor. We all need it now and again."

"Dr. Henry, radiation levels in this area have dropped since last reported. It's possible Godzilla absorbed some of it when he was here last," one of the Monarch scientists said.

"Would we be able to send a drone out to investigate," Dr. Henry asked.

"Yes sir. We should have no issue."

"Ok. Let's get one ready to go."

The sub came as close as it could before deploying the drone. The mechanized scout glided through the water, it's metal winged frame causing water to overlap it as it surfaced. Once the drone reached the underground shore, it rose from the water. Guided by small anti gravity engines below it's 6 ft length, the drone began it's search. Lava still poured into the cave slowly, adding some light to the area. The Monarch crew watched on from the camera mounted at the drone's nose cone. Rubble from the temple remains that had been destroyed by the bomb or also by the coming and going of Godzilla was all they could see. Dr. Henry sighed and turned away.

"Seems like you may of been right Captain Pritchard. I think all that's here is his man cave."

Someone shouted.

"Dr. Henry!"

Dr. Henry turned and looked back at the camera feed.

"What is it," he asked?

The operator pointed to a dark shape on the screen.

"Head in closer and get some lights on that."

The drone moved closer, lights on it's underside igniting. The beams crawled along the floors and up the shape. Dr. Henry held his breath as his eyes went wide in awe.

"We need to let the Director know about this right away," he said.

Before them on the monitor, accented by the light of the drone and the lava around, was an un mistakeable shape. The shape of a large 15 foot tall egg.