Suzie nudged her sister. “He knows, and I bet Daddy helped Chimera out a little. Didn’t you, Daddy?”
Luke smiled. “I helped out a little.”
Melissa walked over to them. “I think Daddy probably helped out a lot and he is just acting shy in front of you two.”
Diana walked over toward Pressley. “It could be awhile before Parsons gets the Fantastic Four movie made, so how about you come over to my house tonight and we watch the most recent movie about the FF?”
Pressley’s face contorted. “We both thought that movie was terrible. Why would we want to watch that?”
Diana grinned. “Well, if we decide the movie is no good, we can always think of something else to occupy our time.”
Pressley shook his head and smiled. “Then I am totally in for watching the Fantastic Four with you tonight.”
After giving Luke a few moments with his family, Parsons walked over to Luke. “Damn fine work again, son. I still find it hard to believe what you get Chimera to do.”
Luke shrugged. “I just encourage him. He does all of the hard work. What about Atomic Rex and Cronus? Are they still a threat?”
Parsons nodded, “We saw through the portal that the Asgardians sent Atomic Rex to battle Cronus. We have no way of finding out the outcome of the battle but there have been no reports of Atomic Rex or any other monsters. Hopefully, the monster and the titan destroyed each other.”
Melissa placed her hand on Parsons’ shoulder. “General, can I ask what you plan to do with the body of a twenty-some-mile-long snake?”
Parsons shrugged. “Luckily, most of it is in the ocean. So, we are hoping that it’s partially eaten by sharks, fish, and orcas. We will cut up as much of it as we can as well. Some of it we will study and some of it we will tow to the Arctic where it will keep from decaying as fast.”
A loud roar boomed from outside the base. Everyone looked to the side of the base that was closest to the ocean to see Chimera walking toward them. The monster gingerly walked onto the base, which brought a cheer from Sally. “Daddy, look! Chimera has learned how to walk when he is around buildings just like you were trying to teach him!”
Luke laughed. “I guess he has.” Realizing that he left his megaphone on the plane that flew him back to land, he cupped his hands and yelled, “Good boy, Chimera!”
The monster grunted and then walked over to the hangar that held his food. Luke yelled over to the soldiers who were manning the hangar, “Open it up, boys, he’s earned it!”
The soldiers obeyed and opened up the top of the hangar to reveal Chimera’s food cubes. The kaiju slowly sat down and began eating his reward. Parsons turned back to Luke, Pressley, and Diana. “You have all done more than anyone could have asked. Enjoy some time off.”
Parsons was turning to walk away when Luke grabbed him. “Parsons, for a second out there, Pressley thought that he saw a blonde supermodel standing on the water watching Chimera and that big snake fight.” Luke shrugged. “It could have been Allison.”
Parsons shook his head. “Possibly, but that little vixen keeps herself well hidden. I have people all over the world looking for her and we can’t find a thing. We do have a report of Toombs being in Russia and of kaiju attack that recently took place there. It doesn’t seem to be related to the Dark Ones. It’s possible Toombs may have created a new hybrid with Allison’s help. Whatever Allison is planning, we will have to wait until she plays her hand to act. Which is exactly why you should enjoy some time with your family now.”
Luke nodded and started walking back to his beloved wife and kids as a soldier ran to Parsons with reports of giant insects and lizards appearing in the Sahara Desert. Luke grabbed Melissa, hugged her, and said, “I know that it scares you when I am out there with Chimera fighting all of those monsters, but I did it for you and the girls. I don’t want you to think I feel the need to save the planet to prove myself.” He began to tear up. “When I am out there, I try to think about saving you and the kids. The hell with the planet; you three are my world.”
Melissa kissed him as Sally and Suzie hugged his legs. “We know, and that’s why we are so proud of you.”
The Congo
Allison appeared in the front of the cave and the children who now appeared to be closer to thirteen than ten came running up to her. Allison opened her arms to them and yelled, “Today, my children! Today, is the day that you leave the cave and walk in the sunlight! Today, is the day that you meet your father!”
The children all screamed with joy as for the first time in their lives they ran out of the cave. For the demi-gods, the act of leaving the cave was akin to a second birth. They all looked up at the bright blue sky above them and opened their arms. Many of them ran into the jungle and jumped into a nearby river. The kids were laughing and having fun when a storm cloud suddenly appeared overhead. The cloud landed in front of the cave as thunder and lightning shot out from it. The cloud dissipated as quickly as it had formed to reveal Zeus.
The god king was staring in disbelief at the demigods that were running around. When they saw him, the demi-gods began to walk over to the Olympian. He shook his head. “My children? You live? I thought that the nymph had slain you all!”
The children were glaring at Zeus as Allison stepped out of the cave. She put Thor’s belt around her waist and grew to a height of two hundred feet tall. She smiled. “Yes, children, this is your father. The god who sired you to serve as his slaves. Just as he treated me and your uncle as slaves for thousands of years.”
The children were closing in on Zeus as he stared at Allison. “Thor’s belt. Do you think the belt will increase your power enough to challenge me? For taking these children and disobeying me, I shall break you! Then I shall return you to your former role in my harem!”
Allison smiled and laughed as she mocked Zeus. “My former lord, I know that your powers are not what they used to be after Chimera destroyed your throne. Still, even with the belt, your power may be greater than mine. The belt is currently only serving to deter you from attacking me while we test your strength, as well as that of our children.” She looked at the gathered demi-gods and said, “Now, children, attack the one who abandoned us to a cave! Who sought to bend us to his will! Who created you and tossed you aside like garbage!”
The demi-gods fell on Zeus, striking him with blows powerful enough to shatter boulders. The god king was caught off guard and was knocked to the ground. The children continued to strike Zeus until they were suddenly cast off by a flash of lightning. The children were laying around Zeus as electricity danced across his eyes. “Enough, wench! Do not doubt that I still have the power to humble you and destroy these bastards! Did you truly think these halflings could defeat me?’
The giant Allison smiled and shook her head. “No, as I said, this was simply a test. Thank you for showing me that our children are not yet ready to face Chimera.” The ground shook as a thundering impact echoed through the jungle. Zeus began to look around nervously. When another impact tremor shook the ground, the god king created a storm cloud around himself. He was shocked when the cloud faded away. He looked up to see Allison holding her hand out above him. She smiled. “One thing that this belt does give me the power to do is to prevent you from teleporting away from here.” She smiled. “Your time has come, mighty Zeus. The Dark Ones have fallen and now the last of the god kings shall fall as well.”
A roar ripped through the air as several trees were crushed. Zeus turned around to see a giant horn piercing through trees and in front of it was Jonathan Toombs. The giant horn came out of the woods to show the massive face of a rhinoceros. The monster walked out of the jungle on four muscular and feline-like legs. As the beast continued to emerge from the jungle, the porcupine-like spikes on its back became visible. Toombs pointed at Zeus and the kaiju stepped forward. Zeus turned to run only to find that he was surrounded by the demi-gods. The god’s eyes went wide as the monster lowered his head and drove his horn through his midsection.
&nb
sp; Blood spurted out of Zeus’ mouth as the monster moved his head up and down, causing the god to slide down the colossal horn. Allison removed Thor’s belt and shrunk back down to her normal height. She walked up to the dying Zeus, grabbed his bloody chin, and turned his head toward her. She sneered. “How does it feel, god king, to be penetrated as you penetrated me so many times? How does it feel to know that your concubine, one of the humans you sought to exterminate, and the bastard children you have tossed aside have ended you?” She patted the monster’s blood-covered horn and said, “This monster will ravage you as you ravaged me and then he will do the same to this world.” She looked at the beast and smiled. “Ravager. That will be a fine name for my monster.”
Zeus’ eyes closed as Allison laughed at him. When the god was finally dead, Ravager shook his head and sent Zeus’ corpse flying. Toombs walked over to the nymph whom he worshipped. “When do we make ourselves known to Parsons, my queen?”
She looked over at the demigods. “In a year’s time, our children shall be ready to challenge Chimera. Until then, take the monster to Antarctica and keep him hidden while I search for the final weapon we need to ensure our victory.” Allison smiled, “Chimera is not the first god slayer.” She turned and looked at the demi-gods and Ravager. “When the time comes, an army of demi-gods, your newest monster, and the weapon I unearth shall crush Chimera. Then I shall rule over this world!”
Japan
Atomic Rex’s World
Chris and Kate Myers were sitting in the cockpit of the Steel Samurai as it floated over the Japanese Islands. They were looking down at a massive kaiju that was making its way into the ocean. Kate shook her head. “It’s just like when Atomic Rex ran out of food in the US and we had to draw him to South America. That thing has eaten up its food supply and it’s looking for new hunting grounds. It’s going to cross the ocean and head toward our settlement.”
Chris grabbed his wife’s hand. “That thing killed every kaiju in Asia. It might be the most powerful kaiju that we have ever seen.”
Kate shrugged. “I know. It’s clear what we have to do. It won’t be like the other times we tried something like this. It won’t be drawing multiple monsters into confrontations. It will just be leading that monster and Atomic Rex against each other. The winner will have South America.” She placed her head on her husband’s shoulder. “I know the kid’s mech is finally ready, but are they?”
Chris smiled. “They take after their mom. They’re ready for anything.”
THE END
Read on for a free sample of Megadrak: Beast Of The Apocalypse
INCURSION #1: TOKYO, 1954
CHAPTER 1: The Beginning of the End
Goro Takiguchi had always enjoyed the simple life of a fisherman. His home village of Kenta was located roughly twenty miles west of Yokohama, within the Tokyo Prefecture that sprawls over the east-center portion of the great island of Honshu. A plentiful supply of giant blue-finned tuna has always thrived in the waters surrounding this area of the Pacific, allowing those of Goro’s vocation to eke out a reasonable living despite the impoverished conditions often faced by rural residents of the archipelago.
The recent departure of the US Occupation forces from the island nation and the escalation of the US-supported post-war reconstruction efforts due to the “lucky tragedy” of the Korean War led to a fortuitous economic development: the metropolitan markets of the Tokyo Prefecture’s various special wards were now more than happy to buy all the fish Goro and his fellow inhabitants of Kenta could catch. And the supply was such that even without these regular sales throughout the prefecture, the town residents never had to worry about going hungry.
Unfortunately, this quiet life of comparative security was soon to be shattered; Goro and the twenty-six-year-old fisherman’s fellow citizens of the more bucolic regions of Honshu were to become the epicenter of a nightmare that would easily surpass both the devastation of the 1923 Tokyo earthquake and the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
It was a nightmare that was destined to eventually engulf the entire planet, initiating a chain of horrific events that would forever alter the security of humanity’s exalted position on the planet’s food chain. That tragic turn of events for the world was about to begin here, on what appeared to be a pleasant summer morning in the quaint little hamlet of Kenta.
Goro approached his favorite fishing location--a small but sturdy wooden deck constructed by his fellow villagers—soon after dawn commenced on June 23rd. When he arrived with his bamboo fishing rod in hand, he found his good friend and frequent partner-in-fishing Tatsuo already sitting at the deck and eagerly placing bait on the end of a metal hook. The thirty-seven-year-old man of modest looks and means evinced a wide beam on his weathered, tan countenance upon seeing the colorful sartorial selection his younger friend chose to wear that day.
“You come to fish dressed in an aloha shirt?” Tatsuo asked with a wide grin. “It hardly matches your bucket hat, and if you hoped it would attract the fish I must say it’s much more likely to scare them off. It nearly scared me off!”
“You are not so funny, Tatsuo,” Goro replied with a rumpled half smile. “This shirt cost me a lot of coins, not to mention the cost in both yen and hours it took getting a train from Yokohama to Tokyo. I had to go into Shibuya to acquire this wearable work of art. And it is not intended for catching fish, but for snagging a lady! As my father always advised, ‘A man must look his best if ever he wants to have a household to become the head of.’”
Tatsuo grinned again, exposing his ugly yellowed teeth. Goro always hated when he did that. “I am somehow convinced your father did not exactly have that shirt in mind when he gave you this pithy advice.”
“Will you kindly stifle the negative comments, Tatsuo?”
“Well, I see no evidence that shirt has worked for you thus far. It is good your job is catching fish and not women, hai?”
Goro sighed in an exasperated manner as he sat beside his friend and regular colleague in tuna procurement. He was determined to wipe Tatsuo’s eye-sore of a smile from his sardonic visage, but since he didn’t have the heart to do it with his fist, he realized words would have to suffice. “Fire with fire,” as the ever-acerbic Tatsuo himself may have put it. He was thus quick to hurl a stark rejoinder at his fellow fisherman.
“And I see no evidence that your drab attire and rotting teeth are working to your advantage in the task of lady-catching either. So, you should be thankful that the fish do not mind, otherwise you would be as poor in the pocket as you are in terms of companionship. Please do forgive my frankness, especially considering you never hesitate to speak with full candor yourself.”
Unfortunately, this comment only served to trigger a display of Tatsuo’s unsightly beam rather than dispelling any further appearances of it.
“My young friend, you just validated my point rather than refuting it. If I were inclined to visit the dentist and those over-priced garment shops in Shibuya, I too may look better. And I too may end up failing to secure a wife despite those expenditures, much the same as you. Will you next be spending countless yen on one of those television sets in the hope of showing greater appeal to a lady?”
Goro finished securing a lure on his long bamboo pole before emitting a frustrated huff and flipping the wiry line into the murky waters. “You know, perhaps I will indeed save up for one of those televisions! They are selling widespread in America, and if our nation is ever to become as prosperous as them…”
“You mean, should we strive to become more like the culture that dropped two atomic weapons on our land not even ten years past? Who occupied our home until just two years ago, and dictated policy to our parliament? Who put our leaders on trial in Tokyo for war crimes? Why wasn’t their President Truman put on trial for his decision to blow multitudes of people to oblivion in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and relegate multitudes more to radiation poisoning?”
“The war was initiated on our end, Tatsuo, and you know it! Prime
Minister Hideki should never have thrown his lot in with the likes of those German fascists!”
“Perhaps you should have the kōgan to tell that to the many innocents still blinded and horribly scarred by the toxic radiation of those bombs. That was as much the folly of Truman as of Tōjō. It was not our misguided PM who had the button of such a horrific weapon under his finger.”
Goro tugged on his line in frustration, hoping to incite a tuna to take his bait, before turning back to his friend and continuing their heated exchange. “That is oversimplifying things! At least America is helping us recover.”
Tatsuo displayed his abhorrent yellowed teeth again, only this time in gnashing vexation rather than in the form of his usual caustic smile.
“Are those Western orokamono helping to reconstruct the eyes and tissue of the innocents burned away by the blast waves of those atomic weapons? Or giving others some antidote to their continually decaying flesh? Do you know they are continuing to unleash the radioactive hell from those bombs in the Bikini Atoll region? That is barely over 3,000 kilometers from us! And the purpose of that is to test their effectiveness for possible use against the Soviet Union, who were among the US’s ‘allies’ during the war!
“Do you know what effects that unleashed radiation may have on the flora and fauna of the sea, which I needn’t remind you are the very forms of life we depend on for our food and livelihood?”
Atomic Rex_The Conquest of Chimera Page 21
