Realm of Kong: The Culling

by Dane G. Kroll

  Tol-in-Ar grew angry. He listened as the people begged for him to help them. They begged for him to call Lord Tatsumi back. Tol-in-Ar was angered because his people were not listening to him. He was already helping them.

  Estuar was protecting them. That was Tol-in-Ar’s will. No caudata had been harmed in Kong’s attack, but it was not good enough. The threat was still there. They would not be satisfied until Lord Tatsumi returned or Kong was vanquished.

  Then the mob began to scale the palace gates. They climbed on one another to gain height. The guards started to strike back. Arrows struck the early trespassers. They died before their bodies hit the floor.

  “The ungrateful pubs,” cursed Tol-in-Ar. He turned to one of his personal guards to give him orders.

  “Round up as many as you can from the gathering down there,” said the Doiar. “They will not fear Kong. They will fear me.”

  Across the canyon, Kong was looking for his next way across. Estuar had kept pace with him the entire time. Wherever Kong entered the water Estuar was there to defend its territory.

  Kong attempted to bury the kaiju alligator with boulders from the nearby terrain or collapsing the canyon walls around them, but Estuar was too powerful. The rocks bounced off of Estuar’s impenetrable hide. Nothing fazed the guardian of Ryugu-jo.

  Kong’s latest attempt at crossing the canyon was once again put on hold. A sound from over the horizon distracted the beast-god. It was the sound of wind rapidly being pushed to the side. A dust cloud was forming. It grew bigger as the source of the disturbance approached Kong and the canyon.

  Kong steadied himself. The wind and dust enveloped him. Visibility was gone. Then the assailant struck. It was two quick strikes across the chest of Kong. Blood emerged, caking itself in black fur.

  Kong struggled to regain his breath. Every grasp of air was accompanied with searing pain. The beast-god put its back to the horizon. He faced the city and the canyon. The dust began to settle. A shape emerged standing between Kong and his prize.

  Rhaco was only half the size of Kong. Its short stumpy body stood on four massively powerful legs. The frog kaiju could jump then glide through the air using the webbing between its toes. Rhaco’s tongue reached out the length of its body. Its saliva could numb its prey, making an easy target for the kaiju to finish off.

  Kong pounded the ground. He roared at Rhaco that he was ready to fight. Kong charged forward. Rhaco thrust itself into the air. Its feet danced in the wind guiding its body effortlessly to its attacker. Before they collided, Rhaco hit Kong with its tongue.

  The impact was on Kong’s left knee. Rhaco’s tongue struck the side of Kong’s leg and wrapped around to the back for less than a second. It was all the tongue needed. The saliva soaked into Kong’s skin. His knee buckled causing Kong to collapse to the ground as Rhaco flew overhead unharmed.

  Kong’s tumble came to a stop just a little ways away from the canyon drop. Estuar could be heard thrashing in the water below.

  Rhaco croaked in early triumph. The Doiar’s will was being done. Kong could not stand back on his feet. His left knee was too weak now to hold his weight. The beast-god remained kneeling. He never took his eyes off of Rhaco.

  The tongue struck once again. Kong was fast enough to dodge the attack, but just barely. Rhaco recoiled with only dirt to claim.

  The kaiju frog leaped into the air. It repositioned itself closer to Kong. Rhaco had the advantage. Kong was immobile, and Rhaco had the reach. Kong swung his arms to keep what little distance he could. He dug into the ground to turn the dirt into weapons. The debris kept Rhaco at bay. Rhaco jumped several more times. It forced Kong to move every time to keep guard of any attack. Kong dragged his numb leg across the ground. It tingled down to the bone.

  Rhaco struck again. It hits its target. The giant tongue dug into Kong’s left shoulder. The strike was more powerful than the last one. His arm went instantly numb. The tongue had broken the skin, and the saliva had gotten into Kong’s blood.

  Kong faltered. Half of his body was limp. Rhaco approached the weakened beast-god. Its croaking grew louder. Kong began to roll away from his attacker. It was a strategy that would only last for so long. The canyon cliff was fast approaching. Rhaco continued its short pursuit. Every step it took urged Kong to roll closer to the canyon and the waiting drop off.

  Kong rolled over one last time. He protected his good side from Rhaco. Only Kong’s left side faced the kaiju frog. Rhaco struck several more times with its tongue. Each time it hit across Kong’s left arm and leg.

  The numbness could not grow any worse. Kong took the punishment. Rhaco was still smart enough to keep its distance. It would not change its strategy until Kong was completely paralyzed.

  Then on Rhaco’s last attack everything changed. Rhaco reached out with its tongue, but Kong turned in anticipation. Kong’s right hand grabbed hold of Rhaco’s tongue. The giant frog could not repel from Kong’s awesome grip. The beast-god did not waste any time. He bent forward and bit straight through Rhaco’s tongue. Rhaco screamed out in pain. Blood poured out of the frog’s stretched out tongue.

  Finally Kong lost his grip. Rhaco was able to bring back its now smaller appendage. Blood filled the mouth of Rhaco. It drooled down its lips like an overflowing bowl.

  Now with its range gone, Rhaco hesitated. Kong was not moving. He had taken the blow on his good side. Kong’s right hand was motionless. His fingers twitched uncontrollably. Kong’s lips could not hold in any of his spit. It dribbled down his chin.

  Rhaco approached. It had a job to finish. Its master’s will would be done. Rhaco nudged Kong with its blunt snout. The beast-god lay motionless. Rhaco pushed Kong closer to the canyon. It took several attempts. Kong was much bigger than the giant frog.

  They neared the cliff. Estuar thrashed down below. It was ready for its final attack on Kong.

  But Kong had other plans. He still had one good leg. His right foot reached up and grabbed hold of Rhaco’s throat. His grip was just as strong in his foot as it was his hand. Rhaco let out a muffled croak. Then Kong was able to bring Rhaco down to the ground. He wrapped his right leg around Rhaco’s entire throat. Kong braced the kaiju against his numb leg.

  Rhaco struggled to break free, but its strength was no match to Kong’s. Its only advantage was its range and that was gone now. Kong did not let go. Rhaco’s tongue lashed out. It struck Kong several more times across his body. But Kong held his grip as Rhaco squirmed. Its limbs darted in every direction looking for a path to freedom.

  Finally, Kong’s grip loosened, only after Rhaco went silent and still. With his good leg, Kong kicked Rhaco over the edge of the cliff.

  The dead kaiju made a splash in the water that disturbed Estuar. The giant alligator had to swim out of the way or risk getting hit.

  Kong could not capitalize on the moment. He was too weak. The numbing agent was still flowing through his body. He could feel it bearing down on him. He had his victory, but for the moment he would have to rest.

  Chapter 17

  The lifeless shell of Babel 4 remained where it stood in its last battle with Waironun. The last lighthouse of the Japanese facility was dark.

  The mechanics and scientists had rushed to the machines aid as soon as the danger was gone. Teams worked around the clock to try and salvage what they could from Babel 4’s near meltdown. Its core nuclear engine had overheated. Cords and pipes had busted. Fluid dripped from every orifice of the giant machine. There was a small flood at the feet of Babel 4.

  Waironun’s body was completely avoided. It remained where the kaiju died on the perimeter. The facility currently did not have the means or the time to rid them of the body.

  The blaster cannons surrounded the perimeter of the facility. It was scant comfort for those living within the quarters of the fence. The blaster cannons had little effect on the kaiju. As warfare progressed against the giant monsters the blaster cannons became near obsolete. They moved down the chain of weaponry to mere distractions. They were us
ed for clearing paths of escape for any people on foot. Only in a fight against some of the weakest of the kaiju would they be of use.

  The idea that a whole army of blaster cannons surrounding the Japanese facility would equal the defensive capabilities of Babel 4 was laughable. Many of the soldiers and scientists saw it as a joke. Peace of mind was not going to be found that way.

  For many of the residents of the Japanese UN facility there was only one way to be safe again. They had to leave the island.

  A group of fourteen scientists were accompanied by six pilots. They walked swiftly across the airfield. Their goal was to reach one of the helicopters on the other end of the runway.

  They all believed staying any longer on Japan was a death warrant. The facility was a sitting duck for any monster to trample through. If Lord Tatsumi returned there would be no chance at all.

  The group made no attempt at hiding. There were few places to hide, and they felt they had right on their side. Safety was the first priority for everybody on the island. This was the duty of every soldier on the field. They were there to protect the engineers, scientists, and politicians that were in Japan.

  Their attempt at departure had been hastily put together. It was an act of passion and impulse. Word had spread quickly. Some scientists wanted to go home others did not. It only took a few minutes, but soon the entire base knew about the plan to retreat to an American base in South Korea.

  Despite the rushed paced of the evacuees they were about to be caught. Several soldiers were gathered by the helicopters. Captain Cassandra Weathers was among the group keeping watch. She had her orders not to let anybody pass them.

  They stood guard with their weapons down. They were not a threat. Another division came up from behind. Same as the team in front, they appeared to be less than harmful. Colonel Jordan Honsou brought up the rear. He was there to help keep the peace along with the rest of them.

  Lieutenant Ishikawa Yumi hung back from the others. It was her duty to take a head count of all the people trying to leave the facility. She needed to evaluate the importance of every one of them and decide how valuable they were to the work on the island.

  General Ellis emerged in the front of his soldiers. He eyed his six pilots that were escorting the scientists across the base. Then he looked over the scientists. He only recognized one of them, Dr. Hallett.

  “Where do you think you are going?” he asked the pilot closest to him, Captain Olivier.

  “Sir,” said Captain Olivier, “We’re getting these people out of Japan. It is too dangerous here.”

  “On whose authority?” asked General Ellis.

  “Mine,” cut in Dr. Hallett.

  “Excuse me?” said General Ellis. “You do not have authority here. I am in charge of this base. I decide who goes and who stays.”

  “Bullshit,” said Dr. Hallett. “You are here to serve us. The needs of the scientists come first. That was what this facility was based on.”

  General Ellis rushed forward to come face to face with the defiant scientist. “My job is to serve the people on this island and guarantee their safety. I cannot do that when my men are defiant of my orders and when I have missing equipment. Did you just think you would take a chopper and we would not miss it? Every piece of equipment is vital to our survival on this island. You were going to leave us weakened because of your own damned fears.”

  “Look around, Ellis,” said Hallett. “We are all dead if we stay here any longer. There is nothing left to protect us. We are all here voluntarily. Our contracts became null and void when Babel 4 went down, and it went down because you did not listen to us. To me. Step aside, general, and let us leave.”

  “No,” said General Ellis. “Return to your quarters. All of you! Return to your quarters! Put in a request to leave and through the proper channels we can get you out of here.”

  “It will be too late by then,” said Hallett. “You know that.”

  “I don’t know that,” said Ellis. “Do you know what Tengi has been doing? She’s been taking out the kaiju. There are none left. We are perfectly safe. That’s what I know.”

  “As long as Tengi is still around there is still a kaiju,” said Hallett. “She’s been taking out her enemies. Who’s to say if we aren’t next?”

  Honsou tried to keep his composure as he listened to the two men argue. It was not his place to interject, but he believed Hallett had a point. Honsou did not trust Tengi, and just because the kaiju were gone now did not mean they were gone forever. They always came back.

  “Please, return to your quarters,” ordered General Ellis.

  “I am not spending another day in Japan,” said Dr. Hallett.

  “You are one of the chief engineers on Babel 4. Do you really want to abandon your work at its most crucial moment? There are hundreds more people back in those buildings that aren’t being a coward. They are counting on you to help get Babel 4 back up and running, and soon. Are you choosing to let them down? You think we’re dead where we stand? If you leave I almost guarantee it then. This plan of yours is only making things worse.”

  “There are others that can do my job,” said Dr. Hallett.

  “Then what are you even doing on this island to begin with? You are a spineless coward. You should be left out beyond the perimeter.”

  “Screw you!” yelled Dr. Hallett. “I have done more for this facility than you will ever do. It’s time I get that back. Captain Olivier, please, I would like to leave.”

  Captain Olivier stared back at his general. His eyes darted from his duty to his compassion.

  “Sir,” he said to General Ellis. “It’s time that we got the civilians off of the island.”

  “And I said they need to go through the proper channels. You need to stand down, Captain Olivier.”

  The pilot stayed his ground. He never took his eyes off of Ellis. “I cannot do that.”

  “Then you are under arrest,” said General Ellis. He signaled for the soldiers behind him to take Captain Olivier into custody.

  Three soldiers didn’t even take two steps before Captain Olivier pulled out his weapon. Everybody froze. The soldiers that formed the perimeter of the group brought up their weapons. They were too late to stop Olivier from pointing his gun at Ellis. Olivier had been concealing his gun the entire time. Nobody knew he had it.

  “Let us go!” demanded Captain Olivier.

  “I can’t do that,” said Ellis.

  “What the hell are you doing, Chris?” Dr. Hallett asked Olivier.

  “I am not going to die by the hands of these monsters, these demons,” said Olivier.

  Weathers kept her eye trained on Olivier. She did not want to take the shot. If they could get out of this without a death she would find a way.

  “I want off this island. Don’t you feel it? This place is killing us. We’re all going to die here. Demon’s Fallout will claim us all. These monsters came from Hell, and they are going to take us back with them.”

  Bang!

  Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

  In the hair of a second two men went down. First General Ellis was shot by Captain Olivier. Then Captain Olivier was dead before he hit the ground.

  Panic filled the air. The scientists caught in the middle of the shoot out could not contain their screams or their tears. The fourteen scientists and remaining five pilots all began to scatter.

  “Hold your fire! Hold your fire!” yelled Ishikawa. She had assessed that many of the scientists trying to leave were valuable to the future. She had to keep a level head and try to take command before more innocents were killed.

  “Round them up, but do not shoot them. They are not enemies!” Ishikawa yelled.

  Colonel Honsou ordered the men around him to contain the scientists as best as they could. He reinforced the order not to shoot them.

  The mob mentality was too strong. The soldiers trying to contain the scientists through non-lethal methods made them weaker. The scientists broke free. Warning shots were fired in
the distance, but it only made the men run faster. They ran back for the facility.

  “Sound the alarm,” ordered Honsou. “I want all civilians back in their quarters. No exceptions. If they are not in their quarters then they will be taken into custody and put in detention.”

  “Do not fire on them!” Ishikawa ordered again. “These are not our enemies. They are scared. We are here to protect them. Find them, and get them into custody as quickly and gently as possible.”

  Weathers watched as the retreat to the facility began. The scientists had disappeared into the building or made a run around it. Honsou led his men in pursuit followed by Ishikawa and the others. Weathers stayed behind. She intended to continue to guard the helicopters. While she looked on she wondered how everything had gone so terribly wrong.

  Deep in the sub-basement of the facility, Dr. Scott Macy continued his work dissecting the caudata body of Mellora. He had gone over two days hardly eating. The room reeked of body odor and stale food. His ration of power bars had dwindled down to only a handful. A patchy beard now graced his face. It grew uneven around his cheekbones and nearly absent up front.

  Mellora’s body was on display on his exam table in separate jars. Macy had done his best to preserve her organs. He had already lost what he presumed was her liver after the solution he used had a bad reaction with her body’s chemistry. Once he figured out the proper levels Macy began the process of saving everything he could for future research.

  Macy was fascinated by the caudatas’ biology. Their bodies were capable of handling some of the deepest pressures at the bottom of the ocean. Their skin was immensely tough. The way their scales were woven together helped reinforce the skeletal structure, which was another fascination for Macy all together. Their skeletons were like tanks. He doubted any caudata ever had a broken bone or even had to worry about it.

  Macy was examining Mellora’s left hand. He pulled on the tendons to make her three fingers dance on her hand. Each tendon moved one right after the other under Macy’s control. Then they started to alternate. Each finger was independent of each other. As Macy kept moving the fingers he got lost in himself. Mellora’s hand started to make general hand signals. First the peace sign, then her hand flipped off the corner of the room, and eventually her fingers started to head bang to the humming of Macy’s favorite song.