The government still had no official comment on the giant monster that had just lumbered out of the woods of Virginia. Once they had reached the naval base, Luke led Chimera onto the Argos. The Argos was equipped with a cargo bay that served as Chimera’s holding cell on the ship. The Argos was a nuclear-powered ship but in addition to its nuclear reactor, it also was home to the world’s largest sails. In the event that it was hit by an EMP, the sails would still provide the ship with some manner of propulsion.
Diana’s thoughts refocused on the present when the door to the briefing room opened and Parson’s, Toombs, and Luke entered and stood behind their seats. Luke took the seat next to Diana. Having him next to her for support gave her confidence a small boost. While the interactions between the two of them had been limited, Diana had found that Luke had a quick wit and the same dry sense of humor that she possessed. She also found that the two of them were quickly becoming good friends.
Prior to sitting down, Parsons turned on one of the massive viewing screens set up in the room. Diana was almost overwhelmed when the visage of the president appeared on screen. Parson’s saluted and then spoke to the president, “Good morning, Mr. President. This is Ms. Cain, she will be briefing us the on the threat that we are currently on route to engage. Following that briefing, Mr. Davis will apprise us of how Chimera will deal with the threat.”
The president nodded and said, “Thank you, General. Ms. Cain, if you please.”
Diana took a second to think about how that a few short weeks ago she was addressing a group of college students on an elective course and now she was talking to the president about how to save the world. She took a deep breath and then started her briefing, “Thank you, Mr. President. Gentlemen, the information that we have gathered suggests that a mysterious blue vortex has appeared in the center of the Atlantic Ocean. The vortex seems to be hovering at a height of roughly three hundred feet off of the surface of the ocean. It is also expanding in diameter.” She clicked a key on her computer and brought up several satellite images, “The first image is from ten days ago and at that point the vortex was roughly ten miles in diameter.” She moved to the next image, “This slide is from five days ago at which point the vortex was fifty miles in diameter.” Diana moved to the third slide, “Today the vortex is roughly one hundred miles in diameter. Since the Vortex has appeared, we have had at least two ships reporting an SOS that a light blue light was approaching their ship. After the SOS was received, there was no more contact from either ship. Satellite tracking systems show that the ships are still floating on the ocean but there is still no communication from either vessel. We have sent several military planes to fly around the perimeter of the vortex. They have reported that whales and other sea animals are clearly seen to be entering and exiting the vortex without any negative effects.”
Diana clicked another slide and the form of a gargantuan cone shaped creature with a huge circular mouth filled with teeth appeared on the screen, “Everything that we have encountered thus far seems to be from Greek mythology. One thing that is consistent within the mythology of all three sects that we are facing is that they are extremely arrogant and proud. The fact that so far we seem to only be facing threats from the Olympians seems to indicate that the three sects have opted to at the very least to not coordinate their efforts. As such, we may be able to deal with each sect individually instead of facing them as a unified front. I would suggest that the three sects may even see who can destroy the human race as some competition between themselves to prove whose methods are most effective. While there is no precedent in mythology for different sects interacting, there are multiple examples of gods within the same sect having competitions amongst themselves where they use humans as their pawns. Since, so far at least, we seem to only be dealing with the Olympians, I feel that we would do best to look at current threats through the scope of Greek mythology.”
Diana looked at the gathered group of men as she would her students to see that she had their attention. From the looks on their faces, she was sure that they were hanging on her every word. Even the president seemed enthralled by what she was saying. She took a sip of water and then continued, “Using Greek mythology as guide, it is my belief that this vortex is being created by the mythological creature known as the Charybdis. It is a sea monster whose inhalations form a deadly whirlpool which pull in any ships that come near it. I would suggest that what was thought to be a whirlpool by the ancient Greeks was actually an energy vortex which they lacked the understanding to properly describe as such. My theory is that the Charybdis is generating a vortex that is specifically designed to affect humans. Which is why there are reports of sea life entering and exiting the vortex. My analysts tell me that if the vortex continues to grow at the rate it currently is, that it will blanket the entire Atlantic Ocean within the next five days. At that point, the vortex will reach the coast of Europe, Africa, North America and South America. We suspect that anyone who comes into contact with the vortex will most likely vanish and presumably die as it seems that the crew and passengers of the missing ships seem to have done.”
Diana took a few steps away from the screen that she was using to display the images behind her, “There is one more thing to consider if indeed this vortex is emanating from the Charybdis. In mythology, the Charybdis is paired with the Scylla. The Scylla is a giant six headed serpent with razor sharp teeth. Given how we have seen the Olympians use monstrous creatures to protect other targets such as Mount Olympus, I would suggest that we prepare ourselves for the possibility that the Scylla may be guarding the Charybdis.” Diana walked back to her seat. “That is all I have regarding the possible mythology for this mission. I will know turn the briefing over to General Parsons who will review the tactile approach that will be employed.” She sat down and felt a wave of pressure pour off of her body as she hit the chair. Luke leaned over toward her and whispered, “Good job.”
General Parson’s stood up and loaded his presentation onto the screen, “Thank you, Ms. Cain. Satellite images show that a new island seems to have sprung up in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Island seems to be comprised of a beach-like terrain with a large lake in the center of it. The island itself is not shrouded in the blue vortex. This eye of the vortex is why, when the vortex was first noticed on radar, most meteorologists classified it as a hurricane. It was not until we utilized military satellites that we were able to see the new island. We believe that the Charybdis is settled in the lake located in the center of the island and that it is using the terrain as a tuning fork of sorts to control the specifics of the vortex. The plan is to launch Chimera from this vessel near the edge of the vortex. Since the vortex does not seem to be affecting sea life, we feel confident that Chimera will be able to swim through the vortex without being harmed by it. The fact that the vortex itself does not seem to affecting the island itself is also a benefit to us. With no vortex on the island, we feel confident that we can get a low flying non-military helicopter to fly above the vortex and over the island. Mr. Davis will be on the helicopter and we will tow one of Chimera’s food reinforcers from the helicopter so that Chimera will follow us to the island. The helicopter should be able to land on the island and with no vortex on the island itself Mr. Davis will be able to direct Chimera to attack the Charybdis. The hope is that by using a non-military helicopter that the machine will not be hit with an EMP. However, should it be hit with an EMP, Mr. Davis will be strapped to a paratrooper in a glide suit. The trooper will attempt to jump out of the helicopter and glide to the island if need be. Are there any questions?”
The president spoke up from his monitor, “Just one. Mr. Davis, are you and Chimera up to this task? You are a civilian and we have yet to see how Chimera operates out of a controlled environment.”
Luke stood up, “Mr. President, I have seen Chimera’s strength first hand. If Satan himself were at the center of that vortex, I feel that Chimera could handle him. He has responded very well to his training and I am confide
nt that his performance in the field will follow suit. As far as I am concerned, my family is currently on the east coast that the vortex is heading for. There is nothing I will not do to save them.”
The president nodded, “Then Godspeed to you son. Lady and Gentlemen, go and show those gods whose planet this is!”
Chapter 13
Luke looked down from the helicopter to see the blue vortex swirling roughly one hundred feet below him. The vortex obscured his view of the ocean, but with the food reinforcer trailing from the helicopter, Luke was sure that Chimera was following them and that thought gave him some comfort. His words to the President were not just hollow bravado; he truly did believe that Chimera was capable of facing anything that awaited them at the center of vortex. He squirmed a little to try and make himself more comfortable but being strapped to another man was just awkward no matter how he positioned himself. The man introduced himself only as Sergeant Waller when they were being harnessed together.
Luke’s thoughts were interrupted as a bright white flash filled the sky. He heard the pilot scream, “We’ve been hit by an EMP. The copter is going down! We are going to have to jump for it and try to glide to the island! We are about seventy feet from the shore of the island! I will keep the copter as steady as possible so you two can make a jump for it.”
Sergeant Waller jammed Luke’s speaking horn into his chest and shouted, “Just hold on tight!” Waller then jumped out of the side of the helicopter and spread his arms open. Luke could feel the wind rushing by his face and trying to pry the speaking horn out of his hands. He forced his face down to take a look at the pilot attempting to make his jump. The pilot jumped from a much lower altitude than Luke and Waller had. Luke watched as the pilot attempted to readjust his body to gain altitude but he only managed to slowly drift downward. Luke and Waller cleared the vortex and saw the shoreline of the island in front of them. Waller forced his head down and the two men went streaking toward the beach. Seconds later, they landed hard on the sand. Waller pulled a chord which separated the two men and they both turned around to see the pilot fall into the vortex just short of its edge. He screamed and then seconds later his empty flight suit landed on the beach. The pilot himself had been totally disintegrated.
Waller shook his head, “Poor bastard he was- ARGHHHH!”
From the side of his vision, Luke saw Waller being yanked into the air. Luke spun around to see Waller in the grips of one of six gigantic serpentine heads. Luke watched in horror as a second head also bit into Waller. The soldier screamed for a brief moment before the two heads tore Waller’s body in half. Waller’s blood rained down on Luke as he stood still with fear staring up at the horror before him.
The creature’s size was immense. Each of the six heads was easily one hundred feet in length. The six snake-like heads were dark gray in color and their mouths were filled with long rows of hooked teeth. The shape and form of the kaiju’s necks and heads reminded Luke of specials he had seen on the Discovery Channel about the pythons that were taking over the Florida Everglades. The six heads converged into one long and thin body with squat alligator-like legs and a long lizard-like tail protruding from the end of its torso.
The Scylla lumbered forward and hissed as it moved toward Luke. Luke turned to run and only made it few steps before he reached the shoreline and the deadly blue vortex that formed at the water’s edge. Luke was trapped between two forms of agonizing death. He lifted his speaking horn in front of him like a club in a vain attempt to defend himself. The Scylla took a step toward Luke when a ground shaking roar emanated from the swirling light blue vortex. A second later a long snout emerged from the vortex followed by the awesome form of Chimera.
The Scylla stopped moving forward as its heads continued to writhe and its many forked tongues shot in an out of its mouth as its senses tried to comprehend the beast that stood before it.
Luke didn’t hesitate to act. He lifted his speaking horn to his mouth and screamed, “Chimera, attack!” Chimera eyes flared wide as he lifted his front paws off of the ground and pounded his chest as he roared a challenge at the Scylla. The Scylla’s heads hissed in unison as the two behemoths charged each other.
Luke watched in awe as the two kaiju crashed into each other on the empty beach. The Scylla’s necks began to wrap around Chimera’s arms, legs, throat, and torso as his hook-like teeth dug into Chimera’s flesh. Chimera roared in anger and attempted to lift his arms above his head but the strong necks of the Scylla held the beast’s arms in place. Chimera quickly changed tactics by leaning into the serpent and using his massive claws to dig into the Scylla’s torso. With his claws sunk into the Scylla’s body, Chimera pulled his head backward, stretching the Scylla’s necks as far as he could. When he could pull the Scylla’s necks no further, Chimera thrust his head forward, adding his own strength and weight to the force of the Scylla’s necks pulling him. The move sent his whale-like snout crashing down into the Scylla, driving the monster into the sand. Chimera repeated the move two more times before the Scylla was finally forced to relinquish its grip.
The Scylla’s head slithered forward and as one they dug their teeth into Chimera’s legs. Chimera roared again and, in a show of unbelievable strength, he lifted the torso of the Scylla over his head. The Scylla maintained its grip on Chimera’s legs even as it hung upside down. With another roar, Chimera slammed the Scylla into the sand. The serpent’s entire body was jarred from the impact, once more forcing the monster to release its grip. Chimera placed one of his powerful back feet on the torso of the Scylla to pin the foul beast to the ground. Chimera then lifted his hands above his head and brought them down into the Scylla’s exposed stomach. Chimera continued to pound on the Scylla and Luke could hear sounds of bones cracking as Chimera reigned blows down onto the serpent. The Scylla’s necks were waving wildly in pain at the pounding it was taking. Chimera’s head shot forward and his jaws clamped down on two of the Scylla’s necks. Chimera pressed down with his leg and pulled up with head, ripping the two necks from the Scylla’s torso. Blood sprayed over the entire beach as the Scylla’ necks writhed in the agony of their death throes. Within thirty seconds, the Scylla’s body had stopped moving and the fountain of blood spraying from its torso slowed to a trickle. With the creature dead before him, Chimera lifted his head to sky, roared and beat his chest in triumph!
Luke could see that Chimera was still in an enraged and battle ready mode and so he quickly gave the kaiju another command. Luke could see the lake roughly about a half mile up the beach. Luke lifted up his speaking horn, pointed to lake and screamed, “Chimera, attack!”
The kaiju roared once more, placed his forepaws on the ground and began running toward the lake as a gorilla would toward an invader of its territory. Luke sprinted after Chimera who was quickly outdistancing him.
Chimera stopped at the edge of the colossal lake and looked down into the crystal clear water to see the massive form of the Charybdis filling the majority of the lake with its grotesque body. The Charybdis had the shape of a huge ice cream cone with numerous rows of razor sharp teeth that ringed its mouth. The teeth were spinning around its mouth like a buzz saw and Chimera could see the bright blue light surging forth from the rotating teeth. Chimera again reared up on his hind legs, roared, and beat his chest as challenge to the beast below it. The Charybdis made no reply; it simply continued to rotate its teeth and send its deadly vortex through the island and out into the ocean.
Luke arrived at the lake just in time to see Chimera dive into the water. He gazed down into the water and he was awed by the size of the Charybdis. Chimera was huge but the Charybdis was easily five times the size of Chimera. One thing that was plainly evident to Luke was the fact the Charybdis was virtually defenseless. Luke could see why the Scylla was left to guard it; if the Charybdis was attacked directly it would be an easy target. For thousands of years, the Scylla had been a creature without equal and Chimera had destroyed it in mere minutes. Luke almost pitied the Charybdis for what Chim
era was going to do to it. Chimera had battled the Scylla but his encounter with the Charybdis would be a massacre.
Chimera swam down to the center of the Charybdis’s body and then he began using his claws and teeth to tear into the bloated behemoth. The clear water turned red as blood gushed out of the wound created by Chimera. An odd gurgled roar escaped from the Charybdis’s jaws as its body moved from side to side in an attempt to flee from its attacker. It was a useless attempt. The Charybdis had nowhere to escape to. Its only hope was that Chimera ended its suffering quickly. Within thirty seconds, Chimera had torn a wound roughly the size of his body into the Charybdis’s side. Chimera climbed inside the Charybdis and began tearing the beast apart from within. The Charybdis continued to emit a painful wail and then finally it was silent. As the Charybdis’s teeth stopped rotating, the blue vortex that they were creating ceased to emanate from its jaws. Luke turned around to see the blue light disappearing from over the ocean. A moment later, Chimera climbed out of the Charybdis’s corpse and swam to the surface of the lake. When he broke the surface, he roared in triumph again. Luke lifted his speaking horn to his mouth and delivered the much deserved praise to the kaiju, “Good work, Chimera! Let’s go back to the ship where we can get you something to eat! Follow me!”
Chapter 14
Chimera: Scourge of the Gods: A Kaiju Thriller Page 6
