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| packmule | May 19 2007, 11:03 AM |
Site founder - Your best nightmare
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The War Monsters-Part Seven "Solution In Seattle" Washington State mainland, sixty three miles west of Puget Sound The wounded, red-skinned reptilian monster thundered across the periodic marshy countryside slowly, it's movements somewhat more labored from the gaping wound on it's neck, courtesy of a 2.5 inch bazooka round. It stopped twice to attack and eat livestock, in the process demolishing two farmhouses. At a smaller secondary fjord of Puget Sound the Deragon stopped to drink and waded into the forty foot deep, half mile wide waters of the fjord. The cool water was soothing to the monster's neck wound, and, reaching the opposite side of the fjord, the leviathan emerged from the water and thundered up onto dry land once more-the occupants of several nearby farmhouses fled their homes, running away into an adjacent corn field. The Deragon rolled onto it's side and was soon asleep. Interstate 65, three miles west of Seattle, Washington For the first time since the crisis with the extraterrestrial monsters had began, the United States Army had become officially involved, setting up a command post along I-65, several miles outside Seattle, WA. A brigade-sized infantry detachment had deployed along the eastern side of the four-lane highway, 105mm light howitzers and over twenty-five Sherman tanks awaiting the arrival of the lone, wounded monster. In addition to the Army the DIA, or Defense Intelligence Agency, had assigned a handful of people on scene to observe what was expected to be a certain showdown between the 500 ton, 190 foot long, 60 foot tall monster and the Army's collective firepower along the interstate. Government scientists Dr. Taryn Bauer and her brother Dr. David Bauer had reappeared, along with Talman Ziker, who had disappeared from the research ship Aurora. The presence of Ziker had made U.S. Navy Commander Jim Powers in a less than pleasant mood... "I want a word with you Ziker!" Powers shouted over the noise of helicopters lifting off along the wood line some fifty yards away. The Navy Commander and ex-destroyer Captain moved menacingly towards the civilian intelligence agent, before two armed U.S. Army sergeants stepped in front of him. "Stand off Commander. Orders from the CO on scene, Colonel Ladell," one of the youthful-looking sergeants squawked. Powers gave each of the armed non-comms a hard look. "Fine goddamnit, and by the way, have you two forgotten how to salute an armed forces officer?" Powers snapped angrily. The two sergeants snapped to and saluted Powers. "Come on Jim," LCDR Cliff Mason said, handing his old CO a cup of coffee. "If I keep drinking this stuff I'll be pissing caffeine the rest of my life," Powers growled, relighting his cigar. He took in the spectacle of the U.S. Army's mobile command-over a thousand soldiers, half a dozen helicopters, tanks, howitzers, several giant command tents that had been erected. It all seemed surreal to Jim Powers. "Have you talked with Commodore Baskin?" Mason asked, the black man drinking coffee, he and Powers watching Army personnel scurry about. "They won't let me call him. Colonel Ladell's orders. No outgoing calls. Can't say I blame him. I'm sure Baskin's keeping up with this shit from the teletype, or the television. It's all over the country now Cliff-the monsters, Kingsport, the Navy ships sunk. I heard the Navy's deployed a carrier flotilla in the Bering Sea to keep the Russians at a distance," Powers commented. "Where's Lieutenant Prescott?" Mason asked. Jim Powers shrugged. "On the other side of the camp, over there, She's being debriefed by Ziker. That guy's hiding something Cliff. Maybe she's in on it with him. Same goes for the brother-sister scientists," Powers groused. "You think they knew all along what was in those rocks that came down from space?" Clifford Mason said, hoisting an eyebrow. Powers tossed the used up cigar away. "Yeah, I do." Mason shook his head. "After this is over I'm getting the hell out of the Navy, just like you. I didn't sign up for this shit...flying around and firing bazookas at goddamn giant monsters," Mason said. Powers managed a chuckle. "Well, you could always come in on my charter fishing business," Powers said, sticking a fresh cigar in the corner of his mouth. Mason frowned. "What is it pal?" Powers asked. "There's something going on over at the first tent," Mason answered. He and Powers walked towards the tent, navigating through the array of U.S. Army soldiers that moved about outside the tents. An alarm went off. The tent loudspeaker crackled to life: Attention! Attention! The monster has been sighted. Target is two miles away and moving towards CHQ. All civilian personnel report to your designated posts. All combat personnel prepare to engage target. Commanders Powers and Mason report to tent two to prepare for jet-pack ops." ..."Goddamnit!" Jim Powers cursed out loud, he and Cliff Mason, both utilizing jet packs, maneuvering away from the pair of Army helicopters that opened fire on the monster one hundred thirty feet below. The 20 millimeter shells exploded around the Deragon, but did not directly strike the sixty foot tall, one hundred ninety foot long reptilian-looking monster, which managed to avoid the cannon fire. Powers and Mason moved away as rounds from the choppers blasted into a nearby county utility building along the interstate. The monster plowed through the building and reared up on it's hind legs, trying to snap at the Army helicopters that continued to swirl overhead, firing down at it. Powers aimed the trigger of the Army-issue M-51 mini-bazooka down at the enormous creature and squeezed off another round. Mason, sixty feet to Power's left, also managed to fire off a bazooka round. Powers' round struck the monster's back. Mason's struck the creature in the neck, near it's wound. The Deragon roared in pain, and anger. It leapt into the air, managing to knock one of the Army choppers out of the sky. The chopper spun crazily and impacted in a nearby set of trees, exploding in a fireball. The Deragon crashed back down to land, and on top of a power line, which exploded in a shower of sparks. Jim Powers watched as the creature caught on fire, under the downed electrical lines. "Cliff, get on your mic and send word to HQ that the monster's on fire...and that a chopper has been destroyed!" Powers spoke into his helmet mic. Mason's pack was fitted with an additional comm box, enabling him to communicate with the mobile Army post set up back down the highway. "Will do Jim. Can we set down? There's a tree line on the right, about two hundred feet to your right," Mason's voice crackled in Power's helmet mic. "Do it," Powers said clearly. He and Mason veered away and descended towards a nearby wood line. Powers, relieved that the monster was finished, also sensed that the crisis was not over. Minutes later he and Cliff Mason stood and watched as the extraterrestrial monster burned, its carcass completely ablaze, the smoke drifting upwards hundreds of feet. Powers could hear sirens in the distance. Two more Army helicopters appeared overhead. His dark eyes moved to the flaming wreckage of the downed Army chopper. "I need a beer," Cliff Mason said, fatigue etched in his voice. Powers stuck a fresh cigar in the corner of his mouth. "So do I. We'd better get these packs off," Powers said, helping his black friend unbuckle the jet pack shoulder straps. The Pentagon-Washington, DC One week later Commander Jim Powers stood in front of the coffee machine, scowling. He had just sampled a cup of joe from the machine. Finding the coffee unsatisfactory to his taste buds he tossed the cup and it's contents into the trash bin. A youthful-looking blonde female Lieutenant j.g. appeared from a nearby room, walking up to the former Navy diver and ship captain. "They're ready to see you Commander," the blue-eyed blonde Navy lieutenant said, smiling. Powers cast her a scowl, her smile quickly replaced with a muted caution. Powers made a final adjustment to his tie and placed on his bill cap. He felt uncomfortable in a full Navy dress uniform, as he always had. Powers stood briefly at the door, marked "JCS Briefing And Conference Room", then entered, followed by the female Lieutenant, who quickly seated herself at a small table near the room window. Jim Powers walked to the front of the table and stood at attention. "Commander James M. Powers, reporting as ordered, Admiral," Powers said evenly. A civilian, whom Powers recognized as Secretary of the Navy Robert Denham, motioned for Powers to be seated. Powers glanced at Admiral Thomas Brent, Combined Naval Forces CIC, and Commodore Baskin. "You may be seated Commander Powers," Secretary Of The Navy Denham repeated, sharply. "I don't report to you Mr. Denham," Powers said calmly. "You may seat yourself and be at ease Jim," Admiral Brent said calmly. Powers removed his cap and eased into the chair. Powers quickly accounted for the individuals seated at the long table: Admiral Brent, Commodore Baskin, Secretary Of The Navy Robert Denham. He expected to see these faces. Others he did not: Dr. David Bauer and sister Dr. Taryn Bauer, Lieutenant Loren Prescott, who was wearing Lieutenant Commander bars on her uniform, and Talman Ziker. "Would you like a smoke?" Navy Secretary Denham asked, holding up his pack of Camels. "I prefer cigars," Powers said, his dark brown eyes setting on the slender, gray haired Navy Secretary. Denham cracked a smile. "I was told you don't have much use for politicians," Denham said, lighting a cigarette. "What am I doing here? Commodore Baskin?" Powers said, casting Baskin a hard look. "Admiral Brent...has Commander Powers been fully debriefed?" Denham asked , glancing over at the gray-red haired Admiral. "He has. So has Lieutenant Commander Mason, sir," Admiral Brent responded, sipping coffee. "Excuse me but I'm supposed to be retired, and running my fishing charter right now," Powers growled. "Easy Jim," Commodore Baskin said, holding up his hand. "Commodore, I put in twenty years, then got corralled into deep diving to plant atomic warheads on huge chunks of space rocks, then flying around in a jet pack trying to kill giant monsters from outer space. I'll probably never have a decent night's sleep for the rest of my life. I want out sir. I want to go back to my business, and go home every night to my cabin, that's all," Powers said clearly. There was a momentary pause of silence. "Commander, what if I told you that something else came down from space at the same time as the two asteroidals that landed in the Gulf Of Alaska?" Talman Ziker said, the DIA chief speaking clearly. Jim Powers blinked in surprise. "I'd say I'm not surprised. Ziker, you and your agency are all about keeping secrets, until you get in a jam and need someone to stick their neck out for you," Powers said sourly. "An object much larger landed in the extreme northern Canadian wilderness. It was about five hundred feet wide, nearly that long, and had a mass of around 60,000 tons," Ziker said calmly. Powers shook his head. "Why are you telling me?" the navy Commander asked incredulously. Admiral Brent spoke. "Jim, you have successfully commanded a US Navy warship, are qualified in deep diving ops, and are also fully qualified to operate both US Navy and Air Force personal jet propulsion units. The President was impressed, we all were impressed with how you handled yourself during this crisis. We need someone to head up our CET unit," Admiral Brent stated clearly. "Containment And Exploration Team," Ziker added. "You want me to go off investigating this new...thing that fell out of space?" Powers asked. "This 'thing' left a crater a half mile wide Commander Powers, and triggered a moderate sized earthquake in parts of northern Canada," Dr. David Bauer. "And I suppose you're going to tell me that it's another monster," Jim Powers groused. "Actually, yes. We're fairly certain it's a biologic. In fact, scanning devices suggest it may be avian, as images we've looked at suggest it has wings," Dr. Taryn Bauer said flatly. "And just leaving this thing be is completely out of the question? Powers said, gesturing with his hands. "We can't afford any more surprises. We need to get to it, find out all we can about it, and effect quarantine measures, " Ziker said calmly. Jim Powers picked up his cap and set it in his lap. "I'm not interested," the Navy Commander said. "You would be promoted to Captain. You would also draw an additional compensation from-" Powers cut off the Navy Secretary in mid sentence. "I said I'm not interested. I'm due for an Honorable Discharge and that's what I want, gentleman...and ladies," Powers said, casting a disapproving glance at Lieutenant Loren Prescott. Powers stood up, placing on his cap. "Respectfully Admiral, I will hire an an attorney if any attempt is made to block my discharge," Powers said, saluting Admiral Brent. Brent saluted the Navy Commander. "Very well Commander. Report to the personnel office in San Diego within seventy two hours for final out processing. Good luck with your fishing charter," Admiral Brent said. Powers walked quickly to the briefing room door and exited... "So, what now?" Admiral Brent said aloud, looking over at Navy Secretary Denham. "Find a way to talk him into it, Admiral," Denham said sourly, rising and walking out out of the briefing room. ...Powers stepped outside into the cold, crisp late morning air of Washington, DC. The sky overhead was overcast, and a light snowfall descended. Powers buttoned up his black Navy overcoat, quickly returning the salutes of a pair of passing Pentagon Navy staff petty officers. "Where are you parked?" the female voice said from behind. Powers turned to face Lieutenant Commander Loren Prescott. "Congratulations on your promotion. It's not easy for a woman to male LCDR these days," Powers said. The dark eyed brunette nodded. "It was Ziker's idea. I didn't even ask for it. The extra money will be nice. Maybe I can move into a bigger apartment," Prescott said, her dark brown eyes blinking. Jim Powers placed on his gloves. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" Loren Prescott asked, smiling. "I don't think so Loren," Powers answered. She looked Powers in the eyes. "You can't stay for even a few days?" the brunette asked. "I could, but I don't really want to," Powers said. "I see. Is it something I did?" Loren asked, her dark eyes blinking as she slid her gloved hands in her coat pockets. "No. It's just that...I'm not interested in anything...short term," Powers replied. "Neither am I," Loren stated. "I'm getting out the loop Loren. You're still making your way up. Besides, I live in Alaska, you live here in Washington. Must be plenty of eligible bachelors around," Powers said. The brunette managed a mild laugh. "True. I dated a few of them. I was kind of hoping we might get something going along those lines," Loren confessed. "Same here. Unless I move here, or you move to Alaska, I just don't think it could work," Powers said. "Agreed," Loren said. Powers gave her a full kiss on the mouth, allowing her just enough time to respond in kind, before he pulled back. "I hear it's another creature Jim, even bigger," Loren said, her dark eyes troubled. "Stop," Powers said, placing his finger gently on her mouth. "Something like a pteranodon, but much larger-" Powers waved down the taxi, which pulled up beside him and the brunette. "Goodbye Loren," Powers said, handing her a business card. "Look me up if you're ever out west. That's my home and business numbers, and for God's sake don't give that card to Ziker or any Navy officers with admiral bars. Take care," Powers said, getting into the taxi and closing the door. Lieutenant Commander Loren Prescott watched the taxi accelerate away... "Where to?" the taxi driver asked, the squat, balding driver looking back at Powers. "Dulles Airport," Powers answered. The taxi driver, chomping on a cigar, nodded. "Say, you got an extra cigar? I seem to be out," Jim Powers said, patting his coat pockets in futility, looking for a fresh stogey. "Here, I use to be in the Navy ya know," the taxi driver growled, handing Powers a fresh cigar. Jim Powers sat back in the seat. "Really? Where?" - END - Look for the return of Jim Powers in Rodan: Death from Above... |
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| The War Monsters-Part Seven · Packmule's Pen | |
12:23 AM Nov 26
