《KILL ALL KAIJU》 Chapter 1 - Doomsday With a wheezing breath from his aching lungs, he looked over the projections again. And the overwhelming amount of red that highlighted the numbers. There were the usual shortages of course. In that that way nothing he was looking at surprised him anymore. The hydroponics facilities had failed to make their projections again, even as reduced as they were. Another announcement would have to be made for rationing the colony¡¯s forever dwindling supplies. There would me more discontent. More outrage. Unable to bear the sight of the reality of their situation Raymond Ryker stood to his feet. The civilian issue exoskeleton that allowed his decaying body to walk whirred obediently as Ryker made his way to his office¡¯s nearby window. His right hand came up to press against the glass. The pseudo-muscle glove that helped operate his hand covering horrific burn scars that reached from the tips of his fingers down through his shirt sleeve. Extending to cover almost the entire right side of his body. There were options for skin grafts naturally. Even after the surface of the Earth became uninhabitable to human life, but Ryker had refused every time. He may be at a desk now, but he¡¯d been a warrior once. And warriors wore their battle scars proudly. Stifling a cough Ryker peered through the window at the giant remains of the ark that had borne humanity to the safety of the Subterranean Biodomes they now called home. The massive ship, one of five, were the last ditch attempts to save what was left of humanity after the Kaiju destroyed everything. Part of Ryker still resented it, running like rats from the surface and deep into the Earth¡¯s Mantle to survive. But the decision had been made, he just had to live with it. All along the side of the Ark were the words SUBTERRAN ARK: TYPHON. He could see streams of people moving from the parts of the ark that had been retrofitted to serve as residences. There was even the beginnings of a market starting to form along the road from the Ark to Doctor Wallenstein¡¯s facilities. These people who were survivors from nations the world over had adapted to underground life with a speed that made Ryker¡¯s heart ache. It wasn¡¯t fair. All of them had lost everything they¡¯ve ever known on the surface but even now. After all that they¡¯d been through. They were still making the most of their lives. Rubbing his eyes, wishing for the millionth time that someone had thought to clone a strain of coffee to bring down with them Ryker reluctantly looked back to his desk. I¡¯ll have to talk to the head of hydroponics again. He thought tiredly. See what I can do to help them get- The alarm blared. And Ryker¡¯s heart went cold. Despite his years out of combat Ryker leapt for the door and ran like a man half his age. Red emergency lights flashed in urgency as Ryker pumped his arms, grinding his teeth against the pain in his right side as the exoskeleton helped him push forward. In less than a minute Ryker barreled through the door to the Typhon Colony¡¯s main control room and shouted. ¡°Where are they!?¡± He shouted as men and women ran around the room in a controlled panic. A frightened woman at the nearby control station turned and called out to him. ¡°Commander Ryker sir! They¡¯ve just tripped our first layer of outlying defenses on the east side of the Biodome! Three hundred meters out!¡± A holographic display came to life in the center of the room as a representation of the Biodome whirred to life. Hundreds of meters of rock and minerals surrounded their comparatively small Biodome and in the rock to the east three red glowing dots were making their way towards the east side. ¡°I¡¯m detecting three Bioreactor signatures! Two stage threes and one stage four!¡± The woman called out even through the tremble in her voice. There was a collective wave of understanding as everyone in the control room reeled from the news. Everyone knew exactly what that meant. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Get me through to Hydroponics!¡± Ryker shouted as he came next to the woman at her control station. ¡°They need to get out of there! It¡¯s going to come out right on top of them!¡± ¡°Just a second.¡± The woman said tensely as her fingers flew across the desk before the line went through. And she leaned into the microphone stand in front of her. ¡°Hydroponics this is Control do you read me? There is a-¡± ¡°Cathy!¡± Ryker shouted into the mic as he pushed the control woman aside. ¡°Get your team out of there and into the Ark! We can¡¯t field the Heavy Armors before the Kaiju break through!¡± The audio cracked and sputtered as Cathy Newport¡¯s voice came through the line. Her breaths coming in gasps as she spoke. ¡°The others are already on their way! But I have to get the high nutrient rice samples! We¡¯ll all be dead if we can¡¯t replicate-¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be dead if you don¡¯t make it out!¡± Ryker shouted as he turned to the woman next to him. ¡°How long?¡± ¡°Perimeter breach in ninety seconds sir.¡± ¡°Cathy don¡¯t-¡± ¡°I¡¯m almost there!¡± She said desperately. The sound of her footfalls echoing through the line with the sound of the alarms. There was the clanking of glass and breaking beakers as Cathy¡¯s voice came through again. ¡°I got them!¡± ¡°How long on those Armors!¡± Ryker shouted out at the room and a man at another station responded almost immediately. ¡°We¡¯re fielding the first wave now. Standby Heavy Armor pilots are beginning sync procedures with their Armors now.¡± ¡°Tell them to skip the diagnostics and control checks. I need those pilots out there now!¡± ¡°Yes sir!¡± Ryker looked to the hologram in the center of the room and the dots closing in on the edge of their Biodome. He couldn¡¯t see the Hydroponics building from the window the Control room had but he could see its representation displayed in the hologram. His right hand clenched the table hard, willing the incoming Kaiju to change course in any direction that would spare the building. Losing Hydroponics would be a disaster for the Colony. Even if they ended up surviving this attack, without the food to support the colony thousands would starve. ¡°I¡¯m almost out of the building!¡± Cathy said panting with exertion. ¡°I got the samples Raymond. We can still-¡± The whole control room shuddered as the one of the dots on the screen, the stage three, barreled through the wall of the rock and directly into the Biodome itself. The protective shielding holding in and recirculating the Colony¡¯s air supply caved in almost immediately as the dot fell into the hologram of the hydroponics building. The line with Cathy Newport cutting off at the same moment the building was destroyed. Ryker stood and stared at the hologram, as the display zoomed in on the red dot and began updating the blank dot with information on the Kaiju¡¯s type and abilities. He heard the other control room techs behind him shout to the deploying Heavy Armors about what kind of Kaiju they¡¯d be facing as the info populated. [Kaiju Designation: DRILL MAW] [Stage: Three (Alpha Level Bioreactor)] [Estimated Height: 150 ft. (45.72 Meters)] [Detectable Abilities: Rotating Drill Claws, Hyper Acidic Saliva, Short Range Bio-Missiles] It just wasn¡¯t enough for you was it? Ryker thought. His blood and rage ice cold even as the wounds on his body burned. The billions of lives dead and gone. After you destroyed our homes, our cities, even our entire countries it wasn¡¯t enough. You couldn¡¯t stand having the surface all to yourselves could you? Knowing we¡¯d survived. So you came here¡­ to hunt us down like dogs. For the first time in a long time, Ryker felt it. The thing that had kept him fighting through disaster after disaster even as the world crumbled to dust around him. In his earlier days of piloting the Mechanized Armors humanity fielded against the Kaiju he¡¯d met men and woman motivated by everything. Protecting their loved ones, the fear of death, even some who found some twisted sense of pride killing the monsters. But Ryker was different, there was no great purpose that drove him, no higher calling. It was as brutally simple as it was ugly. Hatred. That hellish fire burned throughout Ryker¡¯s core as he stared into the cameras capturing Drill Maw¡¯s movements as it heedlessly stepped through the remains of the hydroponics building. In it¡¯s shortened rat like face he glared into its eyes with an almost manic fury. I¡¯ll. Kill. You. Ryker promised the beast. Projecting his thoughts like he was trying to stab their meaning into the monster itself. Like he could end it with the sheer force of his will alone. I¡¯ll kill you all. Chapter 2 - Mad Gambit For the second time that day Ryker was running, panting hard even as his exoskeleton bore the brunt of his exertion. He¡¯d left the main control room behind and left the people there to their work, he would only get in the way at this point. The rumble of the incoming Kaiju¡¯s steps rippled through the underground tunnel as the familiar sound of Heavy Armor return fire boomed beyond the thick walls of the facility. ¡°Pick up!¡± Ryker growled as he tried hailing the man he was looking for on his communicator for the tenth time in as many minutes. ¡°Pick up you bastard!¡± Doctor Beck Wallenstein¡¯s face smiled unconcerned from his contact profile picture as Ryker¡¯s frustration threatened to boil over. The doctor had been on the front lines of anti Kaiju warfare from the beginning. He¡¯d been one of the first men to compile and understand the makeup of the Kaiju¡¯s unique genome and evolution processes. Making use of all that information to instruct the militaries of the world in creating tactics they could use against Kaiju for their out of date weaponry while pioneering the H.A.L.O. system that allowed human nervous systems to uplink and synchronize with piloted machines. His survival was critical if there would be any hope of countering any further Kaiju. He was also the only living friend Ryker had left in the whole world. Reaching the end of the corridor Ryker turned hard and almost slammed into someone coming the other way. Swearing profusely Ryker barely managed dance around the person, aggravating his right side even further as he regained his balance. ¡°Oh Ray! Thank goodness I found you!¡± An older soft spoken voice called out. His mild mannered tone clashing hard against the clamor of distant machine gun fire and the roar of Kaiju. ¡°Beck!¡± Ryker said in relief as he came forward to grab his friend by the shoulders. The relief he felt at finding his friend washing away almost instantly as concern took over. ¡°Are you alright? Why haven¡¯t you headed down to the bunker yet? Are you cr-¡± Just in time Ryker managed to cut himself off before he could finish his sentence. Crazy. That was the word most people used to describe Beck if they looked at him. Well into his seventies Beck¡¯s hair was a matted mess of white that would have rivalled Einstein¡¯s. His thick spectacled glasses doing nothing to diminish the almost manic look in his eyes as they flitted about. He looked fragile, like he¡¯d shatter to pieces at the slightest touch. It hurt Ryker to see his friend this way, especially since the portrait on his communicator looked so full of life and energy. He¡¯d given almost his entire life to combatting the threat of Kaiju in the world and the man had fallen apart because of it. The unimaginable pressure he put on his shoulders to create weapons capable of killing Kaiju as they tore across the land had just been too much. Ryker remembered all too well how Beck had kept a counter in his laboratory of the lives confirmed to have been taken by Kaiju. It had been a source of dire motivation for Beck and his assistants, but as the number climbed higher and higher the man had broken apart, piece by piece. When Ryker had visited Beck¡¯s lab to take him to the Subterran Ark Typhon before they embarked on their journey under the Earth¡¯s surface he¡¯d found the man crumpled in a corner trembling amidst a storm of fallen papers. Weeping uncontrollably as he tried to write through formula after formula for failed plasma weapons. Rambling incoherently about how he could still help if he just got it right. Without a word Ryker had ripped the power cord from the wall for the large display with the death counter. It had stopped at nine hundred ninety nine million. It hadn¡¯t been big enough to display death tolls over a billion. ¡°I came for you actually.¡± Beck said like there wasn¡¯t an imminent threat of death via Kaiju. ¡°Do you remember the experiment I told you about? How there¡¯s never enough time?¡± ¡°Yes you did.¡± Ryker said impatiently. Despite not knowing what the man was talking about at all. ¡°Now come on we need to get you to the-¡± ¡°Ray, I did it!¡± Beck proclaimed, beaming as he looked at his friend. ¡°There¡¯s finally enough time! I found out how to make more, to go back even¡­¡± Beck stopped as his face scrunched up in confusion. ¡°Or was it forwards? It¡¯s such a terribly confusing thing, time. Once you throw any kind of matter into the mix it throws off all the calculations. I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡± ¡°Beck.¡± Ryker said. Trying to keep his tone smooth despite the danger. ¡°We need to move, understand?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry Ray.¡± Beck said seeming to be blinking back tears. ¡°I know I must sound out of it at times but this is important. I need your help. It has to be you, you more than anyone else. Don¡¯t you see?¡± Ryker paused and kept his face neutral as he tried to determine how best to get his friend to safety. Running through things he could say or what he could do. The hand Beck placed on his left shoulder was firm. Ryker looked at Beck surprised but found a fierce clarity in his friend¡¯s eyes. ¡°Do you trust me Ray?¡± Beck said simply. Ryker wanted to shake the man¡¯s hand from his shoulder and shake some sense into him in turn but found the light in his gaze too piercing to look away from. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± Beck¡¯s lips trembled as the foundations of the tunnel shook with another rumble of the battle going on above. And Beck asked ¡°If you could go back¡­ back before this all started¡­ would you do it?¡± Ryker pushed down the urgency that compelled him to move and held Beck¡¯s gaze. He could still feel it inside him. That hatred. Endlessly burning and gnashing its teeth. Desperate to make these monsters bleed and bleed and bleed. ¡°Without question.¡± Ryker said simply. ¡°Then we need to hurry.¡± Beck said nodding as he ran back towards his laboratory. ¡°What for?¡± Ryker shouted as he ran after his surprisingly agile friend. ¡°The conflux can only be maintained for a set amount of time!¡± Beck called back as he ran. ¡°Quantum Physics is¡­ hoo boy this is a long hallway. Anyway- Quantum Physics is such a bitch to work with! It kept me stuck for the longest time! Physical matter is incapable of making the jump. However! If you utilize an existing consciousness as the basis for the temporal entanglement it works! Linking two separate but fundamentally similar consciousnesses across the gap of space/time!¡± ¡°Explain it like I¡¯m five!¡± Ryker shouted back. Unfortunately very aware that if he let Beck ramble on any further he¡¯d lose the man completely to his science jargon. What was he saying anyway? He didn¡¯t actually mean- ¡°Time travel my boy!¡± Beck burst into the lab and immediately set about ordering his few remaining assistants, those that hadn¡¯t already fled for the bunker, around the room to various blinking machines Ryker had no chance in hell of making any sense of. As if to remind them that they were all still in immediate danger another quake rumbled through the complex. Turning, Ryker could almost see the battle playing out beyond the laboratory¡¯s walls. The lab was one of the buildings furthest from the Kaiju¡¯s initial point of entry but that by no means guaranteed safety. It just meant they had a little more time than others. Wanting to speed up this mad gambit Ryker strode up to Beck and immediately asked. ¡°Alright. Fire it up and let¡¯s do it!¡± ¡°Fire it up?¡± Beck said looking almost aghast in his newly donned safety goggles. ¡°This isn¡¯t some random combustion engine Ray. Have some respect for science. It¡¯s going to take at least five minutes.¡± ¡°Five minutes?¡± Ryker said horrified. He¡¯d come under the presumption that whatever scheme Beck had cooked up could be done immediately. Then, time travel or not, he could take the good Doctor and all his assistants down to the bunker. ¡°Those Kaiju aren¡¯t going to wait five minutes for your little experiment Beck!¡± ¡°Well.¡± Beck said sounding slightly indignant as he picked up an auto needle syringe from a nearby table. ¡°They¡¯re going to have to. You can¡¯t rush innovation Ray- ah hold still please.¡± Without any warning whatsoever Beck placed the end of the auto needle against Ryker¡¯s neck and pressed a button. Instantly injecting Ryker with whatever was inside that syringe. ¡°Ow! Fucking Christ Beck! What was that?¡± Ryker said rubbing the spot the needle had punctured him. ¡°Did you just drug me?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Beck said. Somehow having the gall to sound offended. ¡°That was a mixture of macro nutrients, anti coagulants, and a mild stimulant to keep your blood flow strong and healthy.¡± ¡°Well good.¡± Ryker said bewildered. ¡°But really Beck we need to- Ow!¡± Without any pause in between Beck placed the used up syringe on the nearby tray and immediately injected Ryker with another syringe. Stabbing it into the other side of Ryker¡¯s neck, opposite where his hand was holding against the first injection site. ¡°Now I drugged you.¡± Beck said smiling. As if he¡¯d somehow done Ryker a favor. ¡°What was that?¡± Ryker said staring baffled at his friend holding up both hands to each side of his neck. ¡°A fast acting muscle relaxant and mild tranquilizer. It¡¯s completely harmless.¡± Beck said comfortingly. ¡°Oh but please let me know if you are feeling any loss of feeling in your extremities. I will need time for an assistant to prepare the defibrillator before you experience cardiac arrest.¡± ¡°Beck you bast¡­ bast¡­ urd¡­¡± Ryker tried to say finding his words growing sluggish. He licked his lips in confusion as his arms fell from his neck to fall limp at his sides. ¡°I taste coconut.¡± Ryker said out loud. His words coming out thick as he tried to keep from slurring. Sounding more and more concerned as the seconds ticked by. ¡°Why do I taste coconut?¡± ¡°Oh good it¡¯s working!¡± Beck said before calling two assistants over to grab Ryker by the shoulders and haul him onto a nearby gurney. ¡°Hurry please!¡± Beck said to his assistants as they moved an unmoving Ryker to a complicated machine. It looked like the old MRI machines you¡¯d find in hospitals, only if it had been dismantled, and halfheartedly put together again by someone with an affinity for power coils and blinky dials. There was one thing that Ryker did recognize among all the detritus though. A H.A.L.O. connector that you could find on any number of Gen Three Heavy Armors and other piloted devices. The ring around the cord at the end serving as both connecting port for the matching jack in the base of Ryker¡¯s skull and protector designed to operate as a failsafe should there be any overloads in the system that could damage the user¡¯s mind. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Ryker was torn between fear for his own safety from Beck¡¯s hobbled together machine and the very real threat of the Kaiju battle outside spilling over onto the laboratory grounds. Thought they were in an underground section of the labs at least, that provided Ryker at least some small modicum of comfort. As he was hooked into the machine¡¯s H.A.L.O. connector port a string of data and undecipherable formulas scrolled past as Ryker tried to talk some sense into Beck before the experiment could go any further. ¡°Beck.¡± Ryker said deliberately pronouncing his name so his voice didn¡¯t slur. ¡°Listen to me. I don¡¯t know what you think this machine is but it can¡¯t-¡± ¡°It can Ray.¡± Beck said coming close to Ryker his voice absent of all emotion. To the point of sounding hollow. ¡°It used to be different. This machine. It was supposed to come up with a solution for us. I¡¯ve cannibalized all the remaining Artificial Intelligence Processors to make this machine, sorry I didn¡¯t tell you that.¡± Beck said with a small smile. As if the news of the man destroying all their remaining A.I. processors, vitally important resources that were supposed to last Typhon for generations to come, were just a small mistake. ¡°We die Ray.¡± Beck said numbly, his voice fluttering on the edge of sanity. ¡°All of us¡­ I¡¯ve run the simulations. Over three hundred million iterations. Even in the best of them we only make it a couple decades. There is no more hope for us I¡¯m afraid. For anyone.¡± Ryker stared wide eyed at his friend as he absorbed that information. There had been three Artificial Intelligence Processors given to each Ark as they made their plunge into the Earth. They were all incredibly powerful, top of the line quantum processors. A single one would have been more than enough to automate the entire infrastructure of a major city. In addition to all those other functions, they were constantly analyzing terabytes of data and running their own simulations on how that data could be utilized to benefit the city¡¯s inhabitants. The idea that Beck could have gathered all three of them. Typhon¡¯s entire supply that was supposed to jump start humanity¡¯s civilization beneath the surface and utilize them to run a survival analysis was actually within the realm of possibility. That all that processing power couldn¡¯t imagine a future where humanity survived was¡­ ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± Ryker said softly. Beck barked a laugh that sounded on the edge of a sob. ¡°I wish I wasn¡¯t.¡± He said in a whisper. Leaning in close to Ryker. His skin going pale as a ghost. ¡°I made this with the A.I.¡¯s help.¡± He said as he pointed at the machine he was working on. ¡°It should be able to replicate the effects of a quantum tunnel and project your consciousness through an inverted mobius strip to overlay your existing thought processes onto your younger self¡¯s synapses.¡± ¡°Why haven''t you come to us with this before Beck? You know I would have backed you.¡± A rumble rocked the lab again as small tools and trays clattered to the floor. Judging from the strength of the quakes alone the battle above must have been getting closer. ¡°It''s a one way trip Ray. There won''t be any coming back. If it succeeds then all this-¡± Beck gestured to everything around him. ¡°This will cease. This entire God forsaken timeline will have never existed. All the suffering, all the lives lost? They¡¯ll be nothing but a bad dream.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡± Ryker asked knowingly. After decades of working together Ryker knew exactly how Beck presented his experiments. Always with the good news first and the bad news swept under the rug so no one would find it. ¡°The energy involved in creating the quantum tunnel and are as I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware in the excess of several gigajoules. With that kind of power there is a non zero chance of an occurrence that could be-¡± ¡°English Beck for the love of God. You already drugged me and you know I¡¯m up for it.¡± Ryker said even though his doubts about the experiment were voicing themselves rather loudly in his head at the moment. ¡°It¡¯s going to kill you.¡± Beck said after a moment of hesitation. Sounding just as fragile as when Ryker had found him crumpled in a corner of his lab. ¡°In order to fully map your neurons and their unique connections the system is going to override your H.A.L.O.¡¯s failsafes and run a current through your brain. I would have found a way to send myself back Ray, but I¡­ I can¡¯t do it.¡± Beck said pleadingly in a way that made Ryker¡¯s chest tighten. ¡°I¡¯m too broken Ray. There¡¯s something inside me that broke all those years ago and it¡¯s something I don¡¯t know how to fix.¡± Beck said waveringly. A bigger quake rocked the lab that almost sent Beck to the floor if he hadn¡¯t grabbed onto the machine Ryker was attached to. If he hadn¡¯t been lying down Ryker doubted he¡¯d have been able to stay standing either, exoskeleton or no. The all too familiar roar of gunfire seemed to grow closer as the plodding steps of Kaiju and Heavy Armors fought on. There was a part of Ryker that wanted to deny everything. That Beck was wrong about their chances and this machine was nothing more than the desperate attempt of a broken man to convince himself he could fix the mistakes of the past. Ryker was an important figure here, they¡¯d need his help to¡­ to¡­ For the first time in years the weight of everything seemed to fall on Ryker¡¯s shoulder¡¯s as he pondered that thought. What could he do now? He couldn¡¯t fight the Kaiju anymore. With his fried nervous system and spinal cord he¡¯d never be able to step into any kind of Mech ever again. Even the basic and almost pitifully rudimentary Heavy Armors were beyond him now. He couldn¡¯t even rely on his failing body to pilot one in manual mode. And if he couldn¡¯t fight Kaiju what good was he? What could he possibly do for humanity from a desk? Write another memo on how they¡¯d failed to meet projections? How to curb unrest and raise the colony¡¯s morale? And be forced to do all that without coffee? If there was even the smallest possibility that this machine could work, that it could send him back with all his knowledge of future events and decades of honed skills¡­ If that were actually possible¡­ Ryker grinned. The same feral smile he had worn when he¡¯d been in the cockpit of a Mech. His Mech. When he had the monsters that sought to destroy humanity bleeding and trapped in a corner as he strode forward. Making the same promise to them he¡¯d made to every Kaiju he¡¯d ever fought since he¡¯d lost his Mother and Father. Since he lost his unborn sister. ¡°Beck I¡¯m ready!¡± Ryker called to his friend as Beck got to his feet. ¡°Light it up!¡± Watching Beck¡¯s face it was as if hearing Ryker¡¯s words lit a fresh spark in his eyes as he climbed to his feet amid the quaking lab and began pushing buttons and calling out commands to his shaken support staff. One by one, parts of the machine Ryker was connected to began to hum to life. In his mind¡¯s eye, connected to the machine as he was through his H.A.L.O. jack, he could see processes start and begin powering up as the system went through its activation stages. [Preliminary Control Diagnostics¡­ Complete.] [Temporal Containment Shield¡­ 100% Durability.] [Charging Quantum Coils¡­ Output at 39.27%¡­ Insufficient power for sustained Quantum Tunneling reaction] [Rerouting power from auxiliary generators G1, G5, and G13¡­ Complete.] The lights illuminating the room flickered and dimmed as the machine in the center of the room became the brightest source of light. Above, Ryker could see that two half moon metal prongs moved from their recessed positions in the machine to face each other. Static churning along their ends as they began to rotate. The barest flicker of light glowing at the center of their reaction. [Quantum Coils stabilizing at 99.79% Output] [Acceptable Ignition Parameters met. Beginning Quantum Tunnel formation.] The whir of the prongs rose in volume, the pitch going higher and higher until Ryker could no longer hear the reaction itself with his ears. He could only feel it vibrate through his skin and bones as the experiment took place above him. He could even feel the beginnings of a strange almost unnoticed tugging sensation coming from the brightening center of the static. ¡°It¡¯s stabilizing!¡± Beck shouted over the machine. Showing nothing but pure focus as he scrolled through screens of data. ¡°Probability of Entangled Consciousness override has increased to fifty, no! Sixty three percent and climbing!¡± The smile that warmed Beck¡¯s face was equal parts familiar and missed. This is what the man had been made for. Pushing the boundaries of known science to its limits to achieve the impossible. Ryker almost smiled seeing his friend finally shedding the melancholy of his many years of punishing failures. The once in a millennium genius reveling in his work with his lab coat billowing and hair waving wildly. His expression the purest kind of joy you could only hope to experience for yourself one day. It was only for a moment but that was how Ryker would have preferred to remember Beck Wallenstein. In these final moments of his greatest triumph. And not the disaster that would immediately follow. With a deafening lurch a large portion of the lab¡¯s upper and side walls disappeared as a titan fell through the building. Slamming into it¡¯s final resting place less than thirty feet away from the ongoing reaction the Heavy Armor slumped and tried to rise. Internal motors whirring as it tried to force itself to rise. In an instant, even as preoccupied as he was with the reaction currently forming above him Ryker took in the state of the Heavy Armor. The deep gouges in its frame as reinforced carbonite buckled under the attacks of the Drill Maw. The dripping of acid as it visibly ate through to the Heavy Armor¡¯s interior. With a deafening roar now that there were no walls separating the lab from the battle outside. The Drill Maw approached casting aside the remains of the Heavy Armor¡¯s main rifle as it approached. ¡°No!¡± Beck roared. Fingers flying across the screens in front of him as he shouted over the deafening noise. ¡°The reaction¡¯s destabilizing!¡± ¡°Beck! Get out of here!¡± Ryker shouted. Fear for his friend¡¯s life almost giving him the strength to rise from his drug induced state. ¡°Almost there!¡± Beck promised. Despite the imminent threat plodding its way towards the lab his concentration never wavered. Ryker didn¡¯t know who the pilot of the Heavy Armor was. It could have been anyone, the identifying markers along the sides had all been burned away by acid and bio-missile blasts. Whoever they were, they had good instincts. As the Kaiju charged. The right hand forearm housing the Heavy Armor¡¯s Pulse Blade unfurled itself and ignited. Instantly increasing the surrounding temperature as the reactive plasma raced along the blade. With the other hand the Heavy Armor planted its fist directly into the Kaiju¡¯s mouth. Sacrificing the appendage for the chance to get close enough to the Kaiju for a killing strike. The Pulse Blade, easily twenty five feet long, looked more like a combat knife in the Heavy Armor¡¯s hands than a giant plasma weapon. The Pulse Blade drove deep into the Kaiju¡¯s neck as the Heavy Armor wrenched it back an forth. Trying to dig through the Drill Maw¡¯s protective scales and ablative tissues as he tried to sever the brain stem. With a cry of pain the Kaiju tore the Pulse Blade from its neck as blood rained down on the lab like a red waterfall. Kaiju blood was inherently toxic, to humans just as much as the environment. Decades of sustained battles against Kaiju often resulted in large swaths of the continents and oceans being rendered uninhabitable as their blood seeped into natural ecosystems. Causing changes and mutations at a rate that boggled the mind. It was that very blood that had almost killed Ryker in the aftermath of a particularly viscous battle and forever ruined the right side of his body. But the blood¡¯s toxicity was the last thing Ryker feared at the moment. As he reached a weakened hand towards his friend the blood splashed over him completely as it ran through the lab. And to Ryker¡¯s horror saw first hand as his friend¡¯s skin burned as the blood, already at a blistering temperature heated as it was by the Kaiju¡¯s internal Bio-reactor rose even further in contact with the Heavy Armor¡¯s pulse blade. Not even Ryker was spared as the blood arrived at the machine he was connected to and splashed onto it. His position on the gurney saving him as a multitude of smaller droplets scalded his bare skin, but he didn¡¯t care. He only had eyes for his friend. Beck was dying before Ryker¡¯s very eyes. Struggling to stay on his feet even as the Kaiju¡¯s blood burned through his skin and muscle tissue, revealing the terrible white of bone as Beck stumbled forward to the machine. With fingers dripping flesh Beck raised a trembling hand towards a massive switch on the machine. Unable to pull it down with his ruined arm he leaned onto it with all his weight. Finally slamming the switch down as he fell onto Ryker¡¯s gurney. Text whizzing before Ryker¡¯s eyes as he stared his dying friend in the eyes. [Emergency Activation: Immediate Override of Temporal restrictions established.] [Boring Quantum Tunnel now] [Prepping Synaptic Flash Burn in three seconds] ¡°Save us Ray.¡± Beck whispered. His voice sounding unnervingly normal as it came through boiled skin and lips. Beck started into Ryker with eyes like fire, his eyes being the only thing untainted by the Kaiju¡¯s blood. They blazed with purpose even as the light animating them faded away with each passing second. ¡°Save us all.¡± [Two¡­One¡­Initiating Synaptic- Ryker couldn¡¯t even read the text as fire tore through his mind. In the space of a heartbeat Ryker¡¯s entire being seemed to burn as the fire ate through him. Seeming to pull on him somehow as his conscious mind was pulled away from his convulsing body and into the machine. Sent directly upwards into the Quantum Tunnel. The blood that had fallen on the machine, especially the portion undergoing the reaction had settled and swirled around the tunnel like it was trying to punch its way through. The condensed packet of consciousness and memories that was Raymond Ryker. Mixed with the blood of his greatest enemy as his mind entered the Quantum Tunnel and was flung back in time. Back to before the world was lost to man. Back to the right time, but¡­ soon to find himself in the wrong body. Chapter 3 - Identity Crisis The world compressed into a single point as Ryker felt himself dragged along. He could feel himself moving, faster than anything he¡¯d ever felt, but also not. He knew he was being crushed under the weight of his passage, but also felt as if there was nothing left of him to crush. He knew he was freezing, burning, ripping, tearing somehow. But then again was he? It didn¡¯t make sense. None of it made sense. For a fraction of an instant and the length of eternity itself he was no where and everywhere all at once. Then the world came back in a rush. All of a sudden he felt real again. Like he finally had come back to his own body after the worst out of body experience of his life. He could feel himself coiled on himself his arms curled in front of him and his legs tucked in as his eyes opened to¡­ water? Where¡­ Where am I? Ryker thought to himself in a stab of panic and fear before a lifetime of combat training and experience tempered his reaction. I was in¡­ Typhon that¡¯s it. The ship- wait no. That¡¯s not right, the colony. I was at my desk I think? There were the daily progress reports and the hydroponics department had come up short when- Then it all came back. The Kaiju. The Machine. Beck dying as his skin melted from his bones before the pain hit Ryker¡¯s mind and- With a jolt of movement Ryker surged and felt his arms and legs come into contact with something hard that cracked under the impact. Had the machine worked? Had he been sent back into his younger self¡¯s body? He¡¯d still have been living with his parents at the time the machine was supposed to had sent him back. Was he in bed? What had he hit that had cracked? At the thought of his parents Ryker felt an unexpected wave of emotion roil through him. He¡¯d lost them so early in the Kaiju¡¯s first appearance on Earth. They hadn¡¯t even been able to see him graduate from High School. A need surged in Ryker, even overcoming the years of conditioning combat had taught him. I have to see them. Ryker thought fiercely. I have to see them! He pressed against the the cocoon of blankets he¡¯d no doubt wrapped himself up in as a teenager. He didn¡¯t care what the sound of the cracking was. It could have been his bed, his headboard, even his wall. Ryker didn¡¯t care in that moment. He¡¯d break through anything that kept him from seeing his family again. With a force of will and effort Ryker broke apart whatever had been holding him in place. Feeling liquid spill out along with him as he slid to the floor. Liquid? Ryker thought in confusion. Was I sleeping with water bottles? Wha¡­? Blinking rapidly Ryker tried to wipe the liquid from his eyes with fingers that felt too thick and stubby. They didn¡¯t feel right. He only felt three of his fingers moving on each hand, and his nails were wicked sharp for some reason. Sharpening into points at their ends. He hadn¡¯t done that as a teenager had he? That couldn¡¯t be right, it didn¡¯t make any sense. The trill of concern Ryker heard stopped him cold as he shifted his eyes to look up. Staring down at him was a row of sharp fangs attached to a predator''s body. A body scientists had compared to velociraptors with their smaller arms and compact frame before they had been known by another name. Kaiju. Ryker¡¯s mind blanked and adrenaline surged as he processed only the most essential of information in an instant. Stage One Kaiju. Newborn Hatchling. No visible DNA evolutions or adaptations. Ryker didn¡¯t act in that instant. He¡¯d long since learned that waiting to consciously act in combat situations could be the most dangerous thing a person could do. There were places for action certainly. But not in the middle of battle. So in the moment Ryker¡¯s mind finished its assessment of its enemy Ryker did not act. He reacted. The same way he did whenever he was face to face with monsters. Ryker lunged from the ground. Desperate to get at the monster¡¯s vulnerable eyes before it could tear his throat out. He couldn¡¯t spare any further thought for his family or situation. Every ounce of his focus was centered on the current moment. With a cry of pain the Kaiju Hatchling reared back in pain as Ryker dug a thick finger into one of it¡¯s eyes. Trying to get away from him even as Ryker rode up on it, tripping it to the ground as it fell over due to his weight throwing it off balance. It tried to lash out at him but Ryker pulled himself close to the beast¡¯s head. Digging his sharp nails into its head as if they were claws. It¡¯s still young! Ryker thought as he had the beast down. No stronger than any animal! Kill it! Kill it now! Holding the Kaiju¡¯s struggling head down to the ground. Ryker instinctually reached for a rock to smash the hatchling¡¯s brain in but his thick clumsy fingers fumbled the thing almost immediately. He couldn¡¯t get a hold of it properly. Even as he tried to grip it again and again. His finger¡¯s just weren¡¯t working. With a surge of strength the Kaiju underneath Ryker threw him off as it roared pitifully at him. But Ryker was merciless. Coming at the Kaiju again, desperate to end it before it got its bearings and bit into him with those teeth. Ryker dodged a bite by ducking low and driving a hand under the Kaiju¡¯s jaw, slamming its mouth shut as Ryker wrapped both of his apparently useless hands around the beast¡¯s neck. His sharp fingernails digging into scales and flesh even as the hatchling struggled to fight back. In a moment of panic, as he was flooded with fury at the Kaiju in his home and fear for his family Ryker¡¯s instincts drove him to do something he¡¯d never done before. Even in his storied life as an Ace of the Archangels, the best Mechanized Combat Squad humanity had ever fielded. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Ryker bit into the Kaiju. Hard. In that moment, Ryker wasn¡¯t sure what he was more shocked by. His own instincts driving him to bite the monster or just how far his own teeth sunk into the Kaiju¡¯s throat. He felt his teeth cut deep through warm scales and muscles. Until the gush of hot blood spilled into his mouth. Blood that didn¡¯t burn him from the inside out thankfully, since the Kaiju had no internal Bio-reactor heating it to boiling. A wave of almost primal hunger drove Ryker further even as a portion of his mind grew more and more alarmed at his own actions. He bit harder and harder even as the hatchling struggled to get him off. The flailing of it¡¯s limbs growing panicked as it tried to cry out in pain. Roaring into the monster Ryker wrenched his head from side to side, and felt something give in the hatchling¡¯s neck. A crunching crack that he could feel between his teeth as the hatchling fell limp to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. For a split second Ryker had to struggle to force himself to drop the Kaiju from his mouth. Before he could even begin to understand why he¡¯d felt that way or why he¡¯d bit into the Kaiju the way that he had he got a good look at the environment around him and froze. Because lying on the ground around him in clumps of two or three were two dozen pulsating ovals. Each one roughly five feet in height filling the interior of the space he was in. Eggs. Two of the eggs lay broken open with their viscous embryonic fluid spilling across the floor. Mixing with the blood leaking from the hatchling¡¯s corpse. With a startled realization Ryker realized that the room he¡¯d woken up in wasn¡¯t his old bedroom at his parent¡¯s house, like it should have been if he¡¯d been sent back into his younger body. The walls were old and chipped concrete, something that hadn¡¯t seen use in years if not decades. It was the kind of place he couldn¡¯t imagine his younger self, bull headed as he¡¯d been back then to have ever gone to. Much less a place that would have housed Kaiju eggs. In the same moment Ryker stood shocked by his surrounding another egg cracked nearby. Its occupant stirring within as it tried breaking out of its shell. Memories hit Ryker in rapid succession. From the days when Kaiju eggs had spawned in clusters on the Earth for the first time without rhyme or reason. The news reports of missing hikers and break ins attributed to bears or other wild animals. The rare sightings of hatchlings downplayed as crackpot conspiracies and the result of AI generated images. All the while giving those young and weak Kaiju the time to hunt and feed. To grow stronger and larger than any natural animal that had ever walked the Earth. Then the news had grown more dire as the hatchlings grew bolder and attacked larger and larger gatherings of people. Then had come the National Guard once it had become clear that mundane police forces weren¡¯t equipped enough to hold back the monsters. But by then it would already be too late. Thriving towns and outlying suburbs were turned into battlegrounds as the hatchlings¡¯ massacres continued. Death tolls rising to the triple digits as people in every part of the country fled to the safety of the more fortified major cities. Ryker remembered it all too clearly. Even more clearly than the faces of his friends and family in those days he¡¯d been evacuated. The ravaged hospitals, the trampled remains of a farmer¡¯s market¡­ The sounds of screams tearing through his school as he ran down the hall. Sneakers slipping in the red on the floor as he forced himself to look straight ahead. Not down. Not at the people lying on the ground who¡¯d never move again. In the space of a heartbeat every question at his situation had gone. The decades of experience and training that helped Ryker kill the hatchling mixed with something raw and volatile that banished all higher thought. The hatred that he¡¯d carried with him for so long overflowing until the only thing he saw was red. Before the nearby hatchling could begin to break out of its egg completely Ryker hurtled into it with a vengeance. His hands raking over the newborn again and again until he tore ribbons of flesh off its hide amid fresh spurts of blood. Before the ruined form of the hatchling had even stopped twitching Ryker was past it. Smashing into egg after egg after egg. Utterly merciless as he killed them one by one. Slashing. Stomping. Biting. Ripping. Tearing. Every egg smashed and newborn hatchling slain meant one less monster in the world. One less family destroyed by the loss of loved ones taken by their insatiable hunger. One less city wiped off the map by an unfeeling monster. The lives that would be spared these hatchlings wrath as they matured could have been one or one thousand, it didn¡¯t matter to Ryker. Only that these Kaiju died. In his enraged state smashing eggs had caused some others to stir and crack open themselves, faster than Ryker could get to them. He turned towards five of the remaining newly hatched Kaiju, covered in blood and viscera as they recoiled in fear of the human in their midst. Almost too eager to move forward and tear into the monsters in front of them Ryker roared at them. The volume of his shout loud enough to surprise him and to drive them back. Running out of the large room they were in as Ryker huffed with exertion. Half mad in his frenzy he chased after the fleeing Kaiju without even a single thought to do otherwise or a weapon in his hands. His blood was too hot, the memories too sharp in his mind. There was nothing else, only the kill. Skidding around a corner, and moving through a hole in the wall Ryker came into a broken down bathroom. The monster was right there. Over the sink. Wretched looking and covered in gore. It stood just as tall as he was. Ryker charged at it the same time the Kaiju leapt for him, jumping in the air as he met the monster and- The mirror shattered. With a cry of alarm Ryker bounced back and fell on his side. Stunned for a second as his vision swam. He raised a hand to his head, worried he¡¯d broken his nose but felt several sharp pricks as he tried to touch his face that made him wince. Trying to rise to his feet Ryker placed a hand on the ground to push himself up but froze as the sound of claws raked the concrete underneath him. Bewildered, Ryker looked down at the ground, at the scaled three fingered claws splayed out before him. Adrenaline spiking again Ryker jumped back, away from the appendage that, to his shock, traveled with him as he hit the wall of a bathroom stall. In a panic Ryker reached out with his other arm to grab the thing and¡­ Covered in red blood spatter all the way up to the elbow, another arm, the dark green scales a perfect match for the other glimmered even in the faint light of the darkened room as Ryker stared. Stared and stared as dread filled his core and realization dawned. No¡­ Ryker thought numbly. His mind rejecting what his own eyes showed him. He moved his hands palms up, even though he couldn¡¯t see them in the light. And the monster¡¯s hands mirrored his. He moved his thick feeling fingers and the monster¡¯s finger¡¯s matched his every twitch. No! Ryker wanted to scream. Tried to scream. But his mouth couldn¡¯t form the words. His lips refused to move to make the right sounds as a groaning roar bellowed from his chest. With a desperate panic deeper than Ryker had ever known he clawed at his arms, at the scales on his chest, tearing angry red furrows into himself as if he could reveal his human self underneath the monster that had stolen his body. Eyes rolling in his head looking for escape he saw a large shard of the mirror lying on the floor across from him reflecting back at him. Lying on the ground, staring right back into his eyes were the molten yellow irises with vertical slits for pupils of a Kaiju hatchling. Covered from head to toe in the gore of the other hatchlings Ryker had just killed, their blood staining its teeth as it¡¯s mouth opened in horror. Ryker screamed. And the monster roared. Chapter 4 - Systems Check In the end it was grief that finally calmed Ryker down enough to think clearly. He was standing outside the abandoned radio station that had served as the home for the kaiju hatchlings Ryker had slaughtered. No, not just slaughtered, Ryker admitted to himself, the nest he¡¯d been somehow born a part of. Rain washed down Ryker¡¯s face as he let the water run down his body. It was a light rain, the kind he¡¯d almost forgot existed before Kaiju like Storm Breaker weaponized the Earth¡¯s weather against humanity. It was soothing in its coolness. Closing his eyes as he tilted his head upwards he could almost make himself believe he was in his human body. Almost. But the illusion broke down with every sensation he felt in his new form. Some things felt like they stood out to him more than they ever had as a human, like the smells of the forest that had grown up around the abandoned station and the smell of wet concrete. But others were more dull, clearly less than what they¡¯d been in his human body. The trees and other flora around him were muted in color. Like a filter had been put over his eyes. Even the range of his vision grew significantly less in clarity the farther out something was. He¡¯d always had perfect eyesight growing up, so the limited nearsightedness of his vision disturbed him, somehow just as much as looking at his body had. Like it was one more nail in the coffin of his human psyche. Whispering¡­ You failed. Slumping in the rain, Ryker let his head fall as he looked towards the wet earth at his feet. Eyes distant as he felt the water trickle down over the scales of his snout and over the protective film of his eyes. Coming all together at the tip of his face to make a small waterfall that splashed little bits of dirt and mud onto his ankles and fe- no¡­ No, he¡¯d just be lying to himself if he didn¡¯t admit it. The water splashed dirt onto the claws at the end of his legs. The sharpened ends of them digging into the mud even as Ryker balanced on them. Beck¡­ Oh Beck¡­ Ryker though with a pained shake shake of his head. You did it, you actually did it. You made the impossible possible and I managed to screw it up. Even in his own head Ryker could logically see that he wasn¡¯t to blame for the accident but he couldn¡¯t help himself. In his mind if something went wrong, there was always another way. If bad things happened and you couldn¡¯t stop them, it was your fault for not finding a better way before it was too late. And Ryker could see clearly what had happened that had caused the experiment to go so wrong. It had been the blood. The torrent of Kaiju blood from the Drill Maw that had fought against the Heavy Armor as they crashed into Beck¡¯s lab. It had splashed everywhere, including the machine Beck had created to send his mind back in time. There must have been some reaction there, either his mind got pulled along into the Drill Maw¡¯s original body as it was born or¡­ something. Ryker didn¡¯t know. He just wished he¡¯d been there for Beck earlier, talked to him more. In those days back in Typhon Ryker had purposefully avoided Beck for some time, just because seeing his friend so broken by the world and the demands he¡¯d put on himself hurt Ryker too much to bear for any length of time. Maybe if he had, the machine could have been done faster, the experiment activated before the Kaiju attack had ruined it. Before the kaiju had killed Beck. With a snarl Ryker shook his head at the memory. As if it could be driven away like a wild animal before it came too close to hurt him. But Ryker saw it all, remembered it all too clearly. It was the callous nature of it that made Ryker tremble in anger. The kaiju, like so many before it hadn¡¯t even seemed to notice how their actions killed those just trying to survive around them. It hadn¡¯t even made an attack against the lab itself. Not with bio-missiles or melting the building away with its saliva. It had just bled on the building as it attacked the Heavy Armor. That was it. Ryker hated, absolutely hated of thinking of his friend¡¯s death as an accident. It was as if using the word lessened the blame he placed on the Kaiju that had killed him. Like it was some form of forgiveness for not meaning to kill his best friend. For not meaning to pervert the only chance Humanity had of saving itself. It wasn¡¯t fair. Nothing about any of it was fair. Ryker curled his claws into a crude imitation of clenched fists. Uncaring even as the tips of his claws bit into his palms. Then there was what happened to him. The violation of it was enough to almost send Ryker screaming in rage again. At the air, at the wretched dark green hue of his flesh, at any higher power that would allow this to happen to him after everything he¡¯d been through. The distant flash of thunder lit the clouds and reverberated through the air as Ryker turned towards the sky in a fury. Haven¡¯t I done enough! He tried to shout. But for the hundredth time his throat mangled the mangled the words before they even reached his mouth. His body incapable of even imitating basic human speech patterns. Haven¡¯t I suffered enough! He tried again but only the roar of a monster left his mouth. As if in answer the thunder rumbled, lighting up the sky as it arced between the clouds. I gave everything I had for the fight! Lost everything! What more can you take away from me!? As the clouds roiled and shifted above the rain grew heavier. Leaving Ryker cold for the first time since his rebirth. With a huff he stomped back inside the relative safety of the station¡¯s roof as he continued to himself. Fine¡­ Fine. You¡¯ve never held back before. It¡¯s almost par for the course. I might as well be blaming myself for not seeing this coming. Ryker thought with a grim smile. You think I can¡¯t take this too? I¡¯ll do anything. Everything¡­ to fight for a future where humanity doesn¡¯t die alone under the earth. A world where every last Kaiju is nothing but a memory. Moving through the building. Ryker inadvertently found himself at the same bathroom he¡¯d stumbled into before. Large chunks of glass littered the ground but even more were still held in place on the wall above the sink. With a bit of reluctance Ryker stepped forward. He wouldn¡¯t run from this. Couldn¡¯t. If he wanted to make the most of his situation he had to come to terms with what he was now. Think of it as a Systems Check for the old girl. Ryker thought suddenly. Smiling for real at the thought of the Archangel he¡¯d piloted way back when. Coming forward and placing his claws on the edge of the sink he glared into the mirror and looked himself over. Tilting his head from side to side he got a good look at his face. The yellow of his eyes stood out immediately, contrasting greatly with the dark green of his scales that covered him completely. Lifting a claw he traced the contours of his snout, down to the slits on the end that served as his nose. Carefully he pulled down on a lip to reveal the sharpened teeth that had killed his first Kaiju so soon after waking. First weapon. Fangs. Ryker thought clinically as he ran his serpent like tongue over them. Close range only. Single target. A good finisher, but I¡¯ll have to be careful in combat if using them means overextending myself. Tracing his claws down his neck to his shoulders and arms he took those in as well. Turning them over as he regarded them. They were covered in dark green scales just like the rest of him, only the scales seemed to thicken somewhat on his palms and three fingers before his claws. Which still held a keen edge even after all he¡¯d put them through in killing his litter mates. Second weapons. Claws. Ryker thought. Getting a feel for them as he tested their range of motion. Close range again. Though they could be used to hit multiple enemies. Versatility and fine motor control are lacking. Full range of motion is¡­ reduced but still serviceable. That was true. Even though he¡¯d never be accused of being a gymnast in his previous life at least he¡¯d been able to move his arms above his head and behind his back. Something his new arms didn¡¯t seem to be able to do as well. Their ability to move was limited to what was immediately in front of him or to the sides. ** His chest was a concern though. Running a claw delicately over his healing self inflicted wounds he frowned as much as his alien features would allow. It was covered in more scales like the rest of him but that meant it was only as durable as the rest of him. Armor. Basic Scales. Only able to resist minor damage. Weak to slashing and piercing attacks. As a former pilot, Ryker felt a pang at not having any extra armor over his frame to protect his organs. He¡¯d have to resolve that weakness somehow. Eyes traveling down his body he was reluctant to focus on the newest and most alien of his appendages. A thick, almost rudder like tail. Extending back almost half again his body length, so about three feet or so. Third weapon¡­? Appendage? I have no idea. Ryker thought with an audible sigh as he moved his tail from side to side. Limited utility. Very limited. Not a good weapon for bashing or anything really. He mused. Noting how moving it affected his center of balance. Good for adjusting my balance and keeping myself from tipping over I guess. His whole body was rather forward leaning he supposed. Giving him that predatory look even as he stood still. Looking between his legs, Ryker allowed himself to feel a pang of loss that was mixed with relief at not having any dangly bits to expose to the elements or kaiju attacks. Grateful for the first time that Kaiju were entirely sexless and lacking any reproductive organs whatsoever. It was one of the reasons scientists the world over had driven themselves crazy actually. Figuring out what came first, the Kaiju? Or the egg that made it? Last thing I ever wanna think about is how Kaiju eggs get... made. Ryker almost gagged. Literally. No, that wouldn¡¯t ever be a possibility thankfully. That secret could stay undiscovered for all he cared. The only way he would ever interact with other Kaiju is if he was killing them or they were killing him. Simple, just the way he liked it. His legs were just as animalistic as the rest. Digitigrade like a dog or cat¡¯s instead of plantigrade like a human foot would be. Leaving three claws at the ends of each toe. Third weapons. Claws again. Hind claws? I guess they¡¯re hind claws. Ryker mused as he hopped in place. A bit higher than he¡¯d originally meant to as he hit the floor and had to swing his tail around to keep from falling over. A bit springier than I¡¯d expected. Ryker thought surprised as he jogged in place. Each leg feeling primed to launch him forwards. Should be good for closing the gap between enemies and if I get the drop on them I can¡­ Aw shit! Ryker tried to kick the air like a MMA fighter but almost immediately lost his balance and fell over. Growling in irritation he brushed some dust off his scales and huffed. Okay, so anything more than walking, running, and jumping are gonna need a bit of work. Good to know. I¡¯ll have to practice that. So final review. Ryker thought clapping his claws together and not making the sound he wanted. He tried to clap his claws together awkwardly for the next thirty seconds before giving up and continuing. I¡¯m built for close range, or at least my body is. Claws, fangs, and the speed to close gaps between me and other Kaiju. I can¡¯t take a great amount of damage so I¡¯ll need to pick my battles. That means ambush tactics, stealth where I can while I¡¯m still small enough to enter buildings and between trees without toppling them over. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. That made Ryker pause a bit as he stared at himself anew. He¡¯d been thinking of his current body as a loadout of sorts. As if the weapons he was born with were the only ones he¡¯d ever receive. But that wasn¡¯t the case at all was it? He was a Kaiju now. And that opened up possibilities that he¡¯d never even considered. Could I¡­ Ryker began. Turning towards the room he¡¯d left all the dead hatchlings in. Could I actually¡­ grow stronger? Like those bastards do? Grow new weapons? In a daze he walked back towards the carnage he¡¯d left the room in. Grimacing only slightly at the sight of what he¡¯d done in his rage earlier. He stepped through the blood and stood before the dead meat of a hatchling. Licking his lips subconsciously as he stared down at it. In the space of a moment he was drifting back as a memory pulled itself to the surface. ¡°Thank you all for coming.¡± Beck had said to them all as they gathered and sat in the conference room. The memory was sharp with the pain of Beck¡¯s recent loss at the hands of the Drill Maw. Mixed with bittersweet joy at seeing his friend in his prime. Beck was younger then. His wild brown hair at least looking like he¡¯d attempted to slick it back under control. Leaving the graying edges of his hair displayed for all to see. Ryker had taken a seat near the back. Fresh from deploying near the Californian front. He leaned forward in his chair, eager to drink in everything Dr. Wallenstein had to tell them. The meeting had been arranged by command to allow their best Mech pilots a chance to better understand their enemies by hearing more about them. Straight from the man who had quickly risen to the top of the list of current experts on Kaiju. It was the first time Ryker had seen Beck in person and well before he¡¯d gotten to know the man more intimately. It would be years yet before he counted him as one of his closest friends. ¡°My name is Doctor Beck Montgomery Wallenstein. I¡¯m the lead researcher in understanding Kaiju biology and behavior. I can¡¯t say that we have a complete understanding of the threat we¡¯re facing but I can give you a solid idea of what Kaiju are capable of and why.¡± The screen behind Beck whirred to life as he moved to grab a pointer. ¡°With that let¡¯s begin.¡± The diagram displayed a number of figures. All recognizable to every pilot seated in the room. The first was the smallest the newborn hatchlings that continued to be born into the world even after many of them grew. The others were the Kaiju at different sizes with a six foot tall human in the bottom left corner for scale. ¡°We believe to have come up with a classification system for Kaiju. One that should be able to encompass them as a whole and allow us to be better able to determine the range of their capabilities and what threat they pose.¡± With a flick Beck tapped the screen where the hatchling was next to the human for scale. The human being larger than the hatchling by at least a whole foot. ¡°These hatchlings fit into a category we are calling Stage One of Kaiju development and maturity. Many if not all hatchlings seem to be born with the same physical characteristics and abilities. On a genetic level hatchlings are nearly identical. With their only developed weapons being their teeth and claws. Newly born they lack any of the¡­ adaptations we see in larger Kaiju.¡± ¡°With a steady consumption of organic material.¡± Beck said with only a grimace. ¡°They can grow in size in only a matter of weeks. From five feet tall to eight, then ten, then beyond.¡± Beck said as he tapped each larger silhouette in example. ¡°Topping out at roughly twenty feet before they cocoon and evolve into the next Stage. Ah, yes? You had a question?¡± A woman with burning red hair had her hand lifted high and dropped it as she was called on. Answering in a cool and easy cadence. Like the lecture was on simple physics instead of killer monsters. ¡°Yes Doctor thank you. Could you explain how exactly they grow so large so quickly? I¡¯m no scientist but the rate they seem to mature is just baffling to me. It doesn¡¯t seem to be possible.¡± ¡°Yes, I will admit there are many things we had believed to be impossible that these Kaiju seem to do effortlessly. As for how they mature so quickly, the answer is frighteningly simple. Tell me, have any of you noticed any Kaiju droppings in the field or any other waste products?¡± The sudden question had everyone turning in their seats to look at each other. It was a rather distasteful question, Ryker thought before the implications of that made him realize what the Doctor was getting at. ¡°I¡¯ll bet that none of you or anyone else for that matter has seen anything like that in the field. The reason for that is that Kaiju break down everything they eat. And I do mean everything. Be it organic or inorganic in nature. Everything they consume their bodies use. Without fail. In fact I don¡¯t believe Kaiju even have any of the necessary bodily functions to expel waste because they don¡¯t create any.¡± ¡°What that means practically speaking is that even if their meals only contain a set amount of useful nutrition like proteins they get almost ten times more out of eating than any other organic creature could ever dream to. They break down the bone, fat, calcium, enzymes, trace minerals, everything. Anything inorganic that we¡¯d consider to be dangerous to eat or even lethal is reduced to such a basic level that they find ways to apply that to their own bodies. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve all seen the footage coming out of Brazil and the Kaiju there that has been gorging itself on the country¡¯s mining operations right?¡± Ryker grunted to himself as he recalled the footage. The Kaiju there looked less like the organic monsters he¡¯d been fighting and more like a living mountain. With spikes of crystal and metal forming parts of its body. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say that if there was one word to describe Kaiju biology as a whole¡­ it would be optimized.¡± Beck said with a mixed expression as he turned back to his diagram. ¡°Now that you understand why a Kaiju grows so quickly let¡¯s move on to how they begin acquiring their unique abilities.¡± Replacing the images of the differently sized Kaiju a double helix took up the screen that was highlighted in three different sections. "If Stage One Kaiju are newly hatched then it would serve you well to think of the abilities they acquire at that stage to be, foundational, in a manner of speaking. The building blocks that cement what the Kaiju is capable of and what it¡¯s form will take once it evolves to Stage Two. We¡¯ll come back to what Stage Two means after this I assure you.¡± In a short animation each of the three segments of the Kaiju¡¯s DNA was separated and put into their own columns. Beck pointed to the first one that was highlighted red. ¡°This segment of DNA is what governs the Kaiju¡¯s overall musculoskeletal structures. How they work, the forms they take, and so on. It is primarily what determines a Kaiju¡¯s innate strength and constitution and the abilities it takes on relevant to those areas.¡± Moving onto the next portion of DNA, this one highlighted blue Dr. Wallenstein continued. ¡°This portion here is what governs the development of the Kaiju¡¯s neurosensory organs and networks. It¡¯s innate perception, its own intelligence, and even develop new organs and abilities. The ability of some Kaiju to take in information, then adapt and process it is¡­ frightening to say the least. Their immense electrical output just to maintain their brain activity is almost equivalent to an electronic signal jammer or a small yield EMP.¡± The last portion of DNA the Doctor covered was yellow. The man seemed to squint in frustration as he took it in before addressing the crowd of pilots. ¡°This last segment is a bit tricky. It governs a Kaiju¡¯s Cardiopulmonary functions, but also extends to¡­ other areas. The adrenals for example, as well as the rest of the endocrine system and an area we are tentatively beginning to refer to as ¡®Offensive Biologicals¡¯. An area I¡¯m sure some of you are more than familiar with. This area concerns the, um¡­ well might as well call them what they are, breath weapons. As well as the toxic saliva, the ultra-sonic roars, projectile bone spikes, and don¡¯t even get me started on how the-¡± A polite cough from one of the Doctor¡¯s assistants shook him out of his rambling as he turned to the pilots with an embarrassed smile. ¡°Apologies everyone, it¡¯s been a long day for all of us.¡± ¡°Now.¡± Beck said gathering himself again. ¡°The reason I tell you all this is that there is some hope. These Kaiju seem to have to¡­ well it sounds strange but they have to unlock their own capabilities.¡± Beck smiled as he turned to the pilots. ¡°These gene locks are what prevent most Kaiju from reaching their fullest potential. Something I¡¯m sure none of us at all want so let me explain.¡± ¡°Imagine each segment of DNA were its own upgrade tree in a video game. In a video game you can¡¯t spend your points to get the best abilities immediately no, of course not. You have to start from the bottom like everyone else. And slowly make your way up to the top.¡± Flicking his pointer at the top of the Musculoskeletal segment he continued. ¡°At the end of each segment is a kind of capstone adaptation that is required for a Kaiju to Reach the biological requirements needed to begin cocooning itself and breaking through into the next stage. Ah yes? What was your question?¡± Ryker put his hand down and frowned. ¡°Assuming we¡¯re still using the video game analogy. What are the kaiju ¡®spending¡¯ on their DNA segments? Actually, how the hell are they spending anything at all?¡± ¡°A good question!¡± Beck said pointing at Ryker as he returned to his diagram. ¡°It seems to be an automatic process as far as we can tell but what Kaiju ¡®spend¡¯ is the amalgamation of the caloric capital they¡¯ve accrued through feeding. Once they reach a certain amount it triggers the necessary change in the DNA, and it begins to alter itself to make its changes in the Kaiju. The type of change is determined by whatever the Kaiju¡¯s current needs are and certain environmental factors. Imagine for example two Kaiju, both reach the same portion of their Musculoskeletal gene segments but the changes in both can differ wildly. It can result in one growing wings and the necessary bodily functions to sustain flight and the other could increase in mass until it was permanently land bound. Falling onto all fours to distribute its weight.¡± ¡°Because the Kaiju seem to have limited control over this process it is likely that many never reach the full potential they¡¯d be able to if they reached the end of a DNA segment¡¯s offered abilities and held back on evolving further until they attained full access to their remaining two DNA trees. Hence why many Stage Two Kaiju exemplify only certain core abilities instead of the full range they¡¯d be able to get.¡± Despite not getting called on again Ryker continued. ¡°And what if there is a Kaiju that maximizes it¡¯s potential in Stage One? What then?¡± Beck frowned as he looked to the side, seeming to honestly consider Ryker¡¯s question before answering. ¡°Then I would suggest that you kill it as soon as humanly possible.¡± Beck said bluntly. ¡°For all our sakes.¡± Coming back out of his reverie, and back into his current circumstances Ryker thought on that lecture from so long ago. He hadn¡¯t forgotten it exactly, rather he¡¯d just focused on equipping his own Mech at the time with enough firepower to take on anything that came his way. You didn¡¯t have to think about specific weaknesses or vulnerabilities of Kaiju if you brought a big enough gun to the fight. And in the rare cases that failed he¡¯d always brought along other weapons that he¡¯d use until he found the right one to suit his needs. He¡¯d used almost every kind of anti-armor kinetic and energy weapon the United States had ever fielded for their Mechanized Combat Units. And that was before he¡¯d been hand picked to serve with the Archangels. The nickname he¡¯d earned from that time a perfect reflection of his approach to combat. The Arsenal. Of course. Now I can¡¯t rely on anyone else to equip, resupply, or aid me when I¡¯m wounded. Ryker thought. It¡¯s unfortunate but I doubt I¡¯ll even be able to approach people without them screaming and running away as soon as I get close. I¡¯ll be on my own against other Kaiju until the U.S. kicks its military into gear. So that begs the question¡­ What¡¯s my goal? Naturally Ryker¡¯s mind supplied the obvious. To kill all Kaiju. The same as it always had been. But in the immediate future he needed to put his focus towards something more concrete. The images of five other hatchlings came to mind. The five that had escaped Ryker¡¯s rampage and fled into the wild while he¡¯d been grappling with his new body. That cinched it. I¡¯ll eat everything here. Ryker thought resolutely. Not nearly as perturbed by the idea as he might have been. On the contrary, he was actually drooling looking at the other dead Kaiju. A rumble in his stomach confirming that he was indeed hungry. Get enough calories to hit the first basic gene locked abilities and I¡¯ll see if I can actually influence the whole ''DNA segment'' upgrade process and if I can. I know Beck said the process was automated but that was for stupid Kaiju. If I can control what abilities I unlock¡­ Purposefully guide my evolution¡­ A truly feral smile came to life on Ryker¡¯s face. Feeling for a moment every bit the monster he had now become. Only his prey wouldn¡¯t be the helpless and innocent people of the world. It would be the monsters that sought to grow stronger by feeding on them. He would hunt the hunters. Using their very own abilities and adaptations against them. Starting with the five hatchlings he¡¯d been born with. Chapter 5 - Cultivating... Kaiju? Just breathe Ryker¡­ Just breathe. Ryker thought to himself again as he crouched amid the remains of the hatchlings he¡¯d slaughtered. Only there was barely anything left now that Ryker had had his fill. He¡¯d eaten everything. The meat on all the hatchlings, the bones attached to that meat and even forced himself to crack open their skulls and eat their brain tissues. It was gruesome work, especially since the Kaiju he had feasted on were technically his brothers but that meant little to Ryker. He¡¯d waste nothing if it meant granting himself an advantage. Now if only he could figure out how to get that advantage. Unlike his beloved Archangel and the various systems and interfaces implanting himself with a H.A.L.O. jack granted him there was no system or interface for him to work with here. Being a Kaiju was an experience Ryker was woefully unprepared for. Namely, that he was currently operating on a one hundred percent biological operating system. It was maddening. He could feel his body breaking down his meal in real time and if he couldn¡¯t focus right his own body might grow some stupid adaptation that he couldn¡¯t use. With a grunt of frustration Ryker forced himself to calm down and focus again. He didn¡¯t do feeling things out. He wanted a screen, a menu, a window. Jesus he¡¯d kill just to have a big red button to push with ¡°EVOLVE¡± on the front in big bold text. He was crouching down uncomfortably, not sitting like he wanted to since he couldn¡¯t figure out how to fold his digitigrade legs underneath him. Crouching and waiting¡­ waiting¡­ Urg! Damnit! Ryker snarled at nothing as he rose and paced around the room. Hind claws tearing into the egg shells littering the room in agitation as he moved and brought a claw to his face, tapping at his snout furiously. As if he could force himself to concentrate harder if he could just work out what code to tap into. How the hell did Riley ever do this? He thought with exasperation, thinking back on his former squad mate in the Archangels and the years they¡¯d spent together before then. Deployed out into the field together after the red headed girl left Beck¡¯s conference on Kaiju. She was almost exactly what Ryker was not. Cool and collected in situations where Ryker¡¯s blood ran hot and drove him into the action. ¡°Just an observation Ryker.¡± Riley had told him coolly after returning to base from a fight. ¡°That thing inside your skull is good for more than just taking up space.¡± She¡¯d said almost casually. As if she were offering actual advice. ¡°If you¡¯d actually use it you might not have to get towed back to base by half the squad.¡± ¡°What are you on about?¡± Ryker had answered back with heat. ¡°This about kill counts? Because I got more than you and the entire rest of the squad combined!¡± ¡°I know. That¡¯s the problem.¡± She¡¯d said pointedly. Sipping on a tiny carton of juice through a bendy straw of all things. ¡°Didn¡¯t you grow up watching any cartoons about the power of friendship? Or working together with other human beings? You aren¡¯t alone on that battlefield Ryker, we¡¯re supposed to be a team.¡± Ryker wanted to lash out at the woman but she wasn¡¯t rising to challenge him at all. She didn¡¯t even sound annoyed. Like she was talking to someone about a group project instead of life or death combat. Before Ryker could answer back she continued. ¡°I get it. I really do.¡± She began a bit more softly. ¡°You aren¡¯t the first person piloting Armor to have a vendetta against the monsters out there. But you are someone with the skills to back that up. I mean, seriously Ryker. Do you see that?¡± She said pointing a finger towards the Mechanics bay. Ryker turned and actually winced at the sight of his Mech in its cradle. Whereas the others surrounding it were damaged to some degree and needing resupplies Ryker¡¯s Mech looked like it had been thrown into a building sized wood chipper. A wood chipper with a score to settle. There were massive furrows and gouges in the thickened Carbonite of the Mech than ran across its entire mid section. The arms looked like they were on the verge of falling off. ¡°By all accounts you should be dead. Any other pilot going into that situation very well would be. But not you. You¡¯re a damn fine pilot Ryker but as long as you ignore the rest of the squad to go off on your own, you¡¯re gonna bite it somewhere we won¡¯t be able to help you.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Ryker began. Feeling flustered for the first time in a long while. ¡°I guess that¡¯s my bad. I just can¡¯t help it. Once I see those Kaiju out there- Ow!¡± The woman had actually karate chopped his head. Considering she was wearing the wrist mounted uplink computers issued to pilots before Beck invented the H.A.L.O. system it actually hurt a bit. ¡°Geez lady! What¡¯s your deal?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t act like you can¡¯t change Ryker.¡± She said offhandedly. ¡°The monsters out there are the ones that are slaves to their nature. Not you. So what are you going to do to change that?¡± Feeling equal parts chastened and peeved Ryker tried to answer honestly despite the threat of imminent bonking. ¡°I don¡¯t know actually. I¡¯ve never really tried doing anything else before.¡± For the first time Riley sported a small smile as she held out a hand to Ryker. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to learn. I¡¯ll do what I can to help. I know some guided meditations and mental tricks to keep you on your game without losing it again. What do you say?¡± Ryker remembered thinking very clearly back then that he had thought Riley was just straight up weird. He¡¯d told her as much. But she had done wonders to curb his bad habits during combat after that. Guiding him on how to breathe properly before a battle to center yourself and focus clearly. When had he forgotten that? It had been¡­ With a grimace Ryker stopped pacing and held still as he remembered. It had been in Mongolia. After the Russo-Asian Coalition fell apart trying to kill the endlessly regenerating Kaiju, Spore Tyrant as it choked the air and proliferated across central China with its fungal growths. They¡¯d been trying to plant a hydrogen bomb in one of the Kaiju¡¯s main stalks to keep it from regenerating but the bomb failed to detonate once the surrounding spores began growing into it¡¯s circuitry. Riley had carried the bomb herself into the beast¡¯s body and overloaded her Heavy Armor¡¯s reactor to detonate the bomb. After he¡¯d lost Riley all of Ryker¡¯s old habits returned with a vengeance as he fought more recklessly than ever before. The old lessons Riley had taught him almost forgotten until now. Sorry Riley. Ryker apologized to the air. My bad. I didn¡¯t mean to forget I just¡­ got a lot going on. Just let me think back again. Taking a deep breath Ryker relaxed his tense muscles and just let his mind drift like Riley had taught him. Slowly drawing his focus tighter and tighter as he focused inwards. He felt the alien strength in the beat of his heart and the unnatural heightened nature of some of his senses as he let those distractions drift away as he fell deeper into himself. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Pick something to focus on inside yourself. She¡¯d told him all those years ago. Imagine yourself taking control of it. She¡¯d meant his anger back then of course. But now he was thinking of something else entirely. His Kaiju DNA. He wanted to control that. Needed to if he was going to be of any use to the world. He could picture it clearly. A double helix spiraling up from below. Something that was apart of every cell in his body and his very core. He could almost picture the power there. The abilities hidden behind genetic locks waiting to be opened. Ryker could picture his DNA in his mind but he needed a clearer picture of what he had access to. What colors were Beck¡¯s diagram again? Red for¡­ Musculoskeletal? Blue for Neurosensory. And Yellow for everything in between including the breath weapons. In his mind¡¯s eye he could almost feel the different segments of his DNA separated by their functions. Just like in Beck¡¯s lecture he separated the long spiraling double helix into three colored sections. He could almost imagine each rung of the different DNA trees offering a unique ability or evolution. The upper rungs were almost impossible to sense what their capabilities were. Intuiting that the higher rungs of the tree would only be available once he reached a higher Stage as a Kaiju he limited his focus to the bottom five rungs of each DNA segment. What he¡¯d be able to access as a Stage One Kaiju. In the red corner its strength, its power, its¡­ Ryker thought to himself with a bit of humor in what might have passed for a ring announcer at a WWE tournament. With a small smile at his dumb joke as he focused on the first rung of the musculoskeletal segment. It felt like¡­ All the muscles in his body tightening and strengthening, condensing even¡­ It it were to have a name, it would be¡­ Increased Muscle Fiber Density? Nice. Ryker thought with a nod of approval. Feeling out his internal reserves of energy he¡¯d gained from eating he felt he had enough to pick up the upgrade with plenty to spare. He focused on grasping it. Selecting it even. Firmly telling his body that this was a process he wanted complete control over and would be something he wouldn¡¯t give up. And somehow, despite whatever strange system made up Kaiju biology, it worked. He could almost feel the lowest rung of the DNA segment get highlighted as the gene lock on it released and the energy he¡¯d accumulated went out of him in a rush. Ryker was almost rocked out of his meditative state as he felt his entire body writhe as the muscles inside his body were pushed to increase in number and density. It was like getting a cramp over your whole body instead of just a small cluster of muscles. Ryker wanted to say that it hurt but, it didn¡¯t? Not exactly. It was painful in a way but similar to the burn of a long and extended work out. Pain that promised of future strength. As his body¡¯s muscular system remade itself Ryker refocused on the remaining energy he had left to spend. It would be good for another two abilities he guessed. And behind door number blue we have¡­ Ryker began again as he felt out the Neurosensory segment of his DNA¡¯s first ability. It felt¡­ sensitive somehow. Like it was something that wanted to reach into his senses and crank up the dial. Ryker tried to find the right words to describe it as he felt the upgrade out. Increased¡­ No that¡¯s not right. Enhanced¡­ Sensory Receptors? Not just a single sense? That could be invaluable. Ryker realized. He had just made it his mission to hunt down the Kaiju that escaped from his nest after all. What better way to do that than to enhance his already heightened senses like his sense of smell? Hopefully it would be able to put his visual acuity and other things back on the same level they¡¯d been at when he¡¯d been human. Without waiting another moment Ryker focused on the upgrade as it became highlighted in his mind¡¯s eye and his body went to work. He felt the most annoying itch in his head as his eyes, nose, and other sensory organs tingled as changes were made in them. It was a bit more concerning than the muscle cramps but what else was there to do but bear it? Not like he could complain to anybody about weird feelings in his new body after all. Finally Ryker focused on the last yellow DNA Segment which was an amalgamation of his Cardiopulmonary abilities and everything else in between not covered by the other trees. Feeling out the first upgrade with more confidence now he could tell it was¡­hmm¡­ it felt like a heartbeat somehow. His heartbeat pushing blood out to the rest of his body. It felt like it flowed faster, his heart pumping harder with more ease, his blood taking in more air even as it traveled through his lungs and picked up oxygen to fuel his strengthening body. Some kind of¡­ Hemodynamic Augmentation. Ryker felt certain. He could have used simpler words to describe all the abilities he noted belatedly but he¡¯d spent so much time with Beck over the years that using the bigger words felt better. Alien as his body was now it still needed oxygen to function properly and this upgrade felt like it would let him go further and longer without tiring. Which was why Ryker felt pleased when he took the upgrade with the last of his energy stores and felt his heart thump in his chest. Like a bell it continued to thump as it rang out to the rest of his body as that body augmented itself to work more efficiently. Coming out of his meditative state Ryker was surprised to find the room he¡¯d been in smaller than it had been when he¡¯d entered. Not by a great margin but a noticeable one none the less. Did I just grow a bit? Just from that? I mean¡­ I did just eat some double digits worth of Kaiju Hatchlings but really? Ryker thought bewildered as he went to the bathroom to check his appearance again. Rather than the five foot nothing Kaiju he¡¯d been just a few hours ago. Ryker came into the bathroom almost two feet taller than he¡¯d been before. Gaping at himself in the mirror he was shocked to find how close his head was to the ceiling. He hadn¡¯t needed to bend his head down to move around yet but he was at a height where he¡¯d be able to look down on every human he came across. I should have the height advantage on those five for now. But I¡¯ll have to hurry. Ryker thought. Immediately cooling his emotions. If it was this easy for me to get this large in just a few hours, then that means that other Hatchlings might have done the same. With a surety of purpose Ryker left the abandoned radio station behind as he trekked into the wilderness. The rain had come and gone now. Only the bright shine of the half moon lighting the world from above as Ryker raced through the beams of moonlight piercing the canopy. Feeling a surge of happiness at noticing the slightly improved color tones in the environment as Ryker¡¯s upgraded eyesight took everything in. Empowered muscles pushed Ryker to an easy jog that would have been a light sprint for most humans, thanks to his increase in strength and height lengthening his strides. Tearing up the earth with his hind claws as he weaved between the trees he focused his heightened senses and caught the trace scents of his kin as they traveled together. Ryker remembering a lesson from long ago how young Kaiju hunted in packs until they developed enough to survive on their own. It was good for him since he could follow them all at once and take them down together. But¡­ As long as there¡¯s no one nearby. I can take them down without having to worry about endangering civilians. With a desperate kind of hope in his chest Ryker pressed on following the scent before the Hatchling could grow strong enough to wreak havoc on the world at large. Miles away. After having fled their nest in the midst of their own kin¡¯s mad frenzy, five Hatchlings broke through the expanse of the darkened woods to a slight outcropping overlooking a valley. The largest of them. A full foot taller than the rest since it had gorged on any stray animals it could find as they ran. Stepping forward it took the lead of its brothers. It looked out over the valley, knowing that it should continue to flee but stopped once it¡¯s eyes rested on the bright cluster of buildings in the valley below. They were stark against the moonlight. A small cluster of buildings and tents huddled together like frightened animals in the dark. There was the flickering light of something the primal part of the Kaiju¡¯s mind registered as fire. Which made it shy away at first. But the smell drifting up from below was too enticing to ignore. It had never smelled cooking meat before but it salivated at the stench of it. Rallying its brothers who turned to it for guidance the pack leader. It trilled for them to follow as they made their way down to the valley below. Finding a widened trail made of a flat black rock they made their way forwards not sparing a glance at the sign on the side of the road. In large faded letters with an artistic depiction of a campsite it proclaimed¡­ Welcome to Little Valley Campground! The best campsites and lodgings in the state of Tennessee! We hope you enjoy your stay! Chapter 6 - The Little Valley Incident ¡°Boomer! Boomer come here boy!¡± Kairi called out into the woods for the third time that night without result. With a frustrated sigh she let her hands fall to her waist as she made her way back towards the fire and grill her father had set up over the open flame. Feeling annoyed at the entire idea of a ¡°Family Vacation¡±. It had been her parents idea in the first place. Not hers. They hadn¡¯t even taken her input into account before they told her to pack her bags for three days in the wild. Would it really have been so bad to just relax at home where the TVs and internet were? Her Dad made it sound like living away from all the things that made life worth living was something to be cherished. Ugh. ¡°Dad. I¡¯ve been calling for Boomer all night. What if he¡¯s gotten lost or something bad has happened to him?¡± Kairi said trouncing through the weeds to stand by the fire with her hands crossed over her chest. To ward off the night¡¯s chill just as much as her worry. ¡°Oh Don¡¯t worry about Boomer sweetie.¡± Her Dad said smiling as he kept his eyes on the ribs he¡¯d set up over the fire. Confirming that the ribs were safe and not in need of any more barbeque sauce he turned towards his daughter and waved away her concerns. ¡°He¡¯s a smart dog. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he¡¯s just taking in the great outdoors now that he¡¯s not cooked up inside the house all day.¡± ¡°Well its been a while¡­¡± Kairi said. Trying to come up with a better reason than just her own fears for her dog. ¡°Hey really. If you¡¯re that worried about him don¡¯t worry!¡± He said gesturing to his prized ribs. ¡°I¡¯m basically sending up the biggest smoke flare we can for him. Soon as the wind picks up and carries the smell of these beauties to him I guarantee he¡¯ll come running back. Promise.¡± Mollified a bit Kairi let out a sigh and accepted her Father¡¯s point. Those ribs were smelling pretty good actually. Maybe Boomer would start heading back after they were done cooking. ¡°Okay.¡± She said finally. ¡°I¡¯ll be in the cabin with Mom!¡± ¡°Aw don¡¯t hide in there!¡± Her Dad said pained as he called out to her. ¡°Stay outside! Don¡¯t you wanna spend a bit more time in all this?¡± He said gesturing to everything around him as if it was beautiful. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful!¡± He said cheerily. Desperate to get to her phone Kairi tried one of the best excuses she could think of. ¡°I¡¯ll come back out.¡± She lied. ¡°I just need to reapply some more mosquito repellant.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Her Dad huffed. ¡°Just bring your Mother out with you once you¡¯re done!¡± ¡°Kay¡­¡± She said as she dipped through the thick wood door and into the cabin. It did have a rustic ¡®ye olden times¡¯ kinda vibe. Made of thick wood the space opened up once you were inside. It had actually been kind of neat for the first five minutes Kairi had set up her suitcase. Right up until she¡¯d gotten a whiff of what the cabin¡¯s bathroom. Honestly, something definitely died in there at some point and neither of her parents wanted to admit it. Going straight for her own blow up mattress Kairi plopped down on it and dug under the blanket on it for her phone. Only acknowledging her mom with a short ¡°Hi Mom¡± as she claimed her prize. Her elation dying off almost instantly as she turned her phone on and noticed how dangerously low on power it was. Instincts honed over years of scrolling and texting immediately drove her to begin searching for her charger. A charger that she realized with growing horror she could not find. ¡°But I know I packed it¡­¡± She said to herself. Refusing to accept she¡¯d forgotten something as important as her phone charger. ¡°Mom! Have you seen my- Hey!¡± She said aloud as she saw what was clearly her phone charger plugged into her mother¡¯s phone. Propped up on a window ledge displaying what looked suspiciously like a video conference. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ my charger.¡± Kairi said exasperated as she immediately understood what her mother was doing. ¡°Hmm?¡± Her mother said questioningly. Looking entirely too proper and well kept for someone in this God forsaken wilderness. ¡°Oh. I¡¯m sorry dear.¡± She said removing an ear bud. ¡°I just need to get through this conference call and it¡¯s all yours.¡± ¡°How long is the conference call?¡± Kairi said hopefully. Maybe if it was really short she¡¯d be able to hold out? ¡°Just thirty minutes dear.¡± Her Mother said sweetly. Nope. Too long. ¡°Where¡¯s your charger?¡± Kairi asked after a moment of silent suffering. ¡°I think I left it in the car dear. Why don¡¯t you- Oh yes Mr. Romanov. Did you get the portfolio I sent you? I¡¯ve taken some liberties to adjust-¡± And¡­ she¡¯s gone. Kairi thought bemused as she made her way out the door of the cabin. Taking an immediate left to hopefully slip by her Da- ¡°Hey watcha doing sweetie?¡± He Dad called from his place by the fire. ¡°Just grabbing something from the car! I forgot my uh¡­¡± Kairi''s mind raced for a plausible lie. If she''d said she was getting Mom¡¯s phone charger Dad would tell her not to and then get upset at Mom. Her phone would remain uncharged. ¡°¡­Pocketknife.¡± Kairi said smiling sheepishly. She didn¡¯t have a pocketknife. ¡°Oh sure thing.¡± Her Dad replied to her relief. ¡°Be sure to use your flashlight. It¡¯s a bit dark on that side of the cabin.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She said. Glad to be one step closer towards charging her phone. She fished around inside her jacket pocket and took out the small handheld flashlight her Dad had bought her. Flicking on the surprisingly bright beam as she made her way around the side of the cabin where the firelight didn¡¯t reach and where the pickup was parked. Waving her beam through the dark of the night Kairi could have sworn she saw something move in the underbrush along the outskirts of the forest. Shivering she made her way to the truck more quickly as she popped it open and hopped into the passenger¡¯s side. Where her Mom had sat on their ride there. Rummaging around in the cluttered glove box Kairi wasn¡¯t able to see the first of the Hatchlings take its first tenative steps out into the open. Finally growing bold enough to begin moving towards the strange creatures in front of it and so close to the meal it wanted. But the one by the fire was tall, almost as tall as it was and the sight of fire still concerned the Hatchling enough to hold off on attacking until an opportunity arose. And the pack leader had found that opportunity. The small one had left the safety of the fire and moved into the open. Sitting in plain view within the metal cage. Licking the remaining clumps of fur and blood from the four legged canine that had been its most recent meal it sent out a low note of warning to send two of the others to go towards the fire to take down the big one with the rich smelling meat. It had been tempted to go for that sweet smelling meat before but the fire had given it a bad feeling. So it decided to save the small one for the three of their number as they crept forward. With hunger driving them out of the shadows they stalked towards the metal enclosure their prey had stepped inside. Quiet as the night. Creeping closer and closer¡­ With a note of relief Kairi pulled her Mom¡¯s charger from where it had been hiding. Closing up the glove box she made to get out of the car, hand resting on the handle to open the door when she¡¯d realized she¡¯d almost forgotten her flashlight. Deciding it would be better not to risk moving through the short fifteen feet patch of darkness separating her from the imagined safety of the firelight. ¡°Where did I put it?¡± Kairi said to herself as she checked the seat she was sitting on, then the glove box, before finally realizing that the flashlight had been sitting on the pickup¡¯s dashboard the whole time. Grabbing the light she made herself ready to head out towards the cabin. Hand turning on the door handle as she pointed her flashlight at the window, flicking on the flashlight to reveal- A horror of teeth and fangs. For a split second as Kairi froze the monster outside the window flinched at the light shining in its face before it tried to bite Kairi through the window. The durable plastic composite that had replaced most windows in the early 2040s cracked across its entire frame as the pack leader stumbled back before trying to bite its way through the window again. Leaving the screaming teenager inside scrambling into the driver¡¯s seat to get away from the monster. Her adrenaline pumping as two more monsters appeared out of the darkness. One hopping up onto the truck¡¯s hood to break through the windshield and the other trying to go through the driver¡¯s side window to get at the meal just inches away from them. At the same time Henry Marshall whipped his head towards the heart stopping sound of his daughter screaming two shapes rushed him from the edge of the woods across the fire. Years of drills and training in the Military moved his hands before his conscious mind could even begin to think about defending itself. Pulling the well oiled .45 Caliber semi-auto pistol from his hip his wife had told him to leave at home and firing four times. Two hollow point bullets for each of the monsters rushing him hitting them center mass. The gun shots ringing through the night like cracks of thunder. With twin cries of pain they couldn¡¯t comprehend the Hatchlings stumbled in their sprint for Henry. One falling through the fire tossing the makeshift grill and ribs to the ground as it flailed away from the burning heat of the flames. Sending a spray of embers out into the night. Backpedaling as he kept his gun aimed at the creatures in front of him, conscious mind whirring for a second as it took in the strange scaled predators that were definitely not local wildlife. There was a moment Henry almost giving into the urge to fire again and eliminate the threats in front of him before the Father won out over the soldier within him. ¡°Kairi!¡± He shouted desperately. Running around the corner and flicking on the pistol¡¯s undermounted flashlight. Lighting up his pickup truck in a bright wide beam as he fired two shots at the creature on the hood of his truck. The scaled thing dropping away with a cry of alarm as the monster on the passenger side scrambled away. Leaving one monster¡¯s head peeking out beyond the driver¡¯s side just enough for Henry¡¯s bullet to catch it in the face. Leaving the beast to drop to the ground lifelessly. Three rounds left. The soldier in Henry noted calmly. As he sprinted towards the passenger side door. Almost firing a shot at the beast writhing on the ground he had shot off the hood. Refraining only because he couldn¡¯t guarantee a clean shot on the thing¡¯s head. ¡°Come on Kairi!¡± Henry said wrenching open the passenger side door. The thing hadn¡¯t even been locked. His daughter was crumpled against the driver side door, wide eyed and trembling in shock. She didn¡¯t even seem to have heard him. ¡°Get up girl! Move your ass!¡± He shouted. Regressing for a split second back to the less casual self he¡¯d been in the Military before his wife smoothed him out. It worked on Kairi though. Jolting the girl out of her stupor like she¡¯d been shocked by a live wire. ¡°Dad!¡± She cried out. All but leaping into his arms as he clutched her to his chest. Holding her tight as he scanned the perimeter with his pistol. The beam from the flashlight arcing across the clearing. Stopping once it landed on a pair of glimmering yellow eyes peeking out at him from the nearby bushes. He almost fired a shot at the thing but the hissing calls of the other two monsters he¡¯d shot stopped him. Wheeling his aim back towards the two figures coming around the corner of the cabin together. ¡°Get back!¡± Henry shouted as he quickly put his back to the cabin so the monsters wouldn¡¯t be able to circle and pounce on him. ¡°Hyah! Back!¡± Henry tried again with no results. Being raised in a farm near the mountainous woods Henry had long since learned that predators were almost just as skittish as prey animals. One gun shot should have been more than enough to send the whole pack of these things running. But they hadn¡¯t run Henry realized with a numb certainty, even after the gunshots. Even after he¡¯d shot some of them. And he didn¡¯t have enough bullets for all of them. His extra magazines were in the car. What are these things? He thought tensely. They weren¡¯t bears or panthers or anything he¡¯d ever heard of before. They all walked on two legs, and were covered in scales. Damnit, one of them was as tall as him! It looked like every one of them had walked out of the Jurassic period. ¡°What¡¯s happening!¡± His wife shrieked from inside the cabin and Henry barely turned his head to shout at her through the cabin wall. ¡°Stay inside!¡± He shouted back at her. Maybe he could get to the door and lock them all inside? Henry took a few careful steps as he kept his gun arm pointed at each of the monsters in front of him. Even the ones he¡¯d shot were edging closer. They wouldn¡¯t be able to make it to the door. The window! Henry thought with a surge of hope. With another step back he put his back right next to the side of the window and let go of his daughter who still clung to him. With barely a second of hesitation Henry drove his elbow through the window. The jacket covering his arm doing wonders to protect him from the glass raining down. With a few more backward jabs at it, keeping his eyes on the cautiously approaching monsters in front of him. ¡°Donna! Help Kairi inside!¡± Henry shouted at his wife as she appeared. To Henry¡¯s relief she almost immediately got over the sight of the monsters outside and grabbed for Kairi. Heaving her through the window with a helpful push from Henry, right over the remaining slivers of broken glass with both their adrenaline fueled strength. ¡°No Dad!¡± Kairi cried as he was left alone with the monsters. He didn¡¯t dare take his eyes off them. Certain that the moment he made a break for the window they¡¯d bite into a leg or an arm and pull him back out. Leaving the girls defenseless. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Just as Henry was contemplating how best to get inside with his remaining ammunition the decision was made for him. Two of the scaled beasts rushed him and he fired off two more shots at them instinctively. Leaping through the window glass and all in the split second they were crying out and stumbling away from him. Scrambling to his feet he was just in time to see one of the creatures try and dart its head in through the window. With a focus Henry had only felt come upon him in the heat of battle he zeroed in on the head of the creature and fired his last bullet. The thing¡¯s screech of pain eclipsing any other he¡¯d heard from the others as it fell back out the window. Blood spurting from the hole in its neck as it shook itself. ¡°Block the window!¡± Henry thought as he scrambled for ideas. Dropping his now empty pistol Henry moved to the thick wooden bookcase that had been a part of the cabin when they first arrived. It only had a couple of things they¡¯d put on the shelves, and Henry was grateful they hadn¡¯t put anything heavier on it as he pushed with all the strength he could muster. The bookcase scraping against the floor as he forced it into place. ¡°Hello 911? Please come help!¡± Donna had said into her phone as Kairi clung to her mother now. ¡°We¡¯re in the Little Valley campgrounds! Cabin twenty three! Oh God Henry, they¡¯re trying to get in!¡± Before Henry could appreciate how quick thinking his wife was to call the police so fast something rammed into the bookcase through the window. Causing the whole thing to shudder through its frame. With a cry of alarm as well as more than a little anger. Henry put his hands on the bookcase and shoved it back against the window. Grunting with exertion as he felt the strength of the beast he was struggling against. In the space of a moment Kairi was there right beside him, adding her own strength to help her Father push the bookcase against the window. Then his own wife was there too. His whole family working as one against the monsters at their door. They held like that for he didn¡¯t know how long. But he¡¯d have kept it up for days if he had to. They just had to hold out until the police came for them. Just had to hold out until... A roar tore through the night. Louder and more terrifying than what Henry ha heard from the other monsters. Was there another one out in the woods? He thought with dread. It didn¡¯t just sound menacing, that roar had almost sounded enraged. And he didn¡¯t want to know what a monster like that could do against a simple wooden cabin. ¡°How long until the police get here?¡± Henry grunted. Arms only just beginning to tremble from the constant exertion he was putting them through. ¡°Ten minutes!¡± Donna cried out. Actually letting out a sob of fear as that realization hit Henry. Would they be able to hold out against five of these monsters for that long? Ten whole minutes? ¡°Just hang on a bit longer we can-!¡± The sound of breaking glass made Henry turn his head. Right behind him, where the second of the cabin¡¯s windows was. A single reptilian head was trying to force its way inside, the glass cutting the monster through the thinner scales of its neck as it craned its head inside. Letting out a cry at the prey it was trying to get to and the pain the glass was inflicting on it. Donna and Kairi screamed as they let go of the bookcase and backed up into the corner. Henry bracing himself in front of them both as he drew his hunting knife and held it ready in front of him. He watched with a sense of finality as the monster struggled and finally clawed its way in through the window. Stumbling to the ground as that godawful roar ripped through the night again. Sounding closer than it had been before as the monsters outside roared as well. This is it. Henry thought grimly. This trip had been his idea. Even if his wife had agreed to it with only a little cajoling it had been his idea. He¡¯d just wanted to bring his family together. Take his wife away from work for a few days and bring his daughter somewhere he could spend some quality time with her. Before she drifted away from him as she grew older. Even poor Boomer was probably dead and gone in one of these monster¡¯s stomachs. It wasn¡¯t fair. It wasn¡¯t right. There was an almost laughably absurd sense of relief in Henry as he consoled himself that he¡¯d only have to face the one monster in front of him and not whatever beast was making that roar outside. As he squared up against the monster he had one final thought as it finally righted itself and sighted them. I can take this one. If it¡¯s just this one I can take it! I can take it! Henry roared as the monster charged him. Ready for anything. Anything except the giant that broke through the cabin door in a shower of wood splinters. With his senses stretched to their limit Henry took in the monster in an instant. The thing had to crouch slightly to make it through the door. Jesus, the thing must have been seven feet tall! At least every other monster he¡¯d faced tonight had been a foot smaller than him with one exception that was closer match to his height. But this thing was a giant. Even if it did look like it was kin with all the others with the same dark green scales, claws, and fangs. Henry had only that frozen moment to take it in as it instantly rushed him and his family. Jaws opening wide to a blood filled maw that- Closed on the other monster? Just before the first monster could reach him the larger one had darted forward like a viper. Fangs sinking in deep into the monster as it cried out in pain and fear. Claws coming up to restrain the head and neck of the monster as it struggled to bite Henry and the giant monster both. So close to his face he felt a splatter of hot blood hit his cheek. He was only a few feet away from the Alpha- because what the hell else could it be? Only a few feet away from the Alpha¡¯s yellow slit eye as it took in him and his family with an almost calculating precision. Almost like it was assessing them. It met his eyes for a brief instant and Henry felt his blood chill at the intelligence in the beast¡¯s eyes and the primal fury that reigned there. Then in a feat of strength Henry hadn¡¯t been ready for in the slightest, the Alpha hurled its prey through the nearest wall. In a cacophony of snapping and cracking wood the Alpha hurled the monster through the wall opposite the bookcase. Missing the window entirely and making a new hole at least five feet across. Big enough for Henry and his family to watch the monster crash in a heap through the fire pit, scattering the remaining flaming wood and sending a cascade of embers through the air as the other surviving monsters outside joined it. Screeching as one towards their wounded kin and the Alpha. Frozen still, the Marshalls watched as the massive beast standing over them turned its head to regard them. As if to make sure they were still there before miraculously, it turned and stomped away from them. In a moment it was at the hole it had made with the monster¡¯s body and crashed through it. Making it even larger as it shook the remains of the wall off itself and it squared up against its own kind. The other monsters were wounded at least somewhat Henry knew. He¡¯d shot each one multiple times. But it wasn¡¯t just his own bullets that had wounded the monsters. Some of them had clear red slashes across their hides and bite marks. Had the Alpha really attacked all of them? With the remains of the firelight drifting through the air and the remains of the blaze catching on nearby grass as the only illumination to the night. Henry and his family got a front row seat to the slaughter. All four of the remaining monsters rushed the Alpha, with only one hanging back as it let its slightly smaller kin make the charge. The first of the monsters leapt towards the Alpha with all four claws extended, ready to rake itself over the Alpha¡¯s entire body. With an unnerving level of grace the Alpha stepped in and to the side of the flying raptor. Bringing up one pair of claws into the beast¡¯s neck, halting its momentum completely as it let out a pained choking gag before spiking it into the ground. As the two other beasts arrived to attack the Alpha lunged, slamming into one of the charging beasts with its head and batting it aside so it could close its teeth on the remaining monster. It had tried to bite the Alpha but the claws enclosing it¡¯s jaws kept it from opening its mouth. The claws cutting through scales and flesh as they dug mercilessly into the monster¡¯s head. Leaving the Alpha free to sink its teeth into the beast¡¯s vulnerable neck. The final raptor was the one to finally land a hit on the Alpha. Raking its own hind claws into it¡¯s back as it leapt up on top of the larger animal. The only thing keeping it from sinking its own teeth around the Alpha¡¯s throat was the outstretched claw that pushing the monster¡¯s chest back. The Alpha clearly struggling to keep it at bay as it snapped its head down again and again. Rather than let go of the monster in its jaws the Alpha¡¯s ferocity seemed to double as its teeth sank deeper and deeper. Blood spurted out between the Alpha¡¯s teeth as the raptor tried to get away. Squealing through its clamped jaws as the the Alpha pulled on its head with his claws in one direction and yanked savagely with its head in the other. There was a horrifying ripping sound as the flesh and muscle that held the raptor¡¯s head to its body tore. The sinew and bones of its spine holding it together for the briefest of moments before the raptor¡¯s head came off completely, trailing a geyser of crimson. Dropping the decapitated head the Alpha could finally reach up and grab the raptor on its back and hurl it off. The thing landing nimbly as it circled the Alpha and screeched. The two other remaining beasts the Alpha had batted aside so easily regrouped with their kin, both looking worse off than when they¡¯d began the battle. Stomping a massive hind claw onto the decapitated body of the beast it had just killed, the Alpha seemed to grin savagely as gore continued to drip from its maw. It didn¡¯t roar to show its dominance as it stood over its kill. It didn¡¯t need to. The reds and oranges of the fire slowly spreading around the clearing that caused the opposing monsters to flinch and cry out had no effect on the Alpha. Not even causing it to flinch as it stalked forward, the firelight only serving to add to the intensity of its burning yellow eyes. With the desperation of cornered animals all three of the monster''s rushed the Alpha. And Henry could only watch in numb fascination as the Alpha savaged its smaller kin as it fought back. The fight was impossible to turn away from, like a car crash. Except instead of a single violent moment of collision there was a constant snarling mass of bodies trying to end each other as brutally and quickly as possible. It was only after the smoke started to build around him that Henry was knocked out of his frozen stupor and realized how much the strewn embers of the campfire had spread. The dry grass that had surrounded the cabin was aflame and quickly spreading to the bushes of the clearing. Flames leaping into the low hanging branches of the trees above. ¡°Come on!¡± Henry shouted as he grabbed his daughter and pulled at his wife. Cajoling them forwards even as he kept his eyes glued to the ferocious back and forth of the monsters outside. Without even the slightest hesitation Kairi and Donna followed him out the remains of the front door as they left all their luggage behind and made a break for the truck. Leaping into the front seat Henry''s shaking fingers fought to get the key into the ignition for a heart stopping moment. Until at last he got it in and cranked the ignition. The truck sparking to life despite all the damage and dents done to its exterior. ¡°Drive Henry!¡± Donna shouted from the passenger seat. Henry obliging as he stomped on the gas. The back wheels of the truck spinning in place for a moment before they caught on the earth and drove forward. The lifeless body of the raptor that Henry had nailed in the head with his pistol was barely more than a speed bump as the truck drove over it. As Henry was cranking the wheel in a hard turn, not willing to slow down for a moment to get to the narrow road that would lead out of the campgrounds. There was a blur of movement as the fight between the monsters brought their bodies in front of the truck. The Alpha tearing into the last of the beasts with its claws as Henry desperately yanked the wheel back to not drive into the monster and give it a reason to come after them. With the burning light of the flames riser higher and higher into the night the Marshalls peeled out of the campgrounds as the seven foot tall monster that had saved their lives finished off the dying hatchling by stepping on its head with a resounding crunch. If one of the Marshalls had the courage to look back at the monstrous silhouette amidst the growing flames they would have found that the monster hadn¡¯t moved to chase them at all. Instead it stood still over its kill, looking at the headlights of the truck disappear through the trees with a single claw outstretched and raised towards the fleeing family. A soft despondent cry escaping it that none would ever hear. With a grimace and a shake of his head Ryker dropped the arm he was holding out to the family that had fled for their lives. Staring at his blood drenched claws as the light of the fire around him danced over his scales. Scales that seemed to be more resistant to the heat around him than his original human skin would have been. I shouldn¡¯t have gotten my hopes up. Ryker thought to himself. Feeling more detached from himself than ever as he remembered the faces of each member of that family as they had seen him. Even as he¡¯d saved their lives by stopping the hatchling rushing them their expressions had never shifted away from fear and terror. This¡­ This isn¡¯t going to change. Ryker realized. Letting the small hope of some kind of cooperation or connection with humanity despite his new form wither away. What was he expecting? That people would recognize that he was something more? That they might take the time to understand? He couldn¡¯t even speak English anymore. How would he even begin to get his intentions across to other people? Trap them in a corner so they can¡¯t run away screaming and try carving words into the floor for them to read? How long would it be before he started getting shot at? Before he would have to start avoiding any patrolling Military squads? And even if he did start getting shot at could he really blame anyone doing the shooting? He was already taller than most people on Earth. What rational human being wouldn¡¯t immediately try to gun down the oversized death lizard with big teeth and claws? He¡¯d be able to hide and avoid most people who could light him up with small arms fire for now but what about when he was twice his size? Three times his size? When he¡¯d be a prime target for missiles, armor piercing rounds, and the more lethal Heavy Armors? Ryker took a moment to breathe in and out even as the fire filled the air with smoke. Pushing down all the worries and fears for the future and what they would mean for him. He forced them away and back into the present as he looked over his surroundings. Despite the threat of the forest fire growing out of control, Ryker was almost glad for it. He couldn¡¯t know when exactly he¡¯d arrived in the past but if people were still willing to go outside to camp of all things then it was clear that too many people would be vulnerable out in the wild and blind to the new threats being born in it. Hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, and campers just like the ones he¡¯d saved were some of the first people to start going missing before the threat of Kaiju was known to the public. A forest fire was far removed from any kind of normal warning system but it would make people more alert and aware of their surroundings at least. Hopefully mobilizing them to move away from areas where they¡¯d be in danger and to more populated areas that can offer better means of safety and higher concentrations of firepower. It wasn¡¯t perfect but the entire plan to save humanity had already gone to shit the moment he woke up in the wrong body. So it would do. With only a bit more time before the fire claimed them Ryker moved to collect his kills and eat them. There was the one whose skull he¡¯d just crushed, the one the family had driven over that had been dead when he¡¯d first arrived, the one whose head he¡¯d ripped off, The one he¡¯d torn open with his claws in that mad scuffle with the other- The other one! Ryker instantly came alert. Scanning his surroundings for any signs of the largest member of the hatchlings. The one that had seemed the most cautious of all of them. There was nothing. Nothing at all. Damnit! It must have ran while I was tangling with the other two. Ryker strained his senses to sniff out the trail of the hatchling but the growing forest fire around him burned away any trace of it with smoke and ash. With a very loud growl of frustration Ryker looked back to his kills and the faded markings of a hatchling''s tread marks leading into the burning wood. There was a part of him that remembered the wisdom of all his old allies that told him to let it go. Told him he needed to eat these hatchlings and grow stronger. Not just for his sake but for humanity¡¯s as a whole. He was the only one who knew of future events and could act to stop them before they spiraled out of control. He couldn¡¯t risk losing any advantages that would make him stronger or risk his own safety to hunt down a single hatchling. But Ryker couldn¡¯t hear the rational part of his mind any more. He was staring into the flames of the forest where the hatchling had gone. He could see outlines in the fire. The shapes of buildings breaking and shattering into pieces like they were made of glass. The outlines of hundreds of people running on the ground as they were buried under mountains of rubble. The glimmer of six red eyes glaring into him within the blaze. It was only one hatchling. Only one Kaiju. But Ryker had seen all too many times how much damage a single Kaiju could cause. Which is why it only took a moment¡¯s hesitation for Ryker to leave the easy meals of the hatchlings behind to burn in the clearing as he raced into the blazing forest. Red and orange tongues of fire licking at his scales and exposed wounds as he ran full tilt towards the last direction he could determine the last hatchling had gone. Lungs pumping like a bellows as his upgraded biology processed the oxygen in the air amidst the smoke to feed into his hungry cells and muscle fibers. Pushing Ryker forwards and keeping him going as he ran into the night. Chapter 7 - Priorities One and Two It had been hours since Ryker drove into the forest to find the last remaining hatchling. The slowly approaching light of dawn just beginning to brighten the horizon and mark the passing of Ryker¡¯s eventful first day as a Kaiju. The forest fire that had sprung up during his battle with the other remaining hatchlings had long since been outpaced and left behind by Ryker. With the heat of the blaze struggling to burn as it met the more robust and vibrant greenery of the deeper parts of the wood. He predicted it would likely only need a limited amount of intervention by firefighters to keep it from blowing out of control. That was all well and good but it was a small positive against the raging frustration that made him grind his teeth together as he slowed and came to a terrible realization. He had lost the trail of the Hatchling he¡¯d been pursuing. Without an outlet for his anger Ryker slashed at the closest tree with his claws. Tearing long gouges into the bark as he paced and seethed. Only holding himself back from roaring outright in case by some miracle he was somewhere near enough to the hatchling that he might spook it. Not that he believed he really was but Ryker had long since believed it was better not to try fate if you could help it. Now what? Ryker fumed as he paced back and forth. Digging up furrows in the dirt with his hind claws as he went. I left behind the other hatchling corpses in the fire before I could eat them. Damnit! I might have been able to unlock a new ability if I¡¯d just¡­ Ryker didn¡¯t have to finish his thought. He was well aware of his anger issues concerning Kaiju and how he could make mistakes in the field if they were involved. But it was one thing to be aware of an issue you¡¯re dealing with and another thing entirely to not let it affect your judgement. Which was exactly what had happened to Ryker when he¡¯d gone running after a Kaiju he couldn¡¯t hope to find. Stupid. He glowered. Resting a claw against an oak as he sighed. He brought up his other claw to massage his temples but cursed as he accidently poked himself with his own claws again. Taking a few calming breaths instead of lashing out at a problem he had no hope of fixing, Ryker looked around him. He was halfway up the side of a smooth rise in the earth that led to the top of a mountain. Well, mountain was too big a word for it but it still rose into the air like one. Just one that gently tapered towards the top on one side instead of being an insurmountable rock. ** Finding that Kaiju had been his most immediate goal after coming out the other end of Beck¡¯s time travel machine. It may not have been a complex idea but having that focus on a relatively simple objective grounded him amidst the almost impossible task he¡¯d been given. Now without that immediate objective in sight Ryker was starting to feel overwhelmed again. He was good at what he did, he knew that much. He was a natural born warrior in his Mech and within the body of the monster he now was. But that expertise didn¡¯t translate to big plans and far reaching decisions. He couldn¡¯t plan ahead and anticipate the outcomes of his actions a month down the line. It was why he always lost to Beck when playing chess. He was the far reaching thinker. Ryker was just the talented grunt who went in and solved problems with violence. It also didn''t help that he had spent most of his career in the Military getting told what to do by higher ups. There was a part of Ryker that was almost anticipating some kind of order to come out of nowhere and give him the peace of mind of having a solid idea of what to do. But that would definitely not be happening anytime soon. He¡¯d have to figure it out all on his own. So what do I focus on? What do I do? Ryker thought to himself as he leaned against a tree, thumping his head against the bark as if he could shake out the ideas. I¡¯m definitely one of the first few Kaiju to hatch from eggs. If there are more around here then I could go searching for them. Ryker mused before grimacing at the idea. While it sounds nice on paper there¡¯s no guarantee I¡¯d be able to reliably find eggs in the first place. And even if I do find eggs to break, I can¡¯t get to every egg cluster on the planet before they start hatching. Hmm¡­ Maybe I should just exclusively hunt other Kaiju then? Again, that also sounds nice but just like the eggs I don¡¯t have a reliable way to track them. Even if they do start causing a ruckus somewhere nearby it¡¯s not like I can search up where they¡¯re at and what¡¯s happening on the internet. I¡¯d be clueless until I stumble into them or they stumble into me. Reaching up with one claw Ryker grabbed onto one of the lower hanging branches of the tree next to him. Tapping out a frustrated rhythm on the branch with one claw as he unknowingly bent it. Should I be doing more to warn the world somehow? How would I even do that? Just roll into town and scare people into taking action? Pretend to be a threat so people take the idea of Kaiju seriously? The thought was so comical that even picturing it in his own head it seemed absurd. The idea of ¡°rampaging¡± through a suburban neighborhood, roaring menacingly with arms outstretched like an old horror movie monster, slowly chasing people just fast enough they took him seriously and called the police on him. No, that was just stupid. It wasn¡¯t like his scales or body in general were bullet proof after all. All it would take would be a well placed shot to his head from a cop, soldier, or even just a random citizen with a gun and it would be lights out for Ryker and all of humanity. Ryker continued pondering as he made his way up to the top of the gentle rise. Just to get a lay of the land before figuring out what to do first. But that was when he saw it. Is that? Ryker began before his jaw fell open. Oh¡­ Oh my God¡­ It was at the same time both the most ordinary and most extraordinary thing Ryker had seen in decades. Off in the distance, at least two to three miles south of him was a town. An honest to God town full of people. It was a quaint looking thing from this height and distance. The tallest building in the town didn¡¯t seem to go above three floors. There were a small number of streets and side streets lit by street lamps. Illuminating the town in a picturesque glow in the pre dawn light. I¡¯d almost forgotten what it looked like. Ryker thought wondrously. The wet streaks of tears falling from his eyes as he beheld something he¡¯d thought he¡¯d never see again. The world as it should have been. He¡¯d only been fifteen or sixteen when the first Kaiju broke into the world and changed it forever. Ever since then small towns, suburbs, and everything else in between were abandoned and evacuated so people could move to more heavily guarded cities. The idea that people could live in small isolated towns at all had faded into the back of Ryker¡¯s mind. To the point that even his own childhood memories seemed false and unreal. There¡¯s no anti-air batteries. Ryker continued astonished. No barricades on the main roads or reinforced QuickCast concrete walls. Not even any auto turrets mounted on the buildings or barbed wire lining the streets. It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s beautiful. Ryker could almost see the town come to life in his mind¡¯s eye. How the people would walk down the sidewalks and wave to their neighbors. Meet with friends in the park as they drove to one of the small stores to shop. Head to the restaurant for dinner as they bid farewell and drove back home. It was utterly ordinary. Unremarkable. And it was for precisely that reason it melted Ryker¡¯s heart to the core. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it This is what he¡¯d wanted. What he¡¯d always wanted after it was over. After the killing and the violence. The senseless death and destruction. To live the life he¡¯d lost when Kaiju destroyed the world, his family, and his entire future. Ryker lost himself in the sight of the town he didn¡¯t even know the name of as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. He watched silently as the reds of the sun¡¯s glow painted the town in glimmering reds and oranges that were a thousand times softer than the colors he¡¯d seen in the forest fires last night. He couldn¡¯t say how long he watched it but as the first signs of wakefulness stirred in the town and its people below. Ryker had a single piercing thought. They aren¡¯t ready. And how could they be? They had no idea what was changing in the world around them. No way of knowing how they¡¯d be able to defend themselves against freshly spawned Kaiju. Internally Ryker¡¯s own heart hurt at the thought of so many people being so vulnerable as he looked over the town again. The lack of all the defensive structures he¡¯d found so wonderous before now filling him with alarm. He even took an involuntary step forwards as if he¡¯d be able to do something about it. Once again Ryker cursed that damnable Kaiju that ruined Beck¡¯s experiment. What could he do? It may not have been in imminent danger yet but the threat of hungry hatchlings making their way into town was not one to take lightly. Especially since other groups of eggs wouldn¡¯t have someone like him in the middle of it killing Kaiju before they became a threat. Ryker tried and failed to come up with any kind of plan or way of warning the town before hand that didn¡¯t put himself at risk or in danger. He was just as much a monster as the other Kaiju being born into the world. It would be suicide to try and go down there and warn people. The only feasible thing he could accomplish that might make any difference at all would be to¡­ Grow stronger. Ryker thought with conviction. The idea resonating in his mind like never before. When he had eaten the hatchlings that had given him his first big boosts in strength, sensory ability, and endurance he¡¯d only had the other hatchlings in mind. Too caught up in the new experiences and sensations his monstrous body felt to think further on it. But wasn¡¯t growing stronger the perfect solution to his problem of warning and protecting people? In a way it was the answer to almost every question Ryker had about accomplishing his goal of preventing the apocalypse. How would he help the world defeat Spore Tyrant when it inevitably appeared? He would simply grow strong enough to beat it. How would he help the world defeat Storm Breaker when they appeared? Grow strong enough to defeat it. How would he compensate for not being able to warn people about future threats to the world? Grow strong enough that it wouldn¡¯t matter. How would he protect people from the threats of any other Kaiju? He¡¯d grow strong enough to defeat them. All of them. That didn¡¯t just need to be a goal of his, Ryker realized. As much as it pained him to not hunt down the escaped hatchling and search out for more threats to the world. He needed to make growing stronger his number one priority. His body was still young and it would need a large amount of nutrition to be able grow any larger and unlock the next tier of DNA abilities. Like, a really large amount of nutrition. With fresh eyes Ryker scanned the town again finding what he as looking for after only a couple seconds of searching. Yeah, that¡¯s a restaurant there. And over there is definitely a supermarket of some kind. Ryker thought to himself with a growing sense of certainty. If he wanted to grow as fast and strong as possible he couldn¡¯t just rely on eating the remains of other Kaiju he¡¯d slain. He actively needed to start hunting for fuel for his body just like other hatchlings. He still wouldn¡¯t risk himself going out into the open. But whose to say he couldn¡¯t try hunting for wild buck or other animals in the wilds surrounding the town while he waited for the night to return? Under the cover of darkness he¡¯d be able to move around a lot easier through the town and get to the places that would store all kinds of meats, vegetables, and every other kind of organic substance he could consume to grow stronger. At least while he was still only seven feet tall. He¡¯d still be able to fit inside most buildings at least in the near future. What will happen once I¡¯m bigger? Ryker mused for the first time. Stage One Kaiju ranged in height from five feet to when they were born to twenty feet tall. But that was for normal Kaiju wasn¡¯t it? If he was going to unlock every ability available to him in Stage One then wouldn¡¯t he be a bit taller than twenty feet? Twenty five maybe? Granted that was still a ways away but he¡¯d have to start thinking about how he¡¯d navigate buildings and structures as he grew. There¡¯d come a time when he wouldn¡¯t be able to fit into any buildings anymore and he¡¯d probably have to plow through a wall to get inside to help people or kill smaller Kaiju. The current Armor the military would be fielding before the Kaiju attacked in force would be the generic fifteen foot tall multi tread tanks that replaced the older models of tanks that needed multiple people to operate. It wouldn¡¯t be until the threat ramped up more substantially that the Military would be forced to change its approach to combatting the monsters. They had worked well against the smaller Kaiju in Stage One but once they started getting dwarfed by the monsters they were trying to kill, they started having problems. Growing large enough to be the biggest threat on the block would be paramount to maintaining the strength advantage over other Kaiju. In the short term that might just mean eating enough to grow an extra foot taller or so. If he cleaned out an entire town¡¯s supply of foods though¡­ Well within reason of course. Ryker assured himself. I¡¯m not about to send the whole town into a panic by eating all the food. Just¡­ most of it. That would be the key to protecting the most people possible. Which would be priority number two. He was still the same man who had sworn his oaths to protect humanity. Being in a new body and timeline didn¡¯t change that in the slightest. Stepping down towards the town Ryker wobbled a bit on his feet as he realized for the first time how tired he¡¯d been. Damn. I guess I still need to worry about getting sleep huh? Ryker thought a tad bit embarrassed. He¡¯d basically been going nonstop ever since he¡¯d first woken up in his new body. Moving with more certainty he scanned the surroundings for any kind of natural nook or shelter he could stay in to rest for a few hours. I¡¯ll catch some Zs for a bit. Probably wake up a few hours before nightfall. I can spend a few hours hunting for game and then enter the town when its nice and dark. After half an hour of searching Ryker finally found a cave that could accommodate his large frame and stepped inside. Making himself as comfortable as he could as he figured out the best way to lie down. After some trial and error as he tried laying on his back he settled on laying down on his side curled in on himself with his head resting on the backs of his claws like a cat next to his tail. The cave was only tolerable thanks to Ryker¡¯s physical resistance and new changes. With a sigh he settled in to sleep as he closed his eyes. I wonder¡­ I wonder what I¡¯m doing right now. Ryker thought curiously. He hadn¡¯t taken the time to think about it too much but what was the past version of himself doing? If the experiment failed and his consciousness got sent into the body of a newly hatched Kaiju instead of his younger self like Beck had planned then didn¡¯t that mean that there was another version of himself running around in the world right now? The younger version of himself? For a moment Ryker worried he might have felt some kind of resentment or envy towards his past self but it was almost the opposite. How could he blame himself, a past version of himself for something that they¡¯d had no control over? In a way it was almost comforting thinking about what his past self could be doing at the moment. He¡¯d probably be waking up pretty soon to get ready for school if its a weekday. Ryker mused. Mom will be there helping make his lunch against his will. Forcing him to take fruits and vegetables he never wanted in the first place. After a moment of reminiscing Ryker let his thoughts wander more about his past self. If Ryker¡¯s actions could change the future what would that mean for his teenage self? Would he be able to grow up without all the horrors Ryker had experienced growing up? Would he be able to grow up with his family without having them taken away too soon? If all those things did happen¡­ would that make his younger self a different version of himself or a better one? I hope you become a better man than me Ray. Ryker thought gently. As sleep drew itself over him. Find a girl, settle down, raise some kids of your own. Live the life I never got a chance to. Chapter 8 - Dumpster Dragon This is for the good of the human race Ryker. The survival of humanity itself is at stake. Just¡­ get in there and get it done already! Ryker thought to himself as he wrinkled his reptilian features as much as he could at the smell emanating from the dumpster in front of him. The plan he had come up with to ensure a steady supply of calories and protein had seemed like a great idea back in the cave he¡¯d turned into his temporary base. If he decided to raid all the buildings with meat and food inside them in the same night then there would be no doubt that he¡¯d bring down a massive amount of attention on his head for a comparatively little gain. Even if he had gotten access to a new DNA ability because of it and the attention of authorities on the threat of Kaiju as a whole. That just meant that they would be hunting for him first. And Ryker had no illusions about how well hiding would work as he was now. Even his best attempts at subtlety and stealth would be barely better than nothing at all against satellite imaging and other modern technologies. So the plan was to slowly work up to breaking into the buildings that had the meats and foods he needed. He¡¯d scout out the areas in the dead of night as best he could and satisfy himself by just eating whatever was available in the dumpsters behind buildings that dealt with food. That scouting part had worked better than expected. Even as a seven foot tall monster Ryker was easily able to creep through the long shadows cast by the lone street lamps that illuminated the town¡¯s main drive. The majority of the town having tucked in for the night as there wasn¡¯t any reason to stay up late aside from a dimly lit bar bar that Ryker steered well clear of. Everything about sneaking into the town had gone well, but the one thing Ryker hadn¡¯t anticipated was just how utterly foul some of the dumpsters might smell. With the heightened perceptions of his new body and upgraded senses Ryker literally gagged and dry heaved as he got close to the first dumpster he¡¯d found behind a local deli and bakery. The smells of sickly sweet baked goods comingling with the rank stench of decaying meat. He was still near the dumpster ten minutes later. Trying to hype himself up to make the leap of faith and dig into the ¡°food¡± waiting for him. Intellectually he knew that Kaiju were nearly impervious to illness and poisons unless they were produced by other Kaiju. So eating straight out of a dumpster wouldn¡¯t harm him in the slightest. It was just¡­ difficult to process. I¡­ Am going... To kill so many Kaiju with the abilities I gain from this dump¡­ food source. Ryker tried again for the umpteenth time in as many minutes. Finally edging closer towards the dumpster. His hind claws clicking across the concrete of the dark back alley he found himself in. I am going to unlock an awesome ability that will give me the edge I need to kill Kaiju and save humanity. Future generations will learn of my sacrifice and build schools named after me or statues or¡­ something. Ryker tried cheering himself up but even his own thoughts betrayed the disgust he felt at what he was about to do. Finally in front of the dumpster Ryker hooked a claw under the lid and carefully lifted it up and against the wall behind it. Holding his breath all the while as he peeked into the Dumpster, finding exactly what any person expects when they open a dumpster. There were some things that were recognizably food at least. It was just the fact that they were spilling out of garbage bags that ruined Ryker¡¯s mood. With a low growl of frustration, Ryker leaned into the dumpster easily due to his height. Closing his eyes as he bit into the first thing he could reach. Hearing the flies buzzing as they flied around his head as he hesitantly chewed and¡­ Wait. Ryker thought cautiously. Chewing with one eye open now as he stared at the dumpster stupefied. This doesn¡¯t taste that bad. How am I not throwing up and gagging into another dimension? As if he was sure the dumpster was pulling a trick on him Ryker leaned down and took another bite of the mysterious something or other that had been thrown out with the other trash. Finding the mystery dumpster food to actually be rather palatable. There¡¯s no way. Ryker thought as he tried biting into different rotting shapes in the dumpster and found more and more success as time went by. Is this because¡­ Kaiju actually have shit taste for food? He didn¡¯t remember Beck ever mentioning what Kaiju felt or tasted in his research on the subject but it did make sense the more he thought about it. Even as motivated as he was as a person he doubted he¡¯d be able to force himself to do anything like this in his human body. Hell, he doubted he would have been able to stomach eating and biting into other hatchlings like he¡¯d been doing before if it weren¡¯t for the nature of his new body. Huh. Ryker thought mystified. Well how about that. You know if this is how all of this is going to taste then this might not be as unpleasant a task as I thought. With a renewed sense of purpose Ryker devoured everything in the dumpster. Even going so far as to hop inside to tear open trash bags and eat what was inside those. He was careful not to make a mess in the way an animal would. Keeping everything he was eating within the limits of the dumpster¡¯s four walls. When he was done there was a very obvious drop in the level of trash and waste that was within. Leaping back out of the dumpster Ryker hooked a claw under the lid again and gently guided it back down over the top of the dumpster. One down and another¡­ well I don¡¯t really know how many dumpsters there are total but let¡¯s hope its a lot. Ryker thought somewhat excitedly. If he kept this up he might be able to score enough fuel to purchase a whole DNA ability tonight. The night progressed rather smoothly after that first dumpster. Ryker still had to be careful moving through the town. Ducking between alleys and only crossing the streets when he was sure he was unseen and he could move directly from shadow to shadow. Despite himself he did feel a bit strange having to keep himself hidden in such a quaint little town. It was the kind of place that just seemed to be a nice place to visit overall. Living in the outskirts of a major city growing up made the small town feel like an exotic vacation destination. Hiding within it felt almost wrong. But there was no helping that. Ryker had just managed to get to his fifth dumpster that night. A large one hidden behind a Garden Olive, which was part of a well known chain of Italian restaurants. When he began to feel the reserves of energy within himself grow closer to the threshold necessary to unlock his next DNA ability. He wasn¡¯t there yet, but feeling the progress he was making was a good feeling regardless. Yes! Ryker thought triumphantly. Glad that his plan was finally bearing fruit. Alright, almost there. What should I get next when I have the calories? Taking a nice break inside the dumpster that just barely hid the top of his head if he crouched low, Ryker focused. It was a bit easier going this time around when he drifted down into himself and pictured the different segments of his DNA. Even his own mental projections of his DNA seemed brighter somehow. A bit more life to them then they¡¯d had when he first felt out his new body¡¯s potential. The red segment came into focus as he pictured it. The five rungs of the double helix bright in his mind with the bottom most rung that represented his Increased Muscle Fiber Density upgrade lighting up with its own internal light. Focusing on the next rung of the double helix above that Ryker felt out what the ability was. There was a sense of¡­ Condensing there. Not unlike the tightening of his muscles for the first upgrade. Only the feeling was deep, bone deep even. Increased Bone Density? It¡¯s not flashy or anything but I can see the usefulness. Ryker thought as he pondered how useful that new ability might be. It was almost a bit boring considering his fantastical situation and possible abilities he might be able to acquire as a Kaiju. But boring was exactly what some situations called for. As he was now without any means of getting support, if he was wounded and one of his bones was broken in combat that would drastically reduce his effectiveness. Maybe even to the point where he would succumb to the next Kaiju to find him in a weakened state. He was still a ways from getting the levels of regeneration and defense the later stages of Kaiju had access to so until then it was best he reduce his chances of serious injury. Though with him being so removed from combat maybe he should hold off instead? Deciding he would put off choosing any ability for now, Ryker looked to his other gene segments to feel out the next abilities they offered. The blue segment that represented his Neurosensory functions and upgrades came into view as Ryker felt for what the upgrade did. It was focused to his brain from what he could sense. It felt like there was streaks of lightning zipping between his neurons. Zipping from one corner of his brain to the other. As if his normal neural impulses were amplified with a high voltage electric current. Neural Amplification? What would that even do for me as an upgrade? Let me think faster? Increase reaction times? Ryker thought. Wondering about the ability. Comparing the feeling of his brain increasing in efficiency to electricity wasn¡¯t just a fancy metaphor. It had actually been a major hurdle for Militaries across the globe. As they grew in strength and size the sheer amount of bio-electric energy coursing through Kaiju actually began to affect nearby technology and equipment. To the point where some Kaiju almost acted as living electromagnetic jammers. Ryker grimaced as he let a growl slip from himself. That particular quirk of Kaiju biology had meant that a lot of people in the early days of the conflict hadn¡¯t been able to call for help when a more developed Kaiju came near. He could still remember¡­ No, damnit Ryker. Pull it together. Ryker shook himself before he could lose himself in his memories again. Wanting to move away from those memories he moved onto the yellow segment of his DNA. The one that puzzled Beck for so long and had the widest range of abilities and functions. Feeling out the next ability above his Hemodynamic Augmentation Ryker got a sense of¡­ pain? No, that wasn¡¯t right. It was a kind of itching almost. Focused along points in his upper and lower jaws. It was the first time feeling out an ability¡¯s effects threw Ryker for a bit. He tried racking his brain for what that could mean for himself when it suddenly dawned on him. Venom glands? It¡¯s got to be. Ryker thought with a malicious grin at the damage such an ability could cause other Kaiju. The venom that Kaiju had produced was almost a non issue when Ryker had fought against Kaiju in his Mech. Without any organic material to inject venom into besides the human piloting the machine. Plus if you ever got close enough to a Kaiju for it to bite you, there wasn¡¯t going to be enough of you left to worry about the venom. After reviewing the possible upgrades Ryker made some slight changes to his plan. If I can hit a few more dumpsters before daybreak I might be able to unlock my next ability tonight. I¡¯ll play it as safe as I can for the next day or two. Eat from these dumpsters again while I¡¯m casing out the best place to break into for food. Somewhere that won¡¯t cause alarm and freak anybody out. Last thing I want to do is have people running screaming for their lives though town because of me. With a nod of approval at his plan. Ryker rose to his full height, turning towards the restaurant to find the back door open for some reason. Before Ryker could puzzle out why that was the answer became clear as a small squeak below him made Ryker look down towards the ground and the young man who was standing next to the dumpster with undisguised terror in his eyes. He was holding a trash bag that he looked like he had been preparing to toss into the dumpster before Ryker stood up. Donned in an apron and uniform that marked him as an employee of the Garden Olive, with a small name tag near his heart that read ¡°KENNY¡± in all capital letters. He was literally trembling in fear as he and Ryker stared at each other, frozen still as the moment stretched on. Ryker¡¯s first instincts were to calm the boy down. But unfortunately for him, he forgot for a moment that he was in the body of a giant death lizard. ¡°Don¡¯t freak out.¡± He tried to say calmingly. But instead it came out a low warbling screech as Ryker tried to raise his hands placatingly in front of him. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Kenny, seeing a giant dumpster dragon raising it¡¯s claws up to strike as it cried out. Staring into his soul with those horrifying yellow eyes did what any other rational minimum wage server did when they knew they were alone and no help was near since they were forced to close up the restaurant by themselves. He fainted. With a small groan, Kenny crumpled to the ground in an unconscious heap as Ryker winced. Still holding out his claws out as if to catch the guy. Heaving a distinctly reptilian sigh Ryker stepped out of the dumpster and fussed over the first human in town to spot him. Damnit Kenny. Ryker thought worriedly as he crouched down to check on the guy. Grimacing as he kept his claws away from anywhere it could stab into the man as Ryker felt for his exhaling breath. No blocked airway, thank goodness. I don¡¯t even know how I¡¯d move someone into the recovery position with these things. Ryker thought as he cursed his claws inferior of dexterity compared to his human hands. It was unfortunate to be discovered like this on the first night but on the other hand, it was also incredibly fortunate that the guy had simply fainted instead of running away and screaming bloody murder. I¡¯ll just dip out of town for tonight and- Ryker started until the sight ahead of him froze him still. At the back of the Garden Olive was a wide open door held open by a small stone serving as a door stop. The inner light of the restaurant spilling out the door, almost inviting in its glow. Ryker looked towards the door, then down to Kenny. Then back to the door. Then down once more to glance at Kenny before Ryker tilted his head at the open door. Don¡¯t¡­ Don¡¯t restaurants have large walk in freezers? Feeling like he just stumbled on the first bit of good luck he¡¯d had in a long while Ryker took a hesitant step towards the Restaurant¡¯s back door. Almost imagining that he could smell the wafting fragrance of food and not the rotting things he¡¯d been eating most of the night. Unconsciously licking his lips at the thought of food, Ryker remembered himself before turning to the unconscious Kenny. Clasping his claws together and dipping his head towards the crumpled guy on the ground Ryker silently and passionately thanked Kenny. Like a farmer thanking a benevolent spirit for a great harvest. Only the benevolent spirit in question was an unconscious, undertipped server half laying on the trash bag he¡¯d meant to throw out and the farmer was a scaly seven foot tall scientific enigma being driven around by the mind of a Mech pilot from the worst possible timeline. Almost skipping to the backdoor Ryker eagerly ducked his head to get inside and nearly swooned at the smell of actual food. Cooked food. As much as his new body helped when he had to eat raw Kaiju and raw wild animals, the human part of Ryker had longed for the normal things he¡¯d enjoyed in his old life. Maybe it was the dumpsters he¡¯d eaten in earlier that made him want real food more but Ryker nearly tore through the kitchen area to get to the shiny metal door that marked the walk in freezer. Almost knocking over some small kitchen items in the process. It might not be full. Ryker warned himself. Trying to brace himself for any disappointment he might feel if the freezer wasn¡¯t utterly loaded with food like he wanted. It might be really unkempt or dirty. With rotting fruit in the corners or something. A big fat frozen petri dish of bacteria and other gunk. With bated breath and shaking claws Ryker reached for the handle to the door and pulled it open. Feeling a rush of cool air blow over him as he looked inside in wonder. Shelves upon shelves of perfectly organized fruits, vegetables, and meats met Ryker¡¯s gaze. With tubs of prepped dishes, soups, and pasta dotted around the freezer as Ryker stared, eyes going wide. He didn¡¯t even notice the line of drool leaking from his mouth as the heavenly scent of everything drew Ryker inside the freezer. The door shutting behind him with a click as the interior light came on. For a heart stopping moment Ryker was almost paralyzed by the overwhelming amount of choice before him until a freshly written label on a large bucket practically stole all his attention. The plastic wrap covering the top reflecting the interior light and shining like the halo of an angel. Oh my God is that¡­ Chicken Gnocchi soup with dumplings? Outside the Garden Olive almost a full half hour later, the first thing to hit Kenny was the stench of bad pasta and risotto. Jerking awake with hands clamping shut over his nose Kenny shuddered at the smell first and then shuddered even more deeply at the greasy wetness on the back of his neck that had leaked out of the top of the trash bag. Jumping to his feet Kenny made all the appropriate noises as he vainly smeared the ick off his neck with the outside of his shirt. After a moment of frantic cleaning and even more frantic swearing Kenny finally got himself back together enough to remember the reason he was even outside in the first place. Ricky had been feeling especially bitchy today after that full party of twelve that afternoon. What did he expect him to to do? Ask them to wait for their food even longer? It wasn¡¯t his fault their best chef quit for that construction job a couple towns over and left everyone with twice the work. Kenny almost envied the man. No wait, scratch that. He did envy that man. Turning to look around himself, Kenny was just beginning to question why he¡¯d been on the ground a minute ago. It couldn¡¯t have been a bad reaction could it? Weed was supposed to be the safe shit for crying out loud! How the hell else was he supposed to cope with working for tips under a guy like Ricky? Multivitamins? It was only when Kenny¡¯s eyes landed on the dumpster that his addled mind, which had never been very cognizant in the first place, supplied the appropriate memories for him to start panicking. ¡°Shit!¡± Kenny cried out. Scrambling away from the dumpster so fast he tripped over the trash bag still lying on the ground. Whipping his head back and forth down the alley as if he expected an attack to come from any direction. With a fearful shriek Kenny practically leaped back inside the garden Olive and slammed the back door shut. Locking the thing in place as he panted and backed away from the door back into the kitchen. Eyes roving over everything as if he expected the monster to come through the very walls. Where could it have gone? It must have gone somewhere. Kenny had seen enough horror movies to know exactly what happened to the guy who was caught alone. There wasn¡¯t any way in hell he was gonna be the chump that died to the monster first. If anyone deserved to be eaten it was Ricky damnit! Crouching in the corner of the kitchen Kenny got out his phone and after a half second, decided it was absolutely an emergency worth calling 911 over. ¡°911, what¡¯s your emergency?¡± Said a female voice on the other end of the line. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Kenny Olsen.¡± He began in a quivering whisper. ¡°I work at the Garden Olive off of Wendell Avenue. There is a monster outside in the dumpster.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a monster outside in the dumpster.¡± The operator said. Sounding immediately skeptical. ¡°Yes!¡± Kenny whisper shouted into his phone. Gripping it tighter as he brought it even closer to his face to speak. ¡°It was huge! With claws and fangs! It was going to eat me before I-¡± Kenny cut off. Realizing he was about to say ran away. But hadn¡¯t he passed out? ¡°You what sir?¡± ¡°I, uh. I got away.¡± Kenny lied. No way he was ever gonna admit he passed out. ¡°Are you safe now sir?¡± ¡°No!¡± Kenny said immediately. ¡°Are you inside a building sir?¡± ¡°Well, yes.¡± Kenny said lamely. ¡°Why would you not be safe after entering a building sir?¡± ¡°Because it was huge?¡± Kenny said. His answer sounding way too much like a question for his liking. ¡°How would you describe the animal you saw sir?¡± ¡°It was a giant green scaled dragon. With massive claws and teeth.¡± ¡°A¡­dragon.¡± The operator said flatly. ¡°Sir, are you sure you didn¡¯t see a bear?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a bear!¡± Kenny whisper shouted again. ¡°It was huge! It was going to eat me!¡± ¡°Sir, I¡¯m sorry to ask, but have you taken any alcohol or illegal narcotics tonight?¡± ¡°N-no.¡± Kenny stuttered. Now afraid for an entirely different reason. ¡°Okay.¡± The operator said. Now sounding much less urgent than she had before. ¡°I¡¯ll send an officer down to your location to make sure your safe sir. Please stay on the line until the officer arrives.¡± ¡°But what about the monster?¡± Kenny said scared. Almost believing he could hear a sigh through the other end of the line. ¡°Is there anywhere more secure in the building you can stay until the police arrive sir?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t-¡± Kenny said hastily. Thinking about the office that Ricky always holed up in and its thin walls before getting a bright idea. ¡°I know a place I can hide.¡± After a long indeterminate amount of time rushing to stuff himself with every raw ingredient and prepped dish he could find Ryker placed the empty tub of red spaghetti sauce back on its shelf. Licking his claws happily and wanting nothing more than to find a comfortable spot to go comatose until he could stop thinking about Italian food. Unfortunately for Ryker he wouldn¡¯t be able to indulge in that desire. He could already feel his body reach the threshold necessary to unlock his next ability and then some. Ryker was almost regretful how efficiently his Kaiju body broke down fuel for itself. No rest for the wicked. Ryker thought whimsically. Feeling out his DNA segments instinctively and selecting his next upgrade. The choices he had were between Increased Bone Density, Neural Amplification, and Venom Glands. Right off the bat Ryker wanted to go for the Venom Glands. Poisoning other Kaiju mid fight would do wonders for his ability to take down equally sized opponents or even tougher ones if he needed to. Not only that but if any poisoned Kaiju ran away like before he could count on the poison slowing them down or finishing them off. It wasn¡¯t as flashy as the breath weapons and other unique abilities Kaiju developed but as long as it was effective at killing Kaiju Ryker couldn¡¯t be more happy with it. The Neural Amplification was more of a gamble than anything else. Wasn¡¯t he already as smart as a regular human would be? Wouldn¡¯t any kind of brain augmenting upgrades be the most beneficial for stupid Kaiju? The Increased Bone Density on the other hand was a solid increase to his durability and survivability. As reluctant as Ryker was to pass up on Venom Glands he had to admit that as the only chance of preventing the coming apocalypse, he did have a responsibility to make sure he survived more than anything. If he died this early, it wouldn¡¯t matter how many Kaiju he killed. There would still be more that survived and grew to reach their potential and destroy the world. Mentally accepting the upgrade Ryker felt his body immediately begin changing as the gene lock on the DNA ability released. His body burning the fuel he just spent all night accumulating in one go as his bones strengthened. Opening his eyes Ryker straightened and immediately bumped the top of his head against the ceiling. Surprised, Ryker took a step back and then bumped into the metal back wall. The whole room seemed closer to Ryker than it had been just a moment before. Ah shit. Ryker thought as he struggled to turn around in the now tight space. How the hell do I not notice myself growing when I focus on my upgrades? That shouldn¡¯t be something that just goes unnoticed right? Shifting within the now tight space, his body brushing against both shelves on either side of him. Ryker tried to get a feel for his newly upgraded skeleton. Even knowing that he¡¯d physically grown larger he definitely felt thicker now, heavier too. In his last fight against the hatchlings he¡¯d been bowled over by the three Kaiju in their scrabble near the end. Now, he doubted five of the hatchlings could knock him down. Even if he¡¯d still been only seven feet tall instead of eight. Am I eight feet tall? I definitely feel like this is an eight feet tall problem. Ryker huffed internally as he finally got his body turned around. Almost knocking off an empty vegetable pallet off a shelf with his tail as his hind claws clicked on the cold tile floor. He was just about to reach for the door handle when the freezer door opened and a shape quickly moved inside and shut the door. ¡°I¡¯m inside the freezer now.¡± Kenny whispered into his phone as he pressed his ear against the closed door as if he could listen for movement outside through the insulated metal. ¡°That¡¯s great sir.¡± The operator said in a suspiciously bored tone. ¡°Help should be arriving in another few minutes.¡± ¡°Good. Good.¡± Kenny muttered, nodding his head. Stepping away from the door with a flicker of hope in his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll be safe in here.¡± He said softly to himself as he kept his eyes forwards and backed up into a wall. A warm wall? Kenny thought quizzically. One hand going behind him as he felt out the weird pattern that made it up. The cooler isn¡¯t broken. So why would- Kenny¡¯s thoughts froze just as his hand reached a part of the wall that curved and thinned above his head. Slowly. Ever so slowly. Kenny looked up above his head where the dragon¡¯s head was looming above him. It¡¯s piercing yellow eyes burning above him as jaws covered in red parted before his very eyes. ¡°Sir is everything alright? You got very quiet all of a sudden.¡± The operator said completely unaware of the peril Kenny was in. Ryker on the other hand, tried to look as nonthreatening as possible as he loomed over the kind stranger who had unknowingly left the door open for him. But even as Ryker tried not to say anything that would inevitably be mistaken for a feral growl his monstrous features betrayed him once again. The sheepish smile he tried to don causing the man¡¯s expression to morph into one of abject horror. The red spaghetti sauce still spattering his teeth and snout giving the man beneath him the exact opposite impression of his intentions. Then the screaming started. Utterly terrified, Kenny somehow managed to fumble the simple latch for the door¡¯s release in his panic. Even as Ryker tried and critically failed to calm him down. Falling to the floor and screaming bloody murder, Kenny frantically flapped his hands in front of his face to ward off the monster before him as said monster calmly reached a claw above Kenny¡¯s head to open the release on the door. Blubbering as he scrambled out the door on his hands and knees Ryker watched the server with an almost bone deep sense of exasperation as he finally got his feet under him and ran out of the restaurant like a bat out of hell. Still standing in the freezer Ryker put both claws on his face and shook his head, groaning loudly. How the hell is this my life now? Ryker thought wearily as he pulled on the scales of his face. Stepping out of the freezer and hearing the distinct sound of screaming fade into the distance. Ryker looked around tiredly. I¡¯m just gonna¡­ I¡¯m just gonna go home and sleep this off. He thought entirely unamused as he padded to the back door. Opening it easily and only having to partially crouch to exit at his new height, Ryker made his way back towards the direction that would lead him to his cave as the sounds of sirens drifted between the surrounding buildings. Deciding to put off any further dumpster dives that night. Wondering all the while how someone who would do anything to save humanity could feel so utterly done with people. Chapter 9 - Radio Head After spending the next afternoon away from the town for a bit hunting the surrounding wildlife. Ryker was grateful to see that the police cars that had piled up outside the Garden Olive were gone tonight. The moon was out in full with barely a cloud in the night sky as Ryker stared down into the town from his vantage point again. Determining what exactly his next move should be. Will I be fine just going for the dumpsters again? It¡¯s only been a day since I hit them. Would that be enough for them to fill up again or should I just head for the ones I didn¡¯t get to the other night? Ryker thought before cringing at the memory of what had happened that other night. Spooking that poor guy so completely he not only fainted, but also ran screaming from him just a few minutes after waking up. I really don¡¯t want a repeat of that again. Ryker thought as he glanced towards the Garden Olive. It was hard to make out but he was still sure he could see the yellow lines of police tape crisscrossing the front over a broken glass door. Apparently Kenny had broken it in his haste to escape. He better not pin that on me. Ryker huffed as he made his way into town for the second time. Stomping through the brush of the wilderness and staying watchful of his surroundings. Approaching the town from a different side today Ryker finally found out that the name of the town providing all his dietary needs was called Fairview after spotting a sign on the main road welcoming new visitors. Despite Ryker¡¯s recent growth spurt, navigating the town was almost exactly the same as before. Only his steps covered more ground than he was used to and he had to crouch a bit more to stay hidden within the shadows of the squat buildings of Fairview. Making his way to the same dumpsters he¡¯d hit recently, a bit faster now that he knew exactly where they were, Ryker found a depressingly small amount of grub for him to eat. One after the other the dumpsters were only partially filled. It annoyed Ryker that he couldn¡¯t find anything close to what he¡¯d found before, then it annoyed him even more that he was annoyed in the first place. I really have lost it. Ryker mused shaking his head. I think I was actually looking forward to eating out of dumpsters tonight. What the hell. The bright glare of a car¡¯s headlights snapped Ryker out of his musings and he cursed internally as he moved back behind the cover of a building as it went by. Scanning his surroundings again, Ryker stood up to his full height and looked back towards the now empty dumpster he had emptied of contents. This¡­ this isn¡¯t going to keep working for what I need. Ryker thought. It was true though. He¡¯d been given a once in a lifetime opportunity knowing what he knows of future events. Combined with his knowledge of Kaiju biology he had everything he needed to take advantage of his situation and his new body. Sure, he could still keep lurking around this small town and just eat whatever was inside dumpsters. Still keep himself hidden from authorities and the greater threats the Military would pose to him. But did that mean he shouldn¡¯t take any risks at all? Other Kaiju across the world would be born and start growing stronger themselves. Ryker had to make sure that he grew stronger, faster than they could. And there was one place in town that he knew for a certainty would have enough food for him to reach his next upgrade. Maybe even multiple upgrades. The town supermarket. After ten minutes of carefully moving between buildings and through alleys. Ryker found what he was looking for. The local Supermart was easily one of the largest buildings in town. The sign out front lit from within shining out onto an empty parking lot. Peeking out from an alley across the street from the Supermart, Ryker placed one claw on the side of a building absently. Fully two feet above an average adult¡¯s height, and thought about his next move. It¡¯s not a twenty four hour store thank God. I¡¯d probably attract national attention the moment I stomped in and late night shoppers started screaming. Ryker thought gratefully. But if it¡¯s closed down for the night there¡¯s definitely not going to be any open doors I can squeeze through. Those will be locked and I bet if I broke through any there would be a silent alarm going off alerting the police. Then there¡¯s the cameras. Not good. Despite the distance Ryker could still make out the distinct black bulbs that were the Supermart¡¯s cameras. Even if they were ancient by modern standards they¡¯d definitely be able to pick up the hulking dinosaur breaking in to eat all the meat and produce. Looking down the street on either side and making sure there wasn¡¯t anyone outside to see him Ryker dashed as quietly as he could around the Supermart to look for any gaps in it¡¯s camera coverage. The next few minutes were filled with Ryker cursing as he cased the building. Struggling to find an entry point that wouldn¡¯t get him on camera or would require him to bust down a door and trigger an alarm. It¡¯s not like I can just go in through a window. Ryker thought with an annoyed growl. Staring at the building as if he could force it to open for him through sheer force of will. He was behind the building now. Staring at the protruding parts of the building that were likely the building¡¯s back offices. There was the black bulb¡¯s of the building¡¯s back cameras, a shipping container next to the building, and on the roof of the building was the- A skylight? Ryker though wonderingly. Picturing a plan in his head as he tilted his head in thought. No¡­ It can¡¯t be that easy right? It wasn¡¯t easy. Or stealthy. But it did end up working in the end. The plan began with Ryker gathering mud into a claw to hurl at the camera he needed to cover to make his plan work. Only his newfound physiology was woefully inept at throwing objects like his human body had been. He tried again, and again and again. With a greater amount of frustration each time. Until he eventually tried putting mud on his head and flinging it that way. When that utterly failed, Ryker bemoaned his current situation for a solid five minutes. Cursing internally with such heat he was almost grateful for being unable to speak. It was only once he accidentally got some mud on his tail and whipped around to curse into the air for the umpteenth time that night that he got a better idea for flinging mud at the camera. Ryker found that he was actually rather loathe to acknowledge his tail in the first place. Accepting he had a tail felt like a betrayal against his humanity somehow. He¡¯d never wanted a tail. Who in their right minds would ever want a tail? It felt so weird to move and it was big and bulky and green. Without any redeeming features that were actually useful like spikes. He¡¯d be a lot more amenable to his tail if it had spikes. Getting back on track and continuing his plan for food Ryker, quite reluctantly, lathered up his tail with more mud and aimed himself as best he could towards the camera. With a surge Ryker whipped himself in a circle, flicking his tail and arcing a trail of mud through the air. It was less the precise strike he¡¯d been going for and more of a muddy carpet bombing but it was enough to cover the camera completely. Had anyone been outside at the time in the humble town of Fairview they would have been the first witnesses to a dinosaur performing a fist pump in living memory. Stage two of Ryker¡¯s plan involved scaling the shipping container to make a jump for the roof of the back offices. Now concealed by a layer of mud on the camera Ryker strode up to the side of the shipping container. Which he found to his mild surprise to be only a couple inches taller than him. Granted it shouldn¡¯t have made him felt weird at all since he¡¯d spent so much of his life in a pilot¡¯s chair inside his mech. Looking down on the world from a heightened position. But being physically larger than everyday items was a novel experience. After a distressingly long amount of time trying to climb up and maneuver his bulk on top of the container Ryker stood on top of it warily. Having ripped a fair number of new claw shaped holes into the side of the container for his trouble. Ryker walked to the edge of the container and glared at the gap between the edge of the container and the roof. Preparing to make a running jump to leap onto the roof of the supermarket¡¯s back offices. He tried to crouch down into a runner¡¯s crouch but after a moment of glowering at his monstrous physique, he gave up and just ran for the opposite end of the container. Landing with a heavy thud as his hind claws dug into the asphalt that made up the Supermart¡¯s roof. Finally, his goal within reach. Ryker padded over the the skylight and peered down. It seemed to be set above a break room of sorts. There was a fridge in the corner and a microwave with some cabinets nearby. Directly underneath the skylight was a patch of clear floor thankfully. The tables in the room pushed to either side. Too easy. Ryker thought with a Cheshire grin as he reached a claw out to the latch on the skylight. Pulling it open and making a way inside that was¡­ Oh. Ryker thought lamely. Taking in the opening in the skylight that would have easily let a normal sized person slip inside and not the eight foot tall kaiju he had become. Ugh¡­ Damn it all. Ryker thought with a lizard like sigh. Ryker found that nearly a minute later, to his great relief, that the skylight hadn¡¯t been hooked up to any kind of alarm system after he''d smashed through it. Trusting in his increased weight Ryker simply jumped onto the skylight and let gravity do its thing. He fell through the skylight in a spectacular shower of glass and broken metal landing in the middle of the breakroom barely having to bend his legs to brace for the fall. Opening one eye to peek around himself as the last of the glass fell to the ground. No cuts? Ryker thought warily. Looking himself over as he loomed over the normal sized chairs and appliances like the freak of nature he was. Well¡­ I¡¯d still prefer to be human. But I can appreciate how resistant scales are at least. Ryker mused. Now, what am I looking for? Ryker thought as he twirled around and found the exit to the break room. Stomping over to the door through the glass shards littering the ground Ryker took great care to move through the door without breaking anything. He may have been in the body of a monster, but that didn¡¯t mean he was going to start acting like one. Tearing through the place without a care in the world. It might not have been the most efficient method of moving through human sized buildings but this was still a pace people worked. He¡¯d seen enough destruction in his past life, he didn¡¯t have any desire to add to it unless the situation called for it. There we go! Ryker thought triumphantly as he moved through the back rooms of the Supermart and found what he was looking for. The fuse box was big, naturally larger for a commercial building of this size. Padding up to it Ryker allowed himself a moment to feel proud of his plan and the ¡°stealth¡± that he¡¯d been able to pull off before continuing with phase two. Pulling back on the cover of the fuse box with one claw, Ryker flinched as the cover bent beyond what it¡¯s hinges would allow. Snapping off and falling to the floor in a clatter. The sound echoing through the Supermart¡¯s empty back offices as he listened for any response to the noise. Oops. Ryker thought sheepishly. Don¡¯t know my own strength anymore. Satisfied he was truly alone and wouldn''t run into any late night employees, Ryker focused on the switches in the fuse box. Leaning in to read the faded lettering as he traced a claw down the switches until he found the ones he was looking for. Hello interior cameras and lighting fixtures. Ryker thought with a grin as he carefully flicked the switches off. The thought of internal cameras inside the Supermarket had almost convinced Ryker to avoid the place entirely. It would be way too easy after all to pull up camera footage after he¡¯d gone and mark him as the culprit. But with the interior cameras now without power, Ryker could safely move through the store itself without fear of discovery. Moving through the back office space with some difficulty Ryker padded out to the Supermart¡¯s main floor as he looked around the darkened space. Hind claws clicking over the tile as he looked at row after row of shelves that he was now eye to eye with. Was there always this much of everything? Ryker thought bewildered. Moving down an aisle of potato chips and other assorted goods, whipping his head back and forth to take it all in. He¡¯d remembered what it was like early on when major manufacturing plants and facilities were hit and cities all around the globe had to begin rationing their remaining supplies and food sources. Trade between countries had slowed to a crawl as every cargo ship needed armed escorts to travers the oceans safely. Despite himself, Ryker found himself wandering around the shopping center in a daze. Almost forgetting the reason he¡¯d come to the supermarket in the first place as he stared and reminisced. This is what it¡¯s all about. Ryker thought to himself firmly. I may never get a chance to be human again, but it¡¯s not about me. It¡¯s about preserving this for everyone. He could almost see it. The shoppers who would inevitably crowd the store once the sun rose outside. The mothers walking down the aisles with children seated in their carts. The employees going about restocking shelves. The sheer normalcy of the scene sent a wave of warmth through Ryker. They¡¯ll be able to go back to this once it¡¯s all over. I swear it. Ryker promised before turning back towards the section of the store he¡¯d come for in the first place. But for now, I¡¯m gonna have to disrupt the peace. Just moments later Ryker found himself in front of the biggest spread he could have hoped for to fuel his new body¡¯s growth. Meats of every variety, from pork to turkey and chicken filled the meat section of the store as cold air wafted down to the floor. There were even ribs. Reigning in his bestial instincts for a brief period Ryker looked up and closed his eyes. Thinking about the horrible mess he was about to leave for the morning shift. I apologize in advance for this. Ryker sent out. Knowing full well that minimum wage employees wouldn¡¯t care in the slightest that he was sorry or that he was trying to save the world. Then he went to work. Even Ryker¡¯s newly carnivorous appetite was challenged by the sheer amount of food available for him to consume. He tore through the poultry section, literally. Only mostly clearing the meat of plastic before he chowed down on it, sending ribbons of plastic wrappings through the air as he ate. Before long as Ryker worked his way through shelf after shelf. Leaving a mess behind that looked like all the shelf¡¯s contents had been funneled through a carnivorous woodchipper before the remains were left on the floor. After gorging himself, Ryker felt the first twinge of sensation in his body that signaled he¡¯d eaten enough to get another upgrade. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Nice! Ryker thought triumphantly. Nodding as he congratulated himself on his progress so far. It had only been a few days since he¡¯d hatched and already he was making his body a force to be reckoned with. Do I take the new upgrade now or¡­ Ryker waffled for a second before temptation tipped the scales. Heh, scales. Ryker mused. Glad that no one was around to hear his thoughts. Then Ryker closed his eyes for a moment. Imagining those three DNA segments again. Focusing on the yellow segment¡¯s second rung and the venom glands that awaited him. Almost imagining the gene lock that kept the ability from manifesting come free as he mentally accepted it. All at once Ryker felt the accumulated protein and nutrients burn away inside himself as an itch started up in his jaws, not uncomfortable exactly but annoying enough to keep Ryker from eating as the glands grew in. Working his jaws to help the sensation pass Ryker felt along his jaw with both claws. You know, I¡¯m not actually sure how to use these. Do they just work automatically? Passively applying toxins to everything I bite or am I gonna have to do some kinda¡­ I dunno, snake thing. How do I even test these? Ryker thought immediately concerned. What use was a new weapon to use against Kaiju if he didn¡¯t know how to use it? Picking up a turkey with one claw, he looked at it warily. Well¡­ might as well try getting used to it. Ryker thought. A bit hesitant to bite into the turkey now that he wasn¡¯t sure of what he was looking for. I hope I don¡¯t have to do some kinda hissing thing. I¡¯d hate that. Ryker thought as he bit into the turkey whole, like the dead bird was a burger. Immediately Ryker felt a response from his newly grown venom glands, that alien instinct that his new body had been born with acting on its own to clench the unused muscles in his jaw that governed the release of his venom. He felt the venom moving, traveling through his fangs as- ¡°Blegh!¡± Ryker squawked. Dropping the cleanly bitten turkey as he cringed back. Shaking his head as venom dripped out of his teeth and into his mouth, leaving behind a tangy aftertaste. Oh God! Ryker shivered internally. I could could feel it moving through my teeth. My teeth man! Ugh! Ugh, that¡¯s just wrong! Growing up, Ryker had dreaded one thing more than almost anything else. The Dentist. Not so much because he didn¡¯t clean his teeth. It was just that the feeling of having someone poke and prod inside your mouth was one of the few things that made Ryker¡¯s skin crawl. Even though logically speaking the upgrade shouldn¡¯t have bothered him nearly as much as getting stuck in a monster¡¯s body, it was still weird. Very weird. That¡¯s¡­ Ryker thought. Finally calming himself down after a minute. That¡¯s gonna take a lot of getting used to. Doing his best to clamp down on his body¡¯s desire to inject every piece of meat he was eating with venom Ryker continued feasting on the rest of the meat. Sure, he might have been passing up an opportunity to test and get used to the feeling of his venom in action. But Ryker just wanted to get the memory of it out of his head for a bit. Besides, it wasn¡¯t like he¡¯d lose control of the ability. He could put off getting used to it for a while longer. Ryker continued to chow down, working his way up the meat section of the store until he¡¯d made his way through most of the large individually wrapped portions. Edging into the section with the bacon and conveniently packaged sandwich meat that would never survive long enough to be a part of any sandwiches. Ryker continued feasting, only pausing every now and again to check his surroundings in case there was someone nearby. After the Kenny incident Ryker was very cautious of running into any more late night employees. It took a bit more time than Ryker would have liked but after almost exhausting the entire meat section of the Supermart he finally felt the telltale twinge within himself that his body was ready to gain another DNA upgrade. Flicking a reptilian tongue out to lap at the mess on his snout, Ryker beamed. Allowing himself a moment to bask in this minor victory. No god forsaken dumpsters, no late night employees screaming in my ears, and no way for authorities to trace this back to me. Can it be like this all the time? Ryker thought blissfully. Before reluctantly taking a deep breath and focusing on what came next. Falling into himself again Ryker pictured the blue DNA segment that governed his body¡¯s neurosensory potential. The second rung of the segment lighting up as he met the requirements to unlock the Neural Amplification upgrade. Rather than acquire the upgrade straight away Ryker paused to think on what exactly this upgrade might do to him. He was mostly sure that the upgrade would be a pure boon to him but since it affected his mind he didn¡¯t want to rush into it without thinking it over first. Since he¡¯d woken up in his new body his mind and sense of identity had felt as normal as they possibly could be. Jarred by the circumstances of course but ready to adapt as always to changing situations. Like his human brain had been transplanted into the Kaiju completely, without any piece of him missing or feeling incomplete. He was pretty sure he was as mentally prepared for the mental upgrade as he possibly could be. He didn¡¯t feel impaired in any way. If anything, being in a monster¡¯s body made him feel strong. Here goes nothing. Ryker thought as he mentally pushed on the Neural Amplification upgrade. Feeling his body bun through the massive haul of food he¡¯d just eaten for the second time that night Ryker focused on the sensation of is body changing. Only instead of something simple like his muscles strengthening or his bones hardening he felt his mind expanding. The feeling rocked Ryker. Making him take a stumbling step back as he rode out the feeling of lightning arcing between his neurons. He felt a spike in clarity that was almost akin to a massive dose of caffeine. Except the clarity didn¡¯t fade. The ease of thinking and processing his own thoughts increased as well somehow. The recall of his own memories increasing dramatically, heightening to a level that he¡¯d never considered to be possible. It wasn¡¯t a perfect recall but every memory felt brighter in its own way. As his body worked to improve his brain he felt an involuntary shudder go through him as his expanded mind connected to each of his senses. One by one. His pupils dilated as his brain improved the connection to his eyes, drinking in the sensory input and bringing the world into the full spectrum of color that Ryker had taken for granted as a human. The smell of the Supermart immediately dialed up in intensity as his mind parsed the hundreds of smells in the air. The pungent remains of the various meats dominated the air, but through it he could smell the artificial flavor of the plastic wraps that most of the meats had been covered in on the floor. Beyond were the smells of the other foodstuffs wrapped and packaged in the aisles, the faded scent of bleach that permeated the floor, and the fresh smell of unworn fabrics. This¡­ This is just¡­ Ryker thought wondrously as the upgrade continued to connect to his remaining senses. HIs lips parted as the rush of expanding sensation reached his sense of taste. The improvement almost rippling over his taste buds. The lingering taste of uncooked meat of every kind leaping to the fore of his awareness. Making him hungry all over again despite the massive feast he¡¯d just partaken in. Then his sense of touch was next. His minor movements making him hyper aware of the way his scales shifted over his body. The way the cool air ran over him as it left the air conditioning vents from the ceiling above. The grains of dirt and dust under the pads of his hind legs as he shifted over the tiled floor. Finally sound was the last to be hit by the upgrade. He could hear the shifting whisper of plastic as it shifted over the floor. The sounds of the cooling system in the meat section whirring to cool products that weren¡¯t there anymore. There was a light pop in his ears as he felt his sense of hearing grow more and more sensitive. An strange high pitched whine in the air as Ryker scrunched his brow at the noise. What is that? Some kind of upper range sound frequency? Ryker thought questioningly. But from what? The whine went higher and higher. Far beyond what any normal range of hearing should have been able to detect. Ryker focused on the sound. Willing his body to focus on the tune. His upgraded biology was just on the verge of being able to understand what that sound was. He just knew it. Right when the sound became an almost inaudible whine Ryker pushed. Feeling something in his mind give way. Then it hit him all at once. A cacophony of sounds assaulted Ryker all at once. Feeling like they all were beaming themselves straight into his head. He gripped his head with both claws as he let out a cry of surprise and pain at the sheer loudness of it all. ¡°M-m-m-m Midniiiiiiight! Maaaadneeeesss! You¡¯re listening to the top one hundred of the best tunes of the century! Get ready to party, cause this next one-¡± ¡°That¡¯s right Rachel! For just seven easy payments of fifteen ninety nine a month you can have this one of a kind cleaner for your home too! It can handle any mess you-¡± ¡°We got a weird one for you tonight folks. Coming outta Fairview Tennessee our next story is about a restaurant employee encountering a dragon after dark. Listen in to this harrowing tale of survival after our next commercial-¡± ¡°Rahh!¡± Ryker roared in confusion as he tried to get away from the noise. But no matter how much he moved the sounds seemed to follow him. He tried to get away but as he moved back he rain right into the aisle of chips and crackers. Having grown from eight to ten feet tall during his upgrade sessions, something Ryker had failed to notice yet again. He was a full two feet taller than the aisle he tried to catch himself on, his outstretched claw that was meant to catch himself crumpling through the metal shelf as he fell. Bowling over the entire section in a massive crash of plastic and groaning mettle as half the aisle caved under his increased weight. Ryker could barely begin to come back to himself as he rolled on the ground. Crushing bags of chips and crackers as he groaned. Snapping through the remaining shelves in the aisle. Lost amid the noises in his head. ¡°This one¡¯s for you Timmy. One of the greatest hits of George Michael¡¯s career coming straight to you on this beautiful night. It¡¯s none other than the one and only Careless Whisper-¡± ¡°For all you lovers of the best of Classic Power Metal, its the one, the only! DragonForce! Coming in with one of their greatest hits of all time! Through the Fire and Flames! Let¡¯s get it on-¡± There was blaring musical vocals mixed in with normal voices talking amidst commercials, all getting drowned out by the shredding of guitars and the heavy bass of dubstep. It was absolute madness. Ryker cried out for whoever had attached the radio to his skull to turn the damn thing off. Forgetting completely that anything he tried to say would only come out as a monstrous roar. As wild as the sensation was of hearing every kind of frequency at once it wasn¡¯t the first time Ryker¡¯s mind had been utterly overwhelmed by data. It had been when he¡¯d plugged into his mech for the first time, after receiving the surgery for Beck¡¯s newly developed H.A.L.O. jack. The first true neural link that spanned the gap between man and machine. Transforming the weapons that defended humanity from tools into extensions of the self. Long unused training kicked in Ryker¡¯s mind. Compartmentalizing and narrowing down his focus. His recent upgrade to his brain tissues only aiding in the process of recovering from the mental overload. His focus shrunk down. Singling out a single sound out of the noise. A slow beat that was melancholic, forlorn, and catchy as hell. A song his dad had loved to play to annoy his mom. Listening to George Michael¡¯s voice and the smooth jazz of his song helped bring Ryker¡¯s awareness back to himself. After a moment he mastered his breathing as he he rose from the floor. Grimacing at what he¡¯d just been through and the giant mess he¡¯d made of the perfectly good potato chips and crackers section of the aisle. Damn¡­ Just¡­ Damn. What the hell was that? Ryker thought shocked. Pushing the last of the music and radio to the background with a firm mental hand. Kaiju can hear radio waves? I mean, I knew they could affect them. Hell, I know some were attracted to strong electromagnetic signals and others even emitted signals before they developed their bioreactors. But to actually hear radio? In frickn¡¯ high definition? The idea shocked Ryker at first but made more and more sense the more he thought on it. Beck had gone on and on to him constantly about the extremely adaptive nature of Kaiju biology. He¡¯d even performed an experiment once using a Kaiju¡¯s extracted nervous system and brain tissue to replace computer circuits. Standing to his full height again, Ryker finally realized he¡¯d grown again now that the minor crisis was over and he was looking down on the remaining aisles instead of being eye to eye with them. Ryker sighed and shook his head. Are Kaiju just so genetically primed to grow bigger that they don¡¯t even realize when it happens? Is that why I don¡¯t notice? Ryker thought indignantly. Having come from a profession where he¡¯d needed to be hyper aware of his mech¡¯s systems while operating it, having changes happen to his own body that he didn¡¯t notice just rubbed Ryker the wrong way. Like his Kaiju body was insulting him by hiding his growth spurts from him. Trying to take his mind off of his growth spurt and how much harder it would be to continue sneaking around Ryker busied himself with his most recent DNA upgrade. This just feels¡­ not bad really. Just like trying to work through a simulator without an installed operating system. Ryker mused as he tried singling out individual radio signals. Having been trained to operate his neural interface through various menus and control systems Ryker was definitely starting to miss having screens filled with numbers and data. Going by feel wasn¡¯t how he¡¯d been trained to operate but he¡¯d make do. Shame there isn¡¯t a Kaiju tutorial of some kind. Ryker winced. Having accidently blasted himself with some unholy combination of Rap, Opera, and Country Music radio stations. Overall I¡¯d say the upgrade has definitely been worth it. It¡¯s gonna take some getting used to but this new radio reciever in my head could come in handy. Combined with the other benefits to processing sensory input from my upgraded senses and the increase in mental acuity¡­ Pretty solid upgrade. Ryker thought mentally patting himself on the back. Now, what¡¯s next? Ryker thought, going through his next goals. Looking over the aisles at his new height Ryker spotted the dairy section of the store easily. Filled with cheeses of every kind as well as eggs, butter, and everything else you¡¯d expect. There¡¯s still an hour or two before someone will be here to open the store. Ryker thought wondering. I could definitely chow down on the rest of that. Moving out of the mess he¡¯d made of the aisle Ryker brushed off the remains of popped chip bags and crackers clinging to his scales. He debated with himself for a moment if he should try eating everything he¡¯d spilled on the ground before giving up as he looked at his handiwork. Now thoroughly embarrassed he stomped away from the mess as he tried to suppress the guilt at leaving this small town''s store in such disarray. I¡¯ll just help myself to this stuff here and lay the groundwork for the next upgrades. Ryker thought. Trotting over to the dairy products on display, he was about to start gorging on everything in front of him when he felt a signal pass through his mind. One that felt different from the standard radio waves he¡¯d gotten under control. Pausing, he mentally pulled the signal to the forefront of his mind. ¡°-Unit twenty two to Dispatch, we are en route to the Quick Stop Gas Station. Can you repeat that last part? I don¡¯t think I heard you right.¡± ¡°Dispatch to Unity twenty two, caller reported large reptilian creatures attacking the gas station and trying to get inside before hanging up. Likely just a prank call but please investigate.¡± ¡°Ten four Dispatch, we¡¯ll let you know if we find the dragon from yesterday.¡± The officer said with a hearty chuckle. Ryker¡¯s mind raced as he snapped his head up, meal forgotten as he mentally recalled where the gas station was in relation to him as the police radio chatter fell off. That gas station was outside town limits. Ryker thought. Gauging the distance and how far help was from arriving to whoever had called for help. It will take them ten minutes at least to get there using the winding main road. I can get there in five if I run. For a split second Ryker felt a pang of worry rush through him as he thought of how he¡¯d be discovered if he ran towards the fight with no attempts at stealth. He was still small enough to fit between buildings, he could still take the time to lay low and grow stronger. Much stronger. The second passed and Ryker tossed the idea away. That didn¡¯t matter anymore. Not when lives were at stake. Hang on! Ryker prayed as he ran for the store¡¯s locked front doors, hind claws digging through the tile as he hurled himself down the aisles. Hoping that the people at the gas station could survive long enough until he got there. Ducking his head and crossing his arms in front of him Ryker smashed through the front doors of the Supermart like a runaway freight train. Tearing a solid chunk out the wall above the doors in a rain of glass, metal, and brickwork as his expanded frame had no hope of squeezing through any normal door anymore. Skidding on the asphalt of the parking lot Ryker dashed towards the direction he knew the gas station was. His increased height lengthening his stride as he ate up the distance. Stomping down the town¡¯s main drive without worrying at all who could see him. A car was about to make a turn down the main drive, cutting Ryker off as the driver inside looked up in a panic. Lighting Ryker up completely as he caught the Kaiju with his headlights. Watch it! Ryker snarled at the man as he desperately swerved out into the road, almost clipping Ryker in the leg as he ran by. In mere moments Ryker was at the edge of the town and darting through the woods. Stray branches shattering to pieces as Ryker¡¯s bulk smashed through any obstacle too small to worry about dodging. As the ground grew steeper as Ryker moved up a sharp rise in the landscape he didn¡¯t try to find an easier way around. He leaned into the climb as he tore up the hill. Even falling to all fours as he used all his claws to dig into the earth and pull himself upwards. Making sure he didn¡¯t go tumbling backwards and waste precious time. Just hold on! Ryker thought. as he crested the rise and saw the telltale shine of artificial lights in the distance that stood out amongst the dark woods surrounding it. Even from this distance he could see a number of shapes moving around. The glint of scales catching Ryker¡¯s heightened perception immediately. Rushing down the hillside, even snapping a small sapling in his haste. Ryker ran towards the danger. Hoping he wasn¡¯t too late to stop the monsters from tearing into their next meal. Chapter 10 - Crisis at the Quick Stop Danika let out a breath as she closed her eyes and counted down internally. Three¡­ Two¡­ One¡­ Snapping open her eyes all at once and flashing her brightest smile she tried again. ¡°Danika Danvers here in Fairview Tennessee investigating the recent rumors that have been spreading through the countryside like the wildfire that authorities got under control so quickly just a few days ago. A harrowing report from a late night employee at the local Garden Olive has caught people¡¯s imaginations and just isn¡¯t letting go. I¡¯m here with my crew from Channel Seven to¡­¡± Danika tried to keep up her carefully practiced ¡°I want to be here face¡± but as she reached the next part of her prepped spiel her smile cracked like the mirror she was staring into across from the filthy gas station sink. ¡°I¡¯m here with my crew from Channel Seven¡­¡± She began before heaving a massive sigh, finally putting her hand down that was holding an imaginary microphone as she leaned on the sink for support. Her long brown hair cascading around her face as she kept going. ¡°¡­To go to a small town nobody cares about and talk to the locals about a monster that doesn¡¯t exist. Sorry, almost got my facts wrong there. A dragon that doesn¡¯t exist. So I can look stupid standing in front of dumpsters it¡¯s scrounged through so my boss has a segment he can play as a pallet cleanser after all the important news has aired.¡± Shaking her head and trying to convince herself that her career wasn¡¯t currently in the gutter Danika left the gas station bathroom, very carefully avoiding the mystery stain on the floor as she found her ¡°crew¡±. ¡°Mack, how much longer till we get to the motel? We''ve been driving all day.¡± Danika asked. Danika¡¯s one and only camera man pulled out his phone to check the GPS again, a small shock of hair peeking out under the reversed baseball cap he wore on his head at all times. ¡°Maybe ten, fifteen minutes out give or take.¡± He said stoically. ¡°We couldn¡¯t have stopped at the motel instead?¡± Danika asked. Now sounding pained as she joined her camera man to stalk the aisles of the small gas station. ¡°Gotta resupply.¡± Mack said simply. Poaching a bag of gummy bears off a shelf, without even a second¡¯s hesitation. ¡°Besides, if I don¡¯t keep the van topped up on gas Chester is gonna have a hissy fit when we get back.¡± ¡°Ugh, this whole trip bites.¡± Danika said annoyed. ¡°Just another wild goose chase for the network to have something to air when nobody¡¯s watching. Aren¡¯t you getting sick of reporting on news like this all the time Mack?¡± ¡°Not really.¡± Mack said honestly. Sniping the last bag of chips on a shelf that was hidden behind other, less important flavors of chips. ¡°Come on Mack.¡± Danika said pleadingly. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to report on the big time stuff? Travel the world covering the news that really matters?¡± ¡°That¡¯s your thing D. Not everybody wants to be the new hotness.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Danika said trying a different approach. ¡°But don¡¯t you have something that drives you Mack? That makes you want to reach for the stars? What part of the job helps you get out of bed in the morning?¡± ¡°My paycheck.¡± Mack instantly replied. ¡°Besides that Mack. What do you dream about accomplishing in your life? What¡¯s more valuable to you than a paycheck?¡± ¡°Receiving my paycheck.¡± Mack said in the exact same tone as before. ¡°Don¡¯t start with me Mack. I¡¯m asking you what gives your life meaning?¡± Danika said, stretching out the final word. Mack turned to Danika, arms full of unhealthy snack options and took a moment to ponder before answering. His response clearly coming from a deep and very heartfelt place. ¡°Spending my paycheck.¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± Danika said throwing her hands up in defeat. ¡°You¡¯re hopeless!¡± Mack stared at his colleague with a single raised eyebrow. ¡°Is it that obvious?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be a downer Mack.¡± Danika said making her way over to the drinks section and peering through the glass door to search for a drink. In the reflection in the glass, Danika saw Mack chuckle to himself as he looked over the drinks as well. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh its nothing.¡± Mack said. But unfortunately for him Danika was relentless in pursuing any piece of information. Important or not. ¡°What were you chuckling about?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing really. Just thinking about something the boss told me when I transferred over to the station a few months back.¡± ¡°What did he say?¡± Danika pressed. ¡°He basically gave me a warning about working with you.¡± Mack said sheepishly. ¡°Glad I didn¡¯t listen to it if that makes you feel better.¡± ¡°What? I mean, thanks Mack it does. But what did he say about me?¡± Danika asked perplexed. ¡°I¡¯ve always gotten to the heart of every story I¡¯ve gone after. I never caused any problems.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Mack began. Stalling for time as he chose his words. ¡°It wasn¡¯t anything crazy. He was just telling me that working with you in the field would be a hassle.¡± ¡°In what way? I never heard about this.¡± Danika said a little heated. ¡°Because I didn¡¯t tell you and you never asked.¡± ¡°What did he say after that?¡± ¡°Eh, when he was describing you the term ¡®Delusions of Grandeur¡¯ came up.¡± Mack paused before continuing. ¡°I think he said that a few times actually. He also said that if I wanted to go anywhere in my career I should try to get on camera duty for Suzy¡¯s morning show.¡± Danika made a disgusted noise, as she physically recoiled. ¡°Do yourself a favor Mack, if you ever get a chance to work on Sunshine Suzy¡¯s morning show. Don¡¯t do it. You¡¯ll thank me later.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sensing a bit of a rivalry there.¡± Mack said jokingly. ¡°Rivalry? No, no, no, no. No way.¡± Danika said with conviction. ¡°We¡¯re enemies. Straight up.¡± ¡°Enemies.¡± Mack said flatly with raised brows. ¡°I¡¯d heard you had a bit of beef around the station but don¡¯t you think it¡¯s bad form to get on the bad side of the network¡¯s poster girl?¡± ¡°Bad side? Mack just listen alright. I know she may put up a pretty face but underneath that perfect skin and blonde locks is a stone cold viper.¡± Danika said pointedly. Making a hand wave in front of her as if she were imitating a snake about to strike. ¡°She¡¯ll act all smiles and goody goody until she finds a moment of weakness where you¡¯re vulnerable¡­¡± She continued waving her ¡°viper¡± in the air menacingly. ¡°Then she goes in for the kill!¡± Danika said. Her imaginary viper poking Mack where his heart would be. Mack for his part, looked like he was struggling to find the right words to respond to Danika as he stared down at the hand poking his chest. ¡°Were you ah¡­ gonna get anything?¡± Mack questioned. Looking over to the drinks Danika had been pouring over leadingly. ¡°Oh right.¡± Danika said. Popping open the glass door and immediately grabbing an energy drink even though it was after midnight. ¡°You really gonna take that? Or do you not plan on sleeping tonight?¡± ¡°It¡¯s for tomorrow.¡± Danika said defensively. ¡°The motel probably has shit coffee.¡± ¡°Okay, but you know how much caffeine is in those things right?¡± Mack said concerned, adjusting his arm holding all his candy and sweets. Frowning Danika turned over the can to read the contents before grimacing. ¡°Ew. A hundred and fifty milligrams of caffeine?¡± Mack smiled for a moment as he saw Danika take his advice, hypocritical as it was. It was nice to be listened to- ¡°Better double up for tomorrow.¡± Danika said grabbing a second energy drink to add to her first. ¡°Thanks for warning me Mack.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Mack started before letting his words trail off as he watched Danika make her way to the front counter, sighing as he followed after her. At the counter was a squat middle aged man, clearly bored and not wearing a large enough shirt to hide his protruding pot belly. He swiped Danika¡¯s energy drinks with little fanfare. It was only when Mack spilled his small avalanche of treats that the man looked truly pained as he went through the process of finding each candy¡¯s barcode to scan. Danika hid an amused smile at the sight as she looked around the store again as she waited. It was definitely on the smaller side for a gas station. With none of the niceties she¡¯d come to expect like nice warm sandwiches ready to buy or made to order specialty drinks. There were only three standing aisles in the whole store, and the wall of glass that looked out onto the pumps was covered in so many advertisements you could barely see the gas pumps. She saw a shadow flicker past the glass, easily the size of a car. Somewhere behind a large and colorful advert for cigarettes of all things. Hadn¡¯t those been outlawed years ago? But before she could question if the shape were a passing car or not Danika returned her gaze to the counter as Mack finished his order. ¡°Do you have a bag?¡± Mack asked politely. ¡°No.¡± The store clerk said flatly. Not a store clerk then. Danika deduced. Reassessing the man. The terrible dress code? The pot belly? Combined with that terrible balding spot and attitude? Definitely the owner. Danika mused as she watched Mack try to ask for a bag again. ¡°Could you check please?¡± Mack said with a shrug. ¡°No.¡± The owner said again. Making the word sound even more blunt somehow. ¡°But I can see you have an empty bag holder.¡± Mack said. Pointing towards the empty plastic bag rack next to the counter for customers to place their purchases. ¡°I don¡¯t have plastic bags.¡± The owner said gruffly. ¡°Why not remove the bag holder then?¡± Mack said plainly. ¡°I mean, since it¡¯s right there, anyone coming up top the counter is gonna assume you have plastic bags and ask you for some. Besides, how am I gonna carry all these without dropping anything?¡± ¡°It¡¯s you¡¯re own damn fault for buying so much.¡± The owner said. Eyes narrowed as he stared up at Mack¡¯s relaxed expression. There was a beat of silence for a moment as everyone absorbed that last statement before Mack said. ¡°Isn¡¯t it¡­ counterproductive to get mad at customers for buying things from you?¡± Danika was almost looking forward to seeing her impossible to ruffle camera man shake off the owner¡¯s snide remarks. Nothing stuck to the man. But as she somewhat reluctantly made her way forwards to end the spat before it could escalate something caught her eye. The monitor behind the counter that displayed all the gas station¡¯s exterior cameras had shapes moving through the cameras field of view. Danika squinted her eyes to make out the shapes. Even on the little monitor they seemed big. One of the shapes was next to the news van that Mack and her had drove in on. Almost equal to it in size. As a reporter, Danika always trusted her gut when in the field. Where to go for a scoop, who to talk to for the best details about a recent event. Right at that moment. That gut feeling lit up in a way Danika had never felt before. It was telling her to run. ¡°Mack.¡± Danika began, turning towards the glass slowly as the shape- no the dozens of shapes beyond the covered glass moved. Green scales the only detail she could make out through the thin strips of clear glass that let her see through. Her back collided with Mack¡¯s side as she backed up, eyes darting from shape to shape. ¡°Don¡¯t make a sound.¡± She whispered. Mack¡¯s head snapped towards Danika, immediately picking up on her tone of voice as he took her in. His eyes followed hers to the covered glass and his hands slipped on a bag of chips as it fell to the floor through limp fingers. ¡°What the hell are you two on-¡± ¡°Quiet!¡± Danika hissed at the store owner as she looked towards the front in a panic. Seeing the outlines of reptilian heads turn towards the sound of the owner¡¯s voice. ¡°How dare you!¡± The owner roared. Pointing a finger at her as if she¡¯d insulted a dear family member. ¡°No, wait!¡± Danika hissed again. But before another word could escape her mouth the fist of the monsters outside rammed into the glass doors. Sending a shower of glass across the front entrance as a green snout tried to snake it¡¯s way in through the metal bars that crisscrossed the door frames. The only thing saving all their lives being that the currently unlocked doors were pull to open and the monsters were trying to push them in instead. ¡°Jesus H. Christ!¡± The owner yelled. Falling back behind the counter as Danika and Mack backed up all the way to the back wall opposite the monsters. ¡°What the hell are those?¡± Mack shouted, candy all but forgotten as he stared horrified at the creatures. The really big creatures as they tried to force their way through the doors. A chorus of reptilian screeches and cries echoed out beyond the doors as more and more monsters tried breaking into the gas station. Shattering glass and ripping apart advertisements as they tried to get in past the security bars that protected them. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Danika shouted back, mind racing for a solution as her eyes darted around the entire store. Could they take the back door? No, the monsters could easily circle the building. With nothing else but the surrounding woods, there was no where to run. Not that Danika believed any human could outrun the things she was looking at. Even as alien looking as they were, she could easily see the strength rippling under those scales. As her eyes landed on the energy drinks she was still holding. Danika took a brave step forward and cocked an arm back. Hurling each of her caffeinated cans of liquid goodness with all the strength she had. The first missed completely. Arcing through the air too high and bouncing off the ceiling where it knocked a roof tile out of place. Finally falling to the floor as it burst and fizzed on the ground. The second however¡­ Spinning through the air like an out of control energy drink hurled by a twenty six year old reporter. The can miraculously slammed right into the bright yellow eye of one of the monsters at the door, causing it to fall back with a cry as it pawed at its eye. Before Danika could feel any kind of elation at her lucky shot the beast slammed into the door with a renewed ferocity. It¡¯s single undamaged eye staring at Danika like it could kill her with its glare. ¡°Oh shit.¡± Danika started, arms falling limp to her side as Mack grabbed her and dragged her down behind the counter where the owner was currently hiding. ¡°Hit the alarm!¡± Mack shouted at the cowering owner. ¡°The silent alarm! You have one don¡¯t you?¡± As the owner mumbled a fearful reply Danika scanned the counter immediately looking for the- ¡°There!¡± Danika shouted. Pointing towards a faded red button underneath the cash register. Mack, moved with a speedy grace and slammed a hand on the button. Pressing it repeatedly as if he could make the police arrive faster the more he pressed it. ¡°I-I-It won¡¯t work.¡± The owner finally got out. Making both, camera man and reporter turn to look at him in incredulous horror. ¡°What?!¡± They both said at the same time. ¡°It was broken when I bought the place.¡± The owner said in a numbed voice. ¡°You know how much it costs to fix a-¡± The crash of metal sounded over the owner¡¯s words as the first monster managed to finally work its head in through the metal bars. Twisting them aside as it wrenched its head left and right. Widening the gap it made for itself as it tried to get inside. A strangled cry left the owner¡¯s throat as he fumbled for something hidden behind the back case that displayed all the various flavors of vapes the store offered. Danika watched in horror as the creature worked the gap wider. Getting its upper chest and a single arm inside as it scraped against the floor for further purchase to pull itself inside. ¡°You damned animals!¡± The owner shouted out. Finally finding his nerve apparently. Danika turned to see what the owner was up to when he reappeared with a pump action shotgun. Leveling the thing at the monster¡¯s head as he roared. ¡°Get out of my shop!¡± With a crack of thunder that left Danika and Mack wishing they¡¯d covered their ears the shotgun bucked in the owner¡¯s hands. The monster that had almost wormed it¡¯s way inside jerking to the side as it slumped half inside the door frame. Blood pouring down in a torrent from the gaping wound the shotgun had torn through its skull. The other monsters roared in protest as one of their own met its end. Their efforts increasing in intensity as other monsters tried to work the monster stuck in the door back out so they could use the hole it had made. The corpse jostling as its flopping arm caught on the frame, firmly stuck in the door. Before Danika could feel relief that one of the monsters was dead, she jerked as her hands rushed to cover her ears as the owner fired again. Firing shot after shot at every visible hint of green trying to force its way inside. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your shells!¡± Danika shouted over the roar of the shotgun as she rushed to pull his aim away from the monsters he was only partially hitting and wounding instead of killing. As she tugged on the man¡¯s arm he swatted Danika away with a glare. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do!¡± He said defiantly. Pulling an old looking package of shotgun shells out of a drawer in the counter and racking each shell in with practiced ease. Mack hovered next to Danika protectively as he pulled out his phone and dialed 911. Giving the man a sour look as he reloaded. ¡°911 what¡¯s your emergency?¡± ¡°We¡¯re at the Quick Stop gas station, just outside of Fairview. The store¡¯s being attacked by a swarm of giant green dragons!¡± Mack said quickly. Despite his fervent tone of voice the Operator¡¯s mood clearly took a shift at Mack¡¯s words. And not in the direction they needed right now. ¡°Dragons attacking the gas station. That¡¯s a new one. Haven¡¯t heard that before.¡± The Operator said in a bored voice. ¡°Is there an actual emergency at the gas station sir?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Mack said confused. ¡°I just told you there is!¡± ¡°Is there anyone wounded or in need of immediate medical assistance?¡± ¡°No.¡± Mack acquiesced. Brows knitting into a line of worry as he tried to wrap his head around the Operator¡¯s indifference. ¡°But we need help! Send the-¡± A roar split the air that made everyone, even the monsters at the doors to flinch. The sheer volume of it causing Mack to stumble in his words and drop his phone. Before Danika or Mack could think any further on what that meant the earsplitting sound of metal groaning and giving way cut through the air as everyone turned to stare at the remains of the double doors as they finally gave in and buckled under the stain of the creatures pressing against them. The doors falling to the floor as the shapes pressed inside. There was a moment of terror that overwhelmed Danika as the monsters made their way inside. The lights of the store illuminating them and giving her a picture perfect view of the monsters that were about to eat her. They were like living fossils prowling the Earth again long after their first extinction. Many of them almost at a height with Danika at what she guessed was five feet tall, the standouts among them being even larger. Six feet tall at least with one in the back that must have been a staggering seven feet tall. Even the owner seemed overwhelmed by the amount of targets that had suddenly appeared in front of him. There was a definite tremble in the hands that held the shotgun now. Causing the barrel to sway wildly as he stood wide eyed. In the brief moment of time Danika had to think thanks to the rush of adrenaline through her small frame, knowing that they¡¯d be overrun any second, she sent up a prayer. Pleading with a higher power for a second chance at life for herself, Mack, and even the rude store owner. Not so much in words as a surge of emotion. One that promised she¡¯d make the world a better place if she was given a chance to leave this stupid store alive. Despite not having gone to church in years or even having been a believer at all in the cynical world of modern journalism. That higher power, for whatever reason, apparently chose this exact moment in Danika¡¯s life to give her a miracle. A miracle that threw her news van into the mob of crowded monsters like they were meat filled bowling pins. Wha¡­ Danika¡¯s mind stammered. Reeling at the sight of her van crashing through the glass wall of the gas station in a earsplitting cacophony of clanging and breaking metal. Fully airborne and sideways as it made a full rotation in the air. The Channel Seven logo bright on the side as it smashed into half a dozen monsters. Crushing them through all three aisles of candy, chips, and other overpriced goods before settling on its side in a pile of broken green bodies against the back wall. Wheels spinning slowly as they turned in the open air. The remaining monsters that were spared Danika¡¯s flying van of death turned towards the hole in the wall where the van had come through. The exterior lights of the Quick Stop illuminating a figure that stood even taller than the seven foot tall monstrosity that barely fit inside the station. It¡¯s eyes a burning yellow Danika could almost swear were brimming with hatred as it took in the entire scene and remaining monsters. Then all hell broke loose. The creatures inside the shop roared just as the giant outside roared over them. Barreling towards the hole it had made. Smashing through the remains of the glass and metal and taking a good chunk of the ceiling with it as it crouched to fit inside a space too small to fit it. It¡¯s massive jaws opened wide and closed around one of the smaller monsters entire head as it ripped it free. A fountain of gore arcing through the air as the monster tore into the other monsters inside the store in a frenzy of claws and fangs. Danika watched as one of the six foot tall monsters turned towards them and was about to pounce towards them when the giant monster¡¯s tail slammed into it as it spun. Sending the beast hurtling outside and into a gas pump that broke completely under the crashing monster¡¯s weight. Screaming in fear just as much as outrage at his property being destroyed the owner leveled the shotgun at the head of the giant rampaging through the monsters that had been about to eat them mere moments ago. With her mind racing as it was, taking in every detail of the scene before her, Danika didn¡¯t miss the widening of the giant¡¯s eyes as it took in the gun pointed at its head. Almost as if it... Right as the shotgun fired another round of buckshot the giant monster had grabbed one of the smaller beasts. Claws digging deep into its flesh as it raised the beast up in front of it, just as the buckshot hit the beast turned meat shield''s chest. Every boom of the shotgun firing ending in rounds that only further pulped the smaller beast as it¡¯s twitching remains were held up protectively in front of the larger monster. It recognized the threat. Danika¡¯s mind whirred. Knew to protect itself. It¡¯s intelligent. She realized. Heart stopping cold at the thought. The idea of something being so large, strong, and violent was already enough to terrify Danika to the bone. But the idea of a beast like that being intelligent enough to protect itself from gunfire? As the beast dropped the remains of the smaller monster, now much more red than green. Danika looked at it head on as it stared the owner down as his shotgun clicked, completely emptied. It loomed above them, head brushing the ceiling tiles as it looked down on them. All primal strength and muscle. Claws covered in gore that dripped red bits of meat to the floor. Blood spatter covering its face from the monsters it had killed- No, the monsters it had slaughtered, painting its maw like a terror fresh out of a nightmare. Burning yellow eyes taking them all in. Even as it flicked a tongue out to lap at the bright blood on its snout. It bobbed its head in a manner strikingly similar to a nod as it looked at each of them with¡­ with¡­ was that concern? Why isn¡¯t it killing us? Danika thought amazed to still be alive in that moment. The strange moment of peace was broken as the giant monster, Jesus it must have been at least ten feet tall, yelped in pain as the seven foot tall beast sunk its teeth deep into the Giant¡¯s leg. Blood spurting out between its teeth as it took advantage of its distraction. Now thoroughly enraged, the giant monster turned its attention to the largest remaining enemy. Gripping it with both claws as it wrestled with it. Their giant tumble bringing them outside as they rolled over the remaining gas pumps. The few surviving smaller dinosaur looking creatures chasing the brawl outside as they nipped and bit at any exposed scales they could reach on their larger prey. As the fight continued to rage with the giant monster roaring in pain as it batted aside smaller Danika had a single thought. One that consumed her entire being. More than the fear. More than the terror. More even than the threat of immanent death. She wasn¡¯t getting this on camera. ¡°Mack!¡± Danika cried desperately. ¡°Give me the keys!¡± ¡°What?¡± Mack said. Coming out of his own fight or flight driven fugue as he took in Danika¡¯s panicked features. ¡°We can¡¯t drive the van like that!¡± He said. Pointing out the obvious as he pulled the van keys out of his pocket. Danika snatched the keys out of his hand in a blink and rushed over to the tipped over van. Almost retching at the gore staining the ground as she nearly slipped in a pool of blood. Shuddering at the feeling of the warm liquid splashing outside her sneakers. With the battle raging on behind her Danika climbed up the underside of the van. Grabbing onto the van¡¯s exposed drive shaft as she pulled herself up top. Awkwardly crouching down on the driver¡¯s side door as she fumbled with the key and worked it into the lock. Managing to unlock the door Danika heard Mack saying something to the store¡¯s owner as she wrenched the door up and open. Struggling to hold it up as it bumped against the ceiling. With careful steps, Danika moved inside the van, almost slipping on the side of the passenger¡¯s side leather seat as her blood stained sneakers failed to grip onto it. Cursing. Danika worked her way enough inside to reach into the back for the small handheld camera that she¡¯d left readily available to grab in case Mack couldn¡¯t get the bigger camera gear working in time to catch something. Climbing up and out of the van Danika held onto the camera with the same care a mother would their own child. Finding Mack standing next to the van now, head whipping back and forth between the melee going on outside and Danika. ¡°Where¡¯s the owner?¡± Danika asked as Mack helped her down. ¡°He ran off with the shotgun through the back door.¡± Mack said heated. Clearly upset the man had left them both behind with the best means of self defense. Then Mack¡¯s eyes caught on the camera Danika was holding and his mouth dropped open. ¡°Seriously?¡± He hissed. ¡°You went back for the camera?¡± ¡°Of course I did!¡± Danika said. Flipping open the camera and pressing record. Pointing the lens right towards the spectacle going on outside. The entire scene like something out of a major blockbuster. The giant monster that had attacked all the others was clearly limping now, favoring one leg as it swiped and gnashed its teeth at the smaller monsters accosting it while it kept its main focus on the bigger one. The only one that could put up any kind of fight against the beast. Even with its reduced movements though it was doing a masterful job of staying ahead of the pack of monsters around it. The giant didn¡¯t lash out in desperation or try to escape, every swipe of its claws and tail was measured. Purposeful even. Holding up its claws in front of its head it was eerily similar to a Mixed Martial Arts fighter in that moment instead of a beast. One of the smaller five foot tall monsters, the ones that were only half the size of the giant they were fighting against, lunged for the giant¡¯s injured leg. With a grace that was way too smooth for a beast of its size the giant pivoted. Planting its weight on its uninjured leg to strike out with its injured leg, in a move that clearly surprised the smaller monster. Unable to get away the hind claw buried itself into the smaller monster¡¯s neck and chest. The larger claws cutting through the thin scales to cut deep into the flesh below as the claws hooked the monster¡¯s body. Shifting its weight again, clearly pained, the giant brought the monster to the ground in a savage stomp. Caving in the beast¡¯s chest cavity and breaking its neck with a sickening crunch as the giant¡¯s full weight pressed down on it. Even the asphalt beneath seemed to buckle and crack under the immense weight. Not stopping there, the giant spun in a tight circle. Catching two more small monsters with its tail and sending them reeling as the largest threat danced back. Roaring a challenge at the giant despite how outclassed it seemed. Paying as close attention as she was to the fight Danika started noticing differences between the giant monster and its smaller kind other than their size. The giant wasn¡¯t just bigger, it seemed fuller somehow. The green of its scales more vibrant even in the wan glow of the gas station¡¯s remaining lights. Before Danika could ponder those strange differences further the seven foot tall beast made its move. Roaring as it charged the giant again. Claws outstretched as it tried to score another blow on it. For its part the Giant seemed ready for the charge. Raising one claw high and another low. Almost like it was¡­ The monsters clashed, only instead of the raw strength versus strength battle Danika had expected she watched, open mouthed as the Giant caught the monster and levered it over its shoulder like a Judo fighter hurling an opponent on the mat. Redirecting its momentum and sending it flying. Literally flying as it impacted the metal supports that held up the awning over the gas station¡¯s pumps. The white artificial lights within it flickering as the whole awning tipped over like an oak felled by a lumberjack. The sound of groaning metal tearing through the night as Danika stared before it crashed into the ground. ¡°Come on!¡± Mack shouted. Grabbing Danika and pulling her towards the back door. Despite her reporter¡¯s instincts telling her to remain at the site of the battle until there was a clear victor, Danika could see the sense in leaving before the monsters realized there were still humans to munch on. Clutching the camera to her chest Danika was right behind Mack as he darted to the back of the station and shouldered the back door open. The back of the gas station was illuminated only by a single small light above the back door. Casting everything beyond the bulb¡¯s dim light in darkness. To Danika¡¯s great relief there was a truck still parked behind the gas station. Too worn out to care why the owner of the gas station would leave his truck out Danika took a single step forward before fear stopped her dead in her tracks. The truck was just on the edge of the bulb¡¯s limited light. The strange splatter of red paint on the side of the truck revealing itself to be something so much worse as her eyes travelled downwards. There were shapes moving behind the truck. Fighting over something wet as it tore and teeth chewed on the strips that remained. The scarlet stained outline of a human hand lay limp on the ground like a macabre movie prop. The glimmer of a truck¡¯s keys just out of its reach. ¡°Back!¡± Mack screamed. Almost hurling Danika back inside as he rushed to shut the door and a shape sprinted out of the darkness towards them. A feral snarl was caught short as Mack closed the door on the snapping head of a monster trying to bite his face as he held the back door shut, straining with all of his effort as he fought to keep the monster from tearing into him. With a scream of her own Danika smashed her camera into the beast¡¯s head as it squawked and let up long enough for Mack to finally close the door. Hearts hammering, Mack and Danika rushed to the front of the store. ¡°Where do we go?¡± Mack said fearfully. Gripping Danika¡¯s hand tight as she squeezed back just as hard. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Danika panted. ¡°We have to try getting to Fairview.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll never make it.¡± Mack said despairingly. ¡°It¡¯s the only chance we have.¡± Danika said. Pulling on Mack¡¯s hand now as they left the ruined front of the gas station. Running outside and turning to find the Giant with its teeth sunk deep into the neck of the seven foot monster from before. The dying monster twitching in spasms as the Giant''s head turned towards them, dripping blood from its gaping maw. ¡°Run!¡± Mack shouted. Sprinting through the puddle outside the gas station as the Giant monster let out a cry towards them. Sprinting together they ran around the fallen awning of the gas station and had to jump back as one of the smaller creatures rounded the corner. Teeth red from its earlier meal behind the building as it was joined by more monsters. Time slowed to a crawl as Danika took everything in. The roar of the Giant behind them as it got to its feet and rushed towards them. Claws tearing through the asphalt as every stride ate up the distance between them. In the same moment she saw the smaller creatures make a break for them as well. Illuminated by the spitting sparks of the fallen awning that were falling closer and closer to the puddle on the ground that seemed to cover¡­ Oh. Danika thought numbly as she stood right next to a giant puddle of gasoline that had been pouring out from the broken gas pumps ever since the first monster had been smashed through it. All at once Danika¡¯s entire life seemed to flash before her eyes. Her own mind desperately looking for a way to survive the end. Calmly, almost clinically. A part of Danika wondered which would kill her first. The Giant, the pack of monsters, or the sparks that were about to ignite an entire gas station¡¯s worth of fuel. With a terrifying speed the Giant was the first to reach them. She watched in slow motion as its huge claws stretched wide and reached for Danika and Mack. Opening so that the claws passed them both harmlessly by as the Giant encircled them both in its arms as it crouched down low. Pulling them close to its chest. Teeth gritted in a snarl as it shut its eyes tight. Wait. What is- Then the world exploded. In an instant, the errant sparks that had fallen from the flickering light ignited the spilled gasoline in a single brilliant instant. Illuminating the entire gas station and surrounding forest in a red orange glow before the flames reached the underground storage tanks. In a roar of light and sound the entire gas station was consumed by a conflagration that turned the night to day. The heat rushing over Ryker and his charges even faster than the blast wave that sent the smaller Kaiju flying like ragdolls and sent his massive body flying across the road to the grass on the other side. Digging a trench with his body for a good dozen feet before stopping, Ryker let out a hiss of pain at his burned and seared scales, tears forming and drying in his eyes at the sheer amount of heat in the air. Relaxing his arms he let the two stunned civilians slip out of his grasp as he panted for breath. Content to lay on his side as they sprawled out on the grass before him and embers rained down from the sky. Ow. Ryker thought numbly. Explosions were so much easier to stand when you were encased in a reinforced cockpit inside a dozen feet of carbonite. As a Kaiju he¡¯d definitely taken for granted how easily he could be wounded. Though admittedly, getting blown up by a giant explosion hadn¡¯t been a possibility he¡¯d been considering. Putting both claws on the ground to push himself up, Ryker hissed as a spike of pain travelled up his bitten leg. One claw covering the wound protectively as he struggled to his knees. Turning his head, he could see the two civilians he¡¯d saved staring at him like deer caught in a pair of headlights. Looking them both over and glad he didn¡¯t see any injuries the three stared each other down. Nobody making the first move as Danika stared at the giant beast in front of her from where she was sitting on the ground. Mack was upright and perfectly still, as if he were worried movement might draw the monster¡¯s ire. Ryker for his part, was just mentally prepping himself for the two people he¡¯d saved to start screaming in fear of him. When nobody made any moves for an uncomfortable amount of time Ryker was the one who broke first. Gritting his teeth as he rose to his full height. Towering over both people as they only came up to his waist. Looking around Ryker surveyed the devastation wrought by the explosion as the civilians continued to stare at him. The immediate risk of a forest fire wasn¡¯t as big of a threat here as it had been at the campgrounds. The woods were far enough away from the gas station that the flames didn¡¯t reach them. With the lack of wind tonight and the thriving greenery of the forest providing little kindling to burn, Ryker was grateful for that at least. Maybe the owner could recover and cash in on the insurance? No¡­ Ryker thought with a pang as he looked at the explosion with a weight settling over his heart. Not finding any sign of the man who had nearly shot him. He had to be dead, then. Must have been with the way the two civilians had ran out the front of the gas station like their lives depended on it. He¡¯d probably tried to sneak out the back and got swarmed where Ryker couldn¡¯t do anything to help him. Rather than the anger that had driven Ryker for so long he felt a wave of melancholy consume him as he thought about the man who¡¯d died. Even after everything, being sent back in time, getting stuck in this body. He¡¯d had a vain hope that he could stop the Kaiju before they became a threat to anyone. Prevent any innocent lives from being taken by monsters. Save the world without a drop of human blood being spilled. It was foolish. Naively foolish. Like a children¡¯s fairy tale where everyone gets a happy ending. But this was all too real. There would be more Kaiju being born all over the world that Ryker had no hope of stopping before they killed at least a few people. Even as he grew stronger and faster, developed more and more abilities, he couldn¡¯t teleport from one side of the globe to the other. ¡°D.¡± The man Ryker saved whispered warily. Causing Ryker to turn back to face the people he¡¯d saved. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright Mack.¡± The woman said slowly. Rising to her feet as she stared at Ryker. The glow of the burning gas station splashing her face with orange and red hues. ¡°You¡­¡± She began. Swallowing as she, to Ryker¡¯s great surprise, took a step closer to him. ¡°You saved us¡­ didn¡¯t you?¡± After seeing the family at the campsite flee from him and the employee at the restaurant. Ryker had almost given up on any kind of meaningful human contact. He¡¯d shied away from those thoughts for his own sake. Knowing the kind of life he¡¯d have to live with the body he was stuck in. But maybe, just maybe¡­ ¡°Of course.¡± Ryker tried to say. The words getting getting torn to pieces before they even left his throat as a low warble. Miraculously, the woman didn¡¯t flinch at the sound he made and took another step closer. Raising a hand up as if to touch Ryker. Finding himself consumed by a desperate hope he couldn¡¯t ignore Ryker found his own claw reaching out tentatively. The claw dwarfing the woman¡¯s hand as they were inches away from touching. The police car that had gone unnoticed by Ryker with the distraction of the woman taking up his attention, had stopped well clear of the blazing remains of the gas station. Officer Langley had left his car stunned at the sight of the blackened ruins, and then was left even more stunned at the sight of the giant monster on the side of the road with its back turned towards him. Covered in a horrifying amount of blood it was reaching out a claw to strike down a helpless woman who was raising her hand in self defense. With shaking hands, Langley did what seemed to be the only good option in the current situation. He shot the monster. ¡°Get down!¡± He shouted towards the woman as he fired. Nine millimeter rounds barking through the night he fired shot after shot at the beast as it flinched back and raised its claws above his head. Letting out a pained cry as it stumbled away from the hail of bullets being fired at it. ¡°No, stop!¡± Danika shouted but Mack was right there behind her and pulling her to the ground to avoid any chance of a bullet missing its mark and finding them instead. She stared helplessly as the monster that had saved their lives multiple times that night fled into the thick foliage. Its huge form disappearing all too quickly behind the wild trees and bushes. Even as the officer raced over to them to make sure they were alright Danika couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away from the spot it had disappeared. ¡°Are you alright?¡± The officer said to Mack and Danika as they looked at him with wide eyes. Danika wanted to cuss out the man on the spot for what he¡¯d done. Her fists clenching hard on the camera she still held in one hand. Fortunately for them. Mack was the one who spoke first. ¡°We have to get out of here!¡± Mack said to the officer. ¡°There were more of those monsters around the gas station and I don¡¯t know how many survived the explosion.¡± Nodding hurriedly the officer helped Mack and Danika to their feet as he scanned the surroundings, clearly frightened. Danika was about to argue but Mack, probably knowing exactly what she was thinking, cut her off as he gripped her arm. ¡°We¡¯re not safe here D.¡± He said. Eyes bright with adrenaline as he looked into her eyes. ¡°Whatever just happened. Whatever that was. We can think about it more when we¡¯re safe.¡± Gritting her teeth, hating how much sense her partner made and how reckless an idea it would be to run into the woods at night to chase down a monster. Danika let herself be led away from the wood line to the waiting police car. Climbing in the back with Mack as the officer got on the radio again and shakily told his station he was coming back with two survivors. As the car peeled away back towards the presumed safety of Fairview Danika watched the woods with an intensity she¡¯d never felt before. That monster was different somehow. It had only fought the other monsters at the gas station. Thinking back, there wasn¡¯t a single moment the thing had actually tried to harm them. Even when the owner of the gas station had shot at it, it only moved to defend itself. Not even taking the chance to retaliate when the man ran out of shells in his shotgun. There was a story there. Not just their harrowing tale of survival at the gas station. There was a mystery here that was even bigger than whatever the hell these beasts even were in the first place. Every instinct she¡¯d cultivated as a reporter was practically vibrating at the thought as she cradled her camera. This story¡­ This story would be hers to tell. Sunshine Suzy¡­ She thought with a smile. Just itching to tear into the footage she¡¯d recorded. Eat your heart out. Chapter 11 - An Epigenetic Epiphany Ryker stared after the police car as it raced back towards Fairview. Glad at least that the people he''d saved were moving away from the danger. Limping between the trees, Ryker moved shakily before sitting down in a heap against a massive oak. Flinching at every little movement that aggravated the bullets stuck in his hide and wincing at the pain Ryker let himself rest for a moment as he surveyed the injuries he¡¯d sustained in the fight. Not terrible. Ryker had to admit. But not great either. In a way it was almost comforting how monstrously large he¡¯d grown. Despite the sting of the bullet wounds he could tell at least that they hadn¡¯t gone too deep into his body that they¡¯d damaged his organs. They still hurt like a bitch. But at least they weren¡¯t life threatening. Now if that shotgun had gotten him then he¡¯d really be¡­ Ryker¡¯s mood took a nosedive at the thought of the dead man who¡¯d shot at him. And despite years of seeing people die and get themselves killed by Kaiju he could never stop thinking about what he could have done better. In his mind¡¯s eye he replayed the entire fight at the gas station. Throwing the van into the store had been the best opening move as far as he could tell. There was no one inside the van when he¡¯d gotten to it, that he could easily tell through smell and the lack of Kaiju trying to get inside it. With all the Kaiju clumped up at the door trying to get in they were lined up perfectly for him to bowl them over with the hurled van. After that though, Ryker knew he''d failed to do better. He¡¯d been filled with the same anger he¡¯d always had when going into fights. Only now that he was a Kaiju that anger drove him to dive into danger head first. He¡¯d had no plan when he¡¯d entered the gas station. The only thing he wanted to do was rip those Kaiju into pieces, lose himself in the violence of it all as he ended them. In hindsight it had been a miracle that he¡¯d even thought enough to grab a dead hatchling as a meat shield in the first place when the man fired his shotgun at him. His actions were raw and violent. Undisciplined. What else was I supposed to do? Ryker thought internally. He was a Kaiju now, but even driven by his insatiable anger and new body they weren¡¯t enough to make up for his own inexperience fighting with his monstrous body. He¡¯d made up for that with sheer bloodthirst when he¡¯d fought the first Kaiju hatchlings in the abandoned radio station and the others at the campsite . But that unchecked ferocity resulted in him getting bitten in the leg, dragged outside the gas station, and almost swarmed where he couldn¡¯t protect the people who needed him most. Even if he was in a monster¡¯s body now, he was still human at his core. And as a human he just didn¡¯t know how to fight in his body properly. Putting those thoughts aside Ryker carefully counted the number of stinging holes in his body that were leaking blood. Going by feel to count the total number of bullets that had entered his back. Ten, eleven, twelve. Jesus. That cop mag dumped his entire clip into me. It was a startling realization but also one that left Ryker with a crazy grin. Showing off all his blood spattered teeth as his chuckles came out as reptilian croaks. That was the first time I¡¯ve ever been shot. I hadn¡¯t even been shot at in my past life for Pete¡¯s sake! Well, unless you count Kaiju bio-missiles and breath attacks as being shot at. Ryker mused. Trying to make light of his situation. In hindsight he couldn¡¯t really blame the man or anyone really for shooting at him in the first place. He had been the biggest threat in the gas station. Even if the only threat he posed were to other Kaiju. Sighing, Ryker took a look at the worst injury he¡¯d sustained in the recent battle. The deep gouges in his leg leaking thick streams of red where the other Kaiju¡¯s teeth had pieced deep into the muscle. Grimacing, Ryker pressed a claw over the wound. Warm blood leaking through his grp no matter how hard he tried to press down on the wound. Granted claws were a poor substitute to the dexterity normal human hands had but still. His wound felt a bit tingly as well, as if- Venom glands? Ryker thought incredulously. That bastard from earlier actually developed Venom glands before I did. Son of a bitch, it even got to use them on me before I bit it back. Feeling particularly indignant at that thought Ryker calmed himself down as he poured over the wound again. Adjusting his other claw to press over the wound as blood continued to seep out of it. Despite having sustained injuries before and having grown at least a little familiar with Kaiju¡¯s accelerated rate of healing the wound didn¡¯t seemed to be clotting. Now feeling a bit of worry Ryker pondered what to do next. Should he just wait it out? Gather some leaves to bind the wound? No, there¡¯s no way that would work. There weren¡¯t any trees that would be capable of making leaves big enough to staunch the wound on his massive body. Not to mention his claws weren¡¯t going to be doing him any good if he had to perform first aid on himself. Is it a hemotoxin? Ryker wondered. But we all have the same damn genes don¡¯t we? I¡¯m pretty sure my own Venom glands aren¡¯t hemotoxic. I¡¯d be able to tell after I bit some of those other Kaiju at the gas station. How is that possible? That can¡¯t be possible right? But after a moment of clarity, Ryker realized it was possible. Beck had told him so all those years ago. The memory crystalizing with a high level of clarity as his recent Neural Amplification upgrade brought that day¡¯s details back to him. ¡°Doctor Wallenstein? I don¡¯t know if you remember me but I attended one of your lectures to us pilots after I came back from the front in California. Before the fighting spilled into Arizona and New Mexico.¡± Beck had looked as wild as he¡¯d always had, even though the man was no longer young you wouldn¡¯t know it by the energy he put into his work. Beck looked up from a data pad he¡¯d been pouring over and blinked at Ryker¡¯s offered hand before smiling and taking it animatedly. ¡°Good to meet you young man! You are?¡± ¡°Ryker sir. Raymond Ryker. I¡¯m a mech pilot.¡± ¡°A pilot! That¡¯s wonderful.¡± Beck said quickly. ¡°How have the new adjustments been for you hmm? I had a hand in overseeing the improvements to the latency issues that sprung up when the main power cell shifted to its auxiliary batteries.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been great.¡± Ryker said perking up almost immediately. ¡°Those latency issues were almost the death of me a couple weeks back.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Beck said meaningfully. ¡°As far away from the fighting as I am I don¡¯t get to see the results of my work in action most of the time. It¡¯s nice to hear some good news for a change.¡± A shadow drifted across Beck¡¯s face at his words before he visibly forced the emotion down. Ryker saw it and didn¡¯t comment on it. Feeling guilty enough for bringing the cheery man¡¯s mood down. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I can get lost in my own conversations sometimes. Was there something I could help you with Raymond?¡± ¡°Yes sir. I¡¯ve been reading your work on the enemy and I¡¯d like to pick your brain about some of the things I¡¯ve seen in the field.¡± ¡°Of course! I¡¯d love to help in any way I can. I do have to get to the other side of the base for a telecom though, can you walk and talk?¡± ¡°Absolutely sir.¡± Ryker said immediately. Following the doctor as they made their way through the winding halls and busy corridors of the military base. ¡°And please Raymond, I know you mean well but just call me Beck. I¡¯m just an ordinary scientist.¡± ¡°Ordinary? Sir- ah sorry. With all due respect Beck you¡¯re the go to expert for everything involving Kaiju.¡± ¡°Well I wouldn¡¯t say everything.¡± Beck said sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯m only just beginning to understand how those monsters function on a genetic level.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to talk to you about actually.¡± Ryker said. Immediately jumping on the chance to ask his questions. ¡°Your most recent paper confirmed that all Kaiju are derived from the same exact gene base. With their DNA being essentially the same for every Kaiju when they¡¯re hatched how is it that there is such a wide variance in the abilities we see them use?¡± ¡°An excellent question. I¡¯m actually working on a report about that that should be ready for publishing in a few weeks, so you caught me at the perfect time. I must ask though are you asking for an answer to Stage One Kaiju ability variations or Stage Two?¡± Ryker frowned. Not understanding the question at all. ¡°There¡¯s a difference?¡± ¡°Oh yes! Quite a substantial one. Stage One Kaiju rely on stabilized epigenetic triggers for their abilities to gain new properties while during Stage Two, the Kaiju genome undergoes a period of self induced genetic instability to accelerate the rate of beneficial mutations based on environmental factors.¡± Ryker stared at Beck for a long moment, blinking in confusion at the verbal onslaught of overly scientific language before finally admitting. ¡°Doc I hate to say it. But I don¡¯t think I understood a single word you just said. Can you dumb it down for me?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Beck said sounding more embarrassed at his own words than Ryker being unable to understand him. ¡°Just a moment.¡± He said holding up a finger as he flicked through various screens on his data pad. ¡°Ah here we are.¡± He said finally before pulling up the same three gene segments Ryker remembered seeing at his first lecture. ¡°Do you remember these?¡± ¡°Yeah, the uh-¡± Ryker blanked for a moment before it all came back to him. ¡°The musculoskeletal gene segment, the neurosensory gene segment, and the cardiopulmonary gene segment.¡± Ryker said pointing to each segment in turn, before pausing as his finger rested on the yellow cardiopulmonary segment. ¡°There was something else about that one. Was it offensive biologicals?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± Beck said with a frown as he got on with his moving presentation. ¡°You remember how Kaiju need to consume materials to unlock the abilities yes?¡± ¡°I remember.¡± Ryker said nodding. ¡°They can eat basically anything.¡± Ryker was about to continue with his questioning when an entirely new one surfaced in his head. ¡°Hey if Kaiju can eat anything why don¡¯t they all just eat dirt, trees, and concrete?¡± ¡°Efficiency mainly.¡± Beck said not skipping a beat at the new question. ¡°They very well could as far as we know but biological compounds provide the most caloric capital for their proverbial buck, especially for Stage One Kaiju. That goes doubly so for fats and proteins which are unfortunately, exclusive to the animal kingdom. Though as Kaiju reach Stage Two their bodies do grow much more adept at processing inorganic compounds. Hence why some shift their dietary targets to refineries, oil tankers, power plants, etcetera, etcetera.¡± Beck said waving his data pad in the air as he brought up the gene segments again. ¡°Now, as to your original question. Epigenetics is the study of how an individual¡¯s behavior can alter the expression of their DNA. In reference to Stage One Kaiju, their actions can alter their abilities as their DNA comes prepackaged with certain¡­ oh what¡¯s the word?¡± ¡°Modifiers?¡± Ryker supplied. Not sure if he was right or not. ¡°Modifiers! Exactly!¡± Beck beamed. ¡°These epigenetic modifiers can alter Kaiju abilities in ways we¡¯re just beginning to understand. Here¡¯s one we discovered only recently.¡± Beck worked the screen on the data pad enlarging the red musculoskeletal DNA segment until it took up the whole screen. With a tap of a finger Beck highlighted the bottom most rung of the DNA helix, making it stand out as additional data populated the screen around it. ¡°This single rung of DNA is responsible for the vast increase in strength Kaiju have relative to their body mass. It increases a Kaiju¡¯s muscle density. A formidable threat to be sure, but with the epigenetic modifiers¡­¡± Beck tapped a portion of the screen and four descriptions flickered in around the DNA. Labeled A1, A2, B1, and B2 respectively. ¡°Thankfully there can only be two active modifiers at once, one from column A on one side of the DNA helix and one from column B on the other side of the helix.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Ryker said nodding slowly. ¡°What do they do exactly?¡± ¡°A number of things depending on the ability in question. But here we do have the answers for this ability, see?¡± Ryker peered closer to the screen and started reading from the top, down to each of the boxes. [Musculoskeletal Gene Segment - Stage One] [Rung 1: Increased Muscle Fiber Density - Drastically increases the amount of muscle fibers concentrated across the entire musculoskeletal system.] [Available Epigenetic Modifiers] [A1: Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers - Focuses development of the fast twitch muscle fibers in the Kaiju¡¯s body. Increasing base speed and ability to utilize bursts of intense activity.] [A2: Slow Twitch Muscle Fibers - Focused development of the slow twitch muscle fibers in the Kaiju¡¯s body. Increasing base endurance and ability to stay active for long periods of time.] [B1: Shock Absorbent Muscle Tissue - Alters the ability of the Kaiju¡¯s various muscle tissues to mitigate kinetic force. Reducing damage from blunt force trauma and protecting vital organs.] [B2: Lactic Acid Resistant Muscle Tissue - Alters the ability of the Kaiju¡¯s various muscle tissues to resist the build up of Lactic Acid. Increasing the length of time before muscles begin to fail under strain and repeated usage.] ¡°Damn.¡± Ryker muttered out loud. Not liking what he was reading one bit. ¡°And every Kaiju can develop these modifiers?¡± Ryker asked warily. Almost not wanting to hear the answer. If this one ability had four modifiers, even if there could only be two active at a time, combined with the sheer number of abilities Kaiju gained¡­ ¡°Yes and no, thankfully.¡± Beck said putting the data pad away. Moving with Ryker around a squad of ground troops as they made their way to the building¡¯s exit so they could relieve the next shift. ¡°It¡¯s as I said before during my lecture. The process by which these abilities are chosen for Kaiju in the first place seems to be completely random. Though over time their bodies do prioritize a single DNA segment to focus on. Which means the vast majority of Kaiju humanity face are actually not as strong as they could be.¡± ¡°Small blessings.¡± Ryker said wryly. ¡°Indeed.¡± Beck said with a chuckle. ¡°Anyway, even in the abilities Kaiju do receive there is no guarantee they¡¯ll trigger an activation of an epigenetic modifier. They are just unintelligent monsters after all. The ones that do stumble into triggering an epigenetic modifier seem to do so purely through instinct or just blind luck. We¡¯re still calculating the exact odds of a Kaiju being able to do that and I don¡¯t want to give inaccurate information but generally speaking, the odds are fifty fifty if Kaiju will activate an ability modifier.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Ryker said nodding. ¡°That certainly does explain the things I¡¯ve seen in the field. Thank you Beck.¡± ¡°Glad to be of assistance.¡± Beck said nodding back. ¡°Ah, we¡¯re here.¡± Ryker looked up to realize that they¡¯d actually arrived at the destination Beck was heading towards already. Rather than a conference room or office like Ryker had expected it was a full blown laboratory. Screens were everywhere, showing spiraling diagrams of DNA strands, the internal mechanisms of mechs that were currently in the field, there was even what seemed to be a prototype weapon of sorts in the corner with a number of technicians around it. Ryker whistled appreciatively at the sight of it all. ¡°You got quite the operation going here Doc.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Beck said smiling wistfully at the laboratory before his eyes landed on a screen display above it all like a clock. Then the smile slipped from his face as he stared at the number listed on the screen. Three hundred fifty seven thousand nine hundred seventy two. Even as Beck watched the screen the number ticked up a few more times and the shadow that crossed Beck¡¯s face when Ryker had first spoke with him returned with a vengeance. ¡°What¡¯s that over there?¡± Ryker asked. Referring to the counter. It couldn¡¯t have been a clock or countdown. The numbers were going up instead of down. ¡°A reminder.¡± Beck said grimly. ¡°That none of us can afford to ignore. It¡­ reminds me what¡¯s at stake and what we¡¯re trying to stop.¡± That statement gave Ryker pause before he connected the dots in his mind. The total death toll from civilians who¡¯d failed to evacuate to the safety of fortified cities, added to their current losses in the field would come out to something north of three hundred thousand wouldn¡¯t it? ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ let you get going.¡± Ryker said after a moment. Now feeling as if he¡¯d wasted some of the Doctor¡¯s precious time with his earlier conversation. ¡°Thank you for speaking to a grunt like me Beck.¡± Wrenching his eyes away from the death counter on the wall Beck regained his smile, though it was more strained than it had been before. ¡°Anytime Raymond. I¡¯m here to serve in anyway I can.¡± He held out a hand to Ryker and Ryker took it firmly. Giving it a good shake as Beck turned towards his work. Before Ryker could leave the lab though Beck called out to him. ¡°By the way Raymond! I will be needing volunteers to test some new anti-Kaiju weaponry I¡¯ve been developing.¡± He said gesturing to the large weapon surrounded by technicians. Now that Ryker looked at it. It did have the proper connections in place to serve as a back mounted weapon for a mech didn¡¯t it? ¡°Would you be interested in testing some of my designs?¡± For the first time in a long time Ryker grinned from ear to ear. Looking at the massive gun with something almost akin to hunger. ¡°Doctor Wallenstein. It would be my honor.¡± Coming out of the memory Ryker rested the back of his scaly head against the oak he was resting against. Causing it to shake from his movements as he remembered better days. How could I have forgotten about the epigenetic modifiers? Ryker thought more than a little embarrassed he hadn¡¯t pursued that advantage the moment he¡¯d realized he¡¯d been reborn as a Kaiju. That should have been something he¡¯d known off the top of his head, but Ryker had never really been one for planning and strategy. It was why his nickname as a pilot had been Arsenal. Why waste time switching between loadouts at the loading bay to find the right gun for the job when you could bring all the guns, all the time? If standard kinetic munitions didn¡¯t work then Ryker would just switch to armor piercing rounds, if those didn¡¯t work then he¡¯d switch to explosive rounds. If those didn¡¯t work then he¡¯d get in close with the Pile Bunker and ram the pseudo diamond alloy tip through the skull of whatever was causing him problems. Or if a Kaiju was out of conventional weapons range he¡¯d just find an elevated position without any civilians nearby and fire up the rail gun. You could always rely on a railgun to get the job done. I miss my railgun. Ryker thought distractedly, thinking of the very same weapon Beck had him test way back when. The only problems with railguns ironically, was that they were almost too destructive. Firing a twenty foot long spike of artificial tungsten that accelerated to multiple times the speed of sound in a fraction of a second did get the job done. But it also generated a pressure wave that would pulp a normal human¡¯s internal organs if they were within two hundred feet of the blast and weren¡¯t behind a wall of ablative armor and multiple layers of shock absorbing gel like he had been in his mech. It also moved fast enough to ignite the oxygen in the air as it passed, which caused a number of problems if there were any Kaiju that liked to spew flammable gasses into the air. What had that one Kaiju¡¯s name been? Bomb something or other. Focus damnit. Ryker thought. Shaking his head roughly. This changed things. It meant that the venom he¡¯d been hit with when the other Kaiju had bit him had changed from a standard venom into a much more worrying hemotoxin. He wanted that. Wound need that if he wanted to be capable of crushing Kaiju across the world. Closing his eyes Ryker sunk into himself as he pictured the three DNA segments that were responsible for giving him his monstrous abilities. It was the first time he¡¯d done so since his recent Neural Amplification upgrade and the difference in clarity was stark. Like he was turning a screen on or accessing a menu within his mech. He¡¯d only had to focus on it for a few seconds. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. More than a little pleased to see his progress in action. Ryker looked over the upgrades he currently had access to. With two active abilities for each DNA segment Ryker was actually spread pretty evenly. He should head back to the gas station and eat any surviving Kaiju remains. The he could start making progress towards the next¡­ Wait. What? Ryker thought shocked. Mentally peering closer at the second Rung of his Neurosensory segment and, to his surprise, the modifier currently active there. With the center of the Rung glowing bright with the active ability there was another glow on the left side of the ability where the Rung connected to the strand of the helix. Ryker mentally probed the epigenetic modifier, poking and prodding it like he was worried it might explode on him or something. When the hell did I get this thing? Ryker thought wonderingly. Taking a moment to center himself Ryker analyzed the change in his DNA. It was a modifier for his Neural Amplification ability. Feeling out the modifier¡¯s effects, he felt it¡­ humming in his mind, passively parsing through signals in the air as it worked. Oh I get it! That¡¯s how I can hear radio waves. The modifier must have made some part of my brain receptive to electromagnetic signals. Ryker thought to himself, absently bringing a claw to his chin to ponder the change further. What would that modifier even be called? An EM sensory matrix? Sure, that sounds cool enough for me. What was the other option though? If I got this one active modifier then that means there was another available modifier that¡¯s now inaccessible to me. Feeling suddenly like he might have been missing out on an amazing ability Ryker peered deeper into the space the modifier occupied and the inactive negative space behind it. That must be the other modifier for this part of Neural Amplification. It feels like¡­ Hrmm¡­ Like an even higher boost to a single sense of my choosing? What would that be like? Could that give me something akin to echolocation if I focused it on hearing? Damn, that might have actually been pretty useful. Though in the end its definitely better for me in the long run if I can sense radio waves. I should be able to tune into police chatter, news reports around the country, and not to mention music to keep me sane. Now feeling satisfied he wasn¡¯t locked out of a potentially game changing modifier Ryker looked over his other abilities. From his memory he knew he could get some modifiers for his Increased Muscle Density upgrade that could make even his large frame faster and more resilient. That alone could be game changing, but what about modifiers for other abilities like his Increased Bone Density? Thinking back to the early days of the Kaiju threat, when an abundance of Stage Ones stalked the earth, he distinctly remembered some kaiju developing bone like spikes along their spines and tails. Oh... Oh yeah¡­ Ryker thought greedily. Staring at each unmodified ability in his genome with an almost physical hunger. If I could get every available modifier for his abilities, not just the ones he had unlocked now but every ability available to him as a Stage One Kaiju¡­ Looks like I¡¯ve got another thing to add to my list of priorities. Ryker thought. Well, more like an addendum to the first thing. Grow as strong as possible by killing and eating as many Kaiju as possible, and focus on unlocking the modifiers for each unlocked ability as I fight. With only a somewhat pained grimace as the hemotoxic venom in his leg wound finally lost its effects Ryker forced himself to stand to his feet. Digging a furrow in the oak with one claw as he used it to push himself up. Only groaning a little bit as he got his legs under him and started making his way back towards the remains of the gas station and the charred bodies of Kaiju he could smell on the breeze. Stomping forward with only a slight limp now. With all the fuel burned up the gas station fire was starting to subside. The flames only persisting in the remains of the building itself. Surveying the surroundings Ryker easily spotted the first charred corpse that had been hurled clear by the explosion. Standing over the smaller Kaiju Ryker bent down and went to work, steam rising off the strips of meat he tore out of the dead beast¡¯s hide. Chowing down with gusto, Ryker tore through the meal before him and all the other corpses scattered around. Feeling the well of genetic capital build within himself as he went. Gonna take¡­ a bit more for the next ones I think. Ryker mused as he chewed on a thigh bone. Feeling the amount he¡¯d eaten already should have been enough for a new ability but knowing his body felt otherwise. Makes sense. The amount I need to eat will definitely increase the bigger I get and the abilities I unlock grow more complex. Having torn through the smaller Kaiju corpses in record time, Ryker finally arrived at the final one. Saving the most charred corpse for last. The seven foot tall Kaiju who¡¯d bitten him with its modified venom. Bastard. Ryker thought resentfully. Giving the corpse a solid kick with a hind claw that sent its scorched body cracking. The abuse was both to soothe Ryker¡¯s damaged pride at being bitten while distracted in combat and also for the monster¡¯s gall at unlocking a powerful ability modifier before he could. It probably said something deep about himself as a person that he enjoyed eating the last Kaiju more than any of the others. But Ryker payed those thoughts no heed. After devouring the charred remains of the Kaiju with the last of the fires finally sputtering out Ryker. Looked up happily from his macabre feast and focused on the thrumming feeling inside himself that signaled he could acquire another ability. Alright! Let¡¯s see what we got. Ryker thought. Rubbing his claws together eagerly as he licked the last of the gore from his snout. Mentally feeling out the third rung of the red Musculoskeletal segment in his DNA Ryker felt an almost physical pinpricking sensation across his entire body. Not focused in the muscles and other tissues of his body but on the outermost layer. Definitely feels like a Scale Formation Enhancement. Ryker concluded after feeling out the ability for a minute to make sure. He definitely could have used an upgrade like this earlier. Tougher scales would have done wonders to prevent the envenomed Kaiju fangs piercing into his legs. Would they be bullet proof though? Ryker thought wonderingly. Feeling a twinge of excitement at the thought of bullets bouncing off him and leaving him unharmed. They would be wouldn¡¯t they? Yeah that¡¯s right! I remember when¡­ The growing excitement Ryker felt drained away as the consequences of that upgrade hit home as he remembered the early days of the Kaiju¡¯s attacks. They would make me bullet proof. Ryker thought with a heavy lump in his chest. And that same upgrade will make other Kaiju bullet proof as well. The upgrade wouldn¡¯t render him or other Kaiju completely bullet proof of course. But it would make small arms fire ineffective against the upgraded scales he and other Kaiju would form. In the coming days, all across the world probably, there would be people running into Kaiju with that upgrade. And when they used a pistol or other small caliber hand gun to defend themselves it wouldn¡¯t be enough. The majority of people who owned firearms to protect themselves would soon find out that they didn¡¯t have enough firepower to defend themselves anymore. Police forces around the country would have to rely on rifles and shotguns to deal any damage in the near future before the Military mobilized itself. It was a grim thought. But it was a truth Ryker couldn¡¯t shy away from. Despite knowing that there would be nothing he could do though he still felt a spike of anger at the thought of it. He was certain that the family he¡¯d saved at the campgrounds had a firearm, probably a pistol by the sound he¡¯d heard racing towards the fighting. That one pistol was enough to hold off the Kaiju enough for the family to barricade themselves inside their cabin before Ryker had arrived in the nick of time to save them. In the future, as more and more Kaiju gained those protective scales it would mean that the innocent people of the world would be even more vulnerable. Damn. Ryker thought glumly. Trying to take his mind out of the pit he¡¯d worked himself into, Ryker looked to the blue Neurosensory segment of his DNA and the third rung¡¯s ability just begging to be activated. It felt like another brain related ability right off the bat. Similar somewhat in function to the Neural Amplification only¡­ different somehow. What exactly is this thing? Ryker thought puzzled. Usually he¡¯d had a pretty good idea of what an ability did after feeling it out but this one left him stumped. Unconsciously Ryker tilted his head to the side as he crossed his arms in thought. Had anyone been nearby the sight of a green monster tapping a hind claw on the ground in thought might have been comical if that same monster wasn¡¯t ten feet tall and spattered in drying blood. The Neural Amplification definitely boosted my brain¡¯s ability to function. Kinda like¡­ I dunno. A computer getting newer parts? Like the stock graphics card was switched out with a newer one. If that¡¯s the case then what is there left to improve? The same neurons but with an even more powerful brain upgrade? No that doesn¡¯t feel right. It¡¯s definitely different from Neural Amplification somehow. It¡¯s¡­ Hrmm¡­ maybe¡­? The idea came to Ryker and he instantly felt it click. Grinning widely in a smile that would have likely caused most adults to faint, Ryker clapped his claws together as he got it. Oh! It¡¯s not an upgrade to the brain¡¯s hardware like Neural Amplification is. It¡¯s an upgrade to the brain¡¯s software! Condensing and reordering information in the mind like a Synaptic Defrag of sorts that¡­ Ryker faltered in his eureka moment as the idea of a brain related ¡°software upgrade¡± bounced around his head for a moment and left him wondering exactly what that would do for him. Damnit. Now I¡¯m in the exact same spot I was before I took the Neural Amplification upgrade. I¡¯ve already got a human level intellect, how is that going to help me at all? Ryker thought a little sourly. Though in hindsight the Neural Amplification upgrade had ended up being a great addition to his body. As well as the epigenetic modifier that allowed him to hear radio waves. So Ryker didn¡¯t immediately discount the upgrade. However, it definitely fell behind the other Scale Formation Enhancement upgrade in terms of straight up usefulness. Then what¡¯s over here? Ryker thought, finally coming to the last available upgrade he could select that was part of his yellow Cardiopulmonary DNA Segment. Feeling out the ability Ryker could immediately tell it was an enhancement to an existing organ in his body rather than a new addition like the Venom Glands had been. It felt small though. Like the organ in question wasn¡¯t his heart or other major organs. It felt hot somehow, almost angry. Ah, okay. It¡¯s the adrenal glands. Ryker surmised. Yup, definitely the adrenals. Though they feel a bit more potent in a way. Ryker took some time to feel out the upgrade since it seemed so ordinary compared to the others. Compared to bullet proof scales and unknown mind alterations getting an ability that just boosted something felt almost mundane. Wait. Ryker thought. Pausing as he felt a particular part of the upgrade that almost felt like¡­ a trigger? A Triggered Adrenal Surge? Interesting. Ryker thought appreciatively. Now that could come in handy. Adrenaline was something that just happened during a fight. Sometimes it came at the right time you could take full advantage of it and others it just left you shaking as you waited for the rush to leave your system. If he could manually trigger an adrenaline rush whenever he needed there wouldn¡¯t be any waiting for adrenaline to kick in during a fight. He could start any fight by immediately popping off with adrenaline fueled strength, stamina, and speed. For a moment Ryker tried to press his awareness towards the three upgrades. Hoping to find a way that would allow him to get a preview of what the potential modifiers for those abilities would be but he couldn¡¯t sense anything. Well it was worth a shot. Ryker admitted before choosing which of the three abilities to accept as an upgrade. It wasn¡¯t really a fair comparison since each upgrade was for different things but Ryker compared the abilities anyway. Starting with the Scale Formation Enhancement it was an immediate increase to his defensive abilities that would negate any damage by small arms fire. That was a great boon all on its own but Ryker wasn¡¯t exactly planning on getting shot again anytime soon. Wouldn¡¯t he be avoiding gunfire from people if he could help it? He was larger for the most part than other Kaiju too. His improved scales would make their own claw and bite attacks against him much less of a problem than they had been. That may actually be necessary considering more and more Kaiju would inevitably grow their own Venom Glands like he had. The Triggered Adrenal Surge on the other hand was almost the exact opposite of the Scale Formation Enhancement. Whereas the scale focused ability was purely defensive the adrenal ability was all offense. Being able to manually deliver amped up adrenaline to his body whenever he wanted was a great trump card to pull in the middle of a fight. And wasn¡¯t all out aggression Ryker¡¯s entire fighting style? In a way the adrenal ability felt all too appropriate for Ryker. Thinking on the Synaptic Defrag gave Ryker the most pause though. It just couldn¡¯t be compared to the Scale Formation Enhancement and Triggered Adrenal Surge in the same way those two abilities could be compared with each other. It felt more like a gamble than anything. From what he felt from the ability it wasn¡¯t going to give him a powerful game changing ability like the adrenal ability or something on the same level as the scale upgrade he was considering. The changes it offered were purely internal. And to see what those changes were he¡¯d have to acquire the ability first so it could defrag his mind. Now that he¡¯d had some experience with the Neural Amplification upgrade Ryker wasn¡¯t immediately worried the mental ability would fry his brain when the defrag took place. It would probably feel weird, disorienting even like it had when his senses had hooked up to his enhanced mind, but it would be nowhere near enough to keep him out of any fights for long. After only a short time of hemming and hawing over his option Ryker settled on the Scale Formation Enhancement over the other upgrades. He might have been big and strong but he wasn¡¯t invulnerable, he was also the only one who knew of the catastrophes to come and what might be done to stop them. Taking that into account and how he needed to ensure he survived long enough to prevent the disasters he¡¯d been sent back in time to stop, it was a simple choice. Plus the bullets in his back were starting to ache like he was getting stung repeatedly by hornets. He may have chosen differently had he not just been shot recently, but he had. It would be nice to not have to worry about getting shot in the first place but that¡¯s probably going to be something I can¡¯t avoid. Ryker admitted. Giving himself a once over. I mean look at me. Shit man. If I had a gun, I¡¯d shoot me too. Feeling good about his upgrade choice Ryker selected the Scale Formation Enhancement and felt his accumulated calories evaporate as his body burned his fuel. It started from the crown of his scaly head. Making Ryker shift and blink rapidly as the change traveled down his face. Bringing a claw up to his face to feel the change pass by he felt something thick and paper like fall onto his claws as Ryker looked down. Feeling all at once disgusted and horrified in equal measure. Ugh! I¡¯m molting? Ew, seriously!? Ryker cried out in disgusted frustration as he clawed and swiped at the strips of dead scales molting from his reptilian body. He turned around in a circle swiping at himself over and over as the change continued downwards. Traveling down his legs until Ryker was left hopping in place trying to dislodge the strips of molted scales clinging to his hind claws like comically large lengths of toilet paper. After a full minute of furiously swiping himself clean of old scales Ryker huffed in place as he caught his breath. Just when I think I¡¯m getting used to this whole thing. Something happens that just throws all my expectations out the window. Ryker thought with a shudder as he he ran a claw down his snout. Ryker¡¯s claw stopped on the side of his face as he felt over the new scales adorning his body. They felt all at once denser and more streamlined as each scale flowed over the next. His claws even making a light almost inaudible tinkling sound as he ran them over the thicker scales on his chest. Even the coloration of his scales had changed from the dark green all Kaiju started out with to a lighter hue of green. Well I still wish I could have skipped the whole molting thing. Ryker thought reluctantly. But this¡­ isn¡¯t half bad. Ryker was turning his arms over and looking over the change in the scales there when he stopped. Squinting for a moment in suspicion at his body. Wait a minute. Ryker thought. Wait a damn minute. Stomping over to the tree line again Ryker stared hard at one of the branches he¡¯d passed under when he¡¯d ran into the forest earlier. A branch that he was now more than eye level with now. Confirming his suspicions to his own great annoyance. You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Ryker thought tiredly. Raising a hand to face palm, face claw? Whatever. All those years of academy training, detecting the slightest shift in my mech¡¯s instruments and calibrating settings on the fly. All utterly incapable of sensing a Kaiju¡¯s growth spurts. What am I at now? Eleven feet tall? Ryker questioned despairingly as he raised his claws to the sky. How do I not notice? Letting his claws drop in defeat Ryker shook his head and thought about his next move. Even though he¡¯d unlocked less than half of the total available number of DNA upgrades he had access to in Stage One, Ryker only had a single active epigenetic ability modifier. And even then it was one that he¡¯d activated almost completely by accident back in the Fairview Supermarket. I need to make a game plan for activating these modifiers. Ryker thought. Determined to maximize his advantages against other Kaiju. I¡¯ll have to be careful to make sure my behaviors and actions doesn¡¯t accidentally trigger a modifier I don¡¯t want. Unlike the main DNA abilities Ryker could acquire if he just had enough consumed calories the modifiers were different. By their own epigenetic nature, they would only activate if his behaviors matched each modifier¡¯s unique triggers. Normal Kaiju might not activate a lot of their ability modifiers since they were just going about their own murderous business most of the time. Any modifiers they did activate would be more due to blind luck than anything else. But Ryker wasn¡¯t a dumb brute, even if that was what other military branches said about mech pilots. Should I focus on acquiring modifiers one ability at a time or should I try and make some master plan that will increase the odds of attaining multiple modifiers? Ryker thought to himself as he started pacing near the tree line*. If I go with a focused approach I should be able to get individual ability modifiers quicker at the risk of letting the others go untouched until I can focus on them. That would take time but should give me some clear results quickly enough. Then there¡¯s the master plan approach. Feel out all the different ability modifiers I could gain by doing tasks that overlap with each other. And then performing those tasks to get multiple modifiers from multiple activities at once. Ryker paused in his pacing for a moment, thinking both of those approaches over before coming to a decision. Ah, who the hell am I kidding. I¡¯ve never made a master plan for anything in my life. Ryker admitted unashamedly. Time to power level an ability and unlock those modifiers. And Ryker knew exactly the ability he wanted to work on. Increased Muscle Fiber Density was one of the first abilities Ryker had gotten after hatching. It was plain and simple, but also provided a number of benefits that only revealed themselves after he¡¯d had the ability long enough to recognize what it did. For instance in addition to increasing his strength the upgrade also increased his speed as well. Since the DNA ability wasn¡¯t focused on any single group of muscles in the body it meant that every muscle received the same benefits. Moving deeper into the woods Ryker found a small clearing nearby with a stream running through it. Taking a moment to chug down some water Ryker remembered Beck¡¯s diagrams and explanations for Increased Muscle Fiber Density¡¯s modifiers. On the A side of the gene were two options. Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers and Slow Twitch Muscle Fibers. Each modifier changes the ability to better suit one over the other I¡¯m guessing. Ryker thought. Though he knew endurance was a critical trait to have in the field and Ryker would benefit from it greatly, he just couldn¡¯t take it. Ryker¡¯s entire career as a mech pilot had been defined by going in fast and loud. To the point where a spearheading a blitzkrieg offensive into enemy Kaiju was his bread and butter. Focus on the Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers then. Ryker thought nodding, already picturing a way he could act that would force his body to adapt in the way he wanted. Shouldn¡¯t be too complicated. Ryker thought. Moving to one edge of the clearing and crouching down. It felt more than a bit silly doing something he hadn¡¯t done since high school but he wanted to unlock a modifier for his fast twitch muscle fibers right? What better way was there to unlock it than performing a hundred meter dash? Without wasting another moment to question his idea Ryker was off. Hind claws tearing into the grass and dirt underneath him Ryker pelted towards the other side of the clearing as fast as his bitten leg and recently lengthened stride could carry him. He arrived with a huff as he gulped down air, riding out the pain of the bullets slowly getting pushed out of his body and wounds slowly healing. Waiting for a moment as he felt for the change within himself that would announce the unlocking of his ability modifier. Nothing. Grimacing at the lack of notice and the continued aching pains Ryker turned and ran the way he¡¯d come from the other side of the clearing. Then, after noticing no change, he did it again. Then again. Then again. Forty one painful sprints later Ryker collapsed to the ground fully spent. Sending a small quake through the ground as he did so. Heaving like a bellows and finally feeling the tingle within his body that announced a change in one of his own abilities. Okay¡­ Okay¡­ That was a lot worse than I¡¯d thought. Ryker panted. Allowing himself a grin at knowing he¡¯d knowingly unlocked an epigenetic modifier. When Ryker was fully recovered from his back to back sprints he rose up slowly. Already feeling the muscles in his extremities begin to writhe and shift under his scales as he watched. It was like having a lesser version of a cramp contract muscles all over your body. Only the cramp in question grew in intensity as the muscles settled into tighter and tighter positions. Standing now, Ryker moved in a circle as he looked himself over. He definitely felt the effects of the modifier now. Testing his newfound speed, Ryker swiped a claw through the air. The air whizzing by as his claw scythed through the space in front of him. Oh. Ryker beamed. Testing different swipes again and again. Is there really this much of an improvement? High on the increase in speed brought on by the modifier Ryker swiped at the air in quick succession. up, down, left, right. He even dared to go for a kick like he¡¯d done back in the abandoned radio station. But instead of falling like he¡¯d done before, thrown off by his new body¡¯s weight distribution. Ryker whipped his body around in a textbook side kick, hind claws raking the air as he brought his large leg around and back down. That stopped Ryker short. Making him take a step back as he absorbed a new realization. That modifier must have affected my dexterity too¡­ Ryker thought numbly. Even knowing how much he must have weighed his body felt lighter now if that was possible. More poised and balanced. I wonder how much¡­? Struck with a new desire to test the limits of his capabilities. Ryker started by stretching his body to test its full range of motion like he had back in the radio station. He¡¯d found his movements constraining back then. Limiting compared to the grace he¡¯d felt in his human body. But now it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The tightness that had held back his movements gone completely now. He crouched easily, bent himself forwards, backwards, and sideways. He could actually stretch his arms out to their fullest now. Straight above his head and behind him without the strain of pulling on his muscles like he¡¯d felt before. He could even do the warm up stretches he¡¯d done on the practice mat with the other pilots. Feeling better than he had in days Ryker smiled genuinely. Every fight he¡¯d gotten into since hatching in his new body Ryker had fought like a Kaiju. It hadn¡¯t been a conscious choice he¡¯d made, it was just something that happened. He was in the body of a Kaiju so it just made sense to fight like a Kaiju. He couldn¡¯t let his inhibitions to his new form stop him from completing his mission after all. He¡¯d just rolled with it. Gone with the flow of the situation even if it was sub optimal. Chomping, stomping, slashing, biting, etcetera. But what if¡­ he didn¡¯t just fight like a Kaiju? As a pilot of a mech with a humanoid frame it was heavily encouraged for pilots to practice moves, holds, and unarmed strikes on the mat that they¡¯d be able to perform in their mechs on Kaiju. There weren¡¯t many humanoid shaped Kaiju, but being trained in the best way to lock down a Kaiju¡¯s appendages or head when your weapons were inoperable could give your other pilots the window of opportunity they¡¯d need to get the killing blow. Ryker himself had trained with hundreds of other pilots in every kind of martial art they could adapt to mechanized combat. There was even a half serious tournament circuit that Ryker had participated in that had run for a while called the MMMA. With the acronym standing for Mechanized Mixed Martial Arts naturally, because that¡¯s exactly what soldiers would call it. He¡¯d just assumed that since his new body wasn¡¯t human any more he¡¯d have to scrap everything he¡¯d known about fighting and start from scratch. But why should he do that? If his body could be made more dexterous and quick like his human body had been, why not adapt what he knew to his new body? Slowly, almost hesitantly. Ryker walked his body through the motions of one of the first kata he¡¯d learned. Not seeking to strike out with the strength his body had but rather to analyze his movements and where he needed to make adjustments. My center of gravity is still different from before. Ryker thought with a furrowed brow. My tail is what acts as my counter balance now, but how should I¡­? His body was still as big and monstrous as it always was but ever so slowly. Ryker brought more and more grace into his movements. With every slash of a claw and swipe of his tail he learned how to move his body and adapt his old forms to best suit his needs. It took time. Hours upon hours as the night receded and the first light of dawn glimmered on the horizon. But with every failed movement Ryker slowly taught himself how to move. A mix of something old and something new. It took time to train himself to go for claw swipes where he¡¯d used to throw punches, even more to figure out how to incorporate lunges that could make use of his fangs, and where to lash out with a swipe of his tail. But he learned. Outside of Fairview Tennessee as the light of day shone on, a monster learned to use their strength. Elsewhere, another monster slaughtered the weak to obtain it. Chapter 12 - The Survivor It ran. Never stopping even once as fear kept the hatchling moving. Always moving. Something was wrong with its kin when it had hatched. It came out wrong, sickened, and twisted. It did not respond to its own pleading cries as it had torn through the unhatched eggs of its clutch. It had broken them. Dashed their insides out across the ground and stomped on them. For a small amount of time it had thought it was safe with its own brothers as they fled their birthplace and the frenzied madness of their kin. They had found a hunting ground far enough away they believed themselves to be safe. There had been a delicious smell that had drawn it closer to the nest of the two legged creatures outside. One larger and one smaller that must have been its offspring. There had been a four legged creature slinking away through the brush but it had made quick work of that simple beast. The larger two leg fought back somehow, with explosions of sound that leapt from its arms to drive spikes of pain into it and its brothers. But they had almost had them. The entire nest of two legs surrounded as its pack closed in on their first kill. Then their mad kin had followed. Stronger. Faster. Coming for them. For it! The battle was fierce but their mad kin was strong. Too strong. Too fierce. Too driven by madness. The sickening stench of their dead brothers stained its teeth and flesh. Had it had eaten its own to grow stronger? Its own kind?! Even as it and its brothers fought against the maddened kin it hoped that it was not true. It couldn¡¯t be true. It was wrong to eat kin. Wrong! So wrong! But it had gorged on them like its brothers were prey! Then as the heat of the fire grew around the two legs nest it had stumbled back from its kin, falling to the ground as it held a claw over its eye. There on the ground, through the red dripping out of the wound that had just spared its eye, it had stared into its mad kin¡¯s eyes. Those terrible¡­ terrible eyes. They burned. Burned to see him dead. To see his heart blood spilled out until it ran no more. To sup on his flesh and lap at the wet red of his insides until his final dying breath. Until the white of his bones were crushed to dust and scattered to the wind. It had run when the flames ran high. Run and run and run and run. Without his pack. Alone. His kin would follow him, he knew now. Would always follow him. Would never stop following him! It wouldn¡¯t stop, wouldn¡¯t stop, wouldn¡¯t stop wouldn¡¯t stop! It would not STOP! It ate only when absolutely necessary, slept only when it fell into the dirt from exhaustion again and again as the hours crawled on and night turned to day and back to night. It knew fear as it quaked in the dark under the canopies of green that spread out endlessly before it. Fear and nothing else. But as time passed. As it starved and weakened and thirsted. It learned something new. Something that gave it strength. Something that drove it forwards. It learned to hate. Waking again from another shortened rest a pang of hunger tore through it as it shivered. Wet after the light rain had peppered it with water. It moved ever forwards. It needed to grow stronger. Strong enough to kill its maddened kin. It would make it pay. Make it pay for all its dead brothers. Make it bleed and bleed and bleed and bleed and bleed. The first true shelter the hatchling stumbled into was a cave, it was dark and cold, but still better than shivering in the rain. It could smell the tang of dung and animal fur in the air, drawing the Kaiju towards the rear of the cave. Where a shifting mass of black fur growled menacingly at the monster¡¯s approach. The black bear rose up on its haunches as its four cubs mewled and cowered behind their mother. Despite being alone, and so far from the aid of its pack the Kaiju didn¡¯t back down. It took a step forward, the eye with three gashes that had scarred over it taking the bear in with a manic hunger. Even though it stood eye to eye with the standing bear, even as its instincts told it this would not be an easy fight. The hatred drove it forward. It had seen how strong its maddened brother had grown. Remembered how terrible its strength was. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. It would match that strength- No! Crush. It. Mouth salivating at the food before it, dripping from its maw onto the cave floor the Kaiju lunged at the bear the instant it was distracted by a cry from its cubs. Sinking its fangs deep into the bear¡¯s thick neck as the Kaiju wrenched its head from side to side. The bear roared in pain and challenge as it raked its claws over the Kaiju¡¯s scales. Tearing through its natural armor and into the meat of its hide. The fight was as savage as it was quick. Both beasts holding nothing back as they desperately sought to end the other. Roars of fury and pain mixing together as they echoed out of the cave. The bright red of fresh blood spattered across the cave floor as their claws rose and fell. But much more from one beast than the other. The bear staggered back, its maimed leg failing to take its weight as exposed arteries spelled its end with every pump of its heart. Staining its black fur crimson as it futilely tried for one last swipe at the beast that had killed it. The Kaiju dodged the blow and as the bear fell to the ground it dove for the back of its exposed neck. Feeling the bones of its spine bend under the pressure of its jaws until an audible snap echoed through the cave. Heralding the end of the mother bear and the first true feast the hatchling had won for itself. A final spasm wracked the bear¡¯s broken body as it died, muscles twitching violently as they acted on the broken signals being sent to them. In the span of seconds their strength dwindled to a barely perceptible shiver as the Kaiju¡¯s jaws closed. Tearing a chunk of flesh and bone from the bear¡¯s neck that stilled it forever. The monster tore into the corpse almost immediately, not sparing any time to even confirm its kill and safety. It tore strip after fleshy strip from the bear. Groaning in delight at the taste of warm muscle and fat on its tongue. It dipped its claws down into the meat of the bear¡¯s belly, grasping organs and connective tissue that spilled out of its claws to litter the ground around it as it lifted the prize to its mouth. Barely even taking enough care to chew its food enough to not choke on it. As it gorged on the beast, a change ran through its body. Its muscles rippling under its scales as a gene locked ability in its DNA reached the necessary threshold. But the Musculoskeletal upgrade didn¡¯t stop there, with the constant marathon of its flight from its mad kin the Slow Twitch muscle fibers all throughout its body strengthened. Increasing its inherent stamina and endurance beyond what other hatchlings would normally have access to. When the changes stopped the hatchling looked up and stared, its head almost level with the ceiling of the cave. Any amount of surprise it felt at its increased size was quickly forgotten as the Kaiju refocused on the mewling sounds of the bear cubs at the back of the cave. Calling out for a mother who could no longer hear them. There wasn¡¯t an ounce of sympathy in the Kaiju¡¯s heart as it strode forward. The increased weight of its step crushing the exposed bones of the bear it had slain. Even with the fresh wounds on its body from the bear¡¯s raking claws and fangs it knew these prey animals before it were no threat. The still warm wetness of the cub mother¡¯s heart blood dripped from the monster¡¯s fanged maw. Dripping in a trail of red across the den the cubs had called home all their lives as the Kaiju moved towards them. Until it loomed above them, flicking a reptilian tongue over its fangs at the meals before it. It felt no need to rush what would come next. In the forest outside the cave where every smaller beast had fled, had there been any nearby. They would have heard the sounds of four bear cubs crying out into the night. Then three¡­ Two¡­ One... Then no more. As the dawn began to peek over the hills some hours later, the Kaiju had finished lapping at the last remains of its feast. With its green scales stained red with drying blood it raised a claw over the eye its mad kin had marked. Tracing the claw scar that stubbornly refused to heal. It remembered its hatred. It remembered its purpose. Kill you¡­ The Kaiju¡¯s primitive mind thought. Bringing the claw down across its yellow eye as it brought to mind its kin¡¯s sickening stench. The terrifying strength its body held. Hunt you¡­ Find you¡­ Kill you! For a moment the Hatchling was lost in its thoughts as it savored the idea of hunting its brother. Finding it wherever it was. Killing it with its own strength. Its yellow eyes burning with an intensity it had never felt before. Kill you! The Kaiju roared. As if it could carry its declaration to the brother it despised. Kill you! Kill you! KILL YOU! Chapter 13 - Short Term Gains, Long Term Plans Ryker was a man accustomed to hard work and training. Whether it be putting hours into the simulators or diving deep into the specs of new weapons for his mech he was more than wiling to do whatever it took to give himself an edge in combat. Even if he was a Kaiju now, that drive for self improvement and mastery hadn¡¯t gone away. In the midst of his newly unlocked epigenetic modifier that granted him a a sorely needed speed and agility boost, he¡¯d nearly lost himself in feeling out his newfound range of motion. How to work in his existing techniques he¡¯d previously adapted to close quarters mech combat to his somewhat alien physique. But at one point, there was a change that had made Ryker stop cold. A simple question really. He¡¯d been able to unlock his most recent modifier in roughly an hour of repeated sprinting. So how much¡­ How many more could I unlock¡­ right now? Ryker thought. The idea of getting upgrades to all the abilities he¡¯d acquired so far. Not just in some indeterminate future but now? Right now? Well that was just too tempting an idea to ignore. To say that Ryker got carried away would have been an understatement. Okay! Ryker thought stubbornly. Even as his monstrous body swayed from side to side as most of his upper torso was stinging with aches and pains. Just one more time! This is the one, then we¡¯ll get it! Stomping around in a circle and hyping himself up for what he was going to do next. Ryker took a deep breath in. Nostrils flaring as he glared out at the reason for his suffering. Hind claws digging furrows into the dirt Ryker didn¡¯t give himself any time to second guess or take a break. With a burst of speed thanks to the recent Fast Twitch Muscle Fiber modifier he¡¯d acquired Ryker tore forward through the clearing. Running at a full tilt that caused the pebbles and lower branches of the trees around him to quake with his passing. Shutting his eyes he charged forward. Right into the boulder. Despite being in the body of a monstrous freak of nature. Ryker was still no match for the unyielding weight of a hundred tons of stone. Ryker slammed into the boulder and felt the shock of the impact ripple through his entire frame as he hit with enough force to literally bounce off the boulder. Dazed as he was Ryker didn¡¯t even try to keep upright as he tipped over and crashed to the ground. Sending one more quake through the clearing that had become his impromptu training ground before the land stilled around him as he groaned in pain. There on the ground, making no move at all to get up from his position. Ryker held his breath and waited. Hoping more than a little desperately that this could be the final time he¡¯d have to run into the boulder before he unlocked the modifier to the first rung of the Kaiju genome¡¯s Musculoskeletal segment. The Shock Absorbent Muscular Tissue modifier that his DNA stubbornly refused to grant him after all his efforts. It had only taken a brief recollection of his talk with Beck so long ago to bring to mind exactly what his options were for modifying his body¡¯s muscle tissues. The two options he¡¯d had left to choose from after attaining the first modifier were Shock Absorbent Muscle Tissue and Lactic Acid Resistant Muscle Tissue. It had actually taken Ryker a long moment to think on his options before deciding what he¡¯d wanted in the end. Lactic Acid was the chemical byproduct of muscles that was responsible for soreness and fatigue once enough of the chemical built up. Choosing the modifier would allow Ryker to move and fight for a much longer period of time before needing to rest again. Combined with his recently acquired upgrade to his Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers it would undoubtedly be a potent and lethal edge in combat. But he couldn¡¯t afford to charge into battle as recklessly as he¡¯d done before. He was alone in this fight. There wouldn¡¯t be any possibility of backup. Even if the military mobilized to fight the same Kaiju he was fighting they would target him just as readily as any other. Should he die before even getting the chance to evolve his body to Stage Two and beyond the world he¡¯d been charged with saving would continue on its course, the timeline practically unchanged. Lethality was important, incredibly important for Ryker¡¯s purposes. But it would all be for naught if he couldn¡¯t survive long enough to kill the monsters to come. The ones responsible for making the surface of the planet entirely uninhabitable to humanity. Which was why Ryker smiled in relief as he felt a change in his body as he lay sprawled on the grass. Muscles rippled across his entire frame as he rode out the change, relaxing and contracting in coordinated spasms as his DNA reacted to his concentrated efforts. Grimacing only slightly as the change swept through his bruised muscles Ryker lifted a scaled arm above his head. Watching the change in real time as muscles moved through his arm as he felt his body alter itself, until the muscles beneath his scales felt stronger. Not in the sense that they¡¯d grown in strength, but rather that they¡¯d grown in sturdiness as they acquired their new shock absorbing property. Well¡­ That was terribly unpleasant. Ryker thought with a sigh. Glancing back at the scuff marks he¡¯d left in the boulder as he cut his break short and forced himself to stand. Wincing in discomfort at the soreness of his still damaged muscles from running into a boulder over and over again. The idea of running into the boulder one last time to test his new modifier was entertained ever so briefly by his mind before being ruthlessly smothered and cast into the trash with all the other bad ideas Ryker had but never acted upon. Yeah, screw that. I¡¯ll hold off on testing this till later. I feel like I hurt my¡­ everything. Ryker groaned. Resting a claw on his neck to work out a crick he¡¯d developed during his repeated attempts to unlock the modifier. Alright. What¡¯s next? Ryker thought. Immediately thinking on what DNA ability he should focus on next. He had no modifiers for his second or third Musculoskeletal upgrades that would affect his bones and scales, but despite how appealing it would be to acquire those modifiers to augment his physical form, he was a bit too beat up to think about abusing his body again. He didn¡¯t even want to think about the crazy stunts he¡¯d have to pull to to activate modifiers that affected his bones. Well the other modifiers for the other gene segments can¡¯t be that hard to unlock can they? Ryker thought hopefully. He had a theory he needed to test when it came to his Neurosensory ability modifiers. With the epigenetic nature of the DNA modifiers, they would only activate in one form or another after a Kaiju performed the necessary behaviors and actions to unlock it. Normal Kaiju would stumble into most if not all ability modifiers just going about their monstrous business. But with Ryker¡¯s human intellect he was willing to bet he could leverage his superior brain power and focus to, if all went according to plan, effectively speed run his way to gain all the Neurosensory modifiers for his abilities. The radio sensing modifier he¡¯d unlocked had almost been by complete accident. Where all he had to do was single out a sensation or feeling long enough to activate it. Since Ryker had obtained that modifier inadvertently repeating the process was just a matter of willpower. Closing his eyes Ryker brought forward his mental image of the Neurosensory segment of his genome. The DNA helix was hued a soft blue with two of the first rungs glowing brighter to signify their active status. The left side of Neural Amplification glimmered with its single active modifier. I should start with the Enhanced Sensory Receptors first. Ryker thought. Focusing his mind on the first rung of the helix and singling out the left side. Feeling out the two modifiers and their functions so he could decide on what would serve him best. The two choices for the first modifier were split between enhancing his sight or his sense of smell. Deciding almost immediately that being able to see better was the better option Ryker opened his eyes and, for lack of a better way to explain it, just stared at a nearby tree really hard. Trying to make out the number of leaves on its branches as he glared at it unblinking. It felt stupid in the moment, very stupid actually but this was what he had to do right? After thirty minutes of constant focus Ryker began to feel an itch in his eyes that told him he was on the right track. It was faint, but was still a telltale sign of his DNA responding to his actions. He¡¯d stared and stared until his eyes grew sore from the strain and the itching grew until¡­ Ryker went blind. With a lizard like squawk of surprise Ryker spent a solid minute of stumbling backwards into trees and groaning in pain with his claws over his eyes. Keeping his cool despite the discomfort Ryker forced his eyes to take in light the same way they had before. Okay¡­ deep breaths now. Ryker thought grumpily as he finally took his claws away from his eyes, blinking rapidly. Grateful to see the world look normal again. Night Vision. Alright, now that¡¯s gonna come in handy. Ryker mused. It was no doubt an excellent addition to Ryker¡¯s utility but unlocking it during the day was also very unfortunate timing. In a matter of moments Ryker was back to business and already focused on unlocking the next modifier for the opposite end of his Enhanced Sensory Receptors. Feeling between the remaining modifiers, Ryker felt the first one as a kind of touch based tremor sense. A useful modifier to be sure but not exactly what Ryker was hoping for. The other modifier took a moment to feel out properly before Ryker got a grip on what it did. It felt like- A compass! Ryker thought excitedly, immediately dismissing the tremor sensing modifier. It wasn¡¯t truly a compass per se. Just the kind of natural ability to sense the Earth¡¯s magnetic north that migratory birds possessed. But any kind of navigational instrument was one Ryker would gladly accept. Being unable to call up his precise location and coordinates like he could previously in his mech was one thing Ryker very much missed. The Biological Compass wasn¡¯t anything like a GPS but it was a start. Unlocking it took a bit of trial and error. At first Ryker just faced north and waited. When that hadn¡¯t worked he tried some other things he was glad no one was able to see before settling on trying to sense true north as he closed his eyes and turned in a circle. Letting his mind hone in on the slightest pressures on his awareness that was the Earth¡¯s magnetic field over the next thirty minutes. For the umpteenth time in as many days Ryker felt a surge of gratitude towards Riley again, the pilot who¡¯d taught him the very techniques he was using. Ryker focused, narrowing down his awareness to the barely perceptible push of magnetic north until the itch of the modifier unlocking left him standing directly north. Leaving him feeling like he had a beacon in his mind that constantly indicated true north no matter how much he moved his head. There we go! Ryker thought, Grinning with a wickedly sharp smile as the man turned Kaiju congratulated himself on his successes. Careful to not accidently shift his eyes to night vision again and blind himself unnecessarily. Not bad. Not bad at all. Ryker hummed. Now all the only modifier I have left to unlock for this segment is for Neural Amplification. Let¡¯s see what we got¡­ The two options remaining for the other half of the rung took a bit to determine. They were both primarily mental modifiers of course but what they did felt like the polar opposite of each other. The first felt like it walled off his senses from each other. Like it would help him focus on individual senses without the others bleeding in and interrupting his focus. The modifier was somewhat useful he supposed. The other felt like it¡­ tied his senses together? Melded them together? It felt weird. Some kind of self induced Synesthesia perhaps? Combining all my senses together into one big super sense? Ryker thought puzzled. What purpose did that serve? He knew what Synesthesia was, it was a unique mental phenomenon that some people could develop through natural or chemical means. It softened the barriers between the senses in the mind so they bled into each other. People with the ability reported being able to taste colors they saw or see sounds they heard. What the heck does that even look like in a Kaiju? Ryker thought perplexed. Thrown for a loop by the modifier. Though now that he thought more about it. Hadn¡¯t he basically done the same thing to an extent when he was a pilot? Way back when, before Beck had invented the H.A.L.O. system that drastically improved a pilot¡¯s ability to connect to their machines the militaries of the world had relied on the simpler and more universal connector. The Neuro Jack. The same kind that had dominated the gaming space for years. It basically allowed a pilot to better move and operate their mech as a whole, augmenting their senses as they operated the physical controls. But the level of benefit people got from the connection varied from person to person. For some it was merely a convenient way to keep ammo counts within their field of view. For Ryker though it had been an invaluable aid when fighting. He¡¯d funneled every piece of data into his awareness. Ammo counts, positioning data, radar, and enemy analysis statistics. He¡¯d take in so much at times that even after some missions had ended he¡¯d still see numbers and targeting reticles flickering through his field of view. Yeah, I guess I did do something similar back then. Ryker mused. Synesthesia didn¡¯t feel like an urgent upgrade but if it was a part of his DNA it had to be essential in some way right? Sure, why the hell not. I¡¯ve been able to get the other Neurosensory modifiers pretty quickly. I¡¯ll knock this out real quick. Taking a moment to center himself again Ryker closed his eyes. Dismissing even the satisfaction of unlocking so many modifiers at once. He reached out to his expanded senses. The rustling whisper of the branches in his ears as they swayed in the wind and the smells of the verdant forest all around him. For a time Ryker tried to brute force the modifier to fall into place. Showing teeth in a silent snarl as tried to make scent and sound overlap and run into each other. When that hadn¡¯t worked Ryker tried to relax his senses. To take his hands off the wheel and just let them exist together in his mind. Slowly, painfully slowly. Ryker worked his senses closer together. Not with the directness of a man trying to force a change but as if gravity were slowly drawing them together. That¡¯s it. Just fall into place now. You want to be together don¡¯t you? Just mix together. Ryker thought distractedly as he tried to coax his senses together. Even as he felt the tingle of his DNA reacting to his thoughts Ryker kept up the mental effort. Picturing all five of his senses flowing towards a central point in his mind. Then, almost in the same manner a light switch was flicked on. Everything clicked. Ryker opened his eyes and blinked rapidly at the new colors invading his view. Shocked at how suddenly his entire sense of perception had altered. He turned in a slow circle mouth parted slightly as he beheld the world his cross wired senses showed him. At best Ryker had expected the modifier to be a kind of organized chaos. In the event he was blinded and lost his sense of sight in combat he hoped it could at least serve as an aid, helping him rely on senses other than sight to maneuver. At worst he could just disable the modifier. One of the reasons he had so readily pursued it was because he could intrinsically sense the Self Induced Synesthesia could be turned off. With that safeguard Ryker had been more than ready to disable it and never turn it on again. What he hadn¡¯t expected though, was how immediately useful it felt. Rather than the disjointed mishmash of senses he¡¯d expected he instantly felt how his senses fit together and overlapped in very precise ways. The trees all around him were awash in a soft light green hue as he breathed in their scent. The shades of green shifting slightly from tree to tree depending on its species. The sounds of the forest rippled across his scales as he heard and felt the scurrying of small animals through the brush. Their small bodies gleaming through the forest¡¯s greenery as their outlines shown red to him. Woah¡­ Ryker gawked. Even as he stared he flicked his tongue out to taste the air, sensing the old scent trails that crisscrossed the clearing like the notes of an alien song. Now this is just freaky. Even as a mech pilot the information his brain processed was concrete and fixed. Ammo counts were ammo counts after all, but this new Synesthesia blended everything together in Ryker¡¯s mind in a way he had no real way to prepare for. It was useful. He could tell that at least, but getting used to how he could sense the position of animals by the taste of their sounds and the colors of their scent was completely new. It was like living all your life looking at a picture you thought you understood until all of a sudden you found out you were only scratching the surface of it. With a strange feeling of reluctance Ryker flicked the Synesthesia off. Making the world more muted and bland in a way he couldn¡¯t quite put words to, even if it did feel more familiar. That¡­ Is definitely something I¡¯m going to have to practice with and work on later. Ryker thought. Coming out of his temporary daze. The alien mix of sensations wasn¡¯t anything like the sensory inputs and HUDs he¡¯d had as a pilot but if he could make it work he would. He was starting to miss not having any kind of additional information being fed to his brain while he fought. Damn. I think I actually miss not having an Integrated Intelligence pestering me every five seconds. Ryker chuckled, even as the glean of his fangs made the gesture look more devilish rather than simple amusement. Integrated Intelligences or Double Eyes as the techs and pilots called them were exactly what they sounded like. Low grade Artificial Intelligences built into all of the military¡¯s heavy weaponry. They parsed the most relevant tactical data in any given combat situation and funneled the results to their pilots. Ryker had made it a point to lower his Double Eye¡¯s interference and processing level to the lowest setting at all times. Feeding the majority of his mech¡¯s relevant data directly to his brain. It was a decision he¡¯d been constantly called out for and even been threatened with disciplinary action at one point. But his results in combat had always stayed the hand of his commanding officers. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. It wasn¡¯t like Double Eyes were useless, he readily admitted they were. It was just that for Ryker¡¯s purposes they always got in the way. It was so much harder to focus in a fight when the only thing the Integrated Intelligence had to say was [Warning! Damage Critical!] or [Disengage! Disengage! Ammunition depleted!]. It got boring really fast. This may not be anything like an Integrated Intelligence but It would be nice if it could be a stand in for my usual Heads Up Display. Ryker thought approvingly. I wonder if I¡¯ll be able to tweak it a bit more after I get more Neurosensory Upgrades and modifiers. I can already imagine how useful that might be. Smiling with the thought of further increasing his monstrous body¡¯s capabilities Ryker focused on the last gene segment. The Cardiopulmonary segment that didn¡¯t have a single modifier to its name. He felt a need to focus on his Venom Gland modifiers first but without any immediate targets Ryker put the ability on hold. He supposed he could just try biting trees and injecting them with venom but he felt that might not be as effective as biting living breathing Kaiju. So that just leaves the last one then. Ryker thought as he focused on his Hemodynamic Augmentation, the upgrade that altered his blood to better flow through his body and carry vital oxygen to his cells. Feeling out the available modifier options on one side of the rung Ryker could instantly feel how the modifiers were minute in scope but would impact his body in big ways. So the options are between Increased Red Blood Cell Counts or Increased White Blood Cell Counts. Definitely a clear winner there. Ryker thought after a moment of thought. Choosing the White Blood Cell modifier would definitely help him withstand biological attacks from other Kaiju but considering how much oxygen his growing body would burn he needed to make sure that he didn¡¯t slow down as he grew larger. Alright so¡­ Ryker paused. His enthusiasm waning as he thought. How exactly am I supposed to increase my Red Blood Cell Count? Is that something I can actually force with standard meditation. Ryker thought for a moment as he held a claw up to his face. A claw tapping against his hardened scales absentmindedly. Red Blood Cells carry oxygen right? Should I just focus on my breathing? Couldn¡¯t hurt. Calming his mind down, Ryker heaved a slow breath inward feeling his lungs fill to capacity before slowly exhaling. He kept up the breathing as the minutes passed by, then with each inhale he willed his body to draw more oxygen out of the air. To carry more of it from his lungs to the rest of his body. Ryker was so focused on his breathing that when his DNA reacted and he gained the modifier he was almost disappointed he could stop. Smiling wide at the speed of his progress so far and the strange new sensation that felt like his every breath carried more air somehow, Ryker shifted his attention to the last available modifier options for his Hemodynamic augmentation. Feeling them out in a fraction of the time it had first taken him to bring up the mental image. The first option was definitely blood related, but felt a bit more focused on something in his blood rather than his blood as a whole. It took a second to puzzle out but when he got it Ryker knew he wanted it. Hypercoagulating Platelets. To accelerate blood clotting for open wounds. Huh, this modifier might explain how those Kaiju I fought back in the day could keep trucking for so long before going down. It may not have been a huge boost to his survivability, but Ryker was definitely erring on the side of caution when it came to this gene modifier. Unless the other one was something amazing like- Acidic Blood! Ryker thought with a feral grin as he focused on the other modifier. Oh damn it would feel so good to give those Kaiju a taste of their own medicine! Acidic blood was such a bitch to deal with when I was still piloting. I could pay them back for every melted Armor, for every person that¡­ The grin at the idea of using acidic blood against other Kaiju faded almost immediately as Ryker remembered what the volatile ability was capable of. He¡¯d fought other Kaiju with acidic blood before. And while the threat to his mech had been great the real danger was when the giant monsters bled onto their surroundings. One massive splatter of their blood down a city block ate through buildings, cars, and trucks with a disturbing level of ease. And the ability only improved in strength depending on the stage of the Kaiju bleeding. Ryker had too many memories of what the ability could do to unprotected civilians on the ground as he fought in vain to protect them. He¡¯d watched helplessly as Kaiju breathed their last and their blood poured out like a burning tide down crowded city streets. The image of Beck¡¯s final moments flashed through his mind painfully as Ryker reeled away from the Acidic Blood modifier like it had actually burned him. The idea that he could be wounded himself and inadvertently cause that same level of damage with his own blood sent a cold shiver through Ryker. Damnit. Ryker thought wearily. Feeling an exhaustion that was more than physical. Just¡­ Damnit all. The entire time Ryker had continued to grow his abilities and evolve he¡¯d been relentlessly pushing himself forward without allowing him to think about the future. He¡¯d just latched onto the nebulous idea of growing stronger and ran with it. Ignoring the implications of that as he grew larger and more menacing. Hell, even he had to admit that his relentless pursuit of unlocking gene modifiers had been partly due to his need to distract himself from his situation. There was a part of Ryker¡¯s mind that still hated what he¡¯d become, that still reeled from the fact he¡¯d become the same monsters he¡¯d sworn to destroy. He¡¯d seen countless Kaiju take life after life like human beings were nothing more than insects to be crushed and swept away. Somewhere in the back of Ryker¡¯s brain was the lingering fear that despite how much he fought to protect humanity he would fail. That no matter the caution and care he put into saving lives his body would betray him. Even if his mind was his own and retained who he was, for all intents and purposes he was monster now. The same as the ones that took everything from him. What if there was some internal instinct that forced him to harm others? Some hard wired reflex to kill humans that took over when he least expected it? He held up a claw and stared at it as his mind ran rampant with thoughts of his own monstrous form inadvertently harming people. It was easy enough to avoid now that he was still Stage One and people were only half his size but what about when he was Stage Two and he towered over them? Or Stage Three when human beings were small enough they might pass beneath his notice? Even with his expanded senses he didn¡¯t have the same level of detail his mech¡¯s suite of sensors provided, he was bound to make a mistake that cost someone their life at some point. And it was na?ve to believe that towns and major population centers would be able to evacuate completely before they were attacked by Kaiju and he rushed in to intervene. There would be no K-Bunkers in major cities, not this early in the timeline. They hadn¡¯t even been built yet. Breathe Ryker. Just breathe. Ryker thought forcefully as he pulled himself out of his spiraling thoughts and put his claws over his eyes. You¡¯ve spent you¡¯re whole life training to move through cities and towns without leaving so much as a scrape on cars or fast food signs. Get a hold of yourself. Ryker thought. Taking in a shaky breath as he centered himself. As experienced as he was there was still so much of his training that just didn¡¯t work with his Kaiju body. He couldn¡¯t radio ahead to warn of incoming Kaiju or to clear the way for him and other mechs coming through. He didn¡¯t have the onboard speaker system to call out instructions to civilians in need of aid. He wasn¡¯t even sure if he could reliably move civilians out of harms way with his claws as he grew larger. Then there was the issue Ryker had been avoiding all this time. His plan. Or rather, his lack of one. He¡¯d rightly established his priorities early on of course. To focus on growing his strength to fight Kaiju and his commitment to protecting as many people as possible despite his circumstances. That may have been good enough for Ryker in the moment but he knew that trying to rely solely on his old instincts to prevent the apocalypse would be disastrous. He was no planner. Not even a great thinker. He relied on his instincts in the heat of battle and didn¡¯t think about anything else. He¡¯d always left the thinking to Riley and Central Command. Asking him to come up with a plan to save the planet and as many lives as possible felt like a recipe for disaster. Taking on a hundred Stage Two Kaiju felt easier to Ryker than trying to make a plan capable of saving the future. The weight of that pressure fell on Ryker¡¯s shoulders like a physical weight as he tried to think of the best course of action. Making the man turned monster feel vulnerable in a way he¡¯d rarely ever felt before. Deciding on a course of action, even if it was a good one, would mean not acting in other ways. If he focused solely on killing Kaiju on the East Coast of the United States that would leave the West Coast vulnerable to attack. And what about countries outside the U.S.? Canada and Mexico would be easy enough to get to with effort but what about the rest of the world? Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia would suffer disaster after disaster while he was landlocked to America. I¡­ Ryker thought with an intense pang of guilt. I won¡¯t be able to save everyone. As much as I want to. As much as I feel like I need to. I can¡¯t. I physically can¡¯t¡­ And if I try that will just mean more lives will be lost. A focused effort will produce more results than a widespread approach. Wood splintered and cracked as one of Ryker¡¯s claws dug deep into the thick branch of a tree as he bared his teeth in a silent snarl. The thought was ruthlessly logical, to the point that accepting it almost felt like a violation. A betrayal against his humanity and everything he¡¯d ever fought for. It was the kind of idea he railed against constantly as a pilot because it ran completely opposite to his beliefs. Save everyone. No exceptions. I need to make sure that my actions make a difference. So the world has a fighting chance at the very least. Ryker thought after a long suffering moment. Not truly accepting his decision even as he thought on the best course of action moving forwards. If he wanted to make the greatest difference possible he couldn¡¯t just sit back and accumulate strength to fight higher Stage Kaiju in the future. He needed to bring the fight to them as quickly as possible, before they grew too powerful for him and the world to handle. Ryker shut his eyes and thought of the countless number of Kaiju he¡¯d fought over the years, their names and abilities coming to his mind easier than those of old friends. Left unchecked, any one of them could grow in strength enough to pose a threat to any nation. But even among the powerful Kaiju there were some that were clear standouts. The few that had stood above all the rest and rose to the heights of their devastating power the fastest. There were five Kaiju more responsible than any other for destroying the planet. Spore Tyrant was one of them. Though its origins were a complete mystery to Ryker. The best guess Beck had was that it originated somewhere in the heartland of central China¡¯s unexplored wilderness. With the charged political tensions between the Untied States and the Russo-Asian Coalition it had been allowed to proliferate across the country as the Coalition refused any form of cooperation from its economic rivals as it tried to slay the Kaiju themselves. It was a combination of saving face and geopolitical maneuvering that had prevented Spore Tyrant from being killed before it grew out of control in the end. That fact burned all the more in Ryker¡¯s mind as he remembered Riley¡¯s desperate sacrifice to stop the Kaiju. A sacrifice that only halted its advance by a few weeks as it regenerated completely. As much as Ryker would love to sink his teeth into Spore Tyrant and tear the monster limb from limb he was on the wrong side of the planet to consider doing so. Dropping everything to hunt down Spore Tyrant would be fruitless at best and suicidal at worst. The Russo-Asian Coalition may have been behind in terms of technological prowess compared to the U.S. but what they lacked in tech they made up for tenfold with a willingness to crater any perceived threats with overwhelming force. Then there was Glacier Fang. A Kaiju that brought everything within a mile of it to sub zero temperatures just by existing. Ryker knew it originated in Antarctica, the Kaiju had left the frozen wilds of Antarctica as a Stage Two and froze the ocean solid enough to walk on it as it made its way towards the southern tip of South America in search of more food to hunt. That had been ugly. Millions of people had fled north from the destruction Glacier Fang caused south of the equator. The militaries of the South American countries put up a valiant fight but their equipment suffered greatly from the cold it gave off. Freezing the joints and vulnerable electronics of their mechs until Glacier Fang pounced on them. In the end the Kaiju had brought the whole of South America into an ice age of its own making that had taken the lives of hundreds of millions. Aside from wanting to take down the Kaiju before it took so many lives, Ryker knew that there were vital resources in South America that would be inaccessible if Glacier Fang froze the earth there. Raw minerals that could be turned into weapons and Armor, oil that could prevent America''s upcoming gasoline shortages, and the Panama canal that was vital to trade across the globe. Killing Glacier Fang was thankfully within Ryker¡¯s ability. Not at the moment of course but once he evolved to Stage Two and was large enough to cover more ground with each of his steps reaching South America in time to kill the panther-like Kaiju would only be a matter of time. Shelving that thought Ryker focused on the other Kaiju that had spelled humanity¡¯s end in his future past. Magma Gore. Magma Gore was the epitome of brute force. Originating somewhere within Sub-Saharan Africa. The Kaiju literally erupted onto the world stage as it tore a path through country after country. Spewing magma from its back and decimating everything in its way. It had been ignored as the other countries of the world fought their own battles, but by the time anyone thought to destroy the Kaiju it was too late. Having ripped open Mount Kilimanjaro it reactivated the dormant volcano to feed on the earth¡¯s magma, causing one of the largest volcanic eruptions in living memory. The ash from the eruption had choked the skies of the entire southern hemisphere. Plunging almost half the world into darkness. The lava spewing gorilla-like Kaiju had to be high on Ryker¡¯s list of targets, even if it was separated from him by an entire ocean. The damage Magma Gore had caused to the world¡¯s ecosystems with Kilimanjaro¡¯s eruption was nigh irreparable. The lack of sunlight had destroyed millions of acres of vital crops and farmland, sending the world spiraling towards anarchy as food shortages and famines ripped society apart. Then in the final months of Earth¡¯s fight against Kaiju, when all the world was stretched too thin to do anything about it. Red Tide had appeared. A Leviathan that was nearly half a mile long. Part shark, part crab, and part squid. It was an abomination that had been lurking in the ocean¡¯s depths for literal decades. Content to strike out and flood coastal cities, devouring the nuclear reactors that powered them before sinking beneath the waves. When it had annihilated Sydney and flooded Australia, finally feeling unchallenged enough to bring itself out of the depths, there wasn¡¯t anyone left to fight it. Red Tide might have been an afterthought but Ryker knew that the beast must have been responsible for the losses of thousands of transport ships at sea. Growing fat on the oil they ran on and the resources it plundered from them. Losing transport ships might not have seemed to be a great loss in the grand scheme of things but Red Tide¡¯s attacks had destroyed priceless equipment that could have saved millions. Industrial 3D Carbonite printers for accelerating Armor production across the globe, Conversion Kits for other militaries to switch their mech divisions¡¯ power sources from the outdated power cells to more efficient fusion cells, and millions of dollars worth of vital food and medical supplies. With all that put together Red Tide had to die before it destroyed the world¡¯s trade routes. Killing the Kaiju would undoubtedly be a challenge, taking it on in its natural habitat wasn¡¯t an option. He¡¯d have to find a way to lure it onto land, or fight it when it tried to flood other coastal cities like Miami and Tokyo. Then there was the one that had escaped Ryker. The one instrumental in crippling America¡¯s fighting strength as they wasted countless recourses trying to kill it. Storm Breaker. Ryker thought coldly. Originating somewhere within the cold of Alaska or the Canadian Yukon, Storm Breaker had remained hidden for far too long. Being born in one of the least populated areas in all of North America gave the kaiju plenty of time to hunt and feed almost unchallenged. When it grew wings and could fly, it continued to hide itself within layers of cloud cover. Only attacking once it knew it could make its kills swiftly. Once it evolved and gained enough weather related mutations it could manufacture its own storm clouds to move about undetected it became a threat that couldn¡¯t be ignored. When the military had tried to kill it the Kaiju devastated any kill squads sent after it, the electrical abilities it developed acting as both signal jammer for any radio and missile guidance systems and EMP that fried electronics beyond repair. Putting the monster on a warpath that destroyed Toronto and Ontario before the Kaiju moved south to strike out at the United States. Breaking apart the storm it flew in as it drowned the world below in a rain of lightning and thunder. Eventually the Kaiju had formed its own hurricane that followed it wherever it flew. Razing anything in its path with hurricane force winds and constant lightning strikes. After failing to kill the Kaiju the decision was made to use an unguided nuclear warhead to end the threat once and for all. That choice, more than any other was what cemented Storm Breaker¡¯s supremacy. Kaiju weren¡¯t like normal beasts, once it had evolved to Stage Two it fed on the very radiation that was supposed to kill it. Expediting the speed of its growth until it evolved to Stage Three. The aftermath of that had been ugly. Storm Breaker¡¯s hurricane spread the nuclear fallout across a far enough range to irradiate a good chunk of Canada and the northern states like Montana, Idaho, and North Dakota. The only thing that saved them was that Storm Breaker had left the United States and crossed the Atlantic to make landfall in Europe. Okay¡­ Ryker thought deeply. Thinking through his options and deciding on the best course of action. When it comes down to it, Storm Breaker should be my first priority. The damage and chaos it caused had basically kept the United States from fighting at full strength for decades until we lost and went underground. How much would that change if Storm Breaker died and America could bring all its resources to bear? That change alone could be enough on its own to give humanity a fighting chance even if I die and the other Kaiju remain at large. Ryker smiled at the thought. He may not have been a great tactician or planner but once he had a target all the complexities of the situation fell away. To give the world a chance at surviving, kill Storm Breaker. One of the most powerful Kaiju to ever live. The Living Tempest, or as the crazy Kaiju worshipers had called it, the Thunder God. Piece of cake. Turning his head, guided by the feel of his own internal compass Ryker stared north. He was in Tennessee at the moment, hundreds of miles from where Storm Breaker was. He¡¯d have to travel through Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin to get into Canada. Get to Storm Breaker before it grew too powerful for him to defeat and before the United States resorted to the nuclear option. All without getting killed by his own country¡¯s military or any newly emerging Kaiju along the way. Not exactly my idea of a fun road trip but I¡¯ll take what I can get. Ryker thought wryly. Not wasting a single moment as he started to move north, his steps quick despite his large size. His recently gained Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers already proving their worth. Struck with a thought, Ryker tuned his mind through the various radio waves crowding the air and landed on a station playing one of the classics that his Dad had loved to play on vinyl. The song that got Whitesnake onto the number one spot on the Billboards of 1987. Here I go again on my own. Ryker hummed. The green of the wilderness spreading out before him like a verdant ocean as he bobbed his reptilian head in time with the beat. Setting off on a journey to kill one of the most powerful Kaiju to ever live. Chapter 14 - Mini Map Tromping through the woods, finding it easier just to force his way through the low hanging branches in his way than move around them, Ryker scanned his surroundings with the aid of his recently acquired night vision. Despite having travelled through most of the day and well into the night following his internal compass he couldn¡¯t help a sense of frustration at his current situation. He wasn¡¯t lost exactly, technically he couldn¡¯t ever get lost again with his internal compass. But he was finding it damn hard to navigate his way north without one crucial instrument. I need a map. Ryker growled. Equal parts angry at himself and the second stretch of suburbs he¡¯d found blocking his path in as many hours. As quickly as Ryker needed to make his way north to kill Storm Breaker it wouldn¡¯t do any good if he had to run through every town, city, and suburb to get there. Even if he meant no harm and caused no damage it would be fatally stupid to believe that America would just let an eleven foot tall monster stomp its way through civilization. If the Military was worth their salt, and Ryker very well knew they were, they¡¯d easily be able to chart the path he was taking, cut him off, and take him down. So that meant moving north he¡¯d need to avoid major population centers, intervening where he could to kill any emerging Kaiju of course, but doing that was damn hard when his only memories of Tennessee were of the ruined wasteland it would become decades down the line. Running his claws over his snout and groaning in frustration Ryker turned and made to move around the suburbs by hugging the tree line. Far enough back to be out of site of any late night joggers but still close enough to not lose too much ground circling the houses. The outlines of people flashed through the illuminated windows of their homes. The sounds of their muffled voices carrying to his heightened senses even if he couldn¡¯t make out what was being said. Despite himself he slowed to watch as a family of three settled down for a late night dinner. Even as obscured as they were Ryker could picture the scene all too clearly. Setting the table. The small talk about the day¡¯s events. Discussions about future events and plans. It wasn¡¯t anything special. But at the same time, it was precious beyond words. Ryker turned away from the window with a terrible ache in his chest. Closing his eyes as he tried to focus on his mission and not what he¡¯d lost. But it didn¡¯t work. That could have been me¡­ Should have been me. Ryker thought with a painful surge of jealously. If Beck¡¯s machine had been allowed to work as planned he could have experienced that again. Dinner with his family, joking with his Father, and explaining his underwhelming school grades to his Mother. It could have been his. Yet even that had been torn away from him. A life he could have lived again, atoning for the mistakes and failures he¡¯d made in his own life as well as aiding the world at large. Gone. Moving away from the houses and deeper into the wood, not wanting to see anymore of what he¡¯d been denied, Ryker bit back at his self pity. Don¡¯t you start making this about you. Ryker thought with a bit of heat. Not after what everyone else has lost. Not after knowing what has to be done. If losing a chance at living your life again is what it takes to save humanity you have an obligation to pay it. No matter how much it hurts. With the cadence of his large strides echoing between the trees Ryker tuned out the music and chatter in the radio waves he¡¯d been listening to and continued on in silence. The only sounds around him the scraping of branches against his scales and the hurried rush of small animals getting out of his way. He followed his internal compass north and felt that he should have been running to cover as much ground as possible, but Ryker was only human. Even if his body wasn¡¯t. His thoughts slowed his pace as they wandered to what he would have done if he had made it back to his teenage body. I¡¯d hug Mom and Dad first. Heh, they¡¯d probably think I¡¯d hit my head or something. Ryker thought amused. He hadn¡¯t exactly been a good kid growing up. Not to say that he didn¡¯t love his parents back then. He absolutely did. It was just that his teenage rebellious phase had hit him a bit harder than others. Which had resulted in some admittedly terrible grades as well as his general lack of friends in high school. If I had gone back as planned, after cleaning up my act, I¡¯d have called Beck first and foremost. Ryker thought approvingly. It would be a hell of a time trying to convince Beck that he was from the future, but he didn¡¯t think it would be impossible. The reason Beck had become the go to expert on Kaiju biology so quickly was because of how willing he was to adapt his knowledge and skillset to learn more about Kaiju. Other scientists had spent far too much time trying to make Kaiju fit into their own existing models of biology to be useful. Beck had been able to abandon those models the moment he realized Kaiju wouldn¡¯t be able to accurately fit into them. Then, I¡¯d¡­ Ryker thought next. His train of thought slowing to a crawl as he pondered what exactly would come after that. Hrm¡­ They wouldn¡¯t let me fight if I asked would they. Even if they believed my story nobody would be willing to put a teenager into Armor and drop them into combat. It would take time to convince them I could do my part in the fighting. That was just the truth of it. In a way, as twisted as it was for him to lose his chance at a second life and get stuck in his monstrous body¡­ wasn¡¯t it also a blessing in disguise? It stung a bit to admit but as a Kaiju he¡¯d been able to take action immediately. Literally. In the first few seconds of his emergence from his egg he¡¯d killed his first Kaiju hatchling and then set himself upon the rest of his ¡°kin¡±. The family of three he¡¯d saved on their camping trip would undoubtedly be dead long before Ryker could do anything to save them. Even if he¡¯d acted as swiftly as possible as a human, he wouldn¡¯t even know they were in danger in the first place. Then there was the two civilians he¡¯d saved in the attack on the gas station, who¡¯d also be dead if he hadn¡¯t been able to intervene so quickly. But now they were alive. People who¡¯d been some of the first to lose their lives to Kaiju. What effects would that have on the timeline? How could the butterfly effect of their continued survival ripple out across the days, months, and years to come? Would they be able to spread word of the threat faster than it normally would have? Regardless the more humans who survived the better. It was a bittersweet irony that he¡¯d been able to do so much good as a Kaiju so quickly. If he¡¯d been able to supplant his teenage self he¡¯d probably have wasted precious time arguing with his parents about leaving the house on his own to go find Beck. Chuckling at the thought Ryker focused on his surroundings as the tree cover dropped away and he saw the telltale gleam of headlights passing back and forth in front of him. All of them shining unnaturally bight in his night vision. A Freeway. Ryker huffed in consternation. Great. That¡¯s just great. I try to go around one thing and then get stuck right before another. Grimacing at the sight of the large highway and the large amount of ground he¡¯d have to cover crossing it. Ryker turned in a frustrated half circle hidden within the dark of the tree cover. Do I go around? No that¡¯s stupid, I¡¯ll have to cross once there¡¯s a large enough gap in traffic. Ryker tapped out a rhythm with a claw on his crossed arms as he watched the traffic wiz by in front of him. Waiting for the traffic to ebb. But with three lanes of traffic on each side of the freeway there was only a short gap on a single side of the freeway at any given time. Not enough for him to take advantage of to try crossing as the other side was still full of cars. Ryker waited. And waited some more. Impatience building with every passing minute. Even scanning the airwaves for tunes to distract him didn¡¯t help. Leaving the man turned Kaiju agitated enough to start pacing along the edge of the tree line. Leaving the trees shaking slightly with his passing steps. How the shit am I still dealing with traffic? I¡¯m not even human anymore damnit! I shouldn¡¯t have to wait on traffic like a chicken trying to cross the road. Ryker growled in frustration. He was about to sprint across the highway when he caught sight of a distant road sign flash with the reflection of the headlights he was beginning to despise. Rest Stop, Three Miles. Tourist Guides Available. Ryker paused for a second. Any kind of guides for tourists visiting the state would have maps wouldn¡¯t they? Detailed maps even? I didn¡¯t actually think I¡¯d ever be able to get access to a traditional map but if there¡¯s guides there¡­ Ryker thought starting to warm to the idea. Yeah. Yeah, I think I can make that work. I obviously can¡¯t use any normal sized maps but rest stops have gotten touch ups over the years right? There¡¯s bound to be a large picture or mural of the state I can look at for reference! Feeling a bit of pride at finding a solution to a problem so quickly, Ryker immediately set off towards the direction of the rest stop. He stayed well behind the cover of the trees and branches from the road, knowing it would be better not to take any chances getting spotted. He was as cautious as ever approaching the small clearing that housed the small building. There was ample space for parking but there weren¡¯t any cars there this late at night and the side area with several parked semi trucks was far enough away that Ryker was sure he could stay hidden in the dark. There was even a nice ring of trees that separated the rest stop from the freeway to conceal Ryker¡¯s large frame. It was exactly the kind of situation Ryker had hoped for. No people to panic, no alarms he might be in danger of tripping. There was just one problem. Ryker stared at the plain brick of the run down looking building or to be more precise, the complete lack of any kind of navigational aid on the outside of the building. No mural, no fresco, not even a cryptic modern art piece he could decipher for information. You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Ryker balked. The one time I need some unnecessary government spending to decorate a building and there¡¯s nothing? Ryker was as well hidden as he could be standing next to the Rest Stop¡¯s one and only building. The edge of its roof came up to about the middle of his torso as he stood next to it. It was on the smaller side, with glass double doors that only held two large bathrooms, a few vending machines, and a stand filled to the brim with pamphlets. Putting a claw on the roof to steady himself Ryker leaned down to peer through the glass, the same way a normal man might put a hand on a table to look under it. He was hoping there might be some kind of large mural inside that he could look at but there was nothing. Just an empty interior. Well great, this was just a waste of time. Ryker huffed. His exhalation fogging a large chunk of the glass as he scanned the interior. Standing to his full height, Ryker threw his claws up helplessly. Do I just find a different way north, damn the consequences? He thought ruefully. Ryker threw another unamused look at the rest stop as he thought of his next move. He needed a map, maybe even more than he first thought. He might have been able to pick out true north or even piece together information by listening in on radio news networks. But knowing how to navigate was invaluable information to have in any situation. God! Just one break in my life is all I¡¯m asking, can¡¯t you just give me that for once? Ryker fumed. Staring at the rest stop like it had personally wronged him. He wouldn¡¯t have been so upset normally but there were technically maps in there. But they were tiny ass pamphlets! It wasn¡¯t like he could use them¡­ Right? Despite his failings Ryker was first and foremost, a pragmatist. Even if it wasn¡¯t ideal, and was very improbable considering his physique, it wasn¡¯t out of the realm of possibility. Ryker shut his eyes and counted to three, because counting to ten took too long. Then the man turned Kaiju looked back at the glass doors and the pamphlets within. Balls. Ryker thought irritated. Even though it might have been easier to rip into the tiny building to get at the pamphlets he needed, Ryker just couldn¡¯t bring himself to do it. He¡¯d spent most of his last life training to deal as little damage to buildings as possible while in combat. Not to mention the endless meetings and talks from higher ups on maintaining infrastructure he¡¯d had to suffer through as a mech pilot. Keeping things intact and undamaged was in his blood. Deliberately destroying a building felt almost sacrilegious when there wasn¡¯t any immediate threat or emergency to justify it. So that left option two. The glass doors weren¡¯t locked since the rest stop was open to the public but Ryker was also too large to bend his head down to duck through the doors. Even with both of them open at once the opening they made was more like an entrance to a crawlspace than anything else. Just crouching down wouldn¡¯t be enough to get through. So Ryker very carefully caught the small handles of the glass doors with the tips of his claws and pulled them open. Holding them open, Ryker knelt down and frowned at the opening. Do I put my arms through first or should I keep them at my sides and shimmy in? Ryker thought perplexed. Moving with deliberate slowness so he didn¡¯t just shatter all the glass he was trying to move through Ryker put his arms through the open doors first and stuck his upper half inside the rest stop. Careful not to clip the top of the door frame, he kept his head pressed flat against the tile floor. Then Ryker reached for the edges of the restroom door frames and sunk his claws into them. Pulling himself inside while also pushing with his hind claws. Digging ample furrows in the grass outside as he moved. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Watch the tail. Watch the tail¡­ and¡­ we¡¯re through! Ryker thought with a grin. Pushing himself to upright in the small space Ryker felt an absurd level of accomplishment from the simple act of entering the small building. It probably didn¡¯t amount to much in the grand scheme of things but being able to get inside without doing undue damage to the building felt like a victory against his monstrous nature. Proof that he could still exhibit some of the grace he¡¯d had as a pilot and wasn¡¯t doomed to stomp around and crush everything like the Kaiju he was now kin with. Even though he had to stoop to be able to stand upright Ryker was in good spirits, the only annoyance the whine of the overhead light that was right next to his head. Turning around, making sure not to accidently clip the water fountain in front of the restroom Ryker rubbed his claws together as he crouched over the small pamphlet stand. Let¡¯s see what we got here. Ryker thought eagerly. Running a claw over the bright lettering on each pamphlet. Tennessee Historical Spots? Pass. Breweries of Tennessee? Tempting, very tempting actually. I¡¯d kill for a drink after all this but still got to pass. Aha! Tennessee Nature Trails, Hiking Paths, and Wilderness Areas. Grinning with his teeth on full display Ryker carefully pinched a pamphlet with two claws. The paper looking like a prop for a set of miniatures in his grip as he quickly brought it up to his face and immediately dropped the thing as it slipped between his claws and fell to the floor. Swearing and growling in equal measure Ryker bent down and struggled to pick up the pamphlet from the floor. He only had three fingers as a Kaiju. Each tipped with claws that were easily the size of cleavers. While those claws did wonders against Kaiju scales and flesh they were not equipped to handle such an immense task as picking up paper from the floor. Patience is a virtue Ryker. He thought to himself as he repeatedly tried for the pamphlet and failed as his anger nearly threatened to boil over. His claws scraping deeper and deeper lines into the tile as he tried not to spear the pamphlet with them. A virtue. One that you have¡­ maybe used once or twice admittedly, but one you still have. Patience¡­ Zen¡­ Inner peace¡­ I am the epitome of Inner peace. I am the epitome of- FUCK! Like a thin strip of confetti the pamphlet tore in two as Ryker¡¯s claws effortlessly bisected it. Ryker was about to shout in frustration, but managed to hold himself back. Barely. It wouldn¡¯t do to roar loud enough to attract attention to the monster inside the rest stop. Shaking with frustration, Ryker deliberately waited a good minute before trying for the untorn pamphlets that remained on the stand. Ryker would never admit how long it took him to hold the tiny pamphlet properly or how long it had taken him to unfold the thing without tearing it but he eventually managed it. Even though there was a small pile of torn up pamphlets littering the floor Ryker deliberately ignored the mess he¡¯d made as he held the pamphlet and its map up to the light by his head. The unfolded pamphlet looking more like a sticky note in Ryker¡¯s claws than a genuine map. Okay. That¡¯s better. Ryker thought. Grateful his enhanced eyesight let him look at the map with little difficulty despite his size. Alright. I¡¯d suspected where I was for a while but now I know for sure. A big red star on the map that said ¡°You are here¡± put Ryker on the South Eastern edge of Tennessee where I-75 was closest to the Cherokee National Forest. Hrm¡­ I could move closer to the Smoky Mountains. There¡¯s enough thick woodland there to hide me for a good long while, but if I do that I won¡¯t be heading straight north. It¡¯s a safer detour but that will cost me time. Alternatively, if I cross I-75 now and head north, I should be able to skate in between Nashville and Knoxville. Not too close to either city for my own sake but it would be a safer path north. Then I¡¯d just have to cross I-40 before I leave the state for Kentucky. Ruffling the map a little as he held it Ryker gave a minute to think on what the best option would be. The safer path along the Smoky Mountains or the quicker but risker path through the middle of the state as he avoided two major cities. On one hand he needed to be careful. He was still just a Stage One Kaiju, a dedicated military offensive would be more than enough to take him down. Not to mention that if he died anytime in the near future he¡¯d be unable to alter the timeline in any meaningful way. However, taking down Storm Breaker was still his primary goal. One that would only get more difficult the longer he gave the Kaiju to grow in strength. Taking that risk might very well be necessary. Before Ryker could think any more on the right choice to make the gleam of headlights flashed through the Rest Stop as a car pulled into the parking lot from the Interstate. Making Ryker drop the map in surprise as he swore vehemently. Stuck trying to pick up the map and look out the glass doors to see who was coming. Ryker¡¯s mind scrambled for a solution. Did he try to exit the building? It had taken a hell of a lot of care not busting down the doors getting inside, getting back outside would be just as much of a hassle. Even more so considering he¡¯d be illuminated by the exterior lights for all the world to see. The slamming of car doors made Ryker panic. He couldn¡¯t just bust through the wall. That would attract even more attention than he needed. But there was no way he could hide inside the small Rest Stop, there was literally nothing to hide behind except the pamphlet stand and that wasn¡¯t going to do anything to hide his bulky form. With the sound of multiple pairs of feet quickly moving up the concrete sidewalk to the glass doors, unable to move. Ryker did the first thing to come to mind to hide himself in plain view. He struck a pose. Claws held out in front of him in a mockery of dinosaurs of old, Ryker swiveled and held his mouth open in a silent roar. Hoping he came across as a lifelike statue instead of an actual monster. His eyes flashed towards the figures moving towards the door a split second before he froze shock still. ¡°-we¡¯re almost there baby just hold on a little longer.¡± A disheveled looking woman said to a waddling toddler she was leading by the hand as she entered. ¡°My butt¡¯s gonna blow up!¡± Exclaimed the little girl in pink as her mother lead her to the bathroom. Miraculously only giving Ryker a small glance before barging into the ladies room. Behind her, at a slower pace was an adult man and another child slightly older than the toddler who immediately beamed upon seeing Ryker looming over the small space. ¡°Wow.¡± The boy whispered in awe as the man, undoubtedly his father took one look at Ryker and immediately scoffed. ¡°Christ, even on vacation I can¡¯t get away from dinosaurs.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a dinosaur.¡± Said the boy softly. ¡°Tyrannosauruses have smaller arms.¡± ¡°Sure they do Danny.¡± The parent said off handedly before shaking his head and muttering. ¡°What a waste of government spending. Least they could do is pay for someone to clean up the place.¡± The man said. Kicking the piles of shredded pamphlets on the floor. ¡°Do you have to go to the bathroom? We still have a long way to go before we get to Granny¡¯s. You should go now if you can.¡± ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± Danny said as he walked up to Ryker still mesmerized. Out of the corner of Ryker¡¯s eye he could see the kid had a colorful backpack on with a cartoon dinosaur on the front. To Ryker¡¯s ¡¯s great dismay, the kid came even closer to Ryker until he was right next to him. It took an effort to force himself not to react when he felt a tiny hand on his lower leg. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Great, do you want to come back to the car or¡­?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll stay.¡± ¡°Awesome. Just wait for your mother, I¡¯ll be in the car.¡± Ryker¡¯s eyes almost bulged out of his sockets as he was left alone with the child. Staring after the retreating form of the man like he could call him back through sheer force of will. Hey! Get back here you bastard! Supervise your child damnit! Ryker thought forcefully. In the silence of the man¡¯s departure the little kid, Danny, seemed transfixed by Ryker. He was poking his scales, circling and prodding him in different areas. He was afraid the kid might somehow cut himself on his hind claws but that thankfully didn¡¯t happen. Ryker would just have to wait for the kid to grow bored with him. Holding perfectly still was difficult but something Ryker was accustomed to. Being in the military ¡°Hurry up and wait¡± was a motto just as much as the marines'' "Semper Fidelis" or his mech pilot¡¯s ¡°Bellator in Machina¡±. He was perfectly ready to wait out the kid¡¯s fascination so his mother could come out of the bathroom and collect him. What he hadn¡¯t counted on however was the kid to act his age. Danny had moved away from Ryker¡¯s legs somewhere out of view. Which was perfectly fine with Ryker and even made him emit a silent sigh of relief. That relief vanished almost immediately when Ryker felt someone grab onto his tail and hoist himself on top of it. The kid was practically weightless to Ryker so he was able to keep up the ruse that he was just an inanimate statue as he continued to hold his tail aloft but that was hardly a comfort as he was getting climbed on. Lady, please for the love of God, finishing changing those diapers and come back out here. Ryker pleaded silently to the boy¡¯s mother. I¡¯ve got responsibilities! I¡¯ve got places to be! I can¡¯t be responsible for your kid using me like a jungle gym on a playgrou- ah shit is he still climbing? Without any parental supervision Danny had done exactly what any boy his age would have done if they saw a dinosaur statue. Which was trying to climb up onto its back to pretend he was riding a dinosaur. Ryker could feel the kid use the small ridges along his spine like handholds as he pulled himself up higher and higher. Moving up from the base of his tail steadily upwards. If his new body were capable of it Ryker would have been sweating bullets. He was never one for kids, not because he disliked them. It was just that he recognized how much of a responsibility it was to care for them and knew he was lacking the skills and temperament necessary to watch over them. His instincts told him he should reach back and pry the kid off him to set him down safely on the floor but what if he accidently cut the boy? And what would happen if he ran to his mom about the monster right outside the bathroom? There were no good decisions, if there were any in this situation Ryker was the wrong man to trust to think them up. ¡°I¡¯m the king of the dinosaurs!¡± Danny said happily from his back. ¡°Ride my trusty steed! Fire your lasers! We must destroy the velociraptors and their space ships!¡± Lasers? Space ships? Ryker thought dubiously. What kinda cartoons are kids watching these days? Ryker endured what his training had never prepared him for as he resisted the urge to pry the kid off his back. Without any parents around to tell him not to the kid grew even bolder, climbing up onto Ryker¡¯s shoulder as he tried in vain to move up onto Ryker¡¯s head. Ryker nearly moved his claws up to keep the boy steady as he was terrified of the kid falling nearly ten feet onto the hard tile. Caught between deciding if he should act or not to make sure the kid didn¡¯t hurt himself the decision was made for him as the inevitable happened. Danny slipped. With his shoes not getting enough traction on Ryker¡¯s scaled shoulder Danny¡¯s feet flew out from under him. Ryker immediately acted on reflex. Before the kid could hit the ground Ryker caught the boy with both claws splayed wide so he wouldn¡¯t accidently cut the poor kid. Then the door to the bathroom opened and Danny¡¯s mother walked out with the toddler. With Ryker, the towering monster, holding her son in its claws as its mouth was opened wide. Like he was preparing to tear into her child like he was fresh meat. Both Danny and Ryker froze as his mother who¡¯s gaze was locked downward on her phone, miraculously turned towards the vending machines without spotting the scene behind her. She was holding the toddler over her shoulder. Who even more miraculously, had her eyes closed. ¡°What did you want baby?¡± The mother said tiredly. ¡°Skittles.¡± The toddler mumbled, clearly close to sleeping. Still holding Danny Ryker looked down to the boy who was staring up at him with eyes the size of dinner plates. Then Ryker immediately set the boy down feet first on the ground, giving him a quick once over to make sure he was alright. Ryker paused, gave Danny¡¯s mother another look before looking at Danny and pointed a claw at him. Holding it for a half second before bringing up the claw right in front of his snout, like a librarian who¡¯d shushed someone talking too loudly in a library. Still speechless, Danny continued to stare at Ryker like he¡¯d grown a second head. Not willing to wait another moment and risk discovery Ryker nodded towards Danny, gave him a big reptilian thumbs up, and resumed his pose as if he¡¯d never moved. Danny held his trance like stare for a solid ten seconds before he blinked and wordlessly moved over to his mother. Tugging on the edge of her shirt as his lips moved without sound, still staring at Ryker. ¡°Oh what is it dear? Did you want Skittles too?¡± ¡°The¡­the¡­¡± Danny said gulping audibly. ¡°The dinosaur¡¯s alive.¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice dear.¡± Danny¡¯s mother said as she tried to unfurl a wrinkled dollar bill. ¡°It¡­ it moved.¡± ¡°You can tell me about it in the car honey okay?¡± ¡°But¡­ but-¡± ¡°Danny please. Your sister¡¯s almost asleep can¡¯t this wait?¡± There was clearly a conflict going on in Danny¡¯s mind as he wrestled with what was more important in the moment. Telling his mom about the dinosaur right in front of them or not upsetting his mom. It was a rather quick battle as Danny continued speaking, his words now tinged with excitement. ¡°Can we keep it?¡± He asked pleadingly. ¡°You have dinosaurs at home Danny, I¡¯m not getting you any more.¡± ¡°But this one¡¯s alive! And it¡¯s huge!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t take it with us honey it belongs to the government.¡± ¡°But I can ride it to Granny¡¯s house! I promise I¡¯ll feed it! And take it out to potty!¡± ¡°Okay. I know its late Danny but please don¡¯t start with this. We just have another hour until we can get to your Grandma¡¯s house.¡± ¡°Hrmm¡­ Skittles¡­¡± ¡°Yes sweetie I¡¯m just about to get you some the machine is just being slow.¡± ¡°But it likes me! We can¡¯t just leave it!¡± ¡°How about we take a quick picture.¡± The mother said. Her nerves clearly fraying. ¡°Then you can remember your friend for later alright? Ready? Say cheese.¡± The mother said bending down to get Danny in the selfie with Ryker. Despite himself Ryker blinked as the flash went off but managed to stay still as a statue otherwise as the vending machine dispensed the skittles with a small clang. ¡°Oh thank God.¡± The mother said quickly, snatching up the Skittles and Danny¡¯s hand at once as she left for the door. ¡°We can come back right? After we visit Granny¡¯s?¡± Danny said worriedly. ¡°Ask your father dear.¡± The mother said as she dragged the boy outside the rest stop towards their car. A profound sense of relief washed through Ryker as he let his arms relax. Damn. That could have gone¡­ very badly. Ryker thought as he watched the three family members pile into the car. The distinct shape of a boy pressed against the back window as he stared longingly towards Ryker as his car started moving. It would have been smartest to stay still until they left the parking lot and had no chance of seeing him but Ryker felt a little guilty getting the kid excited for nothing. As sad as it sounded, this was one of the best interactions he¡¯d had with humans yet. He would have counted his interaction with the two civilians he¡¯d saved as positive ones, especially since the girl back then hadn¡¯t run or even seemed afraid of him. But being shot immediately afterwards by the police soured that memory pretty well. So despite his better judgement. Ryker leaned down so he could be seen through the glass and waved the kid goodbye as his car pulled away. His enhanced eyesight catching the boy wave back enthusiastically as his car drove into the distance. At least I can make one person happy as a Kaiju. Ryker thought with a smile. Stay safe kiddo, I¡¯ve got to get back to work. Extricating himself from the rest stop without any damage was another process but one that Ryker accomplished easily enough. Standing up to his full height outside Ryker wasted no time moving towards the trees. He couldn¡¯t carry a map with him for obvious reasons but he held the image of it as clear in his mind as he could as he moved along the interstate. I still have another ten or twenty miles before I have to decide on which path I¡¯m going to take. I¡¯ll think it through on the way. Ryker thought as he left the Rest Stop behind. Leaving the trees around him quaking slightly as he increased his pace to a light jog. Trusting in his internal compass as he tried to keep a mental finger on his current position as he moved. The exercise a bit more difficult than he¡¯d imagined it would be. Man, I¡¯m gonna have to make Synaptic Defrag my next upgrade. If it¡¯s supposed to help me think better maybe it can help me remember what that map looked like better. Hell maybe it could help me remember every map I¡¯ve ever seen. That would be useful. I could finally put what I learned in high school World Geography to use. Chapter 15 - An Unlikely Lead Danika was first and foremost, a professional. It had taken a hell of a lot of patience to work her way up from the lowly intern she¡¯d been just a few years ago. Paying more than her fair share of blood, sweat, and tears to get where she was now. But she was determined to be more than a pretty face for the network. She wasn¡¯t content to sit behind a desk in a comfy air conditioned studio and talk about the stories that mattered. She wanted to be on the ground, out in the wild, and in the thick of things as she hunted down the truth. So when her boss had called her about the story she was hunting down in Fairview Tennessee after being attacked by literal monsters she managed to keep her cool despite the volcano of giddy joy erupting in her core. That veneer of calm professionalism however broke almost immediately a few seconds later. ¡°That bitch!¡± Danika seethed. ¡°This is my story Jameson! Mine! You can¡¯t expect me to give it up to the Wicked Witch of Channel Seven can you?¡± ¡°God almighty Danvers don¡¯t start with me on this!¡± Jameson roared back. His gravely voice just as loud as it always was despite Danika deliberately not putting the man on speaker. ¡°You know how this works! You don¡¯t do the big news! That¡¯s not what we hired you for! You just go around and look pretty while you interview the fucking nobodies that populate this god forsaken country!¡± ¡°Look pretty?¡± Danika hissed. Riling herself up to shout back at the man holding her back from greatness. ¡°You listen here you slimy over weight mother-¡± Mack was doing his best not to stare at his partner as she viscously cussed out his employer. Who he very much relied on to keep his lackluster but steady income. Trying not to frown at the very creative swears flying both ways in the conversation behind him Mack sipped a soda as he rifled though a nearly empty bag of gummy bears he¡¯d pilfered from the police station¡¯s vending machines. He¡¯d heard enough at the Channel Seven station how much Danika and Jameson could go at each other. From the way the others had talked about it fights between the two were almost legendary. He consoled himself that such fights seemed not to have resulted in Danika or her previous camera men getting fired as he looked around the offices they had been in for what felt like forever. All of last night seemed to have happened in a whirlwind of activity. Unlike the attack at the gas station that Mack could recall in vivid detail, the rapid onslaught of questioning passed by in a blur. At first it seemed that the other officers at the station had wanted to treat the event like an unfortunate explosion but with one of their own officers swearing up and down about the giant monster he¡¯d emptied his mag into they were quick to sober up. The police had wanted them to stay at the station for longer, especially since they weren¡¯t sure if the ¡°dragons¡± the locals had so readily blown off would run into Fairview after the attack. They could have gone to the motel like they¡¯d originally planned to sleep after the long drive out to Fairview but the prospect of leaving the safety of the well armed police station had killed that idea rather quickly. Mack cracked his back, sore from sleeping a precious few hours in the station¡¯s uncomfortable chairs and stood, waiting for his partner to finish her call as the battle continued. ¡°It would have helped if you¡¯d actually had some damn footage if you¡¯d gone through the trouble of nearly dying!¡± Jameson shouted. ¡°I told you before!¡± Danika said with gritted teeth. A vein pulsing in her forehead as she spoke. ¡°I had to beat one of the monsters back with the camera before it could take a bite out of Mack! The footage was corrupted okay! Stop reminding me!¡± ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Jameson stopped. And even though Mack couldn¡¯t see him he could swear he actually heard the man glower. ¡°You lost the video of a lifetime. The actual honest to God cryptid, conspiracy theory, scaly bigfoot jackpot. The one thing I could have rubbed in the faces of every asshat and limp dick in corporate who have been riding my ass like the pony express for more views for the network¡­ for the camera guy!¡± For a moment Danika felt a pang of true pain through her soul just thinking about the footage she¡¯d lost. It was true though, sturdy as her camera had been it had not been up to the task of beating back a raging monster and surviving the shock wave of an exploding gas station. She liked Mack. He was a great camera guy. But that didn¡¯t mean that she didn¡¯t also have a good cry in the ladies bathroom after discovering the footage had been corrupted beyond repair. ¡°He almost died!¡± She shot back. ¡°Fuck him!¡± Jameson cried out. ¡°I wish he did!¡± Danika had at at least enough tact to give Mack an apologetic smile as he looked skyward in bewilderment, shrugging his shoulders in a silent ¡°What did I do?¡± ¡°Damnit!¡± Jameson huffed out. ¡°I¡¯m not losing this story to the other networks Danvers. It¡¯ll be a cold day in hell ice skating with the devil before I let those other shit wits get a lead on me. I want your ass out there in the field yesterday. I don¡¯t care if you have to interview every truck humping redneck and beta bitch hippy this side of the Mississippi! Get me that scoop Danvers!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Danika paused. Not sure if she heard right. ¡°You want me on this story?¡± ¡°Did I catch a dick in my mouth? Yes I want you on this! What other reporter do I have ready to go in the middle of butt fuck nowhere? I still want this story aired on Suzy¡¯s morning show though.¡± Danika was about to continue her slew of curse words when Jameson shouted back, cutting her off before she even started. ¡°That¡¯s non negotiable Danvers! Suzy gets what Suzy wants. You know that¡¯s how it is. She gets whatever you can scrape together about these monsters you¡¯ve been on about. If you want to make a name for yourself that badly, sink your teeth into a story that¡¯s even bigger than this one, bigger than all the others and don¡¯t let go. So that whenever people even think about the story you found the first thing to come to their minds is your face. Capisce? Good! Now get! To! WORK!¡± Then without another word Jameson hung up on Danika, leaving her standing in the lobby of the police station with no small number of onlookers as she reeled from the last things Jameson said to her. Even the thought of having to do grunt work for Suzy¡¯s insufferable morning show didn¡¯t sting as badly as she slowly smiled to herself. A story bigger than all the others eh? She thought to herself. Mack came over and looked a question at Danika. ¡°Is he¡­ is he always like that?¡± He asked hesitantly. Danika nodded absentmindedly as her mind worked. ¡°Jameson is from old news, made the jump from the last print newspapers to the network. He¡¯s a bit rough around the edges but if you¡¯re good at your job he doesn¡¯t care at all. It¡¯s kind of refreshing honestly knowing I don¡¯t have to tip toe around him.¡± Brows furrowed at the idea of the fiery Jameson only being ¡°a bit rough around the edges¡± but Mack decided to let that line of questioning go as he took another long sip of soda. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan D?¡± Danika wagged a finger through the air as she talked aloud. ¡°We still have the camera. And we can pick up the rental whenever we want after five o'' clock. Let¡¯s hit up the Garden Olive we were originally headed to and work our way from there till we can pick the rental up.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t the stuff we record be going to Suzy¡¯s show though?¡± Mack asked. ¡°Don¡¯t remind me.¡± Danika huffed. ¡°I¡¯m thinking we get Suzy her pound of flesh, interview some locals, get some wide shots of the gas station. Then we track down the Big Guy from yesterday. That scoop will be all mine. It¡¯s gonna put us on the map Mack. I can feel it.¡± She said with a gleam in her eye. ¡°The¡­ Big Guy.¡± Mack said evenly. ¡°Yeah, what else are we gonna call him? Giant Lizard Monster? The Good Dinosaur? Charles? It¡¯s as good a name as any.¡± ¡°Sure, sure. But aren¡¯t you at least a little bit worried about finding it again? It¡¯s a monster D. With all the claws and fangs to match.¡± ¡°He saved our lives Mack. And he had every opportunity to eat us after the explosion but he didn¡¯t. How do you explain that?¡± ¡°Well yeah, but whose to say that wasn¡¯t just a result of it being in shock from the blast? You can¡¯t apply human logic and morals to animals D. Especially the crazy terrifying ones.¡± Their conversation continued as they gathered their belongings and left the police station. The early afternoon sun making Danika and Mack squint as they adjusted to the light and got a better look at the town they were supposed to cover as part of a small story only a day ago. Despite being the typical small American town Fairview was bustling with a level of activity that felt distinctly out of character. People had already gathered at the entrance to the police station to ask questions about the explosion that they¡¯d heard last night. And some of them weren¡¯t taking the Sherriff¡¯s quickly imposed curfew as well as they should have. ¡°Are you serious? A curfew for a bunch of frickn¡¯ wild animals?¡± One local said to the officer clearly trying to placate the crowd. ¡°Please everyone stay calm, we have the situation under control.¡± The officer said. ¡°Control? There¡¯s a hole the size of my husband¡¯s truck in the Supermart for crying out loud! What kind of animal did that?¡± One lady said over the grumble of others. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss.¡± Danika said, her nose for news drawing her closer to the woman. ¡°What did you say about a hole in a Supermart?¡± Half an hour later and Danika took in the sight for herself, yellow caution tape wound around the entire front entrance of the small supermarket. The hole really was huge, parts of the wall had fallen to the ground and scattered large chunks of concrete in a semicircle around the entrance. There were some store employees apologizing to customers as they kept them out of the store. But the majority of people around the front were just gawkers and onlookers speculating about what made the hole. ¡°What do you think Mack?¡± Danika said appraisingly. ¡°Looks to be the same size. Hell, I¡¯d bet its exactly the same size.¡± Mack nodded looking at the damage through the camera¡¯s eyepiece. ¡°So our scaly savior broke into a supermarket in addition to busting through a gas station. Were there more monsters inside?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the thing.¡± Danika said frowning. ¡°I don¡¯t think there are. If there were there¡¯d be more blood staining the ground than you¡¯d find in a slasher movie. You saw for yourself how messy the Big Guy gets when he fights. Plus there¡¯d be way more collateral damage than just a hole in the wall.¡± Mack gave a grunt of agreement as look as he swept the camera over the scene, recording some background footage to be sent to the network and edited later. ¡°That rubble on the ground¡­ It fell outwards.¡± ¡°So he didn¡¯t break in, he broke out.¡± Danika said nodding. Catching what Mack was saying immediately as she focused on the rubble. ¡°Alright, lets start asking questions.¡± Danika said confidently, eager to put together why the creature that had saved her had done this. Absent any leads as to its current location, figuring out what it was looking for inside the store would be critical to tracking it down later. She¡¯d lost her mic along with the van but a quick trip to an electronics store earlier got her a decent enough replacement. That might have seemed to be an unnecessary expense but Danika found that if you had a camera and a microphone, people were more than willing to talk to you. Which was why Danika made sure to get to one of the employees of the store first before some bystander who knew nothing of the situation could go out of their way to give her their opinion. ¡°Sure as hell shocked me coming in this morning I¡¯ll tell you that much.¡± The manager of the Supermart said after Danika had tracked him down for a short interview. The older man wiping a cloth over his brow as he squinted at the damage to his store. ¡°Drove into the lot and the entire front of the store¡¯s blown out, the skylight shattered to pieces, golly its just one giant mess. Come on inside I¡¯ll show ya.¡± The manager walked Danika and Mack to a side door and walked them inside. Navigating past an assortment of packaged goods that were waiting to be shelved the Manager led them out onto the main floor. ¡°Oh wow.¡± Danika said. Mack immediately bringing up his camera to record the damage inside the store. Most of the store¡¯s interior was relatively undamaged but the part that was damaged looked like it had been hit by a localized tornado. Two whole aisles on one side of the store were tipped over, spilling their contents everywhere. The bags of chips and packages of crackers seemingly crushed along with the metal of the shelves by some great weight that had rolled over all of it. ¡°It¡¯s been a lot today honestly.¡± The manager said tiredly looking over the mess. ¡°I¡¯ve been on back to back phone calls with corporate over what exactly happened here and I have no idea how I can explain it to them.¡± ¡°My team and I have been tracking what we believe to be the source of the disturbances for Fairview.¡± Danika said. Her words coming out practiced and smooth for the camera. ¡°Are you familiar with the reports of the monster encountered by a restaurant employee the other day?¡± ¡°What? The Dumpster Dragon?¡± The manager said incredulously. ¡°You mean that crock of hooey was real?¡± ¡°We believe so I¡¯m afraid. Can we get a closer look at the damage?¡± ¡°Sure, be my guest.¡± Pushing down her excitement so it didn¡¯t show on her face Danika and Mack got closer to the wreckage of the aisles. Surveying the damage as they moved closer to the refrigerated poultry section. ¡°Was it marking its territory or something?¡± Mack asked as he bent down and swept the camera over the crushed contents of the aisles. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Can¡¯t say.¡± Danika began as she had an idea. ¡°Actually we should contact an expert on biology or something. Shit, I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t think of doing that sooner!¡± Danika fumed as she rapidly tapped a reminder into her phone. ¡°Well it was definitely hungry when it came by.¡± Mack surmised. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°See all those torn up plastics over there? Underneath the twenty pack of Cheezy Wheats? It¡¯s a bit hard to make out with the mess but there¡¯s a lot there.¡± Danika frowned and looked at the damage a bit closer. There was a mess of plastics all around but there was some that definitely wasn¡¯t used to wrap crackers. ¡°I think our Big Guy has a hankering for turkey and chicken.¡± Danika said as her eyes roved over all the empty wrappers. ¡°Jesus Mack, I think he emptied the entire beef and poultry section. I don¡¯t see anything left¡­¡± She trailed off. A bit awed at the appetite of the monster. ¡°He should have been hibernating for winter after eating all of this. Damn, maybe a couple of winters. Where the hell did he even put it all?¡± ¡°Beats me.¡± Mack shrugged. ¡°Least we know why it didn¡¯t eat us.¡± ¡°We do?¡± Danika asked confused as she turned towards Mack. ¡°Yeah, it had a full belly.¡± Mack said easily. ¡°Didn¡¯t have any more room in its stomach for us.¡± ¡°It saved us Mack.¡± Danika said pointedly. ¡°Deliberately. Why can¡¯t you accept that its intelligent? It even used one of those other monsters as a shield to protect itself from a shotgun!¡± ¡°It might have seemed that way in the moment D, but you¡¯re letting what you want to believe color your perceptions of that thing.¡± ¡°Color my perceptions of-¡± Danika shook her head. ¡°We had a genuine moment! Did you hit your head or did you not see how close I was to earning its trust? If I¡¯d just had few more seconds alone with the Big Guy without the police shooting innocent monsters we¡¯d be having an entirely different conversation right now.¡± ¡°If you say so D.¡± ¡°I did say so!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not disputing that.¡± ¡°Of course you are.¡± ¡°What? Disputing you or disputing what you just said?¡± ¡°Both obviously.¡± ¡°I specifically said I was not disputing.¡± ¡°Oh no. I know I felt some disputing coming from you.¡± ¡°Felt some disputing? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s proper English D. It is a verb after all.¡± ¡°Why you-¡± ¡°Did you want to see the skylight too?¡± The manager broke in hesitantly. Causing both Danika and Mack to turn back to face the man. After Danika gave Mack a brief challenging look and he returned her glare with a nonplussed shrug they regrouped with the manager as he brought them to the skylight. ¡°If it was a dragon like you said, it must have come through here.¡± The manager said. Toeing a shard of glass on the floor. ¡°Every other way in was locked up tight. Thank goodness there was no more damage back here, the thing at least spared my office.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Danika said distractedly as her mind whirred with questions. Why hadn¡¯t the thing busted through the front if it had wanted to get inside? It was clearly more than capable of doing so. Had it not known that there was food in the store and stumbled its way in? Stumbled its way in as it climbed onto the roof. That can¡¯t be right. Danika frowned. The problem was discerning what level of intelligence the Big Guy had in the first place. It had seemed incredibly intelligent for an animal when it had blocked the gunfire at the gas station but was that learned behavior from being shot at before? But if it had been shot at before how did that explain it saving their lives? ¡°Do you know when exactly it broke into the store?¡± She asked and the manager nodded in reply. ¡°A little before midnight I think but I¡¯d have to check the cameras.¡± He said easily. A little before midnight? But that¡¯s¡­ Danika frowned even deeper this time as she thought through that new information. It had been after midnight when they¡¯d been attacked by the monsters at the gas station. Those two times were just too close to add up. It must have taken the majority of its time to eat here. But for it to have made it to the gas station wouldn¡¯t it have had to rush? I thought it might have wandered over after tracking that pack of monsters but it was way too far away from that right? Does that mean it sought them out? It had attacked them almost immediately, but what does it all mean? I¡¯m missing something. Hell, it feels like I¡¯m missing nearly everything. Like what these monsters are in the first place, where they come from and why there seems to be only one of them that doesn¡¯t immediately try to rip our throats out. Danika¡¯s deep train of thought might have continued for some time but it had taken a solid minute for the manager¡¯s full sentence to breach her mind. Had he said they had cameras? Even without her speaking Mack could swear he almost sensed the barely withheld giddiness inside the woman as she thought about the footage the cameras must have recorded. Mack would never say it aloud but seeing how hungry Danika was for footage honestly worried him at times. He distinctly saw the manager take a step back as she rushed right up to him. ¡°Can we get a look at that footage?¡± Danika said quickly. The mask of professionalism slipping a bit in her excitement as she smiled at the man. ¡°Ah sorry.¡± The manager said a little uncomfortably. ¡°The cameras weren¡¯t on I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°They weren¡¯t¡­ on.¡± Danika stammered. And Mack could swear he saw her eye twitch as she processed the information. ¡°Why¡­ weren¡¯t they on?¡± ¡°I wish I could tell you honestly.¡± The manager said. ¡°I checked the computers myself but they¡¯re fine. It¡¯s an electrical issue of some kind. It¡¯s been forever since we had them looked at.¡± ¡°Could we take a look.¡± Danika said. The words sounding more like a statement than a question. Fortunately it was a statement the manager wasn¡¯t willing to refuse. He led them to a back office that was clearly his own as he sat in the chair behind the desk and brought up the camera feeds. Despite the exterior camera feeds coming online and showing the outdoors the interior feeds were black. Not even a flicker to indicate they were working properly. ¡°They¡¯ve been like this all day.¡± The manager huffed. ¡°I think that beast must have crossed some wires breaking through the front. It¡¯s the only thing that makes sense.¡± Danika barely held back a sigh as she gave the computer screens a pained look. Losing her own footage was hard enough. But to lose the chance of getting her hands on solid video evidence of the monster that saved her hurt just as bad if not worse. ¡°Well, thank you for your time sir.¡± She said diplomatically. Already thinking about how she¡¯d track down the one employee who¡¯s sworn to have come face to face with the ¡°Dragon¡±. ¡°Found your problem.¡± Mack said pointing to the wall. ¡°Circuit Breaker tripped. It¡¯s a shame but it can happen at the worst of times.¡± The manager smacked a hand to his head in apparent shock. ¡°I didn¡¯t even think to check! Thank you young man! There was so much happening this morning, there ah¡­¡± The man looked perplexed. ¡°There should be a cover for that. Do you see it anywhere?¡± ¡°Right over here.¡± Mack said picking up the metal cover for the panel from the floor. It had slid half underneath a small file cabinet to the side ¡°That¡¯s strange. I don¡¯t remember that being so loose. Though I¡¯ve never messed with it so who am I to speak about it.¡± Danika let Mack do his thing as he volunteered to help reattach the panel. She was lost in her own thoughts with all the information she¡¯d uncovered but just couldn¡¯t find a way to make the pieces fit together. A twinge in her gut kept her from focusing however. She couldn¡¯t explain it but there was something she was missing. It was right there. Almost right before her very eyes. Blinking her eyes caught on a small detail in the floor, barely more than a scuff in the tile, but it was there. Standing out amidst the other scrapes in the well travelled floor it was definitely a longer one, maybe even a little deeper too. There was another one just like it a couple feet away, next to the door. As Mack talked to the manager about fastening the panel back in place she took a step out into the hall. The scrapes continued from there as well. Coming from the breakroom with the broken skylight and heading to the office before leading out into the store proper. ¡°Damn. See this part here? It¡¯s all bent to hell. You¡¯re going to have to get a new one.¡± Mack said as he pointed out the problem. Danika¡¯s stare traveled to the Circuit Breaker panel, where the scrapes in the tile seemed to gather under before leaving the office. Almost as if¡­ No¡­ Danika thought warily as she approached Mack and the panel box. He asked her something but she didn¡¯t hear him as her gut told her to look at the individual breakers. ¡°It¡¯s alright D. I got them working again.¡± Mack said before looking a question at his partner. ¡°D?¡± Refrigeration, Exterior Lighting, Air Conditioning¡­ Danika mentally ticked off as she ran a finger over the breakers. Moving down the line until she found the one she was looking for. The one labeled Interior Cameras and Lighting Fixtures. Mack had already moved the Circuit Breaker back into place but Danika wasn¡¯t focused on the position the breaker was in. She ran her finger over the sharp scratch in the side of the breaker. The scratch that was only on that side of the breaker and none of the others. It looked like a part of the plastic had been gouged with a razor blade. Or the tip of a claw. Danika stood sharply and stiffly offered her thanks again to the manager as she practically fled the office. Mack having to jog after her with an apologetic look towards the manager who¡¯d been left holding the broken panel. ¡°When can I expect to see myself on the news?¡± He called after Danika hopefully but she didn¡¯t offer a reply. Couldn¡¯t have in that moment. Her mind felt like she¡¯d chugged a gallon of energy drinks. ¡°Hey where are you going?¡± Mack called after Danika as she left the store through a side door. ¡°Don¡¯t we still have to interview that restaurant guy?¡± ¡°No, no.¡± Danika stammered. ¡°Mack. Do we still have that reservation at the motel?¡± ¡°Yeah why?¡± Mack said puzzled. ¡°Because I need to lie down.¡± Danika said after taking a deep breath. ¡°And I could use a drink right about now.¡± The motel still had their reservation actually. And while the rooms were rather comfy and the beds properly made Danika didn¡¯t lie down on them at all. She was too busy pacing back and forth across the carpet. Even as night fell and they should have been getting some proper footage for the network. The discussion they¡¯d had on theories about the monsters that nearly killed them and the one that saved them went on for hours. ¡°But why now?¡± Mack asked plainly. ¡°You were ready to get right back to work after the attack but its only now that you¡¯re actually spooked about this? Where is this coming from?¡± ¡°It¡¯s coming from a realization that this is more than just a big story Mack.¡± Danika proclaimed as she continued to pace from one side of the small room to the other. ¡°I thought the Big Guy was smart. That there was something there. But I only thought he was as smart as some kind of animal. But he¡¯s more than just smart Mack. Animals don¡¯t know how to flip circuit breakers. Animals don¡¯t leave literal tons of food at the store to rush over to a gas station to save people they don¡¯t know.¡± Mack held up a finger in protest from where he sat on the edge of the bed. ¡°We still don¡¯t know that it left the store to save us. It could have been any number of things that made it leave.¡± Danika waved a hand at Mack to show what she thought of that as she continued. ¡°This is big Mack. Not prime time big. But world shaking, century defining, really scary shit big. Did you find anything online?¡± ¡°I looked.¡± Mack said holding up his phone and scrolling. ¡°But D, this might not be what you think. What if it¡¯s just Tennessee?¡± ¡°And what if it¡¯s not?¡± Danika said shakily. ¡°What if this is happening in more places than just here?¡± ¡°If that were the case.¡± Mack conceded. ¡°Then it would be big. Really scary shit big. But what are we supposed to do if it is? Report on it?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Danika exclaimed. ¡°We should have died last night. Would have in fact if it weren¡¯t for one monster. We still don¡¯t know why he¡¯s different from the others. But that one difference, in one monster saved our lives. We have to find out what makes him special Mack. Did any of the experts you messaged send anything back?¡± ¡°Just one.¡± Mack said looking through his phone. ¡°From a Doctor Wallenstein. That crazy haired scientist guy. It¡¯s just an automated reply but I¡¯ll try calling him again later.¡± ¡°We need to think outside the box. How would the Big Guy hide himself? Where would he be going?¡± ¡°And if we do find it what then Danika?¡± Mack said pointedly. ¡°We almost died last time we got close to it, why should we risk ourselves like that again.¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m afraid the military is going to go in guns blazing when they find him and kill the only monster that is actually trying to save people.¡± Danika said with real worry. ¡°What if the Big Guy isn¡¯t just special. Not just an exception among these monsters, but the exception?¡± Mack paused and the silence stretched between them. To the point that Danika was afraid she had given her partner to much to think about too quickly. He looked up at her a mixed expression in his eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t our fight D. Not even our job. You¡¯re just a reporter and I¡¯m just a camera guy. I didn¡¯t sign up to go monster hunting and risk my life for this.¡± Danika frowned but slowly, to her relief. Mack nodded. ¡°But I get what you¡¯re saying. These monsters aren¡¯t normal. Nothing about this is normal really. And if there¡¯s a difference to be made, or even lives to be saved¡­ I guess I could tag along.¡± Mack said with a small smile. ¡°Besides, your hands always shake when you¡¯re holding the camera and getting this kind of experience under my belt will do wonders when I try to negotiate for a better salary.¡± Danika chuckled and shook her head at her partner. ¡°Thanks Mack, really.¡± ¡°Just promise to bring me on to whatever prime time show they give you after all this is over.¡± ¡°Sure thing Mack.¡± Danika said pulling her phone from its charger on the nightstand. Finally allowing herself to fall into the bed to rest after a day of reporting and internet sleuthing. Danika scrolled through her phone for hours after Mack turned the lamp off, searching every kind of term for monster and lizard over social media without any luck. She was just starting to feel sleep come over her when she scrolled through a video with only a single still image and a voice over. One that was apparently still new judging by the small amount of likes and comments on it. Reading the title off in a daze Danika listened to the voice of a somewhat panicked sounding female¡¯s voice as she struggled to focus on the words being spoken. Haunted Statue On I-75!?! (NOT CLICKBAIT!) ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is happening to me you guys! You know I¡¯m an Aquarius, I didn¡¯t think this happened to people with my star sign! Plus I never leave my house without my mix of onyx quartz and obsidian to shield against negativity. My husband thinks I¡¯m overreacting but I just know that my vibrational energies have been way out of whack this moon and this is the proof! I took a picture with my son while we were at a rest stop and he told me the statue behind us was moving! I didn¡¯t believe him or notice it at the time but look at the picture I took! The statue blinked! I¡¯m really scared you guys, this wasn¡¯t in my horoscope and I didn¡¯t bring the right crystals with me to offset these malicious spirits! I know it has something to do with my mother in law. She attracts so much negative energy I can barely stand her! Plus she won¡¯t let me cleanse her aura with my pink sapphires! Send me your love and good vibes everyone! XOXO.¡± Danika tried to make sense of what the lady was saying but the words seemed to gloss over her mind without leaving a single trace of their presence. I think I just reached my limit. Danika thought numbly. Turning her phone off as she laid it down on the nightstand. I¡¯m starting to see that Big Guy everywhere I look. For a minute I thought I saw him inside a government building next to a public bathroom¡­ Danika smiled at the absurdity of the thought as she snuggled her head into her pillow. Ready to finally catch some well deserved sleep. She was already starting to mentally count sheep as she prepared to dream. She lasted all of five seconds before her eyes snapped awake. Practically ripping her phone from the nightstand Danika reopened that same video and paused the insipid narration to focus on the picture. The claws, the fangs, the green tinted scales. There was no question. That the lady and her children in the picture were still alive to take the picture was proof enough that she had found her giant reptilian quarry. ¡°Mack! Get up!¡± Danika shouted as she leapt out of bed and jostled her partner awake from his two hours of sleep. ¡°Hrm- Wa?¡± Mack grunted as Danika shoved the phone in his face. ¡°This is him! He¡¯s right here!¡± Danika said beaming. ¡°Hiding in plain sight! I can¡¯t believe it!¡± Danika stopped beaming and frowned acutely. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it actually. Is it really that easy for a giant reptile to go unnoticed in a public space?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ standing there?¡± Mack said dubiously. Squinting at the picture as he fully came awake. ¡°Standing there¡­ Menacingly? What the hell is it doing with its arms?¡± Mack looked up to Danika with a worried glint in his eye ¡°D, why is the monster posing for a picture?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hiding in plain sight.¡± ¡°Okay, but what is it doing in a¡­ rest stop? That doesn¡¯t make any sense. Did it break through a wall on its way in? Why would it even bother?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, vending machines? There¡¯s got to be a reason though Mack. This thing is smart. Probably way smarter than we give it credit for.¡± Danika said. Pacing all over again as her mind searched for an answer. ¡°What reason could it possibly have to break into a rest stop of all places? Was it trying to drink from the toilet bowls?¡± Mack said incredulously. ¡°Don¡¯t insult the Big Guy Mack. We still owe him for saving our lives.¡± ¡°D, there¡¯s literally nothing inside there that would be useful in any way whatsoever.¡± Mack said tiredly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing but vending machines, toilets, and maps for tourists.¡± Almost at the same moment Danika and Mack stopped and turned to look at each other. Danika¡¯s face breaking out into a brilliant smile that ran counter to Mack¡¯s stunned open mouth. ¡°Maps?¡± Danika said brightly. ¡°No.¡± Mack said instantly. Shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°Yes!¡± Danika said back. Grabbing her things and the camera in both arms as she turned towards Mack with a devilish grin. ¡°To the rental!¡± Mack stared slack jawed after his partner, his body still horrifically tired from too little sleep as he lifted his arms up into the air in defeat. ¡°How would it even know how to read a map?¡± Chapter 16 - Threats Both Future and Present ¡°Fresh from the Governor''s office is a warning being issued to any and all citizens who were planning on camping or hiking this season, asking them to postpone their trips in the interest of safety. This is due in part to several disappearances these past few days among mountain goers and hikers. The cause of the disappearances has yet to be determined but popular theories are that they are due to attacks by wild animals though reports so far have yet to ascertain what kind of animal if any might be responsible for-¡± Bzzt. ¡°-A lone semi truck left abandoned on the side of a major highway spattered with blood and human remains. Just thirty feet away from Molly¡¯s Diner is now the site of an in depth investigation by local authorities. Here we have the terrified owner of the Diner giving her account of what she believes to be the driver¡¯s final moments.¡± ¡°It was just horrible. I always stay late after we close to clean up the kitchen and I¡¯m used to truckers using our lot to rest for the night. George was a regular, he was always such a good man. He visited us whenever he was driving between states. I heard him shouting. I thought some kids were messing with his truck again so I stayed inside. But then- Oh God. I... I heard his gun go off and he started screaming before-¡± Bzzt. ¡°You¡¯re story is very convincing Mr. Marshall and I¡¯m glad to hear of your family¡¯s safety. But what you¡¯re describing just isn¡¯t-¡± ¡°I know what I saw and I know what almost killed my daughter. These aren¡¯t bears, or wolves, or mountain lions damnit! I can¡¯t explain it any better than I already have! There are monsters out in those woods now. I don¡¯t know how, or when, or even why but I¡¯m telling you we have to be prepared to protect ourselves from these things.¡± ¡°And what of the largest one you spoke of? This Alpha you described. Why didn¡¯t it attack you when it had the chance?¡± ¡°It was too busy slaughtering the other monsters? I can¡¯t say. But that thing¡­ You can talk about because you haven¡¯t seen it. I saw its eyes. There was a hatred in those eyes. I¡¯ll never forget it as long as I live.¡± Bzzt. Ryker frowned as he turned off his internal radio. It had taken some time but after finally getting the hang of mentally clicking through the various radio waves in the air Ryker had been constantly scouring every signal he could for information. He tried to put together a picture in his mind of what was happening in the world around him as he moved north. He was surprised and gladdened to hear the voice of the man whose family he¡¯d saved so soon after awakening. Even if it stung a bit to hear he was still regarded as a monster. What he''d heard on the other radio channels though left his gut churning with unease and an almost palpable sense of guilt. Despite knowing full well that the feeling was misplaced. You knew you wouldn¡¯t be able to stop this. Ryker thought internally with a sense of foreboding. This was never going to be a threat that could be stopped outright. Only survived. People were going to die. People you had no hope of saving. Ryker let out a long breath as he slowed, letting that thought weigh on him for a moment before pushing it down with the other regrets as he focused on moving through the expansive countryside. Despite his inhuman form the advantages of having a Kaiju¡¯s body were something Ryker was starting to feel a tad grateful for. Much to his chagrin. He was large enough to clear fallen trees and large streams with ease, stepping over them like they weren¡¯t obstacles that would force others to find ways around them. His stride, even without trying was multiple times the length of what a human could cover. Even the scales he¡¯d felt so resentful of just a few days prior turned away thick branches and bushes like they were nothing. Letting Ryker make his own path through the forest as he headed north. Not to mention the natural night vision that let Ryker move without bumping into every tree in the forest. Left alone with his thoughts. Ryker thought back to what it had been like to be human. He missed it of course, and always would probably. He¡¯d be insane to not still long for it. But some things¡­ How did I move around without a tail? Ryker thought quizzically. As he reexamined his memories. Maybe it was the instincts his body had come preprogrammed with but moving his tail had only grown more intuitive as time wore on. To the point where imagining a time where he didn¡¯t have the appendage swishing quietly behind him felt almost alien. It was like trying to imagine a time you didn¡¯t have an appendage you''d always had. Circling a thick pine, with his tail dodging between two branches as he passed. Ryker came before another sharp incline in the forest. Thirty feet of mud and dirt that Ryker started climbing as though it were just a small rise. Can¡¯t say I miss shoes much either. Ryker decided. His claws easily digging into the incline as he moved himself upwards. As weird as it was to say given his situation. It felt natural to feel the earth itself underneath him. The wet mud cooling his bare treads, the tiny prick of small twigs breaking, and leaves crunching before his clawed toes felt almost pleasant even. As Ryker reached up with one massive claw to grab a tree trunk like it was a branch he pulled himself up and looked down at the world from his new vantage. After much consideration of the map he¡¯d read from the Rest Stop he¡¯d opted for the safer option in the end. Taking the route nearer the Smoky mountains despite the extra time it would add to his journey. Knowing that attracting too much attention would be tantamount to suicide if the military started tracking him. The lack of buildings and towns along his route had done wonders to expedite Ryker¡¯s journey since he didn¡¯t have to weave his way around packed streets and housing complexes. The slowly brightening twilight starting to peek over the horizon glowed in Ryker¡¯s night vision as he observed it. The mountains loomed high to his right. The land itself growing upwards into cliffs and valleys the further he moved north. Off to his left as the land fell away he could make out the street lights of a small suburb down below. Will it always be like this? Ryker thought suddenly. Avoiding cities, towns, and people? Living in the wild for the rest of my life? He¡¯d known intrinsically that one he¡¯d awoken in the body of a Kaiju that any notion of traditional human contact would go right out the window. Any rational person seeing Ryker would immediately start running the other way if they knew what was good for them. He¡¯d seen that happen first hand with the family he¡¯d saved so soon after waking up. What was his name? Marshall? The man had even gone on radio to talk about how terrifying Ryker was. That could only be expected of course. He couldn¡¯t fault the man for seeing him that way. But adding his reaction to every other so far? From Kenny the waiter literally running away screaming to the cop who¡¯d shot him. It left Ryker feeling isolated. Alone in a way he didn¡¯t have a way to fix. It would be nice to talk to someone at least. Not that I can actually talk in the first place but still¡­ Ryker grimaced. Trying to think of something he could do. There was that one lady. Ryker thought back to the woman and her friend he¡¯d saved. But that could be chalked up to shock as much as anything. The only person who wasn¡¯t terrified of me was that kid from the Rest Stop. And that can¡¯t really be counted can it? As he stewed in his thoughts Ryker¡¯s eyes roved over the land, until he spotted something that caught his eye. Just another couple miles away he could make out a cleared section of forest that had been turned into a construction site for some kind of shopping center or office complex. Set against the rising mountainside so that it would overlook the valley. Should be some wet concrete over there. Ryker thought suddenly. And I don¡¯t see any construction work going on. Maybe I could¡­ For a good while now Ryker had been filled with indecision about one thing. Despite knowing that direct human contact was out of the realm of possibilities, he could have left warnings, messages, or something that could have given people time to prepare. Even if it risked catching too much attention from the military and resulted in him being hunted. Ryker moved a step closer to the construction site with a conflicting sense of duty and worry. Leaving a message would be easy. Hell, he wouldn¡¯t even need wet concrete to do it. He could carve whatever he wanted all over the half finished buildings if he¡¯d had a mind to with claws as big as his. But he stopped himself as he stared at the exposed concrete of the construction site. The multitude of problems with that idea holding him back. What would he even say? Kill Storm Breaker? Kill all Kaiju? He was too early in the timeline for those messages to make sense. The naming system that Beck developed for Kaiju wouldn¡¯t go into effect until the first Stage Twos starting appearing. Even the term ¡°Kaiju¡± wouldn¡¯t be used until it was clear how large the monsters were growing. Just leaving a message to kill the monsters would be redundant at best and useless at worst. They were going to pop up everywhere, not just in select areas or towns. Leaving a more detailed message that could be found by the construction workers might not reach anyone of importance till it was too late to make any difference. Plus spending time trying to track down important people he could try and communicate with might not even work. It would immediately paint a target on his back as a monster that needed to be captured and studied, if not killed. Spending time evading the military would only be giving Storm Breaker more time to grow in strength. Then there¡¯s the proverbial elephant in the room. Ryker thought with a reptilian grimace. His tail swishing in agitation as his train of thought continued. For all intents and purposes, Ryker was a time traveler. A pretty shitty one since he had gone back into the body of a Kaiju but a time traveler none the less. He didn¡¯t even know what rules he was supposed to be operating by. He was grateful to Beck for giving him this opportunity in the first place but he had sent him off without any kind of guidance on how he was supposed to be operating. He knew that his plan of killing Storm Breaker and the others was solid enough. But what if there were more critical information he was lacking that could lead to something worse? What if I create a paradox? Or what if I already am the paradox? Is that possible? Ryker thought with a chill. Does Beck need to be able to create the time travel technology in this new time line as well? No, no I don¡¯t think so. Before I was sent through the machine Beck told me that the past- or rather the previous timeline would cease to exist. That should mean that I¡¯m not in a time loop at least. Thank God. But if I fail, could Beck build the time machine again? If he could have sent someone back more capable than me without getting stuck in a Kaiju body, we could go back as many times as we needed to stop these monsters. Despite the thought of getting extra chances to save the world with Beck¡¯s machine, Ryker shot the idea down immediately. It might have seemed possible on the surface but the Beck that had created the technology was light years away from the Beck that was currently alive in this timeline. Beck was still a genius, of that Ryker had no doubt. But it had taken decades of unending stress and soul crushing pressure to create the kind of circumstances necessary to push Beck to think up the machine in the first place. Even then, Beck had been flirting with the beginnings of true insanity when he¡¯d made the machine. What if that was necessary for him to make it again? Ryker couldn¡¯t bear to see his friend broken like that again. Not to mention that the Artificial Intelligence Processors he¡¯d need to help create the machine wouldn¡¯t exist for another decade at least. What if something happens to the past version of him¡­ or the past version of me? If the younger version of myself dies¡­ will I die? Will I cease to exist if anything happens to them? Ryker touched a claw to his head as if he could hold his own sense of self in place. An actual pang of worry and fear rippling through him at the thought. Would I disappear all at once or... would I fade? Recognize it''s happening as I lose myself? Except, it would only be my own memories that ceased to exist if that were the case. This body already existed before I got shoved into it. What would happen to it if my mind wasn¡¯t in control? It wouldn¡¯t die. Not outright. What kind of damage could a Kaiju with my abilities do if it became unleashed? Ryker clapped his claws to his head several times as he tried to get himself to stop thinking of the worst case scenario. Damnit! Stop getting worried over possibilities. You have no proof of anything your worried about even being a problem in the first place. Ryker berated himself. But still, the fear of the unknown gnawed at Ryker. The truth of the matter was that he had no idea what kind of rules he might need to operate by as a time traveler. He was just making guesses at what he might need to be aware of. But it could also be true that there was nothing he needed to worry about in the first place. Shaking his head Ryker pulled his thoughts away from probabilities and possibilities. He just needed to focus on the threats he knew of and the threats to come. Even if I wanted leave a message to warn people, there¡¯s one solid reason I know of that won¡¯t let me. Ryker grimaced. Nearly snarling at the thought. The Children of Gaia. As crazy as it was to believe, there were actually people who had protested the killing and hunting of Kaiju. Even as the monsters rampaged through the world, people would come together to decry the ¡°inhumane¡± destruction of a ¡°wonderous¡± new species on planet Earth. Stating that all living things were children of the earth. The animals, the plants, humans, and even these new monsters. Hence the name for the group. They were made up of people from all over society, environmental activists, scientists, religious figures, even a number of politicians hopping on the bleeding heart¡¯s bandwagon. In the early years of the Kaiju threat they were a nuisance at best. One that could rightly be written off as people who had no idea what they were truly advocating for. But as the years drew on and Kaiju became ever more powerful, the movement became more violent and extreme. The peaceful protests and cries for harmony with Kaiju became riots calling for immediate ceasefire and complete disarmament. Their arguments being that if we had no weapons of war there would be no reason for Kaiju to feel threatened and attack humans. In time the attacks escalated to armed conflicts with police to outright attacks on military bases, personnel, and supply lines. In no time at all the Children of Gaia transformed from a group of activists to a pseudo religious movement. As the destruction at the hands of Kaiju grew worse it became proof to them that the Earth had finally retaliated against humanity after centuries of inaction. In their eyes Kaiju weren¡¯t monsters but the purest form of judgement, a true sign of the planet¡¯s displeasure with civilization as a whole. They were living gods taking their rightful place as inheritors of the Earth itself, gods that deserved to be appeased and worshipped by humanity. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. It was complete lunacy, the kind deserving of straight jackets and padded rooms but even so the attacks by the Children of Gaia had crippled an already weakened America. Sabotaging the war effort of a number of countries across the globe with high profile kidnappings and assassinations. Had it not been for them and the pipe bombs they were so fond of planting, a good number of Ryker¡¯s pilot friends would have lived to see their families and aid in the fight against the Kaiju. Even scientists like Beck weren¡¯t safe when the Children of Gaia held them responsible for aiding the war effort against Kaiju with their research and development of weapons for the military. In fact, there were a number of occasions where Beck had to be evacuated for his own safety due to possible threats to his and his coworkers lives. And then there was- San Antonio. Ryker remembered vividly. When Storm Breaker had grown powerful enough, the storm it blanketed itself in covered a massive chunk of North America and Canada. The radiation from that storm had quickly made a number of states too irradiated to live in safely. Resulting in a mass exodus of people fleeing south to the southern states. Ryker had been awaiting repairs and resupply for his mech in a heavily defended San Antonio. Moving through the crowds of people being moved to hastily constructed camps and tents for the displaced families to sleep for the night. He hadn¡¯t had a good reason to be out that day. He should have been in the docking bays waiting for his mech to come off the line and run the normal checks and diagnostics. But he¡¯d wanted to go out and be away from that for a moment. Morale had been dipping drastically as the fight against the Kaiju worsened. The techs and pilots he¡¯d spent years working with had grown evermore morose and hopeless. As much as he¡¯d understood their feelings, he knew he couldn¡¯t let himself be dragged down by them. Walking amongst the crowds of refugees he made it a point to talk to the people there. The families who had left everything they¡¯d owned for safety and the children staring wide eyed at everything around them. He put on a face as he talked to them, faking the confidence he didn¡¯t feel. But he¡¯d felt a need to give these people hope for the future. The way people had looked at him, as someone who¡¯d fought on the front lines, was a bit uncomfortable but it was a sacrifice he had been willing to make. Then the bomb had went off. The building retrofitted to house all of the scientists and their projects, exploded in a ball of fire. The wave of force enough to knock people to the ground as it crashed into Ryker and reverberated through his bones. As people began screaming and running from the explosion Ryker ran towards it without hesitation. Shoving people aside as he sprinted across to the building itself. The smoke clouding the air had been eyewatering as Ryker entered the building, but he knew what floor the bomb must have been planted on. Knew exactly who and what could have been the target of an attack of this magnitude. Beck had survived the explosion, thankfully. He¡¯d been in an adjacent room to where the bomb had been planted. But he¡¯d still had to spend weeks recovering from the burns and bits of shrapnel that had hit him. If he hadn¡¯t been behind a wall of computer servers taking the brunt of the damage. Beck would have died with his assistants in the other room. Without his genius, the development of anti-Kaiju weapons would be utterly crippled. The Archangel program and H.A.L.O. system that had given humanity a fighting chance would be nothing more than a pipe dream. It had merely been a matter of chance that had saved Beck¡¯s life then. But what if the Children of Gaia formed sooner in this timeline? Due directly or indirectly to Ryker¡¯s own actions? I can¡¯t take that risk. Ryker fumed. Feeling a spike of hatred at the people responsible. If it means endangering Beck¡¯s life I absolutely can¡¯t take that risk. Whatever the cost. If Ryker wrote anything that could be traced back to him even if it was to warn humanity as a whole, the news that a Kaiju intelligent enough to communicate with humans existed would spread faster than light itself. Ryker couldn¡¯t see the future but he could easily imagine that news like that reaching the soon to be forming Children of Gaia would be like pouring rocket fuel on a wildfire. It had taken years for their operations to ramp up into overt terrorist acts but if they had legitimate proof that the Kaiju they loved could be intelligent¡­ Ryker shook his head at the thought. I¡¯m already acting out of the ordinary by saving lives. If I leave any kind of warning or give anyone the idea I¡¯m more than just a monster those freaks would lose their minds trying to stop the world from killing Kaiju. They might even convince normal people there¡¯s a possibility of peace with Kaiju, as stupid as that is to believe. Society as a whole had taken over a decade to fully collapse, but if the Children of Gaia began acting more quickly in this timeline because of my actions whose to say it wouldn¡¯t collapse sooner? The possibility was frightening. He¡¯d seen the kind of damage the Gaians had caused in his past life. The idea that he might inadvertently be the impetus for the threat of those whack jobs was terrible enough in its own right. That they would be doing it in a misguided attempt to protect him made Ryker feel sick. As a man he remembered seeing how the cultists had revered Kaiju. Remembered how revolted he¡¯d been at their prostrate forms on the ground as they praised humanity¡¯s destroyers. That he himself might become an object of¡­ worship to them? Now that was just beyond the pale. No. Ryker thought furiously as he slashed his arm in front of him. Shearing through branches with ease. Nope. No way in fucking hell am I letting those cooks get a chance to do their freaky cult shit within a square mile of me! Not a chance! Once they went off the deep end, the Gaians had been overly fond of getting as close to their beloved Kaiju as possible, despite the obvious danger. They would do weird rituals, try to offer up things the Kaiju might want to eat, even trying to present themselves as a sacrifice to their giant monster gods. It had resulted in many a cultist getting stepped on naturally, but the idea that Ryker himself might be the monster they were making their crazy cult offerings to was just a bridge too far. Ryker shuddered and rubbed his claws over his arms as he suppressed an involuntary shiver of revulsion. He could almost picture it. Growing large enough to take the fight to Storm Breaker one on one and trying to carefully move through a city but getting thwarted constantly by the hounding of Children of Gaia fanatics. His form wobbling dangerously on one leg as he tried to take a step that wouldn¡¯t crush any tiny fanatics racing up to touch him. Or even taking a bite of dead Kaiju and finding that hiding inside it were Gaians trying to get Ryker to- Ryker gagged, the sound coming out of his throat sounding more like it came out of a dying animal instead of a living one. Just the idea of accidently swallowing a cultist left Ryker weak in the knees. Leaving the man turned Kaiju heaving and hacking as he leaned against a tree that groaned in protest as he tried to get the imagined taste out of his mouth. Ryker had been able to deal with a lot. Losing the Earth to Kaiju, getting sent back in time, being forced to live as one of the very monsters he hated so utterly. Even knowing that the country he¡¯d spent his life serving would be trying to hunt him down and kill him he took in stride. But just thinking about how he might end up being the target of the Children of Gaia¡¯s fetishistic affections crossed way too many lines for Ryker¡¯s liking. I swear to God. If a single Children of Gaia whack job actually jumps down my throat, I¡¯m done. DONE! I''ll hunt down every cultist I can find and... well I really don''t wanna kill anyone. Maybe I''ll crush all their cars and jack up their insurance rates? Yeah hehe, that''ll do. Even though Ryker knew it wouldn¡¯t do any good, it made him feel better to make some kind of threat against the cult. Even if they didn¡¯t exist yet. Damnit all. Even leaving a message to warn about the Children of Gaia might just cause them to form faster under a different name. That always happens in time travel movies. Ryker thought as he grew more frustrated. If the timeline is altered too much, by leaving a message or otherwise, I might alter events enough that my foreknowledge of future events becomes useless. Running his claws down his face Ryker groaned and sighed all at once as he grappled with his situation. Am I going to have to pretend I¡¯m just another Kaiju to keep the timeline from altering too heavily? Roleplay being a monster with above average intelligence? Jesus Beck, Why couldn¡¯t you have sent someone back smarter than I am? I¡¯m a damn pilot. I can¡¯t be trusted to think about the consequences of my actions. Ryker glowered for a moment and started stomping forward again after stopping to think. Whatever. I¡¯ll cross that bridge when I get there and figure things out later. Ryker decided. If there came a golden opportunity to leave a message for someone he¡¯d take it. It wasn¡¯t out of the realm of possibility. But he¡¯d definitely have to give it some thought first. Idly, Ryker gave the large construction site a cursory glance. Probably nothing there for me to eat. Although¡­ Maybe there¡¯s some food trucks nearby for the workers in the morning? Ryker paused. Hind claws digging into the roots of the nearby trees as he turned to regard the place more closely. Hmm¡­ I shouldn¡¯t. Ryker thought with a shake of his head. I¡¯ll find another supermarket or warehouse. That should- Ryker froze as he took in the scent in the air. It was distant and faint even to his enhanced senses, so much so he¡¯d nearly missed it but there was definitely something there. With an flick of thought Ryker¡¯s mind shifted. Pulling each of his senses towards each other as they wove together into a single whole. The self induced Synesthesia his Neural Amplification modifier granted him instantly painting the world in a myriad of multicolored hues as his mind altered his perceptions. The faint scent he¡¯d felt in the air wasn¡¯t amplified exactly. But the texture of it was picked up by all of his senses. The scent of it hummed in his ears and its taste left a familiar tang in the back of his throat. Telling Ryker exactly what he¡¯d feared to find. Kaiju. Not far. Ryker immediately deduced. The pupils of his eyes narrowing to slits. The construction site. He didn¡¯t waste a moment trying to understand why. Ryker was off like a shot, tearing splinters out of the roots he was standing on a mere moment ago as he ran. The scent trail in the air was as clear in Ryker¡¯s senses as a beacon as he chased it. He was still miles out from the origin of the scent, likely carried to him on the breeze but he moved with a grace a beast of his size should have been incapable of. The upgraded muscle fibers rippling under his scales as he charged, tearing through the green like a bull and weaving between trees like a snake. It took less than ten minutes of hard running through the miles of forest but Ryker reached the construction site. His claws clacking on unblemished concrete and asphalt as he stopped and stared. There were ten of them in total. Three that were equal to Ryker in stature, the others ranging in size but smaller than Ryker. Their bodies practically blazing in his Synesthesia as he took them in. Them and the putrid bite of human blood choking the air. No. Ryker thought mutely as he surveyed the devastation around the construction site. There must have been a small night crew on the job when the Kaiju appeared. There was barely anything left of them. There were two pickup trucks, one on its side with the wheels in the air and another that had crashed into a building and had its roof torn off like a can opener. Red splatters painting the interior and dented white frame in the vanishing moonlight. A dismembered leg was lying on the ground in blue jeans next to a crushed yellow hard hat by one of the Kaiju''s clawed feet. I didn''t know they were here... I didn¡¯t hear anything¡­ Ryker thought numbly. The loss leaving an ache in his chest as his jaw worked soundlessly. None of them had a chance to call for help or get to a radio. Oh God, if I¡¯d just gotten here thirty minutes sooner I could have¡­ Death had always been a constant in Ryker¡¯s previous life. For his friends, his squad, but more than any other for the innocent people who¡¯s only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He¡¯d seen so many other pilots grow numb to it all. Regarding the countless dead as just a number to be tallied at the end of a mission. He understood why they did that of course, it was a survival mechanism. You couldn¡¯t be an effective soldier if you broke at every single loss of life. Ryker couldn¡¯t do that. Couldn¡¯t force himself to see the lives of men and women torn away from from their families as a number to be disregarded. How could he? Lessening their deaths would lessen the deaths of his own family and friends. Every single human being that died in the war against Kaiju would still be alive if it weren¡¯t for these monsters. They were the cause of so much suffering and pain it couldn¡¯t be described with words. In the early days of the conflict, people had talked about the deaths caused by Kaiju as if they were the result of a natural disaster. Losses to be mourned and grieved for and nothing more. As if the monsters who killed them weren¡¯t deserving of hate. As if killing humans were just an unfortunate part of their nature. An unintended consequence. People treated Ryker like he was crazy for the way he talked about Kaiju and the way he fought them. And he had to admit at times he did feel crazy, how could others not despise them the way he did? Not wish with every fiber of their beings to wipe these vermin from the earth? As he watched one of the smaller Kaiju noticed him and made a warbling call towards him as it bent and nosed the leg towards him. Rolling the leg over the ground like it was a blood covered log. The Kaiju licking red from its snout as it rifled though torn clothes on the ground. If there had been anyone left alive to save Ryker would have fell on the creatures immediately. Even as outnumbered as he was, he never wasted time when lives were at stake. But knowing he was too late to save anyone changed that. Slowly, dreadfully slowly, Ryker stepped over the leg. Leaving it behind on the concrete as he ambled forward. The burning heat that normally filled him during a fight freezing solid in his chest as he stalked towards the Kaiju that had pushed the leg over to him. The ice churning in his veins so cold it ate at his bones. Ryker had always hated Kaiju, but when the people he''d been sent to save lay dead or his friends'' mangled corpses were torn from their cockpits... Even as a pilot, that hate turned terribly dark at times. But right now, it was downright wrathful. You¡­ Did you play with your food? Ryker asked coldly. The words his body couldn¡¯t say aloud turning into a guttural growl in his throat as he gnashed his teeth. Not understanding of the threat prowling towards it. The first Kaiju only tilted its head quizzically at Ryker as he approached it. The other nine Kaiju regarding Ryker only giving him a cursory glance before turning back to the human remains they were cleaning off the concrete. You did didn¡¯t you. Ryker decided as he stood right next to the Kaiju, his yellow eyes staring unblinkingly at the monster lapping blood from its maw. Pulled them apart like toys while you were playing with them? The Kaiju took a confused step back as Ryker approached it. But it didn¡¯t step back fast enough. Ryker had at least two feet on the smaller Kaiju and his longer reach and heightened reflexes let him easily grab the smaller Kaiju¡¯s arm quick as a striking cobra. Years of training on the mat with his squad and in the field guided his movements as he moved in close, moving a leg behind the Kaiju¡¯s own to sweep its weight bearing backfoot and bring it crashing to the ground. Still holding onto the arm, Ryker pulled the arm back and behind in an armbar as he stomped on the Kaiju. His own fangs grinning savagely as his claws pierced and pressed down into the Kaiju beneath him as it struggled against his superior weight and leverage. Let me play too! Ryker roared as he bent the arm he was holding. Hard. The joint of the Kaiju¡¯s arm hyperextending backward until even the reinforced bone of the Kaiju¡¯s elbow joint audibly snapped as the arm dislocated. Immediately the Kaiju underneath Ryker wailed in pain as it¡¯s claws scrabbled against the concrete for purchase and its tail lashed like mad. The other Kaiju around Ryker cried out in alarm as they saw one of their number get taken down by its own kin. But none of them moved fast enough to save one of their own. With his claws piercing the scales of the Kaiju¡¯s arm as he gripped it Ryker wasn¡¯t satisfied with breaking the arm. He wanted to pay the monster back for what it had done to the workers here. He might have not been able to save the workers, but he damn well could avenge them. Ryker crouched slightly and pulled on the arm, planting his hind claws into the wailing Kaiju¡¯s shoulder blade for better leverage as he did so. As a pilot, Ryker had to constantly be aware of what limits his machine was capable of and how much it could take. Never pushing beyond what it had been designed to handle as much as he¡¯d wanted to. But as a Kaiju, Ryker was strong. Monstrously so. The sound of muscles and sinew tearing cut through the air like a knife as Ryker ruthlessly pulled on the arm. The popping sound of the arm dislocating almost lost to Ryker as he pulled. Stretching the appendage beyond its limits as its owner fruitlessly tried to free itself. Ryker¡¯s hind claws cut into the tearing joint at the shoulder as Ryker roared in rage until all at once, with a spray of vivid crimson, he tore the arm from the Kaiju¡¯s body like it had torn the limbs off the humans it had just eaten. Still in the cold heat of his fury Ryker brought down the torn arm upon the Kaiju like it was a flailing club. Even as blood gushed from the monster¡¯s open wound Ryker mercilessly beat the Kaiju with its own arm until he hopped off the profusely bleeding beast and punted it¡¯s weakly groaning body fifteen feet over the red streaked asphalt and into its kin. Staring after the others with murder in his eyes as they roared challenges at him, all of them preparing to fight. What¡¯s wrong? Ryker chuckled darkly. The sound of it like a rumble in the earth before a storm. Don¡¯t wanna play anymore? That¡¯s fine. Bringing the bleeding edge of the severed arm to his mouth Ryker bit a chunk of the exposed flesh there before casting the arm aside. Both to mock the other monsters. And to sate his own desire to match the monster¡¯s cruelty with cruelty of his own. It might have been wrong. But Ryker didn¡¯t care. If it made him a monster just as much as the ones he¡¯d spent his life fighting so be it. They deserved it. That and so, so much more. Besides. Ryker thought with a wicked red spattered smile. I¡¯m starting to like the taste. Chapter 17 - Destruction Site Even in the midst of his rage, a part of Ryker¡¯s mind whirred as it took in every detail from his environment with his enhanced senses. Acting on long ingrained habits despite using a Kaiju¡¯s biological senses instead of the multiple levels of sensors available to him in his Armor as a pilot. When fighting in an urban environment it was absolutely critical to be aware of everything around you. Not only for your own sake but for others as well. Civilians in active combat zones often times went into shock in places that were hidden and not immediately visible. They could be hiding in a broom closet inside an apartment complex or under a parked car in the middle of the road. That reason, more than any other was why it was hammered into new mech pilots to destroy as little of their environment as possible. Ryker had that lesson so hardwired into his brain that the act was almost completely unconscious as he scanned every inch of the construction site with his heightened and combined senses. The smell of Kaiju was thick in the air, clouding his other senses as the scent bleed through his mind as bitter taste and alien sounds but he moved beyond that. He reached out and felt the world as no other living being should have been able to. Past the all too familiar sight of human remains on concrete to any sign of human life that might be nearby. But there was nothing. No frantic heartbeats pounding behind half constructed walls. No trace of lingering sweat in the air or fresh blood. Only the silence of the dead, broken by the monsters that had defiled their bodies like they were nothing more than meat. Back at the campsite Ryker had immediately taken the fight with the hatchlings outside and away from the family cowering indoors until they could escape. At the gas station Ryker had broken through the wall to thin the monsters¡¯ numbers and confirm the status of the people inside before dragging the biggest threat outside, making himself the main target to buy time for the civilians inside. Every fight beforehand he had worked to the best of his ability to keep nearby people safe. Every action had to be carefully calculated, controlled, and measured in how best he could protect others. But here? Knowing there was no one left to die? They fell away one by one. The rules. The long memorized operating procedures and tactical maneuvers. Releasing their hold on the fire that blazed inside Ryker¡¯s chest as they neatly put themselves away until they¡¯d be needed to protect people again. Ryker shuddered as a long exhale left his lungs, like he was taking a full breath for the first time. His shoulders, so tight with tension the moment he¡¯d arrived slackening as the weight that bore them down was finally lifted. I¡¯m going to kill you all. Ryker thought simply, as though it were a foregone conclusion. His eleven foot frame leaned forwards, eyes blazing as he locked onto the monsters before him. But I¡¯m gonna hurt you first. In an instant Ryker¡¯s back leg slammed into the concrete, cracking the surface as he hurled himself towards the pack of Kaiju. The modified muscle fibers under his scales rocketed Ryker forwards, faster than a beast of his size should have ever been able to move. In a mere moment he¡¯d caught the Kaiju off guard as his sprint put him within their ranks. Not slowing in the slightest Ryker ducked a biting head and other swipes as he held out a claw catching one of the smaller Kaiju by the throat, one that still had bits of a red stained shirt in its teeth as he carried it into the wall of concrete the truck had crashed against earlier in its failed attempt to escape. The wall cracked with the sound of a thunderclap as Ryker used the smaller Kaiju¡¯s body as a battering ram. Smashing through the shower of rubble and into the unfinished building beyond as Ryker plowed through an array of doll sized power tools and other equipment. Uncaring for the things he crushed underfoot as he slammed the battered beast against the floor. The dazed Kaiju weakly struggling against his grip as Ryker straddled the beast. His legs on either side of the smaller Kaiju as hind claws dug deep into the concrete to hold Ryker upright as he rained down blow after blow on the monster. Deliberately avoiding the monster¡¯s vulnerable throat as his claws came down over and over on its head and chest. Easily smacking away its flailing arms as it tried to protect itself. In a matter of seconds he tore apart the Kaiju, strips of flesh carving away as its hot blood spattered the ground and stained Ryker¡¯s claws red. He could have stayed like that for hours. Unleashing every pain and injustice these monsters had wrought upon himself and humanity. But he only had another scarce moment alone with the bleeding Kaiju before the roars of the others forced him to pull his focus away. They came in through the hole he¡¯d made in the wall and the unfinished sections still open to the chill night air. Charging between the iron girders that held up the concrete ceiling and immediately went straight for Ryker. Ryker disengaged from the mauled Kaiju he was ground pounding by hurling himself to the side, but not before slashing open its neck to secure the kill. Tucking his body into a roll he rose instantly to his feet in an open space between the iron girders holding up the ceiling. His teeth bared and claws open wide as the five smaller Kaiju swarmed him. Even with his larger mass on his side these smaller Kaiju were still a mix of seven to nine feet tall. That meant they all must have had the Increased Bone and Muscle Fiber Density rungs of their DNA unlocked. Ryker backpedaled as he matched every swipe of their claws with two of his. His own Enhanced Scales deflecting the worst of the damage but not enough for him to not start feeling some of his own blood trickling from shallow wounds. Every attempt they made to bite into Ryker, he deflected and sidestepped as best he could. Not daring to risk getting poisoned so early in the fight if any of them had venom. As Ryker¡¯s anger fueled his blows he felt it mix with the ingrained instincts his body had been born with. He wanted to bite into these things himself, to feel the gush of their blood on his tongue as his own venom pumped into their veins. But striking out with his fangs at the wrong moment would leave his neck exposed. Even in a rage Ryker couldn¡¯t allow himself to outright ignore common sense and allow himself to be boxed in by these small fry as the three larger Kaiju, the ones equal to Ryker in size were likely making their way to join their own kin against him. Gotta thin the herd. Ryker decided almost reluctantly. Knowing intrinsically that a fight against all the Kaiju at once would not end well for him. No matter how much he wanted to draw the fight out to take his time breaking down the monsters. That didn¡¯t mean he had to made their deaths quick though. In an instant Ryker moved forward as he took advantage of the Kaiju¡¯s clumsy teamwork. Targeting a Kaiju that was too close to him to get immediate help from its friends Ryker got close and personal with the beast. Surprised, it tried to snap a bite at Ryker that immediately failed as Ryker abused his greater height and mass over the creature to catch its head between his claws in a clinch. Yanking its head down to crash against his rising knee as he felt the Kaiju¡¯s jaw crack through his scaled knee. Ryker grinned savagely, feeling every bit the monster in this fight and not caring in the least as he brought his knee into the Kaiju¡¯s face again and again as his claws dug into its head and scraped against its skull. With every blow wet broken teeth bounced off his legs and onto the floor as he swung the barley standing Kaiju¡¯s body around as he continued striking it. Using it as a living barrier to keep the other Kaiju from striking him directly as his head snapped down and bit deep into its exposed neck. Pumping venom into its body as it spasmed in his merciless grip. The moment the Kaiju died in his claws, well before it could have suffered any of the effects of his venom, Ryker snarled and threw the broken corpse to the ground. The vaguely head shaped mass of pulped flesh and bone squelching between his hind claws as he stomped on the dead Kaiju. As the four remaining Kaiju rushed him Ryker kicked the corpse under his claws at the two to his left. Sending the body skipping over the concrete as it hit the two Kaiju in the legs. Sending one stumbling as it failed to recover and the other crashing to the floor. Buying him a brief moment alone with the two monsters on the right. Ryker baited one Kaiju as he left his right flank exposed after a viscous cross cut on another left it stumbling away. As the Kaiju on his right took the bait and came in to bite Ryker sidestepped. The Kaiju¡¯s head just missing his side as his arm came down to wrap around it¡¯s neck in a merciless guillotine chokehold. Scales ground against scales as Ryker locked his arm tight and squeezed. The Kaiju¡¯s maw working soundlessly as its eyes rolled in its sockets and it fought for breath. Its arms and legs flailing as it vainly tried to free itself from the choke. Ryker¡¯s leg flashed out in a front kick that caught the Kaiju he¡¯d cut full in the chest as he sent it away and bought a few extra seconds for him to ensure the Kaiju he was holding suffered before he readjusted his hold on the Kaiju¡¯s head. Flexing his arm just right as he felt the reinforced bones of its neck strain and finally give with a satisfying crack as Ryker let the dead Kaiju fall to the ground in a heap. Just in time for him to take on the last three Kaiju. The two he¡¯d tripped a moment ago and the one bleeding from its chest where Ryker slashed and kicked it. Years of training took over as Ryker squared his stance, gauging the distance to his targets in an instant as his body moved on instinct. The first of the Kaiju to try and get to Ryker spun away as Ryker¡¯s spinning back kick connected with the monster¡¯s head. His hind claws tearing open its face and destroying one eye as it reeled back in pain trying to get its bearings. The second to attack leapt for Ryker, missing completely as Ryker ducked its aerial attack and used his leftover momentum from his kick to swing his tail around as it came towards the ground. The Kaiju yelped as his tail slammed into its legs and sent it crashing headfirst into an iron girder holding up the ceiling. Falling to the floor in a motionless tangle of limbs. The last Kaiju, the one that had lost an eye and was bleeding all over charged Ryker as he contemptuously batted aside its swiping claws before getting inside its guard. With a ruthless snap of his leg he kicked the smaller Kaiju in the side of its knee. The joint instantly breaking under his blow as it bent the wrong way. Before the Kaiju could fall to the ground Ryker caught the beast by its head and dug his clawed thumbs into its eyes. Blood from its gouged eye socket and clear liquid from its good eye ran down his claws as it cried out and thrashed desperately to get away. Its claws glancing uselessly off Ryker¡¯s enhanced scales as he yanked up on the beast¡¯s head to bite into its exposed neck and deliver his venom. His teeth biting deep enough to cut off its cries as a feral part of him reveled in the gush of its life blood spilling into his mouth. The taste, feel, and smell of it rippling across his intertwined senses in a wave of red ambrosia. The bloodlust that drove Ryker had always been a part of him, just as the wild instincts that first drove him to bite another Kaiju had been a part of the body he now inhabited. But that bloodlust, that need for violence had never felt so primal as it did now. Just a few days ago, he¡¯d considered eating Kaiju a necessity and nothing more. A means to an end. But now he ached for it, needed it in a way he couldn¡¯t describe. Wanted it in a way that would have frightened him if there was any room left in his head to think. That was when it hit him. One of the three larger Kaiju that had been circling the fight and letting its weaker brothers wear down its opponent chose that moment to strike as the Kaiju barreled into Ryker like a runaway freight train. The force of the impact enough to snap Ryker out of his daze and take the wind out of him as the Kaiju kept charging. Through the back wall of the large room they¡¯d been fighting in and through several more concrete walls until they exited the unfinished building they¡¯d been in and continuing into the half constructed building next to it as it carried Ryker through on its- Horn?! Ryker realized. Surprised even as he felt pain lance through his abdomen where a bone horn dug several inches into him. His enhanced scales and shock absorbing muscles mitigating the worst of the damage as Ryker gritted his teeth and wrapped his arms around the Kaiju goring him. As the Charger carried Ryker through another concrete wall within the building Ryker slammed his feet down into the ground. His claws digging furrows into the concrete as he fought for purchase, slowing the Charger down enough to grip it properly and use its momentum against it. Once his claws caught on a solid enough part of the ground Ryker pivoted backwards. Letting the Charger¡¯s momentum carry it forwards as he roared and slammed it into the concrete pillar it was going to crush Ryker against. The pillar shattered as the building around Ryker rumbled and the Charger fell to the ground. Shaking the dust off itself before it got too its feet. Apparently none too worse for wear as it snorted and grunted a challenge as it caught its bearings. Stepping back Ryker held a claw to his abdomen as he examined his wound. It stung worse than the gunshots he¡¯d suffered not too long ago but it was bearable. The sight of his own blood on his claws making Ryker push down his worried questions about what he¡¯d felt earlier and reappraise the Charger in front of him as the other two larger Kaiju on par with Ryker entered. Roaring and hissing as one as Ryker chuckled and shook his head. Bastards. He cursed with as he flicked the blood from his claws. You¡¯re actually more evolved than I am aren¡¯t you? It was a surprise but not one that was entirely unexpected. Ever since Ryker had been reborn as a Kaiju he¡¯d always had the option of hard focusing one DNA segment over the others. From the start he could have dedicated himself to unlocking everything from the Musculoskeletal segment to get stronger and then try and hit Stage Two before any other Kaiju had the chance. But rather than doing that he¡¯d made the deliberate decision to try and unlock everything from every DNA segment. From a bystander¡¯s perspective it might not have seemed beneficial to waste time on that but Ryker knew Kaiju. Knew that the best chance he had of standing toe to toe with monsters like Storm Breaker would be building a rock solid foundation during Stage One that could support the kinds of abilities he¡¯d need at later stages. That approach naturally meant that while he was more spread out and well rounded ability wise, other Stage Ones might get further along unlocking certain DNA segments than he did. Which explained the Charger and its two allies. Must be the next DNA rung after my enhanced scales. Ryker thought. Taking in every detail of his enemies as he examined them closely. I¡¯d almost forgotten that small changes like this took place during Stage One. Even though all Kaiju were essentially genetic copies of each other at birth the differences here were immediately apparent. The Charger was bulkier than Ryker was, with a heavier upper torso that culminated in the large bone horn extending out from its head. The end of it still slick with Ryker¡¯s blood as it stamped its feet and made as if to charge again. The one next to it was sleeker than the Charger and even Ryker himself. The largest difference though was the tail extending behind the monster. Rather than the thick rudder like tails Ryker and other Kaiju possessed this Kaiju¡¯s tail lashed and coiled behind it like a living whip. The end of it snapping against the concrete and cracking the floor with much more force than Ryker expected. The last Kaiju didn¡¯t have the drastic physical changes of the others. It seemed mostly normal compared to Ryker, but the thing that made him wary of it was the lightly red patterned scales along its chest and neck. That was all the time Ryker had to examine the monsters before they were immediately upon him. The Charger roared and plowed forwards to gore Ryker on its horn again. Rather than tank the beast head on again and leave himself open to attack by the others Ryker ran to the right towards a fully stacked pallet of materials as the beast came for him. Leaping up onto it, his crushing weight pressing down onto the pallet, Ryker vaulted. Using the pallet as a springboard to soar up and over the Charger as it passed underneath him. Already wheeling around for another pass to gore him like a raging bull. Ryker¡¯s thoughts rapid fired as he landed and cracked the concrete beneath him as he took in the two other Kaiju coming to clash with him as he landed. I¡¯ll take out the other two first and- Urk! Before it could reach him with its claws or fangs the elongated tail of the other Kaiju snapped out and cracked against the side of Ryker¡¯s head. Missing his eye as his head snapped to the side, the combined protection of his scales and enhanced tissues the only thing that kept the blow from reaching the bone of his skull. The opening move by the Snapper gave its ally the advantage as it roared, eyes wide open and wild with bloodlust as it hurled itself into Ryker like a living cannonball. Almost bowling Ryker over as the Kaiju made up for any lack of fighting talent with unrelenting fury. Immediately putting Ryker on the defensive as his arms blocked and deflected strikes. All the while ducking and dodging the whip crack of the Snapper¡¯s tail. Every time he moved to dodge one attack he seemed to leave himself open for another. He tried multiple times to grapple the Kaiju laying into him but trying to wrangle the monster for a killing strike was like trying to grab onto a feral cat. A feral cat with scales just as hard as his own as his biting teeth skittered over its shoulder, the glancing bite failing to punch through as it slipped out of his grasp and slashed at him anew with a ferocity that could only be due to one thing. The Adrenal Trigger. Ryker realized as he danced back from the Berserker. Both their scales a nearly matching crimson as Ryker¡¯s wounds painted his scales to match the angry red of the Berserker¡¯s torso. The clatter of breaking equipment and concrete announced the charger¡¯s return as it charged back to join the other two Kaiju in the fight against Ryker. Before it could make it back Ryker knew he had to at least take one of these Kaiju out of the fight to even his odds against the other two. The Berserker would only remain a problem as long as Ryker had to constantly dodge the Charger and Snapper supporting it. So Ryker immediately decided to take out the Snapper first. The Charger¡¯s greater mass and simplistic style of attacks made it easy enough to avoid to put off for the moment as Ryker stopped defending and closed in with the Berserker. He allowed the beast to score hits on him as it tore into his chest and abdomen. Ryker letting out a hiss of pain as his only acknowledgement of the damage he stepped forward and twisted his torso to put as much force into the strike his upper body could muster. Delivering a savage uppercut to the Kaiju¡¯s chest and neck as his claws broke through the protection of its enhanced scales and came ripping out with a spray of blood that splashed onto his face. The pain came an instant later. Ryker¡¯s eyes burned like fire as he stepped back, roaring in pain as he wiped at the sizzling scales on his face and desperately tried to get the acidic blood out of his eyes. Momentarily blinded he heard the coiling of the Snappers tail a split second before he felt it curl around his leg as it yanked him off balance. Lining him up perfectly for the Charger to slam into him again. Only the synesthetic combination of his senses warned Ryker in time to shift his body and brace himself for the Charger that slammed into him. The world around him now a shifting mass of shapes made of glowing sound and shivering scent as his remaining senses filled in the gaps his eyes no longer could. Braced for the Charger as he was, Ryker only slid a dozen feet before he felt the Charger grunt in surprise at Ryker¡¯s solidness. Gripping the Kaiju by the horn Ryker levered the monster¡¯s head to the side as he got around behind the Kaiju before it could react. Using every ounce of muscle he could muster Ryker lifted the Charger off the ground as he roared and bent backwards. Executing a textbook suplex on the Kaiju that brought the beast head first into the concrete with enough force to shake the entire building as Ryker fell with the Charger through the floor and into the basement of the building. Concrete and rebar gave and fell away as more of the floor broke away into the basement after Ryker, catching the other two Kaiju as they fell down to continue the fight below. ======================================================================= ¡°I don¡¯t like it Martha.¡± William said as he peeked through the blinds at the construction site above his house in the suburbs. ¡°Oh please honey.¡± Martha mumbled from the bed as she lifted her sleep mask off her eyes to stare at her husband. ¡°It¡¯s not that early for them to start construction. You¡¯ve already filed enough complaints with the construction company. Whatever they¡¯re doing up there won¡¯t matter after we head to work.¡± ¡°But they can¡¯t keep getting away with it!¡± William glowered as he turned in a huff. His Egyptian cotton pajamas rippling over his lanky frame as he readjusted his glasses. ¡°People down here are trying to sleep! I could have gotten another hour of sleep if it weren¡¯t for them starting construction early again. I¡¯ve already left a letter with their corporate offices. They are violating-¡± ¡°violating section 24-b.¡± Martha said tiredly. The district policy now forever burned into her brain thanks to her husbands never ending war with the local construction disrupting his sleep. ¡°William. If its bothering you that much, why don¡¯t we order a fan or a white noise machine to help you sleep?¡± ¡°We will do no such thing!¡± William said defiantly. Waggling a finger at his wife of twenty years. ¡°I am a man of principle! And I will not lose to these uneducated savages in yellow vests-¡± A distant crash reverberated through the window as William pointed a finger back at the construction site on the mountainside like he¡¯d found a murder suspect. ¡°Ha! See! We can get them for this Martha! As soon as I get into the firm today I can draft the paperwork. Let me tell you I am going to have their hack lawyers spinning as I get them for-¡± Another crash, this one even louder than the first nearly shook the bedroom window out of its frame as Martha yelped as her cellphone rattled off her nightstand and onto the floor. For once William had nothing to say as he stood still and watched the distant construction site with a furrowed brow. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°What the hell?¡± Martha said shaken as she got out of bed and joined her husband at the window. Pushing all the blinds aside to stare out into the pre dawn night and whatever the commotion was outside their home. Up on the hill it was still hard to make out but it was clear enough to see the plumes of dust rising from the construction site. Rather than the constant drone or hammer of machines the sounds coming from the construction site sounded more unrestrained. A long groan came from the site above, like metal tearing out of place. The groan was quickly followed by one of the iron building frameworks she could barely make out through the trees, disappear before a loud crashing sound rolled down the mountain and shook the window even harder. A sound followed by a blood curdling roar. Martha gasped as she took her husband by the arm reflexively as he backed away from the window. A bead of sweat rolling down his forehead as he turned to his wife. ¡°Honey.¡± William said softly. Gulping despite his dry mouth as he tried to find the words. ¡°I¡­ I think we should call the police.¡± ======================================================================= Even blinded and burned Ryker growled through the pain as he fought, the sound guttural and raw as he bared his teeth in a seething snarl. Ryker raged at the situation. Not only because of the loss of his eyes but because he knew he shouldn¡¯t have been having this much trouble with mere Stage One Kaiju. Despite how much experience he¡¯d had mixing it up with Kaiju the truth was that he was fighting at less than half strength than he would have been in any normal mechanized Armor. Any engagement would have opened with volleys of cannon or mortar fire. Then they would have opened with rapid fire from mounted heavy machine guns as they closed in on the Kaiju. Long before reaching the monsters Ryker would have softened them up with any number of weapons before he closed in for the kill. Without that extra fire power Ryker¡¯s fight with the Kaiju turned into a long drawn out brawl as their fight moved around the construction site. The battle in the basement doing enough damage to the building¡¯s supporting foundation to cause a partial collapse as Ryker weaved his way through the metal and concrete debris. His expanded senses granting him an advantage moving through the dust that clogged the air as he made hit and run attacks on the three remaining Kaiju that could match him. He was still wounded. Every movement he made aggravating the hole in his abdomen and half a dozen smaller injuries as his eyes constantly stung with pins and needles. But the other Kaiju were wounded too. The Snapper¡¯s tail thrashed violently as it tried to attack the air around it to keep Ryker away, even as its right arm hung limp, bleeding profusely from the chunk of flesh Ryker had torn out of it with his teeth. The Charger roared constantly and tried plowing its way through the debris on a bad leg, only causing more damage to their surroundings as Ryker baited the Kaiju into walls and pillars to injure itself. The Berserker who¡¯s acidic blood had blinded him roared as well. Bleeding trails of sizzling red blood from where Ryker had thrown everything he could get his claws on at the beast. Literally. Wheelbarrows, power saws, chunks of rubble and rebar. Everything. Ryker wasn¡¯t about to make the mistake of getting too close to the Kaiju where its blood could wound him again and weaken him against its adrenaline fueled fury. Breathing hard, Ryker gritted his teeth as the Snapper¡¯s tail nicked his shoulder as he ran by it and raked it with his claws before disappearing into the dust to reposition. This is taking too long. Ryker thought worriedly as he felt the warmth of the sun approaching. I need to finish this before we get too much attention. Ironically, the same scales that protected him so well against the smaller Kaiju earlier were proving to be a pain in the ass to deal with in these three Kaiju. Combined with their greater natural abilities and numbers Ryker was beginning to doubt his own ability to take down these monsters before the police or military showed up to deal with them. If that happened, even if they helped kill these other Kaiju, there was no way in hell they¡¯d leave him be to eat their corpses to grow stronger and hopefully heal his eyes. He needed to change the game before that happened so he could feed. Ryker surveyed his surroundings, scrounging around for ideas until his eyes landed on a fallen stack of iron girders nearly the length of his body right before the remains of a now heavily damaged building under construction. The main offices of the construction site most likely, there were only five stories completed as the levels above the fifth floor were a mix of bare concrete, iron, and rebar. Ryker grinned as a plan came to life in his mind. Let¡¯s kick it up a notch. As the dust began to settle Ryker moved over to the base of the building roaring a challenge at the three remaining Kaiju, all their heads swiveled to stare at him as he ran inside the building. All of the Kaiju immediately following him. Inside the base floor Ryker used his own bulk to smash through load bearing walls and make space on the first floor as the Berserker entered the building first and sprinted for Ryker, literally frothing at the mouth as it charged him. Fully aware of how much damage the Kaiju could do to him if it got close Ryker allowed it to run at him. Making no attempt to dodge as it barreled towards him with claws outstretched until it was fifteen feet away. Before Ryker had entered the building he¡¯d stopped to take one thing with him. That thing was unwieldy as hell in his claws but it was solid. Very solid as Ryker prepared to swing the iron girder he¡¯d picked up outside like it was one of the few weapons Ryker had trained with long before becoming a pilot, one he¡¯d used even as a child. A baseball bat. With a batter¡¯s stance Ryker twisted and brought the iron girder around like he was swinging for the fences. The end of the girder slamming into the head of the Berserker with a resounding gong as the strike sent it reeling away into and through a wall of stucco. The acidic blood hissing on Ryker¡¯s impromptu weapon as he hefted the beam over one shoulder, ready to swing again if the Berserker came close again. A twinge of warning in Ryker¡¯s senses had him bring his iron bat around to block as the Snapper¡¯s whip like tail wrapped around metal instead of his neck. Before the Snapper could untangle its tail from his makeshift weapon Ryker yanked hard. Feeling the Snapper lose its balance as it was pulled backwards by its own tail as it fought for control of its appendage. Not wasting an opportunity Ryker snapped down with his own jaws on the tail and bit deep. Feeling his teeth cut through its protective scales and into the pure toughened muscle that made up the tail. Ryker worked his jaws back and forth as he sawed through the tail and severed it with a snap. Wailing in pain and rage the Snapper immediately came at Ryker for biting the back end of its tail off. Leaving it perfectly open for Ryker to wind up for another swing of his iron girder into the Kaiju¡¯s good remaining arm. Slamming it into the Kaiju repeatedly without the threat of its snapping tail leaving him vulnerable for attack from the other two. With its tail severed and arms nearly broken beyond repair Ryker had to dance back from the Kaiju as the Charger plowed through one of the few remaining solid walls left on the first floor to try and gore him again. Putting himself in position at the center of the building with a pillar at his back Ryker implored the Charger to come at him again. If he could get it just right¡­ The Charger roared, stomping forwards with as much momentum as it could generate as it lowered its head to gore Ryker and impale him on its horn. Not moving from his position Ryker placed the butt of his now rather bent weapon against the base of the pillar securing it and letting the front end of the iron girder dip down directly towards the charging Kaiju. In its eagerness to gore Ryker again the charging monster failed to account for the solid bar of iron pointed towards it as the Kaiju ran into the end of the iron girder as it impacted the pillar Ryker had gotten it to slam into as he sidestepped. Despite the end of the girder being flat it drove into the Charger¡¯s gut like a spear as its momentum carried it forwards and the base of the pillar held the girder still. The blunt end breaking through the Charger¡¯s protective scales as it buried itself in the monster¡¯s stomach as it crashed through the pillar holding up the center of the damaged office building. With no time to spare, already sensing the building starting to buckle at the lack of structural support holding it up. Ryker dove out of the building and looked back with satisfaction as the building groaned in protest. Unleashing a cacophony of sound that played havoc with Ryker¡¯s senses as he waited for the building to collapse on the Kaiju inside and- Damnit! Ryker raged as his plan to collapse the building in on itself failed as the Kaiju he was supposed to be dropping it on exited the building before it could fall and implode. They all looked like they¡¯d been through hell. The Charger had an iron girder sticking out of its abdomen, the Snapper¡¯s arms hung limply as its severed tail thrashed angrily, and the Berserker finally looked to be coming down from its adrenaline rush as it staggered forward. The four Kaiju waited for the other to make the first move as the building groaned behind them. Not taking their attention off of each other for an instant Ryker tensed as all three of the Kaiju rushed him at once. No longer trying to attack him separately as they charged him. Ryker¡¯s focus narrowed as he shifted on his feet with his tail lashing behind him in agitation, ready for anything these Kaiju could throw at him. What he hadn¡¯t accounted for was the collapsing building falling the wrong way. Despite the taking out some its central supporting pillars the building began to tilt as its remaining supports kept the building from collapsing in on itself but failed to hold up the unsupported side as they broke apart and gave out one by one. The reverberations though the ground were powerful to make even Ryker and the other Kaiju stumble as the second floor of the building crashed down into the first. Surviving long enough for the top of the office building to fall down and outwards like a felled tree cut down by a lumber jack. Ryker backed up as far as he could. Coming right to the chain link fence that circled the edge of the construction site as the land fell away to the suburb far below, but it wasn¡¯t far enough. The building crashed down and sent out a literal wave of dust and rubble that slammed into Ryker as the force of the building¡¯s collapse threw him through the chain link fence and off the edge of the cliff the construction site was built on. Ryker and the rubble were airborne for a full second before he impacted with the sloped incline of the mountain. Falling down it in an uncontrolled tumble as he rolled and tried to slow his rapid descent by catching something with his claws. But Ryker had too much mass to stop on a dime as a small tree splintered to pieces as Ryker slammed into it. He tried digging his claws into the dirt and that slowed him just enough to see the shape of the Charger falling towards him as the Kaiju slammed into him as he fell. His rattled senses barely making out the crashing and tumbling forms of the other Kaiju as they fell to the valley below. It seemed to take a small eternity to finally hit the bottom of the mountain but Ryker finally stopped rolling and slid to a stop in some grass. The coolness of the morning dew on his burned face almost pleasant as he lay stunned. Ryker groaned in pain as he recovered from the fall and got his bearings. Pushing his claws into the grass to lift himself up, trying to locate the other Kaiju as he leaned on his other senses to make sense of his surroundings. Even as weary and wounded as he was he had to- No. Ryker thought as ice cold fear nearly stopped his heart. His blinded eyes had kept him from immediately recognizing his surroundings but he knew exactly where he was now. The suburbs that were below the construction site. The fall from the construction site had initially rattled his senses but now he could easily hear the frantic clamoring of people waking up behind thin house walls and even thinner windows to see what was going on outside. The sounds around him bouncing between houses and parked cars, illuminating the suburb in his mind¡¯s eye as he frantically tried to think of a solution that would prevent the people still in their homes from being put in harm¡¯s way. We¡¯re too close! There¡¯s too many people here! I have to draw them away before- A scream tore through the suburb to his right as a woman in pajamas who had gone outside to check what was going on fell back against her front door before the sight of Ryker looming above her on her lawn. Ryker took an unconscious step away from the terrified woman as his back leg accidentally collided with a parked car hard enough to trigger the car alarm. The sound eclipsing the woman¡¯s continued screaming as his head whipped from side to side. The sight of more people coming out of their homes to gawk at Ryker sending a cold shiver of dread through him as he caught sight of where the other Kaiju had landed. At eleven feet tall Ryker was able to look over the roofs of the suburb to spot the others as they reacted to the sight of humans, knowing with a terrible certainty what each monster would be thinking at that very moment. Food. In an instant Ryker was sprinting across the street, straight for the row of homes that separated his street from the one the Berserker had landed on. The people in front of him screaming and fleeing back inside their homes as Ryker raced through the narrow space between each house. Tearing through fences as he cut across a small backyard and into another Ryker leapt onto the house in front of him, his claws and weight tearing furrows into the roof as he jumped for the Kaiju Berserker already moving towards the nearest group of people with their phones out to film. He slammed into the Kaiju in a flying tackle that slammed them both into a house with enough force to break through the outer wall and expose the interior living room as Ryker sensed the movement of people less than a dozen feet away inside the house screaming in terror as he wrangled the Kaiju, its blood burning him as he tried to keep it from escaping his grip and going on a killing spree. Behind him he felt more than heard the Charger catch sight of and move towards him as he desperately fought to pull the Berserker back towards the middle of the street. The Snapper mounted up on a rooftop and growled at Ryker before something caught its eye and it ducked its head through the roof¡¯s skylight to try to get at the people within. All around Ryker the world was turning to chaos and screaming. So much screaming. The sound of it all hauntingly familiar as Ryker was transported back to his early days in the war. For a moment he could see it all play out. How people would try to run an escape these Kaiju on foot. Only to be chased down one by one as they failed to get away. They would die because of him. For being too weak to kill these monsters before they took more lives. The roar tore itself from Ryker¡¯s throat as the hate that drove him denied his weakness. Giving his wounded and poisoned body a ferocious strength as he drew on his anger. Nearby windows shattered as people fell to the ground clutching their ears as his roar echoed through the entire suburb. A single thought dominating his entire being. No one else would die today. Not one more. Whatever the cost. Ryker bit deep into the Berserker¡¯s neck. His teeth punching through its protective scales and sending a shower of acidic blood into his mouth that scalded his mouth as it flowed down his neck in a scorching river. The Berserker thrashed in his grip as he pumped venom into its wound and drove his right claw into it over and over into its side like his knife like clawed fingers were prison shivs. Still roaring as he bit into the Berserker''s torn open neck wound he punched his claws into its side, heedless of the acidic blood spattering his arm as he picked up the Kaiju by its wound and slammed it into the asphalt with enough force to crack the road. Only giving it a split second of peace before he fell upon it with a vengeance, savaging it with a flurry of blows before gripping one of its legs, fully extending it before slamming a hammer blow on its knee to break the leg and bend it backwards as the Kaiju wailed in pain. Knowing the Kaiju would be unable to move from its spot on the ground Ryker immediately dashed towards the Charger coming at him from the other street. The Charger dipped its head to plow through a house, sending pieces of it flying like it was made of cardboard even as it limped with the remains of the iron girder in its side. Ryker threw himself forwards to meet it, stomping down the street and in between houses like a charging bull sending people running, running from him, as his mouth opened in a seething roar even as he bled from acid burns in his throat. He met the Charger in the backyards of multiple houses as the force of their collision shook the houses down to their foundations as people stumbled and fell trying to get away from them. Despite the Charger¡¯s bulk and more evolved body Ryker didn¡¯t move an inch as his body absorbed the kinetic energy of the blow. As the Charger tried and failed to move Ryker his claws immediately flashed out and gouged out one of the Kaiju¡¯s eyes making it roar in pain as Ryker¡¯s mind raced to picture his surroundings without his eyes. Behind him he could hear the sobbing of children in one home, screaming from the remains of the house the Charger had broken, and the panicked cries of a couple in another. They all bled together in his mind in a terrible mosaic of fear as he singled out one house that didn¡¯t have any people in it. Still reeling over the loss of its eye the Charger was taken completely by surprise as Ryker took the Charger¡¯s arm with one claw and leapt up. One leg wrapping over the Kaiju¡¯s head as he executed a flying armbar and pinned the Charger¡¯s arm against his chest as his back hit the ground and crushed more backyard fencing under his bulk. The Charger roaring in confusion and pain as it fell prey to Ryker¡¯s submission hold and fell to the ground, falling into the back end of the empty house with a crash, destroying the home¡¯s kitchen as Ryker¡¯s legs wrapped around its neck. Arching his back on the ground Ryker immediately put pressure on the arm with enough force to make the Charger cry out in pain as he dislocated its arm. Feeling the joint pop out of its socket as he held it. With its arm disabled Ryker wrestled with the Charger fighting to escape Ryker¡¯s hold as they tore apart the back yards in this part of the suburb until Ryker was able to transition from his armbar to a triangle choke. Locking his legs around the Kaiju¡¯s neck as he cut off its air supply Ryker squeezed. Feeling the bones in the Kaiju¡¯s neck grind together even as it flailed to break the choke hold. He saw its one good eye roll around in its socket as Ryker squeezed the life out it. The eye bulging in its socket as Ryker increased his pressure on the Kaiju¡¯s neck until he felt the monster¡¯s neck give with a crack that left the monster slumped on the ground. Ryker rose from the wreckage of the empty house immediately, not satisfied at all with his kill as he zeroed in on the Snapper and its thrashing tail as it still dripped blood from the end Ryker had bitten off. The Kaiju had stopped trying to terrorize the people around it as it saw what Ryker had done it its brethren. The monster letting out a squawk of fear as it turned and fled from Ryker. Like a beast on the hunt Ryker didn¡¯t spare a second thought before he bolted after the Kaiju. Ripping through people¡¯s back yards as he ran into the street. Sending cars with people trying to escape the suburb turned battlefield swerving to avoid him as he raced down the road. His Fast Twitch muscle fibers making him far faster than the other Kaiju as he avoided fleeing civilians running down the road before jumping up to land on a house. Charging after the fleeing Kaiju by jumping from rooftop to rooftop so he could sprint full tilt after the Snapper without worrying about running over civilians. The Snapper turned and tried to make for the nearby forest by cutting across a small park in the middle of the suburb but Ryker was already upon it. Jumping up on top of a two story house Ryker leapt and came down directly on the fleeing Kaiju claws first. His hind claws piercing the beast¡¯s enhanced scales as he drove it into the dirt. Nearby, trying to cut through the park on foot were at least a dozen or so people scattered around. Far to close to the thrashing Kaiju and Ryker. Hold still you fucker! Ryker roared as he held the Kaiju down. Grabbing its tail and an arm as it flailed and nearly hit a cowering bystander who¡¯d fallen to the ground. The Snapper cried out as he bit down on the back of its neck, through its tough scales to pump venom into the beast. Stop moving! Stop moving! Ryker commanded as he wrestled the Kaiju. Rather than let go for a better lock on it, Ryker held down the Kaiju as it keened while he bit deeper. Knowing it was the last Kaiju he had to deal with Ryker continued to pump venom into the beast, not stopping until his fangs ran dry. His stores of venom completely depleted as he felt something shift within him at his continued biting. The Kaiju finally stilled, though not from death as it let out a weak pain filled cry. It¡¯s movements finally stilling as it seemed to freeze painfully. Releasing his hold on the Kaiju¡¯s neck Ryker let the paralyzed beast fall to the ground as Ryker stood to his full height. Even knowing he¡¯d unintentionally unlocked a modifier for his venom glands, something that would give him an edge in every future fight to come Ryker felt numb. His weariness bone deep as he breathed in ragged breaths. Slowly he turned and took everything in around him. The cries of terrified people as they ran for the exit to the suburb. The screeching of tires as people gunned their car¡¯s engines to get away. Ryker was almost grateful the acidic blood had blinded him. He didn¡¯t have to look at the damage that had been caused because of his fight. The blend of senses he was currently ¡°seeing¡± through providing a kind of buffer as he couldn¡¯t make out exact details in people¡¯s homes and faces. But he could hear everything around him all too clearly. ¡°Leave it Martha we have to go!¡± ¡°Daddy what¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Oh God what is that thing?¡± ¡°Our house! Roy! Roy what do we do?¡± ¡°It¡¯s right over there! Don¡¯t stop!¡± ¡°Where are the police?¡± ¡°Run! Just run!¡± ¡°Monsters!¡± ¡°Demons! God save us all its a demon!¡± It¡¯s safe now. Ryker called out weakly. His soft cry doing nothing to stop the people running as he looked around. Everyone was running away. Away from him. I-I¡¯m not¡­ Ryker started but stopped as he looked down at his feet. Not five feet away from him was a woman laying on the ground sobbing quietly. Curled into a ball in the grass as she cowered and shivered uncontrollably before Ryker. A part of him wanted to try and comfort the woman, to prove that he wasn¡¯t the monster she thought he was but¡­ he was wasn¡¯t he? Even if every action he took was to defend humanity there was no denying his form and even his nature. He was still himself on the inside and would never hurt anyone if he could help it but he couldn¡¯t forget the way he¡¯d fought earlier. The way part of him had reveled in the Kaiju¡¯s slaughter. How the taste of their blood called to him even now. As much as he didn¡¯t want to admit it, he felt right at home in a monster¡¯s body. Taking to the savagery and violence of it like he¡¯d been born to it. He¡¯d failed humanity once as a human. Let the world fall to flaming ash and ruin. He wouldn¡¯t fail again. Even if it meant he couldn''t reveal his true nature for fear of jump starting the Children of Gaia and the military hunting him down. Even if it meant he''d have to spend the rest of his life being treated as a monster. If the world needed a monster to save them¡­ so be it. He¡¯d be that monster. Reaching down to pick up the bleeding and paralyzed Kaiju Ryker gave the sobbing woman one last look as he dragged the body towards where he¡¯d left the broken Berserker and Charger Kaiju. Not even bothering to kill the beaten Kaiju he was carrying as his venom slowly did its work and extended the beast¡¯s suffering. It was only a matter of time before it died. I don''t think I can spare the time or the effort to drag these things into the forest to eat in peace. But this suburb should be deep enough in the mountains that the police should have some trouble arriving quickly. I should have enough time to eat before they arrive. But even if they get here before I¡¯m done, I should be able to tank their small arms fire till I finish eating. Ryker thought tiredly as he left the park and made his way down the suburb streets towards the other Kaiju as people ran and fearfully watched him from their homes. He tried not to focus on them as he passed, keeping his head down facing the street as he moved. He couldn¡¯t imagine what these people might be thinking right now. One moment they were living their lives and the next he had come barreling into their homes and killing monsters in their backyards and doorsteps. I¡¯m sorry I caused this much damage to your homes. Ryker thought painfully as he went. I tried to end this as quickly as I could before it got too out of hand. Though I¡¯m sure you won¡¯t see it that way. As Ryker turned a corner he saw that the Berserker had tried dragging itself down the street to get away from Ryker with its broken leg. Ryker stalked towards it as he dropped the Kaiju he was carrying to stand above it. The previously ferocious monster now mewling weakly as Ryker stood over it, his own form bloody, burned, and blinded but not beaten. Even without his eyes he glared down at the Kaiju at his feet. This entire fight should have begun and ended as far away from people as possible but because of it and the other two Kaiju, as well as Ryker¡¯s own foolhardy plan to drop a building on them the fight had been brought down into this suburb to ruin people¡¯s lives. No one had died as far as Ryker could tell, which was a small miracle as far as Ryker was concerned. He didn¡¯t smell any recently dead humans and he didn¡¯t sense any human blood on the Kaiju¡¯s mouth or claws but that was little comfort knowing he¡¯d likely be the cause of hundreds of nightmares in the very people he was trying to protect. He could almost taste the fear in the air as people abandoned the suburb. Ryker¡¯s maw parted as he let out a mix between a tired sigh and pained groan as he worked his burnt tongue over his equally aching fangs and gums from biting into the Berserker¡¯s acidic blood. Knowing all too well that he had an audience watching his every move and that he couldn''t afford to ignore a chance to get stronger even if it meant terrifying innocent people. Ryker pushed down any thoughts of what else people might think of him as he looked down at the Kaiju. Maybe its good that they''re afraid of me. These people will take the Kaiju threat seriously and take the proper precautions. That same fear will keep them safe and far away from other Kaiju as well as keep them from forming any misguided sympathies towards them. Shaking his head at the cold pragmatic logic he was using to make himself feel better Ryker knelt down next to the Berserker. But before he started eating there was one last thing he wanted to do to the Berserker. Its acidic blood had caused a great deal of damage to Ryker, and while that gene mod might have been one Ryker wanted to avoid in his own blood he could feel the beginnings of an itch in his scales at the constant damage they¡¯d undergone. The telltale sign of his own genome telling him he was on the verge of improving them if he just gave them one more acidic push. Now¡­ this next part is going to hurt you a lot more than its going to hurt me. Ryker thought viscously as he bared his teeth and gripped the green and red Kaiju by the throat. Chapter 18 - Bloody Evolution Always thinking about the next fight, even in the immediate aftermath of a particularly brutal brawl and his claws gripping the Berserker Kaiju¡¯s throat. Ryker quickly took stock of his own body¡¯s injuries as he mentally gauged his effectiveness and combat readiness. He knew he didn¡¯t have to do it at that moment but thinking about familiar things like that kept his mind from focusing on the damaged homes around him and terrified people trying to get away from him as he stood in the middle of a suburban street. Taking up most of the road with his bulk and the dying forms of two Kaiju Ryker had failed to take down before the fighting could escalate. He was in rough shape. And that was putting it nicely. He had a gore wound in his abdomen that was making every movement a major pain. His eyes and part of his face had been splashed directly with acidic blood. The caustic nature of the blood damaging enough to blind him even in its Stage One form. And the inside of his mouth was no better, his tongue and gums constantly burned with the sharp bite of acid burns after biting the Berserker Kaiju directly. Across the rest of his body were a mosaic of deep cuts and bruises that his enhanced scales had helped with but not prevented completely. If it weren¡¯t for that one upgrade to his scales, there was a very real chance that Ryker might not have survived this fight. Ryker had two problems currently. Problems that would only get worse if he didn¡¯t do something to correct them here and now. The most major problem at the moment was his lack of firepower. Despite his formidable eleven feet of scaled hate and fury his offensive potential had lacked the raw power required to quickly take down any of the three Kaiju with enhanced scales of their own. Those enhanced scales shouldn¡¯t have made that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things but they had been game changers. Just comparing how easy it had been killing the smaller Kaiju without enhanced scales to how difficult it was killing Kaiju who had it made that painfully clear. If he¡¯d been able to output just a bit more damage he could have taken one of the Kaiju out and could have handled the remaining two without bringing the fight down into the suburb he was now very uncomfortably standing in. Ryker bared his teeth at the Kaiju weakly struggling on the ground, letting out a seething hiss. Ryker both cursing it for causing his situation in the first place and also venting his frustration at having to look the part of a terrifying monster just to get the upgrades he needed. Ryker¡¯s claws tightened around the Berserkers throat as he saw the thing through a mishmash of overlapping sound and scent. He knew what he¡¯d have to do next. He could feel the epigenetic modifiers to his scales just waiting for the extra push they needed to improve themselves. An improvement he¡¯d need to take down other Kaiju with acidic blood in the future without suffering from such severe burns. Like every modifier he¡¯d activated before his genome wavered between two options, and selecting one would cancel out the other. The first Ryker could sense easily without having to guess its effects, it was a sharp increase to the resilience and hardness of his scales. Not just in a small way either, he could almost feel the way his scales would increase in thickness to the point it might make all but heavy armor piercing weapons and Kaiju attacks useless against him. These Hardened Scales would probably even be able to turn aside the Charger¡¯s piercing horn if he didn¡¯t let it hit him dead on. It was a solid and safe defensive choice that would further increase Ryker¡¯s survivability in the battles to come. Especially considering what kinds of weapons the military would field against him once he became too large to avoid them. The second modifier felt like it would alter his scales on a fundamental level. But it didn¡¯t feel like it was offering the same direct increase in defense that the other modifier had and it took Ryker a moment to puzzle out its purpose when he¡¯d been walking over with the Snapper dragging behind him. The modifier¡¯s changes went deep. Affecting not just his scales but the underlayer of connective tissues directly beneath them. It was hard to describe exactly what feeling the modifier gave him but it felt like it wanted to make his scales tight with tension. Primed and ready to react- no that wasn¡¯t quite right either. They¡¯d be primed and ready to adapt to incoming damage. Altering their structure and makeup to better resist different types of attacks. The moment Ryker understood what the modifier would do to him, changing his body¡¯s natural scale armor into a more versatile Adaptive Armor he knew he wanted it. Although it did lack the major defensive boost of the first modifier Ryker knew that he¡¯d be facing off against more than just the military¡¯s weapons and Kaiju¡¯s claws and fangs. Even the acid blood that had caused him so much trouble was relatively tame compared to the kinds of elemental attacks later stages of Kaiju would develop. Gigawatts of electrical discharges, beams of hyper pressurized water, superheated and subzero breath attacks would only be the beginning of the kinds of things Ryker could expect to face later on. While a flat increase to his defensiveness would certainly help against all those attacks it would only help to a certain extent. As a pilot Ryker could have relied on a number of techs and mechanics reconfiguring his mech¡¯s armor if he was going to face a Kaiju with certain types of attacks. But as a Kaiju that level of versatility was beyond him. Or it would be unless he deliberately took steps to evolve that same level of versatility within himself right now. A small war raged in Ryker¡¯s mind as his desire to not come off as a bloodthirsty monster to the surrounding people hiding in their homes fought against his ruthless pragmatism. But the war was short lived, his feelings stomped flat by his own sense of duty and responsibility to these very people and humanity as a whole. He needed to grow in power even if it meant terrifying them. Even if it meant everyone who ever saw him ran away as fast as they could. In order for them to survive he needed to evolve his body to face what was to come. With a newfound resolve burning in his chest Ryker pushed aside his fears as he welcomed the contempt he felt for the monster he was holding by the throat. Now¡­ this next part is going to hurt you a lot more than its going to hurt me. Ryker thought wickedly as his claws tightened. The thumb of one claw punching deep into the side of the Berserker¡¯s neck as Ryker prepared to tear it open. ======================================================================================================= Isabell huddled behind the island in the kitchen of her house. Too terrified to make a run for the door, or the giant gaping hole in her living room as she heard and felt the movements of a real honest to God monster reverberate through the ground. Making her shudder with barely constrained fear as she forced herself to take shallow breaths so that the monster outside her house on the street didn¡¯t come for her. All her life she¡¯d berated the characters in horror movies for being stupid. How could any rational person not run for their lives when there was a monster out to get them? How stupid was it for them to try and hide? She knew better now. How could she even attempt to run when it felt like her legs would give out the moment she stood upon them? How far could she even hope to get when the monster was literally twice her size? Choking down a hopeless sob she leaned ever so carefully beyond the edge of the island in her kitchen. It was out there on the street, mewing pitifully as it dragged itself down the street with a clearly broken leg. The green and red of its scales shining as the soft light of the morning sun bounced off of them. It¡¯s wounded. Isabell thought as sense swam to the surface of her panicked mind. I can outrun it. I can get away before it- But she froze as a new sound echoed down the street and into her home. It scraped against the ground as though something large were being dragged. Followed by a pounding rhythm that grew closer and closer. Like a drum that pounded through the earth. It took her a moment to realize they were footsteps. It shambled into view, framed by the hole in her house as it dragged another monster behind it. Covered in blood it was a terror of claws and fangs, stopping right next to the wounded monster in the street as it loomed over it. With a loud thump the creature dropped its living cargo and stared down at its prize. It chilled Isabell to the bone as she saw the pure animalistic hatred in its yellow eyes. This isn¡¯t happening. Isabell hoped desperately as she couldn¡¯t force herself to look away from the monsters outside. This isn¡¯t real. I¡¯m dreaming. I¡¯m dreaming! Please God I must be dreaming! That monster had beaten the others. It had been the same one that had fallen into her living room fighting the other one as she¡¯d been up early getting an early breakfast. It looked fearsome despite its injuries, like the epitome of wrath incarnate. She couldn¡¯t stay here. She couldn¡¯t- While she¡¯d been frozen still the monster had moved. Bending down to wrap its claws around the throat of the wounded monster. It didn¡¯t kill it outright no, it seemed to revel in the monster¡¯s suffering as it bared its red spattered teeth and hissed at the monster. Then as she watched, barely daring to breathe the monster opened the beast¡¯s throat in a bright red line. Blood pouring out of the beast as its heart pumped its life out of its body in gushing red spurts. The sight was sickening. Horrifying. Even in a monster so big there shouldn¡¯t have been that much blood inside of it. Isabell¡¯s face drained of color at the sight, her empty stomach churned threateningly as she clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from puking bile onto the floor. Then in the instant Isabell tried to recover the monster standing over the dying one grabbed the beast by both ends and lifted it into the air above its head in one fluid motion. Blood pouring down from the monster in rivulets that ran down the beast¡¯s entire body. Painting the beast a burning crimson as the blood seemed to actually sizzle over the monster¡¯s scales. The fumes from the blood wafting over to her burning her nose as if it were some kind of acid. The monster¡­ It was¡­ it was bathing in its blood. Isabell shut her eyes as she clamped her hands over her ears. Shutting out the world as she shivered in fear. It was evil. Pure evil, it had to be. Isabell could only cry softly to herself as she prayed the monster didn¡¯t come for her next as it roared in triumph over its slain enemy. ============================================================================================================ AHH! Ryker shouted as the bite of the acidic blood poured down over his back. He held the Berserker in the air, careful not to drip any blood over his eyes and face right up until he felt the twinge of his DNA shifting into place as it responded to the damage. Then he dropped the now dead corpse of the Kaiju to the ground the same way a powerlifter would drop a barbell. Shaking the street as Ryker shuddered in pain from the acid biting into his scales he hissed loudly and rode out the change in his body as it reacted to the acid. It was a rather extreme means of getting the Kaiju¡¯s blood on himself when less would have likely done the trick but time was not on Ryker¡¯s side. Emergency services and police were likely already racing their way towards the suburb and Ryker couldn¡¯t spare the time trying to force his body to unlock he modifier he wanted by simply dripping blood onto himself until he finally got it. As Ryker bore the pain of the blood covering his body he fervently willed the modifier to work faster as his scales literally shifted in a rippling wave across his body. His body now no longer trying to simply heal the damage but adapt to it as well. It took a solid moment of agony but the stinging bite of the acid lessened measurably as Ryker¡¯s scales changed. He could feel the way they were altering themselves, the surfaces of his scales growing sleeker to prevent the acid from clinging to them and bunching closer together to keep the acid from flowing into the unprotected gaps in his scales. Though as unnerving as it was feeling his flesh literally crawling Ryker was grateful for it all the same. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he been blinded he¡¯d be interested to watch how his scales changed to resist the acid in real time. It wasn¡¯t perfect though, the pain was still there. A lot of pain actually, just on the level of an unsafe scalding shower capable of minor first degree burns instead of third degree burns. Fuck that hurts! Ryker thought as he gritted his teeth. Forcing himself to stand up straight so any remaining blood could flow off his body. It was definitely working, but it was a far cry from the total immunity Ryker truly wanted. That level of protection was likely something he¡¯d have to unlock at later stages somehow but at the moment Ryker had a small but reliable level of protection from acid and any other type of elemental ability he came against. His newly enhanced scales probably had much less defensive ability compared to what he could have gotten if he¡¯d opted for the other Hardened Scales modifier but Ryker was satisfied. He was playing the long game after all. It wouldn¡¯t do to evolve to Stage Two just to get deep fried by Strom Breaker and Magma Gore. But being satisfied didn¡¯t mean he was happy. Not even close. Fuck you! Ryker snarled as he kicked the Berserker¡¯s corpse. Giving it a few viscous stomps as his hind claws dug furrows into its flesh. Once Ryker let out his anger at the dead beast that had blinded him and posthumously burned him with its blood he turned towards the Snapper lying in the street still racked by his recently gained paralytic venom. Don¡¯t think I forgot about you either. Ryker fumed as he stalked over to the beast. With his new scale modifier secured Ryker had wanted to tear into the Berserker first but giving the body time to bleed out the last of its acidic blood would make it easier for him to eat without burning the inside of his mouth again. With one clawed foot Ryker kicked the side of the Snapper and flipped the Kaiju onto its back. The bestial instincts inside Ryker practically salivating at the sight of its exposed belly and neck. Looking down at its twitching form Ryker crouched over it and reigned in his hunger as he clinically regarded the effectiveness of his enhanced venom still coursing through the monster. His tail swishing with interest as he examined the Kaiju. It¡¯s lasting longer than I¡¯d thought it would. Though I did overdose the thing with venom so that should be expected. The unlock is great but I wasn¡¯t trying to gain a paralytic effect in the first place, though it will be useful in the future for sure. Ryker frowned, thinking on the moment he¡¯d unlocked the modifier by accident. There was definitely a physical component when I used all my venom at once but I get the feeling the trigger might have been emotional as well. Was it desperation? Fear of others getting hurt? That could be huge, I¡¯ll keep that in mind for the other epigenetic mods I haven¡¯t unlocked yet. Ryker reached out a claw and grabbed the Kaiju¡¯s twitching head, pulling it up to face him. He couldn¡¯t see it with his eyes but he could feel the minute vibrations through his claws as the beast¡¯s eyes rolled around in its skull as fear scent wafted off the beast like bad body odor. Knowing he¡¯d couldn¡¯t waste any more time not eating, Ryker leaned in close with his teeth bared. I hope you can still feel this. Ryker hissed as he released the beast¡¯s head, letting it smack into the asphalt as Ryker began to tear his way into the Kaiju¡¯s chest. Cutting through the protective layer of enhanced scales with his claws as he peeled back its skin into ribbons of flesh he tore off with his teeth. Without the threat of imminent attack by other Kaiju the same feeling of primal bloodlust Ryker had felt back in the construction site swept over him again in a wave, one that he didn¡¯t try to resist in the slightest. It felt good. So good to feel his teeth sink into its exposed innards. The moment consumed Ryker. The intertwining of his senses only amplifying the taste of it as he indulged in his baser nature and tore through the Kaiju like a starving animal. In a matter of moments red spattered every inch of Ryker¡¯s jaws as he gorged himself on shredded meat as warm blood ran in rivers down his chin. Ruthlessly snapping the bones of its rib cage to get at the organs they were protecting. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. In the back of Ryker¡¯s mind as he picked his meal clean his thoughts wandered through his three assorted Gene Segments and his acquired abilities. The red, blue, and yellow helixes in his mind were clear as day as he felt out the alien yet somehow familiar structure of his own genome. After briefly examining the rung of his genome that contained his venom glands and the new glowing light on one side that was responsible for his venom¡¯s new paralytic property Ryker pulled back and looked towards the next rungs of DNA that were waiting to empower him once he¡¯d eaten enough. The first he focused on was also the one Ryker knew he shouldn¡¯t get at the moment. Synaptic Defrag, the next ability in his blue hued Neurosensory gene segment. Ryker¡¯s mind was a very real asset in his fight against Kaiju and augmenting it was just logical. Even though Ryker felt a bit uneasy at the changes the ability might wreak in his head he couldn¡¯t ignore the possible advantage such an ability could provide him. But despite Ryker¡¯s firm belief in mind over matter he needed more brawn than brainpower right now. He didn¡¯t just need to be stronger he needed to be a monster on the battlefield, pun intended. With enough firepower to make up for his lack of ranged abilities at the moment. And that meant one ability in particular, the Adrenal Trigger that was the next ability in his yellowish Cardiopulmonary gene segment. It was a simple ability, even as Ryker felt out its basics as he examined that particular rung of his Gene Segment. But that one ability had put Ryker on the backfoot for most of the fight with how ferociously the Berserker Kaiju had attacked him. And if that one ability was enough to pressure him then Ryker knew he would be able to utilize it to an even greater effect against other Kaiju. It is going to make my chest red though. Ryker thought as he mulled over the future change in his body as he looked at the remains of the Berserker. Fair enough. Can¡¯t say I was really attached to being completely green. If anything, red is more my color anyway for¡­ obvious reasons. Ryker paused as he looked down at his blood drenched claws and red spattered chest. Absentmindedly flicking out his tongue to lick away some of the gory mess on his face. Ryker felt the accumulation within himself as his body broke down the Kaiju. He hadn¡¯t eaten the thing completely, most of the corpse was still intact but Ryker was satisfied with how much he¡¯d eaten. He¡¯d gotten to all the easy to eat portions of the beast. Emptying out its chest cavity and carving his way through the concentrations of fatty muscle on its thighs and upper arms. Even the remaining length of its tail had disappeared as Ryker ate the majority of the elongated appendage. The result was a Kaiju corpse that looked like it had been ravaged by dozens of scavengers over the course of weeks instead of one monster over a couple of minutes. Ryker could have broken down the beast entirely if he wanted to. There was still a small but good amount of marrow to be licked clean from its bones but Ryker was on the clock. Eating the entirety of the Kaiju would take time that Ryker could not afford. Besides, he¡¯d already eaten the parts of the monster that gave him the most caloric value. Eating the rest wouldn¡¯t give him as great a return as moving onto the other corpses waiting to eaten. One down, two to go. Ryker grinned as he hungrily made his way over to the Berserker Kaiju¡¯s corpse and immediately tore into it without delay. He had enough energy inside him for the Synaptic Defrag ability but he forced his body to hold off on the upgrade as he pushed himself a little further to eat enough fuel for the Adrenal Trigger. As he savagely cut up and ate his way through his slain foe part of Ryker felt real anticipation knowing he was about to get stronger again, empowering his body to even further to kill humanity¡¯s enemies. The satisfaction of having the Berserker itself serve as the fuel for Ryker to acquire the very ability it had used against him was just the icing on the cake. But even without that delicious bit of poetic irony, Ryker found the Kaiju delicious in its own right. Hrmm. Ryker grunted approvingly as he ducked his head back down into the mess of gore that was the Kaiju¡¯s open chest cavity. Only pulling his head back to breathe as he chowed down. I never thought of it before but its nice to have some variety in flavor for once after all the other Stage Ones. All that pumped up adrenaline coursing through its system really spices up the taste. I wonder if Kaiju with other abilities taste better? I might actually have something to look forward to down the line. With just a few more mouthfuls Ryker felt the twinge within himself that he¡¯d nearly reached the threshold for the Adrenal Trigger, which left him ecstatic. With the Charger¡¯s corpse and the remains of the Berserker before him, he might just have enough to get another ability on top of the Adrenal Trigger. If it weren¡¯t for the people Ryker could sense in their homes around him trying to sneak away or frozen in place by fear he¡¯d feel a lot better about what he was doing. Ah¡­ damn. Sorry everyone. Ryker thought with a pang of sheepishness as he just remembered the audience he had hiding around him. Quickly slurping up a long string of entrails he¡¯d left dangling from his mouth as he realized far too late that he may have chowed down on the Kaiju with a little too much enthusiasm. He couldn¡¯t see the mess he¡¯d made directly with his damaged eyes but judging from the warm scent drenching the street and lawns around him Ryker was standing in the middle of a scene straight out of a horror movie. An extremely well funded horror movie that blew its entire budget on hyper realistic gore effects. Man, I hope I don¡¯t leave anyone with any lasting trauma. ======================================================================================== They¡¯d laughed at Alan for years. Laughed and laughed like he was the funniest joke in the whole world. Even on the forums the others thought he had a screw loose, but he¡¯d been right! They were real! Aliens! His breath shaking with just as much excitement as fear Alan readjusted the freshly folded tinfoil on his head that protected his brainwaves as he stared in awe at the living proof standing in the street just a few houses down. It was an utter abomination of course but Alan expected nothing less from the shadowy figures that ruled the world¡¯s governments. It was bigger than he¡¯d expected honestly. Like a lot bigger. Like, holy fucking shit was that a big ass lizard. But it did make sense considering how advanced their shapeshifting powers were. This must be the Reptilians preferred battle form, it made Alan shudder to think of such an advanced species preferring to use such primitive forms of combat. It must be some kind of honor thing among their kind, deliberately choosing not to rely on their quantum entropy weapons and plasma swords. But why was this Reptilian killing its own kind? Were there split factions within the alien ranks? Was there hope for humanity and Alan¡¯s online rebellion against the world¡¯s alien overlords? ¡°Note: New Observation¡± Alan spoke quietly into his long used recorder. The old technology the only thing that was safe from the alien nanobots infiltrating everything in the modern world. ¡°I am directly witnessing the aftermath of a failed attack by elements within the Reptilian forces. A Reptilian leader is consuming the remains of its brethren. Reports of their brutality have been vastly underestimated as the Alien leader has already drenched itself in its fallen ally¡¯s blood. Possibly some kind of ritualistic funeral rights maybe? A desecration of their bodies meant only for traitors? I will log as much as I can for later review.¡± As Alan put away his recorder a thought struck him. The Reptilian had come here without a flying saucer, something Alan had trained himself for years to detect by their telltale flickering stealth fields. There wasn¡¯t any kind of protective detail for it either. Was it¡­ was it possible it¡¯s shields were deactivated? The idea that a Reptilian leader was within reach and that it was unprotected nearly froze Alan still. This was it. This was his chance to make the first strike against the aliens infesting his beloved Earth. He¡¯d be a hero. A legend. Women would flock to him like moths to a fucking flame. Sweat rolled down Alan¡¯s balding forehead as he frantically got up from his perch on the second floor window and raced for the rifle he kept under his mattress. It was a simple bolt action rifle, bare of any kind of attachments. Alan would have loved to go completely spec ops and get something cooler but the Burger Queen he worked at only paid him enough for his multitude of frozen foods and snacks as his parents paid for the mortgage and other bills. Picking up a handful of bullets Alan ran as fast as his legs could carry him as he crouched down by the window. He fumbled the first bullet but managed to get a second round into the chamber as he opened the window and pointed the barrel at the Alien Leader. The rifle swayed from side to side precariously as the exertion from Alan¡¯s short run caught up to him and he started panting. Gritting his teeth Alan forced his breathing to slow even as excitement built within him. This was it. This moment was going to change his life forever. Staring at the giant sized alien over his iron sights Alan had to keep readjusting the stock against his shoulder. Finger already pressing against the trigger as he effortlessly violated the most basic rules of trigger discipline Alan was prepared for anything. Anything except the Alien shapeshifting before his eyes. All at once the green scales on its chest shifted to red one by one until the majority of its chest and neck was covered. The light red of its scales nearly a match for the fresh blood dripping from its mouth. The Alien¡¯s head seemed to droop forward slightly as its body tensed. The sound of its hind claws scraping furrows into the asphalt pierced his ears as its entire body grew in size at a rate visible to the naked eye. The entire process taking less than ten seconds as the Alien¡¯s head snapped up and it seemed to regain his senses. Alan stiffened in cold dread at the now twelve foot tall Alien¡¯s reaction, why was it¡¯s chest red now? Why did it grow even bigger? Had it¡­ had it sensed his killing intent? No! There was no way! No way it could have! As his fear of being sensed by the monster consumed Alan he naturally tensed his body. His finger tightening on the trigger until the rifle bucked in his grip and Alan let out a cry of terror. =========================================================================================== Ryker focused and urged his body to accept the next rung of his Cardiopulmonary gene segment. With his mind focused on the change Ryker felt the process intimately as his accumulated proteins were burned to fuel the alteration of his existing Adrenal glands. Huh. Ryker thought slightly surprised as he smacked his lips. The Synthesthetic combination of his senses registering the feeling of the upgrade as stark taste and a mix of other sensations. That¡¯s got a bit of spice to it. The warm itch in his chest that announced the Adrenal glands growing larger and more potent seemed to spread out over his scales. Not too far, just over his chest and his neck judging by what Ryker could feel. Once again feeling a pang of regret at not being able to see the change visibly Ryker settled for focusing on the newfound trigger in the back of his mind. And that¡¯s what it really felt like, a trigger. A mental trigger sure, but it felt as solid as a physical one to Ryker. Now his amped up adrenaline was no longer tied to his body¡¯s intrinsic ability to assess fight or flight, it was another weapon in Ryker¡¯s biological arsenal. And like every good weapon Ryker would have to test it¡¯s effectiveness somewhere safe before bringing it out in combat. I still have to finish up the the rest of the Berserker and Charger but I should be able to- The sudden crack of a firearm cut through the relative quiet of the morning the same moment Ryker felt something ricochet off the back of his skull. The surprise of the small impact nudging his head forward a few inches as Ryker grunted, frowned, and growled at what just happened. Putting two and two together almost instantly. Hey! Ryker roared, quickly turning towards the house the shot had come from. Sensing the man inside stumble away from the second story window as he practically wailed in terror. That could have¡­ Ryker paused as he pointed towards the house with a claw as his indignation gave way to common sense. He was a giant monster in the suburbs, it was a wonder someone hadn¡¯t shot him sooner. Besides, as the bigger mostly bulletproof Kaiju in the room he had to be the bigger man. That¡¯s¡­ perfectly understandable actually. Ryker thought as he grumbled and raised a claw to feel for the spot where the bullet had hit him. As a rifle round it was a higher caliber than the nine millimeter pistol rounds he¡¯d previously been shot with but it only stung as bad as an irritating bug bite. As far as Ryker could tell even that pain was just caused by the impact damaging his Enhanced Scales and the leftover kinetic force damaging the tissue directly beneath. I¡¯ll admit, that was a good shot. Ryker thought approvingly as he nodded and let his arm drop. I should be mad but I¡¯m glad someone¡¯s developing the right instincts this early in the timeline. The more people who shoot Kaiju on sight the better. I wonder what caliber that was? It was definitely on the lower end, maybe I could check real quick? The wails of terror coming from the house had kept going as Ryker stood on the street increasing in pitch to a rather embarrassing level for any man, making Ryker reluctantly step back and abandon his plan to peek inside the window to check the rifle¡¯s caliber. Turning back towards the remains of the Berserker Ryker was about to dig back in when he heard a sound echo across the suburb that he dreaded to hear. Sirens. Damnit not now, I need more time! Ryker thought furiously as he tore into the Berserker again with a vengeance. Ripping away big chunks of meat that he barely took time to chew on before swallowing. But even as he ate Ryker knew he wouldn¡¯t have enough time to eat enough to unlock another DNA ability. Getting the Adrenal Trigger had tapped his stomach dry and the police would arrive before he could finish eating. And what about the remains of the other Stage Ones at the construction site buried under rubble? Would Ryker have to leave them to get away? Eating those corpses alone might be enough to push him closer to his next ability. With a mental twinge of firing synapses and neurons Ryker opened his mind to the wider electromagnetic spectrum as he felt a new influx of radio waves scatter through the air as he stood up to get a clearer picture of the mess he was about to become the center of. As distracted as Ryker had been eating his fill, gaining his new abilities, and trying not to think about the unwilling audience of civilians he¡¯d been inadvertently traumatizing he¡¯d neglected to keep an ear open to the radio chatter in the air. There were always too many signals for him to parse through even if he was focusing but the wave of police chatter beaming into Ryker¡¯s rose above the noise. And none of it boded well. ¡°-to all units, I repeat. Dispatch to all units. We have a Code 10-33 at Centennial Pines. Conflicting reports from the scene. Multiple civilians believed to still be in the area. Please report as soon as you have visual. Over.¡± ¡°Unit 22 to Dispatch. I¡¯m just getting over the hill. There are a number of people fleeing the scene on foot and in vehicles. I see a lot of damage to the area and- Oh. Oh my God-¡± ¡°Dispatch to Unit 22. Respond. What do you see? Over?¡± ¡°It¡¯s- it¡¯s some kind of creature. It¡¯s huge! Jesus the thing is bigger than my patrol car. What am I supposed to do here Dispatch!¡± ¡°Dispatch to Unit 22. Please keep a safe distance. We¡¯re contacting wildlife services to-¡± ¡°Dispatch the thing is looking at me over the roof of a fucking house! Call in S.W.A.T. or the National Guard!¡± Ah shit! Ryker cursed as he crouched down so he wouldn¡¯t be visible to every cop cresting the hill. Feeling his options shrinking before his eyes Ryker crouch walked as fast as he could to the end of the street as he thought of trying to hide deeper in the suburb. Anxiety pressed in on his mind as he looked back to the Berserker¡¯s unfinished corpse in the street, the direction the uneaten Charger¡¯s corpse would be still laying behind a row of houses in their backyards, and the swarm of police sirens gunning straight for him. Should he try and ignore them? Even if they started shooting him he¡¯d be immune to their small arms fire for the most part and he could always run into the woods to lose them. But what if they scrambled a chopper he couldn¡¯t outrun? Would the military be able to get itself moving fast enough to get heavier weapons to use against him? There were too many questions, too many unknowns for Ryker to- ¡°Help!¡± A terrified voice cried out that made Ryker turn to stare. A woman ran out of a hole in her home that Ryker had torn open when wrangling with the Kaiju earlier. She bolted as fast as her legs could carry her away from Ryker and towards the sound of sirens as she waved her arms frantically to get the cops attention, even though their line of sight was blocked by a number of houses. ¡°Help me please!¡± She screamed as she ran directly into the road. Straight towards the acidic blood still bubbling on the ground. ¡°You idiot!¡± Ryker roared as he immediately sprinted towards the fleeing girl. His greater height and mass driving him down the street in a rush that shook the ground and surrounding houses. The girl was barely upon the edge of the blood pool when she turned back to look at the giant monster barreling towards her like a demonic freight train. She barely had time to scream before Ryker was upon her, scooping her up high into the air to keep any blood spatter from burning her skin off as Ryker stepped through the blood. Burning his own clawed feet as he ran over it, trying not to drop or cut the squirming bundle of half mad fear in his arms as Ryker slid to a stop in the middle of an intersection. His hind claws digging furrows into the asphalt to stop his momentum as he looked up. Despite having heroically saved a young woman from a slew of acid burns the local police department did not see the situation the same way Ryker did. Not in the slightest. The officers slamming their brakes and skidding to a stop in their vehicles saw, to the best of their knowledge and understanding, a scene ripped straight out of a classic monster movie poster. Right before their very eyes was an honest to God twelve foot tall, green and red scaled monster covered in blood, holding a literal damsel in distress in its clutches. For his part Ryker¡¯s jaw dropped open, momentarily stunned at the sight of the patrol cars arrayed before him he let out a simple sound. ¡°Uhh.¡± But rather than recognize Ryker¡¯s body language as simple surprise for what it was the panicked officers inside their patrol cars stared in open mouthed horror at him and his parted red stained jaws, revealing a nightmare of bloody fangs and torn flesh within as the simple sound Ryker had tried to make turned into a blood curdling growl that echoed down the street. The woman in Ryker¡¯s arms roughly the size of a large teddy bear to the man turned monster, screamed. The police officers finding themselves right before a terrifying blood covered beast, shouted. The Kaiju that was trying to do his best in the face of impossible odds, groaned. Chapter 19 - A Very Short and Regretful Rampage Looking down before the police cars arrayed out before him with their sirens blaring Ryker felt a spike of almost nauseating anxiety at the situation he¡¯d been put in. Despite the danger of these police officers being negligible at best the consequences of this one interaction nearly paralyzed Ryker. The timeline had progressed more or less the same way as it had before. Because Kaiju were all relatively small ambush predators in Stage One, they were still mostly unknown to the public and by extension the government and military. The world would not stay ignorant of the threat for long but that very near future wasn¡¯t what terrified Ryker. It was this very moment. These officers would have body cameras, his every move here would be recorded and analyzed for years possibly decades to come. What would happen if he were seen as a monster that had saved someone and not attacked police officers? Would the Children of Gaia form faster to protect what they perceived to be misunderstood benevolent animals? Would they prevent the military from mobilizing like humanity would need them to? But what was the alternative, attack these innocent people? Ryker couldn¡¯t do that, he just couldn¡¯t. Even if it guaranteed the best reaction from America¡¯s government he could never bring himself to intentionally harm those he¡¯d taken an oath to protect. Amid Ryker¡¯s indecision the police had no qualms about reacting first. With panicked but practiced precision they left their cars and drew their weapons on Ryker. The pistols themselves weren¡¯t a threat unless they hit his eyes dead on but they could easily kill the screaming woman he was still holding in his arms. ¡°Stop!¡± Ryker yelled without thinking. His words lost in a roar that nearly drowned out the police officer¡¯s shouts to open fire on him. In an instant Ryker turned and clutched the woman close to his chest. Sheltering her with his bulk as guns barked and bullets sparked off his scales in a rain of gunfire. A flare of anger left Ryker hissing and spitting at the officers as he stepped back. What if their bullets ricocheted off his scales and hit them or the woman he was carrying? Or what if they missed him and hit someone behind him? I have to get away! Ryker thought furiously as he backpedaled onto a nearby lawn and made a break for the narrow space separating one house from another to get into their backyards and away from the police. The whole while Ryker moved, he felt the frantic drumbeat of the woman¡¯s fists coming down on his scaly forearm over and over. Her face a mask of sobbing terror as she fought back in a vain attempt to free herself from his grasp. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you.¡± Ryker automatically spoke again, trying to comfort the woman and make his inhuman growls as soft as possible. ¡°Please don¡¯t be afraid.¡± He thought he¡¯d managed it, but when he looked down at the woman in his arms she was staring in abject horror at his teeth. Which were unfortunately, still a very distressing shade of red thanks to Ryker¡¯s previous meal. The woman froze shock still as her mind processed what she truly believed to be her final moments. Then to Ryker¡¯s great dismay, the woman slumped in his arms as her head fell forward. Limp as a rag doll as she fainted and Ryker readjusted his grip on the woman so she didn¡¯t strain her spine. Damnit! Just fucking damn it all! Ryker fumed at the entirety of his situation as he rapidly turned in a circle. Deciding on a whim to go through a backyard to his right as he heard the calls of the police over the radio and in his ears as they made to come after him. Believing that the monster they were chasing was seconds away from tearing into the woman he was gingerly cradling at the moment. Despite being a veteran of countless life or death Kaiju battles this situation was straining Ryker in a way combat had never prepared him for. What was he supposed to do? Who was he supposed to fight? The only Kaiju left to kill in this suburb was him and the enemy he was trying to fight, the Children of Gaia, didn¡¯t even exist yet. For the umpteenth time since being sent back in time Ryker wished for somebody, anybody to tell him what to do. Because if there was a way out of this situation Ryker was exactly the wrong person to find it. Beck you bastard! Ryker cursed in frustration as he accidentally knocked over a lonely looking charcoal grill in his haste to dodge through the various backyards hiding him from the cops. Smartest man on the planet sends a stupid dumbass pilot back in time! Great plan Beck! What could go wrong? Absolutely nothing! Ryker¡¯s previous plan had been nebulous but simple. Stay under the radar, get stronger, and kill Kaiju. Any hope of sticking to that plan had gone out the window when he¡¯d fallen into a suburb with bad company. Staying undetected was out the moment the police started shooting him. Getting stronger was on hold till he could find somewhere safe for his precious cargo and circle back around the cops to eat for his next upgrade. And his ability to kill Kaiju was in jeopardy because of the previous two points. Trying to escape was a possibility but Ryker quickly dismissed the thought as fast as it came. He might have considered it if it weren¡¯t for the veritable bounty of uneaten Kaiju flesh just waiting for him a block down the street. And even then that didn¡¯t take into account the remains of the Kaiju still at the construction site. Every bite of those monsters pushed Ryker closer to the abilities he¡¯d need to succeed in his mission. Even with his new Adaptive Armor, Paralytic Venom, and Adrenal Trigger Ryker wasn¡¯t satisfied. He wanted- no, needed every possible advantage he could get his hands on. Ryker could make do with less but that ran completely counter to how he¡¯d fought in his past life. He wasn¡¯t just any run of the mill mech pilot, he was the Arsenal. Overkill was his standard operating procedure. Fighting Kaiju without the wide array of options he¡¯d normally had available in his Armor had only grown more restrictive the longer he had to engage in pure melee against Kaiju of greater strength. He¡¯d adapted of course, he didn¡¯t have a choice there, but if he had to make do fighting a one man war without the aid of AP rounds, rail guns, rocket pods, mortars, long range missiles, pile bunkers, or Pulse Blades then by God he was going to get something to even the odds and increase his fighting effectiveness. The idea of just ignoring the police and going over to eat the rest of the Kaiju he¡¯d killed entered his mind. But if he ignored the police to eat the Kaiju, people would think he only cared about his meal like any other natural predator. It didn¡¯t sound like a bad idea, but what if it was? It could color Kaiju as the very misunderstood monsters the Children of Gaia would kill to protect. But if that were the case Ryker was at a loss as to what he could do to make sure the public¡¯s first impressions of Kaiju were as hostile as possible. He wouldn¡¯t fight the cops but maybe he could- Ryker stopped in the middle of a fenced in backyard, still holding the unconscious woman in his arms he quickly looked from the loudly approaching sounds of the police and the still form he was holding. Crouching down as low as he could so he wouldn''t stand out above the lines of backyard fences he''d run behind. It struck Ryker suddenly that if he was worried about the consequences of his nonviolent behavior and violence was out of the question, couldn''t he just fake it? Oh no. Ryker thought immediately. No, I couldn¡¯t do that, that¡¯s just¡­ But even as Ryker tried to deny the idea in his head it took root in his head and wouldn¡¯t let go. His problem wasn¡¯t the threat the police represented to him, it was how news and video of his nonviolent response to them might convince people that Kaiju are misunderstood creatures. If that happened it would only be a matter of time before the Children of Gaia formed. And their formation could be even earlier in the timeline than it had been originally, all because of Ryker¡¯s own actions. Bolstered by what they¡¯d consider to be proof of Kaiju¡¯s nonviolent nature, courtesy of Ryker, they might skip the peaceful protests all together and start right off with the extremism that sabotaged every effort to defend humanity against Kaiju. The bomb they¡¯d tried to kill Beck with may actually succeed in killing his friend in this timeline. And if that happened Ryker held no illusions about the world¡¯s chances without his innovations. That would mean no Archangels, no H.A.L.O. interface system to replace the inferior Neuro Jacks, no improvements to the weapons and Armor so vital to protecting the Earth. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean he actually had to harm the police in any way. He¡¯d never go that far, but why couldn¡¯t he just pretend to be the monster they already feared him to be? He was a big scary monster after all. Covered in a layer of slowly drying blood with the teeth and claws to match. He might not even have to do too much. Just roar a bit, chase a few cops around, maybe toss an empty patrol car¡­ Ryker groaned as he let out a very pained sigh. Dragging one claw down his face in exasperation as he knew what he had to do, despite how much he despised the idea of it. It was one thing for Ryker to fight knowing he¡¯d been sent back in time to face impossible odds. He¡¯d been ready and willing to bleed and die for the Earth since the beginning. But the idea of¡­ of¡­ roleplaying the very monsters he despised was just beyond the pale. Like the entire universe had decided to collectively screw with him with its own twisted sense of humor. But as much as Ryker chaffed at the idea the reason he hated it so much was because it might actually work. It might work very well actually. Even as he fumed the tactical side of his brain went to work plotting how best to put his terrible plan into action. How to best come across as the kind of monster that would inspire an instant response from the government. Maybe he could even funnel the cops towards the remains of his meals and get them to record video evidence of him acquiring a new ability from them. If a video like that were to circulate this early in the timeline, it could accelerate the world¡¯s understanding of Kaiju before they even reached Stage Two. Saving literal years of pointless speculation and research on behalf of scientists like Beck. It made a frightening amount of sense. He¡¯d be able to warn the world, get valuable information to a younger Beck, and he¡¯d get his fill of dead Kaiju to unlock another vital tool for the battles to come. All it would cost was the entirety of Ryker¡¯s pride, dignity, and self respect. What a bargain. The mission comes first right? Ryker thought with a pained tiredness. Feeling a guilty ache in his chest as he considered what he was about to do. I don¡¯t want to do this. I really don¡¯t want to do this. But if there¡¯s even a single chance that lives could be saved because of this stupid plan then I have no excuse. Standing in the backyard of a recently vacated house Ryker looked down at the woman he was holding. Almost peaceful in her unconsciousness but still too small and all too fragile compared to his own monstrous body. Ever so carefully, Ryker shifted her so that he held her in the crook of his arm, her head rolling slightly so that her tear streaked cheek rested against his scales on the inside of his forearm. The contact was inconsequential, small enough to barely be noticeable but even that small touch sparked an ache in Ryker that had only grown over the days since his failed reincarnation. It had been easy in the first day or two since waking in his new body to accept his situation and what that meant. But as time wore on the stark reality of what his new life would be like hit Ryker like a ton of bricks. Humanity would be something he protected with his life, but never be able to fully interact with and cherish the way he¡¯d used to. His family and friends were alive and well but Ryker couldn¡¯t greet or hold them. He¡¯d never be able to walk through the home he grew up in again. He looked like a monster now and people would keep treating him like one the stronger he became. The moment seemed to stretch as Ryker cradled the stranger in his arm. Holding her as if he could hold onto the shrinking connection he had with people and humanity as a whole. They were so small now, all the humans he was supposed to protect and they¡¯d only get smaller as he grew apart from them. This poor woman who¡¯d ran at the sight of him might be the last person Ryker would ever be able to hold in his arms like this before he became larger. Not his mother, his father or his friends. A stranger who¡¯d nearly been shot because of him. He didn¡¯t even know her name. Feeling a sudden spike of longing Ryker slowly brought up his other claw but stopped before it moved too close. His claw was easily big enough to palm the woman¡¯s entire head, and his claws were just as sharp as they¡¯d always been. What was he trying to do? Even simple contact might accidently open a weeping gash large enough to need stitches. Even as his upraised claw shook slightly with emotion Ryker understood exactly why. Despite how much he¡¯d eaten and gorged himself over the past few days he was starving. Not for food but for touch, for the connection and warmth that only came from other people. He didn¡¯t want much, just to be near someone, anyone for a minute or two. To feel a hand hold his or arms embrace him. It was selfish and wrong. Taking advantage of this stranger¡¯s unconsciousness but Ryker leaned his head forward anyway and pressed his forehead against the woman he was holding as he clenched his blinded eyes shut. He could feel the tiny drum of her heart through his scales as his twisted senses painted the scene in colors of sound and echoing taste. The soft sigh of her breaths against his scales making him shudder as Ryker choked down the desperate loneliness in his chest. Even as its teeth sunk into his heart with ice cold fangs. I¡¯m sorry. Ryker thought with a pang of regret. I¡¯m so sorry. You don¡¯t deserve this. I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. I just- I¡¯m just trying to help. Ryker thought with a pang as he knelt down. One knee pressing deep into the grass as he positioned himself over a cushioned lawn chair. You¡¯ll be okay. You¡¯ll be safe here. Ryker tried to comfort the woman as he felt her stir in her unconsciousness. Slowly lowering her onto the chair as Ryker stole a few extra seconds of human contact. Standing up and looking down at the stranger Ryker tried not to loom as he stared. If people were this small to him now, what would he do when he was even bigger? Was it vain to hope that even then he might be able to have some kind of meaningful connection to people even when they¡¯d fit in the palm of his claws? Focus. The man turned Kaiju thought ruthlessly. Focus damn you. You don¡¯t have time for this. Ryker thought, his piloting instincts quickly compressing all his doubts and fears into a tight bundle he mentally shoved into a corner. He¡¯d unpack that can of worms when he didn¡¯t have any immediate problems to solve. I hate this plan. Its bad, its stupid as hell but its the best I can come up with to keep the Children from forming early and get to eating so my next DNA ability is unlocked. But even as Ryker complained his resolve firmed as he took a deep breath in, and let it out. Focusing his senses on his surroundings, the approaching police officers, and the best place to set his plan into motion as he walked away from the woman he¡¯d saved. Apologies in advance for this. Ryker thought weakly towards the police officers. But the world isn¡¯t safe for anyone anymore¡­ and I need you to get the word out. ======================================================================================================== ¡°Rico, where the fuck is it?¡± Miguel spoke tensely into his radio as he tightened his grip on the shotgun he¡¯d armed himself with from the back of his patrol car. He was standing with his back against the wall of a house where he could look past the corner into the fenced in backyard. Stacked behind him was his partner Oliver and the others, Vincent and Earnest. Miguel had tried to head off the- well what the hell else was he going to call it? The monster that had ran off with that poor woman. She¡¯d been screaming bloody murder just thirty seconds ago but he couldn¡¯t hear her anymore. The silence damning as Miguel listened hard for any sign of life. From the woman or the monster that likely just took her life. Jesus. Miguel thought just as Rico cut in. ¡°It¡¯s still in these backyards somewhere. Tommy and the others are watching the other streets so it can¡¯t make a break for it.¡± ¡°Do we have any idea what the fuck we¡¯re looking at here?¡± Tommy broke in, uncharacteristically quiet over the radio. As if he were afraid something would hear him. ¡°Fuck no. You saw the same shit I did Tommy. Rico, let¡¯s pull back and call in some bigger fucking guns here.¡± ¡°We already called for backup.¡± Miguel reminded him. ¡°But if there are still civilians in the area we have to take the fight to it now before the worst comes to worst.¡± ¡°Shit.¡± ¡°We really going after that thing? We really doing this?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the National guard again?¡± ¡°Fuck me.¡± Miguel¡¯s partner cursed behind him, swearing even more fervently in a tone he thought was quiet enough to be unheard. Miguel didn¡¯t give Oliver any crap for it, he knew the man had his back come hell or high water. ¡°Cut the chatter!¡± Miguel barked into the radio as he turned back to regard the officers lined up behind him. ¡°We¡¯re moving up, keep your eyes peeled. Vincent watch our backs so it doesn¡¯t come around and flank us. Everyone check your fire, there could be civilians in these houses. Clear?¡± With every officer nodding behind him Miguel nodded as well, even though the last thing he wanted to do was go around that corner and poke his gun at the horror waiting for them. He¡¯d only seen it for a scarce few seconds, but he knew with a cold certainty that his head, maybe most of his upper torso, could easily fit in between the monster¡¯s jaws. Not to mention its claws looked big enough and sharp enough to tear through his bullet proof vest and he¡¯d seen over two dozen nine millimeter rounds spark off its scales like fire crackers. Miguel refused to believed the thing was bulletproof though. If it was, maybe it was only to smaller arms fire and not shotguns and rifle rounds. If it really was bulletproof thought, Miguel had no illusions about surviving the next few minutes. Miguel reached up and grabbed at the cross hanging from his neck like he¡¯d done a hundred times before. Clenching it tight as he pressed it to his lips in a silent prayer. There wasn¡¯t time for a normal prayer to pay God the proper respect but he focused as hard as he could on what he was trying to convey anyway. All his fears and hopes for himself and his friends wrapped tight into two whispered words. ¡°Not today.¡± Miguel breathed as he dropped the cross and gripped his shotgun with renewed strength. ¡°On three. One, two, three, go!¡± With a smooth practiced motion Miguel turned around the corner and swept his gaze over the backyard while looking down the barrel of his shotgun as he heard the others file in behind him. Keeping tight to the back wall of the house as they watched for anything big and mean. Miguel stopped on the other end of the house surveying the yard as Oliver checked the sliding glass back door for any sign of life inside. As he waited, his eyes flicked down to the print in the grass. It was large, very large. Well over twice the size of his combat boot in length and the weight of it was deep enough to plunge into the dirt beneath the grass. It looked like it could have come straight out of any one of the Jurassic Park reboots. ¡°Nobody in there.¡± Oliver reported as he finished his cursory scan of the house¡¯s interior. It would have been proper procedure to comb through the house proper and confirm if anyone was inside but the elephant in the room took priority. Or dinosaur or whatever the hell it is. Miguel thought to himself as he nodded. ¡°Move up. On me.¡± As one unit they inched forward. Deliberately trying to make as little noise as possible to keep the monster they were hunting from spotting them. If that would be enough to get the drop on it and save whoever had gotten its attention. Even as Miguel¡¯s heart pounded in his chest he kept a steady hand on his shotgun, the feel of the weapon giving him the reassurance only a twelve gauge could. When Miguel¡¯s radio crackled to life he was so focused on his environment and not getting jumped that he missed what the others had said. ¡°10-9 Tommy, repeat last message.¡± Miguel said tensely. ¡°Two of the things are dead in the street.¡± Tommy said his voice quivering a little over the radio. ¡°Come again?¡± Oliver responded. ¡°There¡¯s two more of the things just one street over. Both dead. They¡¯re just as big as the other one but holy fuck man. It looks like they¡¯ve been mauled. There¡¯s blood and guts everywhere!¡± Tommy said. A clear note of panic in his voice now. ¡°Hold your position. There¡¯s still one more of these things out-¡± ¡°Fuck that man! These things have claws the size of my fucking head! What the fuck are we doing here man!?¡± ¡°Get ahold of yourself!¡± Miguel barked over the radio. Eyes scanning his surroundings, half expecting the monster to burst through the fence and rush him the moment he looked anywhere else. He was about to order Tommy¡¯s partner to smack some sense into the man when Miguel¡¯s eyes froze on a single detail. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The sun was up but still low enough in the sky to cast a long shadow. With the sun behind the house they were putting their backs to the shadow fell over most of the backyard. But where there should have been a sharp straight line across the back yard there was a part of the shadow that didn¡¯t belong. Contorting as if something were on the- No. Miguel thought immediately. His entire body tensing as he ever so carefully looked up. His heart nearly stopping dead in his chest at the sight. Years of training and experience on the police force kicked his mind into overdrive as it took in every detail of the monster above him. Time nearly slowing to a crawl as the familiar spike of fight or flight reflexes pushed Miguel to get his gun above his head before it was too late. His body seeming to move in slow motion as he tried to save his life and the others behind him. It had climbed up onto the roof. And it was looking down right at him and the others as if pondering what to do. Like it wasn¡¯t about to lunge down and bite his head clean off. It was just as terrifying as it had been earlier only it was closer than Miguel had ever wanted to get to the beast again. It was almost flush with the roof¡¯s surface, laying flat against the shingles so that it couldn¡¯t be seen from the road by Tommy or his partner. The monster seemed to lean its head and one arm over the edge as it held itself above him. Just a few feet above his head he could easily see the flecks of red in its teeth, the green glistening scales on its head, and what seemed to be acid burn scars over its closed eyes. Blinded. Miguel¡¯s mind supplied as he reacted. Twisting to face the thing as he braced against the stock pressed snug against his shoulder. Even as the beast raised one claw to attack. Time resumed the moment Miguel¡¯s finger pulled the trigger. The gun bucking in his hands as his shot left the barrel and connected with the monster¡¯s scales. The shotgun pellets sparking in bright flashes as they all failed to penetrate. ¡°Open fire!¡± Someone roared. Maybe him, maybe his partner Oliver he didn¡¯t know. Gunfire lit up the early morning as the monster reared up and hissed, slashing a claw directly towards Miguel. The swipe was slow, confused even. It was enough time for Miguel to dance back and keep pumping a few more shells into the beast as he turned and bolted for the others. ¡°Back to the patrol cars! It¡¯s blind! It can¡¯t see us! Go, go, go!¡± They wouldn¡¯t be able to kill this thing with the weapons they had on hand. They¡¯d just be throwing their lives away if they stayed any longer. The best they could hope to do was try to corral it away from any other civilians still hiding in their homes before backup arrived. As the others ran Miguel felt the ground shake as the monster leapt off the roof into the backyard. He didn¡¯t know how he or the others would stop this thing. In all likely hood they probably couldn¡¯t. But they had to try. ================================================================================================== I¡¯m such a terrible person. Ryker thought despairingly as he landed in the grass of the backyard. The surroundings shaking as Ryker rose to watch the police officers run away from him. Their scent and the sounds they made painting them in a moving collage of colors as Ryker¡¯s other senses wove together to help him see the world in a way his eyes could not. Despite knowing full well that this ¡°plan¡± would only benefit humanity down the line it still left Ryker¡¯s guts churning in revulsion at his actions. He hadn¡¯t even done anything yet and he was already hating himself for what he was doing. Originally he wanted to wait on the roof to scare off the police from a distance but as they kept getting closer he was practically frozen with indecision. Did he roar? Was that good enough to make himself seem threatening? What if he accidentally roared loud enough to damage ear drums though? Sound weapons were devastating weapons some Kaiju developed down the line, what if he was actually loud enough to hurt people with his roar alone? Then as the police crept closer Ryker could only watch anxiously as they got right underneath him without looking up. It was almost a relief when they started shooting him, even if the larger rifle rounds and shotgun shells actually stung a bit instead of bouncing off completely like the earlier 9mm rounds. Feeling the multitude of impacts from shotguns and rifles hit his scales pushed Ryker¡¯s agonized thoughts to the background as his piloting reflexes pushed him to action. He had started to swing reflexively at a perceived threat but immediately dialed back the speed and strength of his swing down to something even a child could dodge as he telegraphed his ¡°attack.¡± He¡¯d initially been worried his wimpy swipe was too much on the weak side. It didn¡¯t feel threatening at all. Plus it wouldn¡¯t have connected even if the man had stood still and Ryker completed his swing. But with the officer and the others now shouting in the air and over the radio about how Ryker was blinded gave Ryker a blessing in disguise. Oh right! Ryker thought as he realized what that meant for him. Smacking one fist into an open claw. My eyes were burned bad but even if I can still see with my Synthesthesia, to anyone else it looks like I can¡¯t see at all! I can just blatantly miss anyone I swing at without drawing any suspicion. The fact that Ryker would still have to pretend to attack innocent people left him cringing with regret but it was something right? Heart heavy with shame, regret, and an overwhelming sense of spite towards the future terrorist organization he was trying to thwart with his actions Ryker stalked after the fleeing police officers. Deliberately slowing his steps so he didn¡¯t immediately start catching up to them. As tall as he was each stride across the ground covered far more distance than he¡¯d initially thought. It was almost as if he¡¯d grown since- ¡°Fuck!¡± Ryker roared sharply as he slammed a claw down on the roof next to him in anger. Realizing once again that he had grown larger, another foot tall to approximately twelve feet in height now at his best guess and he literally had no idea it had happened. Then his anger at that fact that grew even more sharply as he realized he¡¯d just put a hole through someone¡¯s roof for no reason. ¡°Fucking damnit man!¡± Ryker wailed as he covered his face with his claws. ¡°I grew again and I didn¡¯t notice! And now I¡¯m destroying shit for no reason!¡± With a terribly pained groan Ryker stumbled forwards and out onto the front lawn of the home he¡¯d damaged. His entire career one of the highest marks Ryker had gotten had been for his adherence to infrastructure preservation policies. Minimizing any and all unnecessary damage had been a matter of pride to Ryker. Then he¡¯d just thrown away his long standing record in a single moment of frustrated aggression. ¡°There it is!¡± One of the panicked police officers shouted as Ryker became visible from the street between the two houses. ¡°It can¡¯t see!¡± ¡°It¡¯s wounded! We can kill it!¡± ¡°Light it up!¡± A fresh hail of gunfire tore through the suburb as Ryker felt the bullets hit and ricocheted off his Enhanced Scales. The even though the concentrated gunfire only mildly hurt physically it wasn¡¯t doing any favors for him emotionally. First the stupid circumstances he¡¯d been put under to try and get ahead of the Children of Gaia, then the growth spurt he¡¯d failed to recognize again, the taint on his own record for preventing property damage, the woman he saved whose face haunted his mind, and now he had to pretend to fight off the police like he was a violent monster. All of that pent up stress only added to the ball of tightly controlled emotion within Ryker. His memories of a doomed future he was endlessly working to prevent, his own situation at being forced into the body of the very monsters he¡¯d hated all his life, and the constant drive to push and grow stronger while maintaining his own safety. For the first time in his life it was all just too much. ¡°Fuck this bullshit!¡± Ryker roared as he rubbed his palms over his eyes. ¡°And fuck me!¡± Ryker swiped his arms through the air as all the pent up emotions and worries he¡¯d held within himself expressed themselves in a rant no one else could hear. One that sounded to the police officers by their patrol cars exactly like a monster roaring in impotent rage at the bullets hitting him he couldn¡¯t fight back against. ¡°First I wake up in this fucking body, then I have to figure out on my own how in the ever living fuck I¡¯m supposed to stop an apocalypse single handed!¡± Ryker ranted as he stomped into the street and turned towards the police officers. ¡°I could ask for help but how am I supposed to do that if I act intelligent and the military wants to capture me for study? Or when everyone else is running away screaming huh? I¡¯m a pilot! I¡¯ve never even finished high school! I¡¯m not qualified for fucking time travel! Who the fuck sends the GED back in time to save the world!¡± Ryker vented his frustrations as he waved his arms animatedly. The police officers reloading their firearms as they put bullet after bullet into the monster before them with seemingly little effect. ¡°I¡¯m out!¡± ¡°Shit it¡¯s not going down!¡± ¡°Now I have to act crazy in front of you people!¡± Ryker seethed. Still riding high on his anger as he pointed a claw at the police officers arrayed on the street firing at him. ¡°So I can get the military off its lazy ass and stop the Kaiju worshipping weirdos from forming their freaky death cult! Now get over here! Let¡¯s get this shit over with!¡± Ryker roared, stomping towards the line of officers as he enacted his ¡°plan.¡± ================================================================================================================ The monster was going insane as it raged in the street. Probably because every swipe of its claws met with empty air instead of whatever it perceived to be attacking it. It was clearly wounded and blinded but none of their shots even slowed the thing down. ¡°I¡¯m out!¡± Miguel shouted over the noise of gunfire as he quickly reloaded shell after shell into his shotgun. The action more reflexive than conscious as his mind frantically tried to come up with a solution. ¡°Shit it¡¯s not going down!¡± Oliver shouted as he landed shot after shot. Then the beast seemed to catch wind of them finally. It might have been their scent or the noise they were making over the gunfire but the monster turned towards them as if it could see them all in the street. The roars leaving its throat took on a hint of- God he hoped he was wrong, but it sounded pissed. One claw coming up and seeming to point at them as the monster finally located their position and started stomping towards them. ¡°Fall back!¡± Vincent shouted as the monster moved closer. His panicked shout giving some of the other officers the permission they needed to make a break for it, climbing into their patrol cars as they tried to reverse and get some distance. ¡°Damnit.¡± Miguel cursed as he threw open the door to his squad car and hopped in just as his partner got into the passenger¡¯s seat. His key blessedly finding the ignition and the engine roaring to life instead of failing to start like in every monster movie he¡¯d ever seen. ¡°What do we do?!¡± Tommy shouted over the radio. His obvious panic not helping in the slightest. ¡°We improvise!¡± Miguel shouted as he put the car into drive and slammed on the gas. His patrol car leaping forwards as the others tried to get away from the approaching monster. He cranked on the wheel hard to swerve around the beast coming towards them. It- Jesus that thing was big. It made to swipe at them as they passed by it. Forcing Miguel to ride up onto the curb as he felt the car shudder as it¡¯s claws raked the roof and broke the flashers on the roof. The plastic remains of them hanging off the roof and dangling over the windshield as he brought the car back onto the road. Miguel gunned the throttle till he got to a wide enough part of the road and wheeled the car around in a speedy U-Turn that pressed him and his partner deep into their seats. Bringing them back around with the monster straight in front of him. It was right among the remaining patrol cars as it attacked. ¡°Rico!¡± Oliver shouted over the radio. ¡°Get out of there its right on top of you!¡± Miguel¡¯s mind blanked with confusion for a moment before he instantly understood. There was one patrol car left in the street, the others having fallen back to a safe distance. Rico was still there, apparently trying to move Tommy who was frozen with terror as he hid behind their car. The monster approached and instead of moving for Earnest went straight for the empty patrol car they were hiding behind. It¡¯s blindness probably saving Earnest¡¯s life as it attacked the empty patrol car instead of them. It was terrifying enough to see the monster on its own. Larger than anything Miguel had ever seen growing up in Tennessee, but it was even more terrifying to see that size meant an equally terrifying strength. The monster must have been over ten feet tall at least because it was large enough to raise a clawed foot and bring it down onto the patrol cars hood like it was a kid¡¯s plastic Power Wheels. The hood instantly caving in and the windshield shattering as the car¡¯s back wheels bounced with the impact. The car¡¯s sirens whining as they struggled to operate despite the damage they¡¯d received. ¡°They''re not moving.¡± Miguel said tensely as he willed Earnest to make a break for the cover of the nearby houses. ¡°PIT it!¡± Oliver suggested and Miguel nodded. In the next instant he was stomping on the gas petal as he and his partner braced themselves as they drove directly towards the monster. It had turned its head and almost seemed to see them despite its blindness, probably the sound of the engine alerting it, but it wasn¡¯t enough to make the monster move out of the way. In one moment the monster was thirty feet away and in the next it¡¯s bulk was taking up the entire windshield as the police car rammed into one of the beast¡¯s trunk like legs. Even with the reinforced push bar in front of the grille hitting the monster¡¯s leg was like plowing into a solid metal beam instead of simple flesh and bone. As Miguel and Oliver jolted in their seats from the impact the monster finally seemed to register the impact as it wailed in pain, falling over part of Rico¡¯s patrol car as it slammed into the road with enough force to be felt through the street. ¡°Tommy! Get in the car you dumbass!¡± Oliver screamed at the officer as his shout jolted some sense into the man as Rico pulled him up and they both ran for Miguel¡¯s patrol car. Both of them piling into the backseat as the beast flailed in pain at its injured leg. One errant kick hitting the side of his patrol car and sending it skidding a few feet across the ground. ¡°Drive!¡± Oliver and the others shouted and Miguel wasn¡¯t going to argue. As he slammed the vehicle into reverse the monster finally got to its feet. Seeming to recognize its prey was getting away Miguel¡¯s eyes practically bulged as he saw the beast bend down and pick up Rico¡¯s patrol car. Heaving the thing over its head like it weighed nothing. Driving backwards down the street Miguel and his partner had front row seats to the horror show as the beast threw the car after them. The broken sirens giving one last mournful wail as it spun through the air after them. As if he were caught in a trance he watched the patrol car make its arc over the suburban street. The seconds seeming to stretch impossibly long as it tumbled before finally falling short and crashing through the crown of a tree in someone¡¯s lawn off to their left, stopping in the grass before it could hit a small stone bird bath. With a snap Miguel¡¯s focus returned to driving as he expertly cranked on the wheel and spun the car around to face away from the monster. Putting the gear into Drive and peeling down the street like a bat out of hell. ============================================================================================================= I¡¯m going to hell. Straight. To. Hell. Extra Hell. Super Hell. Ryker thought numbly as he watched the police car disappear around the corner. All his earlier anger at his situation bleeding out of him in a rush that left Ryker feeling nearly empty. The weight of his actions also adding to his fatigue as they bore down on him like a ton of guilty bricks. Making the man turned Kaiju¡¯s shoulders slump as he marched towards the street with the remains of the Kaiju he¡¯d need to improve his body. His tail practically dragging across the asphalt as he walked, unable to even summon the energy to feel disappointed at not having any police officers remain to record him eating and evolving a new ability for Beck to possibly see. Ryker was done pretending to be a monster, the cops had their body cameras and dash cams recording video. That combined with their testimony and the first hand accounts of the people who¡¯d seen him fight the other Kaiju first hand would be more than enough to convince the world to take the Kaiju threat seriously. As he had approached the police officers he knew he had to come across as threatening. So when one of the police cars drove by him Ryker made sure to leave a long gash along the roof as it passed. He didn¡¯t really swing at the car so much as let its own momentum carry it past his claws but it still hurt Ryker all the same to do it. It got even worse once he was next to the two police cars with the one officer hiding behind one. Knowing that a real Kaiju attack would have caused ten times as much damage as what little scratches he was leaving on patrol cars Ryker forced himself to take his plan to the next level. To leave some damage that would force even the most die hard of skeptics to confront the strength of humanity¡¯s new enemy. And that meant stomping on the empty patrol car¡¯s hood. It was easy, terrifyingly easy, and it utterly killed Ryker inside to waste taxpayer dollars and sully his years of effort preventing such wanton destruction. The act was made even worse as he had to do it with two police officers cowering just a few feet away. Right as he was in the middle of his wave of remorse at acting just like the monsters he now resembled, the other patrol car had decided to try ramming him. Ryker¡¯s first instinct was to jump over the car, he was large enough to clear it easily but if it continued on its current course it would plow into the car the other officers were hiding behind. How serious would that man¡¯s injuries be if he was even partially clipped by the crash? Frozen in indecision the patrol car rammed into his leg and his body took the impact head on. The combination of all his hard fought upgrades like the Enhanced Scales, Shock Absorbing Muscle Tissue, and Increased Bone Density practically negating the brunt force of the blow as the car reeled from the impact and Ryker stared. Not knowing what to do next. Fall over dumbass! Ryker thought suddenly. With great fanfare and what he hoped sounded like a pained roar, Ryker ¡°fell¡± back partially crushing the patrol car behind him as he pretended to writhe on the ground in pain. He accidentally clipped the patrol car that hit him with an errant kick but by then it was already pulling away. Taking the other cops with it. Struck with worry that he hadn¡¯t done enough damage Ryker did the only thing he could think of. Picking up the ruined patrol car as he took in a shaky breath. Its for humanity Ryker. Do it for humanity. Just them get farther out first. Just a bit more and¡­ Ryker stared fixatedly on the quickly reversing patrol car. Making absolutely sure they were clear as he judged the distance of his throw carefully. Intentionally aiming at a lonesome tree off to the side of the street he could safely throw the car into without it accidentally rolling into someone else¡¯s car or home and cause any more damage. The throw had been more of a gentle toss than anything. If the word gentle could ever be applied to his actions anymore. And just like that the rampage of Ryker was over. One unnecessary hole in a roof someone hopefully had insurance for, a bunch of terrified police officers, one destroyed police car, and one damaged car with a massive slash across the top. I want to crawl into a hole and die. Ryker thought regretfully. Trying and failing to assure himself that he¡¯d taken the right course of action as he dutifully ignored the frantic radio chatter between the fleeing officers. In Ryker¡¯s own timeline the reports of attacks and other such disappearances had been sparse at best. Just the subject of late night news reports and nothing more. Later on it had been revealed that details and evidence had been deliberately hidden from the public by high ranking politicians to prevent civil unrest. Believing that whatever these new creatures were that their response to them had to be measured so they didn¡¯t come across as unelectable after the public found out they¡¯d ordered the hunting down of a new species.. The military had only involved itself once it became abundantly clear that the never before seen animals in their country¡¯s backyard were growing out of control. Literally. The first confirmed kill by the military had been a peak Stage One at over twenty feet tall. Despite his overwhelming shame, Ryker knew intellectually that his actions or at least video of his actions, would save lives in the long run. It might drive people to panic and fear, but in Ryker¡¯s mind it was a necessary evil. Better to rip off the band aid now rather than wait until the wound beneath had time to fester. Okay. Get a hold of yourself man. We¡¯re still on a timer here. Ryker reprimanded himself. Slapping his face several times as he tried to smack some sense back into himself. The remains of the Kaiju Ryker had slain were exactly where he¡¯d left them. The only difference now being that the majority of the Berserker¡¯s acidic blood had finished draining away. Getting right back to business Ryker reached down and halfheartedly tore off one of the Berserker¡¯s legs. Munching on it like it was a chicken leg instead of a monster¡¯s mutilated appendage. I¡¯m just gonna take this over to the Charger so I don¡¯t have to move between the two. Ryker thought as he grabbed the corpse by an arm and dragged it over to the backyard the Charger had died in. Dropping the corpse next to its kin Ryker laid into the meals laid out before him. He still hated these monsters with every fiber of his being but that hatred was muted beneath the guilt of his recent actions. So despite making quick progress through the juicy meat of the bodies. Ryker couldn¡¯t bring himself to enjoy his meal the same way he had before. Even trying to spice up his meal by mixing bits of Berserker into his Charger meat didn¡¯t light up Ryker¡¯s senses in the same salivating way he¡¯d felt before. Left with nothing but his thoughts and his food Ryker focused on his DNA once more. Knowing he was pressed for time he wanted to review his progress a bit before his next upgrade. The different segments of his genome shone bright in his mind with glowing rungs and pinpricks of light on the ends that marked each ability¡¯s epigenetic modifiers. As Ryker held the images in his mind he regarded them as a whole. He¡¯d been mostly splitting his attention between all the gene segments for a while now. Bouncing between Musculoskeletal, Neurosensory, and Cardiopulmonary like he was trying to keep a balance. But as he ate and thought more on it, Ryker realized his initial plan was flawed. And debilitatingly slow. Ryker¡¯s overall plan was still the same. Unlock every ability and modifier while still in Stage One. Only evolving to the next Stage once he¡¯d guaranteed himself as much power as possible. But he needed to change things up. Facing Kaiju with even one more ability than he had dramatically increased the difficulty of his fights against them. He needed to hard focus a single gene segment and unlock everything within it. The abilities, the modifiers, everything. And the choice of what part of his DNA to focus on was abundantly clear to Ryker. The Musculoskeletal gene segment. Despite his human mind granting him an advantage, Ryker was ready and willing to admit he was a bit of a meathead. Even as a Kaiju that particular character trait was painfully obvious. So why try and shy away from it? He needed firepower. So why not go straight to the source and evolve the abilities he needs to add to his biological arsenal? That wasn¡¯t to say that the Neurosensory and Cardiopulmonary segments had no combat application. That wasn¡¯t true at all. His own recently acquired Adrenal Trigger had come from the Cardiopulmonary segment. But Ryker had spread himself too thin too early. Going wide instead of deep into a single segment to secure a definitive advantage. Had he done so from the beginning who knows how his fight might have gone with the Kaiju earlier. As Ryker mechanically shoveled gore into his maw he directed his attention to what he had to work on in the Musculoskeletal segment alone. At the first rung was his Increased Muscle Fiber Density, a bit boring but absolutely necessary. Both of its epigenetic modifiers were active and they greatly added to Ryker¡¯s combat survivability and prowess. The Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers mod and the Shock Absorbing Muscle Tissue. The next rung of his DNA helix was almost equally boring as his first ability, Increased Bone Density. No modifiers for that yet. Ryker noted clinically. Mentally making a note of working on those later. After that came his Enhanced Scales which had been incredibly helpful keeping Ryker safe from Kaiju and bullets alike. Only one modifier active for that ability right now, his recently and painfully acquired Adaptive Armor. He¡¯d work on the other modifier when he had a spare moment to figure out how to get it. The next ability was a bit fuzzy for Ryker to figure out. He could tell it was the same upgrade he¡¯d seen in the Charger and Snapper. That being the growth of a horn and a whip like tail. But when he tried to focus on what it did and felt like to him exactly it got weird. It was like one of those illusions where you saw one thing but if you squinted and unfocused your eyes there was another picture inside the picture. One thing but somehow also another. Confusion gnawed at Ryker as he ate. Trying to puzzle out the answer as he tore the Kaiju corpses limb from limb to get at the good stuff. Does this mean there¡¯s two options here? Did Beck ever say something about this? This is the first time I¡¯ve seen an ability that felt like this. Ryker thought as he finally finished off the last of the Berserker before digging right into the Charger proper. It¡¯s bulkier frame thankfully offering a larger amount of fat and muscle for Ryker to feast on for his trouble fighting the thing. It wasn¡¯t a complete distraction from his earlier shameful actions but it helped a little bit. It took a few more minutes than Ryker would like but he still put away the Charger in record time. Practically stuffing even his prodigious stomach as he dutifully ignored his body''s desire to spend his calories on the cheaper Synaptic Defrag. With a flex of thought Ryker could tell intrinsically through the radio chatter in he air that the police were setting up a perimeter along the main roads to keep Ryker contained within the suburb until reinforcements arrived. Good news for me. If they¡¯re holding back I should have enough time to- ah yup. Speak of the devil. Ryker finished as he stood, feeling the telltale twinge within his body that let him know he¡¯d hit the caloric threshold to unlock the next Musculoskeletal ability. The horn. Or was it a tail? Doesn¡¯t matter. Ryker thought shaking his head. I¡¯ll figure it out in a second. Depressed as he¡¯d been about having to play the part of a monster that hadn¡¯t stopped Ryker from decimating the remains of the Charger. He very much would have liked to have taken the extra time to break and eat everything instead of just the meaty bits but Ryker was satisfied. It was time to see what the fourth rung of his Musculoskeletal DNA segment had in store for him. Chapter 20 - Divergence Point Despite having gone though the same process several times before it somehow still managed to be a novel experience every time. Feeling his body primed to evolve a new ability and grow in strength once more. Ryker stood up tall over the remains of the Kaiju he¡¯d gorged on. His shifting footfalls digging furrows into the grass as he swayed a bit. The weight of a full stomach in a body as large as his enough to offset his center of gravity slightly, even as his body was fast breaking down his meal and preparing to unlock the next ability in his musculoskeletal gene segment. Ryker spared a brief moment to look around at the damage he was partly to blame for. The suburb looked like it had just been hit by a small catastrophe. Only instead of the damage being simple destruction from nature¡¯s elements each told Ryker a story. There was the hole in one home that Ryker had made when he¡¯d tackled the Berserker and fell into it. The widespread damage to roofs and shingles as he¡¯d ran across the rooftops to get to the Snapper before it ate any fleeing civilians. The police car lying upside down next to a tree where Ryker had thrown it. Then there was the damage Ryker had caused to all the nearby homes and backyards he was currently standing in when he¡¯d finally snapped the Charger¡¯s neck. His heart ached at seeing the formerly pristine homes take so much damage. He could barely remember what undamaged houses used to look like before being sent back in time. Then the moment he actually gets close enough to see these people¡¯s homes during the day it was only because he¡¯d brought devastation to their doorsteps. It only took a moment for the decades of combat experience to assert itself and force Ryker to compartmentalize his aches, the lingering pain from his wounds, and the regret of upsetting so many peaceful lives. Pushing it all down, especially the shameful memories of his recent ¡°rampage¡± against the police. Ryker looked at his surroundings with a tactical eye. The veteran in him assessing the aftermath of the battle and his performance. Sloppy. Ryker chided himself. Even knowing full well it was an unfair comparison. His circumstances were drastically different from what he should have expected from himself if he were operating in Armor. Even when he¡¯d rushed ahead of others to engage Kaiju he still would have had the fire support of other pilots acting as backup. Not to mention the constant drone of combat information being fed into his mind via his Integrated Intelligence. But he was alone now, for better or for worse. Without any of the ranged capabilities or technologies he¡¯d relied so heavily on as a pilot. This upgrade won¡¯t get me where I used to be but its something. Ryker mused as he gave his body the go ahead on unlocking the confusing fourth rung of his Musculoskeletal gene. He still wasn¡¯t sure if it offered the tail or the horn he¡¯d seen on the other Kaiju he¡¯d killed. Maybe it offered him a choice? That would be odd but not impossible he supposed. At the end of the day, Kaiju were just too weird to have any expectation on what they could do. To the point where Ryker barely blinked back in the day when he¡¯d fought Kaiju with some God forsaken never before seen ability. Ryker had been expecting the upgrade to feel like all the others before it. See an ability in his genome, and get that ability in his genome. But his eyes widened the instant he felt his body eat through his entire store of fresh proteins. The feeling of surety and control over his evolution slipping from his grasp as his body tried to shift itself without Ryker¡¯s direct input for the first time. What? Ryker groaned as he gritted his teeth. Bending over as he felt his muscles ripple in ways he hadn¡¯t been prepared for. His claws clenching hard as he mentally wrangled with his own body for control. What is this?! Ryker¡¯s mind raced for an answer as he shuddered with the effort of holding back his own ability from manifesting. A memory snapping to the surface of his mind as desperation called it out of the depths. ¡°Have you ever heard of Darwin¡¯s Finches Ray? Or the Galapagos Islands?¡± Beck asked him from across the lunchroom table. ¡°I think? What¡¯s Darwin got to do with Stage One Kaiju though?¡± Ryker asked as he leaned forwards in his chair. His sandwich forgotten as he prepared to drink in the information. When Ryker had started interacting with Beck more and more to test his experimental weapons he¡¯d made fast friends with the doctor. The other pilots didn¡¯t seem to get why Ryker bothered in the first place with the civilian scientist but Ryker payed them no mind. The pilots were all good people- eh scratch that, most of them were good people. But once they returned from a mission and debriefed they were all too eager to hole up in the Rec center and not talk about Kaiju. It made sense not to talk about work when you were trying to relax but Ryker was a workaholic at heart and in Beck he¡¯d found a kindred spirit. Someone who obsessed over the details like he did, looking for any edge over the monsters he could find. Plus the mechanics had kicked him out of the Armor docking bay for hovering behind them while they worked so he¡¯d met up with Beck for lunch. ¡°I am stretching the example a bit but its easier to explain using Darwin¡¯s Finches.¡± Beck began. His eyes bright even after hours of labor in the lab. ¡°Essentially the Galapagos Islands have a remarkable amount of biodiversity in their environments. To the point where a single species of Finch spread out across the islands and over the course of generations of natural selection led the same species of Finch on different islands to adapt differing beak shapes to better survive in their own unique environments. To the point where each is considered its own species now. One Finch¡¯s beak is optimized for eating insects, another is well suited for breaking open seeds, do you see where I¡¯m going with this?¡± Ryker nodded but still frowned as he thought over the explanation. ¡°But how does that apply to Kaiju? They all start out the same, and have the same template of abilities in their DNA even if most don¡¯t unlock everything in there. They don¡¯t really start changing until they reach Stage Two.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I believed as well until recently.¡± Beck said animatedly. ¡°Until we looked at some remains of different Stage One Kaiju and examined the similarities in their activated abilities. They both reached the same exact gene locked portion of their DNA¡¯s Musculoskeletal segment but exhibited wildly different body types. Different enough to not be the result of a simple epigenetic modifier.¡± ¡°Are those the two Stage Ones that got trucked in this morning?¡± Ryker asked. Recalling the sight of the retrofitted dump trucks hauling the bodies in. ¡°Those two with the horn and tail?¡± ¡°The same.¡± Beck confirmed. ¡°Now you have to ask the question. How do two Kaiju with the same level of development and genetic abilities unlocked have such different forms? Well its remarkable, this portion of the genome-¡± Beck paused as he whipped out a napkin onto the table and took a pen out to sketch on it. The intertwining strands of a double helix quickly taking shape as beck pointed to the fourth rung of the helix. ¡°This one right here. Its like Darwin¡¯s finches but also not. A predetermined, built in divergence in a Kaiju¡¯s form to better adapt it for its preferred style of combat. Well before it cocoons to evolve to Stage Two. It¡¯s like natural selection on steroids.¡± ¡°How have we not figured this out sooner?¡± Ryker asked. Leaning in to get a better look at the napkin. ¡°I suspect that the other gene segments hold a similar genetic divergence but are not immediately visible. This is likely the most overt and obvious change while others are more subtle as they take place within the body itself. It-¡± Beck began before he faltered. His lips moving as he tried to form the words. ¡°It makes me hope the Bioweapon Theory is real.¡± He said somberly. Ryker startled at the abrupt change in conversation as well as the sharp grimace on his friends face. ¡°What makes you say that? If the Bioweapon Theory were true¡­ you know what that would mean.¡± Ryker said cautiously. The theories of the Kaiju¡¯s origins had run rampant for years but several theories had taken root as the most plausible. The Bioweapon Theory held that Kaiju were actually human made bioweapons. The only contention on that theory being who developed them, the United States or the Russo-Asian Coalition. If the U.S. was responsible for Kaiju being released upon the world, even unintentionally it would mean war. With every country that Kaiju had wreaked havoc on or even a civil war. It wasn¡¯t too hard to believe enraged Americans wouldn''t be deterred from striking back at its own government if they were the ones responsible for their years of loss and suffering. The thought made Ryker steeple his hands on the table. A civil war breaking out while America was still reeling from their current war against the Kaiju would be near suicidal. They did not have the recourses or the manpower to wage a war on two fronts, especially against themselves. And Ryker didn''t even want to entertain the thought of imagining where his loyalties would lie if push came to shove. It would mark the beginning of the end for his country and the idea of the Russo-Asian Coalition being responsible wasn¡¯t much better. It would still mean war, only with a foreign power instead. One with the second largest nuclear arsenal on the planet that had somehow, created the most powerful bioweapons in human history. ¡°I hope the Bioweapon Theory is true.¡± Beck said softly. His eyes staring hard into the table as the pen shook in his hand. ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to believe these¡­ monsters are natural. I was raised to believe in a higher power, even if I¡¯m a paltry excuse for a believer now. But my late wife¡­ ¡± Beck¡¯s words cut off as he mastered himself. His fist tightening hard enough for Ryker to make out a pale outline on one finger. As if the ring that used to be there hadn¡¯t been there long. ¡°She never lost faith. Even near the end.¡± Beck said with resolve. ¡°I refuse to believe that the God she put so much trust in could be capable of creating creatures that have taken so many lives. I can¡¯t accept that, I just can¡¯t.¡± ¡°I get it.¡± Ryker said softly. Wanting to help during his friend¡¯s moment but not really knowing what else to say. He was the last person to talk to about faith. His own feelings towards the man upstairs were... resentful to say the least. ¡°My mom¡­ she was like that too.¡± He said instead. Feeling a pang of loss at her memory. Beck grunted as he took the napkin he¡¯d sketched on to dab at the wetness in his eyes. The silence stretching between them for a moment before Beck gave Ryker a wan smile. Trying to bring the mood back to something less dour. ¡°Forgive me. I didn¡¯t mean to drag down the conversation like this. The stress is a bit much at times.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t apologize.¡± Ryker responded. Shaking his head as he looked up from his cold lunch to scan the room. His eyes lingering equally on the faces of those he knew and didn''t know. ¡°We¡¯ve all lost people. Only difference between us is how many.¡± Ryker shook as he came back to the present. As if he could shake off the bittersweet tang of his own memories. Instead Ryker focused on his understanding of what the ability was trying to do to him, that knowledge helping his fears greatly as he finally got a hold of himself. This is supposed to happen. Don¡¯t panic. Just breathe like Riley taught you to. It¡¯s just a¡­ a Divergence Point in your DNA. Ryker thought as he focused. Now that he¡¯d gotten control over his rebellious body it left Ryker free to think and analyze what was happening to him. In hindsight, the suddenness of the reaction may have made Ryker overreact a little. Even though it was causing him no small bit of strain to keep in place, he was first and foremost a pilot and a damn good one too. If he could keep a giant war machine under control he was sure he could keep his body from altering itself and even influence what form his body took if he focused hard enough. The problem now was that his body was trying to make a choice for him while he hadn¡¯t taken the time to think through his options properly. Mistakenly believing that he¡¯d have time after he acquired the ability to choose. At the moment the form Ryker felt his body was trying to pick for him was abundantly clear. It was like holding a dog back on a leash as it tried to pounce on a juicy steak. But why would my body want to grow a horn so badly? Ryker thought perplexed. But the answer became obvious as he thought over his past conversation with Beck. To put it bluntly without sugar coating anything, Ryker was a brute in close combat. His most recent fight against that group of Kaiju only reinforced that image in his mind. The first chance he got he went in close to the less evolved Kaiju and broke them down one by one. Overwhelming them with raw physical power. The same was true for his previous fights to a lesser extent as well. Despite his dislike for the Charger whose horn he was apparently so suited for Ryker had to admit he fit the bill a little too well for his liking. This isn¡¯t just a pure power up on its own though. Not like the previous abilities at least. It¡¯s going to alter my center of gravity. I¡¯ll be more top heavy and in addition to the horn my upper torso will thicken as well. Those changes will carry over into Stage Two and they¡¯ll set the foundation for what kind of Kaiju I¡¯m going to become. Ryker glowered. Even though his body felt a horn was best suited for him Ryker saw the addition as a net negative. Despite his large size he¡¯d been relying just as much on his speed and agility as his brute strength. That had been why he¡¯d focused on his Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers modifier for his Increased Muscle Density. Specializing as a heavier brute like Kaiju this early in the game wasn¡¯t the right call. Ryker needed to walk a careful line. He needed to be strong but not to the point it slowed him down. Durable but also able to adapt to different types of damage. Able to survive on his own in a fight but also capable of bringing the fight to a numerically superior enemy. But is the tail the right option though? Ryker thought worriedly. On its own the change didn¡¯t really inspire a lot of confidence in its combat potential. Even his own tail had been something Ryker only took advantage of sparingly. Back in his fight with the Snapper the whip tail had been overshadowed by the more fearsome Charger and Berserker Kaiju. It had even been the first thing he¡¯d disabled in the fight when he managed to bite it off. Would a less powerful change like a whip tail be preferable over a piercing horn? No, wait. Ryker thought as he pondered. I¡¯m not thinking about this properly. He was judging the tail¡¯s potential by what he¡¯d seen the Snapper do with it. A simple minded and unintelligent Kaiju. If anything, Ryker should have been grateful the Snapper hadn¡¯t used its tail to greater effect against him since it could have a number of uses. When Ryker was grappling he could use it to tangle a Kaiju¡¯s legs to take it off balance, wrap it around a Kaiju¡¯s arm to immobilize the limb, and even choke one of the monsters if he wrapped it around its neck. Not to mention it would be the first ability to give Ryker a somewhat ranged option for combat. Then there was the future to think about. Just because the tail was whip like now didn¡¯t mean that Ryker couldn¡¯t evolve changes and improvements to it with time. Hell, he may be able to do that before he even reached Stage Two. Who could say what the epigenetic modifiers for a tail would allow him to do? Combine that with the yet to be unlocked modifiers for his Increased Bone Density, which he was sure had something to do with the sharpened spinal bones he¡¯d seen Kaiju in his past life develop and a compelling idea was starting to form in Ryker¡¯s mind for what he could be capable of in due time. Choosing a change to the tail will carry over into Stage Two. But that change would be a lot more manageable. Ryker thought definitively. Unlike the Charger¡¯s horn, Ryker didn¡¯t see any future complications with the change of a longer tail to his body. It was a relatively light change, probably meant for more flighty and less durable Kaiju. Something that could give them an advantage against less mobile foes. It would also mean that Ryker wouldn¡¯t be locked into a less mobile style of fighting. As Ryker held his body back from making him a horned copy of the Charger he swished his tail experimentally. Despite working it into his existing combat style he¡¯d only used it in the most simplistic of ways. Kaiju getting too close? Tail swipe. Just slashed a Kaiju and need some distance? Tail Swipe. Multiple opponents closing in? Believe it or not, also tail swipe. Time for an upgrade. Ryker grinned as he made his choice and focused his will upon his body. There was a resistance as he forcibly pulled his body away from the evolution it preferred but the resistance was paltry at best. Though it was far removed from what he¡¯d trained for, fighting with a rebellious body that thought it knew best wasn¡¯t too far removed from fighting for control of a damaged electronic one. After all, any good pilot worth their salt had to be able to force their machines to do what they wanted when they wanted in the midst of combat. Kaiju weren¡¯t the type to wait until you could run diagnostics and get your Armor checked over for faulty electronics. Finally Ryker felt something click within himself as he successfully forced his body to accept the Tail evolution instead of the Charger¡¯s Horn. His own tail, often times going unnoticed as Ryker acclimated to it, flexed as a wave of heat spread through it. The combined friction of rapid cell division and muscle growth enough to leave Ryker uncomfortably warm in the cool morning air as he experienced his most significant change yet. The change only taking ten seconds or so as Ryker rode out the change. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. His tail had been slightly over half the length of his body before but as Ryker stared back and examined himself he realized his tail was now easily the longest part of his body by far. Weird¡­ Ryker thought as he experimentally moved his tail around. Feeling newly grown muscle tensing and relaxing as he waved his tail in lazy loops. The simple movement a novel experience after having a tail that would have been incapable of the same feat. Despite knowing he¡¯d made the right choice suddenly having a part of yourself nearly triple in length was disorienting to say the least. The weight was different, the way it moved was different, it was like he¡¯d gotten his old tail removed and a brand new one installed. One that didn¡¯t come with an instruction manual. This is going to take some time to get used to. Ryker concluded as he tried moving his tail in tighter more controlled motions. To his surprise his tail was even more flexible than he¡¯d believed. Even though the end of his tail was as thick as a grown man¡¯s arm he was able to easily loop the end of his tail around a stray lawn chair and lift the entire thing up into the air like it was a child¡¯s plastic toy. With a wry smile that showed off far too many teeth, Ryker bobbed the lawn chair up and down, waving it through the air like he was actually playing with it. He obviously wasn¡¯t, he was far too professional for something so childish, but it was good practice. Practice. Right. Ryker nodded seriously as he put the chair down and deliberately ignored the beach ball and other inflatable things he could practice picking up in a pool a few backyards over. Getting his mind back on track Ryker looked upwards towards the remains of the construction site he¡¯d first encountered the Kaiju whose corpses he was now standing over. Almost imagining the untouched remains of the other smaller Kaiju there just waiting to be consumed. Likely buried under a multitude of concrete but Ryker was willing to do some excavating for his meals if he had to. They¡¯re probably not enough to get the capstone evolution for the Musculoskeletal segment but it¡¯ll get me part of the way there. Ryker huffed. Giving the remains of the Berserker and Charger one last disdainful look before marching back towards the construction site. His steps carrying him directly over the bodies with two satisfying cracks of bone as Ryker got one final bit of petty post mortem vengeance on the creatures who¡¯d blinded him and left a painful hole in his side. It wouldn¡¯t be worth trying to climb back up the cliff he¡¯d fallen down so Ryker decided to take the slightly longer way up. Cutting around near the back of the suburb where the incline was less steep and he could get to where he needed to be. As Ryker walked down the middle of the empty street he looked out over the tops of the surrounding houses towards the sounds of sirens blocking the main roads. The sound had grown in the short time he¡¯d acquired his tail. Likely the result of the backup the police had been calling for earlier. If he could still see he was certain the flashing lights would be quite the show. Gonna be a bit before I can start to see again. Ryker thought glumly as he marched. Knowing he needed to make himself scarce. They¡¯ll have already begun healing if the itching is anything to go by. God, I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m thinking this but I¡¯m actually grateful for once that Kaiju healing factors are so damn persistent. Ryker was in the middle of squeezing between a tight row of houses to get to the street beyond when Ryker paused as his foot came down on the sidewalk. The size of his tread nearly taking up the entire space from the edge of the lawn to the curb where his claws scraped the edge of the gutter. Ryker stared and he could swear he felt a vein pulse in his forehead at the sight. Knowing that despite his years of careful training and near symbiosis with his Armor that he¡¯d actually grown again without noticing. That growing larger was absolutely necessary for fighting Kaiju didn¡¯t matter to Ryker in the slightest. It was the principle of the thing that offended him most. Damn it. Ryker thought with an angry snort as he pointedly stepped over the sidewalk. I can force a Kaiju body to go against its own instincts to evolve the ability I want but I can¡¯t even begin to anticipate or even notice growing in the first place. Out of all the things that should be the most blatantly obvious thing to notice right? I should be complaining about how tiring it is growing larger, not that I can¡¯t feel it happening at all! Still arguing with himself Ryker finally exited the suburb, stepping over the six foot fence surrounding the development with an almost depressing level of ease. His now thirteen foot tall body not even needing to hop to get over the fence to the other side. Entering the wall of woodlands surrounding the suburb Ryker began his winding path back up to the construction site. Testing his tail¡¯s massively increased dexterity along the way as he weaved it between branches and tree trucks. With the time Ryker had to walk, now among the peace of the trees he mentally felt along the image of the Musculoskeletal gene segment in his DNA. Looking at the available epigenetic modifiers for his most recently unlocked ability with a discerning eye. All four were tail related thankfully. Ryker had harbored some worry that he might not have the full range of options with the Divergence point pushing him to grow a horn. But that concern was moot. If he had to guess, choosing to grow a horn instead would change the ability¡¯s epigenetic mods to be horn related as well. That meant that in the future whatever the options were for the Neurosensory and Cardiopulmonary Divergence points he could choose whatever option he pleased and still receive the full benefits of mods as well. The first epigenetic modifier Ryker puzzled out in record time. The feel of it sticking out since its focus was on the end of Ryker¡¯s tail instead of any other part. The mod would make the end of his tail¡­ pointy? No, that wasn¡¯t right it was more like a pincer. One detail of the modifier immediately peaking Ryker¡¯s interest. Another pair of venom glands in the tail? That¡¯s pretty significant. Ryker thought as he regarded the Envenomed Pincer. If the venom glands he developed in his tail were the same as the ones in his fangs that would be a potent addition to his fighting style. Being able to inject Kaiju at range and strike out directly behind him was tempting, almost enough to make Ryker get it right then and there. But common sense prevailed in the end as he felt out what he¡¯d have to give up for the Envenomed Pincer. The modifier immediately set itself apart from the pincer by affecting Ryker¡¯s entire tail. Even down to the muscles at the base of it. He could feel the way the modifier would increase the level of muscle mass along his entire tail. Thickening the appendage a good deal. The caveat for that would be that his tail wouldn¡¯t be able to crack like a whip against other Kaiju but¡­ What are these dense parts? Ryker thought as he focused. Interspersed all along his tail would be some surprisingly dense nodes that started a few feet from the base of his tail and continued all the way to the end of his tail. Culminating in a densified point at the end more for slamming into others than piercing. As plain as the Densified Tail modifier was compared to the more flashy Envenomed Pincer Ryker couldn¡¯t nock what he¡¯d felt in the modifier. That was a lot of muscle he¡¯d be packing into his tail, and what little he¡¯d be sacrificing in dexterity would be multiplied a few times over in the shape of pure crushing force. A whip like venom pincer or more muscle bound slamming power? Ryker thought as he weighed the two option. For once having to spend some time weighing the pros and cons of two modifiers instead of instantly siding with one over the other. On one hand the pincer offered a wicked amount of combat utility. Doubling his available venom as well as enhancing his ability to deliver it at range. But the cost of that increased attack power was leaving his tail vulnerable to severing. Ryker had done exactly that in his fight with the Snapper, and the thought of having his own tail get bitten off by another Kaiju sent a shiver through his frame. On the other hand though, the increase in thickness and muscle mass would be a defense in its own way. A thicker tail wouldn¡¯t be immediately severed by an errant claw swipe, and even if it were bitten into Ryker was pretty sure he¡¯d have enough time to turn and wail on whatever thought it could bite him and get away with it. The increased density and thickness would make it less agile, but he was more than certain he¡¯d be able to use it in the ways he¡¯d originally intended. If anything, grappling other Kaiju might be even easier with his tail¡¯s increased strength and weight. Food for thought. Ryker decided as he shelved the idea of deciding on a modifier immediately. He had more than just one thing to consider after all. His body wasn¡¯t just an assortment of parts to be piloted anymore. His body was made up of many intertwining biological systems. Whose to say his yet to be activated Bone Density modifiers wouldn¡¯t affect how he used his tail? He should take the time to get a feel for all his modifiers before he committed himself to anything. Speaking of food. Ryker thought as he ducked under a branch and left the tree cover for the remains of the construction site. Despite bringing down a good deal of the construction Ryker in a fight for his life, there was still a pang of regret at having to destroy so much, though that was muted now. It helped that the only things he¡¯d destroyed were just large incomplete blocks of uninhabited concrete, that was a lot easier to stomach than people¡¯s homes getting crushed. Stalking into the site itself, Ryker leaned on his senses to ferret out where the remains of the smaller Kaiju he¡¯d killed were. He dipped his nose down to the ground as he drank in the scents in the air, searching in a textbook grid search pattern till he got a whiff of what he was looking for. That¡¯s one. Ryker grinned as he dug his claws into the concrete. Tossing aside a large slab that would have taken hours for people with construction equipment to move as he dug down and struck pay dirt. With a uncaring wrench that definitely cracked a few bones in the corpse Ryker hauled the Kaiju out of the ground in a small cloud of concrete dust. Ryker was tempted to chow down right there but it would make more sense to wait until he got them all first. It went on like that for some time. Ryker digging out the remains of the Kaiju he¡¯d slain and tossing them into a pile in the center of the construction site as he found one after another. Now that the fighting was over and Ryker could examine his kills in detail, he almost felt bad seeing how much he¡¯d savaged the weaker Kaiju. Almost. Damn¡­ I really fucked you up didn¡¯t I? Ryker thought as he examined the head, or the pile of mush and bone that had once been a head, that was hanging onto the body by thick strands of gore. He recalled smashing one Kaiju¡¯s head into his knee but hadn¡¯t realized how much damage he¡¯d done in the moment. The heat of the fight making some details blurry in his mind. Whelp, overkill is just as good as any other type of kill in my book. Ryker concluded as he tossed the corpse onto the top of the pile. Dusting off his claws as he rose to his full height and made his way over to the dinner pile. Time to get down to business. Ryker thought as he licked his lips in anticipation. Eating these Kaiju was actually an easier ordeal than breaking down the other three he¡¯d killed. Their lack of Enhanced Scales making them easy to tear open as Ryker filled himself up. Their smaller size a boon to the man turned Kaiju as he had to spend less time reducing their body parts into something he could fit down his throat. As Ryker worked on consuming the remains, deliberately ignoring his body¡¯s urge to evolve the cheaper Synaptic Defrag, he focused on the other two mods he¡¯d have to choose between for his tail. The first felt sharp, and for good reason too. The modifier altered the exterior of his tail''s entire length, growing a series of large serrated edges made of bone across the top and bottom of his elongated tail that could be used to slash any Kaiju that came within range of it. The utility granted from such a simple modifier alone immediately set Ryker¡¯s mind alight with the possibilities. Grappling with other Kaiju would be that much more effective if I chose this wouldn''t it? The serrated edges would be able to hook into their bodies so it would be even easier to take them down and even normal swipes would slash out at Kaiju instead of just knock them away. Not to mention it would pair well with both the Envenomed Pincer and the Densified Tail. Ryker thought approvingly before moving onto the next epigenetic modifier. The modifier was, paradoxically, taking up the same area that the Envenomed Pincer would take. Only instead of making a dedicated piercing pincer it was more akin to a maul made out of bone at the end of the tail. With some wicked spikes as well. The mental image threw Ryker for a loop since he¡¯d never seen another modifier take up the same exact spot as another one. At least, in a way that seemed to render the other modifier inoperable. That can¡¯t be right. Right? Ryker asked himself as he pondered the modifier. There was no indication that the two would cancel each other out though. So Ryker delved deeper, focusing hard on the two modifiers till they overlapped in his mind. At first Ryker thought he was just being stupid, looking too deep into his Kaiju biology to the point he was seeing things that didn¡¯t actually connect at all. Kaiju were just dumb monsters after all, even if their biology verged upon the realm of the impossible. It would make sense if they had some part of their biology that didn¡¯t work seamlessly together. But the closer Ryker examined the two it seemed like they didn¡¯t cancel each other out like he¡¯d thought but meshed together. The venom sacs being protected by the mass of bone that formed the maul and in turn, each of the bone maul¡¯s spikes acted as a delivery mechanism for the poison. Damn¡­ Ryker breathed out as he thought over the combination of modifiers that resulted in something he hadn¡¯t expected. For a split second Ryker nearly tossed aside his plan for holding out on selecting modifiers. After all, what could be more damaging than a poisoned bone maul at the end of his tail? No, no. Don¡¯t pick something too quickly. Ryker thought as he shook his head to ward away the temptation. We just picked up more abilities in one sitting than I ever have before. My scales'' Adaptive Armor, the Adrenal Trigger, the Paralytic Venom, as well as this new tail. Those are all going to need testing and practice to determine how best they operate in combat. Plus, there won¡¯t be any way for me to undo modifiers I unlock if I get something I don¡¯t want. If I¡¯m locked into a certain loadout I need to consider it from every angle, so whatever my final Stage One build ends up being it will be enough to carry me all the way through Stage Two and beyond. As Ryker¡¯s mind wandered his pile of foodstuffs disappeared before him almost completely. Frustratingly though, even after devouring all of that he was less than half of the way to his Capstone ability. A capstone ability he couldn¡¯t actually sense too much of yet. He could tell it affected his entire body at least. So it was sure to be something good. Damn. Never thought I¡¯d regret not pestering Beck more about Stage One Kaiju abilities. Ryker mused. It was something Ryker should have known, he readily admitted that, but understanding what abilities fodder Stage One Kaiju developed had been well below his list of priorities at the time when Ryker had been sent on mission after mission to kill the much more threatening Stage Twos. What he did know was that once a Kaiju reached the end of a gene segment like the Musculoskeletal segment, they acquired the final ability for that particular segment of DNA and had the opportunity to evolve to Stage Two from there. It was typical for a Kaiju to leap at the chance to evolve since they received such a boost from the evolution. Doubling in size, being able to acquire mutations to their existing abilities, and having the chance to adapt new abilities as well made it a tempting choice for any Kaiju. Which was thankfully, why so many Kaiju didn¡¯t develop into monsters like Storm Breaker and Spore Tyrant. They jumped the gun on their evolutions instead of building a foundation in Stage One, lowering their overall potential. Of course a less developed Kaiju was still a giant monster at the end of the day. So even if Kaiju like Spike Jackal or Blaze Dozer wouldn¡¯t be able to wipe cities off the map it was little comfort when they were rampaging through your side of town. A shame I can¡¯t hit the capstone right away but that¡¯s fine. Ryker thought. Its just a matter of time till I eat enough to get it anyway. And I¡¯ve got enough on my plate at the moment unlocking the rest of the musculoskeletal ability modifiers. Standing in the middle of the destroyed construction site, Ryker tiredly reviewed everything he needed to do as he wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his claw. First I¡¯ll test out my new abilities deep in the woods where no one will see. Get a good feel for them. Then I¡¯ll find another source of food. Supermarket, Kaiju, doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll need that capstone ability if I¡¯m going to be getting into more fights with tougher Kaiju. Then I¡¯ll have to hunt around for more food for the abilities in the other gene segments. Oh, and make sure I unlock all the epigenetic ability modifiers too. I¡¯ll have to make sure my actions remain¡­ monstrous if anyone is recording me but not so much that I draw too much military attention. Maybe try and find a way to prevent the Children of Gaia from gaining influence if I can. There must be something I can do to stop them as a Kaiju. Then I have to keep heading north to find Storm Breaker before it grows too strong. Kill it. Then Spore Tyrant, then Glacier Fang, then Magma Gore, then Red Tide. With a pained grunt Ryker made to get up. Using the remains of a concrete pillar to bear his weight as he stood. I¡¯ll need a way to cross the ocean. Either by developing wings or gills. I should be able to swim across if I need to right? What else do I need to do? I¡¯m forgetting something, there must be something I¡¯m forget- urk! With a crash the concrete under Ryker shifted and he slipped in surprise as his footing gave way. Falling forwards and catching himself with his claws before he could impact the ground completely Ryker heaved a shaky breath as he looked down. There was a slight tremble in his claws as they dug into the concrete. For a moment he was back in the abandoned radio station. But rather than the horror he¡¯d experienced at his new body Ryker felt almost offended at the weakness he felt now. For all his life Kaiju had been an unstoppable threat and he¡¯d pushed himself to endlessly to match them. That he could feel weakness in the same body of the monsters that had haunted him all his life almost didn¡¯t compute. God I¡¯m tired. Ryker thought suddenly, not remembering the last time he''d slept. HIs shoulders sagging as the weight of all he¡¯d done and still had to do bore down on him. The wounds were one thing, he¡¯d been trained to deal with the psychosomatic feedback from damaged Armor and physical pain was just an extension of that. But even as a pilot he¡¯d had time to stop and speak with his fellow pilots. When he¡¯d returned his Armor to the docking bay for repairs he¡¯d had people he could rely on and a place that allowed him to rest from the never ending war for survival he woke up to every day. But all that was gone now. And to compensate Ryker had been running full tilt since the start in a marathon that might last years or even decades. Too afraid to stop for even a moment knowing that the slightest mistake on his part could spell doom for millions down the line. He was the only one who could stop what was coming, slowing down, even to rest after a battle felt wrong. Like betraying everyone who¡¯d fought by his side for a better future. For the first time in recent memory Ryker wished he wasn¡¯t fighting alone. Man, it would be nice to talk to somebody. Ryker thought softly. Talk about not knowing what you have till its gone. Holding a claw to the stinging wound in his side Ryker mastered his breathing and allowed himself a moment to stop. He tried to open his eyes and felt a twinge of color return to the world before the stinging pain of his acid burns forced them shut again. He¡¯d be no good like this, even for the training he¡¯d planned if he dropped from lack of sleep and rest. Just a few hours. Ryker promised as he held still. The brief moment of inaction almost enough to convince him to drop face first into the concrete to sleep. I¡¯ll find somewhere a bit more hidden and get a few hours of shut eye. Then¡­ Then I¡¯ll keep going. The sound of rustling branches reached Ryker¡¯s ears a good distance away and made his head turn sharply towards the noise. The sound was hard to miss but it was there, like whatever it was had been trying to sneak up on him. In the time he had before it became visible to his mix of senses Ryker forced himself to stand. Reaching out to the Adrenal Trigger in his mind and preparing to flip the switch in an instant if he had to fight. A Kaiju? Ryker thought tensely before he saw what was moving through the trees towards him. It was only a mass of scents and sounds in Ryker''s mind''s eye but it was a shape he recognized as it left the tree line at the edge of the construction site''s debris. Small, fragile, and unmistakably human. Chapter 21 - Scoop of the Century ¡°I¡¯m just saying it seems a bit impractical for a ten foot tall monster don¡¯t you think D?¡± Mack answered as he tried to calm down a distraught Danika. ¡°But he was here!¡± She exclaimed. Rounding on her camera man as she pointed to the middle of the Rest Stop¡¯s tile floor. ¡°Right here!¡± It had taken more time than Danika would have liked to get to find the Rest Stop she was looking for but she found it. The only problem was that the entire reason she¡¯d rushed to the rest stop in the first place was very noticeably absent. The Big Guy had clearly been here, the same scuff marks on the tiles were present here as the marks in the SuperMart. The kind that must have been the result of claws digging into the floor. It was just driving Danika up a wall that somehow, a hulking green dinosaur had been able to enter a building with the only entrance being glass doors and still leave without giving any further evidence he had been there. ¡°He came in here.¡± Danika started as she began pacing around the small space. ¡°But we know he¡¯s almost too big to get in here. So he must have crawled in right? How else could the Big Guy have gotten in? And why would it even bother trying so hard not to break anything when he could have just busted in and taken what he wanted? He can clearly bust through walls if the hole in the SuperMart is anything to go by.¡± ¡°Maybe he feels bad about causing property damage.¡± Mack said semi-seriously. ¡°Really Mack?¡± Danika glared at her partner. ¡°In what world does it make sense that the same creature that threw our news van through a gas station care about property damage?¡± Mack shrugged. ¡°No idea.¡± He readily admitted. ¡°But its not that much of a stretch is it? We¡¯re talking about an honest to God monster that knows how to flip circuit breakers. Now, I¡¯m just the camera guy but I get the feeling that everything we knew and everything we thought we knew went out the window when we found that out.¡± ¡°Good point.¡± Danika nodded as she continued pacing. ¡°We don¡¯t even know enough to make proper assumptions. It¡¯s all guesswork till we can figure out more. We try calling any experts again?¡± ¡°No dice D.¡± Mack shrugged. Giving his phone one last hopeful check before putting it away. ¡°This early in the morning I doubt anybody¡¯s answering anything.¡± Danika cursed softly, both at the news and the complete lack of surveillance cameras that could have given her the solid video evidence she needed to bring to the network. She was about to go down another train of thought when a man dressed in a janitor¡¯s uniform came wheeling a mop bucket out of the bathroom. ¡°Excuse me, sorry to bother.¡± Danika asked sweetly in her best I-know-you¡¯re-busy-but-I-have-questions voice. ¡°Have you noticed anything strange in or around this building recently? We received some reports that there could be a- rather large creature nearby.¡± The man raised his eyebrows. ¡°What? Like a bear? They wander by occasionally but they¡¯re no problem unless you get stupid. Now, there was this one time when some city slickers thought they could get close to a black bear for pictures.¡± The man barked a laugh so loud it made Danika flinch a bit. ¡°But no, that¡¯s about it.¡± The man finished, leaning on his mop handle. ¡°Anything¡­¡± Danika started before she shrugged. ¡°Stranger? Something you couldn¡¯t explain?¡± The man¡¯s eyes lit up at once, in that special way that told Danika she was about to get a lot more than she¡¯d asked for. ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re one of those ghost hunter types right? Well have I got some stories for you! Been working the late and early hours for let¡¯s see¡­ going on twenty four years now. Why, I can remember it like it was yesterday. This was about twenty years ago mind you, right after my great aunt Martha passed and I was just getting into the swing of the job when I felt a rattle in my bones-¡± Danika smile was starting to strain as she desperately looked to her camera man to get her out of the conversation but Mack was no help. He¡¯d found his way over to the vending machines and was creasing a dollar bill on the corner to feed into the machine. Deaf to Danika¡¯s silent plea. Despite being hungry for the truth of the Big Guy¡¯s whereabouts she didn¡¯t want to offend the Janitor in case he actually knew something that could help. However unlikely that may have been. It took some carefully leading questions from her to work him away from the ghost stories he was so eager to tell towards more current affairs but it wasn¡¯t too hard. Everyone loved to complain about their jobs. You just had to give them an ear. ¡°It¡¯s all these damn tourists I¡¯m telling you! No respect at all for anything.¡± The man glowered as Danika mechanically nodded her head. ¡°What did they do this time?¡± She asked almost without thinking. ¡°Massive mess on the floor like you wouldn¡¯t believe of course.¡± The man grumbled as he hooked a thumb behind him. ¡°A bunch of maps just shredded across the floor like garbage. I mean seriously, who does that? They¡¯re free damnit! Just pick one!¡± ¡°Shredded?¡± Danika asked immediately as she tuned back into the conversation. ¡°Oh yeah. Like someone took some scissors to the lot of them. They were all cut to pieces.¡± It had taken a few more minutes for Danika to disengage from the conversation but she finally got away, dragging Mack along behind her as she wrangled with the lid of a garbage can outside the rest stop. Both her and Mack peeking inside to see the veritable stack of shredded maps. The sight of the trash putting a gleam in Danika¡¯s eyes as if she¡¯d found some hidden treasure. ¡°So the Big Guy actually did come for maps?¡± Mack said in disbelief. ¡°I thought this was a stretch D but¡­ are we absolutely sure this isn¡¯t the result of a spoiled kid having a tantrum? There could be any number of reasons for this.¡± Danika reached in and grabbed a handful of the shredded pieces. Grimacing a bit as she shook her hands free of the maps that had something in the garbage leak onto them. ¡°Mack how would the Big Guy read a map?¡± She asked as she looked over the pieces. ¡°He¡¯d grab them? I don¡¯t follow.¡± ¡°He has claws Mack. Made for fighting, not grabbing paper.¡± Danika said beaming as she imagined how the maps had been torn in the first place. ¡°And these are all the same type of map. I¡¯d bet that he was trying to read this map and couldn¡¯t grab it without cutting it to pieces. He¡¯s huge, not to mention he only has what, three fingers? It be like us trying to unfold a sticky note with razor blades on our thumbs.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ plausible.¡± Mack nodded. ¡°What kind of map is it? I¡¯ll go grab an undamaged one from inside.¡± Danika turned and handed Mack a piece of map that had most of the title intact. ¡°Meet me at the rental?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Ten minutes later, Danika glared at from the passenger¡¯s seat as Mack got into the driver¡¯s seat. Snatching the proffered map and quickly unfolding it onto the dashboard as she turned on the overhead light. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back?¡± Danika glowered as Mack shrugged his innocence. ¡°I went to the bathroom.¡± He said defensively as Danika looked at him. Eyebrow raised in suspicion as the silence between them grew tense. ¡°Skittles?¡± Mack asked suddenly drawing out a bag of Skittles from his pocket. As if the offering could defuse Danika¡¯s disappointment in her partner. Shaking her head Danika focused her eyes on the map as Mack leaned in to read too, munching on candy like always. Tennessee Nature Trails, Hiking Paths, and Wilderness Areas was a good map surprisingly, the kind that could actually be useful to someone who needed to travel as it clearly marked different elevations and areas of dense forest. There was just one problem. It didn¡¯t give any hints as to where the Big Guy had gone. Danika slumped in her seat as she rubbed circles into her temples. Trying and failing to come up with ideas for where their quarry had gone. ¡°Mack, if you were a really big scaly dinosaur what would you want to look for on this map?¡± ¡°Food? Maybe its hunting.¡± Mack supplied before shuddering a bit. ¡°God that¡¯s a scary thought.¡± ¡°What¡¯s scary? He¡¯s friendly.¡± Danika said. Almost feeling she had to defend the Big Guy. ¡°D listen for a sec. I get why you feel that but we¡¯re still talking about a giant monster here. Think about that. A creature that¡¯s never been seen before that is twice the size of us. If the Big Guy wants food its going to get it, I doubt anything less than the military would be able to take it down. The idea that same monster is intelligent enough to grab a map.¡± Mack said pointing into the paper accusingly. ¡°You have to admit that¡¯s kind of horrifying right?¡± ¡°Okay. I can admit the situation is a bit scary.¡± Danika admitted. Memories of the gas station still fresh in her mind. ¡°But this isn¡¯t a horror movie Mack.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what makes it worse.¡± ¡°How is that worse?¡± ¡°Because in horror movies, the monster is just a CGI prop that¡¯s following a script. This is real life D. Let¡¯s say the Big Guy started out knowing nothing. That would mean it learned. I¡¯d be happier believing someone trained it because the idea of something that dangerous being able to reason out what a map is and how to read it without help is down right spooky.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Danika started before trailing off. ¡°Okay, I can agree that idea is rather unsettling. But it worked out for us right?¡± ¡°For us yeah. But whose to say there isn¡¯t other intelligent monsters out there doing God knows what? The only thing that¡¯s keeping me grounded at this point is the Square Cube Law.¡± ¡°The what now?¡± Danika frowned. ¡°You haven¡¯t heard of the Square Cube Law?¡± Mack asked surprised. ¡°It¡¯s about how the size of creatures are limited because their volume increases exponentially as their surface area increases. It¡¯s why animals only grow so large, because past a certain point their bodies can no longer support themselves due to their own proportional increase in mass. Thank goodness for that right?¡± Mack said with with a strained smile. ¡°Imagine if these monsters could grow even bigger. That¡¯d be a total nightmare.¡± Danika¡¯s mouth worked soundlessly for a moment as she stared at her cameraman. ¡°Mack.¡± She started. ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way but why are you a camera man?¡± Mack looked nonplussed. Scratching the side of his head as he adjusted his baseball cap. ¡°Because college is a racket and we¡¯re in an overly competitive, increasingly automated job market hampered down by a stagnating economy.¡± He said simply. ¡°Right¡­¡± Danika said slowly as she got her brain back on track. ¡°So any other ideas for where it could go?¡± She said as she gestured to the map. ¡°Other than the food idea I¡¯ve got no clue. It¡¯s basically guesswork from here on out.¡± Mack replied as Danika sagged in her seat. ¡°Damnit I was afraid of that.¡± She said staring at the map on the dash as though it could reveal some grand secret to her. She sat in silence for a moment before reluctantly folding up the map. Beyond she could see the rest stop plain as day through the windshield. She could almost picture the sight of her quarry standing next to it. The mental image of the Big Guy struggling to get in as he tried not to break the fragile glass doors should have been comical but it left Danika feeling pained. There was a story to this creature that she was dying to understand. But even as she thought about it she just ended up with more questions instead of answers. Why save them? Where had it come from in the first place? Why had it been alone when the other monsters that had attacked them fought together? How was he different? Why was he different? For years Danika had been working hard to get her career off the ground. She never been content to sit behind a desk and read the news other people gathered off a teleprompter. This was where she wanted to be- needed to be. Doing the real work that brought the truth out of the dark corners of the world and into the light. But all the time she¡¯d spent being relegated to soft hitting interviews about local nothing burgers might have done more harm to Danika than good. She had the fire, and she liked to think she had a good instinct for the truth as well. But the truth was that Danika was still green where it mattered most. Connections. A more seasoned reporter would have people they could call on for information, contacts who could come to her with leads. But Danika had none of that. She even hesitated to call her own network for help. Jameson would be pissed she was asking for help without offering up concrete evidence to present to him as an offering. And if Danika went behind Jameson¡¯s back to ask some of the others for help Suzy would swoop in and sabotage her like the witch she was. ¡°I don¡¯t know where we need to go Mack.¡± Danika said sourly as she folded the map in her lap. Her partner nodded somberly and turned on the rental¡¯s engine without another word. Switching the car radio off as Mack pulled out his phone and gestured to it. ¡°I downloaded a police scanner app on the way over here. I know its not the best but if the police see the Big Guy we should hear them talking about him.¡± Danika smiled in thanks at her partner as she buckled her seat belt on. ¡°Thanks Mack. I¡¯ll keep an ear on the scanner so you can just focus on driving alright?¡± Mack grunted an affirmative as he slowly wheeled the car out of the rest stop¡¯s parking lot and back towards the on ramp to the Interstate. A comfortable silence settled between them as Danika let Mack drive and she let the police scanner do its thing. It chimed in intermittently but nothing in the police chatter Danika heard sounded like it could relate to the Big Guy¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll have better luck staying in smaller towns like Fairview. Close to the woods but still near enough to get the police to come and help.¡± Mack supplied and Danika agreed half heartedly as she sunk into her seat and closed her eyes. She focused her attention on the occasional chatter hoping to hear someone miraculously break in and start talking about a giant green monster but no dice. Wait, that might not be what I need to listen for. Danika thought to herself as she frowned. People might not understand what they were seeing. It was her entire profession after all to make sense of what people saw or in some cases, what they thought they saw. Someone might not be able to make out the Big Guy from a distance but if they saw the trees in a forest shake as he went by they¡¯d hopefully call the police about something being out in the woods. Or maybe the Big Guy would go after a dumpster again and the police would be called for a wild bear problem? The Big Guy or the ¡°Dumpster Dragon¡± as he¡¯d originally been known in Fairview did seem to have a liking for dumpsters. Though would he really be inclined to eat from a dumpster again after eating the slew of chicken and turkey in the SuperMart? Time passed as they drove down I-75, the pre dawn morning blessedly clear of the traffic that would inevitably fill it in a few hours. Danika listening to the Police Scanner the whole while until something caught her attention. ¡°Dispatch to Unit 17. We¡¯ve got a report of a disturbance at the Barton Construction site over Centennial Pines. That new office complex. The caller believes they witnessed a partial collapse. Please head over to investigate. Over.¡± ¡°Unit 17 to Dispatch. We read you loud and clear. We¡¯re on our way now and will let you know what we find. Over.¡± The conversation was lacking any of the urgency Danika would have expected from something relating to the Big Guy. Plus the two voices were oddly calm and composed. Didn¡¯t a partial collapse of a building call for a little more panic? But even as Danika¡¯s mind unpacked the short conversation her gut pushed her to make a decision. ¡°Change of plans Mack.¡± Danika announced as she rapid fired Barton Construction and Centennial pines into her phone¡¯s GPS. ¡°Let¡¯s get off at the next exit.¡± ¡°We got something?¡± Mack asked as he brought the car across two lanes of highway before they missed the off ramp. The lack of cars on the road blessedly making the stunt less dangerous than it should have been. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Call it a hunch- ah take a right here.¡± Danika asked as Mack followed Danika¡¯s instructions. ¡°We¡¯re still a ways out but better to check just in case right?¡± Danika kept her ear focused on the police scanner, hoping that she¡¯d get some confirmation that she was making the right choice. She looked worriedly down at her GPS as they drove, noting with a bit of worry how far they were from the construction site. It would take them over thirty minutes to get over there. Maybe they could- ¡°Dispatch to all units we have an emergency situation at Centennial Pines. A building collapse at Barton Construction has slid its way into the suburb at the scene. We¡¯re getting some strange reports of mon- creatures at the scene as well. Be advised. Over.¡± Mack and Danika both snapped their heads towards each other as they heard the police scanner erupt in chatter. The reporter and her camera man knowing exactly must be the cause of the emergency and what might be waiting at the scene. ¡°Step on it Mack! This is it!¡± Danika shouted as Mack rapidly accelerated, the buildings whizzing by them as the car rocketed to¡­ to ten miles over the speed limit? ¡°What are you doing?¡± Danika cried out as Mack kept his eyes on the road. ¡°This is the chance we¡¯ve been waiting for! Floor it!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t just ignore the law D.¡± He said testily. ¡°I¡¯m already going over the speed limit. We¡¯ll get there in time to-¡± ¡°We are talking about the scoop of the century Mack! We can¡¯t afford to slow down for anything!¡± She pleaded as she grabbed his shoulder. ¡°But-¡± ¡°Mack!¡± Danika said fiercely, changing tactics. ¡°Do you have any idea of the money we could get for this footage?¡± ¡°Money?¡± Mack said eyes flicking over to his partner like a hound catching the scent of a fresh steak. ¡°This is gonna put us in the big time Mack! I¡¯m talking the big big bonuses here!¡± ¡°A bonus.¡± Mack said faintly. Something bright shining in his eyes as he locked in. Staring at the road like he was a man on a mission. ¡°Yes! Now step on the ga- umph!¡± Danika had tried to say but the sudden acceleration of their car pressed her back into her seat. Even with the light traffic in the early morning horns blared at them as Mack swerved around cars. His driving speed instantly going from self conscious grandma to rally car driver. ¡°Give me the GPS.¡± He asked, his voice tense with focus as he held out a hand and Danika obediently placed the phone in it as she stared at her partner with wide eyes. ¡°Jesus Mack, do you have a gambling debt or something?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°You owe a loan shark?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Student loans?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then where the hell is this coming from?¡± Danika asked slightly worried as she gripped the grab handle above the door with more force than was strictly necessary. ¡°Money can¡¯t buy happiness.¡± Mack said simply as he cranked the wheel for a fast turn. The tires screeching along the asphalt as Mack systematically giving the phone in his hand quick glances as he confirmed his course. ¡°But it can get you just about everything else, and that¡¯s close enough to happiness for me.¡± Once Mack had cleared the developed parts of civilization by blitzing through a red light instead of slowing down on the winding one lane road Mack accelerated. Much to Danika¡¯s distress. ¡°Oh my God Mack slow down!¡± Danika said fearfully. Now clutching the grab handle above the door like it was a lifeline. ¡°Faster we get there the better footage we¡¯ll get.¡± Mack said evenly as he took a turn that pressed Danika into her door. ¡°That won¡¯t matter if the car gets wrapped around a tree Mack!¡± ¡°From what, this?¡± Mack said sounding slightly offended as he gunned the car down the road. The high beams shining barely enough light onto the road to see by as he drove. ¡°This is nothing.¡± ¡°Where did you learn to drive?¡± Danika asked horrified as Mack shrugged. ¡°I grew up in a small town. Lots of back roads you know? I spent a lot of time racing the other high school kids back then.¡± ¡°But you never crashed right?¡± Danika asked. Some fresh sweat beading down her face at the speed they were going. ¡°Oh yeah, I crashed a ton of times. How else are you supposed to learn?¡± Mack said matter-of-factly as he cranked the wheel and sent the rental skidding onto a unmarked dirt road. Danika was so focused on Mack¡¯s perilous driving that she almost missed the chatter coming over the police scanner. ¡°I think something¡¯s happening Mack, how much farther?¡± ¡°Not far. The GPS wanted us to go along the main roads but I¡¯m taking us around the back way. This will put us above the construction site a bit so hopefully we¡¯ll get some good footage. There should be a good place at the top to film from.¡± As Mack made the engine roar with effort as it climbed up the steep incline of the dirt road Danika grabbed the camera from the floor as she prepped it to record. Expertly configuring the settings to get the best footage out of the early morning light shining through the trees. A roar loud enough to carry over the hills and reach them made Danika flinch as her heartrate sped up but she steeled herself for what was to come. They¡¯re far away. This won¡¯t be like before. She told herself as she tried to forget the image of a bloody arm lying in the dirt. Shoving her fear down deep so it wouldn¡¯t get in the way. It took less time than was strictly safe but Mack got them both to an overlook on the side of the road where the trees opened up. With Mack finally bringing the car the car to a harsh stop that left skids in the dirt, both him and Danika quickly got out of the car. Danika handing him the camera as he passed her phone back to her, the pair running towards the edge of the overlook. Arriving at the edge, Danika was immediately worried because she couldn¡¯t see the construction site from here like she¡¯d initially wanted. She was about to grab Mack and bring him back to the car when her eyes focused on the suburb visible below. ¡°Oh my God.¡± She whispered. Her partner¡¯s silence and pale face speaking volumes as he hefted the camera to his shoulder and began recording. The suburb looked like it had been hit by a natural disaster. Though the damage was much worse than what could be caused by simple storms if what Danika saw was anything to go by. There was a mishmash of houses with a wide range of damage between them. Some seemed to have had parts of their roofs torn open, others had their interiors exposed to the open air as parts of their walls had been torn away. The lack of people visible from this height and angle made Danika fear the worst though as she looked at the causes of the destruction. There were four of the of the same kinds of monsters down in the suburb she could see from her vantage point, three of which weren¡¯t moving. The same kinds that she¡¯d seen in the gas station, although at a glance there were differences she could see between these and the ones she¡¯d seen. The sight of blood pooling on the ground from the dead monster¡¯s corpses made the inside of Danika¡¯s stomach twist into knots but she held her ground. Then her eyes focused on the one monster still standing, the one that must have killed and eaten its way through most of the others. ¡°That¡¯s him.¡± She said certain but Mack shook his head slightly. Not disturbing the camera with the motion as he quickly panned the camera over the carnage before zooming in. ¡°No, its not.¡± Mack said softly. One eye closed as he stared through his camera¡¯s eyepiece ¡°Look at its chest. See the red there. That¡¯s not our guy.¡± Danika frowned as she leaned closer to try and see what Mack saw. Thankfully with the sun starting to come up it was easier to make out. Mack was right, the Big Guy had been completely green. This monster had a reddish chest and neck. That realization made Danika¡¯s heart speed up a bit. The Big Guy had saved their lives, but she wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to believe that behavior was common in the creatures that had tried to eat her before. ¡°Damnit.¡± She cursed as she accepted it wasn¡¯t him. ¡°What else do you see Mack?¡± ¡°It¡¯s bigger than the Big Guy I think.¡± Mack said concerned. ¡°See how tall it is compared to the houses? I think-¡± The distant but unmistakable crack of a gunshot rang through the suburb as the red and green monster down in the suburb flinched as something sparked off its head. Making it turn and rear in the direction he shot had come from. The sight of the creature just shrugging off a bullet wound was enough to make Danika¡¯s face blanch and cause Mack to hiss out a curse before saying in a tense whisper. ¡°It¡¯s bulletproof.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Danika asked warily. Hoping that what she¡¯d seen with her own eyes wasn¡¯t true. The implications of theses monsters being bulletproof in addition to everything else was just¡­ ¡°I just saw the thing get shot in the back of its head D.¡± Mack confirmed tensely. Danika was by no means an expert on the subject but part of the reason she¡¯d been able to accept and move on from almost being eaten alive was because she¡¯d seen that the monsters that had almost killed her weren¡¯t invincible. The gas station owner had been able to take down the smaller ones with a simple shotgun and even the Big Guy had made an effort to shield himself from the gunfire. It made the threat of these things less dangerous in Danika¡¯s mind, even if they were still terrifying. But that secret comfort she hadn¡¯t even realized she¡¯d relied on fell away and it¡¯s absence left Danika feeling vulnerable. What were the police supposed to do if their guns weren¡¯t enough to keep people safe? The military? For the first time in her life Danika hoped that the story she was pursuing wouldn¡¯t go big. That the threat of these monsters would be small enough to go unnoticed by most people as the proper authorities dealt with it. It didn¡¯t take much imagination to think of what the world could look like in the days and weeks to come if the government couldn¡¯t handle these creatures. And speaking of the government. ¡°Over there!¡± Danika pointed as Mack zoomed out on the camera to pan over to the police cars and sirens cresting the hill. Danika saw the monster in the suburb react to the sirens as it tried to crouch behind the cover of nearby houses and hide from view. ¡°D.¡± Mack said fearfully as he readjusted his grip on the camera. Drawing in a shaky breath as he did so. ¡°I know.¡± Danika said weakly. Her mouth suddenly as dry as a desert. It was only a matter of time before the police would find themselves face to face with the monster. And Danika had no illusions about what these monsters were capable of. It was very likely that both her and her partner would watch people die in the next few minutes. Brave men and women would lose their lives as they watched safe up on their vantage point. The only thing they could do was record. Record and hope that the footage they got could warn the world about this new threat to the world. With a roiling ball of fear in his gut Mack was ready to keep a wide view of the ensuing battle to get as much of the action as possible. His instincts for good camera work still active despite the dire circumstances. That was when he saw the woman make a run for it. The woman came from nowhere, probably hiding in her home until this point, and made a break for the sirens wailing their way down the suburb streets. Almost against his will, Mack turned the camera towards the woman as the monster in the street sighted and rushed towards her. Knowing with an agonizing certainty that he had a duty to make sure her final moments weren¡¯t forgotten. The monster reached the woman in record time, right before the pool of blood leaking from one of the dead creatures. Danika pressed a hand over her mouth and Mack grit his teeth as the monster swept its claws down to sink into the woman¡¯s- This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Wait. Staring through the camera Mack saw the beast grab the woman instead of tearing clean through. It picked her up like she weighed nothing as the beast slid to a stop from its sprint, just in time to see the police slam to a stop in front of it. Mack heard Danika bite back a cry of worry as the police opened fire on the beast. Bullets flaring bright as they impacted the monster¡¯s scales and it turned to run away as it hissed at its attackers. But wait, the way it turned as it was being shot almost looked like it was shielding the woman. That couldn¡¯t be right. With a speed that seemed too fast to be believed for a creature of its size the monster dashed down a row of houses and into their backyards. Its path easy to follow from their view above. The angle they were seeing it from only getting interrupted briefly whenever the monster was hidden by a house. At any moment Mack expected the worst, that the monster would bite down on the helpless woman it was carrying. Tearing her head off just like he¡¯d seen the Big Guy do in the gas station to its own kind. With his palms sweating Mack mentally prepared himself to see the woman¡¯s lifeless corpse dangling from the monster¡¯s mouth at any moment as the police¡¯s distant shouts carried over to them. He kept the camera steady as he followed it¡¯s path, hating what was about to happen as he saw the unconscious body in the monster¡¯s grip. He wasn¡¯t ready at all to see this but he had a duty to¡­ to¡­ Mack stared. The breath almost stolen from his lungs as he watched the zoomed in image of the monster turn its head down towards the unmoving woman it held. It was partially obscured by the house it was standing behind but it seemed like it was looking at her. Not in the way a hungry beast would but as if it knew it was holding a precious life in its claws. The sight was both alien and familiar. Impossible, but all too real. The monster carefully dipped its head down, the view interrupted only partially by a radio dish on one house as its turned back obscured its actions but Mack was zoomed in and seeing it all. He had seen how fast these creatures could move, knew how quickly they could kill. One of them had almost taken his own head off as it tried to tear a chunk out of him at the gas station. The way this one moved, Mack could almost see the monster nuzzling the woman tenderly before it crouched out of view. Disappearing for only a moment before standing with its arms free and moving away. There was no fresh blood staining its maw. No shredded gore anywhere to be seen. ¡°It set her down.¡± Mack said in a shocked whisper. The implications of that too much for his mind to process. ¡°It did?¡± Danika said as she strained to see across the distance. Her face lighting up as she realized what she¡¯d seen. ¡°It did!¡± She cried out as she jostled Mack¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Mack do you know what that means?¡± She asked excitedly as Mack kept his camera trained on the monster. Moving back to the police officers mobilizing to go after the beast as he watched events unfold. ¡°We can¡¯t assume-¡± Mack began before Danika excitedly ran over him. ¡°It saved her! Like the Big Guy saved us!¡± Danika said pointing. ¡°I¡¯d bet money that it thinks its protecting her from what it thinks is a threat. That¡¯s why it carried her away from the police!¡± ¡°D we still can¡¯t- oh shit.¡± Mack cursed as he refocused his zoom on the scene below a fresh hail of gunshots ringing out towards the monster on the roof of a house as the police retreated back to their cars. The beast jumping down from the roof to give chase as it lumbered towards the cops. ¡°We have to get down there.¡± Danika said and the statement was enough for Mack to sharply turn towards her. Keeping the camera pointed down at the action as he tried to talk his partner down from a terrible idea. ¡°D.¡± Mack began firmly. Deliberately trying to keep the word crazy from adding itself to his next sentence. ¡°We almost died the first time we met these monsters. I know you feel different but this is as close as I ever wanna get to these things again. Even if what we just saw-.¡± ¡°Saved a woman.¡± ¡°Even if what we saw is what we think we saw.¡± Mack said tensely. ¡°D take it from me, depending on the angle you¡¯re recording from one thing can look like a lot of different things. Like- ah damnit.¡± Mack cursed as he trained the camera on the monster charging the police through a constant stream of gunfire. His heart lurched in his chest as the monster crushed a patrol car, hoping that nobody was still inside it as another patrol car came roaring in to smash into the beast¡¯s leg, sending it crashing to the ground as the remaining officers piled in to drive away. An errant kick from the beast sending the car skidding a few feet before it caught a grip on the asphalt and drove away. It was the most amount of action Mack had recorded in his entire career working for Channel Seven. A wave of relief washed over Mack at not being witness to any lives being lost in the exchange, right as his teeth clenched in horror as the monster picked up the empty patrol car next to it. Holding it above his head like it didn¡¯t weigh thousands of pounds. Then the monster threw the car. The sight of a cop car soaring through the air was enough to leave even Danika speechless as it completed its arc and smashed back into the ground. With a sudden panic Mack checked his camera, double checking that yes, he had just recorded that. Oh shit, he actually recorded that? With the police rushing off, the light of their sirens forming a perimeter beyond the limits of the suburb the monster finally seemed satisfied that it had driven its attackers away. Then it started making its way over to the remains of the other monsters in the street as it slowly trudged along. Almost like it was depressed about something. ¡°Mack which way should we take down?¡± Danika asked fiercely as she scanned her surroundings. ¡°We aren¡¯t going down there D.¡± Mack said trying to sound reasonable instead of exasperated. It hadn¡¯t been something he¡¯d thought of before but he found himself suddenly grateful the vantage point they were on was surrounded by dense foliage and a sheer cliff face. He was sure that if the incline towards the suburb was anything less than lethal Danika might try and fight her way down to get closer to the monster. ¡°Mack this is it, right here! This is what¡¯s gonna put us both on the map! Don¡¯t you want to have footage we can rub in Suzy¡¯s stupid face?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried about Suzy D I¡¯m worried about putting our lives in danger.¡± ¡°In danger from what?¡± ¡°That.¡± Mack said pointedly. ¡°But it saved a woman.¡± ¡°It just attacked the police D.¡± ¡°But this could be huge Mack! This is the first monster we¡¯ve seen that¡¯s acted like the Big Guy and helped people.¡± ¡°Exactly my point. This isn¡¯t the Big Guy D, it¡¯s some other monster that we have no idea will do once we are close to it. Don¡¯t you see it feeding? It¡¯s tearing those other dead monsters to pieces! How does that not concern you? Don¡¯t you know that its survival 101 not to approach animals when their feeding?¡± Mack said losing his cool a bit at his partner¡¯s willingness to throw caution to the wind in the name of news. Mack had known what he¡¯d signed up for working with Danika since their talk in the motel. Ignoring his own good sense to cut and run since this story was obviously so much more than they¡¯d originally believed it to be. That and he also didn¡¯t have any other jobs lined up to replace this one. ¡°But what if it is like the Big Guy Mack? We can¡¯t miss out on this.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not missing out on anything. We¡¯re recording up here, where its safe.¡± Mack said stressing the word safe since Danika seemed to put so little importance on it. ¡°And why should we think this one¡¯s like the big guy in the first place?¡± Mack continued. ¡°It¡¯s got red scales where the Big Guy had pure green ones. This is a completely different creature.¡± ¡°They could be similar.¡± Danika began as she watched the monster feed. The beast tearing through the remains with enough gusto to spatter blood and viscera in a small circle around it. Maybe it was a good thing Danika wasn¡¯t too close to the monster. Just the thought of getting some red spatter in her hair made Danika shudder in revulsion. After a time watching the monster as it finished eating Danika frowned. ¡°Mack something¡¯s wrong. It looks like its sick. What¡¯s happening?¡± It was true. Mack made sure to zoom in on the creature as it stiffly stood in place, fidgeting sharply every now and then as it seemed to be fighting something. Was it indigestion? It had absolutely shredded the remains of the monsters it had been eating while he and Danika argued. How could it have eaten so much without any adverse effects? Mack kept his eye over the camera¡¯s eyepiece as Danika worried beside him. Which gave him the perfect view to watch the monster as it shuddered one final time and its tail snapped out like a shoot of bamboo on a time-lapse. It grew. Both the tail and the monster as Mack¡¯s jaw fell open at the change. A change that happened far too fast for any normal creature. It even left Danika speechless as he felt her practically glue herself to the safety railing as she stared down at the newly transformed creature. It¡¯s tail, rather than being the thick sturdy thing it had been before had fundamentally changed. It was long and sinewy, tapering down from the wide base of the tail down to a thin point. Even the monster itself seemed surprised at the change as it regarded its altered appendage and experimentally waved it through the air. Mack distinctly got the sense that the monster was more curious than shocked at its change. Like it had been expected. ¡°What.¡± Danika started as her mouth opened and closed. Trying and failing to form the questions running rampant through her brain. ¡°How did¡­ How is that¡­¡± ¡°Possible?¡± Mack supplied as he slowly turned to Danika. ¡°I have no idea. At all.¡± ¡°We¡­ we¡¯re gonna need to call that expert sooner rather than later.¡± Danika said as Mack mutely nodded at her words. For a moment Danika and Mack just watched the monster move as it wagged its new tail around. A slightly mad chuckle escaping Mack as he watched the beast pick up a lawn chair with its tail and wave it around like a toy. ¡°How big do you think that thing is Mack?¡± Danika asked warily as she watched the monster. Trying to imagine how tall the creature was compared to her. ¡°I dunno. Looks to be over ten feet. It definitely grew a bit when it changed though unless I¡¯m seeing things.¡± Danika nodded as she watched the monster. It had set the chair down by this point and had started to move away from the police sirens lining the outer perimeter of the suburb. With the path it was taking it was heading slightly away from them at an angle towards the edges of the forest. The change it had undergone made Danika¡¯s mind run wild with possibilities. She¡¯d only gotten passing grades in high school biology but even she knew that it should have been impossible for any living creature to grow a part of themselves in just a few seconds. From what remained of the monster corpses in the suburb it looked like they had some differences between them as well. If they could change themselves like that how might the Big Guy change once they found him again? Would he be bigger once they found him? Maybe he¡¯d even grow a tail like the monster down in the suburb? Or maybe even¡­ ¡°Red scales¡­¡± Danika said slowly with her eyes widening. ¡°Mack! Mack I think that¡¯s him, that was our guy!¡± Mack turned sharply towards Danika as he cradled the camera in his arms. ¡°D. That looked like a completely different creature. It¡¯s even taller than the Big Guy is, now that it did¡­ that.¡± ¡°But you know what we just saw Mack, it changed. Or evolved or whatever right there.¡± Danika said pointing down towards the land below in emphasis. ¡°The Big Guy is the same kind of monster right? Why shouldn¡¯t it be able to do the same thing? Come on, let¡¯s get to the car!¡± ¡°You¡¯re making assumptions again D.¡± Mack said begrudgingly as he jogged back to the rental with his partner. Gently placing the camera inside as he followed his usual post recording routine, which only took about thirty seconds before Mack was satisfied and climbed in to drive. ¡°We¡¯ve got to follow it!¡± Danika said as Mack got the engine running and wheeled the car around. ¡°From a safe distance.¡± Mack said in response as he went down a separate dirt road. One that felt more like a wilderness trail than something that could be classified as a road. ¡°If we can just get close to it...¡± Danika said determined as Mack gave her a stern glare. ¡°Getting close to the giant monster is not a safe distance D.¡± ¡°What if it is for this one?¡± ¡°Safety doesn¡¯t make exceptions.¡± ¡°Safety doesn''t make exceptions.¡± Danika replied in a droll tone. ¡°How can you expect to get the footage we need if we don¡¯t take risks?¡± ¡°There¡¯s risks.¡± Mack said holding up a finger. ¡°Then there¡¯s blatant disregard for your own life and safety. Which do you think you¡¯re leaning towards right now?¡± ¡°If this is the Big Guy then there shouldn¡¯t be any risk.¡± Danika said trying to plead her case but Mack wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°That¡¯s a pretty big if D.¡± ¡°Well fine!¡± Danika said in a huff. ¡°What do you suggest we do?¡± ¡°We get as close as we can with the car and keep to the trees for cover. We can still get footage of it moving through the- shit!¡± Mack slammed on the brakes as the rental came to a skidding stop in the dirt. Almost clipping the large fence that took up the entire dirt path they had been driving on that would have taken them into the construction site. There didn¡¯t seem to be a way around, the fence just continued on through the trees and there wasn¡¯t enough room for the car to do anything other than reverse back the way they¡¯d came. Danika was out the door like a shot, her head swiveling from left to right as she tried to pick out gaps in the fence she could squeeze through. ¡°D!¡± Mack said warningly as he got out of the car. ¡°Just let it go alright, we already got enough footage. Let¡¯s just- and she¡¯s gone.¡± Mack sighed as his partner immediately set off in one direction. The cameraman allowing himself a moment to ask the universe ¡°Why me?¡± before he reached into the back seat to grab the camera and follow Danika. Despite Mack¡¯s hopes that the construction company that had built this fence would have spared no expense making sure it was impenetrable Danika managed to find a gap in just a few minutes time. The gap just barely big enough to fit through if you sucked in your gut. ¡°Pass me the camera.¡± Danika said as Mack obliged. The camera might have been small but it wouldn¡¯t fit through the gap without breaking off part of its delicate exterior. On the count of three Mack tossed the camera over the fence as Danika caught it like a football as her partner squeezed through and reluctantly joined her on the other side. A crash reverberated through the woods as Danika and Mack flinched at the noise. ¡°Remember we are staying back so we¡¯re hidden in the tree line.¡± Mack whispered as Danika quickly nodded. The pair of them moving silently through the brush as they crept closer towards the source of the noise. They were moving at a crawl when Mack¡¯s hand gripped her shoulder as he pointed out towards the open. It was hard to make out with so many trees in the way but¡­ There he is. Danika thought as she saw the monster tear through the remains of a number of smaller monsters. Mack shifting beside her as he hefted the camera to his shoulder to record. It¡¯s him. I know its him. Danika reassured herself as she tried to imagine how the monster that had saved her life could change so much in the short time they¡¯d been apart. He won¡¯t hurt me. I know he won¡¯t. Danika thought as she closed her eyes and took a step forward. The camera Mack was holding blinding him to her movements until he looked at her in tense shock. ¡°D! Don¡¯t!¡± He fiercely whispered as Danika got too far for him to pull back. With careful steps Danika left the safety of the trees as she strode out into the open. The clearing of concrete rubble and twisted rebar making the monster before her as clear to see as he¡¯d ever been before. ¡°Hey Big Guy.¡± Danika started nervously. ¡°It is you isn¡¯t it? You remember me don¡¯t you?¡± ===================================================================== Ryker stared in shock at the woman who¡¯d come out of the trees. He remembered who she was of course, how could he forget. Even if it felt like a small lifetime ago that he¡¯d torn his way into a gas station to save her life and shielded her with his body from an explosion. How is she here? How is this even¡­ Ryker thought mutely. Still stunned at what he was seeing cautiously walking towards him. She was even smaller to him now that she¡¯d been before. He¡¯d been what? Ten feet tall the last time he¡¯d seen her, he¡¯d grown an additional three feet since then. If he stood to his full height she¡¯d only come up to the middle of his thigh. ¡°Hey Big Guy.¡± She said with only a slight tremor in her voice. ¡°It is you isn¡¯t it? You remember me don¡¯t you?¡± She was speaking to him. Actually talking to him. Like a person. A wave of relief swept over Ryker that managed to push back the dark cloud of fatigue smothering him. He¡¯d been forcing himself to accept that he¡¯d never have any meaningful interaction with humanity again after his encounter with the police. That for the future of humanity he¡¯d have to remain the outcast his monstrous form made him. But if this woman was reaching out to him maybe things could be different. A fresh surge of hope grew in Ryker, brighter than ever before. He didn¡¯t have to be alone for the rest of his life. If one person could see him for what he was maybe he could change the- The timeline! Ryker thought fearfully as he took a large step back from the woman as he recoiled in horror. For a moment his feelings had blinded Ryker from the reality of the situation. This was far far too early in the timeline for information about him to spread. Jesus, he was still too weak to survive a dedicated military offensive bulletproof or not. A few missiles might be all it would take to kill him if he wasn¡¯t careful, then humanity¡¯s enemies would still survive to bring the world to ruin. But the military finding out about him was only one consequence out of thousands that Ryker was terrified of bringing about. If people had seen him acting friendly with humans then he could accelerate the formation of the Children of Gaia and their rapid decline into extremism. People around the world would believe Kaiju were just wild animals to be protected and tamed instead of monsters that needed to be hunted to extinction. What would happen to Beck if the Children tried to kill him earlier in the timeline? They could succeed if the timeline diverged too significantly. Ryker¡¯s mind raced for a solution as he stood frozen, as if any amount of movement could set in motion the possible futures he was considering. Did he scare the woman away? Attack her? Did he run? What should he do? What was he supposed to do? As if sensing the fear rising up in Ryker the woman took a step forwards, her hands held up with her palms out like she was trying to calm a wild animal. ¡°Easy there. It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s alright. I don¡¯t want to hurt you. I just¡­ never got to thank you. For saving me.¡± The woman said comfortingly. Inching closer to Ryker as she spoke. The tiny woman somehow not scared away by a monster over twice her size. The absurdity of the scene would have been hilarious if the consequences of it weren¡¯t so dire. As focused as Ryker was on the woman approaching him he took an involuntary step back that slipped over the rubble again. He caught himself, but the stinging bite of his gut wound from the Charger¡¯s horn flared in his side as he clutched his side and fell to his knees. ¡°You¡¯re hurt!¡± The woman gasped out as she raced up to him. Her eyes going wide as she got close and took in the full extent of Ryker¡¯s wounds. The gore wound still leaking a steady stream of blood, the acid burns over his eyes, and the countless number of cuts from slashing claws and biting fangs covering Ryker¡¯s body. They would heal in time, probably without leaving too much scarring hopefully, but the damage couldn¡¯t be ignored. ¡°Oh no.¡± She said pained as she stepped within arms reach of him. And before Ryker could do anything to react, he felt her hand press against his side. The contact should have easily fallen beneath Ryker¡¯s notice with her hand being so small compared to him, but the feel of it made Ryker flinch like he¡¯d been dunked into ice water. The enhancements to his senses making the gentle touch bright in his mind as she ran her fingers over his scales. ¡°What happened to you?¡± She whispered, horrified at the damage she saw. Ryker sagged as his head bowed forward. A shuddering breath draining from his lungs as he deflated under her hand on him. It should have meant nothing to him but that small acknowledgement of his pain and what he¡¯d been through, even from a stranger, was like a gut punch to the man turned monster. With his head low to the ground the woman¡¯s hand left his side and moved to the side of his face. The slight tremble in her touch growing as she fought to keep her voice steady. ¡°Can you¡­ can you understand me?¡± Ryker hesitated. His inner turmoil practically screaming at him to turn and flee to keep the future from diverging too drastically, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Underneath the scales and monstrous strength of his Kaiju body he was still human. The desire to connect to others was just too great to ignore. With a slow, shaky movement Ryker bobbed his head up and down. The nod was small, careful not to dislodge the hand pressed against his face but a nod all the same. ¡°O-okay.¡± The woman sputtered before letting out a short bark of a laugh. ¡°Okay! Wow, wow I was hoping but all this time but I couldn¡¯t be sure till you ah¡­ Yeah.¡± She said swallowing audibly. ¡°Just listen to me alright.¡± She spoke up determined. ¡°You¡¯re hurt bad. We can get you help. I don¡¯t know how yet but we¡¯ll find somebody who can fix you up okay?¡± Ryker sighed as he gently shook his head and looked at the woman through his mixed senses. Her whole body was a swirl of warm sounds and loud scents that reverberated through her hand and into his scales. He could feel the quick patter of her heartbeat pulsing through her palm, mixing with the fear tinged in and out of her slowly calming breath. She seemed so fragile next to him. How could he have made such an impression on her that she¡¯d come after him? Even if he had saved her life, any rational person should have run screaming at the sight of him and never looked back. ¡°No?¡± She asked confused. ¡°What do you mean no? You don¡¯t want help?¡± What the hell can I say? There¡¯s so much you don¡¯t know. So much you shouldn¡¯t know. Ryker thought to himself. There was so much inside him that wanted to get out, to tell anybody regardless of the consequences that it was jamming up inside his throat. He could write something surely, but where the hell did he even begin? The current Stage One Kaiju? The threat of Storm Breaker and the others? His own intentions? ¡°Please. I know you¡¯re different from them.¡± The woman said as she pointed to the remains of the Kaiju Ryker had eaten with a wave. ¡°You have to help me understand why. If there¡¯s others like you we have to-¡± Ryker shook his head more roughly this time, dislodging the woman¡¯s hand and making her step back with a frown at Ryker¡¯s suppressed growl and bared teeth. ¡°There aren¡¯t others like you?¡± She said questioningly. Her expression growing more frustrated as she asked again. ¡°But why? These monsters are killing people and you¡¯re the only one of them who¡¯s tried to save us. Why did you try to save that woman just a few minutes ago? Why didn¡¯t you let me die back at that gas station? Please, I have to know!¡± She said with unshed tears gleaming in her eyes. I can¡¯t tell you that. Ryker thought with a pained sadness. Revealing his true nature would draw too much attention to him too quickly. His greatest advantage now was relying on the chaos caused by the other Stage Ones breaking out into the world and remaining unknown to the world at large. He was no fool, and a lifetime of military service had done wonders to temper any hope of the government taking a reasonable course of action for him. If they thought him a threat, they would either kill or capture him. Simple as that. No matter the outcome he wouldn¡¯t be able to grow strong enough to challenge Storm Breaker and the others. If I did tell you¡­ Ryker thought as he pictured his younger self. Home with his mom and dad. He wanted his younger self to live a life not knowing the horrors he¡¯d known. To live the kind of quiet, boring life Ryker had always dreamed of before killing Kaiju became his entire world. The truth was that if he revealed his identity, that peace he¡¯d dreamed of giving his younger self would disappear overnight. He could just imagine the government spooks swarming over his family. Interrogating his innocent teenage self for answers he couldn¡¯t possibly know. No. Ryker decided. For all intents and purposes, he was a monster to the world. Keeping up the act was just the best way he could think of to keep his younger self safe and unconnected to him. That didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t give this woman an answer though. Ryker may have done his best so far to keep his identity and intelligence secret, but this woman had recognized his intelligence right from the start. Even when he¡¯d just saved her life, she hadn¡¯t run away. A part of Ryker felt he had to repay that. Plus, with the confidence that this woman had to approach him and ask him questions. He needed to set the record straight before she hurt herself trying to talk to other Kaiju. Just in a way that would be believable for a monster. Ryker bent down and touched one claw to a bare slab of concrete at his feet. Scratching letters into its surface with ease, like the concrete was just dirt to be easily parted. It was only four letters, each scratched into the concrete in sharp jagged angles. But it was unmistakable what Ryker had written. ¡°Good.¡± The woman said, staring at the word wide eyed. The shock of the confirmation enough to send her stumbling back a step. Given undeniable evidence that the giant monster next to her could write. ¡°You¡¯re good.¡± She said breathlessly. Ryker nodded as he held a claw to his chest. Making sure there was no doubt as to who he was referring to. Then he pointed a claw towards the remains of the Kaiju he¡¯d eaten. A growl forming on his lips as he took the same claw that pointed towards the Kaiju and slashed it through the word he¡¯d written with a vengeance. Nearly bisecting the slab of concrete itself as he cut through the word. The woman seemed to pale as she stared at the remains of what Ryker had written. A haunted shadow passing over her face as she whispered. ¡°Not good¡­¡± She turned from the remains of the word in the concrete to the remains of the monsters that Ryker had eaten. ¡°Then none of them¡­ That¡¯s why you kill them.¡± She said looking up at Ryker. ¡°You don¡¯t want to hurt us. But they do.¡± Ryker nodded again, rising to his full height until he towered over the woman. That was the most he dared to risk communicating. As long as she understood that Kaiju were the enemy, he was satisfied. Ryker¡¯s earlier fears about altering the timeline too drastically were still there but felt like an over reaction now where this woman was concerned. She was just one person after all. Who¡¯d believe her if she said that she¡¯d had met an intelligent Kaiju? ¡°Wait, where are you going?¡± She called out as Ryker turned and started walking towards the edge of the clearing. ¡°Stop!¡± She shouted as she tried to keep pace with Ryker, but even on the rough terrain each of his strides was at least a half dozen of hers. ¡°You¡¯re going to get yourself killed! Don¡¯t you understand?¡± She desperately yelled after him. ¡°You can¡¯t fight them all alone! Let me help you! I can help people understand you¡¯re different!¡± Ryker kept his head pointed forwards even when his pace slowed as the woman called after him. It hurt to get so close to someone and then have to leave like this, but he had to do it. What else was he supposed to do? Team up with this stranger and hope for the best? Believe that things would work themselves out if he blatantly showed off his friendliness and intelligence to the military? That may have worked for a low budget kid¡¯s movie but this was real life. The military would do what they always did, shoot first and ask questions later. He knew that better than anyone since he¡¯d been the one doing the shooting in his past life. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there Mack help me get him!¡± The woman said as Ryker turned his head questioningly. Mack? Who¡­ Ryker began before his thoughts immediately derailed at the sight of the man coming out of the trees. Through the mix of scents and tastes in the air Ryker recognized the man as the same one he¡¯d saved along with the woman at the gas station. But that wasn¡¯t what stopped Ryker cold. It was the camera on his shoulder pointed straight at him. Immediately half a dozen connections clicked together in Ryker¡¯s mind as he reeled from the realization of who the people he¡¯d saved really were. The words spoken to him just seconds earlier taking on a terrifying new meaning as they seemed to reverberate through his head. Let me help you, she¡¯d said. I can help people understand you¡¯re different. Jesus Christ they¡¯re both reporters! Ryker thought in horror as his jaw fell open and a strangled cry died in his throat. Out of all of the people on the entire planet Ryker would have chosen to avoid, he¡¯d somehow managed to save and attract the attention of the very people who¡¯s job it was to try and reveal his secrets. Who would record and air footage of him that would be the spark to ignite the Children of Gaia¡¯s extremism. And he¡¯d just given them the mother of all sparks by communicating with this reporter in writing. What would this one single interaction mean for the timeline? How many disasters had he just set in motion? How many well meaning people would die trying to make peace with the monsters that would only bring death and destruction? A low growl grew in Ryker¡¯s chest that made both reporters step back in unison as Ryker stared at the cameraman. The woman holding up a cautioning hand to Ryker and to her partner. ¡°Wait, Big Guy listen to me. He¡¯s a friend, he¡¯s not going to hurt you.¡± The woman said tensely as Ryker took a single step towards the man. ¡°Mack take a few steps back.¡± ¡°D.¡± Mack said hesitantly as he complied, walking backwards into the bushes. Camera still pointed towards Ryker. ¡°D he¡¯s still looking at me.¡± Even as the woman moved to put herself between Ryker and the cameraman Ryker took another step forwards. He¡¯d revealed too much. If that footage made it out into the world there would be no telling how much damage it would cause to Ryker¡¯s plans and to the world at large. It needed to go. Now. Give me that camera. Ryker hissed as he took a large step towards the cameraman. ¡°No! Stop!¡± The reporter shouted as she tried to block Ryker¡¯s path but he easily stepped around her. Even running she was too small to match his pace as he marched towards the tree line. Each step shaking the earth and eating up the distance in a matter of seconds as the man in the bushes made a break for it with a cry of alarm. Sprinting, the cameraman tried to use the closeness of the trees to buy himself some distance but Ryker easily shouldered his way through obscuring branches and snapping tree limbs as he gained on the man. Moving at a brisk walk that was more than enough for Ryker to catch up to the man and cut his escape off. Slamming one clawed foot down in front of the man with enough force to shake the trees and cause him to stumble as he dropped the camera. Looming over the man, casting him entirely in his shadow Ryker lifted his leg again as the man desperately scrambled backwards on the ground. His hands raised protectively above himself as Ryker ruthlessly stomped down on the camera. The metal and plastic instantly getting crushed under his foot as he stomped on it again and again. As if the footage it held were a cockroach that might survive if he didn¡¯t put his full weight into it. After a full dozen ground shaking stomps Ryker stepped back. The three toed crater he¡¯d smashed into the earth speckled with the remains of the camera. Warped beyond all recognition as only gray pieces remained. Despite protecting his image and ending the threat of the camera¡¯s footage making it out into the world. Ryker felt a coiling knot in his gut as he looked upon the cowering man before him and heard the frantic screams of the only woman who¡¯d showed him kindness since his awakening as a monster. He¡¯d fucked up, and because of that fuck up he¡¯d had to terrify the very people who¡¯s lives he¡¯d saved. I¡¯m sorry. Ryker thought painfully towards them both as he fled into the deeper wilderness. His speed increasing as he ran away from the guilt of his actions. Hoping that he¡¯d made the right decision even as his heart told him he hadn¡¯t. ======================================================== ¡°Mack!¡± Danika cried out as she ran through the forest. Terrified in a way even the monsters hadn¡¯t been able to make her feel as she searched for her cameraman. She had brought him out here. He was only here because of her. If something happened to- ¡°H-here¡­¡± ¡°Mack?¡± Danika said as she zeroed in on the voice she¡¯d heard. Running through the dense brush until she found a sight that nearly made her swoon in relief. ¡°Mack! Oh thank God, Mack are you okay?¡± She asked worriedly. Mack was lying on the ground with his back up against a thick tree trunk as he held a hand over his heart. The rise and fall of his chest a rapid beat as he got his breathing under control. Mack¡¯s baseball cap had fallen off next to him. That he hadn¡¯t immediately retrieved it to put it back where it belonged on his head told Danika volumes about how shaken up Mack was. ¡°Okay?¡± Mack said shakily as he turned to look at Danika with wide eyes. Like the word was completely foreign to him. ¡°Physically¡­? Maybe. Emotionally¡­? No, not in the slightest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Mack. I don¡¯t know what got into him.¡± Danika said more than a little shaken herself as she kneeled down to pick up Mack¡¯s cap and hand it to him. ¡°Got into him?¡± Mack said taking the cap and holding to his chest like it was a totem against evil. Shaking his head he gawked at his partner. ¡°He almost stepped on me. I could¡¯ve been gone just like that. Or- like that.¡± Mack said weakly as he gestured towards a dent in the earth. ¡°Oh shit.¡± Mack began as he gulped in a lungful of air and held a hand to his head. ¡°Holy shit I¡¯m gonna need a minute.¡± Mack said as he closed his eyes tight and got his breathing under control. Danika gave Mack some breathing room as she looked at the footprint the Big Guy had left just a few feet away from her partner. Feeling sick at knowing the Big Guy had spared her any grief and went after Mack instead. ¡°Damnit.¡± Danika cursed under her breath at the situation as she wiped away some frustrated tears before they could fall. She knew she shouldn¡¯t have felt this way but it almost felt like a betrayal the way it had attacked Mack. Couldn¡¯t the Big Guy tell they were trying to help? He was even trying to communicate with her so why do this? Why attack Mack and his- ¡°The camera!¡± Danika wailed as she fell to her knees before the ruined device. Her golden ticket reduced to smithereens as she tried and failed to find any still intact portion that might house the memory card. The footage they¡¯d just recorded of the Big Guy in the suburb would have been on there. Danika slumped as she dug her nails into the dirt. Frustration leaving her shaking as she tried to process what just happened and what they¡¯d just lost. This would have been better than what she¡¯d recorded in the gas station by lightyears and now the best footage she¡¯d ever gotten in her life was just¡­ gone. Proof of the monster that had saved her life, had saved someone else. That at least one of the beasts was capable of intelligent thought. There was also a high octane encounter with the police that would have rocked people¡¯s socks off but that was besides the point. Even if that footage would have rocketed Danika to the top of the network they¡¯d would have had to do some major editing to make all that gunfire and violence airable on primetime- ¡°Oh.¡± Danika said softly as she held a hand to her head. ¡°Oh fuck.¡± She breathed. ¡°You good D?¡± Mack said as he got up. A little shaky but growing more steady every second as he crouched down next to Danika. ¡°We fucked up Mack.¡± Danika said as she shook her head. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he said frowning. ¡°The camera.¡± Danika said sorrowfully as she waved to the debris. ¡°He only turned to come at you after he saw you with the camera.¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t get it.¡± Mack began as Danika became more animated. ¡°The Big Guy just had a bunch of police officers shooting at him Mack! And with the camera on your shoulder it looked like it could have been a gun!¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit of a stretch.¡± Mack said as he regained some of his normal vigor. ¡°I mean they don¡¯t really look similar at all.¡± ¡°To you sure! But to the poor monster who¡¯d just been shot how could he tell the difference!¡± Danika said as she clasped a hand over her mouth with fresh tears forming in her eyes. ¡°Oh Mack, he just didn¡¯t want to get hurt again! He was bleeding when I got close to him, with cuts all over! And his eyes, he must be almost blind! And we- we-¡± A sniffle from Danika as she buried her head in her hands left Mack staring at his partner in confusion before an icy cold fear swirled through his chest. Was Danika¡­crying? Here? Now? Was there- was there something he was supposed to do here? Mack swiveled his head around the forest they were in hoping someone might be able to come to his rescue but he was still unfortunately alone. Feeling torn and having no idea how best to comfort his partner in reporting Mack gingerly placed a hand on Danika¡¯s back as he patted it. You were supposed to smack someone on the back when they were choking, so lighter pats would work for crying right? Danika¡¯s voice was hard to make out as she pressed her hands against her face but as time passed Danika came back to herself as she ran her sleeve across her nose with one last sniffle. ¡°Thank you Mack.¡± She said earnestly. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ we can¡¯t even prove to anyone that he¡¯s good without the footage from the suburb and now that¡¯s gone. I¡¯m sorry Mack, I know you worked so hard getting it. It would have looked great.¡± ¡°It will look great.¡± Mack nodded as Danika wiped her face till no trace of her tears remained. ¡°It will¡­ what?¡± Danika asked as she frowned. ¡°Mack the camera¡¯s gone. There¡¯s nothing left.¡± ¡°Well yeah, we are going to have to get a new one.¡± Mack acquiesced. ¡°And the footage of you and the Big Guy together isn¡¯t coming back but I still have the first recording. The one I got from the overlook earlier.¡± Danika froze for a long beat as she processed that information before she practically leapt at Mack. Gripping both his shoulders as she shook her partner with joy. ¡°We still have that footage!¡± She beamed as Mack smiled wryly. Pulling out a memory card from his pocket. ¡°Come on D. Is it really that surprising that I¡¯d back up my footage the first chance I¡¯d get? I did it before we drove over here.¡± ¡°Oh Mack you¡¯re the best!¡± Danika shouted as she surprised Mack by wrapping him tight in a fierce bear hug. One that pinned his arms to his sides and left him feeling slightly claustrophobic before Danika broke the hug. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Danika called out as she ran back towards the hole in the fence that would lead back to the rental. ¡°We¡¯ve got to get that footage out to the network so it can get touched up before they air it tonight!¡± ¡°On my way.¡± Mack said as he dutifully followed Danika back towards the car. The woman practically skipping her way through the forest as the knowledge of the surviving footage lifted her spirits all the way to cloud nine. With this proof they could show the world the truth about the monster that saved their lives. That it was misunderstood, and that even if it was strange and terrifying at times at the core of its being, it was good. Chapter 22 - The Expert For the umpteenth time that morning Beck scowled at his cell phone and the unknown number trying to contact him yet again. Even in silent mode the thing was hard to ignore with its screen always on and warning of the myriad number of calls Beck would miss if he didn¡¯t pick up. But the flare of irritation he felt for the interruption died in his chest as he waited patiently for his wife to wake. Twisting the ring on his finger as he tried to think back to happier times with little success. Hating how bittersweet even those precious memories were now. Now that he knew that while his wife had been smiling and laughing she¡¯d been dying without him even noticing. Not until she¡¯d crumpled to the ground in his arms one fateful day as the tumor finally grew large enough to press against her brain stem. Beck hated himself for not recognizing it sooner. For losing himself in nearly every field of science under the sun except the ones that could have made a difference for his wife. Hated that he¡¯d married so late in life that he only had a precious few years of life on Earth with his Maggie. The heat of the emotion barely more than a tired, flickering ember in his chest as he sagged in his chair and closed his eyes. Oh, how he hated this room. The blankness of the walls were as offensive to him as the sterility of it all. How clean and impersonal it was. As if the person lying in its only bed were just anyone. Replaceable. As if the hospital was expecting her to waste away until the nurses wheeled some other sickly soul inside. Not a mark left behind to tell of the loss the world had suffered. Of what he was going to lose. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to come you know.¡± Maggie said softly as she came awake. Long used to waking with Beck by her side. ¡°The treatments¡­ are still the same as they¡¯ve always been.¡± The weakness in her voice breaking Beck¡¯s heart even as he kept the pain from reaching his face. ¡°Don¡¯t act like I have anything better to do Maggie.¡± Beck smiled as he reached for his wife¡¯s hand. Squeezing with a gentle firmness that tried to ignore how fragile her skin felt. How cold her fingers were in this vile room. ¡°Are you cold? I can ask the nurses for another blanket.¡± Beck said making to get up before a shake of his wife¡¯s head brought him back down into the chair by her side. ¡°I¡¯m fine honey. Just a little sleepy is all.¡± Maggie said before she frowned slightly at her husband. The bare skin of her head wrinkling as she asked. ¡°Beck dear¡­ is everything alright? Did something happen?¡± Beck sighed as he turned his head to stare out the window. Eyes focused on nothing as he tried to think of what he should say to his wife. And how much he couldn¡¯t say. ¡°My phone has been ringing nonstop since this morning. People I don¡¯t know mostly but one of them¡­ one of them was from the government. The military. Waving a big check at me essentially. They never told me what they needed in so many words but they wanted me to help them with something. Something that they can¡¯t explain.¡± ¡°Oh my¡­ it isn¡¯t aliens is it?¡± Maggie said jokingly but the smile faded from her lips as she saw the seriousness in Beck¡¯s eyes. ¡°How bad is it? Beck.¡± She said as her grip tightened on her husband¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s not-¡± ¡°Not a weapon.¡± Beck said placatingly. ¡°You know how I feel about that¡­ I said as much to the man on the phone. And I hung up on him not long after so I can¡¯t tell you much more than that.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Maggie asked a wry gleam in her eye, the undiminished spirit of his wife shining through despite her ailing body. ¡°If you tell me¡­ would they have to kill me?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t joke about that.¡± Beck said sternly but his wife laughed anyway. The sound beautiful even in its weakness. ¡°I¡¯m the one in the hospital honey. I can joke about whatever I want.¡± She said leaning in slightly. ¡°Cancer is a get out of jail free card you know. I could probably kick a baby and get away with it if I wanted to.¡± ¡°Thank God you never became a comedian.¡± Beck halfheartedly chuckled. Both grateful and pained beyond words that despite everything his wife still tried to be the one lightening the mood. The energy seemed to sap from her as her smile faded. As though the simple act had taken more from her than she¡¯d been able to give. ¡°Did you want me to talk you out of it? I know you must be considering it if you¡¯re still thinking about it.¡± Maggie said softly as Beck shook his head. The constant drone of her heart monitor drowning out the sounds from outside the hall. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Beck said uncertainly. ¡°The research at the University has been progressing well. I don¡¯t want to jump ship now for some God forsaken government project. You know exactly what those can be like.¡± ¡°Limited funding and unlimited paperwork.¡± Maggie said as Beck smiled at her understanding. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to guess at what they want my help for but I¡¯m just running in circles Maggie. It could be a number of things. And not many of them good I¡¯d wager. I just don¡¯t want to join and find out their plans are something unscrupulous.¡± ¡°Unscrupulous?¡± Maggie said weakly. ¡°There you go pulling out the big words again. Don¡¯t¡­ get bogged down by all the things it could be. Do you know if its going¡­ to do some good? That it will help people?¡± Beck squeezed his wife¡¯s hand, feeling something clench inside his chest as her eyes fluttered with the need for sleep even after such a short time awake. ¡°They told me lives are at stake.¡± Beck said softly, his eyes haunted as his wife nodded. ¡°Oh, my dearest.¡± Maggie whispered as she tried to stay awake. ¡°You¡¯re such a¡­ gentle soul. I love that most about you. That you never gave a thought to the money¡­ or the awards. Just how you could help the world¡­ move towards a brighter future.¡± ¡°Maggie.¡± Beck said softly but his wife cut him off with a squeeze of her fingers. ¡°Do what¡­ your heart tells you to do dearest. Just promise me¡­¡± Maggie breathed as she struggled for the words. ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll take care of yourself. You give and give, but I know you¡­ You¡¯d give until the world breaks you if you could...¡± ¡°I promise.¡± Beck whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me in the slightest dear. I- I¡¯ll take care of myself.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be¡­ praying for you¡­¡± Maggie sighed out. The words nearly lost to Beck as she slipped back into unconsciousness. Beck waited a moment as his wife closed her eyes, only waiting until he was sure she was asleep before allowing his tears to fall as he pressed her cold hand to his lips. His shoulders shaking as he bowed his head over her splayed fingers. Letting out the accumulated pain of the past six months in quiet sobs for the only woman he¡¯d ever loved. It was only once he felt emptied of all his built up frustration and heartache that Beck gathered himself. Carefully laying down Maggie¡¯s hand over her chest as he pulled up the covers for her as her breaths came in, slow and labored. Then he forced himself from the room into the hall outside. Gently shutting the door as he stared into it. As if he could glean some answer etched into the grain of the wood. ¡°Doctor Wallenstein.¡± A gruff voice said from behind him. Not one of the nurses. ¡°Forgive me but I need to have a word with you.¡± ¡°Can I help you?¡± Beck asked as he turned towards the man standing behind him. The man, who had enough muscle on him to put most athletes to shame looked into Beck¡¯s red rimmed eyes for a second before flicking down and away as he nodded. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for meeting you here sir. But you spoke with one of my superiors earlier today doctor, it¡¯s a matter of national security.¡± ¡°Of course it is.¡± Beck sighed. ¡°Can you tell me which bureau wants me to sign my life away to them?¡± ¡°Department of Homeland Security sir.¡± The man said not taking offence at Beck¡¯s comment as he held his arms behind his back at parade rest. Even relaxed his muscles seemed to strain against the suit he was wearing. ¡°Though we are currently coordinating with the National Guard and other agencies for intelligence.¡± Beck said nothing. Measuring the man before him as he weighed all the reasons the government might come to him in his mind. He¡¯d been approached before of course, many times in fact. The few times he¡¯d worked with them however had never been experiences Beck would describe as pleasant. And he¡¯d outright refused to work on projects with clear military applications. But his usual objections felt hollow after his visit with his wife. Enough so that his innate curiosity took over before he could subjugate it. ¡°Did your superiors tell you what I usually say in response to joining government projects? Before they sent you out here?¡± ¡°They told me that I¡¯d likely have some convincing to do before you came on board.¡± ¡°And how will you convince me then, pray tell?¡± Beck said tiredly. Feeling a little too drained to spare this man¡¯s feelings. ¡°I¡¯m limited in what I can tell you unless you agree to join us. But I can say that lives are on the line sir. Thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of lives. American lives as well as many overseas. I can¡¯t stress enough how much your help could prevent a crisis from developing. You¡¯ll be working on research with other scientists we¡¯ve approached to help with the project. ¡± Beck absorbed that information as worryingly vague as it was but something stood out to him. ¡°I wasn¡¯t your first choice?¡± Beck asked slightly surprised. He¡¯d always tried to be humble, especially given the inflated egos of his fellow scientists. But even he had a measure of professional pride. ¡°You were.¡± The man said. ¡°The very first I believe. But you stopped answering our calls. The others accepted rather quickly and arrangements were made to bring them onboard.¡± Beck nodded despite his mind being elsewhere entirely. He could just brush this man off. They¡¯d find a way to go on without him. Even if they said that lives were at stake that might simply be an exaggeration. Like whenever a scientist or researcher proclaimed their work would change the world. But what would he do then? He¡¯d been truthful when he¡¯d told his wife he¡¯d had nothing better to do than visit her. The research the University was doing was going along just fine without him. He hadn¡¯t returned to the lab for the last several months despite pleas from his colleagues to return. Where was the harm in accepting and following this man? He could always refuse if they stepped across his line of ethics. And part of Beck recognized how he needed something to keep from thinking on his wife¡¯s condition. Even if only for a short while. Plus the prospect of returning to an empty home again was just¡­ ¡°How long have you been out here?¡± Beck asked all of a sudden. Realizing that the man must have been waiting for him for some time. ¡°For the past two hours doctor.¡± The man said honestly. Beck smiled at that, both in appreciation and embarrassment at realizing how long the man had waited on his behalf. ¡°Thank you for waiting. Truly.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± The man said softly. ¡°My mother. She had Lung Cancer. Seven years ago. It was too much for her.¡± A beat of silence passed as Beck looked at the man with fresh eyes. The old pain he saw in his eyes reflecting his own. ¡°What¡¯s your name son?¡± A frown formed on the man¡¯s chiseled face and fled just as quickly as the man responded promptly. ¡°Myers sir. Samuel Myers.¡± ¡°Well Mr. Myers. Your patience today has won me over. I¡¯ll join you so long as I can return to visit my wife. Agreed?¡± Beck said holding out his hand to shake. ¡°That can certainly be arranged Doctor, thank you.¡± Myers said as he shook hands with the doctor. ¡°So!¡± Beck said promptly. Deliberately forcing down his own pain as he injected some levity into his voice. ¡°How urgent is this project hm? Will I have time for lunch or will we both have to make a break for the parking lot?¡± Beck said half jokingly Myers nodded as he gestured down the hall. ¡°If you¡¯ll follow me sir. We can head down to the cafeteria on the east side.¡± ¡°So we do have time then?¡± Beck said walking next to the government man who was obviously trying to slow his pace to match the Scientist¡¯s. ¡°No sir, we¡¯re cutting through the cafeteria to the parking lot outside. That¡¯s where they¡¯re landing the chopper. We don¡¯t have much time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s that serious then?¡± Beck asked softly. Worry bright in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m afraid so sir.¡± Myers said back. Lives are at stake. That¡¯s what Myers and the man over the phone had said. ¡°I understand.¡± Beck said. His face tightening as he felt the urgency in Myers tone. Beck didn¡¯t speak another word as they made their way through the hospital, even as he let the bigger man carve a path for him through the crowd in the cafeteria crowding around to get a look at the helicopter landing outside. The roar of the rotors hit Beck like a physical wall, the wind alone from the spinning blades was almost enough to topple him over backwards but Myer¡¯s unflinching hand wrapped around Beck¡¯s arm and held him steady as they both walked towards their ride. Hair whipping wildly around their faces as they leaned into the wind. Beck had only just gotten seated inside with Myers helping him up and in when Myers made a quick motion to the pilot, who lifted off from the ground with enough force to send Beck¡¯s stomach into his shoes. A long moment of holding his eyes shut to keep himself steady, was interrupted by Myers expertly buckling himself in across from Beck. Something Myers had to undo with a start as he realized he¡¯d have to help the Doctor properly strap himself in. After that was quickly done with, and Beck tried and failed to thank the man over the noise of the rotors Myers handed the doctor a headset from somewhere inside the helicopter that the man gratefully took. The noise from the rotating blades keeping them aloft cut sharply as Beck clearly heard Myers¡¯ voice speaking to him through the microphone of his own headset. ¡°I¡¯m to brief you on the way to the operation site Doctor Wallenstein.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t waste any time do you?¡± Beck responded. Looking outside the window at the land below them going rapidly by. ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯m all ears.¡± ¡°We have reason to believe the United States may have become the target of a unknown bioweapon. I¡¯m with a special task force within the Department of Homeland Security that responds to threats to the country that takes place on our soil.¡± ¡°Oh my God.¡± Beck said numbly. The horror of those words tearing apart any notion of this project being something he could ignore. ¡°The CIA is currently trying to discern the origin of these weapons as we speak. We¡¯re getting regular updates from them, MI6, and other intelligence agencies that this bioweapon has been confirmed to have been released in at least twelve other countries and counting.¡± Myers paused to see if Beck had any questions but the Doctor was completely silent. Even strapped to the seat he felt like he was on the verge of falling through the floor. Then the man continued as he looked at Beck¡¯s wide eyes. ¡°The FBI are in a frenzy trying to determine the release pattern of the weapons we¡¯ve discovered so far and who may be responsible. The president is being briefed on this situation as we speak and he has given us his full support.¡± ¡°Our job and yours Doctor, is to determine the full extent of this weapon¡¯s capabilities and any means of getting it under control before this entire situation blows up into an international firestorm.¡± Despite the hollow pit that had just carved itself out within Beck¡¯s insides he felt himself straighten with resolve in moments as the information sunk into him. ¡°That¡¯s why you came to me.¡± Beck said and Myers nodded. ¡°Who better to understand a bioweapon than the next Einstein?¡± But even as Myers spoke Beck shook his head. Speaking loudly into the microphone to make sure he was heard. ¡°I¡¯m a generalist in most fields of study, not an expert! And I¡¯ve only dabbled in genetic engineering and computational biology! Please tell me you have an epidemiologist at the site?¡± Myers shook his head seeming unnerved for the first time Beck had seen him in the past few hours he¡¯d known the man. ¡°It¡¯s not a disease Doctor, this bioweapon is¡­ It would be better if you see it in person. Because explaining it doesn¡¯t do it justice.¡± The rest of the ride passed in a blur as Beck was brought up to speed. The first thing he¡¯d been told of was an event the researchers at the site were calling the Little Valley Incident, the first recorded encounter with the bio-weapons. Living breathing creatures as hard as it was to believe and not some kind of horrific manufactured disease. Though the details Myers was giving him were troubling enough on their own. It wasn¡¯t long before the helicopter touched down again at what seemed to have been some kind of industrial warehouse site. Military trucks and personnel were quickly moving boxes and equipment to and from transports into the large building Myers was pulling him towards. The powered down rotors giving Beck the opportunity to speak again without fear of is words being lost to the wind. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ¡°Hudson Shipping Co?¡± Beck asked. Gesturing towards the faded sign on the side of the warehouse that contrasted starkly with the military presence establishing itself inside. ¡°Homeland Security has a number of unofficial locations kept off the market for special use cases, like our new task force. Keeps us close to the action to respond to any developments and keeps us out of the way so everyone else can do their jobs. Or start to do them at least. The United States military is a violent but slow moving beast Doctor. Arnold Airforce Base, Holston, and NSA Mid South are in the process of mobilizing. Which is slang to say they¡¯re being prepped to prep for the process of mobilizing.¡± Beck nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve only some experience working with the government. I take it that we¡¯ll be able to skip a bit of red tape here?¡± ¡°Doctor, this task force is the result of us throwing the red tape away entirely. As soon as you meet Commander Connelly we want you to be in charge of the first dissection.¡± ¡°Dissection?!¡± Beck said shocked. As they made their way inside the building. A large plastic divider separating a portion of the room with a number of men in hermetically sealed suits standing before what seemed to be a quickly set up decontamination chamber. ¡°You captured one?¡± ¡°Several. All dead though. Cooked from the wildfire that sparked in Little Valley but still mostly whole.¡± ¡°Well they definitely aren¡¯t cooked Sergeant.¡± Said an older man striding up to them, a dry smile on his lips. ¡°I don¡¯t even think breaking out the Sweet Baby Ray¡¯s would save that charred dino meat from giving me indigestion.¡± ¡°Commander Connelly, Sir.¡± Myers saluted as the officer waved for Myers to drop his salute. ¡°This the Einstein that¡¯s gonna join the other egg heads?¡± Connelly said primly. The juxtaposition of the man with higher rank cracking jokes and Myers being the more serious one throwing Beck for a moment before he nodded and shook hands with the man. ¡°Doctor Beck Montgomery Wallenstein sir.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Connelly said his ever present smirk widening as he looked Beck over. ¡°I have your face sitting on my coffee table back home.¡± ¡°The New York Times article.¡± Beck sighed. Shaking his head in embarrassment ¡°I told them not to compare me to such a man. I have a long way to before I can live up to his memory.¡± ¡°You might just get your chance here and now Doctor.¡± Connelly said as he gestured over to a rack almost hidden by the plastic set up around it. ¡°Do you need anything before you get started? I can have someone walk you through putting these on if you need.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary Commander. I¡¯m more than familiar with Hazmat and containment procedures. I spent a year working with some former students of mine testing applications for a new radioactive isotope.¡± Beck said selecting a suit from the rack, checking the suit over for any damage or malfunctions with a familiarity that spoke of long use. ¡°We should begin as soon as possible.¡± Thirty minutes later, after briefly acquainting himself with the other men and woman poached by the task force for their scientific knowledge. Beck stood in the decontamination chamber with two other scientists waiting for the system to clear them for entry as their suits were sprayed with a mist like chemical disinfectant. Through the narrow window in the door Beck could glimpse the edge of a table holding one of the specimens to be dissected and analyzed. It was unnerving being this close to the creatures, or rather the bio-weapons that had somehow appeared in dozens of countries across the globe. The limited amount of details he¡¯d received before prepping for the dissection were almost too fantastical to believe. Horns, tails, and other distressing mentions of changes to appearance and behavior. With sizes varying wildly for reasons Beck couldn¡¯t understand for the life of him. Northern India was supposed to have found and slain a bioweapon that had grown to eight feet in height. Grown. From the five feet it had originally been discovered at. One more thing Beck hoped he could disprove. The level of metabolic and hormonal requirements to grow anything naturally were extensive. That anything could grow that quickly was just¡­ ¡°You¡¯re almost cleared to enter Doctor.¡± Connelly said into his earpiece. Now sounding more serious than he¡¯d been outside. ¡°We¡¯re all watching from the control room. We don¡¯t believe these things are inherently toxic but we need to be absolutely certain of that. As well as anything else you can tell us about their internal makeup and possible origins.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have those answers for you momentarily Commander, God willing.¡± Beck said as the decontamination chamber¡¯s lights marked its final phase. ¡°Um¡­ Excuse me sir? Doctor Wallenstein?¡± A timid voice spoke from behind Beck as he turned, a rather cumbersome process in full hazmat gear, and looked at the woman hidden almost completely within a suit of her own. ¡°Yes? Something amiss?¡± ¡°No! Nothing like that, it¡¯s just- just an honor to meet you. Biology and Botany are my specialties sir. I¡¯ve read your dissertation on producing viable genetic alterations to crops to increase nutrient balance and crop yields. I¡¯m exited to learn from you.¡± The woman said with obvious admiration in her voice, even muted as it was muffled by their suits. ¡°Um, my name is Cathy Nunez by the way.¡± She added after an awkward beat. ¡°A pleasure Ms. Nunez.¡± Beck responded. Adding the name to the dozens of others he¡¯d memorized earlier. ¡°But we¡¯re all among peers here. I may lean on your expertise just as much as my own.¡± Beck said before his gaze sharpened as he faced forwards. ¡°Ready yourselves. Dozens of lives have been lost already due to these creatures. What we learn here may be what saves thousands more.¡± With a green light bathing them all and a ding of approval the door to the decontamination chamber swept open and revealed the room to them proper. The monsters within revealed to them at last as the three made their way over to the table with the most in-tact specimen. The decontamination chamber cycling again to prepare the next team of researchers entering after them. Beck stared down at the beast before him finally able to see it for himself and not through a monitor or hazy plastic screen. It was blackened like the report had described. The scales chipped and flaking even in the stable environment of the quarantine room. A soft gasp from Cathy and a steady stream of muttering from the scientist to his left told Beck that he wasn¡¯t the only one shocked by being so close to the monsters. That¡¯s what these things are. Monsters. Living breathing monsters. Beck thought stunned. The bioweapon was terrifying to behold, even in death it looked lean and ferocious. How could such a thing even exist in the first place? That¡¯s what we¡¯re here to find out. Beck thought as he started. ¡°Begin audio log zero zero one of subject three.¡± Beck began as his mind split. One half of his brain narrating his actions and observations as his gloved hands roved over the charred remains of the beast on the table. ¡°Subject three bears the same burn damage to its outer scales and exposed skin as noted in the other subjects. Appearance of the creature overall is the same as confirmed by previous intelligence reports. Reptilian, though bearing less a resemblance to modern reptiles and more than a passing resemblance to those of the Dromaeosaurid family with the sizable claws on each digit.¡± Beck spoke mechanically as he gripped and held a talon between his fingers. One hand reached up to peel back the remains of the creature¡¯s cracked lip to reveal the blackened but still terrifying teeth of the beast. ¡°Subject also retains a number of rather sizable incisors, larger than would be typical in a creature of its size. Cause of death¡­¡± Beck stopped as one of his fingers found a hole in the beast¡¯s scales. His finger reaching more than halfway before brushing against the ends of something metallic. ¡°¡­ A 9mm or possibly a .45 caliber round causing fatal damage to the heart and consequently heart failure. Matching the reports of the family¡¯s testimony of their encounter with the creatures as described in the Little Valley Incident report.¡± Reaching to his side Beck extracted a perfectly clean cotton swab and dug the tip into the wound. Gently rolling it around the inside of the entry wound before removing it and the congealed blood and flecks of tissue stuck to the end. This he handed carefully to the man on his left. ¡°Prep this sample for examination please-¡± Beck¡¯s mind barely paused as he recalled the man¡¯s name ¡°-Ingram. Start with the Electrophoresis to prep a viable DNA sample, then we¡¯ll perform a full breakdown of chemical composition to ensure these things don¡¯t decay into anything hazardous. That is our most immediate concern at the moment. Don¡¯t fret if the tests are inconclusive on the first try.¡± Beck said giving the dead beast on the table a soft pat. ¡°We¡¯ll have many more samples where that came from momentarily.¡± ¡°Yes Doctor.¡± The man in the suit nodded and left towards the table of lab equipment on the opposite side of the chamber as Beck turned towards Cathy. ¡°Right, I do believe we¡¯ve discovered as much as we can by observing the exterior Ms. Nunez. Let¡¯s delve deeper. Do you have the- ah, thank you kindly dear.¡± Beck said as Cathy passed him the circular saw. ¡°I¡¯ll begin by cutting through the exterior scales on the right side about an inch to half and inch deep. Then we can peel back the epidermal layers and cut our way past the ribs and into the chest cavity proper. Do you have your camera in a good position?¡± Beck asked as he turned to Cathy as she fiddled with her head mounted camera. ¡°Ready.¡± She said determined. ¡°Excellent. You may want to take a step back though.¡± Beck said as the circular saw whirred to life, the blade a spinning blur as Beck leaned in to carefully carve into the monster before him. ¡°I¡¯m going to make a mess.¡± A full five hours later. After having done a full dissection of two more of the bioweapon specimens and performing numerous tests on them Beck¡¯s mind was a haze of speculation as he tried to make sense of everything he¡¯d just discovered. Standing by the wall of the make shift conference room because he couldn¡¯t sit still. The thrill of discovery nearly enough to overwhelm the towering sense of dread and worry in his heart at what he¡¯d discovered during the dissection. ¡°Doctor Wallenstein.¡± Commander Connelly said gesturing to the array of people seated around the table. ¡°Everyone here is cleared to know whatever you¡¯ve learned. So what do you have for us?¡± Shaking Beck from his musings as he apologetically nodded at the Commander. ¡°Apologies Commander. What would you like to know first?¡± Connelly leaned back in his seat as if he were preparing himself to take a punch. ¡°Just give us the most pressing information in a way we can understand. That will make it easier for me, and these fine people so they can get the info to the people that need it more quickly. Any in depth analysis can be sent later on once you¡¯ve confirmed your results. But right now we need actionable information.¡± Beck nodded as he stared down at the floor. Haunted eyes staring into the concrete floor as he tried to reorder his thoughts into something workable. ¡°It is of my opinion so far.¡± Beck began carefully, very carefully. ¡°That these creatures may indeed be artificially produced and are not the result of natural processes.¡± A breath went out of the room as Beck clasped his hands behind his back to hide his kneading fingers as he tried to work out the soreness from hours of careful work inside a suit. ¡°Genetic samples from all the specimens we have available are essentially, perfect copies of each other. There are circumstances that could allow for other possibilities but the most likely is some manner of cloning I truthfully cannot fathom at the moment.¡± ¡°Cloning that you can¡¯t fathom?¡± Connelly asked his arms crossed over his chest. ¡°Please elaborate Doctor. What do you mean by that? Is this some new technology?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Beck said honestly. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Connelly said exasperated. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Beck said frustrated as he started pacing back and forth across the room. His expression a tight frown of focus as he explained. ¡°I¡¯ve worked with the teams who advanced CRISPR tech to the point of being able to combat genetic disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia and Cystic fibrosis. I helped write the book on human genetics while working on the second iteration of the Human Genome Project. And none of that experience is helping me understand what I saw out there.¡± Beck said gesturing through the wall to the room beyond where the dissection took place. ¡°The DNA samples we¡¯ve collected so far have returned a zero percent match with anything.¡± Beck said incredulously. Waving an arm as he stared fixedly into the floor as he moved back and forth as he paced. Trying to handle his frustration and confusion gnawing at his heart. ¡°Reptiles, Mammals, Cold-blooded, Warm-blooded, I mean everything. Commander you have to understand. That shouldn¡¯t be possible. There are genetic similarities to everything on Earth present within all DNA. We humans have a high genetic similarity to chimps, bears, dolphins, even seaweed. For something to have nothing in common with anything else on the planet? It¡¯s just¡­¡± Beck trailed off, shaking his head in bafflement. ¡°So it is artificial then.¡± Connelly said with entirely too much calm. ¡°It must be! But Commander, there isn¡¯t any technology on the planet capable of making artificial life forms! Those things out there should be impossible! I¡¯ve spent years working with the best minds in the world on advancing genetic engineering and nothing they or I have ever done could create a completely unique gene sequence that was viable enough to act as the base for such a creature without them breaking down into a puddle of proteins!¡± Beck shook his head and stared at the Commander with a mix of emotions in his eyes. Confusion, awe, and more than anything else. Fear. ¡°I don¡¯t know where these things have come from.¡± Beck said slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t know how they¡¯re made, who could have the capabilities to make them. I don¡¯t even know how they could possibly be real. The technology currently available to us is decades away from being able to attempt anything close to this at least¡­and that terrifies me Commander.¡± Commander Connelly stared at Beck for a moment before his sharp eyes snapped over to those of his subordinates. ¡°Well, what are you all standing around for? We just received some new information on the bio-weapons. Hop to it!¡± There was a scramble of people as phone calls and messages were sent out. One that Beck hardly noticed as he fell into a chair and his thoughts roiled. The impossibility of the creatures he¡¯d dissected were just too innumerable to recount. He¡¯d only given the Commander the shortened version of his analysis. Not even mentioning that the reason for it had been because the further he delved into the monster¡¯s tissues the more irregularities he found. A digestive system that couldn¡¯t excrete waste and seemed engineered to fail, yet allowed the creature to live on. A musculoskeletal system with built in gaps in its bone framework that seemed like they were primed to carry muscles that hadn¡¯t grown in yet. And an intracranial cavity that was measurably larger than the brain it held. As if the underdeveloped cerebrum were expected to expand in size to fill it. The mysteries were as baffling to Beck as they were foreboding. There was something he wasn¡¯t understanding here. Not just a minor detail but a fundamental part of these creatures that made them so alien in the first place. ¡°Isn¡¯t it remarkable?¡± Ingram said to Cathy as Beck slowly turned his head towards the scientist. ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± Beck asked quietly as he turned his head towards the man. ¡°These wondrous creatures!¡± Ingram said excitedly. ¡°This could revolutionize genetic science as we know it! Think of the applications once we discover the means by which these things were produced. We could get our names out and onto the world stage for being the first to discover these creatures.¡± Beck stared at Ingram for a long second before responding promptly. His eyes holding steady on the man as he said. "The Marshalls.¡± ¡°Um¡­ What?¡± Ingram asked. Clearly not understanding. ¡°The family that nearly lost their lives to those, wondrous creatures.¡± Beck said coolly. ¡°They would be the first. A father, a mother, and their daughter who¡¯s remains we may have very well discovered cutting open those monster¡¯s stomachs if one of the beasts attacking them hadn¡¯t fought the others for the pleasure of eating them alive.¡± ¡°Ah, well.¡± Ingram said sounding flustered. ¡°I¡¯m grateful they survived, naturally. But the scientific accolades must go to those researching these beasts, yes? Don¡¯t tell me you aren¡¯t looking forward to snagging every scientific accolade and medal this year for ourselves hm? Think of the looks on their faces as we show them what we¡¯ve discovered!¡± Beck stared at Ingram, truly lost for words as he looked to Cathy. Getting a sheepish and embarrassed smile from her as she tried to tell him with her eyes that she didn¡¯t agree with Ingram in the slightest. Why are so many men like Ingram attracted to the Sciences? Beck thought as he stood. What''s the point in discovering something just for a piece of paper or a medal? ¡°I need a drink.¡± Beck said as he excused himself from the others. ¡°Is that wise doctor?¡± Cathy said worriedly. ¡°Of course it is.¡± Beck said managing a smile despite his own fears. ¡°I need a good cup of coffee before I head back to re-examine our results. Do either of you want a cup?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll¡­¡± Cathy started as if battling internally asking someone she admired so much to take an order for her. ¡°I¡¯ll take a cup. One cream, two sugars please.¡± ¡°A decaf if you please.¡± Ingram said as Beck made his way to the break room. It wasn¡¯t supposed to be a break room, it had clearly been something else at one point but the military was ruthless in its pursuit of maintaining a steady supply of caffeine for itself. Even if most in the hastily made base couldn¡¯t spare the time to sit and enjoy the space. Pouring himself a cup first Beck took a slow sip before slowly making the other two cups. The thought of his wife making him feel a sudden pang of guilt for not being by her side, and more so for losing himself in his work earlier. As if a few hours distracted by a new project and not despairing over his wife were something to be ashamed of. ¡°Mind making one more?¡± A voice said from behind Beck as he turned. ¡°For you Commander, certainly.¡± Beck said before adding wryly. ¡°Though I am going to have to end my orders for the day after yours. I didn¡¯t come all the way here to be the base¡¯s barista.¡± ¡°Apologies for that Doctor.¡± Connelly said as he shut the break room door. His expression growing serious as he spoke. ¡°I have something I need to discuss with you.¡± Beck frowned for a moment before nodding. Simply pouring a black coffee for the man as he finished making the other two cups for his associates. ¡°By all means, if I can answer your questions I will do so to the best of my ability.¡± He said handing it over. ¡°Fantastic.¡± Connelly said as he took the drink, taking a sip of the bitter brew like it was nothing as he stared into the plastic cup with his eyes clouded. ¡°One of the countries that hasn¡¯t reported any kind of bioweapon presence has been the Russo-Asian Coalition. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of the progress they¡¯ve reported to have made in their own genetic experiments.¡± ¡°You mean their super soldier lunacy.¡± Beck spat. ¡°I haven¡¯t had the heart to keep up with it. I only know that any amount of progress they¡¯ve made is due to their blatant disregard for human life, not any kind of innovation or genius. Just stubborn, heartless fools eager for another weapon.¡± ¡°Good to know what side of the debate you fall on.¡± Connelly said approvingly. ¡°But that wasn¡¯t what I meant to discuss. Do you believe that the Coalition may be the origin of these bio-weapons?¡± Beck thought for a moment, weighing the possibilities with what little he knew of Coalition tech. ¡°I don¡¯t believe so, but nothing is impossible. Declaring anything to be impossible is the best way to blind yourself to new possibilities. But with what I know there¡¯s two good reasons they shouldn¡¯t be responsible for the bio-weapons. The first is that I truly meant what I said back in the conference room. We are decades from being able to do anything close to what would be required to create the monsters out there. Possibly even a century away. The Coalition might recklessly charge forward with their experiments but there¡¯s a limit to how far that can take you before your results diminish drastically.¡± ¡°And the second reason?¡± Connelly asked patiently. ¡°They¡¯d be shouting it from the rooftops if they had made them.¡± Beck said simply. ¡°They keep reminding the world they have nuclear weapons every couple of years, how would this be any different?¡± Beck said sipping his coffee. Connelly seemed to seriously consider Beck¡¯s words for a moment before his face split into a grin. ¡°That¡¯s very true Doctor. You have no idea the amount of propaganda they try and work into Western social media.¡± Connelly said before nodding in acquiescence. ¡°Thank you Doctor. I realize its a bit unfair of me to ask you for answers like that the moment you finish your first examination. But I just want this to be taken care of as quickly as possible so its nothing more than a bad memory.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine Commander. Now if you¡¯ll excuse me, I need to get back to re-examine our results and refuel our science team.¡± Beck said hefting the coffee cups suggestively. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll walk with you back.¡± ¡°My thanks.¡± Beck said smiling. It was a relatively short walk considering the size of the facility the task force had commandeered but it was long enough for Beck to ask a question of his own to Connelly. ¡°I know its a bit unfair to ask this Commander but¡­ can we really end the threat of these bio-weapons without causing a panic?¡± Connelly seemed to weigh his answer at first. But the man waved Beck¡¯s concerns away after only a moment. ¡°The United States has faced disasters and dealt with them swiftly enough in the past to not raise too much of an alarm among the public. We¡¯re rather good at that Doctor. At worst, hopefully the biggest thing we¡¯ll have to lie to the public about is running a large scale training exercise to track down these creatures.¡± Connelly said to Beck with a confidant smile. ¡°They don¡¯t get very big as far as we can tell, if they aren¡¯t inherently toxic, I¡¯m positive it won¡¯t take much to hunt them down.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if that part about lying is very comforting Commander-¡± Beck started as he turned a corner. A number of people gathered around a small display on the wall, the screen hidden behind a number of heads as Connelly strode forward with a scowl. ¡°What are you all standing around for! Get a move on already!¡± But even as Connelly shouted at his people to get moving Beck moved forwards. Drawn to the screen like it had its own gravitational pull. As he caught a clear line of sight to the screen he heard the newscaster speaking as a video played on repeat. ¡°¡­Again I have to emphasize that this footage has not been edited by Channel Seven or any of its affiliates. The creature you¡¯re seeing on screen is not a special effect or the result of computer generated images. The police officers you¡¯ve seen fighting off the creature in this video have survived and have all corroborated each other¡¯s stories. An official statement from the police department is pending on the total number of casualties suffered in Centennial Pines. As well as what¡­ what these monsters are in the first place¡­ Oh God¡­ This is Suzy Summers speaking to you live. We¡¯ll continue to keep you updated on the situation as it unfolds¡­¡± Beck became transfixed by the footage even as Connelly¡¯s shouts became roars of commands at how such a broadcast could be airing without their knowing. Beck remained still as the people gathered around the screen rushed to do whatever it was they were supposed to do. He couldn¡¯t look away. His mind raced as it absorbed every detail in the video he saw. The sheer size of the creature, so much like the others he¡¯d just dissected but on a scale so much larger than the others it couldn¡¯t have been possible. The ease at which it shrugged off gunfire and thrown an entire patrol car left Beck slack jawed as he stared. Then it had eaten another one of its kind, one just as impossibly large that- wait. That had a horn? But there was no genetic basis for that kind of trait! It didn¡¯t make any sense! Nothing could grow that big, that fast, or produce spontaneous mutations like- Oh, the bioweapon¡¯s tail just tripled in length. The sound of ceramic shattering filled the air as Beck¡¯s mug of coffee slipped through his fingers. Chapter 23 - Altered Body, Altered Mind For a brief instance after waking Ryker could almost believe that things were okay. The dreams had come as they¡¯d always had, a swirl of painful memories and fears that tugged at his heart. But years of familiarity had long since dulled their sting. Keeping his eyes closed as he lay on the forest floor Ryker took a deep breath in through his nose. The scent of the trees and wild things around him rich in their simplicity without his Synesthesia giving them color and sound. Even the grass underneath him felt novel as he lay on top of it. The small featherlight blades of green brushing against his sides, combined with the warmth of sunlight shining down from above was just¡­ Had he ever done that as a child? Just lied down in the grass like this? Before the Kaiju, before everything was reduced to dust and ash? Was it possible to feel nostalgia for something you¡¯ve never known? Despite the sting of his recovering acid burns Ryker cracked open an eye, seeing the world as it should be. His blurred vision taking in the forest until his eye focused on a flower by his head, swaying with the light breeze through the trees. Some small part of his mind wanted to believe that he was still human, yearned for it like like a drowning man fought for air. But Ryker broke the illusion as he shifted. One massive scaled claw coming down next to the flower and dwarfing it as Ryker pushed himself up to his knees. For a moment Ryker examined his Kaiju body in the same passing manner he¡¯d gauge the effectiveness of his Armor. He still retained the damage from his previous fight but that damage was already healing well. His tail snaked along the grass as Ryker moved it, testing its responsiveness as he tapped the tip to a nearby bush and tree. His chest was still red, a change that Ryker just couldn¡¯t muster the energy to feel anything for. Despite trying to keep his mind off it. Ryker couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the chance he¡¯d finally had to communicate with others, what could have come of it¡­ And how he¡¯d ruined it. Was I wrong? Ryker thought with a pang of doubt. All this time I¡¯d thought I needed to keep the timeline from diverging too greatly but¡­ is that what needs to happen? Did I just throw away my best opportunity to save the future? Ryker sagged as he stared at nothing. The weight of his actions making him reconsider everything he thought he knew. What if he had tried harder? Done more to make himself understood by that reporter and her cameraman? He could have written more, or done something. She could have spoken for him to others, given him a line of communication to the military even. Damnit. Just¡­ Damnit all. Ryker heaved a sigh as he put his head in his claws and shook his head slowly. He¡¯d known he was the wrong person to do this. Beck should have gone back himself, or sent anyone other than him. Even though he¡¯d been Commander of Typhon¡¯s administration and defense forces that wasn¡¯t a position he¡¯d earned or even wanted. The only reason they¡¯d given it to him was because he¡¯d been a survivor from the years of endless fighting. A name others could point to as proof that the best of humanity was leading them. Nevermind that the only thing he¡¯d ever been the best at was fighting. Even with his fried nervous system at the time he was a pilot first and not much else. He didn¡¯t have any of the social acumen or planning ability that would have helped him contact the military in a way that didn¡¯t end with him getting shot or dissected. That became abundantly clear when he reexamined the plan he¡¯d made for himself. Which essentially just boiled down to killing Kaiju. It was the only thing that made sense to Ryker, because he didn¡¯t know anything else. In his past life there had been nothing else. Others had used the chaos of the war to raise themselves up within command, getting promoted to higher positions to move away from the front. But Ryker had refused any opportunity to do so himself, even arguing with his superiors who thought he could serve better outside an Armor¡¯s cockpit. He didn¡¯t want to think, he wanted to fight. To lose himself in the slaughter of the monsters that taken so much from him. Everything outside of that violence¡­ almost didn¡¯t make sense to Ryker. It should be one of the others here. Not me. Ryker thought regretfully as his mind wound back to think on his friends. It should have been Riley that survived instead of him, having never gotten the chance to truly shine before her death. Or one of the other two Archangels who¡¯d died in the line of duty. Hiro, the Japanese pilot of Archangel Impulse or Silas, the Brazilian pilot of Archangel Horizon. But Ryker was the one who had made it here, not them. There was no changing that, or at least that specific part of it given that Ryker was actually in the past. While he couldn¡¯t help but feel like he was wasting an opportunity not trying to connect to the military there was one thing he knew with certainty. Kaiju had to die. If he couldn¡¯t be certain he could contact the military safely then he would just redouble his efforts to kill Kaiju. It was what Ryker knew best after all, and given where every other Kaiju would be developmentally at this point in time it was almost paramount he killed them now before it was too late. Every Kaiju¡¯s individual threat level increased exponentially the moment they evolved to Stage Two. That Ryker was so close to reaching his Musculoskeletal gene segment¡¯s capstone ability meant that other Kaiju could be dreadfully close to evolving themselves. Even if they would be weaker comparatively since most Kaiju never stayed in Stage One long enough to unlock their full potential. They would still be monumental threats regardless. Every Kaiju Ryker killed now was one less city destroying monster down the line. Every threat eliminated meant that more people would survive the disasters to come. It would allow the military to kill Kaiju on their own without the dangers of spreading themselves too thin putting out half a hundred different fires. I may not be the best man for the job. Well¡­ I¡¯m not even a man anymore really. Ryker thought with a small chuckle as he looked up. Whatever I am now. However else Beck¡¯s experiment may have failed. I won¡¯t fail in this. I¡¯ll cut down so many Kaiju that it won¡¯t matter if I ever contact the military or not. Flexing his claws Ryker stood and took a few large steps forward as if he could leave his doubts and fears behind. Eyes blazing with determination as he forced his burned eyes open, as if he¡¯d sighted his next target and couldn¡¯t look away. I¡¯ll stain the Earth red with their blood. Tear every last one limb from limb. Ryker promised. His mouth parting slightly as he bared his teeth at the thought. Human hatred and monstrous hunger merging together in his mind without restraint. Feeding on each other in a way that left Ryker with a primal thrill at the battles to come. He licked his lips, the taste of Kaiju blood and meat still fresh enough on his tongue to make part of him ache for it. Then¡­ I¡¯ll finally get my fill. Ryker thought hungrily. Keenly aware of the empty void in his stomach for what felt like the first time in his new life. I¡¯ll do it right next time. Get ¡®em while they¡¯re still warm, away from people so I can take my time with them. Ryker thought as he absently ran a claw over his mouth, eyes glazing over as his tongue flicked out to taste for any remaining flecks of Kaiju blood on his claws. The Kaiju he¡¯d eaten just a short while ago had been filling for a time. But he hadn¡¯t been able to enjoy the meals at all. There had been too much going through his mind. Too many things to think about. For a moment Ryker indulged in the fantasy of savoring his next meal. No people, no distractions. Only the need to feed as he savored his kill. Ryker¡¯s jaws worked slowly, wishing for the tactile feel of tearing flesh in his mouth as his mind reveled in the idea of it. I¡¯ll hold back just enough so they can still kick a little when I open them up. Ryker thought dreamily. Crack open their ribs so I can get inside. So I can get their beating heart between my teeth. Taste it as it gives its last. Right before I bite down and it bursts red. So I can feel them dying as their blood gushes down my throat as I¡­ I¡­ Ryker blinked and startled a bit. Sheepishly looking around to see if anyone noticed his lapse in attention. Ah, oops. Kinda got a little carried away there. Ryker thought with a grimace. The bloody fantasy far less alarming to him than it should have been. Did I used to think about stuff like that? Ryker thought as he quickly wiped the drool off his face with his claws and wiped those off on the leaves of a tall tree branch. One that was only ten feet off the ground and within easy reach. I haven¡¯t changed that much have I? Ryker thought seriously as he gauged his own mental state. Did he still hate Kaiju? No doubts there. He definitely wanted to kill them, feel them rip open under his claws so he could dig in and eat them raw. Hadn¡¯t he wanted that as a human too? Wait¡­ Ryker thought suddenly worried. It was hard not to overlay his existing feelings on his memories as a pilot but- I didn¡¯t..? No wait, did I¡­ never eat Kaiju as a human? Not once? That can¡¯t be right¡­ I must have wanted to at some point¡­ Ryker thought numbly. That felt strange to imagine, like trying to remember a time he hadn¡¯t breathed air. Eating Kaiju felt so natural now. So right that it couldn¡¯t be wrong. What does that mean? Ryker thought worriedly. Sure Ryker hadn¡¯t balked at eating Kaiju before, even the hatchlings he¡¯d been born with. He had a duty to protect the world after all, he needed to eat to get stronger. But as Ryker thought back he couldn¡¯t decide if he¡¯d been motivated by duty at the time or his newfound instincts. Immediately Ryker fell within himself as he reexamined his human memories. Replaying his life as he fearfully worked his way through his experiences and the people he¡¯d met. What if the change went deeper? What if he started to feel unattached from the very humans he¡¯d once been and sworn an oath to protect? Or worse yet, what if he started to feel more kinship with the Kaiju than his own people? Was he still the same man who¡¯d lost everything to the Kaiju growing up? Or was he something else? Something less? A copy of the original Ryker overlaid on a Kaiju¡¯s mind. A monster that believed itself to be Raymond Ryker but never was. Fuck¡­ Ryker thought as he started pacing. Arms crossed over his chest as he stared at the ground. The size of his clawed treads compared to the roots and bushes around his legs sending a spike of tightly controlled panic through his chest as he thought about the implications of not being truly himself. Imagining the roots and bushes as buildings and trucks as he moved down a city street after evolving to Stage Two. Only without the careful steps and trained gentleness that had been endlessly drilled into him. He could all too easily imagine the tiny forms of people running below. Not from another Kaiju but from him as he stomped over cars and smashed through buildings. No longer caring about human life as he lost himself to the beast within. I¡¯ve¡­ changed. Ryker thought with a dreadful certainty. What if I change further? I¡¯m already too used to having a tail, to the point that I can¡¯t imagine being without it even as a human. I want to eat Kaiju, not just out of a feeling of duty or vengeance, but because I really want to. Because they taste good and I¡­ I love the feeling of tearing them open with my teeth. I honestly can¡¯t think of a reason why that should feel wrong to me anymore. What if I keep changing? To the point where I don¡¯t see people as people anymore? Stop trying to save humanity and become just another Kaiju bent on destroying the world? A chill went through Ryker that had nothing to do with the cool morning breeze flowing over his scales. He was already a monster in body, was it really too far a stretch to believe he could become a monster in mind as well? It was all too easy to remember his earlier fight with the Kaiju in the construction site. How he¡¯d nearly lost himself in the taste of a Kaiju that let the Charger land its horn in his gut. How he¡¯d savored the texture and taste of hot blood and flesh as he¡¯d eaten the Kaiju in the suburb. To the point where near the end he¡¯d mixed mouthfuls of different Kaiju together to add to the taste. He even felt a pang of regret for not savoring the mixing flavors of the Berserker¡¯s spiced meat and the Charger¡¯s ribs even more than he had. No. Ryker thought fiercely. As if he could deny the reality of his situation through force of will alone. No! Not a chance in hell I¡¯ll ever be like them. Doesn¡¯t matter if I really am who I hope I am or I¡¯m just a Kaiju with a personality disorder, I won¡¯t lose myself to these instincts. I WILL control these instincts. I don¡¯t have Beck or anyone I can get to help with this so what do I do? I¡¯m still me as far as I can tell. I still have all my memories, with no gaps as far as I can tell so the transfer worked properly. These changes must be because my mind, the physical brain tissue that makes it up, is pure Kaiju. I¡¯ve got human thoughts- human software running on Kaiju hardware. But I can¡¯t really change that unless- Ryker paused as he remembered that he actually could change that, in a very literal sense too. He had an entire segment of his DNA that was dedicated to enhancing his mental processing. Could that be the key? Lock in those upgrades and solidify his identity so he could remain himself no matter how much he changed or evolved? So there would be no risk of him ever losing himself to his feral instincts? The plan was still to max out his Musculoskeletal segment first by getting all the abilities within, he was right on the cusp of reaching the capstone ability after all and it would be stupid to ignore that even with his identity crisis. But his choice of what to hard focus next was going to change immediately. His next choice of DNA segment had been the Cardiopulmonary for the increase to his combat capabilities. But now that his mind could possibly be compromised, the Neurosensory segment seemed like the saving grace he¡¯d need to fix his situation. With its focus on mental¡­ stuff? Ryker didn¡¯t know what it had exactly. He hadn¡¯t delved deeply enough into the segment to see what it offered in terms of mental enhancements but he knew it wasn¡¯t purely combat focused like the other segments, though the Synesthesia ability had been vital for keeping him operational while he¡¯d been blinded in his last fight. Regardless, even if it wouldn¡¯t add to his combat ability as much as the other gene segments it might be most important of all if it kept him in control. I¡¯ll hit up the Neurosensory segment next and max it out. That may be the best chance I¡¯ve got at keeping these instincts in check and retaining my sense of self. Ryker thought as he nodded, warming to the idea. It would only be a matter of time before he was able to activate the latent abilities hidden within that portion of his DNA. Somehow, knowing how close that solution was helped calm Ryker down and eased his fears of losing control of himself. If it really can help me then I¡¯d be an idiot to ignore it. Hell, maybe it¡¯ll actually make me smarter. God knows I could definitely use a boost there. I would have killed for something like that back in high school. Coming back to the real world after his self induced paranoia session Ryker nodded as he felt a mix of determination and satisfaction at finding a solution for his problem. Now that he was sure he wasn¡¯t about to suddenly start rampaging through the forest looking for cities to destroy Ryker gave himself a proper once over after all his recently unlocked abilities without the threat of the police bearing down on him. He was still about thirteen feet tall. That would keep him from using doors the normal way if he ever wanted to get inside a building again, unfortunately. Though his increased size should give him an overwhelming advantage over weak Stage One Kaiju. Running his tongue over his fangs and the now paralytic venom glands within Ryker grunted as he approved of them. Feeling intrinsically that they¡¯d produced more venom in the time he¡¯d been asleep and filled back up. He hadn¡¯t been planning on getting the paralytic effect, and by getting it he¡¯d passed on getting the¡­ The anti-coagulating venom. Ryker confirmed as he double checked his DNA. It was a small shame. The enhanced bleed effect from dosing Kaiju with an anti-coagulant would have helped Ryker wear down tough opponents, but having a paralytic effect to his venom instead was just as impactful if not more so. He could lock a Kaiju down and let his venom do its work as he focused his efforts elsewhere. Making it vulnerable to more attacks by him or to set it up as an easy target for the military. Rubbing his claws over his chest he gave the red scales on his chest some experimental taps. Weird that the Adrenal Trigger came with a color change but it made sense in a way. Some animals had bright colors to show how dangerous they were, and what could be more dangerous than a giant monster hyped up on adrenaline? Definitely gotta test that out in a bit. Ryker thought to himself. Was the enhancement to his adrenal glands like a longer lasting adrenaline or just straight up super adrenaline? Moving down his chest to his abdomen where his scales became green again, Ryker poked at the slowly healing gore wound in his abdomen. Hissing a bit at the spike of pain as he grimaced. Yup, definitely still healing. Though getting some sleep definitely helped I think. Twisting around Ryker pressed a claw to the base of his tail as he looked at his upgraded appendage lazily wave in the air behind him. Feeling the scales of his tail lightly scrape against his palm as he slipped his tail through his grip. Gotta figure out how to use that too, or should I focus on unlocking its modifiers first? Ryker thought before, shaking his head. Nah, I should get used to it as it is. Plus, I haven¡¯t even unlocked the Bone Density modifiers yet. Those should be the ones I focus on getting for now, since I¡¯ve neglected getting them for so long. He could have focused on how to acquire those modifiers right away but Ryker opted for something more familiar and physical instead. He did have an entirely new appendage after all. He couldn¡¯t go on in good conscience without testing it out. Despite his current state of inhumanity Ryker had always been a firm believer in the benefits of constant training. The only difference now was that instead of training with a static and unchanging human body he had to train with his constantly evolving Kaiju body instead. It was a little frustrating since he¡¯d only recently adapted his old fighting style to his new form and now had an entirely new tail to train and incorporate into his move set. But complaining would get Ryker nowhere. Can¡¯t be that hard though right? Ryker thought as he turned and locked his gaze on a thin tree branch just above eye level for him. With a twitch that sent his tail snaking through the air behind him Ryker set his stance as he prepared himself for some target practice with his new tail. His eagerness to try out the new appendage showing in the energetic movements of his new appendage. With a shifting twist Ryker¡¯s tail darted out towards the branch with an impressive amount of speed. Striking out like a viper as it- Ryker started as his tail went wide of the branch, completely missing as it whipped loudly and uselessly as its end smacked against the trunk of the tree instead of his target. The ruffling leaves on the branch the only sign that he¡¯d tried to aim for them in the first place. Pulling his tail back behind himself, Ryker only waited a beat before striking out at the branch again before missing¡­ again. And again, and again, and again. I¡¯ll be damned if I make a fool of myself by using my own tail wrong. Ryker thought as he gnashed his teeth before resetting to try again. Maybe it was because of his worries about losing himself earlier but Ryker took a moment to breathe deeply and cool his temper before it had the chance to upset him. No, no point in getting worked up over not being good at this. This is something that I genuinely have no prior experience with. Ryker sighed as his tail lashed behind him in irritation. Crossing his arms in front of him Ryker closed his eyes and focused as he broke his problem down into pieces he could tackle one at a time. Intimately aware of where his tail was in relation to him as he stood still. We start from zero then. Ryker decided as he thought about the Snapper Kaiju¡¯s movements during the fight. The way it had moved to bring its tail around with enough striking force to cut open his scales. Ryker¡¯s own tail mimicking the movements in slow motion behind him as Ryker got a feel for the trick that made it work. It took more than a few minutes of ponderously slow movements but Ryker eventually nodded his head as he understood where he was going wrong. The whip like aspect of his tail had been something Ryker had taken for granted initially, but that comparison to a whip really was apt. His tail was thick at the base and slowly tapered to a point further down it¡¯s length just like a whip. That also meant that the amount of force he could put into it was surprisingly high. He¡¯d been too eager to try and recreate the same snapping motions he¡¯d seen the Snapper perform and misjudged just how much he¡¯d been overshooting his mark. So if I go like this¡­ Ryker thought as he felt more than saw his tail moving behind him. With an almost casual flick from the base of his tail he sent a wave of force down its length. His tail curving as the force passed through it and visibly moving faster as it approached the end of his tail. Before the end of his tail snapped loudly through the air as it cracked with whip-like force. A few more testing cracks of his tail satisfying Ryker as he nodded. Ah I get it now, I was just hurling it out before. Forcing it to try and hit things in front of me but now I think I think I¡¯ve got the hang of it. Ryker thought as he turned slightly, using the same flicking motion from before to get his tail curving out in front of him to finally hit the branch he¡¯d missed so many times. The wood snapping cleanly in a small shower of splinters as it fell to the forest floor. Alright! Now to move onto the real shit. Ryker thought happily as he limbered up. Stretching his arms, legs, and tail to get any lingering soreness out before he went at it. Snappy was a bit of a bitch waving his tail around to fight and doing nothing else. If I¡¯m gonna use the same tail he had I want to be able to fuck up any Kaiju I meet with it, in as many ways as possible to piss on his memory. Ryker finished up his stretches, a sight that would have baffled anyone watching as the thirteen foot tall monster performed picture perfect cross arm and runner¡¯s stretches before standing with a feral grin. All the worries about himself and the future falling away as Ryker focused entirely on his movements. Mastering his tail and new Adrenal Trigger would take time and practice but if it made him that much more lethal to the Kaiju he¡¯d spent a lifetime killing Ryker was all for it. With a boxer¡¯s light hops from foot to foot that left the trees around him shaking from their roots to their branches Ryker flowed into the first of his forms. His movements only a quarter of their normal speed as he struck out with slow motion strikes as he analyzed his tail¡¯s positioning. Slash. Slash. Bite. Before the upgrade his options for using his tail in combat were limited, with its primary function still unchanged as his means of balancing himself. But now it was almost too fluid compared to before, it still served to balance him but with its sinewy movements it was unclear where best to add its own attacks in. Would it be better served whipping around behind him to defend his back or snapping out in front of him to add to his onslaught? Experimentally Ryker whipped his tail at a a different low hanging branch behind him. The feel of his tail making contact and the resounding snap of the branch was a sign he was onto something but¡­ Slash. Snap. Slash. Bite. On its own it won¡¯t be able to deal enough damage to completely ward off attacks from behind. As it is now its just for harassing opponents in the same way Snappy did. Unless I hit something vital like the eyes. Ryker thought as he frowned slightly in concentration. So the whipping motion needs to start from the base of my tail all the way down, not just from halfway with half the force. That¡¯s how I can get it to deliver more damage per strike. But how do I do that without offsetting my counterbalance? Then again, why just use only my tail to deliver the blow? If I turn with my whole body¡­ Ryker¡¯s twist was measured, turning his whole body around until what he wanted to snap his tail at was in front of him. Even with the slowed speed of his rotation he felt a marked level of difference as he added the force of his turn to his tail winding up to strike. The entire thing curving through the air like a bullwhip as the end snapped out with enough force to crack through the air as it sheared through another tree branch. That¡¯s more like it. Ryker grinned as he slowly sped up his movements. Imagining himself surrounded by Kaiju instead of trees in the forest. Moving with a feral grace as he turned and twisted through the forest from target to target. Enemy to enemy. Slash. Crack. Slash. Bite. Bite. Slash. Slash. Crack. Crack. Crack. Slash. Slash. The way he¡¯d seen the Snapper use its tail before hadn¡¯t just been wrong, it had been wasteful. The way it had fought like it¡¯s tail was the only weapon it had wasn¡¯t how Ryker wanted to use it at all. It was a multipurpose tool, not meant for just harassing attackers from behind his back by snapping it around but as a new weapon in his biological arsenal. It was a counterbalance, a ranged striking weapon, and a means of grabbing onto enemies as Ryker practiced winding it around few branches and ripped them free from their trees with pure force alone. It was a weapon that was quicker than his claws and could strike out like a viper at vulnerable eyes and open wounds. Setting Ryker up for the perfect openings that would let him close in for the kill with his fangs. Slowly Ryker¡¯s attacks and movements ramped up in speed until he wasn¡¯t deliberately slowing down anymore, but moving like he was actually in combat. Slashing his claws along tree trunks and biting through branches as he whipped his tail through the falling leaves. Not giving himself or his imaginary foes a second to recover as he unleashed a constant stream of attacks in a merciless onslaught. Slash, bite, crack, slash, slash, slash, crack, bite, crack, slash, slash, bite, bite, crack, slash, crack, slash, bite, slash, bite, crack, slash, bite, crack, slash, slash, crack, crack, slash, bite, slash, crack, slash, bite, slash, crack. All at once Ryker paused in his attacks as he took a step back and looked at the damage he¡¯d wrought around himself. The forest floor was a mess of leaves, fallen branches, and shredded bark. With a long breath in and a flex of his claws Ryker stood as he flexed his tail after its workout. Good, this is good! Ryker thought, nodding approvingly as he surveyed the damage on the trees around him. Severed tree branches snapping underfoot as he turned in a tight circle. The only thing I can¡¯t test right now is how well my tail can be used to lock down other Kaiju when I¡¯m grappling with them. I¡¯m not about to start trying to grapple trees, there¡¯s training then there¡¯s just plain dumb. Even for me. I¡¯ll have to wait until I can try it on a Kaiju. Unless¡­ hang on. Ryker thought before moving his tail around and winding it tight around his right arm. It felt weird being able to wrap his tail around his arm so easily but Ryker supposed that level of flexibility was just a plus. Trying to hold himself back, Ryker flexed his right arm at the same time he tried to pull it down with his tail. As a Kaiju his arm was naturally full of powerful muscle but his tail was almost on another level. He only managed to raise his arm up to chest height as he strained and his tail tightened. I know this isn¡¯t scientific in the slightest in terms of testing but I¡¯ve got a pretty good grip. Ryker thought as he pulled down with just the muscles in his tail. Almost surprised by his tail''s own effectiveness until Ryker gave the thought a second to sink in. His arm may be strong, long since having been enhanced by his DNA''s first Musculoskeletal ability the Increased Muscle Fiber Density rung and its modifier for Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers. But his tail was pure muscle on the inside. His arm had to make space for the bones that held it together, in addition to that the extended length of his tail granted him a overwhelming amount of leverage over his own limb. It helped that he''d wrapped his tail around his arm enough times to nearly cover the thing entirely. The first test completed, Ryker unwound his tail from his arm with a approving nod. The long sinewy tail barely getting enough time to wag behind him as it unconsciously reacted to his emotions before Ryker tried a different approach. Experimentally, winding his tail around a leg next as he tried to take a step. The results were nearly identical as before, he raised his bound digitigrade leg off the forest floor and could only bring it forwards a few feet before stopping completely. Leaving the Kaiju balancing on one leg as he gauged his tail''s own performance and how it could work in the future. This might turn out to be an excellent grappling tool. Ryker thought with a toothy grin. It almost reminds me of the bolas and other capture weapons we had back in the day for Armor. When we had missions to capture weakened Kaiju for study. Those missions had left a bad taste in Ryker''s mouth. Particularly because they required capturing Kaiju alive. He could do it, following orders was what he''d been trained for. Didn''t mean he had to like it though, even if he could understand how living Kaiju could be studied to better understand and kill the rest of them. At least now I won''t ever have to worry about capturing Kaiju alive again. Ryker thought with a twinge of satisfaction as he unwound his tail from his leg. His toe claws digging deep into the dirt as his leg came down with a thud as he regained his balance. Ryker clapped his claws together, gladdened by the results of his tests and training. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Alright! I¡¯m starting to think having this tail might not be too bad after all. Definitely an improvement over the horn I could have gotten. Ryker thought as he cringed internally at the thought of having a horn on his head. It¡¯s combat potential was evident, he did have a wound in his gut because of it after all. But having a horn that required him to bull rush other Kaiju felt like playing into the exact kind of behavior that Riley and the others endlessly needled him for. At least with this tail he could feel a bit better now that he was trying to use it to its full potential. What¡¯s next on the list? The Bone Density modifiers right? Don¡¯t wanna miss out on whatever those are. Ryker thought to himself as he walked over to a nearby stream. Crouching down to splash cool water onto his face, something he was mostly successful with despite his claws not really being able to cup the water like he¡¯d wanted. Even then, knowing his claws wouldn¡¯t be able to do it properly, Ryker took a long moment to try drinking water from his cupped claws. Most of the water spilling out between his scaled fingers before he finally sighed in resignation and dipped his snout into the stream to drink properly. Water wouldn¡¯t fill him up like meat and other Kaiju would but it was a nice break from the practice with his tail. Wiping his snout of any remaining wetness Ryker stood and flicked his claws dry even as he turned his mind inward. More than ready to pry his next ability modifier from his DNA. Even as his mind¡¯s eye fell into himself once more to visualize his genetic code he was able to visualize it all with startling clarity. Though he only focused on a certain segment this time. Geez, it¡¯s starting to look like a Christmas tree. Ryker thought with a wry amusement as he looked at his Musculoskeletal segment. The bright lights of active modifiers mixing with the glow of the unlocked rungs of his genome. Well, its a pretty shitty Christmas tree with all those gaps and no star on top but I¡¯m working on that. Ryker thought wistfully as he looked at the dark gene locked rung at the top of his gene segment that held his capstone ability and the missing lights of its modifiers. As well as the missing modifiers for his tail. For now though there was one unlit portion of his DNA he wanted to focus on. Drawing his awareness closer to the rung that increased his bone density and helped support his increasing size Ryker peered in at the modifiers on the left side. Maybe it was a consequence of unlocking so much of this particular segment¡¯s abilities but the feelings and images that came to Ryker¡¯s mind from the first modifier were almost too clear. To the point where he recognized the modifier¡¯s purpose immediately and more importantly, one of the Kaiju he¡¯d fought in his past life that had fought with it. Spike Jackal. Ryker grimaced. His mental image of the modifier wavering as he fought to keep a wave of anger from breaking his concentration. The modifier was simple, but that didn¡¯t make its changes any less deadly. The large spikes that had given Spike Jackal its name ran down its back from the top of its spine at the base of its skull to the end of its tail. With one smaller sharpened spike forming on the ends of each elbow to give it a wicked one-two punch by following up slashing claw attacks with a stabbing spike. With the densified bone that made up the spikes they had been more than enough to punch through the earlier models of Armor before production ramped up and newer models were produced. It had also been one of the first Stage Two Kaiju Ryker had killed. He remembered the fight too, though with a bit of difficulty since it had been so long ago. How his palms had been slick with sweat on the controls as he tracked the shadow of the Kaiju darting between buildings. The too loud roar of Armor combining their fire, pressed back to back as the monster searched for an opening. A scream quickly cutting off as Spike Jackal darted in and eviscerated one of their own, sending a stream of spike projectiles towards Ryker and his squad. Without checking for what modifier he¡¯d have to give up to gain spikes himself Ryker felt over at the opposing modifiers on the other side of his genome. Finding exactly what he expected. The other ability the Kaiju had been known for. Bone Needles. Ryker confirmed as he felt his way along the change the modifier would make to his body. Feeling intrinsically how the outer layers of bone inside his forearms would slowly produce thin needle like spikes. Spikes that would grow out from the scales of his arms the same way Spike Jackal¡¯s had. Peeking out of his arms until he flexed specific tendons to shunt the needles into the newly grown hollow of his arm, where violent muscular contractions would send his bone payload out the opening under his wrist. Jesus, these really are the same mods that made Spike Jackal. Ryker started as he pulled his mind away from the old memories of pain the modifiers brought on. But even as he pulled his awareness back to the modifiers opposite the Bone Spikes and Needles Ryker found more abilities he recognized. The name of the Kaiju that had used them coming as clearly as Spike Jackal¡¯s had. Shit, and these are the mods that made Blaze Dozer. Ryker recalled. A pang of regret coursing through him at the thought of the Kaiju and the destruction it had wrought before finally being put down. The modifier in question was almost Spike Jackal¡¯s opposite. Rather than offensive bone spikes protruding from the body, it grew an outer layer of hardened bone armor over a Kaiju¡¯s already toughened scales. So that any attacks against it had to punch through both thickened bone plates and tough scales before being able to damage the Kaiju in question. The bone also added a substantial amount of weight to Blaze Dozer, giving even its basic charging attacks enough built up momentum to let it punch straight through buildings and other obstacles without slowing down. That wasn¡¯t even taking into account the fire breath that put the blaze in Blaze Dozer¡¯s name. The other modifier that belonged to Blaze Dozer was a melee oriented one, whereas Spike Jackal¡¯s Needles were ranged. The arms formed thickened bone plates over the knuckles, and forearms, that packed enough of a punch to crush Armor and buildings alike. It also didn¡¯t help that the Bone Gauntlets were thick enough to act as shields against incoming fire. Giving Blaze Dozer ample cover even out in the open, forcing pilots to get creative with their shots by targeting the joints and exposed portions of the Kaiju uncovered by armor. Ryker hadn¡¯t been a part of the squad that had taken Blaze Dozer out, his own Armor having needed some pretty extensive repairs at the time, but he still felt like he should have helped in the fight against the Kaiju. The damage it had done within even a small town was just¡­ Ryker¡¯s focus slipped as he fell out of his mental state, shaking his head at the abrupt change. Closing his eyes for a moment to steady himself Ryker reopened them to stare down at his reflection in the stream. The way it shifted and wavered in the running water sending a shiver through Ryker as he thought back on the modifiers and what it meant activating them. How he¡¯d change if he did. I¡¯m becoming more like them. Ryker thought darkly. Before these modifiers were just ways to get stronger, to make me a bit faster and tougher. Even gaining this tail meant I had one more weapon against the enemy. Taking the same ability as some weak Stage One didn¡¯t mean anything, but now I can recognize the very modifiers belonging to the Kaiju still to come. Spike Jackal¡¯s Bone Spikes and Needles, Blaze Dozer¡¯s Exoskeletal Armor and Gauntlets¡­ I knew I was growing stronger like them before but gaining their exact abilities? The very ones they used to kill so many people? How long until I get the same modifiers and abilities that killed my friends? The bioelectric arcs that will fry current-gen Armor electronics and the pilots inside¡­ The breath attacks that spews fire hot enough to slag metal and people alike¡­ Ryker¡¯s eyes unfocused as he looked past his reflection and what he could become. Imagining that future version of himself in all its terrible power as he lost control of himself. Then Ryker punched himself in the head. Damnit stop getting worried all the time! Ryker demanded as he tried to smack some sense into himself. The fact you¡¯re getting worried in the first place is proof enough we¡¯re still in control. If you really were going full on Kaiju, you¡¯d be salivating at the idea of growing stronger. Not worrying about the people those abilities could hurt. After taking a steadying breath, Ryker calmed himself down as he forced himself back into the mental space required to visualize his DNA. Staring at the modifiers of his past enemies with new eyes. Besides, do I really have the option to be picky to spare my own feelings? Of course not. Spike Jackal and Blaze Dozer were small fry. I could probably kill them both on my own once I hit Stage Two and save the world the trouble of dealing with them. But for Storm Breaker and the others, its going to take everything to take them down. Every ability and every modifier in Stage One to build myself into a Kaiju strong enough to kill them. Confirming his resolve Ryker debated which of the first two Kaiju¡¯s features he wanted to add to his body. Spike Jackal¡¯s bone spikes along his back would add to his combat ability and make other Kaiju unable to bite his neck from behind unless they were willing to impale themselves. With Ryker still lacking the more combat focused abilities, especially the capstones at the end of each gene segment, every advantage he could get in battle could mean the difference between a quick fight and a drawn out battle that increased the risk to nearby civilians. Plus, spikes would play to his existing strengths. Cementing his build as a fast, high damage combatant. Adding the Bone Needle projectiles that Spike Jackal had been known for would just increase his damage potential even further. On the other hand Blaze Dozer¡¯s bone armor was a massive increase in defensiveness. As if the Enhanced Scales he and other Kaiju received weren¡¯t enough already this armor would be like icing on the cake. That would allow him to stay in the battle longer and fend off multiple opponents without worrying about most claw and bite attacks. It could even be the first step Ryker took towards surviving the missiles the military would likely fire at him once they inevitably found him or he grew too large to hide. It would make up for the defensiveness he gave up taking the Adaptive Armor modifier to his scales instead of the Hardened Scales. Since he was effectively a solo fighter, defensiveness only helped his cause in the end by keeping him alive. Gaining Blaze Dozer¡¯s armored Bone Gauntlets would also increase his ability to tank damage in exchange for a sacrifice to speed. For a moment Ryker juggled all the different modifiers available to him in his mind. Imagining himself with spikes one moment and bone armor the next as he absently ran his claws over the parts of his body that would be affected by the change. All the modifiers had their ups and downs but even as Ryker thought of possible modifier combinations it was clear what he was leaning towards. Never thought I¡¯d go all in on cosplaying Spike Jackal but here we are. Ryker mused. Despite the upside to defense Ryker hadn¡¯t gotten to where he¡¯d been as a pilot by being a Jack of All Trades. He¡¯d picked his role as the big gun of his squad and dug his heels in, adding guns on guns on guns to his armor until he hit the load limit and then some. Without the ability to go ham with all his usual weapons he wanted to at least be able to output some of the damage he¡¯d been capable of piloting Armor in his past life. As of right now, despite his best efforts, he still took far too long to kill Kaiju he¡¯d decimated back as a pilot. The new tail and Adrenal Trigger would help with that but why stop there? They do say the best defense is a good offense. Ryker nodded sagely before frowning. Or was it a good offense is a good defense? I uh¡­ don¡¯t remember who said what in the first place but it affirms my opinion. That¡¯s the important part. It was then, in the middle of deciding he¡¯d unlock Spike Jackal¡¯s Needles first that a question struck Ryker. A rather important one. How¡­ how do I unlock these modifiers in the first place? Ryker thought, wondering as he tapped his snout in thought. These modifiers are epigenetic in nature, so repeated actions should be the primary trigger right? That was how I got the modifier for Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers, by sprinting back and forth till my DNA reacted to my actions. Same for the Shock Absorbing Muscular Tissue I got by running into that boulder over and over. But how am I supposed to unlock modifiers for my bones? Especially ones like the Bone Needles. I won¡¯t have to break any will I? Is that why I haven¡¯t seen that many Kaiju with those spikes or bone armor, because the conditions for unlocking those modifiers are so specific? Ryker paced around the forest for a good minute, sending vibrations through the earth with every step as he thought on the proper means of unlocking any of the bone related modifiers. I¡¯d rather not have to break my own bones if I can help it. That would be a great way to leave myself vulnerable to other Kaiju. Not worth it to break a leg for a modifier and then lose it when I¡¯m ripped apart by Kaiju. Then there¡¯s the time it would take to heal the break, reduced since I¡¯m a Kaiju and have that healing factor on my side but it would still be long enough to leave me in a bad spot. Unable to help others if Kaiju attack or scout for food to get stronger. Ryker thought as the leaves on the branches around him shook slightly at his passing. Although¡­ Ryker paused as he looked down at his claw. Or more specifically, one of his thick clawed fingers. I could still fight with a broken finger. That still counts as a broken bone for the modifier right? If it does unlock the modifier I don¡¯t mind suffering a broken finger. Ryker mused as he picked one of the three fingers on his nondominant side to sacrifice for the cause. Gingerly gripping the finger in the clenched fist of his other claw as he stared down at his appendage. No that can¡¯t possibly work can it? I¡¯m just jumping to conclusions again. Ryker balked as he let go and shook his clawed hand, as if he could shake off the idea of the pain he was all too willing to inflict upon himself for more abilities. Although the physical aspect of a modifier isn¡¯t the only factor is it? There¡¯s a mental component as well. One that¡¯s not just limited to my Neurosensory modifiers. I proved that when I gained the paralytic aspect of my venom biting Snappy and praying it wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone running away around us. Plus if its just the one finger I can manage, even if I have six now instead of ten I can do without one for a while until it heals. Yeah, totally. Gripping the finger again Ryker prepped himself for what he was about to to do as he sunk his mind back into himself. Half in and half out of his typical trance like state to view his modifiers as he pondered the best mental state to force the adaptation he wanted. Deliberately trying not to think about what would happen if it didn¡¯t work and he broke his finger for nothing. Desperation and more than a bit of fear helped unlock the Paralytic Venom. That trigger makes sense. For a Kaiju to feel the need to paralyze a target they¡¯d probably feel desperation and fear. Wonder how many got that modifier as they were fighting me? Anyway, spikes are offensive in nature. Spike Jackal was a menace with those hit and run tactics so desperation wasn¡¯t the trigger there, definitely wasn¡¯t fear either for its Spikes and Needles. Maybe anger? Heh, maybe not. I¡¯d have unlocked them awhile ago if it was just anger. Ryker thought back to what he knew of Spike Jackal. Focusing on the Kaiju itself and not the hatred he felt for the monster. The way it had fought. Constantly harassing his squad with attacks as it darted in and out of the cover between buildings. That wasn¡¯t an emotion, that was a mindset. To hit and run. To strike fast and hard. Ryker pictured himself doing exactly what Spike Jackal had done to him and others. Imagined the feeling of asphalt cracking under his every step as he darted in and out of cover to harass Kaiju. Not ripping into or savaging them all at once like he wanted to but being cautious and ruthlessly calculating as he zeroed in for a single perfect kill. As Ryker stood frozen in the wilderness, his human thoughts reluctantly drew on that animal fury and hunger that had become a part of him since his rebirth. Knowing somehow that they¡¯d be required to force the modifier through. His jaws parted slightly as he let out a long breath, imagining the rush of darting between buildings only to pounce on his enemies like the monster he was. To feel the give of flesh between his teeth as he dug his claws in deep. Slowly Ryker¡¯s clawed hand had wrapped around his finger once more while he was in his mental fugue. Squeezing tightly with intent. Before he could second guess himself Ryker ruthlessly jerked his to the side. An audible pop accompanying the flare of hot pain under his claw. Instantly his focus broke as the pain tore through the illusion he¡¯d crafted for himself. Fucking shit! Ryker cursed up a storm as his throat gargled the words into a mess of growls, groans, and yelps. Cradling his broken finger with a snarling grimace as he felt the Bone Needle modifier in his DNA give way. The shifting of altered bone and muscle within his forearms almost pleasant compared to the pain of his broken finger. Aha, ah that stings! Ryker tried to say as he backed into a tree, his weight leaning against the trunk making the oak groan in protest as Ryker bore the pain. Pain was unfortunately, a constant companion to Ryker. Even in his past life he¡¯d suffered through the pain of neural backlashes of lost mechanical limbs in his Armor and the constant burn of scarred nerves later in life that left him unable to pilot Armor. With all that and the existing wounds Ryker was still not fully recovered from, suffering a broken finger was just another painful drop in the bucket. At least I actually got something out of this. Ryker beamed regardless of the pain as he flexed his good arm and felt the new muscle and bone under his scales. On the surface there wasn¡¯t any immediate changes to the naked eye. Ryker¡¯s arms were both as green and scaly as they¡¯d ever been. But he could feel the beginnings of the needle like projectiles start to grow from the inside of his arm. It felt weird. Like an itch on the inside of his arm that he couldn¡¯t scratch. Ryker watched in real time as the first bone needle broke through his scales to stick out of his arm. There was only one at first, but that one spike was quickly joined by four more as they finished growing one after the other. Leaving him with ten projectile needles in total. With five needles per each arm. It felt surreal to have Spike Jackal¡¯s very own needles sticking out of his body but Ryker shook his head of the thought as he felt along his arm with the unbroken fingers of his other clawed hand. This isn¡¯t Spike Jackal¡¯s ability any more. This is mine. And it isn¡¯t going to hurt anyone or anything except Kaiju. Ryker reaffirmed to himself. Still¡­ gonna take some getting used to though. Experimentally, Ryker relaxed his arm and felt the bone needles shift from sticking out at a backswept angle to lying flush against his forearm. Ryker practiced the motion several times. Relaxing and contracting the new muscle as he got a feel for ¡°stowing¡± his new ranged weapon and arming it. Arming my own arm. Ryker sighed wistfully. That¡¯s rich. I¡¯m gonna have to stomp into a comedy club at some point to let them know how funny I am. Ryker flexed the needles until they stuck out clearly from his arm and jerked something in his arm. His fingers twitching as one of the needles was sucked into the newly grown, still warm hollow on the underside of his forearm. Turning his arm over Ryker could barely make out the bulge under his scales that signified his bone payload was locked and loaded. Even though he could feel every part of the process, Ryker took a long moment to poke at and prod the biological firing mechanism just under his scales that was now a permanent part of him. I really am a freak of nature aren¡¯t I? No wonder Beck and all the other scientists got so worked up over Kaiju biology. This is just wild. Ryker had more than his fair share of experience with different Kaiju abilities but he¡¯d never taken any time to understand how those abilities could be possible in the first place. If a Kaiju could shoot spikes out of its arms, it could shoot spikes out of its arms. If a Kaiju could breathe fire, it could breathe fire. They all still had to die, so strange abilities were just something he¡¯d come to accept overtime. Being a Kaiju himself now made him realize that as fantastical as some Kaiju abilities were they all had some basis in reality and biology, despite how impossible they seemed on the surface. He wasn¡¯t sure if that made him feel better or worse. Ryker surprised himself suddenly as he accidentally flexed a tendon in his arm, the biological trigger most likely, and sent the bone needle hurtling out of his arm with a violent constriction of muscle. The bone zipping out with a barely audible ¡°Fwik!¡± to mark its passing before the spike embedded itself deep into the wood of a nearby oak that shook from the large impact. Oops. Ryker thought sheepishly as he made his way over to the bone needle in the tree trunk. It was sunk in deep, at least half its length inside the tree. Ryker nodded approvingly at the needle as he tried to pull on it and felt little give. Solid piercing power. With the extra mass behind it, I¡¯d bet that it could even punch through the Enhanced Scales on a Kaiju. The needle came out of the trunk as Ryker found his grip on the bone projectile. Ryker turned the two and a half foot long projectile over in his claws and stared at it with a growing grin on his face. That was way too quiet right? Then again, there¡¯s no gun powder or explosive payload to fire the needle, it¡¯s all muscular. So hell yeah, I wasn¡¯t banking on it being so quiet but that¡¯s a solid bonus. Ryker thought before frowning as he looked down at his giant frame. Silenced weapon or not, I doubt there¡¯s many scenarios where I can get away with doing anything silently anymore. Bummer. Ryker tried to ¡°reload¡± the spike by returning it to his arm but found that it was an exercise in futility. But that was alright, he could already feel another bone spike growing in his arm to replace the one he¡¯d fired, though it was taking a lot longer than it had a few minutes ago when he¡¯d grown them all in at once. Probably something to do with the modifier activating and giving it a burst of speedy growth like the other modifiers. Maybe he¡¯d have to fire all ten spikes before they started growing back faster? Or maybe he just needed to eat to make up for all the bone he was growing and losing? Eating... Ryker thought cautiously as he examined the needle. He¡¯d have to figure this out at some point right? Might as well try it out and get it over with. With only a hint of morbid curiosity and no hesitation whatsoever Ryker brought the needle up to his snout and bit onto the end. Easily snapping off a piece of the thin bone as he made quick work of the rest of the needle. Then he stared at his arm, waiting for a fresh needle to spring out¡­ only for it to continue growing back in as steadily as before. Well damn. It was worth a shot. Ryker shrugged as he twitched his arms and folded the Spike Needles back along his forearms and out of the way. Then Ryker stepped back away from the tree and into a little clearing as he set his feet I don¡¯t wanna waste all my ammo. So no target practice with the Needles just yet. Ryker thought as he tried not to jostle his broken finger too much. Hopefully I won¡¯t have to wait too long before my finger heals up though. Ryker looked up at the sky above the tree canopy spread out over his head. As large as he was now the leaves and branches blocking his view were like a natural roof over his head. So catching a glimpse of the sun¡¯s position through the clouds was easy. I probably slept for what? A full ten hours? It¡¯s well into the afternoon now. While Ryker regretted the loss of time he was felt well rested despite his lingering injuries. I¡¯ll need to head out soon. Start hunting for food again, Kaiju or not. Ten hours is a long time to be standing still even if I needed the sleep. Just one more test and I¡¯ll start moving. Part of Ryker felt a small pang of regret at knowing he¡¯d have to leave the quiet of the forest again. The kinds of meals he¡¯d need now would probably only be found in densely populated areas unless he got lucky. And the probability of him being able to squeeze into another supermarket stealthily was low at best. That begged the question if it would serve him better to try and be stealthy about it at all? Making a rush for stores of food would likely cause a panic but it would definitely give him the push he needed to reach the capstone ability he wanted. Likely even pushing him to reach the Synaptic Defrag waiting for him in his Neurosensory segment. Feeling the pressure again even after his most recently gained modifier Ryker probed the mental aspect of his Adrenal Trigger with a careful thought. Not wanting to accidentally set off the mental trigger that would give him the same adrenaline rush that the Berserker Kaiju had before he was ready. Here goes nothing. Ryker thought. If he was going to have a negative reaction to the frenzy inducing adrenaline it was better to know now that he was alone in the woods. And was far away from anyone he could hurt. Ryker firmly flipped the switch in his mind that controlled his Adrenal Trigger and felt his body immediately respond. The adrenal glands in his chest releasing their payload on command as the modified adrenaline hit his bloodstream in a burning flood that took Ryker by surprise as the heat spread though his chest and into his limbs. The pain in his body actually lessening a degree as it was smothered underneath the tide, to the point that even his recently broken fingers felt like a splinter he could ignore. The heat traveled up Ryker¡¯s neck, into his eyes, his senses, his mind. Then the world went red. Every consideration for measuring his response, to carefully note his own effectiveness under the effects of the adrenaline burned away like kindling as Ryker shuddered like an animal holding a live wire. His pupils dilating and eyes opening painfully wide through his acid burns as he almost frantically scanned his surroundings. He wanted to move-no, needed to move. To kill and maim and rip and tear. Claws trembling with a frenzied energy Ryker practically ran around the trees looking for something, anything to sate his desperate hunger for violence. His instincts howling at him with need as he panted in quick rapid breaths. His head jerked from side to side, Ryker nearly on the verge of mania without the stimulation he craved. In the crimson haze of his bloodlust Ryker¡¯s enhanced senses expanded outward. Seeking the prey he felt so starved for. It was faint, but in the silence of the wood with all of the animals having fled from him hours ago it sang to him. A promise of blood. Fire burned in his limbs as Ryker tore through the trees. Digging up furrows in the dirt with every quaking step hurling him forward. His chest heaving like a bellows with every frantic breath. He was almost there. He could smell them now just over the hill. Underneath the stink of car exhaust mixing in the air with aging concrete, there were living breathing things just waiting for him. He crested a hill and could barely make out the town through the dense trees. The sight of it and the people moving in it singing in his mind even as a small part of him recoiled in alarm and desperately tried to pull him back. But it was too small to be heard above the roar of blood in his veins and the need to spill that same blood inside others. To feel it. Slick and hot as it ran over his teeth and claws and spattered onto his scales. Rich and red as it poured over him from open arteries in pumping spurts. It was just too much. Ryker had spent an entire lifetime giving into his anger. Training himself to ride the rush of adrenaline every time he got ready to fight. Whether they be Kaiju on the battlefield or the human kids on the playground. Those instincts had been hard-wired into him, as much a part of him as his own flesh and blood. Only now those very instincts were getting amplified beyond all control. His own internal voice was drowned out, reason and logic unable to pierce the red veil of bloody intent in his mind. It was a blessing then that Ryker had never been one for words. Ryker¡¯s good claw came up and clenched the side of his neck in a vise grip. The ends of his claws punching through his Enhanced Scales to dig into the flesh beneath, small trails of blood leaking down his neck as Ryker tried to alter his course. He stumbled as his jaws tried to snap at the pain he was inflicting on himself. That near fall gave him just enough time to wrap his tail around a nearby tree trunk. His tail immediately going taught with tension as Ryker strained against himself, trying desperately to break away and to rush into the town even as he fought against his own crazed bloodlust. Claws digging deeper into his neck Ryker forced his head to turn away from the bustling town beyond the trees. Letting out a keening groan as he shivered violently and drool dripped down his jaw, mixing with the stream of blood running down his neck, adding to the red of the scales on his chest. With the edge of the trees still in sight Ryker split his mind and senses into the myriad of twisted colors of his Synesthesia. Trying to drown out the smell of humans he knew were just a couple hundred feet away under the deluge of sensory information in every inch of the forest around him. The taste of forest colors on his tongue, the sound of rustling branches coming to him as ripples across his scales, and the ever present feel of sunlight constantly humming in his ears. He stayed like that for what must have only been minutes but he felt every one like they¡¯d been stretched out for hours. Half standing, half kneeling as he twitched and jerked against his own self imposed bonds. Fighting to deny and obey the violence in his blood. Then all at once, the fury drained out of Ryker. Leaving him feeling like he¡¯d been wrung dry of all energy. His tail slipped from the bark of the tree and his claw fell from his still bleeding neck as he shakily stood. He took one step away from the edge of the forest. Then two. Then he fell face first into the dirt. Uggghhh. Was the first thought to come to Ryker¡¯s mind as he came back to himself. Accompanied by a low groan as he picked himself up and took several deep breaths as he reoriented. Taking in the full weight of what had just occurred. What¡­ Ryker thought as his claws clenched into fists. Anger bubbling up to take its rightful place in his mind. What. The. Fuck! Ryker clenched his teeth in a snarl as he stared daggers into his own chest. Once claw raised as if he could strike out at the Adrenal Glands that had nearly sent him into a uncontrollable frenzy. Adrenal Glands he¡¯d spent valuable resources acquiring instead of spending them on something that could have aided him. Like the Synaptic Defrag that was growing more and more desirable every minute he remained a Kaiju. This wasn¡¯t anything like what he¡¯d expected the Adrenal Trigger to be like. Every single ability he¡¯d gained from his DNA before this one had given him a measurable benefit. But this ability had nearly sent him over the edge into doing something unimaginable. God. Ryker thought stunned as he looked over his shoulder towards the distant edge of the forest. What if I hadn¡¯t stopped myself just now? What if I actually¡­ A chill swept up Ryker¡¯s spine that had nothing to do with the cold in the evening air. His anger, so ready to boil over at himself a moment ago seemed to slip from his brain all at once. The feeling of the Adrenal Trigger in his mind making him wish there were a way to cut it out or revert his body so he wouldn¡¯t have it anymore. It was abundantly clear that this was an ability he could not rely on. Even worse, it was a ticking time bomb that would hurt anyone near him if he activated it again. I can¡¯t take the chance of ever activating that ability again if I lost control this easily outside of combat. Ryker thought tensely as he warily regarded the spent feeling of adrenaline in his body as he slowly got to his feet. Using a low hanging branch to pull himself up as he made the bark creak with his weight. It won¡¯t activate again unless I pull the trigger. Ryker reassured himself. But that was too close. Heaving a massive sigh. Ryker pinched the ridge of his snout as he shook his head. So the Adrenal Trigger is a bust then. Maybe it¡¯s an ace for normal Kaiju but if it causes such a reaction in me I¡¯m not risking it unless that changes. Ryker was almost ready to write off the ability entirely until the last part of what he said registered again. If that changes? Changes were coming to his body every day now. Whose to say that Synaptic Defrag or some other ability hidden in the Neurosensory segment of his DNA might hold the key to keeping his head on straight during that overpowering adrenaline rush? That could work. Ryker grumpily accepted. But there¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m doing that again unless I¡¯m damn sure the only things I hurt around me are Kaiju. Finally feeling back to himself Ryker was abruptly torn away from his thoughts as the sound of a helicopter reached his enhanced hearing. A heartbeat passed where Ryker¡¯s old pilot instincts perked up and tried to assert themselves. Those instincts being that Armor pilots usually waved to their fly boys. But Ryker crushed the impulse as he ducked low and close to the tree. Staring up through the canopy as he made out the the miniature sized helicopter growing in size as it came closer. Scratch that, multiple choppers. All military too. Ryker noted as he remained still. Watching with bated breath as the formation flew low over the mountain. And Ryker didn¡¯t have to think too hard to guess their destination. The suburb. Ryker thought. Glad to know that whole shit show was worth it. Ryker thought glumly. If I ever have to pretend rampage again I¡¯m gonna pretend to lose it and find a pretend Therapist. After the military helicopters crested the mountain and Ryker was clear to move again he stood. Smiling for the first time in a while as he nodded in approval. He was a military man after all, it was good to see something so familiar. Especially this early in the timeline. This early¡­ In the timeline¡­ Oh shit! Ryker thought frantically as he clutched his head with both claws. Oh shit this is big! This is amazing! Aha! A lizard like bark of a laugh left Ryker¡¯s throat as he pumped a scaled fist in the air. Yes! I can¡¯t believe that stupid stunt did something good for humanity! In his previous life the revelation of Kaiju¡¯s existence in the world had been immediately covered up. Firstly by governments the world over and then by politicians who desperately wanted to keep a lid on the never before seen creatures until they could find a way to reveal them for their own benefit. If the police recordings and accounts of him had spread faster than could be contained. He might have just subverted any effort to keep Kaiju hidden from the world. The military would get involved sooner, Beck would be brought in to help with the Anti-Kaiju efforts quicker, inferior Armor weapons and designs would be retrofitted faster to combat the threat. Hell yeah! Ryker beamed. His savage complexion doing his best interpretation of a shit eating grin as he practically hopped around in his excitement. Granted the Children of Gaia are probably gonna be a thing soon, but more importantly, those Kaiju are so fucked! And I¡¯m gonna be¡­ I¡¯m¡­ Ryker paused as he looked down at himself and blinked several times. Staring at his very Kaiju-like body before the reality of his situation hit him like a truck. I¡¯m so fucked if they find me. Ryker hissed in alarm. His head snapping from side to side as if soldiers would pop out of the woods to start shooting at him. Shooting him and point him out for the big guns to roll in and take him down. Holy shit I¡¯m so fucked if they find me. Ryker thought in a panic as he held his face in his claws. I¡¯m still a Stage One pipsqueak! I can¡¯t handle missiles yet! Shit, I¡¯m only mostly bullet proof right now. AP rounds will absolutely punch holes through my guts. I gotta get eating like, yesterday! No wait, distance first! Ryker nodded quickly as he picked a direction directly away from the suburb the military was heading to and started moving. making extra careful to steer clear of the town as he moved at a quick jog. A pace that, at his large size and extra agility, let him cut through the forest like it was an open road. I¡¯m gonna have to find a whole lot of food and fast. Ryker thought as he focused on moving. I don¡¯t know how much time I¡¯ve got left before the military starts fielding the big guns. If military choppers are already flying around in the open, it¡¯s only a matter of time before they start fielding troops, then tanks¡­ then Armor. Ryker¡¯s face contorted in a grimace as he grappled with the truth of his situation. Accepting that as much as he didn¡¯t want to he may be forced into the kind of fight he¡¯d desperately hoped to avoid, much sooner than he¡¯d anticipated. Chapter 24 - See No Kaiju, Hear No Kaiju With every second that passed Ryker¡¯s treading steps took him farther and farther away from the suburb that was likely swarming with military personnel right about now. Feeling a conflicting mix of both immense joy at how he was able to get the military to act before they were crippled by useless politics and a gnawing worry as he skirted the outskirts of civilization. Hours passed easily as Ryker marched. The sun already sinking well below the horizon as Ryker built up as much distance as he could. The forest around Ryker only illuminated by the stars and dim glow of the moon as he shifted his eyes to see properly in the low light. There was a lot to think about to keep him occupied as he traveled. The possible changes to the future, the intervention of the military, and one thing much more important than the others. Where¡¯s all the fucking food? Ryker thought tiredly. Lamenting how despite the bright glow of fast food signs in the distance they weren¡¯t going to supply what he¡¯d need. Granted if he completely emptied out multiple fast food freezers like the one he¡¯d emptied at the Garden Olive it might be enough to push him to his Capstone ability but that was the problem. Just barely good enough wasn¡¯t good enough for Ryker now. Not at the speed things were progressing. Almost reluctantly Ryker stopped himself from moving on and stared through the trees at the illuminated buildings and street lights. All of it shining brightly enough he had to blink away his low light vision to a degree until looking at it all became manageable. This is taking too long. Ryker thought with a grimace as he stepped closer. Standing behind a tree to shield his bulk from any prying eyes, however unlikely it was anyone was actually looking into the woods at night. Ryker had kept mentally probing the air waves for information as he¡¯d traveled and felt a mounting pressure with every report and comment he¡¯d heard. There was still an abundance of skepticism in people, mixed with the usual conspiracy theory remarks that dismissed so many of the early reports of Kaiju the first time around. But the rhetoric was different now. It was subtle but the reports felt more natural in this timeline, lacking the normal tells of pre-written and scripted responses that would have come from higher powers desperate to keep the peace. For a moment Ryker felt a pang of regret as he looked at the untouched normality of the large town through the cover of tree branches. It would all start changing soon. People moving to the safety of larger more heavily defended cities, the constant patrols and rumble of tanks down empty streets. It had been one of the things he¡¯d loved most about being sent back in time, being able to see the world as it had been. Now it felt like he was playing a part in ruining it. Forcing the world to come to terms with their new reality by shoving proof of it into their faces. Stop getting sidetracked. Ryker admonished himself. I need to find food to get stronger. So where can I get some? With a discerning eye Ryker¡¯s gaze roved over the town as he crossed out office buildings and apartment blocks as places he could get food. The fast food restaurants were an appealing option especially since they were glowing so brightly, but he crossed those out as well. Too many people at this time of night. Not to mention that I won¡¯t be able to break into their freezers without tearing open some part of the building at my size. Ryker thought. Resting his weight on the tree as he laid his arms on a thick branch, his chin on top of his forearms as he let out a puff of air from his nose. And tearing open buildings is gonna be my one way ticket to getting found and taken out by the military. It would be best if I could find a farm but I don¡¯t exactly have a GPS to get me to one. A zoo would be¡­ doable but not something I''d enjoy. Ryker thought. It would be for the survival of the human race, so he would do it if he found one but he wouldn¡¯t deny that the idea of going into a farm or zoo to eat all the animals was one that left him mildly uncomfortable. Cows were one thing. But what if the farm had horses? Those had gone extinct in the last timeline and Ryker felt a reluctance to start slaughtering the once beloved animals. The zoo idea was almost worse. All of those animals had gone extinct as well. Penguins, monkeys, birds, and a whole lot of others. Accelerating their extinction might have fed him, and was objectively the correct decision to make to help humanity but it still felt like a morbid idea. He''d never even been to a zoo in his first life. The only penguins he''d seen had been on TV. I wonder what penguins taste like? Ryker thought traitorously before reigning himself in. No, no a zoo won¡¯t work for what I need. Chances are that whatever zoo I find is gonna be smack dab in the middle of a major city or town. Getting there would draw too much attention. A farm would be preferable since those are usually out of the way, but in the absence of those two¡­ Ryker tapped his chin as he pondered. The light ting of his claw ringing against his Enhanced Scales as he weighed his next course of action. I could go dumpster diving again. Ryker thought after a moment. His eyes roaming over the town towards the portion that held less activity overall. He could see what could have been a restaurant or two edging up against a larger district made up of warehouses. I have to give it a shot. Ryker decided. I don¡¯t have time to wait for the perfect opportunity to fall into my lap with things moving as quickly as they are. It took some time for Ryker to circle round to the best portion of the town to enter into. The major roads in and out had to be avoided, even at this late hour there were plenty of cars and pedestrians moving along the sidewalk. Large department stores and other stretches of connecting shops acted like walls that kept Ryker from entering with the amount of people moving around them. On the surface there didn¡¯t seem to be a convenient alley anywhere that was available for him to squeeze into but he was hopeful there was a way in he just wasn¡¯t seeing. With a pilot¡¯s patience Ryker¡¯s eyes scanned and evaluated his options. Tracing his gaze across the area over and over again. His low light vision picking out details in the dark before he cautiously moved closer to the tall chain link fence that separated the forest from the back wall of a long flat building that connected to some kind of shopping plaza. When his eyes took in all they could Ryker shifted the portion of his mind that governed his senses. Wrapping everything in the familiar swirl of mixing Synesthesia. With the combined effect of his already enhanced senses Ryker could make out the light patter of people moving inside different shops. The sound coming in ripples of smell and splashes of color that danced across his retinas. I¡¯d circle round the entire building if I could but those paths around don¡¯t lead to alleys, they lead back out into the plaza. There¡¯s an empty store there in the middle with nobody inside. I guess I could go through and pop out the other end, but again it lets out into that same parking lot on the other side. Maybe¡­ Unlike the front of the shopping plaza, the large back area of the small department stores that made up the large building was less crowded, but not empty. Down a ways to his right he could make out a crew of people unloading a Semi truck at a brightly lit loading dock. Fortunately, the layout of the large building was like a series of ¡°L¡±s connecting from one top to the other. Making up for the large amount of open ground between the building and the parked cars of employees next to the back fence by having part of the building shield him from view of the dock workers if he entered at a certain angle. There was some trash piled up in a nearby dumpster that caught Ryker¡¯s attention but Ryker could already tell by the smell that there wasn¡¯t any food inside. Just plastic and cardboard in different shapes and sizes. He could smell a restaurant or two and their dumpster on the breeze though, but those were beyond the crew of people loading, well before the forest petered out into shrubs too small to conceal him in the moonlight. On the surface it looked like Ryker wouldn¡¯t be able to make it anywhere without being spotted, but the Kaiju¡¯s lips drew back in a small smile as he came up with a plan. Cautiously, Ryker approached the chain link fence with a cat¡¯s natural grace¡­ well a giant cat¡¯s grace maybe. Resenting all the while how he couldn¡¯t risk jumping over the fence due to how much of a commotion he would cause. With his luck he might inadvertently trigger one of the parked car¡¯s alarms if he landed on the other side heavily enough. Hyper aware of how much the fence would rattle if he touched or got caught on it, Ryker took his time carefully stepping over the tall fence. Holding onto a tall branch that extended over the fence to steady himself as he carefully lifted one clawed foot and raised it over. Sucking in his gut as if it would help, he carefully planted his foot in an empty parking spot on the other side without a sound. Ryker held still for a moment, eyes locked on the unloading dock and any wandering eyes as he straddled the fence. Then his calm almost broke completely in one terrible moment as he shifted his weight and felt the sharpened metal tip of the fence scrape a line across his crotch. Fucking shit man! Ryker grimaced with fangs silently bared as he brought his other leg over. The uncomfortable metal on scales feeling finally passing after a moment as Ryker crouched low between two parked cars. Gingerly dropping a claw below his waist for a quick damage report before letting out a shaky breath. Hoo boy, that could have been bad. Thank God for small blessings. Ryker thought relived. Unusually glad for once that Kaiju lacked the vulnerable weak spot so common to the rest of man. Pushing the brief moment of phantom pain aside Ryker kept low, barely able to keep his back and shoulders from peeking over the roofs of the parked cars next to him as he carefully leaned his head out to make sure it would be safe for him to cross. At the angle he¡¯d entered from the protruding back end of the building extended out far enough that most of the loading dock and its workers were hidden from view. Rather than sprint across like his instincts told him to Ryker left the safety of his hiding spot one slow step at a time. Careful to make as little sound as possible and not cause any noticeable vibrations from his steps as he moved over to the back of the long building. Head moving from side to side to make sure no one was out back taking a smoke break. In the next few seconds Ryker was clear of the open space and pressing himself flat against the back of the building. Making sure he was right behind the empty department store. The back door of the place barely looked big enough to fit Ryker¡¯s leg as he shifted to look down at it. Accidentally scratching his toe claws against the concrete before raising them up a few inches. Listening hard for any movement responding to the light noise he¡¯d made before relaxing slightly. Nobody inside to cause a ruckus if I make some noise, and the walls between the stores should be thick enough to dampen the sounds of me moving. Ryker assured himself as he gave the back door of the department store a wan smile. At thirteen feet tall himself, the back door was less than half his size. Plus, it wasn¡¯t nearly wide enough to allow his large frame through without tearing out of a massive chunk of the wall. He doubted he¡¯d even be able to fit his shoulders through now. Doesn¡¯t matter. That¡¯s what the plan¡¯s for. Ryker thought determinedly as he turned towards the back wall of the building. Digging his claws deep into the structure as he got a good grip on the surface and started climbing. As tall as he was he only had a short way to go to reach the top of the one story building. When Ryker found the proper foot holds to push himself up onto the roof he eased his weight onto it gingerly. Slowly moving into a crouch that braced himself against the roof with his claws and feet bearing his weight so he didn¡¯t put all his weight on one spot. He could almost feel part of the building groan beneath him at the pressure he was putting on it but it held mercifully. Only after taking a second to listen carefully, watching how the people in the shops below him were continuing to walk and talk without a care, Ryker moved. Stealthy thoughts Ryker. Stealthy thoughts. He breathed out in a huff. Tail slowly twisting through the air behind him in tense agitation as he made his way across the roof. Still crawling forward on hands and feet as he distributed his weight properly. It should have felt awkward but moving on four legs was less of a hindrance than he felt it should have been. It was easy to forget at times but his body was capable of permanently evolving itself into becoming quadrupedal like some other Kaiju eventually would at later Stages. For a second the idea of becoming like those Kaiju intruded into his mind, before Ryker shoved the thought away with an annoyed shake of his head. Hell no to that man, no way I¡¯m giving up walking around on two legs. Ryker thought. Just the idea of becoming a four legged Kaiju like Glacier Fang irritated him. Wasn¡¯t it enough he was already a monster? At least on two legs he could keep some of his human dignity and combat ability, no matter how large he grew. That last thought made Ryker pause suddenly as he looked towards the town sprawled before him. He knew he probably shouldn¡¯t have but he inched towards the edge of the roof over the parking lot. Drinking in the noises of people going to and from places as he looked at all the town¡¯s glowing lights. From his vantage point Ryker could almost see clear across town if his view hadn¡¯t been obstructed by several large office buildings. The sight was painfully beautiful. The unnamed town was the second Ryker had seen in his short time as a Kaiju. It held less of the small town mystique of the first town he¡¯d visited, Fairview. With more lights and activity moving through its streets that gave it more in common with a small growing city. But it was the sheer normalcy of it all that Ryker loved to see most. His combined senses submerging themselves in something that he¡¯d only glimpsed in his youth. Humanity as it once was, and should have remained. He could hear a couple through the roof in a store below him talking about family as they shopped. Their voices mixing with others in the shop as they moved between rows of shoes. The smell of new rubber wafting up from below filled his nose as his enhanced senses picked out the old car freshener inside a beat up pickup truck as a man carefully packed away a birthday balloon and gift bag. Not entirely meaning to, Ryker edged even closer to the roof overlooking the lot. Careful to remain low against the building in case anyone looked up but that wasn¡¯t an issue. Nobody saw or noticed him looking down from above. Ryker¡¯s gaze scanned the lot with a familiar but troubling feeling. The cars looked like toys from this high up. The people like figurines. He¡¯d seen the same sight countless times before from the cockpit, but that had been when he himself had been the same size as the people below. When he could have rejoined them at a moment¡¯s notice. Then something changed. For a brief moment it was as if Ryker experienced the call that he¡¯d felt during his Adrenal Trigger again. The same one that made him see the people below going about their lives as the easy prey they were. A food source he hadn¡¯t even tasted yet. The feeling disturbed Ryker with how natural it felt. Like it was somehow normal to get hungry looking at innocent people. That fucking Adrenal Trigger. Ryker cursed his own body as he shoved the insidious desire into the back of his mind. Leaving him silent as he searched his mind for the feeling again. It wasn''t like the Adrenal Trigger had reactivated on its own, it was just that it felt like the ability had torn something open in his mind during that mind numbing frenzy when he''d activated it. The adrenaline... Could the adrenaline have altered my brain chemistry? Ryker thought with a worried certainty. Pushing something out of balance that was there before. I didn''t feel this way before at all looking at people. It was a terrifying thought but Ryker quickly assessed his mental state again and found no further fault within himself aside from the differences he already knew were there. Like the lack of reaction to eating garbage and Kaiju without a shred of revulsion. He waited for the feeling to return, ready to punt it back into the recesses of his mind where it belonged. But there was nothing. Damn it all. Why is there always something going wrong? Is it too much to ask to get sent back in time without any more issues cropping up? Ryker thought sourly as he refocused on the small people below and deliberately tried not to think hungry thoughts. Whatever, its just one more problem to deal with. I''ll live. Now feeling a different concern altogether bloom inside his chest. One that had been on his mind for much longer than his recent discovery of how his body''s bloodthirsty instincts were affecting his human side''s perception of things. How long until I¡¯m looming over everyone like this on my own two feet? And not just because I¡¯m standing on top of a building. Ryker thought without the irritation or melancholy that usually came from such thoughts for once as he pondered. Every time he¡¯d grown he¡¯d gotten angry at the change. He¡¯d told himself it was because it was a process he couldn¡¯t control, that allowing something so important be governed by his Kaiju nature disturbed him. Only¡­ That wasn¡¯t really it was it? Every time he¡¯d grown larger it was a visceral reminder that he wouldn¡¯t be able to go back. One that felt like it was slapped across his face with how blatant and unchanging the transformation was whenever it happened. Because it was going to keep happening. There was no such thing as getting out of the cockpit when you were a Kaiju. He would always be this way. He felt a pang of regret at the thought certainly, he wouldn¡¯t be human if he didn¡¯t. But more than that was a growing¡­ acceptance? Well, maybe acceptance is too strong a word. Ryker thought as he took a deep breath of the town¡¯s night air as he closed his eyes. Drinking in the living, metal, and concrete scents of untouched humanity as they spilled into his other senses. The colors dancing before his eyes in a show that put even the vibrant town¡¯s night lights to shame. I think it¡¯s just hit me that if anyone were to get turned into a Kaiju¡­ maybe it¡¯s a good thing it was me after all. For all his faults Ryker was one still of the best pilots humanity had ever fielded against the Kaiju before the end. He was more accustomed to moving at the sizes he was going to grow to than almost anyone else would be. It buoyed Ryker¡¯s mood to think on the things he knew he could do right at least when that happened. Growing larger would rob him of the close personal interactions he now sorely missed but he¡¯d make up for all of it with a lifetime of experience in battle and saving lives in ways only he could. Cities, towns, suburbs. Ryker thought meaningfully as he opened his eyes and looked out at civilization. The cool wind brushing over his scales as his tail waved in the breeze. I know how to move through them all, how to fight in and defend them all. Even as Anti-Kaiju weaponry advanced and became more and more destructive I was the one with the lowest collateral damage rating across the board. Period. As much as it bites to be stuck as a Kaiju instead of being in my real body, I know that once I reach the end of Stage One or Two or Three¡­ I¡¯m going to become a more effective asset when it comes to killing Kaiju and protecting people. Then all that effort I put into learning proper ¡°handling¡± of civilians can be put into practice again. Ryker looked down at his good claw, flexing his three fingers as he remembered fondly the times he¡¯d successfully moved small groups of people away from active combat zones in his Armor¡¯s cradled hands. The first time he¡¯d done that he¡¯d nearly been deafened by his commanding officer as he was yelled at for attempting such a risky pickup of survivors in a combat zone. He¡¯d been dressed down for a solid ten minutes in front of everyone, before being walked around the corner by that same officer and told how damn good of a job he did saving those people. Before firmly being told to never do it again. It was an order he¡¯d go on to disobey regularly. For obvious reasons it was expressly forbidden for anyone in Armor to try and handle people except under very specific circumstances. One wrong twitch of a pilot¡¯s controls could have meant the difference between saving a life, accidentally breaking someone¡¯s bones, or pasting that same someone to a red smear. Despite Ryker¡¯s insistence on changing military doctrine when it came to moving civilians with Armor to expedite rescue efforts, the military¡¯s view on the risky maneuvers went unchanged. Thou shalt not pick up what you can fuck up. The claws would change how I did things a bit now though. That and having only three fingers instead of five. Ryker thought worriedly. Realizing all of a sudden that if he were larger he wasn¡¯t sure he¡¯d be able to pick up anyone safely like he used to. The problem wasn¡¯t one he could fix without practice but it didn¡¯t stop Ryker from seeking out a solution all the same as he curled his clawed fingers. Pretending to hold an imaginary toy sized human being on his palm as he pictured the best way to brace them in his scaly claw. Like all skills, holding living breathing people in your Armor¡¯s grip was an art. Two cupped hands held together were the best for non-combat carries but you could also palm people one handed if you needed to during combat and you did it right. You had to start by forcing them to lie flat with their back against the palm, because relying on anyone to stay crouched or semi-standing while Kaiju were trying to kill you was a fool¡¯s errand. Then you used all five fingers to support the body of whoever you were holding properly. Little finger bent flat against the palm to give them something to brace their feet against with the other fingers secured over legs, waist, and stomach. But you absolutely had to be careful not to press against the chest. Better to leave that finger free and slightly in front to guard against shrapnel or debris. The thumb was best held close over the palm to give a civilian¡¯s arms something to hold onto. Especially if you had to move or fight. I could still do it if need be but better to save that for a last resort then. Ryker thought. More than a little concerned he might not be able to whisk a lost civilian out of danger without cutting them with his own claws in the process. I still know how to pick up cars properly and grip them without crushing the people inside at least. That¡¯s something I can still do even with claws. Maybe it was because Ryker had lost his own folks to Kaiju. But he was almost hyper sensitive to the safety of people on the ground. Especially when Kaiju were raging and the fighting got ugly. Other pilots choked or seized up at the thought of active combat in unevacuated cities. When people were crowding the streets as they ran for their lives. But the pressure only honed Ryker¡¯s perception further and forced him to act without hesitating. It had pushed him to immediately engage Kaiju and draw them away from crowded streets into the unpopulated city parks to let loose with a salvo of heavy ordinance. To brace himself against a building and using his own Armor to keep it from collapsing as the people inside evacuated while he took pot shots against a Kaiju. To risk everything ducking and dodging breath weapons as he held a small family against his chest, only returning fire with weapons that wouldn¡¯t immediately cook the vulnerable people alive in close proximity to high output lasers. Ryker had scoffed at calling himself the pilot of an Archangel when the cutting edge mech was first created. The title felt far too lofty and ill fitting for someone of his temperament, even if he had salivated at the weapons systems of his new war machine. But in the times lives were on the line and people needed saving¡­ He¡¯d lived up to the name. Curling and uncurling his fingers reflexively Ryker let himself fall back out of his human memories as his Kaiju senses drew him back into the present. Nostrils flaring Ryker caught a whiff of food gone bad and left to rot. Something that he knew he would probably have gagged at as a human but that same smell promised a sweet meal for his current self. That¡¯s not too far away. Ryker thought as he moved away from the edge of the roof with one last glance towards the sprawling town. I may not be happy with what I am now. I may not ever be able to do the things I used to do as a human. But¡­ I think I could grow to like parts of this at least as long as it ends up helping people. Ryker¡¯s time piloting Armor hadn¡¯t been all combat. He¡¯d been rounded up with other pilots to help with reconstruction efforts for a time. Clearing debris, building pre-fabricated homes for refugees, and reconnecting power lines to the grid. It was all a pipe dream of course. Especially with the military just starting its Anti-Kaiju efforts. But it was nice to think about the good he could do one day if he killed all Kaiju. Scratch that, when he did. But until then he had too much work to do. Finally moving past the dock worker¡¯s below Ryker found the dumpster he wanted off to the side of the main department building. Hidden from the street and covered in shadow. Wafting up the promise of garbage for Ryker to consume. Must be from that Thai restaurant a few stores down. Ryker thought. Wistfully entertaining the idea of entering the restaurant itself for the good stuff before dropping the idea with a wistful shake of his head. Peeking over the edge of the building to the ground below, Ryker made doubly sure there was no one on the ground he¡¯d missed. The last thing he needed now was to draw attention to himself with someone screaming their lungs out at the sight of him. After confirming no one was in sight, Ryker crouched down on the edge of the roof. The distance to the ground would have been perilous for any normal person, but for Ryker the drop was only a double his current height. He would have climbed down but the wall was smooth and lacked any obvious divots or hand holds capable of holding his weight. His claws might have been able to brace himself but falling to the ground in a heap was something he wanted to avoid if at all possible. Just got to fall like a cat. Ryker coached to himself as his tail waved in anticipation as he stared down at the concrete. Like a big scaly cat that won¡¯t crack the pavement when it lands. Without waiting another moment Ryker dropped off the roof. Hitting the ground with a jolting but less than loud ¡°Whumf!¡± as he crouched on all fours. His digitigrade legs eating the majority of the impact¡¯s force as he listened hard for any movement, any commotion¡­ Nailed it. Ryker thought with a grin as he turned towards his prize. Now to eat my fill and¡­ oh. Ryker was standing right before the same exact type of dumpster he¡¯d made meals of back in Fairview. Back then he¡¯d been what? Seven feet tall? A bit on the large size sure, but he¡¯d easily been able to step inside the dumpster to chow down without standing out too much. Now though, that had changed. And not for the better. Well shit. Ryker turned away, claw held over his face in exasperation as he looked back at the dumpster again. As if hoping through some miracle that the dumpster that barely reached mid thigh at his current size would grow to match his stature. Ugh, you¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Ryker thought indignantly as he crouched over the dumpster. Looming over it like the vengeful dumpster dragon he was. I snuck over here and everything¡­ Ryker grumbled softly as he reached into the dumpster with one claw and angrily chomped on a garbage bag that he palmed as easily as a large apple. I even nailed that landing for nothing. Damnit, I can be such an idiot sometimes. Just like the way he couldn¡¯t recall himself growing after attaining a new ability Ryker had apparently forgotten that food sources like dumpsters would not magically grow with him as he increased in size. Which begged the question, where was he was supposed to go next? There¡¯s got to be something nearby. Ryker thought as he squatted, casually resting one arm on his thigh and using the other to shovel refuse into his maw. But where else is there going to be things for me to eat? No farms nearby, no zoos, where else is there gonna be food in large quantities? Ryker looked back at the rear of the Thai restaurant responsible for his meal and tapped out a frustrated beat on his scaled thigh with his claw as his jaws worked reflexively to eat the trash. Spoiled food, plastic, and all. Again, there¡¯s the usual. Restaurants and super markets. But going for those comes with the risk of exposing myself. Hell, that risk is probably a certainty with people becoming aware of Kaiju as a whole and me being too big to sneak inside. Ryker was already scraping the bottom of the garbage bin and licking his claws clean of the rotten residue as he brought a clawed fist to his head to lightly pound his noggin. As if he could force the answer to fall out of his brain if he hit the right place. Think, think, think. Ryker thought with each soft impact of his balled claw. Ryker tried tracing the production line of food in his head. Fruits and stuff grown on farms went straight to market right? So that was out. That wasn¡¯t true for meat though, but he would have definitely smelled some kind of butchery nearby if there had been one. What did that leave? Canned food? Isn¡¯t food canned at the farm? Ryker thought hard. Trying his best to remember bits and pieces of food production facts he¡¯d absorbed overtime instead of learned. No, wait. Food goes to a cannery to get canned. Is there a cannery nearby? That wouldn¡¯t give off a smell though would it? Ryker¡¯s tail swished slowly in the air behind him in sinewy curls of motion that mirrored Ryker¡¯s twisting train of thought. Winding back and forth searching for an answer but finding none. Damn¡­ Ryker thought after a moment of profound reflection. I really do need those Neurosensory upgrades to boost my brain power don¡¯t I? I got no clue where to go in this town for food. A cannery would be big enough operation for me to spot I think and I didn¡¯t see anything like that from the roof. Just a few warehouses that- The lightbulb finally lit up for the man turned Kaiju as Ryker pounded his fist into his other open claw. Yes! That¡¯s- Ow fuck! After a long minute of gingerly nursing the claw with the still healing broken finger he¡¯d punched in his eureka moment. Ryker got back on track as he pointed himself towards the side of town he¡¯d seen the warehouses from the roof. There¡¯s a good bit of town between me and there. Ryker surmised as he mentally traced the best pathway to his goal. He may not have had a mind for remembering details or even important things but when it came down to navigating cities and towns in Armor his intuition had been honed to an almost sixth sense. It only took a moment for him to readjust his estimates for places he could squeeze through at his reduced size compared to the standardized models of Armor he¡¯d been first trained in. I¡¯m not as bulky as I am in Armor. Ryker thought, mentally calculating. I¡¯m not as heavy either, much less actually. Certain buildings should be able to bear my weight like the department store did and I¡¯m agile enough to dart in and around alleyways with all the abilities I¡¯ve gained so far. That should keep me out of sight. Ryker looked back at the cleaned out dumpster with a monstrous sigh. If only it could have been that easy. Ryker thought wanly. Now, I¡¯m going to have to stealth my way across town. If there had been a more discreet and direct route to the warehouses Ryker spotted he would have gone that way in a heartbeat. But the warehouses weren¡¯t jammed up against the woods for easy access. They were located in the town proper, surrounded on all sides by small businesses and the occasional apartment building. Not anywhere near the more crowded downtown area thankfully but still it added an extra hurdle for Ryker to overcome. Stepping as lightly as he could Ryker moved through the darkened alleyways between buildings. His Synesthesia on full blast as he scanned every inch of his surroundings for anyone that might see him and cause a panic. He kept to the path he¡¯d made in his mind, only doubling back at times as he avoided areas with higher concentrations of people. He darted across streets only where the gaps in lighting were greatest. Only moving in the dark made by shuttered stores and the shadows cast by taller buildings. Moving through spaces between buildings that felt much more claustrophobic since the last time he¡¯d gone sneaking through civilization. The random assortment of trash and debris held up Ryker as he was forced to shimmy through gaps more than wide enough for normal people and leap over dumpsters blocking his path stuffed to the brim with everything except food. But even in the dark of night his Synesthesia lit the way. Warning him of movements within buildings when their occupants moved to windows that could overlook him. It made him a silent observer to the world all around him. The soft breathing of sleeping people in their apartments reaching him as sound and feather light touch. Like puffs of wind across his scales. It wasn¡¯t like he was trying to spy on these people, it was just that his senses were only slightly impeded by brick and concrete walls and reached out all around him. That nagging predatory instinct had come back again and despite Ryker¡¯s constant refusal to acknowledge it he felt it pushing at him all the same. Like something in him couldn¡¯t understand why he was ignoring all the sleeping food behind thin brick walls. The damn feeling was like a stress ball, no matter how many times you crushed it the ball slowly returned to its original state. A little bit more resilient than before. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Stupid fucking body. Ryker cursed at himself. Hating the way the hunger made him look at people. I¡¯ll cut out every part of you that isn¡¯t me, just you wait. The instant I get my Neurosensory upgrade I¡¯ll fucking lobotomize you. The intense emotion in his denial was more than enough to squash his predatory instinct for now but the fact he had to resist it in the first place kept Ryker¡¯s senses alert for the threats in his own mind as well as any threats outside of it. It should have been easier to resist with Ryker¡¯s entire human life being spent defending humanity but the impulse didn¡¯t feel like something outside of himself. It wasn¡¯t the intruder he wanted to believe it to be, it was like a temptation. Making him believe the desire was born of his own thoughts, as if the sleeping innocents in their homes were snacks left lying in the open. Like it wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone if he just took a little bite. Ryker gritted his teeth and forced himself to calm. Counting his breaths as he balled his claws and relaxed them. Letting out a deep breath as he stood in the dark. For a moment Ryker felt a surge of jealousy at all the people around him. The ones he could sense breathing gently in their sleep and the ones playing video games and watching movies. The ones who walked down the street without a care while he had to hide in the dark. As he wasn¡¯t even human anymore, as if he wasn¡¯t the one fighting the hardest to help them. That¡¯s not fair and you know it. Ryker sighed, feeling drained despite his stamina as he continued down the alley. These people are going to suffer just as much as you in the years to come. They may still have their bodies but they¡¯ll lose their homes, their loved ones, and their lives. Not one of them deserves that and you should be grateful for having the chance to change it. Even if you can¡¯t fix everything. Ryker thought softly. Reaching a dead end of an alley and listening to any movements inside the buildings around him. There was a dreary looking apartment building to his left and a sheer brick wall of what might have been a decommissioned factory to his right. In front of Ryker was a smaller building he could climb over if he moved up the apartment building and hopped onto the roof but it was only two stories tall with too many buildings having clear lines of sight to the roof. Reexamining his memory again and the best path forwards Ryker sighed as he knew what he''d have to do next. Looking up at the apartment building with a dubious expression. I know there''s not enough alleys between me and the warehouses to cross town safely. There''s just too many lights on the ground covering too many areas I could move through. I know the best way to move without being seen is going across the rooftops but still... Ryker turned to look back down the alley and remembered the damnable urge to feed when he looked at people. Just recalling the feeling made Ryker stiffen and look up at the apartment building with determination. Locking his eyes and mixing senses on the people inside to make sure no one was looking out into the dark alley before he carefully started climbing up without hesitation. As if he could leave his worries behind. Ryker made his way up slowly at first. Testing his weight as claws made handholds of entire windowsills and his tail bunched together to press against the brick wall of the factory behind at his back to push him upwards. With his senses double and triple checking his giant frame was hidden by the building''s long shadow, he moved carefully up to the second story. Finding his rhythm as he found small balconies to plant his feet on that had the lights off inside. It was rough going for a time trying to move upwards with so many lights on inside the apartments but Ryker kept his senses open. Shifting his position as he climbed when the people inside moved to different rooms or when he avoided passing by rooms with too many people in them. He was able to clear multiple stories working his way, methodically passing them by one after the other on his way to the roof before stopping on the seventh, right before the top. Holding himself suspended nearly seventy feet above the ground Ryker held his breath as he waited for a man inside his apartment to move from his sofa facing the window and the TV in front of it. Tail pushing hard against the brick behind him to ease the strain on his outstretched arms and legs as they kept him aloft. During his climb Ryker¡¯s body had shifted from a normal climbing position with his arms up and legs below him to something akin to the kind of painful contortions you could only get from a drunken game of Twister. Ryker¡¯s right leg was fully extended at a horizontal angle so his claws could dig into the side of the balcony an apartment length to his right. Toes scrunching up between the rails on the potted plant covered balcony as he held on to not draw attention from the people inside that apartment. Leaving Ryker¡¯s other leg drawn up and held close under him so it didn¡¯t dangle over a brightly lit window directly below him. Ryker¡¯s left arm, with the broken finger throbbing all the while, was giving his aching claw a rest by bracing his forearm along the bottom of the window sill right in front of his ducked head. Letting him distribute his weight evenly as the man inside delayed his progress. His right claw was digging deep furrows into the brick and mortar next to the window as Ryker resisted the urge to reach out to the window to his left to grab onto the AC unit he¡¯d undoubtedly rip from the wall the moment he put any weight on it. It was a precarious position. But Ryker could feel his body bearing the strain better than his human body ever could. Despite his body steadily evolving into a more agile Kaiju Ryker knew he had more than enough strength and stamina to hold his place on the side of the building as he let the minutes pass. Quietly waiting for an opportunity to move as his gaze wandered. Eventually even allowing his free leg to casually dangle beneath him and sway in the wind as he heard and tasted the people inside the apartment below him move to another room through his Synesthesia as they turned out the light. Looking down Ryker felt almost comforted by the familiar sight of the ground so far below. It was what he expected to see every time he hopped into an Armor¡¯s cockpit. Even if his view of the street was blocked by the two buildings he was hiding between Ryker closed his eyes and gauged the distance he¡¯d traveled and how far he still had to go to the warehouses. Letting out a puff of air from his nostrils as his chin rested against his chest as he tried not to focused on how the closeness of people inside the apartment building made him more aware of his hunger. Shame I can¡¯t just string a line between two buildings and make a hammock. I would kill for a nap right about now. Ryker thought wistfully as he lightly swung his free leg back and forth. Tapping his foot against the barren wall below as his claws scraped it in different places to try and find purchase but coming away empty. His attention moving away from the world he was hanging above back to the reason he couldn¡¯t risk moving up the last stretch of wall to the roof. These people can¡¯t stay here for much longer. Ryker thought, unable to get annoyed at the man inside unknowingly impeding his progress as he thought on how soon his life may change. Maybe I already bought them some time taking out as many Kaiju as I have. Some of those would have grow up big enough to be a threat to this place I¡¯m sure but¡­ Curling his toe claws deeper into the balcony cluttered with plants Ryker shifted his grip. Freeing up his left arm by grabbing onto the windowsill with his right claw to reach over the window mounted AC unit to tap the glass with his good finger. The bedroom inside was empty but adjacent to the living room the man wat watching TV in. Ryker continued as his taps steadily grew more and more insistent for a few moments until the man¡¯s head finally turned towards the noise. ¡°W-wha¡­?¡± He said blearily. Getting up and cautiously moving towards his bedroom the same moment Ryker moved past his window to reach the roof. The man¡¯s head turning back to look out the window after Ryker had already gone. Finally after the arduous climb pulling himself up over the top with a grace that almost didn¡¯t fit the monstrous body moving so easily in the wan moonlight. Crouching low, Ryker shook the soreness out of his tail for being used to support his weight in one controlled spasm as he looked over the rooftops towards his goal. I¡¯m getting closer. Ryker thought double checking his memory of the path he¡¯d chosen. But I¡¯m still way too far. Closer than I¡¯d be if I took the other routes on the ground but still¡­ Moving through the town had been a strange mix of the familiar and the novel. He¡¯d made a career on carefully moving through towns like these, that part almost made him feel at home navigating the buildings. Only now instead of standing tall for all to see he was hiding. The very people he was so used to making feel safe with his presence now becoming threats to his safety if they saw him for what he was and raised the alarm. Ryker stalked to the edge of the roof. A short jump more than enough to clear the alley below as he moved from rooftop to rooftop. Despite the caution of his movements though, he could hear and feel the vibrations of the people directly below him turn to look at the roof. A mix of cursing and worried words the only thing Ryker caught before he was beyond them. Ryker was on alert for anyone who could point him out, but there was a part of him that grumbled at how even sneaking to the best of his ability he couldn¡¯t pass people by completely hidden. I¡¯m as small as I¡¯m ever going to be with the current abilities and modifiers I have. Ryker thought tensely as he ducked behind a row of vents from a window overlooking a rooftop as someone glanced outside. The Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers mod is doing work for me, I can feel that at least. But I¡¯m still a big ass scaly monster at the end of the day. I just wasn¡¯t built for this shit. Ryker had just finished low crawling beneath a series of windows where the sounds of partying people washed over Ryker as he slid off the roof of one building down to a two story building. The alley behind the shop drawing Ryker forwards as he carefully made his way down part way before dropping to the ground with as small of a thud as he could manage. This way then. Ryker turned, pointing himself towards the direction he needed to go as he padded down the long gap between buildings. Gripping the edge of a building Ryker peeked out towards the bright lights and neon of the street proper. Confirming no one was looking towards him as he crossed the few open spaces he could find. Then he hit a snag. Ryker stopped as something entered his awareness. The same sound of breathing he¡¯d heard inside buildings, now coming from the alley in front of him. The barrier that separated him from the human meals his body wanted finally removed. Ryker held in a groan and roughly shook his head of the desire as if it were a fly that could be brushed away. His eyes darted around the small alley, finding no other routes, and knew going around this one man would cost him far too much time. Some drunk passed out in the alley. Ryker huffed softly as he crept closer. Maybe if they¡¯re completely passed out I can get by without¡­ The man was sheltered in the hollow of a canvas tarp stretched over a turned over shopping cart. The paltry shelter barely containing the homeless man and the assortment of items he¡¯d packed tight to protect from the elements or thieves. His breathing was labored, but steady as he slept. Covered head to toe in an ancient looking blanket. Ryker stared even as he slowly crept closer. His steps as cautious as they¡¯d ever been that night, more like a predator stalking their prey now as he quietly made his way towards the man. The sight of him bringing back the primal instincts of his body and too many memories. In the middle of the fighting like he¡¯d been in his past life it had been easy to get absorbed by his problems. By the war. He¡¯d seen other pilots do just that, block out everything else and focus entirely on the fight. Ryker had fell into that trap for a time. But with every new refugee camp constructed and group of people he saw making lines for food Ryker felt more than his own pain. He felt for those who had lost everything like he had. Saw the humanity he was fighting for in the struggle of those around him. It added fuel to the fire of his anger every time he¡¯d seen it, the injustice of it all. The wanton destruction of people¡¯s lives that left families huddling together to share a blanket and children too young to understand what they¡¯d lost. Despite the usefulness of the ability Ryker let his senses drift apart until they stopped feeding into each other. The world¡¯s return to the simplicity of five separate senses helped but it was that earlier emotion more than anything that helped block out the perverse hunger gnawing in Ryker¡¯s gut. Allowing him to gather himself before ever so carefully stepped over the man¡¯s outstretched legs slightly shifting under the blanket. Though Ryker did have to admit the man¡¯s grime covered state and absurd assortment of goods packed in with him did wonders to help distract Ryker from the way his breathing made Ryker¡¯s senses laser in on him. Sorry, I can¡¯t help you out. Ryker thought softly. I can barely help myself as I am now. Stay safe alright? Ryker took another careful step and froze when he felt something crunch under his foot he didn¡¯t notice. Wincing at the noise but seeing the homeless man still sleeping soundly Ryker lifted a leg and spotted the remains of what must have been a can of some kind. Though it barely resembled a can even before Ryker stepped on it. It was torn apart like it had been beaten and cracked open with a rock before being pried open. He spotted another unopened can with a number of dents in it near the wall across from the man. Like it had been thrown away in frustration. No can opener huh? Ryker paused. Looking back at the man for a moment, feeling the itch in his teeth that wanted to bite him before he forced the feeling aside and crouched down anyway. Picking up the dented can in two large pinching claws. The thing looked like it was sized for dolls in his massive grip but Ryker was determined to do something good tonight for someone, even if they were a stranger. Carefully he positioned the can with his good claw and brought up his thumb on his other claw. His broken finger occasionally sparked a bit of pain as it was jostled but Ryker ignored it as he deftly carved an opening in the top of the can. His razor sharp claw cutting through the thin metal like butter with barely a sound as a twist of his finger propped open the top like a lid. Ryker barely had to reach over to place the can in front of the sleeping man. Setting it down with a gentle thud before carefully backing up as he stirred in his sleep. Not much farther. Ryker thought briefly. Pulling his attention gently away from the homeless man and back towards his objective. His heart a little lighter than it was a few minutes before. The fear of losing control was still there, but it was more bearable now. Reaching the end of the alley after a few minutes Ryker paused well before the opening to the street so he blended into the brick wall he was pressing against. The street wasn¡¯t crowded by any stretch of the imagination but with every street lamp illuminating the road stepping out into the light felt far too exposing. I should be able to dash across but those lights are a problem. The lights in question were four bulbous street lights. Two that flanked his alley on either side roughly thirty feet apart and the other two were shining right in front of the opposing alley he needed to get to. The road was relatively clear of nearby pedestrians and cars judging by his Synesthesia, but even if the road was completely clear rushing across would highlight him for anyone outside and looking to see him bright as day. Four lanes of road and a turn lane in the middle is a lot of space to cross without being seen. Ryker frowned as much as his snout would allow. Hoping that people would just pass his thirteen foot frame off as a trick of the light just wouldn¡¯t do with the news reports undoubtedly playing on screens in every nearby barber shop, store, and bar. They might not use the word Kaiju to describe them for weeks or months yet, but people would recognize a monster like him in the middle of town was the same kind that had a dust up with the police in the suburb. Through the dense brick wall of the building next to him Ryker could make out the muted drone of a TV inside, one that quickly sharpened in quality as Ryker¡¯s senses intertwined to make the muddy words into a clear audible flavor he could taste on his tongue. ¡°-Centennial Pines. A home for many now turned into a heavily restricted disaster zone.¡± A deep voiced reporter spoke. The sound of his voice leaving a shifting mass of violet in Ryker¡¯s eyes that somehow helped him focus on it more. ¡°Just this morning families and other long time residents of this development fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs as they tried to escape the creatures too many people are describing as- yes, monsters. As you can see behind me the gates of the suburb are now blocked by military vehicles accompanied by armed National Guardsmen. Over the roofs of damaged homes, thick plastic tents have been hastily erected before we arrived to cut off our view of the remains of these strange creatures responsible for so much destruction and suffering. With me now is one of the displaced residents of Centennial Pines who just wants to go back home. What¡¯s your name miss-¡± Ryker tuned out the news report as he glared up at the street lamp preventing him from crossing. The baser part of his Kaiju nature wishing he could just bite the thing to make it go dark and finally get it out of his hair- er, scales. Maybe I can use my tail to whip each of the bulbs from a distance? Ryker thought before shaking his head. Nah, the angle¡¯s too sharp to hit it properly. I¡¯d probably miss and shear through the lamp post entirely. And that would definitely draw attention I really don¡¯t need. Maybe I could- The sound of voices made Ryker¡¯s thoughts cut off as his head snapped sharply towards the right. A group of people coming down the street and casually talking to each other as Ryker pulled himself deeper into the shade of the building next to him. The group, likely friends judging by their banter, walked towards his location with a slowness so painful Ryker almost believed it was on purpose. Forcing Ryker to freeze in place and close his eyes shut so they didn¡¯t reflect the light of the street. Even when standing still Ryker¡¯s body shifted in irritation at being held up like this again. The scales of his body rippling ever so slightly in the absence of light as his natural Adaptive Armor primed itself in response to his growing tension. Preparing itself to shift to defend against an attack that he knew wouldn¡¯t come as Ryker felt the group come closer. Literally felt them, as their voices bounced off the walls of the alley and his Synesthesia registered them as mismatching taps and touches against his scales. His tail was almost frozen in place as the group passed in front of Ryker without giving him a single glance. Hanging low and flush with the ground behind him in an elongated ¡°S¡± to break up its silhouette in the darkness of the alley. For an annoying moment some of the group paused in front of him to rifle through their pockets, causing the rest to slow down as they continued their conversation. Completely unaware of the monster looking down at them as they enjoyed their night. Ryker held his position and was unable to suppress the uncomfortable sensation of looming over the civilians, even as he crouched as low to the ground as he could. The group¡¯s movements clearly visible to him even with his eyes closed as his Kaiju brain drank in every sensory detail they gave off and built a picture out of the details in his mind. Only the colors that made the people up was a gaudy mesh of scents and sounds he could see behind his eyelids. One of them had put on too much body spray, the artificial scent of something minty hanging around him like a stink cloud. One man drew his attention immediately as Ryker¡¯s predatory instincts locked onto the faint drum of an accelerated heart beat in his chest. He was talking to a woman of course and Ryker couldn¡¯t blame the man for being so nervous. The human in him empathizing with the young stranger. The monster in him however¡­ Unconsciously, Ryker¡¯s jaws parted slightly as he slowly breathed it in. Breathed all of them in as he took a long, silent breath through his mouth. Sending the taste of their colors through his body like a warm tide. The rapid heart beat of the man in particular rippling through his head, the sound/scent/taste of it far too similar to the quick patter of a frightened animal. In a way his Synesthesia almost made it worse as he silently prayed for the group to move on but something within Ryker couldn¡¯t bring himself to look away by untwining his senses from each other. He¡¯d been pushing down his instincts this entire night. But even getting within arms reach of people in their apartments or the sleeping homeless man hadn¡¯t set him off like this. And Ryker knew why. None of them had been afraid. The fear scent wafting off the man talking to the lady was clearly the product of nerves but his body didn''t make a distinction between different types of fear. It was still an intoxicating aroma and the sound of the prey like heartbeat set Ryker off in a way that wasn¡¯t so easily ignored. The sound mixing with the scent of his fear and the sweat beading on another''s skin and the lingering aroma of food on every breath from the people in front of him from a recent meal. Each sensation flowing in his ears and nose kaleidescoping through him in a way that teased Ryker¡¯s control over his Kaiju instincts. It was the same as before. Not the raw bloodlust of his Adrenal Trigger driving him into a frenzy but the urges within Ryker called to him in a way that felt worse somehow. It could still be resisted, because Ryker was resisting it. But it was frightening all the same because it made Ryker not want to resist it. To give into the simple temptation gnawing at the inside of Ryker''s stomach. Blurring the line between the place where his human mind reigned and his Kaiju body hungered. ¡°You go ahead guys, I just gotta make a call to the office then I¡¯ll catch up.¡± One man said to the others as he pulled out his cell phone. ¡°Again Barry? It¡¯s supposed to be our night off.¡± ¡°Ah, you know how it is.¡± The man said waving the others off. ¡°The office goes to shit every time I leave the building. Patrick may be a fuckup, but he¡¯s my department¡¯s fuckup. Can¡¯t let him leave us too big a mess when we get back eh?¡± ¡°An alcoholic and a workaholic. You¡¯re an inspiration to us all.¡± ¡°Bite me.¡± ¡°Well twenty bucks is twenty bucks, I guess-¡± A small peal of laughter left everyone in the group as the others walked away and the man made a call on his phone. His back to Ryker as primal urges called and he refused to answer. What was worse was that primal instinct didn¡¯t feel wrong. There was no barrier against it except Ryker¡¯s own will. As a human you didn¡¯t feel any desire to eat other humans if you were hungry unless you were an insane cannibal. The human brain was built to empathize and recognize others as people. But a Kaiju¡¯s brain was built for hunting down prey. Designed to seek it out in whatever form it took and now his brain was telling him food was right in front of him. Ripe for the taking. That¡¯s not food¡­. That is not. Food. I¡¯m still human. Not a cannibal. Not a monster. It would be wrong. Eating him would be murder. I have never taken a human life, I will. Not. Start. Now. Ryker thought fiercely. His rationality unable to string together any more reasons to push back against the dark urge. The part of him that didn¡¯t want to listen to logic or reason. The man had taken a casual step backward as he talked on the phone. His voice rolling over Ryker as the words devolved into nothing but noise. Their meaning slipping away from him as Ryker focused in on the man¡¯s breathing. The sharp tang of alcohol on the man buzzing in his ears as the thing inside him wanted and wanted and wanted. To taste¡­ that meat gathered in his round belly under his jacket as the skin parted before his teeth. To feel his jaws close over the man¡¯s head and shoulders he just knew would all fit inside his mouth if he took one big bite. Ryker was so close to the man. He wouldn¡¯t even have to move to reach out and grab him in a claw. It had been so easy to tell himself earlier he was the right person to do this. How he could help the world and its people even as a monster. But it was another thing entirely to hold onto that belief when he was hungry and food¡­ was right there. The memory of the Adrenal Trigger was dredged up to the surface of Ryker¡¯s mind. But underneath the shame of nearly losing control was something Ryker hadn''t wanted to admit or even think about. Even as he laid the blame solely on his adrenaline fueled bloodlust. What if the desire to spill human blood hadn¡¯t come out of nowhere? What if it wasn''t just a product of biology affecting his psyche? What if this hunger... what if it was his? Could he still be trusted around innocent people? If these instincts lurked behind every thought and decision he made? When that hungering violence in his core had grown so frantic with excitement after activating his Adrenal Trigger he''d nearly lost himself in its pull. Ryker was so lost in controlling himself he nearly missed the man ending his call and walking away as if nothing had happened. As if his life hadn¡¯t just been spared a violent end by a monster struggling to remain a man. Ryker rode out the nameless urge to pursue the man as he walked away, his claws dug deep into the wall of the alley beside him. Shivering as he came down from the sensory high of being so close to a human being and refusing his own twisted desire to feed the gnawing hunger in his chest. I just¡­ I just need to hold on a little longer. Then I¡¯ll eat something safe, nip this fucking shit in the bud. Skip the damn capstone ability for the Synaptic Defrag if I have to. I¡¯ll do it, I¡¯ll do that in a heartbeat if it means I don¡¯t end up¡­ Ryker rested a claw against his head, not willing to finish the thought. Looking up and across the street with a fresh surge of urgency to the outline of the warehouses he could spot in the dark. The place he hoped and now prayed held the food he needed. Ryker forced away the urge to rush across the street to the warehouses and settled himself down. Closing his eyes to sink himself into the meditation exercises Riley had taught him so long ago. Not to view his own genetic potential this time but just to focus on the breathing. To center himself and bring his mind back to baseline instead of giving into his roiling emotions. The desire to lash out at himself for feeling instincts that were a product of his inhuman biology and feeling shame at urges borne of his Kaiju brain. I¡¯m okay. Ryker assured himself after long minutes spent within himself. That wasn¡¯t me. And I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m still okay, just got spooked something fierce. Man, that was way too intense. Ryker thought shakily as he stared into the empty space the man had once been. What the hell set that off? Was it the food he could taste on those people¡¯s breath? That heartbeat? Was all that really just the fear like nervousness he''d smelled earlier? There wasn¡¯t anything special about the man or his friends. They were completely normal people. Jesus, there must be something I¡¯m missing. Ryker thought looking inward for an answer. Something I¡¯m doing wrong. I don''t want to hurt these people but... Ryker thought back, to all the way back from his rebirth as a Kaiju still in its egg till now. The feeling had clearly worsened when he''d activated the Adrenal Trigger but he''d be kidding himself if that had been the only moment instinct and bloodlust overcame him. Even before his fight at the construction site, the monstrous instincts had been there. Right out of the egg. Asserting themselves the second he¡¯d rushed forward clamped his teeth around another hatchling¡¯s throat. A trickle of real fear slipped into Ryker''s mind as he focused on himself, really examining himself this time. Taking a moment to finally stop hurling himself forward so he could think. He¡¯d known by now that being in a Kaiju¡¯s body had altered his consciousness to an extent. Even to the point where it convinced him he¡¯d liked the taste of Kaiju as a human. But Ryker felt in control. Didn''t that mean he should be getting better? He wasn¡¯t imagining he¡¯d felt more control over himself when he¡¯d been born compared to now. Even trying to picture his genome had been harder in the beginning, where now it felt almost like second nature. Maybe it was different then because I had just been planted in this body¡¯s brain. Ryker thought seriously. I was new to this, moving like this, but now I¡¯m more comfortable with this body than ever. What if that¡¯s not just me learning over time but something worse? My mind getting more in sync with my body. My body affecting my mind more as those two separate pieces grow more and more in tune. Maybe the Adrenal Trigger affecting me isn''t just a fluke, what if it just pushed that progress forward? Ryker had tried to shove down all his worries about his state of mind after waking up in the forest. But now they threatened to come back in full force. The questions without answers piling up in his head as worry gripped his heart in a vise. Ryker retreated away from the opening of the alley, his claw outstretched and pressing against the wall as he felt a wave of unsteadiness come over him. He stopped, finding a spot in the darkness and put his back to the wall as he leaned into it. Scales skidding over brick as his back slid down the wall to sit, with his legs taking up the rest of the alley in front of him. His claws nearly touching the other side before he shifted and drew his legs close to his chest. His tail naturally wrapping around his knees as Ryker let himself fear. It would be different if the instincts were more obvious and more direct, but they weren¡¯t. They made him want. Made him yearn to eat living breathing human beings. Made him think about them in ways that should have been horrifying but only made his mouth water. Everyone he¡¯d run into until now had been strangers to him. Strangers he¡¯d had to remind himself over and over tonight that were people with names, and families, and jobs like he had. People who would be missed if they went out on the town one night and never came home. It shouldn¡¯t have been that hard just to see people around him instead of meat but he didn¡¯t. It was hard, and felt like it was getting harder the longer he stayed around people. Like surrounding a starving dog with squares of beef he wasn¡¯t allowed to eat. What if he found his family one day and felt the same? Saw meat instead of his mother and food instead of his father... and didn''t feel a shred of the love he''d always held for them? Ryker shivered as he drew into himself. His arms and tail tightening painfully around his knees as he hugged them close. That question going round and round in his head as he stared into the wall across from him and felt the world around him with inhuman senses. He''d changed so much already. In such a short amount of time. Was it really that out of the question to believe that he couldn''t change to that degree? I do... Ryker confirmed in his mind over and over as he thought about his family. I do still love them. No matter what I go through, that couldn''t change. I don''t believe it. I still miss them. Oh, God I just wish I could see them again... see them and tell them how much they mean to me. Even if I''m different now I... still care. I still love them. I do. The fear that could change spread through Ryker like a roiling cloud. What would he be if he looked at his family and didn''t feel what he''d felt as a human. The idea that he may find them one day and look at them with anything less than the rending heartache he''d carried with him all his life felt worse than death. Ryker stewed in his fear for a time and looked inward. Towards the genes that set him so far apart from what he once was. And the solution inside himself dangling right in front of him. Ryker had been trying to ignore it with the boost in power a capstone ability would provide being so close, but he could end all his worries right here and now. All the food and Kaiju he¡¯d eaten till now may not have been enough to gain the musculoskeletal capstone ability¡­ but it was barely enough to pick up Synaptic Defrag right here and now. It might have seemed like an easy solution but Ryker¡¯s fight at the construction site was too painful a reminder that he wasn¡¯t strong enough as he was now. What if taking the Synaptic Defrag now meant he¡¯d be unable to unlock his capstone ability for a fight he might not win without it? What if people died because he¡¯d chosen an ability to soothe his own personal feelings and fears instead of waiting to gain one that could kill a dangerous Kaiju? Ryker wavered on the idea, despite his own logic trying to dispel it. He could solve all his problems right now. If he just gave in. No. Ryker thought suddenly. Clinging to the flash of anger that boiled up with the word like it could burn away his fears. Fuck. You. Ryker thought with a barely restrained snarl that revealed all his fangs. The curse wasn¡¯t directed at his busted Adrenal Trigger this time or himself, it was directed at the Kaiju nature his body was forcing onto him. The drive to feed and kill and slaughter his own fellow man. That wasn¡¯t him- had never been who he was. And even if taking the Synaptic Defrag wouldn''t hurt him if the warehouses held the food he wanted, just the idea of giving into his fear to that extent felt like a betrayal. Against himself and the battle he''d spent his life fighting. Because if he took it... didn''t that mean he thought the Kaiju in him was stronger than the man? Fuck you. Ryker thought with a savage smile. Pushing himself to his feet with his tail. And fuck me for getting so fucked in my head I let this shit get to me. Even if I have scales instead of skin and three fingers instead of five I¡¯m human down to my fucking core! Ryker thought with a growing determination. No way in hell I¡¯m turning cannibal because the body I hijacked is getting hungry. I¡¯ll eat fucking rocks and dirt before I ever cross that line. And I know for damn sure I¡¯m not gonna pussy out and grab the Defrag before I get that capstone ability to up my Kaiju kill count. Because that''s what I fucking do! I''m the Arsenal for Christ''s sake! And I got an upgrade just waiting for me in that warehouse that''s gonna give me another weapon to use against the monsters so let''s! Fucking! Go! Psyching himself up Ryker clapped his claws together finally forcing down the disquieting fear of losing himself that had been haunting him all night. And also forgetting one simple thing. Mother shitting fuck! Ryker swore in silence as he quietly hissed and cradled his yet to be completely healed, broken finger. After another few minutes of nursing his broken digit Ryker was more than glad to put all the disturbingly bloody urges and fears he¡¯d felt tonight behind him as he planned his next move. Examining the problem facing him as he looked at each of the street light¡¯s bulbs in detail and tried to figure out the best way to snuff them out. Each was housed in a large upside down cone with some decorative flourishes in the metal. More than a little old fashioned with LEDs being so cheap and common but¡­ That¡¯s a pretty big target. Ryker pondered, the solution finally coming to him. He held his gaze, staring at the bulb of one street light intensely even as his arms flexed and bone needles rose out of his scales. Rising with barely a whisper as taut muscles held his bone ammunition ready to load. Four targets. Ten rounds. Gonna have to fire quick and move faster as I cross. Can¡¯t afford to miss either. Ryker thought mechanically as he went down the mental checklist he¡¯d used to pre-check weapons in his Armor. It fell apart almost immediately since there were so many things different or missing altogether in his Kaiju body than traditional Armor, but it felt good to finally have a proper ranged weapon regardless. With a barely audible movement, muscles both relaxed and pulled around a bone needle on each arm as the bones were shunted into the fleshy barrel inside Ryker¡¯s forearms specially grown to house and fire them. Ryker took a moment to point each arm at a street lamp on either side of his alley and rotated each one on its own. Looking for the best firing position for his arms to rest at for a precision shot. Would have been nice to have a mental cross hair at least. Ryker pouted as he pointed his arms out and nothing filled his view. After a lifetime of mentally uplinking to advanced war machines, Ryker felt a sharp pang of loss for the heads up display that typically filled his vision. He could still go by feel, he¡¯d lost core processing capabilities enough times fighting Kaiju to make that a necessity. But it was nice to have a built in range finder with trajectory arcs for long range ballistics when you needed them. I guess I aim by doing¡­ this? Ryker mused as he splayed his claw like thumb and pointer finger on one arm. Making a poor imitation of an iron sight as he sighted on the nearest street lamp with his target sighted in the gaps between his two outstretched finger claws. Then shifted his aim to the lamps on the other side of the street. Feeling the weight of the bone needle in his arm and the taut muscles around it ready to send it flying towards his target. With his other claw¡¯s finger still recovering from its break earlier in the day, Ryker grunted softly as he realized he¡¯d be able to land a needle in one of the lamps closest to him but couldn¡¯t guarantee he¡¯d be able to hit the lamp on the other side of the street. The problem exacerbated by Ryker being right handed instead of left handed. The one to my left first. Then I¡¯ll use my good arm to clean up the rest and dash across the street once there¡¯s a gap in traffic. Ryker thought. Crouching slightly as he prepared for a sprint across the four lane road. That alley there may be a dead end but I can get onto the roof from there since its only two stories tall. With all these rooftops connected to each other I can stay off the street and get most of the way to the warehouses I saw from earlier. Ryker counted every car that passed by in the street before him. Waiting until their head lights were well past him and couldn¡¯t illuminate him in the dark he needed to cross. Until there was enough of a gap in traffic that even the lights from cars coming down the road towards him were far enough away from him to act safely. Three, two, one- With the relaxed movements that could only have come from experience Ryker pointed and fired at the lamp to his left. The needle shooting out of his left arm in a white blur as the muscles in his arm constricted violently enough to be seen bulging under his scales. Ryker barely registered the sound of the street lamp breaking apart in a shower of sparks and glass as his other arm fired as well. Causing another eruption of quickly fading sparks that dimmed the area around the alley enough to make it safe to cross. Ryker dashed out of the alley as fast as his large frame would allow. His eyes twitching to seemingly random spots of color in his vision as his Synesthesia fed information from his other senses into his mind that bled into his eyes. He crossed the dark patch he¡¯d made for himself on the street in seconds as he raised his good arm straight out and another needle shunted into the hollow of his forearm as he still moved. Unconsciously bringing his left claw up to brace his elbow against recoil like he¡¯d done in Armor before later models were built strong enough to fire arm mounted weapons independently. The needle barely had enough time to get used to the inside of Ryker¡¯s arm before it was shot out into the world again. Impaling itself in the lamp on the other side of the street dead center, sparking as it gave off one last show of dazzling light. Then Ryker was firing on the last. Finally sending this part of the street into a darkness safe enough to conceal him. One that quickly grew brighter as his eyes better shifted to accommodate the total dark before he ran for the ally full tilt. Then he was across. Errant sparks from the destroyed street lights fizzling in the air before dying out before they could reach the ground. Moving as silently as possible and crouching down to keep a low profile Ryker entered the safety of the shadows. A triumphant smile on his lips as all his senses focused behind him on the street reported no screams of terror or alarm. He made it halfway down the alley before he stopped cold. For the past few minutes Ryker¡¯s senses had been entirely focused on scanning the street for anyone who could spot him. Even with his Synesthesia that didn¡¯t mean he saw everything. Things could still slip beneath his notice if they were far away enough or his focus was diverted elsewhere. Which was why he was staring down at a rough, wiry looking man who''d raised one hand to keep the bright sparking light from the street out of his eyes. A man who was currently looking up at Ryker like a deer in the headlights with his mouth a quivering line on his face. They both stared at each other, neither daring to make the first move as Ryker¡¯s senses took in the world around him on this side of the street. The scent of blood caught Ryker¡¯s attention like a fish on a line as his senses reached out towards the back of the alley around a corner. The blood, unmistakably human blood, stirring something dark in his chest as he tasted the air. That and the familiar tang of gunmetal. He could hear quiet cursing from around the corner and grunting as people moved to hit something soft. Ryker having been in enough fights in his life outside of the cockpit to instantly recognize the sound of fists pounding into flesh. The pitiful grunts of whoever was being attacked barely reaching his enhanced senses as flickers of dusty white in his vision. Staring down at the man- no, the lookout judging by the scared and frantic flicks of his eyes back down the alley towards the mugging. Ryker felt it. That old anger that only flared up towards the worst of humanity that had preyed on their own kind even with the monsters at their gates. Thieving and murder had been rampant as the Kaiju wreaked havoc on the world. But as unjust and cruel as it was it had at least been understandable. People stole food, water, and supplies. The essentials needed to survive one more day in a world overrun by living nightmares. What excuse did these men have in a world still so full of life? In a world without ash choking the air and monsters prowling in the dark of dead cities? The first thought to come to Ryker in that instant was that he needed to stay hidden. Absolutely needed to. Being discovered in the heart of a town like this would instantly bring the world down on him and wouldn¡¯t give him the chance to get away clean or shake off the military that would undoubtedly pursue him. The second, more a feeling than a structured thought. The same one that had been constantly gnawing at him this whole night, told him that he was still hungry¡­. and that he¡¯d finally found something to eat. The last was realizing with a pang of dreadful certainty that those two things, as much as he didn¡¯t want to admit it, were not mutually exclusive. Chapter 25 - Fear No Kaiju Ryker moved first. There was none of the strict and measured control that had guided him all night, only the speed of a striking viper as his tail whipped out towards the man. Restraining him in the instant before he could let out a cry for help, the words choked off before they could even leave the man¡¯s lungs. A tight wheeze was the only sound he was able to make as Ryker completely wrapped his tail around his chest. Feeling trapped arms and ribs bend far too easily under his tail¡¯s grip as Ryker yanked the man to his right. Pressing the man hard against the wall to hide them both in the deep shadows of the alley. The man¡¯s eyes were wide with fear as he struggled to breathe. Legs kicking uselessly several feet above the ground as he stared helplessly towards the monster looming above him as that same monster stared right back with hungry eyes. Ryker had acted quickly out of necessity but now, the Kaiju was spellbound. Not caring in the least that saliva was beginning to trail down from his parted lips and drip onto the ground. A part of Ryker¡¯s mind fearfully cast his awareness outward as he tried and failed to look away from his captive. Mixed senses listening all around him for the ripple of flavored colors that he¡¯d been fearing to hear all night. An alarm? A scream? Anything? Nothing. Nothing at all. Nobody heard me. The hunger inside Ryker¡¯s mind whispered in his own voice. Nobody even saw me. Ryker¡¯s mind felt distant as his body took a single step forward, making no sound on the concrete. Unconsciously working his tongue over his teeth and feeling every unbloodied fang in his mouth as Ryker breathed out slowly. Not even registering the horror in the man¡¯s eyes as his mouth worked soundlessly, trying in vain to wring a scream out of the little air he could suck into his lungs. The former pilot almost felt something continue to pull him forward as he listened to the rapid-fire drum of his captive¡¯s heart. Feeling it through his tail and unable to make himself forget it with the stench of fear all around. The potent aroma flowing into Ryker¡¯s nose and like a vintage wine as it spiraled into his other senses. Mixed with the tang of blood from down the alley Ryker almost felt drunk on the myriad of singing colors as they harmonized with a part of Ryker he was unable to ignore. There isn¡¯t anybody that knows I¡¯m here. Except for you. Ryker¡¯s treasonous mind reasoned. I could just¡­ His will fought back against the predatory instincts inside his body. But the siege the Kaiju within had waged on his thoughts and human morals had been constant tonight. The steady attrition slowly wearing Ryker down as the hours passed during this long night skulking through the town. Ryker pushed against the instincts harder, raged against it even as part of him bent an ear to its call. It was too tempting to ignore, almost too tempting to even reason against as his mind clung desperately to his human past. Like the memories alone could keep him from sinking down into the waiting depths of darker thoughts. He forced himself to remember his family, his friends, and all the people he¡¯d spent a lifetime saving. All the names and faces he could recall and couldn¡¯t remember flashing across his eyes in a rush as he felt something more than the call of his own wild hunger. Guilt, shame, love, and a dozen other emotions flooded forth and buoyed him enough to keep him above the waves. But it wasn¡¯t enough to reject the instincts outright, if anything it seemed to make them more pronounced in his mind. They grew louder. Brighter, and so much sweeter than the flickers of memory. Ryker took another step forwards to stand in front of his captive, close enough that the man could have reached out to touch his chest if Ryker¡¯s tail hadn¡¯t been restraining his arms. Even suspended several feet off the ground Ryker loomed over the human, bright eyes looking down with a dark intent as his head titled to the side. The animal in him questioning his own hesitation as his human mind raced for a solution that would keep him from spilling human blood. He searched all his many years for any shred of experience controlling himself. Remembering the few times he¡¯d tried restraining hi emotions, but only found failure. Time and time again he¡¯d always failed to reign in his own wrathful anger until he stopped trying at all. The simple truth was that Ryker had never needed to control himself before, not like he needed to now. It could even be said that he had been glad he couldn¡¯t as he constantly threw himself into combat. Always fighting with near suicidal abandon so he could rage against the monsters of the world. Even armored in scales instead of metal he was still the same on the inside, a creature of instinct. A man who¡¯d lived for the battle and the moments he could take all his pain and let it out. But then it came to him. A word, a voice. In a place so long ago. The precious memory of a dear friend taken before her time. ¡°You¡¯re doing it wrong.¡± Ryker¡¯s eyes blinked open in frustration as he glowered at the woman across from him. The barracks on base were rarely quiet but Ryker had finally managed to find some time alone to himself. Sacrificing precious time in the Rec Room playing cards with the others to get it too. That the very woman who¡¯d insisted this whole meditation thing was worth it was, at this very moment, ruining his concentration did not sit well with Ryker. ¡°Well enlighten me Riley. How exactly am I closing my eyes wrong?¡± ¡°Meditating isn¡¯t about closing your eyes Ryker. Or squeezing them shut like you¡¯ve got lemon juice in them.¡± Riley said with a sigh. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to-¡± ¡°I know what it¡¯s supposed to be!¡± Ryker said testily more than a little annoyed. ¡°But I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m getting any better at this.¡± ¡°I can tell.¡± Riley said sagely. Producing a small box of apple juice from somewhere and swiftly piercing the top with a bendy straw. ¡°Watching you mediate is like looking at a Sith trying to commune with the Dark Side.¡± She said after taking a sip of her juice. Looking at Ryker pointedly with her eyebrows raised. Somehow still looking serious despite the straw in her mouth. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°It means that you¡¯re trying to force it.¡± Riley said folding her arms over one another. ¡°Then you get angry you¡¯re trying to force it, then you get angry at the fact that you¡¯re angry because your the whole reason you¡¯re doing this is so you don¡¯t get angry. It¡¯s not an uncommon issue, I get it.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Ryker said nodding as he picked a spot on the wall to glare into. It would cave well before the red headed pilot would. ¡°But still, I meant that other thing.¡± ¡°What other thing?¡± Riley said frowning slightly. Clearly perplexed. ¡°The Sith thing? What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t¡­¡± Riley started before trailing off. Her expression unusually sour as she stared at Ryker. ¡°Come on Ryker don¡¯t do this to me. Star Wars? Come on, please tell me you know what that is.¡± ¡°Umm¡­Oh yeah!¡± Ryker said snapping his fingers after a moment. ¡°That movie that came out a few years ago-¡± ¡°Not that new shit.¡± Riley said actually looking slightly angry as she pinched the bridge of her nose with a scowl. ¡°Please don¡¯t test me Ryker. I¡¯m trying to help you.¡± ¡°What? I thought it was alright. The fights were cool.¡± ¡°The fights were cool.¡± Riley said repeating the words like they left a bad taste in her mouth before shaking her head. ¡°You know what? No. I¡¯m not going to try and explain the hundreds of reasons your wrong about liking any part of that garbage reboot of a reboot.¡± ¡°Ah, touched a nerve I see.¡± Ryker said mischievously. ¡°Never took you for a movie critic.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you swear at me Ray, I¡¯m not a critic.¡± Riley said with a hint of disgust in her voice as she pointed a finger at Ryker in accusation. With the same hand holding her juice box. Somehow making Ryker feel as if he just crossed a line he hadn¡¯t known was there. ¡°I¡¯m a fan with standards. Unlike everyone else who claps like seals for the slop these days.¡± The red head started pacing in front of Ryker, clearly worked up as Ryker stared in open surprise at his usually stoic comrade. As the woman who was rumored to be on the short list for promotion to squad leader, the same one who never once lost her cool in front of others. Lost it right in front of him as her voice steadily grew in heat. ¡°You¡¯d think with everything they have they could make it work for once right? They can afford A.I. script writers, all the CGI they¡¯d ever need even if the effects are cheaper than dirt these days, even with exclusive rights to use the same deceased actors in the movies they¡¯re remaking they could get everything right. But they never do. You¡¯d think they could at least make original movies that are at least half decent, with the war going on but no! They can¡¯t help but add more and more expensive trash to the garbage heap. There is a downright offensive level of mediocrity in modern film that I just can¡¯t take anymore. There¡¯s no art in cinema anymore Ryker, just soulless studios and talentless hacks given free reign to repeatedly bastardize the same legendary franchises our grandparents grew up with.¡± Riley said animatedly as she started gesturing sharply with her hands. Eyes blazing and passionate in a way Ryker had literally never seen before, even when they were fighting for their lives together in the field. ¡°Movies used to mean something Ryker. They used to build theaters everywhere so everyone could get together and watch someone¡¯s vision come to life. It took hundreds of people to make the real movies back in the day, even thousands with the older special effect teams, miniatures, extras, and stunt men. Just the idea of that makes me want to cry with how beautiful it is. Now that¡¯s gone. Now entertainment is just this giant grey glob of empty, safe, derivative, garbage! Put together with spread sheets and useless data points put together by corporate suits who have never experienced fun in their lives so their movies can be shown to as wide a market as possible. Do you realize how bad that is Ray! We¡¯re supposed to be entertained by people who couldn¡¯t prove they have a single creative bone in their body. Who couldn¡¯t prove there¡¯s a creative bone in their entire family line even if they traced it all the way back to the stone age.¡± Riley said fiercely. Her face growing as red as her hair for once as she face palmed. ¡°Jesus, don¡¯t even get me started on all the reboots coming out now.¡± Riley said venomously. The word ¡°reboot¡± leaving her mouth like a vicious slur. As she ticked off each violation against cinema on a finger. ¡°Star Wars has had three reboots Ryker. Three! Star Trek has two with another in the works, The Lord of the Rings reboots bombed so bad its nothing but a bunch of creatively bankrupt TV shows now. The most successful of which is a Gimli origin story mind you. John Wick was rebooted with a cat, a cat they refuse to kill! Completely ignoring the fact that the entire reason for his killing spree in the original was-¡± ¡°Hey, hey easy there!¡± Ryker said. Barely managing to hold in his laugh as he smiled till his cheeks hurt. The pilot raised his hands in total surrender, his failures in meditation forgotten. ¡°Put down the pitchfork and torches alright? Didn¡¯t mean to poke the red headed bear and set you on the warpath.¡± Riley seemed to realize she might have gone overboard in her tirade as she groaned softly and rand a hand over her face. Taking a deep breath in before acknowledging Ryker again. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ fine. It¡¯s fine.¡± Riley said reluctantly. Clearly not fine as she aggressively sipped the last of her juice through the straw until she was just sucking the air out of the carton. Once the juice box had caved in on itself and Riley was content she¡¯d gotten the last drop of apple juice available she collected herself. Once again the cool headed pilot as she sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that. Risking our lives out here fighting all the time takes a lot out of me and I just wanna have something good to look forward to when I get back, you know? I was practically raised on those older movies and I¡¯m always hunting down any theaters still open with everything going on. I hit them up whenever I can leave the base for a bit. So when the only new movies available to show are all trash¡­¡± ¡°Ouch. That sucks.¡± Ryker said with sympathy. Then his face brightened as he got an idea. ¡°We¡¯ve got screens and projectors here though, some really good ones. Why not set something up in the Rec Room? I could round up the others and we could all pitch in for a movie night every week or so. You could pick out flicks we haven¡¯t seen and make our own theater on base.¡± Riley smiled softly but shook her head sadly, almost pained. ¡°I know you mean well Ryker but please don¡¯t do any of that alright? I¡­¡± Riley stopped as her mouth worked silently, something wet shining in her eyes before she furiously blinked it away. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing that lets me get away from this. I won¡¯t bring that here. Not in this place, its too close to¡­ everything. I don¡¯t think I could bear it. You and the others are great, you know I¡¯d do anything for you all, its just-¡± ¡°You¡¯re good Riley.¡± Ryker said. Understanding exactly what Riley was trying to say. He knew how desperately he¡¯d wanted to escape what was happening as a kid. Just a few years ago he¡¯d buried himself in games so deeply he barely came up for air. It was the only thing he had at the time that let him feel like he had some semblance of control in a world gone mad. ¡°We all get through in our own way. Don¡¯t feel bad for wanting that.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Riley said. Relaxing a bit as she smirked and gestured to Ryker. ¡°Well look at me. I thought I was here to help cheer you up, not get it turned around on me. Some help I am.¡± ¡°You still can if you want.¡± Ryker said. Scooting over on his bed and patting the spot next to him. ¡°I could use a bit of help.¡± ¡°Right then¡­ I think I¡¯ll do that.¡± Riley said. Not hesitating at all to take a seat on the bed. Anyone looking in might have guessed at something else going on with Ryker and Riley so close but there wasn¡¯t any hint of romance between the pilots as they sat together. There was only the trust that formed between two pilots who¡¯d quickly become friends as they looked out for one another. On the battlefield and off of it. ¡°Meditation isn¡¯t about forcing things Ryker. There¡¯s a lot of different kinds of meditation techniques out there but at the end of the day it¡¯s about being still and recognizing what¡¯s going on in your head without getting wrapped up in everything you may be feeling.¡± Riley said intently. ¡°There¡¯s a measure of control in that and that simple kind of mindfulness is a good place for someone like you to start. So whatever you¡¯re feeling? Just let it run wild in your head without trying to hold it back. You have to honestly look at what you feel and understand what causes it so you aren¡¯t ruled by it. Don¡¯t even try to shame or blame yourself for feeling it either. You¡¯ve got to stop fighting it. Those negative emotions will only make your feelings spiral and get worse. Just be patient, look at what you¡¯re feeling like your on the outside looking in as you focus on how that emotion is affecting you.¡± The pilot said pausing as she looked at Ryker meaningfully. ¡°Recognizing that will help.¡± Riley said. Leaning forward on the bed as Ryker gave her his full attention. All of his earlier levity slipping from his face as he thought seriously on her answer. Then shook his head as he looked away. ¡°What¡¯s the point of just recognizing it though? How is that supposed to help? I know what I feel when I¡¯m out there Riley.¡± Ryker said tiredly. ¡°To be honest, even knowing the trouble it causes you and the others¡­ I don¡¯t think I want to stop feeling it. Just the thought of letting go of it freaks me out. It¡¯s the only thing that¡¯s keeps me from losing it sometimes you know? It grounds me. It makes sense, it feels right, and when I get out there? When I really start fighting¡­¡± Ryker trailed off before looking Riley in the eyes. ¡°I can forget how much I¡¯ve lost for a few minutes. As stupid as it sounds, that¡¯s the closest thing to peace I think I¡¯ve ever known.¡± Riley held Ryker¡¯s gaze for a moment. Letting the silence speak for itself as she went over her words before responding. ¡°I¡¯m not telling you to reject that feeling Ryker. The goal isn¡¯t to make you an emotionless mech piloting monk. It¡¯s more than that.¡± ¡°So what are you telling me to do then?¡± Ryker asked plainly. ¡°Accept that thing you hate is a part of you. That¡¯s where you can start.¡± Riley said with a compassionate smile. ¡°When you reject something you¡¯re feeling outright, especially something you won¡¯t admit is a part of you, it feeds it in a way. Makes it stronger and harder to deal with. You won¡¯t get anywhere fighting against your own thoughts and feelings because those just aren¡¯t going to go away. No matter how much you may want them to. The goal of all of this isn¡¯t to crush what you feel during a fight or to bury it so you never have to deal with it again. Its to live with it and move on.¡± Riley paused as she reached into her jacket. Pulling another juice box out of a pocket and surprising Ryker when she offered it to him. ¡°How about you take a break for a bit and reset before you try again?¡± Ryker took the juice box and nodded as he smiled. ¡®Thanks Riley, I¡¯d like that.¡± Ryker said. Trying to spear the straw through the top in one smooth motion like Riley did and messing it up on the first try. The simple Apple juice was room temperature, but went down with a sweetness that almost shocked Ryker¡¯s taste buds. The small carton still looked like something that should have belonged in a kid¡¯s lunchbox instead of a military base, so in that way it was kind of embarrassing but Ryker found himself wishing he¡¯d tried some sooner. It was nice, refreshing in a way that water wasn¡¯t. How long had it been since he¡¯d sat down and relaxed like this? Since he¡¯d enjoyed a sip of something instead of chugging down a mix of energy drink and nutrient paste to make up for skipping meals while in the simulators? Ryker couldn¡¯t recall. ¡°I¡¯m not consumed by anger during combat though.¡± Ryker said off handedly after a comfortable moment of silence. ¡°It doesn¡¯t stop me from fucking up Kaiju does it? In a way its kind of a good thing overall.¡± ¡°Really Ryker?¡± Riley said not fooled in the slightest. ¡°Remind me again how you lost you¡¯re Armor¡¯s entire arm a few days ago?¡± ¡°Okay, cheap blow. But I made it work in the end didn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to praise you for beating a Kaiju to death with your own detached arm.¡± ¡°The others thought it was cool.¡± Ryker said defensively. ¡°The others are trying to get half the base to set up a betting pool on what part of your Armor you¡¯ll destroy next.¡± Riley said pointedly. ¡°By the way, I have fifty bucks on you breaking your Armor¡¯s leg off to smack a Kaiju while you hop around on one foot. So try and do that next time as a favor to me.¡± ¡°You know you just lost fifty bucks right?¡± Ryker said smugly. ¡°That wasn¡¯t very smart of you. You sure you were at the top of your class once?¡± ¡°Right...¡± Riley said slowly before she raised a hand. ¡°Five words Ryker.¡± She said devilishly. ¡°Try and keep up.¡± One finger went up as Riley sounded out the first word. Like she was making sure a cave man could understand. ¡°Reverse.¡± The second finger went up. ¡°Psychology.¡± The three fingers in succession as Riley ticked them off. ¡°One. Oh. One. How else am I gonna convince you to bring your armor back in one piece hm?¡± Ryker clutched his heart and grunted with mock hurt. He definitely walked right into that one. Taking another long sip before he responded again without removing the straw from his mouth as he muttered. ¡°Least I¡¯m popular.¡± ¡°With pilots sure, hell there¡¯s even a non zero chance I could even be one of them.¡± Riley said before pointing at Ryker. ¡°But the mechanics hate you. Seriously, they really really hate you Ryker. I hear the Chief Armor Tech in particular has a grudge for what you do to her work every time you go out. She has to be led out of the mech bay by her people whenever you come back from a mission so she doesn¡¯t strangle you.¡± Riley smoothly pulled out yet another juice box and swiftly pieced the top as she nonchalantly added. ¡°Honestly, I think if she had the chance she¡¯d totally kill you.¡± Ryker laughed. Riley did not. ¡°Oh¡­ oh shit you¡¯re serious?¡± Ryker asked worriedly. ¡°Yeah.¡± Riley said easily. ¡°Fair warning, I¡¯d double up on your diagnostic checks before going out just in case she booby traps your Armor to explode or something. Be sure to check for any improvised explosives too. She does handle a lot of munitions. It¡¯d be easy to make some disappear and put it somewhere important.¡± Ryker paused for a moment staring at Riley with a sudden surge of overwhelming concern for his Armor and his safety. Come to think of it, he hadn¡¯t seen the Chief Armor Tech at all when he returned from missions. Not for a month at least, and she¡¯d looked angry back then too. ¡°How long till we go out again?¡± Ryker asked quickly. ¡°Another five hours.¡± Riley said easily. ¡°Great¡­¡± Ryker said pointing at the door. ¡°I¡¯m just gonna¡­¡± ¡°Go on. You won¡¯t be able to meditate till you get that off your mind.¡± ¡°Did you wait to tell me that on purpose?¡± ¡°I did. Just in case you needed a good distraction after so many failed attempts.¡± Riley said. Casually sipping from her juice box as she innocently met Ryker¡¯s gaze. ¡°Is it working?¡± Ryker rose from the bed with a stormy expression, grumbling curses all the while as he power walked to the door. Immediately hooking a right in the hall to turn towards the main docking bay. He could swear he heard the smile in Riley¡¯s voice as she called after him. ¡°Remember Ryker! Accept don¡¯t reject!¡± I¡¯m so sorry Riley. Ryker thought as his mind lingered on the conversation he¡¯d once had with the pilot. I never did what you told me to. I just got worse after you died. I should have listened to you back then. Maybe if I did I wouldn¡¯t be here now. Ryker¡¯s constant battle against his instincts faltered as he remembered Riley¡¯s advice. She¡¯d meant her words to help his anger of course, not this monstrous hunger he felt that matched his new nature. They had been meant to help him control his human self only. Could they even apply to something human beings never felt? The killer instincts of the very monsters they¡¯d spent a lifetime fighting? It didn¡¯t matter. Even after remembering Riley¡¯s wisdom and how she¡¯d specifically told him to accept what he felt every part of Ryker rebelled against the idea. He wanted to keep fighting it. To carve a rock solid line between his humanity and the beast within until he could cage it and kill it one piece at a time. But it was beyond clear that Ryker¡¯s strategy wasn¡¯t working. That the way he¡¯d been fighting against the hunger only seemed to make it worse in his mind as the seconds passed. Okay Riley. Okay. Ryker thought as he let the image of the woman fade from his mind. I don¡¯t want to do this but¡­ I trust you. I always did. Ryker thought to himself as he forcefully relaxed his mind¡¯s constant battle against his inner demons. Even as he felt sick at the idea of allowing his bestial instincts to go unchallenged like they were part of himself, like they didn¡¯t need to be raged against. Ryker let the primal need wash over him as he mentally pulled away. Let it run wild in your head without trying to hold it back. You have to honestly look at what you feel and understand it so you aren¡¯t ruled by it. Riley¡¯s voice echoed like she¡¯d told him a lifetime ago. As Ryker repeated what she said to himself. Don¡¯t even try to shame or blame yourself for feeling it. You¡¯ve got¡­ to stop¡­ fighting it¡­ Ryker thought to himself as he decided to follow Riley¡¯s advice to the letter. His eyes growing distant as the inhuman hunger radiated through him as he only focused on recognizing what he felt. Not hating it or rejecting it as he wanted to but allowing it to remain. Holding the feeling in the center of his awareness, Ryker finally accepted what the hunger was pushing him to do. What it made him want to do. I really wanna eat you. Ryker thought as his shoulders relaxed and he sighed with need. Leaning his head down to smell the man trembling in his tail¡¯s grasp again. Not shying away from the desire he felt this time as the tip of his snout lowered until it was in front of the man¡¯s face, merely inches away as his wide yellow eyes locked on the human all his senses told him was food. The same way I wanted to eat so many different people tonight. Even though I know its wrong. That its essentially murder eating you, you¡¯re all just¡­ so damn tempting I can¡¯t stand it. Ryker brought up a claw to steady himself against the wall he was holding the thin man against as his breathing increased in pace as his anticipation built. Coming out in warm gusts that ruffled the man¡¯s hair as his head rose again to loom over him. Mouth watering, Ryker made no attempt to stop the few drops of saliva that fell onto the man¡¯s head and shoulders as he struggled to scream for help. With a small effort his tail unconsciously flexed just a bit tighter, shifting just enough to expose the head and shoulders for a clean bite. The way you breathe. The way that heart beats like its making music in your chest. It¡¯s like you all want me to. Just seeing you all stand around and move so slowly, knowing I can catch you makes me wanna run out into the street and¡­ and see what I¡¯ve been missing out on. The human part of Ryker recoiled as he admitted what he¡¯d been feeling. Even as the Kaiju in him reveled in finding the words to describe what he¡¯d been suppressing all night. It made him feel a sickening level of relief, like the admission released something in his chest. It was so freeing and yet so terrifying that it could feel that way at all as his human reason worked to rationalize something monstrous. Everyone else is innocent as far as I know but you¡¯re a bad guy right? The kind that hurts other people for money or fun? Would the world really miss a little rat like you? I¡¯d still be doing good for humanity. Just be removing a problem with a more¡­ permanent solution. The focus and attention Ryker was finally giving his hunger wasn¡¯t truly embracing his nature, only identifying how deep the desire was as he loosened the leash he¡¯d ruthlessly held on it all night. Hoping to find its source and sever its influence on him. But even leaving himself open to it, it felt too close. Like he was wavering on a knife edge and wasn¡¯t sure if he was becoming more of a man trying to make a hard choice or a monster picking the easiest option. He had been human once, that mattered- No, still mattered like it would always matter. Even becoming a Kaiju couldn¡¯t wash his humanity away that easily. But at the same time there was nothing left of him that was human. He was a Kaiju. One of the enemy in body and in mind. That wasn¡¯t going to change either as much as he desperately wished at times that it could and he could go back. He was merely accepting that he felt what the Kaiju in him deeply wanted. Recognizing the dark desire working in him like Riley had taught him to recognize his own hating anger, as much good as that had done him. But Ryker was still holding on. Reigning in the beast that yearned to shake its restraints and live without control. Searching himself, Ryker hoped for some kind of revelation, a break somewhere inside that would let him reign in the instinct at last but it wouldn¡¯t come. Not as long as he continued to grind his teeth together so hard his jaws ached with the strain as a stubborn piece of Ryker refused to let go completely and continued to hold his mouth shut. Dreading the worst if he released the hate and loathing he held for what his body wanted and he was beginning to desire. He knew it was inside him. The answer, the key that Riley hoped he¡¯d find that would finally give him control himself. But it was at the bottom of an abyss and Ryker was already too close to the edge. Too unwilling to to gaze into the darkness and see what looked back. The tether of shameful restraint and self hatred frayed as it held Ryker back. Desperate to keep him from losing control completely. Sure that if he released his hold now he¡¯d lose his last chance to remain the man he had once been. That it would mean crossing a line he could never come back from. But what choice did he have? How else was he going to find a way to keep his hunger from overwhelming him? So with a terrible hope that he wasn¡¯t making the biggest mistake of his new life Ryker¡­ just let go. Accepting the monster he now was. Ryker¡¯s eyes closed as he pushed away the world. The ripples of color and sound that danced into his other senses falling back into their proper places as Ryker focused on the meal he held captive in the dark before him. A perverse sense of peace overtaking him as he soaked it all in. Just knowing that he could take his time to savor this moment sent a shiver of true excitement through Ryker. He¡¯d never gotten a chance to properly enjoy his other meals, but now? There was no need to hurry, no need to rush and stuff meat down his throat to run somewhere else. There wasn¡¯t even anything trying to take his food from him. Finally this meal, unlike all the others he¡¯d passed by and let go before. This one was all¡­ Mine. Ryker thought grinning. His smile stretching as his jaws parted until his maw opened wide. Drool spilling out from between his teeth in small rivers as he divorced all judgement and thought from the animal instincts now driving him. Guiding him as he loomed over his meal and dipped his head down towards the head of the prey he¡¯d been purposefully avoiding all night. The human before Ryker shuddered violently in his grip as Ryker slid his tongue over the thug¡¯s neck. Drawing out the exploratory lick with a primal satisfaction as he felt another feeble attempt to break free at his touch. The animal in him savoring every sensation as he felt the warmth of human skin and had to hold back from immediately tearing it open so he could taste what lay beneath. The too fast patter of a panicked heart thrummed against his tongue. Every heartbeat a sweet promise of the blood it would spill for him if he silenced it. And the fear, the delicious fear was so thick in his nose and in his mouth he wanted to draw it into his lungs until he choked on it. Ryker¡¯s unleashed hunger reveled in every detail as it was allowed to roam free. He felt everything, tasting it all as saliva slicked over a whimpering human face. The texture of smooth unscaled skin, the added saltiness of sweat, and the shivers he felt under his touch almost making him bite down right then and there. Every bit of it reverberating through his awareness like the heat from an open fire. He moved slowly. Opening his jaws wide enough to envelop the thug¡¯s head and shoulders as Ryker carefully started to bite down. Letting let himself sink into the moment before he ended it. His own hot breath mixing with the hyperventilated breathing of his food in his mouth as his maw closed down. Stopping only as his fangs pierced thin cloth of clothes to meet the unprotected skin of a human neck and shoulders. That constant, teasing heartbeat reverberated through his fangs like tuning forks as his prey¡¯s desperate thrashing made Ryker¡¯s fangs prick the skin. Tiny beads of blood welling up around his teeth and dripping into his mouth as Ryker lapped up every drop with a dark delight. For a dreadful moment Ryker sat in the middle of the storm of predatory hunger raging in his mind. His eyelids fluttering as he yearned for the pure pleasure of another kill. Every part of his body and mind waiting for the instant his jaws clamped down and opened the floodgates as he drank in the blood that he just knew would gush out from the stump of his prey¡¯s neck like a warm tide. Every little thing about it made him want to do it even as he recognized the line it would cross. It was so tempting that Ryker couldn¡¯t help a treasonous part of his true self rationalize all the reasons he should give in to that sweetness then and there, even as he tried to find a way to make it feel wrong like it was supposed to. But how could he? It felt so right. He¡¯d done enough good to make up for eating a bad man like this hadn¡¯t he? That didn¡¯t make him bad. It barely felt like something that could be bad anyway. He¡¯d worked hard for this. He deserved a reward for doing so much to help others. He would still be good after this. But more importantly than that¡­ It tasted so good. Inside his mind, right on the edge of indulging in what he wanted so badly Ryker stared into the abyss. Not giving into the desperate human urge to fight back the powerful instinct that would inevitably make it stronger, he examined his hunger at a mental and emotional distance he¡¯d never been able to achieve before to control his own anger. Forced to seek it out like his life depended on it, because in a way it did. He searched it with a calculating calm. Watching carefully, he catalogued every sensation coursing through him like he was running a diagnostic on his Armor. The constant feeling of hunger and wanting was there of course, but it wasn¡¯t just a simple desire acting alone in Ryker¡¯s mind. Nor was it just the pang of mindless bloodthirsty violence Ryker had repeatedly dismissed it as. It was a need. Roaring and howling with a singular purpose. Grow stronger. He felt it in every part of himself. It was a hollow in his bones, so deep it felt like an ache in the marrow. It was a tightness in his muscles, one that only seemed to relax when he knew he was progressing. It was a fire in his blood, burning in his heart like it was eager to pump life into new flesh and muscle. That constant urge to grow stronger was in his mind too. Not just something grafted onto his psyche by his Kaiju body but born of his own human will. Because he wanted to grow stronger too, more than anything. The pure desperation he felt to outpace the monsters that would bring about humanity¡¯s end was crushing. Demanding he never stop moving. But that need had changed as he grew close to his Capstone ability. Began to feed into the hunger to grow stronger inherent to all Kaiju until it nearly overwhelmed him. Until he could no longer recognize anything of himself in that constant need for strength. This¡­ This is because of me¡­ Ryker thought. Stunned and shocked the discovery within himself. He understood in an instant what was wrong. Why his human desire for strength and Kaiju nature fed on each other like they were stuck in a feedback loop. It was because¡­ he¡¯d seen it. The end of the world itself. Lived through the never-ending horror of fighting a war against extinction until every last one of his friends fell around him. Until his own body failed him. That was what had made the murderous hunger so strong. Knowing he hadn¡¯t been enough to stop what was coming the first time had made him feel desperation that nearly verged on panic. Forced his subconscious to look at every human being around him as uneaten fuel for his growth. Deep down, part of him had recognized that. Knew how it could gain the strength he wanted. The strength he needed to save the future. Staring into the abyss of his soul Ryker knew how many people it would take to to grow strong. It wasn¡¯t the cost that frightened him. It was because he knew in his heart that the price was worth paying. Every time. For a terrifying heartbeat Ryker nearly gave in and bit down as he weighed an entire future against the life he held between his teeth and knew it was worth it. That it was a price he would pay again and again and again if it meant sparing the world its destruction. How else could he grow strong enough to stop monsters like Storm Breaker? Like Spore Tyrant, Magma Gore, Glacier Fang, and Red Tide? It only made sense to eat whatever and whoever he could if it made him strong enough to prevent what was coming. What were the lives of one measly person before the end of humanity itself? A dozen? A hundred? A thousand? As many as he could find¡­ and as many as he could eat. They¡¯re all food to Kaiju anyway. Why not me too? Ryker barely breathed as the idea swam in his mind. Unsure if it came from the human or the monster. The thought so clear and in harmony with both sides of him it rang like a bell. All of them¡­ are already dead if nothing changes. It would be a mercy in a way to spare them the horrors to come. I¡¯d be ending their suffering before it ever truly began, denying the other monsters a resource I know I would use for good. For humanity as a whole. Part of Ryker wanted to rip his throat open right there for even considering that. The thought felt downright treasonous to the pilot he¡¯d been even as it made perfect sense to the monster he now was. Horror and disgust tried to shut the thoughts down but the emotions fell away as the ruthless part of his mind pushed all emotion aside and worked through the idea of eating the humans that were so plentiful in this painfully perfect past. Working out the logistics of how best he could herd people like animals to the slaughter, like so many Kaiju had done before. I won¡¯t be cruel. Won¡¯t make anyone suffer unnecessarily. I¡¯ll make every kill quick, painless even. Ryker reasoned. The plan spinning out of his mind as it formed easier and more detailed than any plan he¡¯d ever made before. I¡¯ll start small, in quiet towns like this until I¡¯m strong enough to go into the cities by myself. I know where the shelters are going to be built. Where people are going to run and hide. I¡¯ll only take what I need. Break open one or two of the bigger ones. The kind that will be able to hold people by the tens of thousands¡­ He could see it so clearly. Because he¡¯d fought against Kaiju trying to do the same thing he wanted to do. Only he was so much smarter than they were. He¡¯d ignore the nearly impenetrable vault like doors Kaiju had wasted their strength on and dig through the street until he reached the shelter layer, exploiting the vulnerabilities in the design where the structure was weakest. Break through the top and tear it away to get at all the people gathered inside. He could just reach in and take people by the handful once he was Stage Two. Then grab them by the dozens at Stage Three. Finally sating his hunger for the prey he wanted to eat more than anything. It would make him strong. The strongest of them all as he embraced his new purpose for the good of all. Feed on humanity to save it. I. Want. That. Ryker admitted to himself. The thought almost forgiving in a way without the shame and self recrimination that should have buried it. The idea was so in tune with both halves of himself there wasn¡¯t room for anything else. As the fantasy fell away, Ryker returned to himself as he felt his jaws again and the life between his teeth he was on the verge of ending. It would be his first. The first of so many more to come. I want this! Ryker thought as he started to bite down, his teeth breaking fragile human skin. Suddenly desperate to feel blood burst on his tongue and flow down his throat. I NEED this! With effort Ryker¡¯s senses pulled away from the man he was seconds away from eating alive and down the alley. Towards the sounds of a muffled beating taking place not too far away. He could smell blood over there from whoever was being beaten. Blood he wanted to taste that was from someone truly innocent. One of the many uncountable number of lives Ryker had spent a lifetime protecting and was already planning to end with his own claws if it meant growing stronger. That person needed help, his help. But Ryker couldn¡¯t trust himself to even do that as he was now. Losing himself to the hunger now, he knew. Even thought he didn¡¯t want to admit it, he would kill that man. Even if he went over there to slaughter his attackers to save him he knew he wouldn¡¯t be able to hold himself back from taking every human life in this alley if he gave in now. That he may never be able to hold himself back ever again if he got a taste of that forbidden fruit. I¡­ I can¡¯t have this. Ryker thought despairingly as his eyes blurred with tears. Realization dawning in his mind as he accepted the truth he¡¯d never allowed himself to accept. Because I¡¯m weak. The thought made Ryker groan softly and quiver like a wounded animal. Like something had reached into his chest, into his heart, and gutted his soul. The truth of it burned inside Ryker. He hated it. Hated it worse than the monsters he¡¯d spent his life fighting because it came from him. Because it was so human it couldn¡¯t belong to the beast he¡¯d become. For my whole life¡­ I¡¯ve been weak. The tears ran down from his eyes like small rivers. Trailing lines across the scales of his face. Flowing over his lips and mixing with the blood he¡¯d wanted so badly for so many reasons, wrong and right. It was an old pain, a scar so ingrained within his spirit that he¡¯d simply lived with it. The truth of its hurt unfurling as Ryker felt along its jagged edge. Blood and tears bittersweet on his tongue as he quietly wept. Still aching to kill the human at his mercy even now. I¡¯ve always been weaker than the monsters that could take everything from me. Ryker thought. So vulnerable it made all his strength feel like nothing. From the day I came home from school to find pieces of Mom and Dad in the rubble¡­ to the end of Typhon itself¡­ I was too weak to stop them. Too weak to change anything even a little bit. No matter how hard I tried or how hard I fought it¡¯s never been enough¡­ Every horrible and tempting thought Ryker¡¯s hunger made him dream up and wanted to indulge in so badly... were all his. A byproduct of becoming a Kaiju yes, but they were thoughts borne of a desire he¡¯d felt all throughout his human life. So core to his being it couldn¡¯t be hated or rejected. Even if he knew what he¡¯d do because of it. The vile thing it would turn him into just so the scarred boy he¡¯d been wouldn¡¯t lose everything again. Kaiju just want to be strong. I still hate them for that. Hate them for everything they do in service of that. But I hate being weak so much more. I¡¯d eat the world if it would finally make me strong enough to not feel weak anymore. Ryker thought as wetness continued to trail down from his eyes. So I don¡¯t lose Mom and Dad again. So I don¡¯t lose Riley and Beck and Hiro and Silas like I did before. I couldn¡¯t bear going through that again. I¡¯d rather die than lose everyone again all over again because I was still too weak to save them. He could see it now looking back. The constant upgrades to his Armor. The never ending need for improvement. The refusal to simply accept and train in a single weapon. He had wanted them all, to the point he had refused the advice of every other pilot and veteran he¡¯d worked with. Only stopping once he could wrap his pain in an arsenal big enough to hide his weakness and make him feel strong. It was the reason he¡¯d sought out Beck in the first place as much as it shamed him to admit it. He¡¯d heard rumors of their development of experimental weapons and made himself the perfect test subject for every innovation. Never once stopping his simulated training until he could navigate every combat program by feel alone. Always pushing himself further no matter how much it hurt. It hurt worse than the acid blood that had blinded his eyes, worse than the pain of dying as fire tore through his human mind but Ryker didn¡¯t reject it. The reason for his own dark desire to feed on humans. The origin of the need to feed on them so badly it had become nearly one with the hunger of the Kaiju inside. With an act of will more draining than anything he¡¯d ever done before Ryker looked at it, took it all in. That sense of weakness he hated so much more than the monsters he fought because it was the one thing he could never kill. He wanted to tear it out, claw through his chest until he could rip it to pieces, so he could finally feel whole again. Instead¡­ Ryker accepted it. Embraced it as a part of himself that affected everything else within him. The way it made him need and desire strength. The way it made him resonate with his Kaiju body and its hunger to the point he couldn¡¯t find the line between the two. Until he wanted to kill and eat the people he¡¯d always protected and revel in the taste of them if it meant gaining the strength he¡¯d always craved but never truly had. He accepted that, even though it meant he was more like the monsters he fought than he ever wanted to believe. It made Ryker think that maybe¡­ maybe Beck¡¯s machine hadn¡¯t failed at all¡­ Maybe it just put him in the body he belonged in. Ryker opened his jaws then and miraculously, his body finally obeyed. Releasing the man he¡¯d almost eaten from his mouth as Ryker flinched back and wrenched his head away. The act was done with no small amount of reluctance, he still desperately wanted to bite the man¡¯t head off. More than he ever wanted to believe, but that savage want was a far cry from the maddening need that had plagued Ryker for the past few hours now that he understood it. Carefully, his tail slowly uncoiled around the unconscious thug, likely scared half to death as the man slipped through Ryker¡¯s grip and crumpled to the ground. Sagging bonelessly against the wall with small cuts on his neck and shoulders from Ryker¡¯s fangs. The wet slick of saliva sliding down the man¡¯s head and chest in fat drops the only other sign his life had almost come to an end this night. Ryker let out a shuddering breath as he took an unsteady step away from the unconscious man and pressed a claw against the wall as he leaned on it for support. Practically swooning as he came down from the near high of almost feeding on a human all his senses told him was the perfect prey and fuel for his growth. Ryker brought his free claw to his snout and tried to wipe any remaining blood on his lips. To remove the evidence of what he¡¯d nearly gave into and still found himself wanting to. His claws reached inside his mouth, pressed hard against his tongue but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to scrape it clean of the flavor left behind by person he¡¯d almost eaten. He couldn¡¯t even force himself to spit anything out. He wanted to hate the Kaiju in him for wanting it so much but he couldn¡¯t. Not when he¡¯d accepted that monster was really him. Ryker¡¯s shoulder pressed into the wall as he brought his other claw close and clutched his head as if he could make himself stop. As if he could make himself stop feeling so desperate to eat what he¡¯d just tasted. Gathering himself with a stuttering breath in Ryker focused and pulled his claw out of his mouth. Unable to keep from licking his lips of his own trailing saliva as he squeezed his eyes shut. Ashamed even as he savored the lingering, distinctly human taste on his lips and what little remained in his mouth of the prey he still craved. Ryker tried again as a few more warm tears trailed down his scales, reaching a claw into the back of his throat as he tried to force himself to gag and failed again. His mouth closing around his claw as he tried to forget the thrilling memory of having something alive between his teeth. Even as he tried to recreate it by biting down on his scaled fingers. Just seconds after sparing the man¡¯s life Ryker still wanted to turn right back around and eat him but he held firm. Distracting himself with anything he could as he began licking his claws clean of any small remnants of humanity before he finished with that and curled his tail before himself. Gripping it tight with both claws as he dragged his tongue along his scales for any flecks of human blood or sweat still on his body. Anything to keep himself from turning around. From going further down the alley towards the scent of blood he still craved. Ryker felt disgusted. Revolted by what he was doing, by what he¡¯d done, and by what he¡¯d almost done. But even more than that Ryker felt disgusted at what he¡¯d thought. The sickening reasoning he used to justify eating people and the future for himself he¡¯d wanted so bad he¡¯d driven himself into a fervor just fantasizing about it. All the negative emotions previously reserved for the Kaiju side of himself directed themselves at his human mind for the first time. Self loathing, disgust, shame, guilt. Ryker felt it all. But only up to a point. It felt less intense than what a human should have felt had they just done what he did and Ryker could finally admit to himself why. Who was he kidding? How could he blame himself for wanting to eat people so badly? Why had it taken him this long to accept that he¡­ he¡­ He just wasn¡¯t human anymore. That fact had been obvious from the start but he¡¯d still clung to the idea until now. Holding onto the desperate hope that somehow he¡¯d remain unchanged despite being a Kaiju. That there was an unshakably human core inside him, that his mind and willpower could overcome every urge and instinct that defined his new reality. This is what I am now. The memories and the instincts¡­ there is no separating them is there? Not when its all me. Ryker¡¯s claws released his tail as he rubbed the palms of his claws against his face. Allowing himself a moment of quiet to try meditating again and look at the direction of his thoughts. He didn¡¯t rage against himself for what he still wanted. Didn¡¯t hate himself for how much he enjoyed the panic in the man he¡¯d almost eaten. Even as he thought back on the fear he¡¯d tasted and desperately wanted to taste again. Ryker simply held still in the aftermath of his revelation. Then he got angry. Ryker¡¯s claws scratched thin lines across his face as thick fingers balled up into fists. His exited heartbeat finally slowing with a cold fury as Ryker stared hard at the ground with gritted teeth. He wanted to feel like he¡¯d won a fight against the urges within him but Ryker couldn¡¯t lie to himself. That had been too close, he had to nearly let himself give into indulging in his hunger before he managed to figure out the trick that let him push it away, or more accurately the truth about himself that let him push it away. It shouldn¡¯t have come to this. Ryker thought fiercely as he wiped the last of his tears from his eyes with the back of a claw. Damnit. Damnit all. I almost ate a person¡­ I¡­ I still want to eat him. Fuck me, do I really wish I¡¯d eaten him. Ryker leaned against the wall as his breathing relaxed. Closing his eyes as the side of his scaled head rested against the brick wall next to him. Feeling the cool brickwork on his body helped to settle Ryker¡¯s thoughts. He could hear it still going on down the alley. Ryker¡¯s entire ordeal had only taken moments apparently, as hard as that was for him to believe. The muffled sounds of grunts from the mugging was close but he didn¡¯t dare try to intervene. He wanted to eat them too. He still needs help¡­ Ryker thought on the stranger down the alley. Do I just leave him here? Is he safer away from me? I can smell his blood from here and¡­ I still want to taste it¡­ God, I¡¯m too much like them. I thought I be different.. Not be anything like the other Kaiju but here I am. Wanting what they want. Ryker wavered in his mind. His own identity became fragile as it shifted. Trying to reconcile what he¡¯d finally accepted about himself with the human he¡¯d always believed he was but simply wasn¡¯t. I¡¯m not human... Ryker thought simply. I¡¯m not human. So¡­ so¡­ So what? The thought came without warning and it silenced the growing doubt and fear in Ryker¡¯s mind as it rang out. It held more than a little of the anger Ryker had been feeling towards himself and it only seemed to grow as the thought came again. Indignant and defiant. So what? Ryker thought again. Allowing the seed to plant itself in his mind and grow. So what if I¡¯m not human? So what if I want to eat people? So what if they all look like talking walking meat pies? Why would that change anything? Why would I ever believe that could change anything? Because¡­ I¡¯m still me. I¡¯m still¡­ Ryker. Raymond. Ryker. The Kaiju thought with growing clarity and strength. His own name anchoring him and rooting him in place. Ryker actually smiled at the thought. Feeling warm as he shook his head, almost baffled he¡¯d been so worked up earlier. I hate being weak yeah. I¡¯ll admit it. I want to be strong. So strong I can take fuckers like Storm Breaker and Magma Gore back to back and keep on swinging until I pile up so many bodies you can see them from space. Why worry about the human side of me and the Kaiju side of me at all if we both want the same thing in the end. Growing stronger. So what if I get hungry for people? I¡¯ve been hungry before. Hell, I¡¯ve gone days on Granola flavored nutrient paste before. I know what hunger¡¯s like. I can take it. Ryker breathed in a calming steady breath. Feeling a kind of peace return to himself that hadn¡¯t been present before. It felt nice. Even as he grew more used to the claws and fangs of his new body a part of Ryker resented that he¡¯d gotten more used to it at all. Like it was leaving behind the human he¡¯d once been but honestly, wasn¡¯t that just the truth of it? I¡¯m not human anymore. Ryker thought comfortingly looking down at his claws and letting go of the lingering resentment he held as he flexed them. But even though I may not be human anymore, I¡¯m still a person. Still here. Raymond¡¯s still here. Ryker thought warmly. What he¡¯d done almost eating that bad guy before still left Ryker feeling guilty of course. Even if he had come to an understanding about himself that had reconciled how much he still wanted to eat the human. Ryker didn¡¯t want to think about what may have happened if he hadn¡¯t remembered Riley¡¯s advice. The stench of urine staining through the nearly eaten thug¡¯s jeans gave Ryker¡¯s senses a good shock that brought him back from his musings as he shook himself. Looking down the alley towards the mugging that had been continuing in the long moment Ryker had battled his instincts and finally accepted them as his own. Hell yeah, I¡¯m still here. Ryker thought as he focused on the shadows and sounds coming from down the alley until he wound his senses together again to paint a better picture of what he was seeing. A different kind of anger welled up in Ryker as the spikes on his arms began to rise in agitation at the beating he could still hear going on. His lips peeled back to bare his massive fangs in a silent snarl he only managed to keep from voicing because it would reveal his presence. It was almost beyond belief that crime could exist in this nearly idyllic past. But human nature was apparently something that refused to change, even in times of plenty. That was true for criminals like these, but it was also true for Ryker. Few things made him angry besides Kaiju. It just so happened that humans who preyed on other humans was one of them. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. I¡¯m still me... and I know exactly what I would do if I found some useless fucks beating on some defenseless hobo. I won¡¯t kill them outright, even though I know I want to. Oh man, I know I definitely want to. Ryker thought darkly as he worked his jaws and balled his claws into fists, staring down the alley at the thugs he could sense through his Synesthesia but who definitely couldn¡¯t see him deep in the dark as he was. I¡¯ll hold back¡­ but people like that need to hurt before they get the message. So I¡¯ll do the bastards a favor. Save them all that money they would¡¯ve spent on therapy and just go help them myself. Ryker thought with a predator¡¯s savage grin. Hunger and hate flaring as he caught the scent of human blood. Fuck ¡®em up so bad they¡¯ll become better people. ============================================================= Even as he was being beaten Alex felt numb, distant from his body even as the strangers efficiently delivered blow after blow into his ribs. A wheeze was all he managed to squeeze out of his lungs as he fell back onto the ground as the thugs stood around him. Spread out so that he had no where to go with the wall behind him. ¡°Not gonna fight back at all?¡± Said the man who¡¯d been hanging back while the other three men took turns beating Alex. Walking over, he casually adjusted the pistol tucked into his jeans in a way that spoke of long familiarity. He almost sounded disappointed as he waved his thugs back and shook his head in disbelief at Alex. ¡°Not even a little bit? We¡¯re getting payed real good money for this you know. After all the time it took to find you?¡± The man said smiling good naturedly. As if Alex were a friend and not his target. ¡°You¡¯re gonna ruin my expectations for future jobs if you make it this easy.¡± Alex coughed multiple times around the burn of bile in his throat from long nights drinking as he rose to his hands and knees. His glasses were long gone at this point, had been for days but the ground was near enough to his face he could see the blood flowing down his broken nose and pooling on the rough concrete. Bright red. Alex noted clinically. His mind locking onto a detail that made sense to him. The bright color is because its oxygenated blood. If it were darker, more brown than red, it would be coming from veins returning to the lungs for air. I¡­ I¡­ Alex¡¯s train of thought faltered as he looked down at himself. The white button down shirt under his jacket dotted with splotches of wet crimson. There¡¯s so much red¡­ Alex thought more confused than afraid. Shock. The answer came suddenly. It made sense, would explain why Alex wasn¡¯t fighting back. His limbs were practically quivering with adrenaline he knew was supposed to help but he didn¡¯t know how to use. He didn¡¯t even know how to throw a punch. Alex looked up at the trio, mouth hanging open for air that didn¡¯t seem to come. ¡°Don¡¯t wanna get up?¡± The smiling man said. The kick to his side seemed to come out of nowhere. Alex felt something in his side give under the blow as it sent his thin body rolling across the ground and into the alley wall. Alex¡¯s mind recognized he was in danger of course, he wasn¡¯t stupid. He had the degree to prove it. Which was why he dismissed the idea of shock as he lay on the ground. Staring up at the stars through quickly swelling eyes. The lack of fear for his own life, the strange acceptance he felt for the beating he was receiving. It was clear what Alex felt. No, had been feeling every hour for days on end since that fateful morning. Guilt. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± Alex had asked then, still smiling. Sure that he must have misheard what his boss had just told him. The campaign¡¯s main office had been bustling with more activity than usual that day. Interns and volunteers rushing around as they did one thing or another. Out of the few campaigns Alex had the privilege of assisting since graduating with a Masters in Political Science, this one had the potential to be the biggest and most successful by far. The one that he¡¯d hoped would put his name on the political map as he positioned his first Gubernatorial candidate for victory in the state of Tennessee. He was still a far cry from being the kind of person who¡¯d be invited to Washington D.C. on any major party¡¯s dime, but he was already hearing some encouraging whispers through the political grapevine. That some people on high were already starting to ask about the young man behind Caleb Patterson¡¯s booming campaign. The one with fresh ideas that made boring political issues and elections a talking point for the younger generations. But more importantly, the one who¡¯d managed to make his older incumbent candidate even more popular than his much younger opposition. To his utter shock and joy he¡¯d even been chosen as Patterson¡¯s Campaign Manager right out the gate. Even when more experienced people than him had applied for the job. Likely due to his success several months ago getting an unknown native of Knoxville elected as mayor of her home city. A complete upset in the local political landscape as Alex¡¯s candidate, a retired teacher and mother of three handily won the election over her more politically experienced rivals. A win that several keen eyes recognized was a result of Alex¡¯s unorthodox but viral approach to social media campaigning. Despite his dislike of Patterson as a person Alex had done wonders for his public image as he hit the media high and low with a veritable blitzkrieg of interviews. Pushing the older man out from his comfort zone of corporate studios and short, highly edited sound bites into more personal sit downs with local but popular podcasts. It had taken a great deal of effort on Alex¡¯s part to convince Patterson it was all worth it but he¡¯d done it. Even somehow managing the impossible, getting the sixty year old candidate to host a livestream. Answering questions from real people while playing through one of the old console video games he¡¯d played as a youth. Back when the things had been commonplace instead of collector¡¯s items. The stream had nearly taken a turn for the worst though when enough commenters banded together and goaded him into joining the game¡¯s multiplayer. To Alex¡¯s immense relief and satisfaction the old man managed to do surprisingly well against other players. A clip had even gone impossibly viral when Patterson started swearing and ranting like a sailor as he downed ¡°campers¡± one after another and boasted about his ¡°KDR¡±. Whatever those things were. That stream had every possibility of backfiring but it had worked better than Alex could have hoped. Connecting Patterson with well known influencers wanting to collaborate with him for videos, making him seem fun to young voters, and turning him into an online celebrity as his rant was immediately turned into a meme template. The ongoing success of the campaign was everything Alex could have ever dreamed it to be. Until it wasn¡¯t. ¡°Come on Alex you know how it is for guys like us!¡± Patterson said jovially as he took a long drink from the whiskey he poured out for himself and Alex. Having invited him into the his office for a private celebration when the polling numbers all but guaranteed Patterson would win the election over his opponent. The bright smile on Patterson¡¯s face nearly identical to the one Alex had arranged to be shown on billboards and commercials across the state. ¡°It was just a bit of fun is all! No harm no foul right? Besides, the media fucking nuts itself over every little thing women say these days if it means they can bring good men down. You notice that Alex? It only matters when it suits their narrative, when they can use it against us. They don¡¯t give two shits when a random woman starts crying about some bum off the street who slaps their ass. Nooo.¡± Patterson said rolling his eyes. Already filling another glass from the bottle he¡¯d kept in his desk. ¡°It¡¯s only when its someone important that it matters. When they can get as many clicks and views as they can. Why focus on the plights and problems of little people right?¡± Patterson said after a long sip as he swirled his glass, his expression darkening for a moment before relaxing into a smile as he saluted Alex. ¡°Thanks for taking care of that by the way. I¡¯m glad I finally have someone around here who understands how women like that need to be handled.¡± Alex¡¯s thoughts came to a harsh stop as his mind raced for an endless second trying to catch up. Replaying the conversation in his head back a few seconds to make sense of what his boss was saying. Handled? Handled what? What was he talking about? The only thing Alex directly handled were the fundraisers, and social media presence. He didn¡¯t interact with anyone who- ¡°The waitress?¡± Alex asked with a note of clear confusion. Something sick tightening in his chest all of a sudden as he put two and two together. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He said his smile returning in force to make up for his earlier lapse. No, that couldn¡¯t be right. He¡¯d looked into that himself. Checked and double checked. ¡°Those accusations were baseless from the very start. She had no ground whatsoever to stand on.¡± Alex said sure of himself. ¡°Damn straight.¡± Patterson agreed. Too drunk to notice or care that the smile was on the verge of slipping from Alex¡¯s face. ¡°All it took was some of money changing hands and a few promises to get the restaurant owner to come accept what really happened, if you know what I mean. Not too much money though thankfully. Restaurant owners like that are desperate in this economy, they¡¯re barely staying afloat as it is. It¡¯s one of the things I¡¯ll fix when I¡¯m elected I think. Good steak joints are rare enough as it is these days.¡± Patterson said with a laugh. ¡°I gotta say you did damn good work yourself batting the girl away like that. That was ruthless Alex!¡± Patterson said with a deep belly laugh. ¡°Bringing up the history of abuse and mental illness from her family history. You shut her up so fast she couldn¡¯t have fallen off the map any faster!¡± Alex¡¯s lips parted as he forgot the barely touched glass of alcohol in his hand. That¡¯s what Patterson believed he¡¯d done? It wasn¡¯t like that at all. He¡¯d only done what he¡¯d learned to protect his candidate, what he was supposed to do. Discredit accusers by presenting the facts. He hadn¡¯t done any of that maliciously. It was just what had to be done for the good of the campaign. There were dozens upon dozens of rumors and fake stories that Alex worked tirelessly to refute in order to keep the ship he¡¯d built afloat. To him the waitress had just been one more attention seeker trying to get paid off to stay quiet and away from the media. All he¡¯d done was look into her family history and spread the information around. That was it. Suggesting that growing up with an abusive father had pushed her to say what she¡¯d said against his candidate. That her years of chronic anxiety and inability to afford her anti-depression medication had pushed her to hurl accusations against an innocent older man like Patterson. A father himself, who could serve as a target for her own unhealed trauma. The drunk man had continued to recount the story at length after Alex had stopped talking. Crushing any hope in Alex that everything he was hearing wasn¡¯t true with every word he spoke. Patterson wasn¡¯t the humble type. He boasted about what he¡¯d done. Trusting in the soundproofed walls to keep all of the details of that night secret and safe. Alex had no idea how he¡¯d left Patterson¡¯s office without the man stopping him. Or without anyone else grabbing him to get his attention and realize what was going through his head. The world itself seemed to blur as Alex walked to his own office and closed the door, like he was stuck in a dream that couldn¡¯t be real. He collapsed into his chair and stayed there until the weight of what he¡¯d done made him sink into it. Still dazed Alex looked at the banner above his desk. One of the first he had helped design. The smiling face of the monster who employed him staring down at him as if in triumph. As if it was telling Alex. I got away with it, thanks to you. Slowly, Alex removed his glasses and put his head in his hands. Eyes staring blankly at the carpet through his fingers. He didn¡¯t sob. Didn¡¯t cry. But his fingers trembled at knowing what he¡¯d inadvertently done, silencing a victim and enabling her abuser. I thought he was looking for the bathroom and got lost in the back where I was. Alex remembered the woman saying in the one interview she¡¯d given before she¡¯d been labeled a liar and a fraud by mobs of online accounts. I told him he was in the wrong place but he¡­ he came closer. I thought he didn¡¯t hear me but then¡­ then he pushed me. Back against the wall¡­ I hit my head but h-he¡­ Alex pressed his palms into his eyes as he heard her over and over in his mind. I didn¡¯t know. How could I? It¡¯s not my fault. I was only doing my job. But I still¡­ He knew he could come across as callous at times with his actions and words. He¡¯d been told as much in University. But that was how you succeeded in politics. People didn¡¯t have time for soft words and hesitation. You had to be decisive, firm, and if the situation called for it¡­ downright mean. Was that cruel? Was he cruel for believing it was necessary? Is this the kind of person I am? Alex asked himself honestly as he looked down at his hands. Feeling doubt about his life choices for the first time in years. Lost as Alex was in his thoughts he raised his head up and looked out at everything he¡¯d built. The volunteers and paid campaign staff wearing Patterson for Governor shirts, the banners meticulously sized and printed out, everything that was a precious fruit of his labor. A success here would send his name ever higher in the political landscape. Until the day he¡¯d be the kind of man that powerful people came to when they wanted to win. The one who worked behind the scenes and acted as the brains of every election. Finally respected and rewarded for his work and all his years of effort until he could take everything he learned and use every connection he¡¯d made to step into the spotlight himself. When his name would be the one on banners and billboards. All he had to do to keep that promise of future money and power¡­ was to do nothing. To simply stay quiet and profit off of Patterson¡¯s rising star. What was the alternative? Career suicide as he accused his boss of a crime he can¡¯t prove he committed? Even if he could prove it he¡¯d be ruined politically speaking, blacklisted into oblivion. There wouldn¡¯t be a candidate on earth who would touch him if that happened. Alex weighed the thought like every other important decision he¡¯d ever made. Seriously considering his options as he reexamined his previous actions for faults or flaws. He reasoned with himself. Debated the pros and cons. But it all fell apart before a simple question Alex asked himself. Was it worth it? It was na?ve and childishly foolish even knowing what he knew about the world now, but Alex had first entered politics because he¡¯d wanted to do good. He recognized early in life that he didn¡¯t have what it took to help people like a policeman or a fireman could. So he had wanted to do good through something that needed an analytical mind like his. When had he forgotten that? When it became detrimental to his plans to be a good person? Or had it been earlier¡­ when being good became an inconvenience? It was just one mistake. Alex assured himself. I-I¡¯m still a good person. I am! I¡¯ve done good work these past few years haven¡¯t I? I¡¯ve helped to fund dozens of charities and social projects. Raised awareness for children with birth defects and the homeless. I¡¯ll do more good in the future, so much more when I run for office myself. I¡¯ll make up for this. Make up for it a hundred times over until I can wash it away! Alex thought purposefully. He believed it, believed in himself to bring about a brighter future. So why did it all sound like an excuse? Alex stared into nothing as he tried and failed to believe his own reasoning. That the ends justified the means and how he could make it all right once he held power himself. The more he thought on it the less believable his words sounded. A good person¡­ A good person wouldn¡¯t be sitting where I am now would they? Alex thought suddenly. Something stinging in his eyes that left him blinking rapidly. They wouldn¡¯t be working to elect a man like Patterson. But¡­ but I am. He even invited me in to drink with him. What have I done¡­ that could make him so comfortable to talk to me like that? Alex¡¯s eyes roamed over his desk until he saw himself in the reflection of his dark computer monitor. Still staring, he reached for his glasses and put them back on to look at himself properly. Even in his state immense internal distress he looked composed and calm, even with the barely perceptible spots of wetness in his eyes. The result of years and years of practice at home for public speaking and holding the right facial expressions so he¡¯d never give the cameras he hoped would be on him one day a bad picture to use against him. Oh. Alex realized with a pang in his heart that didn¡¯t show on his face. He saw a politician in me. A... predator like him. Someone who couldn¡¯t possibly be a good man. Alex remained there, unmoving as he rode out the raw wave of disgust he felt for himself. For playing along well enough the man offered him a drink. For not immediately calling out Patterson for what he¡¯d done and what he¡¯d made him do to discredit an innocent woman. What he may have done to other victims like her. That¡¯s not what a good person does. Alex knew. So what¡­ what should I do? What would a good person do in my place? He stood up from the chair and walked to the door as he thought on the question and surprisingly, came up with an answer almost immediately as he opened the door. He looked out at the countless stacks of freshly printed shirts and promotional signs on tables. The very ones Alex had been so proud of just a few hours ago. Alex asked himself the question once more, but the answer was still the same. Burn it. Them and every last thing in the building that had Patterson¡¯s wretched face on it. Preferably while the fat man was still inside. Fortunately for Alex though, cooler heads prevailed in the end as he promptly returned to his desk and turned on his computer. Methodically opening as many documents as he could find relating to the waitress and any other allegations that were even halfway believable. Putting them all together on an empty USB stick. Nobody stopped him while he worked to compile evidence against the man who had given him his big break in politics. Even when people came by to get his attention Alex calmly responded to them and asked for some more time to finish what he was doing. Not giving away a single hint of what he was doing. A part of Alex was almost remorseful that he hadn¡¯t done anything illegal running the campaign he could pin on Patterson. To the point he considered actually committing some campaign finance crimes or civil rights violations before he held himself back, knowing those could all be traced to him with enough time. He worked like that for an hour in a dead calm as he ordered every last bit of halfway incriminating evidence he could into easily navigable folders. Arranged alphabetically of course, along with his own detailed but anonymous testimony of what Patterson had done to quiet his victim in that restaurant. Then he had an intern deliver the USB to the local news station during lunch the same day. The fallout had come fast and hard a few days later. A politician¡¯s worst nightmare, but not enough to cripple the momentum of the campaign Alex had run so efficiently before he was fired. There was nothing to link him to the news. But Alex knew Patterson had at least suspected him as the culprit. That realization had come when he found someone had slashed the tires on his car a day later. But Alex wasn¡¯t deterred, or even afraid. He was a man possessed. It took hours by bus to travel from Nashville to the town Patterson had stopped in on the campaign trail but he made it. All the while burning inside to make right the wrong he¡¯d unknowingly committed against a stranger and convince himself he was different than the monster he¡¯d worked so hard for. That stranger Alex soon discovered¡­ had been found by her family in her apartment over a week ago. Lying dead in the shower and fully clothed, with the very kitchen knife she¡¯d used to cut open her wrists lying at her side. The news destroyed him. Knowing what his actions had driven an innocent woman to do. Crushed him so completely Alex just didn¡¯t know how to recover from it all. The remorse, the guilt, the shame became so suffocating he could feel them choking him. The only thing that Alex could find that helped even a little bit¡­ was to give up. To stop caring about anything. Money, his career, or even his own life. He stayed in the large town the waitress had lived in, unable to bring himself to go back home or anywhere else and went from bar to bar. Draining his bank account to order drinks he couldn¡¯t stand until he puked and drank some more. Until he eventually passed out and got thrown out. Then moving on and finding another bar to lose himself in as he blamed himself for the part he¡¯d played in a stranger¡¯s death. Drinking as if he could drown himself and finally forget the name and face of a victim he¡¯d helped paint as a liar. Even when Alex¡¯s phone pinged him with video of strangers breaking into his apartment in Nashville he kept drinking and wasting away. Knowing people were coming for him didn¡¯t alarm him in the slightest even though he knew it should have. He almost began wishing they would hurry up as he tripped and fell on the street for the umpteenth time. Dirtying his formerly pristine clothes as they became covered in stains and grime. The hours and days blurred together until finally, those same strangers that broke into his home found him outside a bar he was being kept out of. They were good. Alex had given them that. Their leader acting friendly to the bouncer and the patrons outside the bar as they grabbed Alex and hauled him away. Telling everyone they were going to get him some help. He didn¡¯t even try to resist or call out while they did it. Letting them lead him until they found an alley that was dark and empty enough for what they had planned to do. ¡°Just¡­¡± Alex mumbled through his swelling lip as his head rolled towards the men who¡¯d been sent to kill him. His vision swimming and blurred through the swelling around his eyes. ¡°Do it¡­ already.¡± Alex said. Surprised the words had come from his mouth. He could have almost convinced himself he was being brave for saying it if he didn¡¯t feel so tired and ready for it to be over. For his guilt at the life he¡¯d unknowingly driven to suicide to finally end. ¡°Do what?¡± The talkative man responded. Almost sounding eager he could have a back and forth with his victim. ¡°Put a bullet in you and be done with it? Sure, we could.¡± The man said pulling his pistol from his hip. Looking it over like he was looking for dirt on the metal. ¡°I¡¯m more than a little partial to that myself.¡± He said smiling as if in apology. ¡°But we¡¯re supposed to draw this out all nice and slow like, am I right boys? Supposed to get extra depending on how broken the police find you in the morning. It¡¯s nothing personal man. We¡¯re all just working for a living here aren¡¯t we?¡± he said. Getting rough nods and harsh grins from his men as one drew a knife before his expression hardened. His eyes glinting with something dark and predatory as he looked down at Alex. ¡°You just so happen to be the work that sustains my living friend. And let me tell you¡­¡± The leader said chuckling as he pulled back a sleeve. A gaudy gold watch shining on his wrist even in the dark of the alley. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t live cheap. Not like the other fucks on the street, no¡­ no. They can all rot down here for all I care but me? I¡¯m going up in the world. I¡¯m gonna be-¡± Something moved in the dark. The thug¡¯s leader must have sensed it too somehow even with the formless shape moving behind him because he reacted instantly. Twisting around and drawing his pistol with a speed that seemed completely at odds with the man¡¯s earlier demeanor. Crack! A sickening crack cut through the air as something whipped out of the darkness and hit flesh and bone with merciless force. Snapping the thug¡¯s arm like a twig as it bent at an unnatural angle. The strike had come so fast and so powerfully that it spun the man around like a top. As he fell, he met Alex¡¯s eyes. His face a mask of pure shock, taken by surprise too quickly to register his own pain as he hit the ground in a heap. Gagging on air as he tried to gasp and shout through the pain. The world seemed to still as the three men who¡¯d planned on killing Alex looked towards their downed leader uncomprehending. Even Alex was stunned as he stared at the man, his mind too overwhelmed to understand what had just happened. Snap! The thing that had just struck came again, lightning quick. Snapping out of shadows too thick to see as the thing wrapped itself completely around the legs of the large thug closest to Alex, one of the biggest of the group. It was impossible to make out in the wan moonlight but Alex thought he saw a hint of green in the living cable that had bound the thug¡¯s legs in a vise like grip. Giving the impression of scales. The thug¡¯s feet went flying out from under him as he went fully vertical as the monstrous thing pulled on the man like he was a fish on a line. He hit the ground close to Alex. Terror burned in the thug¡¯s eyes as they rolled around like an animal, the first emotions Alex had seen on the man as he was dragged across the ground. His arms were free, but they were useless as they clawed at the ground for purchase for the thug to save himself as he disappeared into the hungry dark with a desperate cry that cut off far too quickly with a sharp sound. Real fear filled Alex then for the first time in days. Less the fear of death itself and more the cold horror of the unknown. Something he couldn¡¯t see and didn¡¯t understand was out there, but he knew with a terrible certainty was right there. The other two thugs drew close to each other in an instant. Reaching for pistols of their own with a fraction of the speed their leader had drawn his own. For a twisted moment Alex hoped the thugs would be able to fight back against whatever monster had found them in this alley. Despite knowing full well the men had planned to kill him. They weren¡¯t enough. The monster pounced out of the dark like death on silent wings. Quiet even as it crossed the alley in a single leap. So unbelievably large it¡¯s shadow smothered the precious moonlight Alex could barely see by. The thugs barely had enough time to look up at the monster before it was upon them. Yellow eyes blazing in the night as landed before its prey with enough force to shake the ground. A sweeping backhand from the beast hit the first thug to try and aim their gun at the monster with enough force that it must have broken bone. Sending the heavy man airborne like a rag doll until he collided with the side of a dumpster. Denting the side as he fell to the ground, groaning and struggling to breathe like Alex had been. The other claw came down and grabbed the last thug¡¯s entire torso. Lifting him up like he weighed nothing and slamming him into the alley wall with enough force Alex felt it through the ground where he lay. The thug in the monster¡¯s grip wheezed for air, trying to break free of the claws holding him ten feet off the ground as he kicked and fought for his life. A life that seemed moments from ending as the beast bared its fangs at its captive prey and hissed. The sound such a low heart-stopping thrum that it seemed to hate. Alex was breathing as hard as he was trembling. Too hurt to move and too scared to even try lest he draw the beast¡¯s attention. Movement on the ground pulled Alex¡¯s eyes away from the impossible monster as Alex watched the formerly composed leader groan in pain with tears streaming from his eyes desperately reach for the gun he dropped when the monster broke his arm. The monster seemed to notice this. It¡¯s eyes flicked downwards and regarded the scene as its head tilted to the side. The predatory interest in the beast¡¯s movements making Alex¡¯s skin crawl as it seemed to ponder who it should focus on. Having dropped his gun the thug in the monster¡¯s grip pulled a knife from somewhere and began stabbing the scaled claw holding him with the speed and ferocity of a caged animal. Each strike of his knife striking the scales with a strange tinging sound that made it clear his efforts were fruitless, even as he tried to break through the thinner scales between the giant claw¡¯s fingers. Without looking away from the man on the ground spikes rose on the beast¡¯s arm holding the thug to the wall. Muscles twitching under its scales as it adjusted its grip on the human it was holding. Thwik! ¡°Ah¡­!¡± The man tried to shout in a wheezing gasp as he shuddered in pain. The beast¡¯s arm slowly dropped from the thug on the wall as he hung there and whimpered. Hands uselessly trying to free himself from the bone spike that speared him through the shoulder and impaled him on the wall like a human trophy. The monster stalked forwards. Two steps more than enough to move from the wall to the leader of the men who¡¯d tried to kill Alex. The shadow of the beast swallowed the man whole as he tried to reach the last few inches to the pistol on the ground. His fingers just barely snagging the gun before the monster acted. In an act so carefully slow it had to be done out of cruelty the monster raised a clawed foot and hovered it over the man on the ground for a few seconds before it stepped down. Clawed toes dug sharply into the ground as they barely missed piercing the leader¡¯s head as the shock of the impacting step on his back made him jerk and lose the pistol again as it fell nearly beyond his reach. Alex stared horrified. Watching the panic of the man who¡¯d so casually beaten and threatened to kill him squirm against the ground like a bug under a boot. Clawing desperately at thick scales with his remaining good arm, trying to free himself before reaching hard for the gun again as the beast slowly increased the pressure on him. Making the man wheeze as the air was forced from his lungs and he tried to suck in enough air to scream as his eyes bulged. All the while stretching his good arm out in desperation for his firearm like it was a lifeline. The monster seemed perplexed at the man trying so hard to survive as he kept reaching for his gun. As thought it were unsure how to stop him from moving without killing him as it shifted its weight above him. Then as the thug¡¯s fingers barely brushed the handle of the pistol again he sharply cried out in pain as one of the clawed toes pinning him down shifted. Lifting up and poising itself like the tail of a scorpion for a moment before it came down, piercing through his forearm and into the concrete below like it was meat on a skewer. Sending the gun skidding away as the beast¡¯s claw scratched a line across the ground that pulled the man¡¯s arm back towards his body as he wept with wheezing breaths before he finally passed out from the pain. Jaws parted in a feral smile with too many teeth as the monster crouched down over its prey and brought its head low. Growling at its prey with hungry eyes as it opened its maw wide. Saliva dripping down onto the leader¡¯s head like rain as the monster prepared to bite down. Something in Alex moved that wasn¡¯t him. The lingering fearful animal in every human being that never went away as man evolved across the centuries. Alex may have courted death with his nights of binge drinking but that was a vague thing. Dying was almost an ephemeral concept in the drunken haze he existed in these past few days. This thing before him though was anything but ephemeral. It was the Reaper made flesh. Death made real. The promise of a bloody end by ruthless claws and hungering fangs. Before Alex was even aware he¡¯d done it, he lunged the pitiful distance across the ground as his hands found his killer-to-be¡¯s fallen pistol. His fingers were so clumsy on the unfamiliar metal he nearly dropped it right there as he swung the gun up towards the monster before him. The beast froze. The light of the moon casting the entire thing in a black silhouette as its eyes, those horribly bright yellow eyes, moved from the bleeding man at its mercy to Alex. Staying locked on him even as Alex¡¯s body trembled violently at the monster¡¯s attention landing on him. Knowing any second he would feel its teeth sink into him as he struggled to keep his shaking fingers from dropping the gun. Slowly, the monster rose from its crouch over its victim. Standing taller and taller and taller again as its shadow stretched over Alex. Making him feel like a mouse looking up at a dragon that was focused purely on him. It¡¯s nostrils flared as if drinking in the scent of the blood Alex had shed and was still covered in as the gun he was holding wavered in the air in front of him. The entire scene something akin to a horror movie as the beast¡¯s fangs parted slightly, tongue flicking out to taste the air as Alex futilely tried to crawl backwards and away from the monster that was looking at him like a dog peering down at a steak as it took a single, careful step forward. Thud. The weight of its step rippled through the earth as it removed its foot from the now unconscious thug. Making Alex¡¯s hands quiver even harder as he tried to keep the gun steady on the monster as his fingers tried to find the trigger and kept failing. He wanted to say he was sorry to the woman he¡¯d unknowingly hurt and driven to death. To apologize for being the kind of person who¡¯d seen her and so many others as statistics but the words wouldn¡¯t come. Air barely seemed to reach his lungs as Alex began hyperventilating. He could barely focus on the monster or anything else as the beast took another step forward. The distance between them almost halved in an instant as the monster prowled towards him. As though it were savoring the mind numbing panic Alex was drowning in as it¡¯s eyes remained locked on him and he stared back at it. Thud. It was so close now. So close that it could have simply lunged at Alex and ended him right there. But it hadn¡¯t. It didn¡¯t even try to go for any of the other incapacitated thugs. It only had eyes for Alex as he stared at it over the barrel of the shaking gun in his hands. Hearing drops of saliva fall from the monster¡¯s maw to the ground as it stared at him with hungry eyes. Alex tried to remember anything at all about guns and how the things were supposed to work but coming up empty as his mind refused to work. Quiet with terror as Alex struggled to breathe. He could only move the gun up to track it¡¯s head as it took one final step. Thud. Distantly, Alex was aware of the same massive clawed foot that had nearly crushed his assailant to death landing next to his calf. The blood still glistening on one toe claw as Alex watched the monster slowly crouch down. Looming over Alex effortlessly as it reached out a massive claw for him. Alex flinched hard and squeezed his eyes shut. Sure then that it was over. That after so many fruitless days he had finally found his end. Something grabbed the gun in Alex¡¯s hands. So steady that even his own shaking fingers couldn¡¯t move it. With a sense of dread Alex opened his eyes, blinking through his swollen eyelids to stare uncomprehendingly at what he was seeing. His mind unable to make sense of the picture before him. The massive claw that had so ruthlessly dispatched two of the other thugs, the one that easily palmed a thug¡¯s entire torso was currently suspended above Alex¡¯s outstretched arms. Two razor sharp claws delicately pinching the weapon in Alex¡¯s hands by the barrel. The claw dragged the gun ponderously downwards, almost gently as Alex¡¯s arms didn¡¯t resist the force being exerted on them. Once the gun was pointed at the ground and away from the monster, Alex recognized what seemed to be a magazine on the ground. Right between his outstretched legs. How did that get there? Alex thought dumbfounded as he stared at the ground. Realizing that his finger was squeezing the trigger as far as it would go and had been from the moment he¡¯s picked it up. He must have ejected the mag when he grabbed it at some point. Did that mean there hadn¡¯t been any bullets loaded in the gun at all? ¡°Oh¡­¡± Alex shivered as the gun was lightly tugged out of his grasp by the giant claw and tossed away. Alex turned his head to watch the gun sail out of his reach before he slowly looked up. Into the face of the monster itself as it crouched over him and seemed to take him in. Alex could only breathe softly as he trembled from pain and fear as the beast lowered itself further, until its parted jaws were right next to him. Sending a gust of warmth over his face as it breathed out and inhaled deeply, undoubtedly savoring the scent of him as a low rumble in its throat reverberated through Alex¡¯s eardrums. Paralyzed Alex could only watch as the monster¡¯s mouth opened further and- Something wet ran over his face. The trail of wet blood that had been running from the cuts and broken nose was licked away, making Alex flinch all over as the monster seemed to flinch itself. Seeming almost surprised with itself for licking its prey as it shook its head roughly, as if to clear it. The beast seemed to come to a decision then looking down at Alex and the man felt more than saw the monster moving above him. He didn¡¯t even try to move as he felt one of its claws press against his entire back. The heat of the thing making him aware of how cold he was as the other claw swept under his legs without cutting him. Then it¡­ it lifted him up? Alex grunted as he felt himself get lifted off the ground. Wincing in pain as the little movement sparked something sharp in his ribs. But the pain was short lived. There and gone again as the monster Alex was so sure would be his end gently set him down, with his back against the wall to prop him up even as he slumped against it. His body utterly spent from his beating and the adrenaline fueled terror that seemed to drain out of him in a rush as he looked up at the monster. ¡°Wh¡­ Wha¡­¡± Alex said brow furrowed in confusion as he stared uncomprehendingly up at the beast¡¯s yellow eyes. Not understanding what was happening at all. The eyes of the monster that had seemed so horrifying earlier as they dispatched his attackers, so burning with fury, seemed almost concerned as they regarded him. Glimmering with a disturbingly intelligent light as the monster¡¯s gaze lingered on his wounds, its claws raising up a short distance towards Alex before clenching and being brought down again. As if it wanted to do something but realize it couldn¡¯t. For a long moment that might have only been a couple of seconds Alex took in the entirety of the monster before him with wide eyes. His analytical mind drinking in the details before him now that the earlier mind numbing fear had mostly left him. It was a monster. Of that there could be no doubt as part of his mind continued to wail at the obvious threat it perceived. Even as it crouched down over him the beast was large enough to make Alex feel terribly small as he sat in its shadow. It was covered in green scales that caught the moonlight and Alex finally spotted the green elongated tail of the monster that had so easily dispatched his attackers as it seemed to twitch through the air in a kind of nervous agitation. Something Alex found utterly baffling as the monster hovered over him like a mother hen. The apex predator¡¯s body shifting in contrast to its earlier actions as Alex watched. Muscles rippling under its scales like taught wire, with giant teeth that shone pearly white in the dark whenever the monster opened its mouth slightly. The creature was mesmerizing in a way. Not only in the fact that something so impossible could be real but in the way that the massive size and weight of the creature before Alex seemed so natural. Claws, scaled arms, and every differing part of the whole that made it up worked in perfect harmony even as it stood still. The tail shifted minutely to counterbalance the body with every slight adjustment of its position. The spikes of bone that had raised like hackles along its forearms and somehow speared a man to a brick wall were flush with its arms, flexing with power even as its arms moved about with worry. The red scales of its chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, barely quickened after its short fight, reminding Alex that the monster before him wasn¡¯t far removed from himself in that it needed to breathe like he did. Even as the monster looked down at him and stepped around him the muscles in its calves twitched as the claws on its feet bit into the concrete, an action that almost seemed to give off a sense of profound frustration as the monster regarded Alex. Why aren¡¯t you hurting me? Alex thought the words he couldn¡¯t bring his mouth to say as he watched the monster looming over him with swollen eyes. Keenly aware of the blood remaining on its claw. I¡¯m a bad person. Like those men over there. I don¡¯t deserve¡­ A groan broke Alex¡¯s train of thought and the observation of his unexpected savior as a thug stirred on the ground. The one the beast had thrown into the dumpster hard enough to dent the metal. The monster huffed out a large puff of air as it turned its head to regard the man, obviously irritated as its long tail twisted to hover over the thug it had so effortlessly slapped aside. The tail¡¯s tip was barely two feel above his head when the monster casually flicked its tail into the back of the man¡¯s head. Knocking him out with barely any effort as the man groaned and his body stilled once more. With steps far too quiet for a beast of its size the monster stalked over to the thug on the ground. Crossing the alley in just a few large strides to stand over its prey. It¡¯s claws came down and Alex flinched as he feared he¡¯d get a front row seat to the monster finally feeding. But instead of biting into flesh Alex heard the distinct tearing of cloth as the beast seemed to wrestle with something the had clattered to the ground. In a moment the monster seemed pleased at what it had done and returned to Alex. Bending low over him and placing something on the ground next to his hand it had carefully held between pinched claws. A cell phone. Alex stared stupidly at the phone for a moment, part of him almost wanting to tell the monster that this wasn¡¯t his phone and he should check the leader¡¯s pockets for his stolen one before he blinked and shook his head. As if his head could recover from the absurdity of the situation. Impatiently, the monster pushed the phone across the ground with a claw until it pressed against Alex¡¯s hand that was laying at his side and he reflexively flinched away from it before tentatively grabbing it. Bringing the phone into his lap as he stared at the small puncture in the screen from where a claw had carefully pinched it but was too clumsy to pick it up without damaging it. The beast scratched something on the ground next to Alex. Three numbers that Alex couldn¡¯t mistake for anything else. ¡°Nine one one¡­¡± Alex said mutely. Digesting the numbers and the ramifications of a monster that could somehow understand what phones were used for. God, how did it even know what phone numbers were? What the emergency number was? Alex gripped the phone with both hands and swallowed. Working moisture into his dry lips as he looked up at the monster, suddenly worried about calling for help. He¡¯d never called that number before, it was only supposed to be for emergencies. But it was also the one phone number Alex had resisted calling for days. Telling himself over and over he wasn¡¯t worth the time or the effort to save from his own self destructive spiral. That he rightly deserved every ounce of suffering he inflicted on himself. Calling for help felt too much like forgiving himself for what he¡¯d done, too much like he was sparing himself the punishment of his actions. ¡°Is that¡­ Is that okay?¡± Alex asked hesitantly. Calling for help meant staying alive, allowing himself to live while the woman he¡¯d hurt would never come back. Feeling more vulnerable now than when he¡¯d been scarred for his life. Alex looked up towards the monster¡¯s face through swollen eyes, as if requesting permission. Then to his surprise the monster nodded in affirmation. Alex nodded back numbly and against his better judgement, began to dial the number. Feeling thankful for a moment that he didn¡¯t need to unlock the thug¡¯s phone to dial the emergency number. Then man and monster waited a beat as the phone rang until someone picked up the line in short order. ¡°Nine one one, what¡¯s your emergency?¡± said a polite but curt male voice. ¡°I¡­¡± Alex paused. His mouth working soundlessly as he tried to find the words. Unsure of what he should say. ¡°I-I was¡­ I was going out to drink. And these men¡­ found me. Took me to an alley and¡­¡± Alex shuddered as he felt his pain. Everything that had happened tonight seeming to hit him all at once as his eyes found the discarded pistol of the thug who¡¯d been planning on taking his life. ¡°It hurts so much¡­¡± Alex managed to get out as hot tears fell down his face before he had to fight to keep the sobs from leaving his chest. Even as it hurt his ribs like nothing else he kept it in. ¡°It¡¯s alright sir you¡¯re going to be okay. Please, I need to know where you are so I can send you help.¡± The operator said. Genuine concern clear in his voice. ¡°I¡¯m- I was going to Quincy¡¯s Dive Bar. I¡¯m near there. J-Just in the alley around the corner. Next to the empty pool supply shop.¡± ¡°Help is on the way sir, just hold on alright? Can you describe your injuries to me? Is there any excessive bleeding anywhere?¡± ¡°I-I um, I¡¯ve been bleeding for a while.¡± Alex said as he looked down at himself. His shirt a ruin of red from his recently broken nose. ¡°Put pressure on anything that¡¯s bleeding excessively. Once the Ambulance arrives you¡¯ll be okay. Just hold out till then, can you do that for me?¡± ¡°Yeah... I can do that.¡± Alex said nodding. Despite knowing he was on a phone call. The large bulk of the monster moving away from Alex was what caught his attention first. Despite the ferocity of the beast he¡¯d witnessed earlier it didn¡¯t even cross his mind to tell the man on the phone about it. Fear of an entirely different kind spiked through Alex as the monster was nearly out of sight. ¡°W-wait.¡± Alex said voice growing hoarse as the monster turned around to look at Alex. Unmistakable intelligence in its inhuman eyes. Even with how badly it had scared Alex just minutes prior it had saved him. Not one of his political contacts or anyone else in his life who he could vaguely call a friend. But a monster, one that had every opportunity to end Alex yet didn¡¯t. Even when he¡¯d pointed a gun at it. It didn¡¯t even kill any of the men so bent on killing him as Alex looked into the dark where it had pulled one of the thugs away with its tail. Confirming a humanoid shape crumpled in a pile of trash. In a way, this monster had treated Alex with more kindness than most humans Alex had met. It wasn¡¯t scheming behind his back or trying to further an agenda. It didn¡¯t wear a mask like the one he¡¯d unknowingly worn for years to get himself accepted by monsters like Patterson. It had a purity to its actions that made it unlike him in almost every way. He should be the last person on Earth a creature like this would go out of its way to save but it saved him anyway. ¡°Don¡¯t leave yet.¡± Alex said softly as he shivered. Dreading the thought of being alone in this place. As irrational a thought as it was knowing the police were coming it suddenly mattered to the wounded man to have someone, anyone close. More than anything else in the world. ¡°Please?¡± The monster half turned, it¡¯s head looking away towards the end of the alley it had been moving towards before it shifted to look back at Alex. Something like happiness seemed to wash over the scaled beast then, like it was grateful he¡¯d called out to it and didn¡¯t let it walk away. Tension Alex didn¡¯t even realize was in the monster¡¯s shoulder¡¯s seemed to relax as the monster dipped its head and quietly drew closer to Alex. Its inhuman features softening as the man on the other end of the line answered Alex¡¯s question in the monster¡¯s place. ¡°I¡¯ll stay, don¡¯t worry.¡± The voice on the phone said earnestly as Alex looked up into the beast¡¯s eyes. The once terrifying yellow of its glare now warm with a compassion Alex felt he still didn¡¯t deserve. The monster crouched down, one claw pressed into the wall for support as it sat down. Legs folding neatly beneath it as it curled up next to Alex. Near enough Alex could feel its body heat radiating off it as it kept him company. Alex face twisted as another sob almost broke through as he clamped a hand to his mouth. Tears clouding his vision while he looked down at the ground, the operator responded again. The words on the phone so in sync with the monster¡¯s actions that Alex could have believed it was truly speaking to him. ¡°If you need me, I¡¯m right here okay?¡± The scaled monster seemed to say as its head turned to look down at Alex. Alex tried to at least give his thanks but the words wouldn¡¯t come. He tried again but let out a small sob instead. There was a moment where he kept back the flow but suddenly everything he¡¯d tried to hold back came out at once as his weakened body shook hard with emotion as he found the energy to weep. The monster raised a claw over Alex, hesitant to the point of almost being fearful before it carefully lowered its claw to rest over the wounded man¡¯s shoulders. The claw large enough to cover both shoulders and part of the man¡¯s back as the beast gently comforted Alex with small awkward pats. The former campaign manager sagged against the beast¡¯s side, making the monster flinch hard at the contact, like it was afraid to feel a human¡¯s touch. Then it shifted in discomfort as Alex sobbed into its warm scales, somehow making the monster even more distressed at the emotion it was witnessing than the threat of being shot earlier. But despite the feelings coursing through the monster it held itself still regardless. Unwilling to disturb the man at its side or do anything to move away as it gingerly embraced Alex with a claw. Hesitantly at first, then with more confidence as it pulled the man a little closer to comfort him with a one armed hug. There were occasional questions from the Nine one one operator to make sure Alex was alright but those interruptions couldn¡¯t break the moment. The two stayed like that for a precious few minutes that seemed to stretch out every second. Even after Alex¡¯s tears had dried to nothing and he was simply resting his swollen cheek against scales that seemed to ripple under his skin. Not unpleasant in its own way, just one more thing Alex didn¡¯t understand about the creature who saved him as he felt its own heartbeat. Steady and deep like a drum that could go on forever. The monster¡¯s massive claw moved over Alex¡¯s back as it minutely adjusted to press against the parts of him that didn¡¯t hurt as much. One clawed finger coming to rest over his entire shoulder, Alex unconsciously brought a hand up to hold the scaled finger he couldn¡¯t even wrap his hand around completely as the claw carefully kept from cutting him. The monster didn¡¯t seem to mind the small gesture in fact, had Alex looked up at it then he would have seen the creature¡¯s lips curl in an almost human smile. Neither man or monster wanted to break the small bit of connection they¡¯d managed to share. The both of them comfortably resting under the light of the moon as the first sounds of sirens began to rise in the night. The claw against Alex¡¯s back gently pulled away as Alex let go of it and took in a steadying, but still slightly shaky breath. Looking up at the monster¡¯s head as it moved above Alex, it stared hard into the dark. As if it could see the ambulance and police cars coming towards them through the thick walls that surrounded them. Then it dropped its gaze to Alex, its amber eyes regretful in a way as the Nine One One operator spoke again. The man¡¯s voice seeming to speak for the monster incapable of speech one last time. ¡°You just wait a little longer okay. The police are almost there. Once they arrive I¡¯ll have to leave you to them. They can help you better than I can.¡± The operator said what the monster¡¯s gaze tried to convey. The man obviously still unaware that Alex cared much more for the ferocious monster before him than the human on the phone. ¡°I have to make sure I¡¯m ready in case I need to help more people alright?¡± Alex raised a hand and pressed his palm against the beast¡¯s side. His fingers feeling warm but strange scales that almost seemed to react to his touch. Alex gave the monster a small nod. Feeling a surprising measure of strength return to him. ¡°I understand.¡± Alex said to both the man on the phone and the monster as it pulled away. The monster moving to stand with a smooth motion that left it looming over Alex once again. Being in the scaled beast¡¯s shadow, the human couldn¡¯t bring himself to be afraid anymore as it looked down at him. The monster nodded assuredly, its eyes somewhat regretful as it looked over the wounds it couldn¡¯t help heal as it began to step back and move away. Pure power and feral grace as it crossed the alley, walking by and over the still unconscious thugs as it only spared them a few hungry glances. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Alex managed to say finally. The words alone seeming so lacking as he watched the monster¡¯s retreating back. ¡°Thank you.¡± Alex managed to say slightly louder but the beast had moved too deep into the shadows to be seen. There may have been a glint of yellow in the dark looking back at him, maybe even the glint of a fanged smile but that was quickly gone. Then Alex was alone in the alley with the groaning forms of the men who¡¯d been intent on killing him tonight. Even as he heard the police cars come screeching to a stop and flashing red and blue lights lit one end of the alley bright enough Alex had to look away. Multiple officers rushed down the alley towards him, several of them stopping in place as they spotted Alex and gawked at the scene around him in its entirety. The unconscious man stuck to the wall by a spike of bone, the bleeding but still living men on the ground, one of them with his arms bleeding and broken. Then they found Alex, propped up against the wall. One of the officers came up to Alex and asked him something as they crouched down and assessed his wounds. Alex heard them say something about an ambulance and missed the other question they¡¯d asked until it was repeated to him again. ¡°What happened here?¡± Alex repeated the officer¡¯s question. His brows furrowed as he thought on what had happened to him. What could he say? What was there to say? As Alex opened his mouth he thought on all the ways he could spin this story. The ramifications for his future if he were to reveal what really happened and how future political opponents would use it against him. Call him insane or say he got too drunk and dreamed up everything. Strangely enough though, Alex didn¡¯t feel like lying or finding a way to spin the story to his benefit. Even as he thought of ways to drum up public sympathy for himself once he eventually decided to run for office Alex discarded those ideas and spoke honestly. Part of him strangely eager to share the unmodified truth for once as he smiled for the first time in days. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe me if I told you.¡± ============================================================= Ryker paused hiding among the dark shadows of a small squat building¡¯s roof as he cast his senses back down into the alley. Sensing the large number of people moving around and hearing the beaten man Ryker saved try to tell his paramedics what had happened as he was loaded into the back of an ambulance on a stretcher. He¡¯d had to move quickly out of the alley and onto his perch. Crossing a dimly lit street at the end of the alley and climbing up a darkened building. But he managed it without drawing anyone¡¯s eye and hid well before the sirens rounded the corner. A wave of giddy warmth swept over Ryker even as he hid from the glow of the multicolored lights of police vehicles. The constant worry that had always plagued him since getting sent back in time and the worry of his inhuman hunger taking innocent lives subsiding at last as he reveled in knowing he¡¯d helped someone despite all the odds being stacked against him. Even though his own murderous instincts continued to tempt him the entire time he¡¯d been near those thugs and their victim he¡¯d managed to push them back with continued use of Riley¡¯s method. Ryker knew he¡¯d helped people before of course, dozens of them by now even this early in the timeline. But this was the first time he¡¯d been allowed to just¡­ sit with someone he¡¯d saved who didn¡¯t immediately run away from him and recognized he was just trying to help. It almost didn¡¯t feel real to not be shot at for once or hear screaming from the very humans he¡¯d worked so hard to save. Granted. It wasn¡¯t like the man could have run away from me. Ryker thought as he remembered the man¡¯s beaten state, starting to move away from the scene of the crime and across the rooftop. The Kaiju moving from roof to roof towards the warehouses he could see just a few blocks down the street, without anything else getting in his way. The path to them blessedly clear of further obstacles and people. Ryker hadn¡¯t dwelt on it too much but it had affected him more than he¡¯d liked to see the very people he was saving be terrified of him. In his past life people had cheered Ryker whenever they saw him in his Armor. Even when enemy Kaiju were nearby and needed killing Ryker could practically feel the swell of hope in civilians still fleeing to reach the shelters. Ryker tried his best not to be prideful overmuch but he couldn¡¯t deny how much it lifted his spirits for people to feel safer when he arrived. That had been true when he was piloting a simple grunt in Armor fighting within the U.S. and even more so when he¡¯d piloted an Archangel in defense of humanity across the world. It had honestly shaken him back in the suburb to see so many people afraid of him. So even though he knew staying to help the man wasn¡¯t wise. That immediately leaving after saving the man was the objectively correct choice for the timeline, Ryker just couldn¡¯t feel bad about making it. It had just felt good to do that, damn the consequences. Even if he does talk up a storm about what happened, its not like people will believe one guy and a couple of thugs. Ryker thought as he comforted himself, nodding absently as he gauged the fallout of his crime stopping. People aren¡¯t going to put two and two together just like that. Or jump straight to believing that Kaiju are good monsters that want to help people, especially with the early attacks once more eggs appear and Kaiju hatch. The Children of Gaia will still form but its not like they¡¯re going to rally around some random guy with an impossible story to tell. Even if it does result in an increased military presence here because of the sight of me, that will be a good thing overall. More military means there will be more defenses focused on this town and the people should be safe for the time being. I¡¯ll be long one by the time that happens though. Ryker just allowed himself to move for a moment. Letting his thoughts fade as he focused on the positive emotions flowing through him. He held an almost Zen like peace as he quietly thought to himself. Man do I wish I¡¯d eaten them all though. The thugs had some meat on them but all the blood covering that little guy looked so good. Ryker acquiesced with a grimace that quickly became a tightly controlled sigh. The Kaiju carefully acknowledging the murderous thought and his own predatory hunger as he let it go without judging himself for it. Despite every part of Ryker still wanting to rage against what his Kaiju body made him think and feel he kept his negative emotions in check so his thoughts didn¡¯t start spiraling again. Ryker was used to solving his problems with violence not his mind, so it was still a challenge to keep his focus on the mission instead of the people shaped food he sensed on the street down below. But it was a challenge Ryker was ready to face as many times as he needed. Forever if need be. I didn¡¯t do it though! Didn¡¯t even eat a single person! Ryker thought triumphantly. Savoring the victory over his instincts as he nodded to himself, weirdly proud of himself for not killing anyone and eating them. Something he would have considered inconceivable as a human but as a Kaiju was still far too tempting. I could have done better in some regards but I do feel like I did alright for the most part. Ryker thought. Incapacitating the thug with the gun and the one nearest the civilian first had been the right move. but even holding back the force of the tail strike, it had hit surprisingly hard. He¡¯d pulled his punches more after that, realizing the sheer difference in strength between him and the thugs but he doubted any of them would appreciate that. I may have gone overboard a bit in a few places though. The man turned Kaiju thought sheepishly as his claw twitched, remembering the uncomfortable pokes of a knife trying to break through his tough hide. Stapling that one guy to the wall with a bone needle might have been uncalled for but¡­ screw being delicate with people like that. Ryker bared his teeth, keeping himself from growling too loudly with all the people about on the street and in the buildings he was traversing. They¡¯re lucky that jails are still around at all. That hospitals still have enough medicine to fix them up. If this had happened during the Supply Riots they¡¯d all be rounded up and shot. I did the right thing being rough with those guys. Even that one guy. That was¡­ called for right? Ryker¡¯s face fell, terribly chagrined as he remembered the thug he¡¯d trapped under his foot. He¡¯d been careful to not press down too hard obviously, he hadn¡¯t wanted to kill the man after all but how else was he supposed to keep him from crawling towards his gun? He¡¯d already hit him with his tail hard enough to snap an arm and going any further risked inflicting permanent damage. He¡¯d just wanted to hold him down until he gave up but something in Ryker stirred at having something it recognized as prey be wounded and completely at his mercy. Coupled with the fierce emotion in Ryker raging at the man with how casually he¡¯d been threatening his victim it had taken a real effort to keep his jaws from taking the man¡¯s head off after stabbing his remaining good arm with a toe claw. Ryker let out a long sigh. Deliberately keeping himself from getting worked up at the thought of humans preying on other humans as he thought on the close call he¡¯d had with the victim. Thank God that guy didn¡¯t know how to shoot at all. A gun shot in the middle of town would have drawn way too much attention on me. I ah¡­ wish I could say I handled that well too but¡­ In Ryker¡¯s defense the victim of the mugging had been practically reeking of fear scent, almost to the point it made Ryker forget he was pointing a gun at him. That combined with all that blood on his face. Every part of him screamed prey to Ryker through his mixed senses. Ryker had pushed against the more murderous intents as he¡¯d stared down at the man at his feet but he just looked so tempting there all vulnerable like that. How could he refuse a harmless little taste? So Ryker allowed the hunger he was fighting a small win by getting a taste of the blood all over the guy¡¯s face. It was just a little lick right? That¡¯s not so- Ryker stopped. Frowning as much as his reptilian snout would allow as he sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth. Oh wait, did I actually lick that poor guy? Ugh, that¡¯s so weird! Why did I think that was okay? That¡¯s not okay! Ryker halted his advance on a rooftop as he pensively pressed a balled claw to his mouth as he stared at the ground. Searching his thoughts as he paced the rooftop for a moment before stopping. His eyes darting from one spot to another as if looking for an answer to the question dominating his mind. Why do I feel like that¡¯s okay? Scratch that, why do I still feel like its okay? For more than a few concerned minutes human reasoning battled against Kaiju instincts as each side of Ryker debated the pros and cons of licking humans. Slowing his advance on the warehouses as he debated with himself. On the one hand, it was definitely weird. He could recognize that at least. It just didn¡¯t feel as weird as it should have been, or even weird enough to make him want to not do it again. Intellectually Ryker knew if he¡¯d been human he¡¯d probably be gagging at the thought of what he¡¯d done, but he wasn¡¯t. The pang of disgust he¡¯d felt was more out of a sense of keeping up appearances since he figured it was what he should have felt as a human. That was a pretty good reason on its own to prevent himself from acting out again. On the other hand though, blood tasted really good. Human blood especially. If he remained steadfast in never eating anyone like he wanted, a lick would be the closest he¡¯d ever get to indulging in that delicious flavor again. Besides it was harmless right? He hadn¡¯t hurt him at all. Plus, how on earth could you reasonably expect anyone to resist licking humans when their skin was so salty? Ryker¡¯s musings were cut short as he reached the end of the line of buildings he was traveling over and looked out at the prize he¡¯d been aiming for tonight. The warehouses were few in number, just two main buildings really but they were large enough in scope to almost make Ryker feel small again. Ryker scanned his targets as he crouched on the edge of the roof behind a rectangular sign. Nostrils flaring with a sharp exhale as he began to plan out the best way to get himself inside. Why can¡¯t everyone just leave the doors open and the power off for once? Ryker grumbled. Tail quietly lashing in frustration as he looked at the well lit warehouses and the figures he could see moving about unloading a semi truck. There were thankfully almost no exterior lights on the building itself but Ryker could tell just from the way light spilled out the loading bay door and the few windows he could see that the inside was well lit. Not exactly the kind of lighting that would help hide a giant reptile like him. I suppose it was a bit much to hope for the inside to be completely dark but I can make do. These buildings are on the older side though¡­ That might help me out. Ryker thought as he examined the peeling paint and faded signs on the warehouses. Spotting some truly ancient surveillance cameras in the process. The kind that were comically large and rectangular compared to modern equipment. They didn¡¯t even seem to be able to swivel in different directions and that alone helped Ryker spot a way to move close to the buildings while staying out of sight. The lucky break making Ryker grin and pump a clawed fist. Breaking into buildings was so much easier when you didn¡¯t have to worry about cameras. Now that¡¯s a good sign! I doubt whoever owns the place would go through the trouble of revamping their internal lights either if their cameras still look like that. The¡¯re probably just as old, the kind that might have lost a lot of brightness over the years, if they haven¡¯t gone out already. God I hope a bunch of them are burned out and shit. Even if there¡¯s only a skeleton crew working the night shift I doubt I can take out any lights without making a whole lot of noise. Ryker¡¯s claws crunched softly into the hard roof underneath him and the brick of the building¡¯s edge as he looked between the two warehouses. One had nothing going on outside and the other was currently unloading a truck. It would be a safe bet to think that the crew unloading would be distracted by their work and give Ryker the opportunity to move inside undetected. There was bound to be countless numbers of highly stacked goods for him to hide behind once he was inside. But if they were working they would also be more active and alert. Whose to say they wouldn¡¯t be moving their unloaded goods to all parts of the warehouse? That one then. Ryker thought as he looked at the silent warehouse. Without any trucks unloading the few people inside shouldn¡¯t be doing much. It feels weird to think this but I really hope the warehouse workers are slacking off as much as possible. It would be nice if they could all just be napping in the break room while I stuff myself with whatever I can find. Plan decided Ryker nodded to himself. After double and triple checking the street for cars or people after his near disaster with running into thugs he should have noticed Ryker dropped off the roof. His tail serving as a brake to slightly slow his fall as it slid off the roof to join the body it was attached to on the ground. Ryker hit the ground with a quiet thud as he crouched low, more out of habit than necessity as he held still for a beat. Then the Kaiju was off, darting across the road in big loping strides to the wide lawn of grass and trees surrounding the warehouses as Ryker avoided the cameras overlooking the main entrance. The need to remain unseen eased Ryker into the predator he now was as he ghosted through the trees. His Synesthesia drinking in the surroundings as he rounded the building to the side he hadn¡¯t been able to see. The scent of sweat and smoke vapor danced across his senses as he tasted the air. The flavor of prey on the wind making Ryker¡¯s mouth water even as he recognized the humans outside having a smoke break. Immediately Ryker shifted behind the trees and small bushes until he was lying flat on his belly. Cool earth pressing against his scales as his large head was concealed behind the leaves of a low bush. Ryker held still for long minutes as he stared at the men unknowingly under the gaze of a hungering beast. The tempting thoughts came again and again. But Ryker diligently let them come and go, more annoyed than angry at himself for thinking of all the gruesome ways he wanted to eat the people simply living their lives. Riley¡¯s method was still working, that he wasn¡¯t panicking about losing control was proof of that. But even she would have been disturbed by his train of thought. I wonder how that would change the flavor. Ryker thought as he stared, fixated on the men milling about outside and vaping as the sweet scented vapor trailed over to Ryker from one of them. It might just be in the lungs but maybe its in the blood too. That vape is some kind of fruit flavor. The blood might be have a hint of that. Mango maybe? Mango blood. I¡¯d love some mango blood. Ryker breathed softly, each puff of air from his nostrils rustling the leaves of the bush hiding him as he held still. Idly sinking his claws into the dirt beneath him as his monstrous nature fantasized about tearing into living flesh. All the while his mostly human mind diligently let the murderous impulses run their course before sending them away. It took longer than Ryker would have liked but the men eventually went back inside through a door Ryker definitely wasn¡¯t going to fit through. Once the coast was clear Ryker expanded his awareness, examining the building for any way he could enter without drawing too much attention. I¡¯m so close. Ryker thought eagerly as he rose from the ground and stared at the warehouse. Eyes sparkling in the dark as he felt the waiting potential inside his own body. So close I can almost taste it. As he prepared to break into the warehouse Ryker felt the thrum of need within his body again. The built in desire for Kaiju to grow stronger and stronger almost felt wild with glee at the thought of reaching his Capstone ability. Despite the struggles the instinct had put him through and the way it had ramped up in intensity to the point it almost made him consider eating humans¡­ He agreed with it. Wanted it. Understood it in a way that words couldn¡¯t describe. Kaiju were the enemy, that fact would never change. Just knowing he¡¯d been denied the chance to live his life again in his original body and see his family again still burned in Ryker¡¯s mind. Made him hate the scales and fangs of his new body even now for constantly reminding him of his loss. But Ryker had spent a lifetime scrabbling for every advantage and edge he could find, mounting weapon after weapon to his Armor until he earned the very nickname he¡¯d carried with him to the end of his first life. That human desire for strength and power felt right at home in his new skin. Comfortable in a way it had never been before in his human body as every part of himself resonated and amplified that baser need. Even as Ryker kept careful watch of his inner thoughts to keep the hunger in check and constantly kept it from pushing him to harm the innocent, something shifted in Ryker. He made no note of it, payed it no extra mind than anything else, but the change occurred regardless. For the first time since hatching, since being reborn as the enemy he despised. Ryker found something inside his flesh that could not only be accepted, but be truly embraced. A single point of connection, a singular desire for power where the person and the primal joined to become one. Chapter 26 - Capstone Evolution With all his accumulated experience so far after inadvertently becoming one of the enemy, Ryker was intimately aware of the innate pros and cons of being a Kaiju. Probably more than any other person on Earth past, present, or future. The pros of his situation? He was, well- a Kaiju. As much as Ryker hated to be one at times instead of the human he''d been. He''d been born strong and had been growing stronger ever since the moment he first hatched from his egg. Giving Ryker the tools and power to act immediately upon his rebirth to begin hunting down the monsters that would destroy the world. The cons of his situation? He was a Kaiju. A monster incarnate. The kinda that would send any rational human being running for the hills even if he approached them nicely. He couldn''t speak English with his inhuman vocal chords, so trying to tell anyone he was the only good Kaiju on the planet wouldn''t help if the military would shoot him on sight or capture him for testing. The biggest annoyance to Ryker currently though wasn''t just that he was a monster. It was that he was growing fast enough to become an annoyingly big monster... one that didn''t have a snowball''s chance in hell of fitting through doors anymore. Fucking doors. Ryker grumbled as he stared at the simple unlocked door that he would have been able to walk through just a few days ago. But now, being 14ft. tall instead of the five feet tall he began his new life as. Doors were more of a suggestion of an entrance into buildings now. Which was why Ryker was casing the warehouse for any Kaiju sized entry points he could find. At his current size, doors made for humans were obviously beyond Ryker. Even if he could force himself to squeeze through to get inside, that would probably destroy the door, the frame, and the surrounding wall it was built into. Alerting everyone in the building to the monster trying in vain to suck in its stomach to squeeze inside. Plus, even if Ryker did squeeze in he probably wouldn¡¯t be able to get back outside the same way since his body would grow another foot in height once he gained the Capstone Evolution he wanted. Fortunately, warehouses didn¡¯t just have the small human sized doors to enter through. The loading dock doors were all big enough to allow Ryker to enter since they were made large enough to allow trucks to unload. How do I get one of them open though? Ryker thought with a frown as he examined each of the doors from a distance. Combing over the problem with his Night Vision and mixed senses. Shifting in slight irritation as he crouched within the concealment of the bushes and trees. It may have been overkill to stay hidden in the blind spots of those ancient looking security cameras on the building itself since there was no way those things had good resolution of any kind, but stealth was the name of the game while he was still a squishy Stage One Kaiju. Bulletproof or not, there was still a number of military grade weaponry that would end him in a heartbeat if he wasn¡¯t careful and the big guns got called in. No exterior buttons or controls to open the doors. No exterior chains or pulleys, those are probably all inside¡­ Hmm. How do I unlock any of those in the first place? Wait a sec. Ryker thought suddenly. Are they locked at all? Or are they just held closed by their weight alone? Even if they are locked shut, judging by how old this building looks there¡¯s got to be one with a broken or weakened lock I can force open. Nodding to himself, Ryker scanned his surroundings again as he carefully stood up, slowly enough that he wouldn''t give away his position with his large movements. Looking through the leaves of the tree he was eye level with, the world moved all around him in swirls of muted taste and pinpricks of colorful scents. Senses open for any threat or person he couldn''t see with his eyes or nose alone. It may have been a bit paranoid of him to be so cautious of any people wandering about, but after running into a gang of thugs and their victim by accident it was clear his enhanced senses weren¡¯t as all encompassing as he¡¯d believed them to be. With the coast clear, Ryker carefully exited the tree line of manicured shrubbery and stepped onto the refreshing coolness of dew covered grass. He wanted to sprint over to the line of loading bay doors on the side of the warehouse but held himself back as he quietly stalked over the grounds. Prowling through the dark like a predator on the hunt instead of a monster trying to hide. Ryker knew he was already absurdly quiet for a creature of his size. His current build already making him more of an agile Kaiju than any of the other tougher and clumsier monsters, but it still payed to be careful. Even with his sinewy Whip Tail constantly adjusting behind him to balance him and his modified muscles eating up the shock of every step he was still big enough his footfalls would be felt through the ground if he didn¡¯t move with the utmost caution. Ryker had to hold back a wince every time his step shook the ground a little too much for his taste. Not wanting to think about how much longer he would be able to sneak around before it became impossible for him. The workers inside may be busy themselves but if I¡¯m not careful they¡¯ll probably be able to feel any kind of rumbling through the floor if its all concrete. Ryker thought as he sidled up against the side of the building¡¯s loading docks. Each of the doors big enough for him to move through if he could just get them open. Even with the loading bay door several feet off the ground Ryker was tall enough the top of the door frame was nearly level with his head. The Kaiju carefully peeked inside through the plastic window built into the door and scanned the area inside. It was technically unnecessary to look inside with his eyes since Ryker¡¯s mixed senses were enough to paint a picture of the warehouse¡¯s interior, but the weird way he ¡°saw¡± environments with his Synesthesia didn¡¯t reach as far if he couldn¡¯t see what he was focusing on with his eyes. Things just lacked a certain level of detail when he could only taste/touch/hear/smell them. Ryker quickly shifted to the side and held still as a worker in a yellow vest and a clipboard walked past the door. Ryker watching the man with another annoying pang of hunger as he left his view from the window and then the awareness of his other senses as he sighed. God, how is it I¡¯ve been doing so much breaking and entering as a Kaiju? I never even committed any crimes while I was human, now look at me. I¡¯m just a big, green, crime committing machine. Fangs suddenly shining in a wistful smile, Ryker shook his head at the thought as he held back the short bark like growl that was the closest his body could get to emulating human laughter. Must be a Kaiju thing. Maybe there¡¯s a group of Kaiju committing Grand Theft Auto somewhere that just pick up cars and run away with them. Shit, that¡¯s not funny at all but the idea of Kaiju running around on a crime spree is so stupid it almost is. Moving with care to not cause too much of a ruckus Ryker tried to work the loading bay door open. There weren¡¯t any handholds on the door since it was machine operated but Ryker managed by prying an open a gap in the bottom of the door with a claw and pulled up slowly. Strong as he was Ryker could have forced the door open but slamming it open and breaking any locks on it would not be very stealthy of him. So Ryker lightly tested the lock on the door, felt the resistance, then moved onto the next door in the hopes of finding a more broken one. The warehouse was a rather large building so Ryker spent a good amount of time testing door after door as he went down the line. Musing to himself the entire time about the various kinds of petty crimes Kaiju could commit without any of his old friends available to cuff him for finding the idea so weirdly funny. Just adding the word Kaiju to any kind of crime was enough to entertain Ryker while he worked. Kaiju insurance fraud¡­ Kaiju tax evasion¡­ Kaiju identity theft¡­ Kaiju DUI¡­ Oh hello, does that feel like what I think it is? Ryker¡¯s claws under the door pulled upward and found the lock on the door absent as he mentally probed the area around the door. Sensing a slight difference on the inside of the pulleys and motor system on the inside. Jackpot. Ryker beamed as he carefully pulled open the door far enough to stick his head inside to make sure the coast was clear. It slid quietly enough but even the slight sound it made had Ryker wincing with how loud it seemed. Fortunately the inside of the warehouse was not a quiet place, even this late at night. The drone of forklifts moving about mixed with the buzz of other warehouse activity as a few workers talked and even shouted across the warehouse floor. They were all clearly further down towards the left side of the warehouse judging by the sound of them working and the vague impressions of their positions he got from his other senses. Nobody in line of sight to see me. No internal cameras. Good. Ryker thought with a sharp nod as he glided through the loading bay door and crouched down next to it. Curling his tail around himself in an effort to reduce his large profile as his palms pressed flat into the floor as he held himself low and craned his neck around. Head swiveling to track the workers he could sense as he searched for any he might have missed as he took everything in. The surroundings were exactly what Ryker could have expected the inside of a warehouse to look like. Rows upon rows of goods packed in pallets on shelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling high above. The soft lighting on the interior wasn¡¯t obnoxiously bright like most industrial sites were but the light was prevalent enough that there weren¡¯t any immediately visible places Ryker could hide in if a worker turned a corner and spotted him. In a weird way, the surroundings almost made Ryker feel like a normal sized person again. The rows of packed pallets almost reminding him of the supermarkets of old. If he stood up to his full height and didn¡¯t focus on the plastic wrapped packaging all around he could almost believe he was at the store shopping for groceries. Despite the need for stealth, Ryker felt an absurdly tempting impulse of for a moment to start walking down the aisles and explore like he was in a regular sized store. As if doing so would let him pretend everything was normal again. The wave of nostalgia overtaking Ryker wasn¡¯t a concrete memory per se, just a jumble of sounds and warm sensations that passed for early memories. The feeling of moving down long aisles to find a single box of cereal he wanted, the sound of the checkout counter scanning goods to be paid, and the moment of annoying realization that he¡¯d have to chase his mother down as she wandered off with the shopping cart. Of all the things to set me off. Ryker thought with a pang of loss for that more innocent time. I was already in a grocery store damnit. A moment of rapid blinking cleared the wetness that had momentarily clouded Ryker¡¯s vision as he brought his mind back to the present. Makes sense though. Hard to remember the good times when you¡¯re taller than the shelves you used to shop in. Shifting in place, Ryker¡¯s claws gripped the door as carefully as he could without scratching it and making noise. He pressed his tail lightly into the side of it to absorb any rumbling from the sliding door as he let gravity carry it as quietly as possible back to the ground. It would make his exit harder but an obviously opened door would make the workers suspicious and possibly search around until they found him. Making his exit as quiet as possible would keep the military from discovering- ¡°Holy shit!¡± Ryker flinched hard as he looked wildly towards where the voice had come from. Somewhere behind multiple pallets of toilet paper. The voice was quickly joined by others as Ryker relaxed. The man who shouted obviously in the middle of a heated discussion with a small group of his other coworkers. ¡°I fucking know right.¡± One of them said. ¡°Play that again!¡± ¡°I know, I know. Hang on.¡± ¡°Like seriously, it actually threw that car? For real?¡± ¡°Fucking dino QB, man! Practically laced that cop car. I¡¯m putting him on my fantasy football team next season.¡± ¡°Mikey, we absolutely sure this isn¡¯t some A.I. spoof shit. My brother fell for one of those scams a while back.¡± ¡°It¡¯s real alright.¡± Mikey said with obvious satisfaction as he played the video again. The sounds of a roar and tinny gunfire reaching Ryker despite the distance. ¡°Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure I can confirm¡­ that we are officially living in dinosaur times.¡± ¡°Fuck yeah.¡± ¡°About time!¡± ¡°So awesome dude. So awesome.¡± Ryker¡¯s shoulders slumped as he facepalmed at the sounds of the workers reacting to a video that was without a doubt, about him. Specifically when he¡¯d thrown a cop car at the police in an effort to maintain appearances as an unintelligent, violent monster not too long ago. Something that had been vitally important at the time to prevent anyone from getting ideas about developing Kaiju sympathies but was not a moment Ryker was proud of. No, none of that is awesome! Ryker thought indignantly towards the warehouse workers. Property damage is not awesome! He wanted to go over to give those guys a piece of his mind but the inability to speak proper English would make that prospect rather difficult. With a repressed groan of annoyance Ryker quietly stalked away from the workers cheering his anti-Kaiju publicity stunt on all fours. Making extra sure he made as little noise as possible as he scanned the pallets around for the foodstuffs he¡¯d came for in the first place. Peeking around one row¡¯s corner to make sure no one was in it or nearby enough to spot him Ryker felt comfortable enough to stand fully upright between the ceiling high stacks of pallets. Stretching out his back with a barely audible groan after a night full of crouching and silent movement. Ryker worked out the tension in his arms as he stretched them fully above his head. Even as a Kaiju, knowing he was literally built different than humans didn¡¯t mean that he could abandon the old habit to stretch when the opportunity presented itself. With a light shiver of relief that worked its way down Ryker''s body from head to toe and then belatedly, tail. Ryker leaned in to the nearest shelf of goods ten feet off the ground as he tried to smell and read what was underneath all the plastic wrapping the pallet. Some kind of detergent? Not food anyway. Ryker concluded as he systematically moved down the large aisle sized for forklifts and workers that was blessedly large enough for him to move in without issue. With one claw out Ryker tapped it against each pallet in turn, using his tail to tap against the goods on the lowest shelf so he didn¡¯t have to crouch down to tick them off his list of things he¡¯d already checked. Dust cleaner, garbage bags, bigger garbage bags, dishwasher stuff, a bundle of mops and plungers, a- is that a pallet of spice racks? What the hell is this? A stay at home mom depot? Don¡¯t tell my I broke into the wrong damn warehouse. Ryker reached the end of the row of goods and held back a spike of frustration as he peeked around the corner of the tall shelves, thankful he had something big to hide his body behind as he anxiously watched the long corridor of clear concrete down the middle of the space that stretched to the other end of the warehouse. Waiting for the two people he saw several rows down to go somewhere else as Ryker patiently waited in the aisle for his chance to move. Deliberately keeping his weight on his two feet instead of leaning back into the fragile shelf at his back like he wanted to. Ryker found a nice little spot in the ceiling not too far above to glare into as he let out a long and frustrated sigh. With the size of the warehouse the rows were simply organized one after the other in neat rows. The rows were large, extending near to the edges of each side of the building but they were all split down the middle by that long stretch of concrete. It probably made navigating the rows and transporting goods easier but it just meant that Ryker had to exercise extra caution searching for what he was looking for. Something the warehouse was not making any easier with whatever categorization system they used. At the top of each aisle was a very unhelpful letter and number that told Ryker nothing about each row¡¯s contents. I¡¯m gonna have to go down the line and check each aisle aren¡¯t I? Ryker guessed. He could just try jumping directly to a different row near the other end of the warehouse but the possibility of missing any food due to simple impatience was not a chance Ryker wanted to take. Trying to sniff or feel out where the food could be was proving unusually difficult as well. There were just too many strong overlapping scents in the warehouse, industrial and otherwise to make singling out the food an easy task. Plus there was too much of the plastic wrap around pallets for him to correctly guess what each contained at a distance. Even after he focused his unusual mix of senses on them to try peering inside he could only guess when he was almost right next to it. He¡¯d have to find the food by hand¡­ claw? Claw hand? Did three fingers count enough to be a hand? Whatever. Ryker thought. Dismissing his idle thoughts of a proper hand claw as he perked up, feeling the two people in the middle of the corridor between the shelves turn away enough for Ryker to quietly dart unseen to the other side of the row he was in. Time crept onward as the Kaiju systematically worked his way down row after row of heavily packaged goods. Shaking his head every now and then in frustration at not finding food. Treading lightly across the concrete floor, Ryker kept any of his claws from scraping against the ground as he moved. Grateful he¡¯d chosen modifiers for his body that made sneaking around less of an impossibility with his size. Had anyone been looking into any of the aisles Ryker was quickly working his way through they would have a perfect view of the monstrous Kaiju in the soft light of the warehouse. Covered in light green scales from head to toe, with the only major difference in coloration being the red scales adorning his chest and the white of bone spikes flush against his forearms. His eyes were still the same piercing yellow as before, clear and bright with a human intelligence that would terrify most ordinary people. What people wouldn¡¯t see and couldn¡¯t possibly know, were all the internal changes Ryker had undergone that helped him be as quiet as he was. The muscles moving his large frame had started out as the same densified muscles most Kaiju unlocked early in their development. But the shock absorbing property Ryker chose for its combat potential, was always at work. Even simple shock of stepping down onto the hard concrete of the warehouse floor was absorbed by layers of muscle fibers capable of dissipating the force of a car crash, reducing the impact of steps that should have shaken the ground to near nothing. To the point that it almost seemed to be a trick of the eye that the monster prowling through the aisles was making less of an impact than it should have with its steps. Combined with the modifier that enhanced his body¡¯s fast twitch muscle fibers it made Ryker¡¯s movements fluid and quick, where other Kaiju would have lumbered like the monsters they were Ryker passed through the aisles with a hunter¡¯s quiet grace. A really big hunter admittedly. One that still had to strain itself to remain quiet and unnoticed but all those modifiers helped make an impossible task a merely difficult one. The only thing breaking that terrifying image Ryker gave off was the way he was examining every pallet like he was a shopper looking for a discount. Who in the fuck. Ryker swore as he leaned right into the pallet in front of him. Would buy a pallet of toilet plungers of all things? Why are these even sold in bulk?! The monster fumed. Crouching and resting his arms on his knees as he sighed in defeat before moving into the next aisle. Of course more than anything, Ryker owed his success at avoiding any stray workers to the late hour more than anything else. The night shift was obviously understaffed for a building of this size and none of the people wandering about seemed particularly enthused or motivated to tackle whatever tasks they had to do. That, combined with Ryker¡¯s ability to sense them through the cover of shelves and pallets made avoiding them easier than it should have been. There were some difficulties however. As a pair of workers made their way towards Ryker¡¯s aisle he had to quickly duck away to hide behind a stack of pallets on the ground, likely to be shelved later. Ryker managed to hide tucking his entire body behinds the pallets but was unable to escape the long winded gossip the two women were sharing as they refused to move. ¡°¡­so there I was, right. And do you know who decided to show up to the baby shower? After everything that happened?¡± A middle aged female worker said to her younger counterpart. ¡°No!¡± A gasp left the younger worker¡¯s mouth as her hands flew up to cover her mouth. ¡°Yes.¡± The older coworker nodded gravely. ¡°Rebecca.¡± ¡°Oh my God! How could she do that?!¡± ¡°Because Rebecca is a stone cold gold digging whore, Rosy. She tried to waltz in and make it all about her again but you know what? Linda was not having any of that. Not at all.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Oh it was amazing. I keep begging Linda¡¯s husband to post the video online but he doesn¡¯t want the attention. Anyway, Linda. Our quiet, pregnant, very round bellied Linda. Was absolutely furious with Rebecca. I don¡¯t know if her baby mama instincts kicked in early or she was riding some kinda pregnant hormone adrenaline cocktail but she marched right up to Rebecca. Shouting loud enough to wake the dead then after a minute of yelling. Bam!¡± The woman finished with a ruthless grin as she slammed her fist into her palm. ¡°Linda knocks out Rebecca and the harpy folds over like a piece of paper! All those years of kickboxing paying off in that one moment.¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Said the younger coworker. Wow. Thought Ryker as he hid tightly curling his body behind the large stack of pallets he could sense the contents off. Diapers mostly. He¡¯d found himself in a bad spot of being unable to move forward due to the two women in the row he hadn¡¯t checked yet or backtrack the way he¡¯d come because they would absolutely see a giant green monster moving about. He didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop like that on the two gossiping but with his enhanced hearing and inability to move away it wasn¡¯t like he could tune them out. If anything, he¡¯d actually got caught up in the drama himself for a bit. I mean, I really didn¡¯t need to know that at all. That information won¡¯t help me in the slightest but man that was wild. Ryker thought shaking his head. And here I thought the world was completely peaceful before Kaiju appeared everywhere. Nope. There can never be peace with Rebeccas in the world always choosing violence. Downright cold, emotionally manipulative violence. Just that thing she did at the salon was bad enough but the baby shower too? Knowing that Daniel chose Linda over her? Damn. It was thankfully not too long after the story concluded that the two gossipers trailed away and Ryker was finally able to move down the second to last row on this side of the warehouse. He¡¯d been frustrated as hell combing shelf after shelf to find cheap home goods, lawn supplies, children¡¯s toys, and everything under the sun except some kind of canned food but Ryker could finally pick out a trace amount of something in the row he was in. Something faint enough he might have missed it if he hadn¡¯t been forced to sit and wait outside the row itself. One by one Ryker moved down the row, claw tracing the pallets in front of him and leaving small cuts in the wrapped plastic as his tail tapped the pallets behind him to mark them off. The eagerness he felt at being so close to warehouse¡¯s stock of foodstuffs and the Capstone they¡¯d serve as fuel for was almost palpable. A thrill he felt in his body as well as his mind. Man, I feel like a kid sneaking into the kitchen to steal from the cookie jar. Ryker thought with childlike enthusiasm as he absently licked his lips, taking a deep breath through his nose to drink in the unmistakable scent of the humans who¡¯d been here earlier beneath the industrial scents all around him. Sensing the slowly retreating women through the ceiling high shelf where they were moving about between rows on foot and on forklifts. A cookie jar guarded by all these tasty, delicious, smelling people that- I¡¯m not going to eat or taste. Ryker finished quickly, going through the motions to accept the hunger he felt and not judge himself for feeling it. Because they¡¯re thinking, breathing human beings. People with jobs and hobbies. People with families. Loving and tasty families that I just wanna- Ryker blinked and froze for a moment. His scaled face frowning down at the floor as he digested that thought before coming to a conclusion. Shit. I really am a monster aren¡¯t I? Ryker blinked and refocused on Riley¡¯s method again with more effort as he dutifully acknowledged the tempting thoughts before pushing them aside. A practice he was getting way too familiar with already as the hateful anger he¡¯d been directing at Kaiju and by extension his own monstrous intentions became ever more exasperated with himself than wrathful. Ryker¡¯s trailing claw drooped a bit as he worked his way down the row and his pace slowed. He¡¯d tried to put his realization earlier tonight behind him but even after coming to terms with it, it still weighed on his mind. I really am a monster. I''m even starting to think like them. Like a Kaiju. Just like the ones that killed the world. I have my memories, but not even my mind is human anymore. It can¡¯t be if the drive to eat people so badly always feels like something I want. Ryker thought with a tightening in his chest. That revelation wasn¡¯t something Ryker had wanted to accept but it was the truth of the matter. However, instead of stewing in that depressing fact Ryker¡¯s claw curled into a fist as he breathed in and out silently. Settling the flare up of inner turmoil with a truth he could hold onto to keep him steady in the storm of doubts in his thoughts. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I¡¯m still me though. Still Raymond Ryker. Even if I am a monster, even if I¡¯m not human. That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not a person. I don¡¯t have to be human to keep being myself. The person I¡¯ve always been. Ryker¡¯s spirit lifted at the thought as he let the idea solidify in his mind. It was still bittersweet in a way. Had Beck¡¯s machine worked properly he¡¯d have been able to live his life again in his original body. A true second chance to make everything right. For his family, his friends, everything. There were still moments here and there where he thought about how he¡¯d continue the fight as a younger version of himself. It was admittedly, a rather appealing fantasy but Ryker was more inclined to action than daydream. It¡¯s still fine though. Ryker thought warmly as he pictured his teenage self. Innocent and unknowing of the horrors Ryker had witnessed, simply living his life. If I wasn¡¯t a Kaiju I wouldn¡¯t be able to spare him the pain of it all. I honestly hope he doesn¡¯t become a pilot. Even if I know how good he could be in time, I want that version of myself to live without knowing war. To grow up in a world without monsters. That would be reward enough for me. Ryker could have simply stood there and reveled in the thought of that unknown, younger version of himself becoming more than he had been. Someone not ruled by the pain and hatred that had constantly pushed himself to the limit in his last life. Then Ryker paused and suddenly grinned as his senses picked out the source of the smell he had been looking for all this time. And speaking of rewards¡­ Ryker thought triumphantly as he reached up and after a heartbeat decided to grab the pallet with both claws to bring it to ground level. Lest any of the foodstuffs inside fall out and make a noise that would out him. With his tail waving excitedly Ryker cut open the obscuring plastic around the pallet like a kid opening a present on Christmas day. He tore open the plastic to reveal¡­ That- Ryker paused as he looked down at his food. Trying not to feel crestfallen as he looked at his prize. Vainly holding together a fractured smile he didn¡¯t feel as his shoulders sagged. That¡¯s still food, right? Yeah¡­ yeah it is¡­ Go me. Staring up at Ryker with adorable fluffy faces was the same pair of puppies on every bag in the pallet. Staring up happily and innocently at Ryker¡¯s despondent face as they sat next to a overfilled bowl of dog food. The puppies were also dressed in disgustingly cute superhero costumes. Pup...Chow... Ryker read the brand name without enthusiasm or emotion. The word itself was stylized as though it were from a comic book. Projecting an aura of fun that Ryker did not feel. Plus Ultra Sized for... Ultra Puppy Power. The number one brand for little pups to grow big and strong. To take out all the bad guys with a single blow¡­ PupChow¡­ Ryker stared down at the bags of dog food for a long moment. And then another one. His claws twitched with a desire to put the pallet back on the shelf. Maybe after re-wrapping the plastic he¡¯d cut away so he didn¡¯t have to look at the judging eyes of the puppies staring up at him. But unfortunately for Ryker, he was first and foremost a pragmatist. He could no more ignore the power the food in front of him represented than those picture perfect puppies could look anything less than adorable. The things I do for this fucking planet man. Ryker huffed as he bend down to pick up a bag of the dog food. Handling it carefully not to cut it open accidentally and spill out its contents as he held it close to his face to examine. The extra large bag of dog food would have been unwieldy for anyone to carry on their own but Ryker handled the bag effortlessly, like it was a large party sized bag of chips. He gave it an extra sniff just to be sure but his nose wasn¡¯t lying, the dog food definitely smelled like food. It didn¡¯t smell half bad actually, but that somehow made it worse. Damnit. Ryker grumbled. It¡¯s not even that it might taste bad that upsets me you know? It¡¯s the principle of the thing! At least when I was dumpster diving I was doing something that other human beings do on occasion. But this? This is just too much. Ryker looked the bag over and tried to find some redeeming quality as he worked himself up to eating the kibble. Turning it this way and that until he just started reading everything on the bag. The preferred brand for growing service dogs? Well¡­ that¡¯s nice I guess. Extra minerals¡­ that¡¯s something. Vitamins¡­ those are pretty good actually. More than I expected at least. Then there¡¯s¡­ huh. Ryker held the bag before his eye with an upraised brow before nodding slightly with approval. That¡¯s a damn good amount of protein. That¡¯s gonna help a lot actually, what else is- oh shit! They got bacon bits too! Ryker smiled as he reassessed his opinion of PupChow. Suddenly feeling unreasonably better about eating kibble the moment he saw it came with bacon. Well no time like the present, Capstone won¡¯t evolve itself and Kaiju aren¡¯t gonna kill themselves. Ryker shifted the bag into the crook of his arm as he carefully worked a claw along the top. Carving a jagged line across the bag and making little noise as the torn open bag revealed its contents. Ryker raised a claw over the bag as though to reach inside to grab the kibble before he stopped himself, shrugged then raised the bag up to pour its contents into his mouth in a waterfall of kibble. Being extra cautious not to spill, Ryker only slowed the flow of dog food because the rustling sound it was making rushing out all at once was too loud for Ryker¡¯s liking. The food wasn¡¯t gourmet of any kind and he definitely felt a part of himself miss the well prepared foods of the Garden Olive he¡¯d once pilfered. But Ryker would be lying if he said he didn¡¯t like the taste of PupChow. It was definitely a tier above the average dumpster and those bacon bits really helped the flavor. Munching through the entire bag in short order Ryker neatly placed the emptied bag next to the pallet as he grabbed another one and prepared to tear it open before pausing again. Wait, why am I even bothering with this? Ryker thought bemused as he looked down at the bag in his claws appraisingly before shoving it whole into his maw. It was a rather tight fit, and the bag itself didn¡¯t taste nearly as good as the kibble but tearing through it was easy and added to the flavor in its own way. It also let him get any stray pieces of bacon bits that would have clung to the bottom of the bag. Bag after bag Ryker devoured the food source he¡¯d found. Enjoying his unconventional feast and only stopping twice, with cheeks full as he patiently watched a few nearby warehouse workers move close but they never came near enough to see or hear Ryker as he finished off the pallet in record time. It might have been expected that one pallet should have been more than enough to reach the Capstone but Ryker wasn¡¯t concerned at how much food it was taking to reach the amount of calories his body required for the ability. He¡¯d eaten multiple times his body weight in Kaiju to reach the level he was at now and comparing a pallet of dog food or any amount of normal food to a Kaiju¡¯s mass, even the lighter and less developed ones he¡¯d eaten, wasn¡¯t really comparable. After clearing the pallet of Pupchow, Ryker munched on the last bag as he stared at the remains of his meal on the floor. Might as well clean up. Ryker thought nodding to himself as he systematically ate the empty bag of kibble he¡¯d eaten first and followed up by rolling up the plastic he¡¯d torn away like spaghetti around a claw. Just because I¡¯m a Kaiju and I¡¯m forced to sneak around like a man eating monster doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t have standards. Ryker smiled as he gobbled the ball of tightly rolled plastic. Chewing the indelible wad like a large piece of gum as he gently placed the wooden pallet the kibble had been stacked on and rested it on the side of a shelf. Ryker¡¯s body thrummed with everything he¡¯d eaten. Not just the dog food but everything he¡¯d eaten before now that had pushed him close to the peak of one of his gene segment¡¯s. It was almost uncomfortable in a way, like his body was straining against a leash to reach something just beyond his reach. With bated breath Ryker grabbed another pallet off the shelf, another brand of dog food that was clearly not up to competing with PupChow judging by the lack of costumed puppies on the bags. Ryker made even quicker work of the food than the PupChow. Shoving one bag after another until a full dozen bags disappeared down his gullet. The pallet was drastically reduced in size as its contents were consumed. Ryker was fully prepared to eat his way through the entire shelf if it contained more food to eat. He was in the middle of planning how to reach the pallets above him without making any noise before all at once¡­ he felt it. Like a switch had been flipped Ryker shuddered once he reached the required amount of calories he needed. The shock of it almost enough to make him drop the bag of kibble he was holding and alert the nearby workers to his presence. Whoa¡­ Ryker thought dazed as he barely managed to set down the bag he¡¯d been about to eat. Just standing still he felt energized and raw, his body thrumming with a primal sense of satisfaction as it finally reached the threshold of the Capstone Evolution. Ryker didn¡¯t even think in the wake of that glorious feeling. Letting the moment drag on as he reveled in a sensation he hadn¡¯t realized he¡¯d been aching for. For the first time in his new life as a Kaiju, Ryker felt full. Wordlessly, Ryker pressed the palm of one claw over his bare stomach as he marveled in the absence of his own hunger. Scales slid quietly against scales as Ryker ran his claw up and down, like he could find the spot where the hunger had hidden itself from him. It felt¡­ it just felt so nice. I¡­ Ryker slowly pondered as he looked over himself. Almost expecting to see a change despite not even gaining the Capstone¡¯s ability yet. I¡¯m not hungry anymore. Ryker though with a relieved sigh that left his lungs in a shaky breath. Closing his eyes Ryker took a long moment to inhale through his nose. Smelling all the humanity that was inside the warehouse and their lingering scents. I don¡¯t feel like I need to eat them. Ryker thought with a hopeful joy that was almost painful in his chest. Is this permanent? Can I make this last longer if it isn¡¯t? Ryker¡¯s mind began racing as he tried to think of a way to make sure he retained that sense of fullness. That the cursed hunger that nearly pushed him to eat people could finally be thrown away forever, even if he¡¯d found a way to live with it he¡¯d gladly take any chance to make sure he never felt it again. If Kaiju don¡¯t have to feel hungry for humans I can- Ryker stopped. The sudden realization making the Kaiju flinch. Freezing in place any concern Ryker had about the warehouse workers discovering him fell away as he was filled with a seething fire. His shoulders shook as his claws came up as if to attack the air in front of him. Fangs bared as if to tear into meat a small part of Ryker barely managed to keep his silent snarl from becoming a roar. Kaiju could stop feeling hungry. Stop feeling hungry for humans. Ryker felt that truth within himself more clearly than ever now that he was one of the beasts he¡¯d always hated. It had been the basis of so many theories and speculations to come up with a chemical compound that was capable of eliminating a Kaiju¡¯s insatiable appetites as a form of deterrent, believing there was some way to coexist with the creatures. Ryker had simply believed Kaiju were always hungry. That they could stop that hunger? Even if it was unintentional, that was almost worse. They can feel full, they¡¯re capable of stopping but they keep killing! Ryker thought savagely. Feeling that sense of disgusting fullness within his body slowly fade, like there was a hole in his stomach that was draining out what he¡¯d eaten. That fullness isn¡¯t meant to stop Kaiju, it¡¯s a- a fucking reward! A reward for eating enough to reach their Capstone! Like a dog getting a treat for doing a good job. Breathing heavily it took Ryker a good moment to reassert control over himself. Even then he only got himself back together when a worker riding a forklift came perilously close to his aisle, the sound of the old forklift saving Ryker with the sounds it made. Shaking his head Ryker¡¯s eyes still blazed as if he was ready to tear into a Kaiju with his claws but Ryker calmed. Belatedly realizing that he¡¯d fallen onto all fours without realizing. With an annoyed scowl Ryker pushed off the ground to stand on two legs instead of four. Got to make sure that doesn¡¯t become a habit. Ryker thought grumpily, still digesting his discovery. I may not be human anymore, but I¡¯ll be damned if I start walking around on four legs like Blaze Dozer. The feeling of fullness that Ryker had felt was still dissipating but it felt like something that could last for hours, maybe even most of the day. He was still conflicted on whether he should despise the feeling because of what it represented or hang on to it because of what it made him feel but either way Ryker had to admit one thing. This full feeling. Damnit I hate to admit it but maybe it¡¯s a good thing after all. This might be what helps convince Kaiju they should evolve to Stage Two early rather than stay in Stage One to build power. If that¡¯s the case¡­ well shit. I might owe my life to this feeling. It had been common knowledge, or rather it would become common knowledge that many Kaiju never reached their full potential in Stage One before evolving. The way they acquired abilities across the three gene segments a majority of Kaiju only focused on one of the gene segments to gain their abilities from. Only dabbling in the others if they even bothered with them at all. The epigenetic modifiers for their abilities were gained more from pure chance than anything else. Without the ability to consciously direct their growth like Ryker did, the vast majority of modifiers were gained through pure circumstance depending on what a Kaiju went through or survived they would unconsciously unlock certain modifiers. As a result most Stage Two Kaiju only had a smattering of modifiers to their name they carried over from Stage One, if you were really lucky some Kaiju didn¡¯t have any. Which made those Kaiju relatively easy killing since it was their Capstone ability that served as their primary means of dealing damage. You had to wipe out any newly evolved Kaiju before they became more¡­ unique in Stage Two. But Kaiju weren¡¯t locked to only gaining abilities from one gene segment, as Ryker was proof of. Nothing was stopping them except their own instincts to grow stronger that made them skip over those opportunities. Even gaining a second Capstone Evolution like some of the monsters Ryker had fought in his past life. That one difference, having two Capstones, was what separated normal Kaiju from the true elites of their kind. Kaiju with two Capstones to their name became exponentially greater threats as they grew stronger. The kind that could wipe out cities by themselves and squad after squad of piloted Armor. Kaiju could even gain three Capstone abilities if they truly had a mind to. But that was something that was vanishingly rare. Less than a percent of a percent of all Kaiju really, not that it had done much good for Humanity in the past timeline. Over the course of Ryker¡¯s entire life there had only been five recorded monsters that had obtained three Capstones. Five Kaiju that had seared their names into Ryker¡¯s mind as he watched them grow beyond humanity¡¯s ability to face them. Until they were strong enough to claim the surface as their own and force what was left of the world to burrow like rats into the earth too escape. Standing still Ryker could feel his body urging him to gain the Capstone ability, the instinct so much a part of him that the feeling came across as more of a temptation. A promise of power he could feel in his bones, not just the ability itself but the capability to evolve to Stage Two immediately after if he wished. The idea of evolving to Stage Two had been just a concept till now but Ryker could almost feel the increase in strength evolving to the next Stage would offer him. It called to him like the sweetness of honey and blood, something that would be so good if he could just taste it. With an effort of will Ryker clamped down on the instinct he felt that urged him to gain the Capstone ability immediately. Tightening his claws into fists like he could crush the uncomplicated instinct inside him that was trying to push him to gain the ability and evolve to Stage Two- but would make him as weak as any common Kaiju. With a steadying breath Ryker¡¯s eyes grew distant as he thought on how far he still needed to go while in Stage One. Imagining all too clearly the five Kaiju he was racing against that would soon stand above all. Two more Capstones to go, then I¡¯ll be just like them¡­ As strong as the so called ¡°gods¡± the Children of Gaia worshipped. The sixth Kaiju in history to reach the peak. Ryker thought as he smiled. Every bit the monster as his lips peeled back to bare glistening fangs. I¡¯ll hunt you down one by one. And the first step to doing that, is gaining the same ability I know you all have. With a focused search around himself Ryker made sure that he was clear and that he wouldn¡¯t be interrupted once he gained the ability, then nodded to himself. Heeding some quiet instinct in his mind Ryker purposefully kneeled down and got on all fours again, his dislike of standing on four legs forgotten. Laying his tail flat along the ground Ryker took in a deep breath. Something in his hind brain wanted him to find somewhere less open to do this. But Ryker wasn¡¯t about to wait for however long it took him to exit the warehouse and find somewhere else to acquire the Capstone. He wanted this now. The warehouse workers were all far enough away he was sure he¡¯d have enough time alone to gain the ability without alerting them. All his previous abilities took only a moment to grow in, this shouldn¡¯t take much longer. And here we... go. Ryker thought with anticipation as he flicked the internal switch that gave his body the signal to begin. Immediately Ryker felt the accumulated store of energy inside himself start to burn away, the sheer amount of it enough that it didn¡¯t all disappear at once. Instead it blazed in Ryker¡¯s chest like a furnace as it spread outward from his chest in a wave. Making his claws scratch sharp lines into the concrete floor as his braced arms and legs held him in place. It was a change that surprised Ryker with its intensity but still felt expected somehow. Muscles quivered and flexed as new strands started growing fiber by fiber under his scales. Connecting to new bones as his skeleton cracked from a cascading wave of micro fractures that allowed some bones to crack and shift with new bone growths. Ryker rode out the change even as part of him reveled in it. Even as he felt the shock of it traveling through every disk in his spine and out into his ribs one by one. For a brief moment, his humanity was absent. There was no room for it, no room for the human reason or logic within Ryker¡¯s skull as the Capstone took its place. Flooding him with every bit of the primal satisfaction that could only belong to a monster growing in power. A Kaiju, becoming what it was meant to be. Teeth bared in a savage grin Ryker¡¯s mind swam back into awareness, uncaring of the time passing he allowed himself a moment to bask in the knowledge he was truly growing stronger as he felt the change work itself up his neck and into his fangs. As that occurred, a different part of Ryker¡¯s mind thought back to the first time he¡¯d learned of the ability currently integrating with his body. It was a better time back then, not a good one. But a better one. The scene had been eerily familiar to Ryker at the time, inside the military base. It was like a recreation of his first time seeing Beck as he listened to the man in the stands as the scientist gave an explanation to newer pilots of their understanding of Kaiju. Only this time instead of being in the stands himself Ryker was on the sidelines, watching the new pilots the base had taken on stream out of the stands. Ryker said all the proper things to the pilots as he shook hands with them as they passed by, but his heart wasn¡¯t in it. The losses of the pilots these men and women were replacing wasn''t an easy thing to forget. ¡°How are you holding up Ray?¡± Beck asked with bags under his eyes as Ryker came close. ¡°Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing.¡± Ryker said wanly as he came over to Beck. Looking over the presentation Beck still had displayed on the screen Ryker hummed approvingly at how much more detailed everything was compared to the first presentation he¡¯d attended with Beck. ¡°I can see they definitely upped the budget since the last time you were giving a lecture to me. Definitely a lot more info to absorb than just three different colors of Kaiju DNA segments right?¡± ¡°Right. Right¡­¡± Beck said tiredly practically sagging into his chair and Ryker¡¯s smile slipped as he came closer. ¡°Beck what¡¯s up?¡± Ryker said worried. ¡°Did something happen?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, don¡¯t fret.¡± Beck said weakly waving away the concern. ¡°It¡¯s simply that¡­ the more I learn about Kaiju. The way they work, how they function¡­ well forgive me for saying so but it frightens me sometimes.¡± ¡°Beck you¡¯re hardly the first person to feel afraid at what Kaiju can do. Out of all the fears people could have I¡¯d say that one has got to be the most rational.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about what they can do Ray. Though that is certainly part of it. It¡¯s just what it all represents. The implications and ramifications of everything I learn. Kaiju are just¡­ they¡¯re just too perfect Ray. Too well designed. Nothing encapsulates that better than the abilities they gain at the end of each gene segment.¡± Beck¡¯s expression hardened as he lurched up from his chair with an energy Ryker didn¡¯t expect from the aged man as he strode over to the screen with a purpose. ¡°We¡¯ve finally locked down on what the final ability they gain is, at least for the Musculoskeletal segment. That one is where the total extent of the changes are most observable.¡± Beck said with fervor as he flicked the display over to a familiar diagram Ryker had seen. The familiar structure of a red DNA helix, the same kind he¡¯d seen so long ago when Beck first introduced it to him. Only now it was littered with information of each ability they knew Kaiju gained from it and which part of the DNA segment those abilities originated from. ¡°What did you find out? And what do you mean they¡¯re too perfect?¡± Ryker asked. He was intrigued, but still concerned over Beck¡¯s demeanor. He¡¯d been going without sleep more and more recently. It should have been something Ryker confronted him about but he was the last person who could tell Beck to slow down and take a break. Not when he refused to let up in the simulators himself. ¡°It¡¯s not simply an ability that exists in isolation from the others previously gained. It¡­ it builds on everything that¡¯s come before. Like they¡¯re simply foundations for a more complex structure.¡± Beck said clearly strained. Stressed and focused as he manipulated the image to focus on the first ability. Data scrolled out from the image as information populated and Beck pointed to the looping animation of a Kaiju¡¯s muscles strengthening and the text labeling it. [Musculoskeletal Gene Segment - Stage One] [Rung 1: Increased Muscle Fiber Density - Drastically increases the amount of muscle fibers concentrated across the entire musculoskeletal system.] ¡°We believed this ability was merely a necessity for Kaiju to be able to grow to the heights they do. A consequence of needing to be stronger just to support their own increasing weight, mass, and nothing more. But we were wrong. The final ability in the gene segment is like a capstone of sorts, the kind that cements the strength and solidity of an arch and every brick that holds it up. It cannot exist without that support and the bricks holding up the arch form a weaker structure without it.¡± Beck¡¯s hand wavered over the screen for a moment, his hand shaking slightly to Ryker¡¯s eye before he groped for an electronic pointer in his shirt pocket. Circling and dragging the image of strengthening muscle to bring it to a clear part of the screen as he drew around it. ¡°This¡­ Capstone Evolution does not seem like it is intended to enhance a Kaiju¡¯s existing muscle fibers, but it does so anyway as a byproduct of its primary function. That enhancement to strength is not as drastic as a pure ability at the very least. We have that much to be grateful for¡­¡± Finally finished Beck turned to Ryker and gestured towards what he¡¯d drawn and the scientist explained. ¡°The Capstone Evolution extends and modifies particular groupings of muscles all across its body. Allowing them to rapidly flex and relax in sequence over the course of a single second- where they connect to the next change to occur as a result of the Capstone.¡± Beck moved more quickly as he pulled up the information about the next ability Kaiju gained after the first. [Musculoskeletal Gene Segment - Stage One] [Rung 2: Increased Bone Density - Drastically alters the structural makeup of bones across the entire skeleton and increases overall bone density.] The information was still populating the screen as Beck dragged the animation of bones altering inside a Kaiju over to the other looping animation and drew some more. Clearly connecting the two with accompanying words and lines that seemed like they were more for working out Beck¡¯s frustration than to help Ryker understand. ¡°Specialized bones grow out from the skeleton- after it has further refined the bones. Again, the improvement to the overall skeleton is a byproduct but is still considerable. Under a microscope the altered bones internally take on an interlocking hexagonal pattern, like a perfectly distributed three dimensional honeycomb that supports¡­¡± Beck trailed off as he feverishly finished the details of his latest drawing. Stabbing the pen into the drawing with the final touch. He didn¡¯t even look back at Ryker as he spoke this time. ¡°The new bones and sections grown into the skeleton form hollows within themselves, and reed like structures within those hollows. It barely resembles it in structure but the function appears similar to the kind of bones within the inner ear we use to absorb the kinetic vibrations in the air we translate into sound. When these bones are pulled on in rapid succession by those new muscle fibers the reeds within create vibrations. The hollows prevent the loss of that kinetic energy from dissipating into the skeleton they¡¯re attached to. Those vibrations move along an internal chain of connecting hollows and bone reeds. Contained and kept from affecting the body as a whole due to altereations to the bone marrow. Adding contact points of densified marrow and channel points with more kinetically conductive marrow to prevent any internal bleeding or damage to the internal organs as a result of the functions of the new muscle and bone.¡± Beck¡¯s pen pressed harder into the screen as his pen moved faster. If he was still trying to write words on the screen Ryker couldn¡¯t tell. The entire mass of lines that made up the drawing was steadily devolving into a tangle of incomprehensible nonsense broken up by periods where Beck stopped to mutter a formula before resuming his speech. ¡°-vibrations. It¡¯s all about amplifying the vibrations. These vibrations continue passing on and facilitate the transfer of kinetic energy from bone to bone to bone. Amplifying it again and again and again.¡± ¡°Beck.¡± Ryker said softly but firmly. He knew he was out of his league with the scientist in terms of knowledge, but he knew what it looked like when someone was getting too close to a breaking point. Recognizing that had been something he¡¯d been forced to learn recently. It had hurt to confront his fellow pilots when they cracked and he hated to see those same signs in his friend. ¡°What did you find?¡± Ryker said quietly. Understanding in his voice as he tried to shove the other emotions down so they wouldn¡¯t get in the way. His words seemed to punch a whole in Beck¡¯s ballooning frustration as he stepped back and looked at Ryker. His eyes were fatigued and strained, but more than that Beck looked lost. Like a man who couldn¡¯t understand what he was seeing right in front of him. It hurt Ryker¡¯s heart to see. At the time it had been because of the distress he saw in his friend he saw in so many others. But remembering back to that day, Ryker could recognize it was the first sign that Beck was buckling beneath the weight of it all. After a long moment Beck¡¯s expression slowly slackened and he weakly waved at his frantic drawings with a solemn gesture. ¡°The Capstone uses everything Ray. Every ability Kaiju gain in order to reach it. It makes the muscles stronger, the bones tougher, and even alters the inside of the scales for¡­ some reason. I-I don¡¯t know why yet. Something to do with preventing that kinetic energy from leaving the body maybe, I... I just don¡¯t know.¡± Beck said tiredly. Dropping his pen into the tray. Like it was too heavy to lift up and return to his shirt pocket. ¡°I don¡¯t even know how it interacts with the Divergence Points yet. If it does at all. Do you know what the end result of all that is?¡± Beck asked hypothetically as he shrugged his shoulders and finally turned to face Ray. Shaking his head with a dark chuckle that held no humor. ¡°The Capstone is an ultrasonic weapon Ray. The vibrations build on themselves. Focusing and harmonizing in the chest until they¡¯re channeled through bone that preserves that kinetic energy as it moves out into the extremities. Once they reach them, the claws and fangs vibrate at a high enough frequency to drastically enhance their cutting power. To such an extent that makes them indistinguishable from our own experimental Vibroblades. Can you believe that? Any Kaiju can essentially just¡­ turn their claws into giant turkey cutters. And we¡¯re the turkeys getting butchered every single day.¡± Ryker took in a slow breath and nodded in understanding. Already digesting that information and looking back at Kaiju he fought that had claws that were just too sharp. Capable of turning what should have been grazing slashes into grievous wounds. All too clearly Ryker recalled the destroyed remains of Armor brought back from the field. The majority of them with jagged bite marks and ugly cuts, but here and there were pieces from Armor with cuts that were too clean. ¡°So we get thicker plates for the Armor and even more firepower. We can get around this Beck. It¡¯s just another ability. This isn¡¯t over by a long shot.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it Ray. Don¡¯t you see? Well¡­ forgive me, you probably don¡¯t see it the way I do. It¡¯s not merely a matter of improving armor and weapons to fight Kaiju with this ability that worries me Ray. Its everything that one, raw increase in power represents. For God¡¯s sake, we¡¯re still in the early stages of building a viable Vibroblade for mass production and we¡¯re not even close to the the point we can begin scaling it up for Armor. We¡¯re literally in the process of narrowing down the right wavelength and material alloys to rush out the first working prototypes for our soldiers but Kaiju- our very enemies Ray, can grow them.¡± Beck took a steadying breath and simply shook his head. Looking up at the displayed DNA like it was a monster looming over him. ¡°The questions surrounding the origin of these monsters haunts me Ray. It doesn¡¯t matter if they¡¯re natural or artificial anymore, only that whoever or whatever made these killing machines¡­ they took the time to optimize what they made. I¡¯m terrified at what that could mean. For us, for the world at large. What do we do against monsters like these Ray? What do we do if we win¡­ and we get put against something even worse?¡± The questions might have been hypothetical but Ray was done standing by. He walked over to Beck and put a hand firmly on his shoulder. Giving the frail older man the same hard look he gave the newer pilots. ¡°We do what we can.¡± Ryker said with a reassuring squeeze of his friend¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You, me, and everyone else. Just do what you can each day. You¡¯re already helping us all with what you do Beck. Just focus on what you do and remember you¡¯re not alone here.¡± ¡°And what is it exactly that I should do?¡± Beck asked softly, searching Ryker¡¯s eyes. ¡°Be smart for Armor grunts like me alright? We need someone like you thinking about the kinds of problems I can¡¯t kill with AP rounds.¡± Ryker said with a small smile. ¡°You have such a way with words Ray.¡± Beck said. A smile breaking through the dour expression on his face as he chuckled softly. ¡°You¡¯re the only person I know who is more inclined to say problems are killed rather than solved.¡± ¡°Well two things can be true at once-.¡± Ryker said before a loud alarm cut through his words. Both men didn¡¯t even flinch, everyone on base had come accustomed to the sound of the Kaiju alarm calling for pilots to ready themselves for combat. Ryker immediately turned and quickly marched towards the door. Not wasting a moment even to linger for goodbyes as Beck called after him, unperturbed by the interruption they were both far too used to. ¡°Take care Ray!¡± The scientist called after his friend. A worried but hopeful expression on his face as he put his trust in the pilot to survive and protect anyone in danger. ¡°Take care Beck!¡± Ryker said. His face a hard set mask as the raw heat of anger began to build in his chest. Readying itself for the battlefield so it could be unleashed in a fury upon any monster he found. Vibroblade claws or no. ¡°I gotta go kill some problems.¡± Chapter 27 - The Right Questions They¡¯d been there for hours and hours at that point, well after the first helicopters arrived and the military cordoned off the entirety of Centennial Pines with an abundance of yellow tape and armed guards. Turning the once quiet and picturesque suburb into a maze of rapidly constructed walls and tents meant to keep prying eyes like Danika¡¯s from getting closer. The eviscerated remains of the monsters that had woken people up from their peaceful lives at the crack of dawn that morning now completely in the hands of the military. People were whispering and shouting about what they thought they saw to anyone who was willing to listen, and there was a rapidly growing number of reporters and cameras who wanted to hear it all. Even though Danika and Mack had been some of the first to meet the suburbanites in the aftermath of the fighting. She hadn¡¯t leapt on that chance to get ahead of everyone else with the same energy she usually would have. Hadn¡¯t thrown herself against the armed guards of the suburb turned military outpost to find the truth behind what must have been the beginnings of the government trying enact a coverup in real time. She hadn¡¯t even brought up the idea of heading back to the lookout point where they¡¯d captured the footage of the Big Guy doing his thing to try and spot what the government spooks were trying to do. That footage... Danika thought with another gut wrenching pang of¡­ of what? Anger? Regret? In the moment it had been recorded that footage seemed like the key to everything. To proving what her hunch had told her and what she¡¯d desperately wanted to believe all along. It had been everything she¡¯d ever wanted. That damn footage. She thought harshly. Blinking the wetness rapidly from her eyes as she clenched her fists. Forcing the tears away with an effort of stubborn will that was getting harder and harder to rally against the onslaught of guilt she felt. She¡¯d thought she was doing the right thing in the moment. That the camera footage they¡¯d recorded could show everyone the difference between the Big Guy and the real monsters appearing in the world. They tried to tell anyone they could who watched the video the truth of things but nobody listened. Worse, almost nobody who watched the video they¡¯d recorded from the overlook seemed to see what she and Mack so clearly did. Where she saw the Big Guy, the same monster who¡¯d saved her life rush to pick up a panicked woman off the street. She immediately assumed he was trying to protect her from the police the Big Guy had considered a threat. Everyone else though only saw a green scaled behemoth snatching up a helpless bystander for its next meal as it roared at policemen powerless to stop it. Where she and Mack had both seen the Big Guy run behind rows of houses to find a safe spot, clearly nuzzling the woman before setting her down far from the action. Others only saw a bulletproof beast dip its head down to take a bite out of its prey. Nevermind that there wasn¡¯t any blood or sign that it had ever done so. People had only seen what they wanted to see with the bad angle they¡¯d viewed the scene from. Even after hours of trying and often failing to talk to survivors of the attack and the rapidly increasing number of others piling up outside Centennial Pines, none of them were willing to listen to her or change their opinion on what they believed. Damnit. Danika thought with a boundless frustration as wetness streaked down her cheeks. Damnit. It¡­ It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this. Memories flashed past in Danika¡¯s mind all too clearly. Events that felt like they happened a lifetime ago instead of merely days. The first of them made her remember the gas station. The terrifying sight of seeing raptor-dinosaur like monsters for the first time as she hid behind the clerk¡¯s counter but even brighter in her mind was what happened at the end of that madness. Running for her life from the monsters with her cameraman before the largest of them came right at them from behind. Claws that could have disemboweled her and Mack both hugged them tight instead as a green scaled monster took the brunt of an explosion that would have killed them both. She could almost feel the heat in the air again as she stood up in the aftermath of that fireball. Right next to the very monster that had saved them as the firelight danced across its scales in shifting hues of too bright yellows and burning reds. A glimmer of intelligence in its inhuman eyes that pushed her call out to it and reach out a hand. Then there was the Supermart. Standing in the rubble of snacks and wrappers as they surveyed the damage done by the Big Guy she and Mack owed their lives to. Trying to connect the dots of its past before she found those claw marks in the floor. Marks that led from a broken skylight right up the base of the store¡¯s circuit box. The breaker for the security cameras bearing the unmistakable mark of a claw deep in the plastic. The Rest stop. Where she¡¯d found so much more concrete evidence of the Big Guy¡¯s intelligence in the forms of torn tourist maps. That and and the simple fact that the squat building was still standing since it was too small to for the Big Guy to make his way inside normally. Which means the over ten foot tall creature must have had to crawl inside. Managing to do so with such care that it didn¡¯t even leave a crack in the glass doors. A shuddering breath left her chest as she pressed her palms against her face thinking on the most recent and closest encounter she¡¯d had with him yet. She could still remember the warmth of its scales against her hand as she finally got the chance to talk to the Big Guy again, even with wounds trailing rivulets of blood all across his body he had looked at her. Saw her somehow even with horribly burned and nearly blinded eyes. He could have left, could have ignored or eaten her like every other member of its kind would have. But instead it took a moment to try and make her understand. She could still see him in her mind¡¯s eye, scratching four letters into broken concrete with dagger like claws. Undeniable proof that the monster she¡¯d been searching for all this time was able to think, to feel. That it was trying despite everything to be good. And she¡¯d repaid all its efforts by stabbing it in the back. ¡°D? You back here?¡± Mack called out as he came close to where she was hiding, a clear note of concern in his voice as the quick breather she said she needed turned into something longer. Wobbling a little on her feet as she quickly stood from the tree stump she¡¯d been sitting on. She took a moment to make sure her voice was clear before replying back. ¡°Yeah Mack. Just getting some fresh air.¡± She said as she rapidly wiped at her eyes. She¡¯d been at the edge of the half circle of loosely packed cars and people outside Centennial Pines main entrance for a half hour at most but her quiet spot quickly joined the fast growing camp of news vans, food trucks, and more that had set up outside the suburb. Danika rubbed at her face like she could scrape off anything that might have given her recriminating thoughts away. For once, the reporter was absurdly grateful that the broken moments of rest she¡¯d gotten sitting inside the rental car instead of a proper bed. The lack of good sleep was the best kind of excuse to explain away the redness in her eyes. Nobody would find the emotional cracks in her armor under the familiar mask of good old sleep deprivation. Once she was sure she wouldn¡¯t make a scene by bursting into tears the moment she laid eyes on Mack, she stepped out from behind a particularly large news van from a rival network. Danika usually bright and competitive spirit as she gave Mack a well practiced smile. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get back to it.¡± Mack¡¯s frown deepened as he watched his partner march towards the milling crowd of people like a woman heading to the gallows instead of a reporter eager for the scoop of a lifetime. Even so he fell in step beside her brisk pace as they weaved around prepping news crews and curious locals checking out the commotion. Taking a deep breath Mack¡¯s hands found their way into his pockets, then fiddled with his baseball cap as the cameraman tried and failed to find something worth doing that didn¡¯t require a camera. His eyes flicked over to the destroyed construction site where thought of where he¡¯d he¡¯d lost the thing but found the dirt again as he shifted uncomfortably. ¡°Danika, wait.¡± He said abruptly. The words sounding more like they¡¯d been forced out rather than spoken. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± Danika¡¯s step faltered as she turned towards Mack with confusion written all over her face. ¡°What?¡± ¡°That footage. The camera too. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Mack said with a sigh. The words coming easier now that the dam holding it all in had broken. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t gone to the edge of the treeline when you were talking to the Big Guy, we could have avoided all of this. We could have proved to everyone that you were right. But because I messed up- just because I wanted a better shot. We lost all hope of that happening. Just look at what they¡¯re saying on air.¡± Mack said as he pointed to a television attached to some third rate network¡¯s news van to monitor their news feed. Reporters, journalists, and bystanders all crowded around to watch the video he recorded play out with the news reel underneath. The government had moved fast to shut down Suzy Summer¡¯s broadcast but apparently their boss Jameson was a rather courageous sort. Or maybe just absurdly petty and vindictive. Rather than allow Mack¡¯s footage to get snuffed out by government officials the video had ¡°leaked¡± out to other networks. The government might have moved quickly against Channel Seven but they weren¡¯t quite fast enough to censor the half dozen larger networks or the many smaller and lesser known bottom feeders from airing the video that was spreading across the internet like wildfire. Almost outpacing the efforts of those taking it down wherever it cropped up. The editing of his video was disgustingly amateur to Danika¡¯s eye and Mack¡¯s sensibilities, but it didn¡¯t have to be great or even good if all they wanted to show was a giant green monster shrugging off bullets and throwing police cars on a loop. The news reel underneath scrolling by with blatant disregard for their feelings. ¡°UNKNOWN MONSTER TERRORIZES LOCAL SUBURB. GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT GONE WRONG? PROOF OF CRYPTIDS? POSSIBLE CONNECTION TO BIGFOOT? OUR EXPERTS WEIGH IN-¡± ¡°Oh Mack.¡± Danika said with a breath. The reporter having to reel back from her own guilt and frustration to realize what it must be like for her camera guy. How it must have felt to be the one holding the camera that sparked this entire multimedia frenzy. Any hope of them getting the truth out nearly snuffed out now that the story had moved too fast for them to get ahead of it. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault D.¡± Mack said with a despairing note that twisted at Danika¡¯s heart. ¡°All of this. The Big Guy saved my life- our lives. And look at what I¡¯ve done to repay him.¡± Mack spread out his arms, gesturing all around him before they fell back to his sides as his shoulders sagged with emotion Danika had never expected to see in her partner. ¡°That moment of you in the clearing with him was perfect D, one in a million. It could have changed everything. But I had to get it in my head that I needed a better shot.¡± ¡°Mack.¡± ¡°-I didn¡¯t need to do that at all, but I did D. I just-¡± ¡°Mack.¡± Danika stopped her cameraman cold as she wrapped him in a hug. Feeling the man tense under her for a moment before letting her embrace him. ¡°I think I killed him D.¡± Mack said softly. The weight of those words so great that they struggled to leave his chest. But Danika still heard them. Even as his eyes watched another helicopter land inside the suburb before disappearing from view. ¡°You know they¡¯re gonna be looking for him now. With choppers and soldiers... everything. He won¡¯t be able to hide forever.¡± ¡°I know Mack.¡± Danika said pulling back but still holding onto his arms. Something wet in her eyes as she tried to think of anything to say back but came up empty. What were they supposed to do now? It all seemed so clear before but with their damning video evidence of the Big Guy out there turning the world against him, how could they possibly make that right? How did you even begin to make up for that? ¡°We¡¯ll figure something out Mack.¡± She said despite everything. ¡°We¡­ we just have to find him again. You¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°We aren¡¯t going to be able to get close like we did before D.¡± Mack said shaking his head. ¡°We scared him off. No sorry, that¡¯s not true. I scared him off. And its only a matter of time before the military corners him and they¡­¡± Danika shoved Mack back weakly as she rubbed at her eyes. She was not going to cry here. She was not. ¡°Don¡¯t talk down on him like that.¡± She said mustering together a smile she didn¡¯t feel. Long ingrained instincts she¡¯d used just for the camera saving her composure from falling apart at the seams. ¡°He¡¯s smart.¡± Danika tried and failed to say convincingly. ¡°Really, really smart. So he¡¯s gonna be okay. He¡¯s gonna be fine. Nothing can take him down. No matter how hurt he is he keeps going.¡± The reporter¡¯s facade broke a little as her lip trembled at remembering how hurt he¡¯d been when they¡¯d found him. Even after their first encounter he hadn¡¯t been invincible, there had been cuts and bite marks on his body then too. ¡°H-he¡¯s bulletproof now.¡± Danika said fiercely. Fighting to get the words out and look Mack in the eyes. ¡°If he runs into trouble he¡¯ll just get tougher, or grow a bigger tail or do some other stuff we¡¯ve never seen before. That¡¯s apparently a thing for him. So he¡¯s gonna make it you¡¯ll see. And we¡¯re gonna find him again and- and find some way to make it up to him. I promise.¡± Mack stared at Danika for a moment with a pained expression and she stared back at him. Conviction bright in her eyes as she refused to look away. Something in Mack¡¯s gaze softened as he looked at her. That undercurrent of guilt and despair she saw in him, what she still felt in herself. Lessened as he closed his eyes and took a shaky breath. When he opened them again Danika could see that her words had gotten through to him, even if they hadn¡¯t felt real to herself they did something in Mack that seemed to fill him slightly. Helping him stand just a little straighter instead of sagging like he had before. Maybe he didn¡¯t believe what she¡¯d said at all, Mack had been behind a camera long enough to tell if she was being genuine or not. Maybe¡­ it was simply because the words came from her. A flutter of something moved in Danika¡¯s core as she watched Mack nod, the smallest of smiles creasing his normally stoic face as he simply said. ¡°Okay.¡± Mack adjusted his cap on his head, snugging it tight as he reversed it properly. A small tuft of blonde hair sticking out through the hole in the back of the cap like it was meant to be there. Despite how she¡¯d teased him the first time they met about wearing the hat like a stereotypical camera guy would. She wasn¡¯t a fan of hats in general but... It looked kinda nice on him. ¡°D.¡± Mack said as he took a step towards her ¡°I-¡± ¡°Are you two survivors!?¡± The moment of¡­ whatever it was shattered to pieces as a man with a lanyard around his neck approached them with exited steps. The word ¡°PRESS¡± on the end of it swinging wildly as he approached with a slightly winded, chubby looking camera guy a couple paces behind him. ¡°I¡¯m with Channel Nine, eyewitness news!¡± The man announced as he held out a branded cordless mic like the kind Danika had lost in the gas station before a giant green lizard threw her van into it and the place exploded. Belatedly, Danika realized that without her microphone or Mack¡¯s camera in hand they looked a little too much like the haggard looking homeowners this man should have been talking to instead of them. Nevermind that they were deep within the maze of parked news vans outside the suburb and had been talking to homeowners themselves less than an hour ago. ¡°Did you see what happened in Centennial Pines? Were you close to the creatures people claim to have seen? The one video we have of the incident is rather suspect, the source of the footage is a rather unsavory news station after all. Some say that the people who recorded the footage fabricated the scene entirely to cover up something worse. Can you-¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up and get out of my face you Channel Nine scum!¡± Danika seethed as the words tore into the man. All her pent up sadness and despair somehow finding an outlet in unbridled aggression against her long time network rivals. The reporter flinched back in surprise as he held up his microphone face twisting into abject shock as he tried to stammer out a response and failed to counter Danika¡¯s verbal assault. The Channel Seven reporter taking a threatening step forward as she practically snarled at the man. ¡°Crawl back into the gutter with the other mainstream bottom feeding ass lickers before I snap your dick off and use it to slap the stupid off your face!¡± ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯m! My sincerest apologies!¡± The Channel Nine reporter said as he retreated at speed. His cameraman silently shadowing him as he tried to keep a smile from erupting on his face as he looked back and forth from Danika to his coworker with unbridled glee. Danika unironically raising a curled fist and shaking it as she stared after her foe. Breathing hard, there was an uncomfortably long beat of silence in the air as the space around them grew quieter. The people nearby quickly finding reasons to be elsewhere for some reason. Leaving Danika standing with her fist still raised in the air before she awkwardly brought it down and slowly turned to her camera guy as he stared at her. Brows raised in surprise and staying there as he blinked at her. ¡°Snap your dick off and use it¡­ to slap the stupid off your face?¡± He said. Clearly enunciating every word as if to make sure he¡¯d gotten the facts right for a story. The beat of silence that followed his words were excruciating. ¡°Were you saving that for Channel Nine specifically or¡­?¡± ¡°No.¡± Danika said quickly. Cheeks flushing slightly as she composed herself and fixed an errant strand of hair. ¡°I just came up with it.¡± ¡°Right, right. I¡¯m just not used to hearing swears that- erm. Creative.¡± ¡°I get a lot of practice every time I talk with Jameson.¡± Danika said defensively, crossing her arms. ¡°He doesn¡¯t like talking to people who can¡¯t keep up with him. So I¡¯m making an effort to um, expand my verbiage a bit.¡± ¡°A bit? I mean, I knew you guys went at it sometimes but damn.¡± Mack said putting a hand to his baseball cap before shaking his head with a smile. ¡°I figured I¡¯d already heard every swear you had in you back in the police station.¡± ¡°Well you kind of did.¡± Danika admitted. ¡°One thing I¡¯ve learned about swearing is that it isn¡¯t the swear itself that¡¯s most impactful, its how you deliver it that matters. Use the same word over and over and you¡¯ll wear it out. So for maximum effect the best swears are gift wrapped in lesser but still creative insults.¡± The reporter said with an air of genuine pride. Mack continued to stare at his coworker and the satisfaction of a creatively insulting swear before he nodded solemnly to himself. ¡°Yeah, I think I get it now. It totally makes sense why you hate Suzy so much.¡± ¡°Wha-¡± Danika started before narrowing her eyes. ¡°W-where is this coming from?¡± ¡°She grew up the popular girl. Always nice and agreeable around people. Winning smile wherever she goes. She¡¯s basically your complete opposite.¡± ¡°Of course she¡¯s my opposite! And don¡¯t you start with those lies about her being nice. She uses that pretty face to hide all the evil she keeps inside her.¡± ¡°You¡¯re her opposite.¡± Mack continued as though he hadn¡¯t heard the reporter speak. ¡°And you probably grew up one of the unpopular ones girls like her picked on. That¡¯s where the misplaced anger and aggression for her come from.¡± Danika gaped at her camera guy as she floundered for words. ¡°M-my aggression is perfectly placed!¡± ¡°Probably caught frogs growing up too.¡± ¡°It was only o-¡± Danika started before she shut her mouth with a snap, her face screwing up into a mask of pure exasperation. ¡°Mack! Where is this coming from? Why have you suddenly become a Suzy Supporter? How did that snake get to you out here!?¡± Danika stepped back from her utterly relaxed camera guy with a hushed gasp. As though she¡¯d just realized some terrible secret about him. Her face twisting in disgust as she spoke in a low voice. ¡°Have you been reading her blog?¡± Danika said horrified. The innocuous question filled with more tension that it could ever hope to hold. ¡°Nope.¡± Mack said easily. ¡°And I hope I never will.¡± Danika held her tensed posture as though expecting some trick of some kind from Mack as he turned towards her fully and casually straightened out his shirt. Like he was making himself presentable. Well, as presentable as a man could look in a T-shirt, ball cap, and blue jeans. ¡°I¡¯m not much of a camera guy without a camera am I? Doubt there¡¯s any stores nearby with the kinda equipment I¡¯m usually used to so¡­¡± Mack shrugged, looking uncomfortable for the first time Danika could remember as he gestured to her. ¡°I might as well do what I can to help you with the investigation. I¡¯m no reporter, so I¡¯m not as good at picking people apart like you are so I figure I had to start practicing somewhere.¡± Danika relaxed her tensed shoulders as she looked at Mack again. The cloud of despair that had held steady over her head for hours on end finally lessening at last. Reducing from a roiling storm that might never end down to a partly cloudy forecast over her emotions, one that finally let some light shine down on her and see what she¡¯d been missing. ¡°You want to¡­¡± Danika said slowly shaking her head with a smile as she looked at him. It hadn¡¯t been clear to her in the aftermath of the failed encounter with the Big Guy that morning but Mack wasn¡¯t just remorseful over the loss of the camera. She could tell he¡¯d been regretful over the loss of the incredible footage he recorded and felt guilty about how the encounter had unfolded but underneath it all there was still something deeper. She could see it in the way his eyes casually drifted to the sides of her instead of staring her head on, the way his posture was almost too relaxed. Like he was trying to project his usual air of easy going calm outward instead of letting it come naturally like it always did. Unlike the signs of stress Danika usually looked for in other people Mack was almost too good at hiding how he felt. He¡¯d already aired out his feelings a moment ago before they were interrupted by that Channel Nine dirtbag. But the sudden talk about helping her investigate? That wasn¡¯t just out of left field, that kind of talk had literally never come out of him before. The way he¡¯d tried to deflect her attention by bringing up Suzy? Wrapping his offer of help in more words than she¡¯d ever heard out of him at once? That wasn¡¯t just regret driving him to make up for past mistakes, real or imagined. That was worry. What was there left for a camera man like Mack to worry about in this moment? Being left behind. Danika¡¯s lip twinged with emotion as she realized what Mack might have thought as she¡¯d left him time after time. What he must have been thinking as she told him that she¡¯d just needed some fresh air and she disappeared for longer and longer. Just as quick as emotion welled up in her Danika shoved it down as she gave Mack her warmest smile. As though the real reason for his offer of help had never occurred to her and she was just happy he wanted to stick around. ¡°I¡¯d be more than happy to show you the ropes Mack.¡± Danika said as she drew herself up with a breath to look into his eyes. Making sure he knew that her words were real. And that her next came straight from the heart. ¡°But I do not pick people apart.¡± ¡°You do though.¡± Mack said easily. Some intangible tension leaving him as he fell back into the rhythm of their usual back and forth. ¡°I realize things may look different from the other side of the camera but let¡¯s get one thing clear. I am a professional and I approach every story with the appropriate amount of tact and finesse.¡± Danika said convincingly. Not convincingly enough to counter Mack¡¯s direct experience however. ¡°Those things show up on camera pretty well D. You do a good job of that. But you drop the tact and finesse like a sack of bricks the moment I stop recording and you have a story you want to follow.¡± ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m rude or something?¡± Danika frowned. Her goodwill for Mack suddenly less abundant than it had been mere seconds ago. ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were rude.¡± Mack said. The familiar stoicism and calm returning to him at last to shield him from her glare. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re trying to say I¡¯m rude.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not rude. You just drop tact and finesse off camera.¡± ¡°I¡¯m nice to people! I am a nice person Mack!¡± Danika said testily. Her cameraman remaining annoyingly unruffled by her words or tone. ¡°Never said you weren¡¯t D.¡± ¡°Then why say I drop tact and finesse off camera? You make it sound like I become a completely different person off camera.¡± ¡°Nah, you don¡¯t become a different person off camera. You just act like yourself more when you don¡¯t have a mic is all. Doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re rude. You¡¯re usually pretty nice to most people. But you can still be nice and hack at people over and over until you get a story out of them.¡± ¡°Hack at people?¡± Danika said incredulously. ¡°What am I an axe murderer?¡± ¡°No D. It¡¯s because you verbally hack at people, with words. To wear them down like- Eh, you¡¯re right that¡¯s a bit much for a metaphor. I should have said you used a crowbar instead.¡± ¡°A crowbar? For what? To verbally bash people¡¯s kneecaps in?¡± ¡°No?¡± Mack said. Giving Danika an incredulous look, like she was the one making absurd statements. ¡°Because you pry information out of people.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t pry.¡± Danika said with a huff as she crossed her arms. ¡°I investigate. That¡¯s completely different.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Mack said with a small smile. Adjusting his cap as he moved to stand beside her as they both faced the massive crowd milling about outside of the once isolated suburb. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ll have to show me the difference then. Got any tips for a newbie?¡± ¡°Absolutely. Ready for the first one?¡± Danika asked as her eyes roamed over the crowd, a new brightness in them as she looked. The built up emotion of it all hadn¡¯t dissipated. Not by a long shot. It all still ground at her, mixing in her core like ¡°They say the best way to learn how to swim is to jump right into the deep end. Its basically the same rule for us reporters too. You wanna get good?¡± Danika said with a grin. ¡°You¡¯ve got to drown a bit first.¡± ¡°What?¡± Mack said worryingly. His expression only growing more dismayed as Danika grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the crowd like she intended to throw him in. ¡°D, that¡¯s not a tip! Give me some actual advice or- actually, just tell me what helped you the most when you started.¡± ¡°Drowning!¡± Danika said with too much enthusiasm. ¡°Headfirst and with no mercy!¡± ¡°That was what helped you most starting out?¡± Mack said baffled. ¡°That¡¯s not even advice D, that just sounds like suffering disguised as a learning experience. Why would you even think that?¡± ¡°I was an intern!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Mack said softly as his face slackened. The former camera guy filled with a new and profound understanding of his coworker as the smaller woman pulled him along. The man¡¯s arm going from taught to limp and back again as Mack jerked like a fish on a line. People watched the two go by with raised brows and questioning gazes as the grinning woman practically dragged a man behind her, his expression somehow gloomy and accepting at the same time. ¡°Yeah¡­ that¡¯ll do it.¡± Mack said in sympathy as he thought about his own experiences. Danika wasn¡¯t kidding when she¡¯d said that the best way to learn was to get thrown in the deep end. Well, it was clear that was what she honestly believed at least. The first few people she¡¯d tasked Mack with ¡°investigating¡± for information had been the armed military guards of the suburb itself. Armed with nothing but a cheap pen and a tiny notepad Danika had offered him. ¡°Excellent work Mack!¡± Danika said as she clapped an unenthused Mack on the back. ¡°What did you learn?¡± ¡°That civilians and other nonmilitary personnel are forbidden from entering the designated area under threat of criminal prosecution.¡± Mack said lamely. ¡°No, that¡¯s just what the guards told you. What did you learn?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Mack said as he looked over the scribbles on his notepad. Trying and failing to decode them for information in the rare chance he actually learned something useful and wrote it down. ¡°I learned that the rate a guard¡¯s patience deteriorates is directly proportional to the length of time they spend guarding a certain position.¡± Mack said with a sigh as he rubbed his ear. ¡°And that they can be very loud when they want to be.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Danika said nodding sagely. ¡°But what you really learned was what it feels like to be rejected to your face by someone you¡¯re trying to talk to.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Mack started before turning to his partner with a deflated glare. ¡°You sent me out there knowing I was going to get smacked down like that? In front of literally everyone? Are you serious D?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Danika said empathetically. ¡°I know it sucks to get chewed out when you¡¯re just trying to do you¡¯re job. Believe me, I¡¯ve been there. But its something that¡¯s bound to happen at some point or another. And when it does you can¡¯t let it get to you or slow you down. I can¡¯t tell you how many new hires I¡¯ve seen get watery eyed and depressed when the person they¡¯re interviewing gets mad or insults them or both. So I figured its best to get that experience out of the way so you¡¯re better prepared for the future.¡± Mack paused and stared at his coworker. Processing everything she just told him. ¡°That makes a concerningly weird amount of sense.¡± ¡°Concerningly weird?¡± Danika said with a huff of derision. ¡°Did you have to add that? Why not say it was encouragingly insightful instead?¡± ¡°Because that¡¯s not something I¡¯d say about a lesson my coworker considered akin to drowning.¡± ¡°Right, moving on then.¡± Danika said. Glad to move away from any criticisms of her teaching style. ¡°Let¡¯s make the rounds again and I¡¯ll tell you what we should be looking for, you¡¯ve spent plenty of time behind the camera so you¡¯re probably gonna catch on to this quick.¡± With that Danika and Mack started moving around the milling crowds of homeowners, reporters, and everyone else in between. Skirting around the densest areas with the major networks setting up a small studio¡¯s worth of cameras, lights, and microphones. A sight Danika tried not to let her eyes linger on for too long as she refocused on her cameraman turned reporter in training. ¡°So first things first. There are people here with all kinds of stories to tell. People will tell you anything if you put a microphone in front of their face, but what is it that you want to hear them say?¡± Mack frowned at the question and gave it a moment¡¯s thought before answering. ¡°I suppose we¡¯re looking for someone who¡¯s willing to talk about the monsters they saw right? No wait. We want to find someone who saw the Big Guy right?¡± ¡°Yes and no.¡± Danika said with an approving nod. ¡°We want to find someone who can actually support what we¡¯re trying to prove to people Mack. Someone who can actually change the way people see the footage we recorded. Now sometimes you get lucky and that person will come straight to you but most times¡­¡± Danika said with her words petering off as she pointed at a man in the distance. ¡°They¡¯re not the kinds of people who are the most reliable or trustworthy.¡± Off not too far away was a rather overweight man with unkempt hair who was enthusiastically spouting his version of events to the nearest reporter who¡¯d had the misfortune of drawing too close to him. ¡°Aliens! I¡¯m telling you, I saw it shapeshift with my own eyes. It must be a new subspecies of invader!¡± ¡°With all due respect sir, I don¡¯t believe the monsters you saw are aliens...¡± The reporter said trying to escape the conversation. ¡°Um¡­ I see your point.¡± Mack said with a nod before looking worriedly to Danika. ¡°I don¡¯t have to talk to him do I? Please don¡¯t make me talk to him.¡± ¡°Relax, I¡¯m supposed to show you the ropes Mack. Not let you get eaten alive by your first crack pot interviewee. C¡¯mon. And I¡¯ll show you the next best tool in your toolkit as a reporter.¡± Mack obediently followed Danika curious as to what kind of tool he was supposed to use. It wasn¡¯t the kind of thing he was expecting. ¡°You¡¯re secret tool is¡­ churros?¡± ¡°Tactical churros Mack. Tactical churros.¡± Danika said with confidence. As though the word tactical and churro belonged together. ¡°Why?¡± Mack said dubiously. Unable to reconcile the sugary snack in his hands with an instrument of information gathering. ¡°Nobody is going to suspect a person eating a churro has ulterior motives Mack. Plus people are more agreeable if you have food to offer them, that¡¯s why we each have four.¡± Danika said as though she was an authority on the matter. ¡°Generally speaking of course.¡± She added. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Plus I didn¡¯t think you were going to offer up any of your unhealthy snacks to people in exchange for information.¡± ¡°Never.¡± Mack said with casual conviction. ¡°Of course.¡± Danika said with a sigh as she looked Mack up and down. ¡°How the hell do you stay that thin anyway? If I ate half of the things you buy I¡¯d have half a ton of processed sugar go straight to my thighs.¡± ¡°I¡¯m blessed with a high metabolism and good genes.¡± ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to tell me what store you bought them from then.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t I¡¯m afraid. They¡¯re sold as a package deal, same goes for everyone else too. If you¡¯ve got a problem with yours you¡¯re gonna have to take it up with the manufacturer.¡± Mack said casually as he pointed a churro at the sky. ¡°What a shame.¡± Danika said eyeing her own waistline with a frown. ¡°I want a refund.¡± A beat of silence followed the joke before the two broke out into smiles and stifled chuckles. Danika swiped at her camera guy with a cinnamon flavored sugar stick in mock offense at his antics. ¡°Stop distracting me Mack. I¡¯m supposed to be throwing you to the wolves here.¡± ¡°I thought I was supposed to be drowning?¡± Danika paused for a beat at that, expertly disguising her pause with a bite of a churro before smoothly continuing. ¡°We¡¯re doing wolves now. Now follow me, avoid making eye contact with that alien guy though. He might be able to smell fear.¡± ¡°I¡¯d be surprised if he can smell anything honestly.¡± Fighting a smile Danika wove a trail through the crowd until they were mostly away from the most packed sections of the crowds. Danika scanned the area with an expert eye before nodding to herself as she pointed at a spot towards the outskirts of the camp. Using a churro to point like a general commanding their forces. ¡°You can start at the back there. See if you can learn anything interesting from the new arrivals, most of them are just gonna be locals checking out what¡¯s happening because its in the neighborhood. But some of them might know something we don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Mack said as he eyed his collection of churros. ¡°What should I do after I talk to the people over there?¡± ¡°If they know anything interesting flag me down first of all. I don¡¯t want to miss a word they have to say if it relates to the Big Guy. Other than that, just make your way back towards the food trucks to reload your churros.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t reload a churro D.¡± Mack said as he looked at his partner with a raised brow. ¡°Oh hush you, you know what I mean.¡± Danika said waving her partner away as she pushed him towards the first group of people she could see. ¡°Now go over there and infiltrate that group of unsuspecting locals.¡± ¡°I think the unsuspecting locals can hear yo-¡± ¡°Just get over there!¡± Danika finally left Mack to his own devices and the man was almost glad for it this time. Even as he tried and failed to gather any info from the small group of four giving him funny looks. He watched Danika head towards a group in the distance with a spring in her step that had been absent most of the day. A smile tugging at the corner of his face as he felt the knot of worry he had for his partner fade in his chest. It was good to see Danika go back to being herself again. Part of Mack still felt like he had a lot to make up for with the way their last encounter with the Big Guy had went. Even if Danika thought he didn¡¯t. The memory of that encounter played out in his mind like it was stuck on a loop. Mack took a bite of a churro and tried not to think about how he was lying to Danika about wanting to be a reporter. He just wasn¡¯t the type that wanted the spotlight like that. Doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t do some good here. Mack thought to himself as he habitually pulled his ball cap a little tighter. I just need to find someone who can make up for that footage, change everyone¡¯s mind on what they saw. That can¡¯t undo the damage of the vid itself but it would be a damn good start. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. With a deep breath in to prepare himself for more conversations with people, something that had never been his strong suit. Mack made the rounds. Talking to people standing alone who were just curious about the commotion. Groups of people comforting family members who couldn¡¯t return to their homes. All the while trying to follow Danika¡¯s advice. Though he wasn¡¯t sure how munching on a churro could help him gather information. Offering a churro seemed to make people much more agreeable. It took the better part of an hour to make his way from person to person but by that time he was out of churros and people to talk to. He¡¯d done his best to ask what people had seen if they were relatively close to the big guy when he fell into their suburb but it felt like he was trying to squeeze water from a stone more often than not. He still gave out his phone number to anyone who might remember a detail or two down the line. ¡°How the hell does that woman make it look so easy?¡± Mack complained to himself as he made his way back to the food trucks. There was quite the line forming around them now that it was growing nearer to dinner time. With a soft sigh, Mack made the line for the food truck selling the churros he needed to continue reporting. Idly wondering while he waited if he could snag some extra bags of chips for himself before darker thoughts creeped to the surface of his thoughts. The Big Guy¡¯s smart. D was right about that, a hell of a lot smarter than I gave him credit for. Strong as hell too but¡­ Mack thought with a crease furrowing his brow. Barely noticing the line move along. He keeps getting bigger. Every time we¡¯ve seen him he¡¯s grown. And not by a little bit either. He¡¯s been fine till now because he¡¯s probably been sneaking around people or hiding in forests. But that won¡¯t be the case forever. Shit. It took what- a day or two for him to grow big enough to destroy construction sites and start stomping through suburbs. It might already be too late for him to hide like he used to. How long can he last when he becomes too big a target for anyone to miss? A paycheck was usually motivation enough to get Mack to do something. Usually enough to do the job well if the pay wasn¡¯t bad. But the need he felt to help the Big Guy before it was too late simmered in his chest like a pressure cooker. He ran a hand over his face like he could relax the stress he felt for the monster that had saved his life. Oblivious to the time it was taking for the line to move forward as his thoughts spun around the problem of finding the Big Guy. What if this doesn¡¯t work? We have to do something more, figure out what we can do to help. But what can we do when we can¡¯t even find a giant lizard? There must be a way. Got to be. I¡¯ve just got to¡­ Mack¡¯s thoughts roved over everything he and Danika had learned as they¡¯d looked for the Big Guy. They¡¯d followed as best they could but the police scanner they had was likely their best hope to find him. Even if it would likely be too late for them to help if the police found him. How¡­ Mack thought hard as he waited in line. How did he know we were being attacked at the gas station? He was chewing through the meat section at that Supermart right about then. But he couldn¡¯t have heard anything, that Supermart was miles away. Literally miles. Nothing has hearing that good. There¡¯s no way he could have known anything from that distance. So how did he know we were in danger? How does he even know anything at all? None of it makes any sense. The thing with the circuit breaker, looking for maps, the damn writing? That¡¯s just plain spooky. Shit man, that¡¯s an understanding of language that¡¯s almost human. That doesn¡¯t just happen. Or at least it shouldn¡¯t, not unless something beamed books worth of stuff into his head. That thought tickled at Mack¡¯s mind a bit. As impossible as it was, he¡¯d been dealing with a lot of impossible things recently. Hell he¡¯d almost been killed by some very impossible monsters less than a few days ago. Why not believe the giant dino who saved their lives had gotten all those smarts and ethics from the internet? Nah, probably not the internet. Mack snorted. If it did, then it would probably be hell bent on killing us all just for the ads it had to suffer through. Although¡­ Mack frowned. Eyes hazy as thought trying to find the edge of an answer in the distance. What if that¡¯s what¡¯s happened? Some bio-wifi thing? Sounds stupid but maybe- ¡°-Sir!¡± Mack startled to find that he¡¯d somehow made it to the front of the line. There wasn¡¯t anyone left in front of him except the annoyed looking cook inside the food truck¡¯s side window. ¡°You gonna order something? You¡¯re holding up the line.¡± ¡°T-the churros please? Four of them.¡± Mack said as he remembered what he was ordering and why. ¡°Again?.¡± The cook said with a mystified smile. ¡°You and that other chick are gonna wipe out my stock at this rate. If I¡¯d have known there was a churro chugging contest today I¡¯d have made an extra batch.¡± ¡°It¡¯s for work. I uh, need them to do my job.¡± Mack said lamely. ¡°Sheesh, you should try and stress eat some spinach bud. It¡¯ll keep you from getting fat. Or worse looking like my sister. Hah!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that. Really.¡± ¡°Ah whatever.¡± The cook said with a hearty chuckle as he took Mack¡¯s credit card to pay. ¡°Good luck speed running diabetes. We¡¯re all rooting for ya.¡± A small chorus of laughs erupted from the line behind Mack as he took his card back and the churros with a sigh. Slightly chagrinned Mack took a few steps away from the loud cook running the food truck to take a breather. He¡¯d need one if he was going to throw himself back into the gauntlet of constantly questioning strangers. I don¡¯t stress eat. Mack thought with a huff as he took a bite of a churro. Then a few more. I¡¯m too stressed about my bank account to stress eat. After a few moments Mack adjusted the wrapping for the churro he was holding, trying to find the bottom of it but coming up with nothing but flecks of sugar and cinnamon. Had he eaten that thing already? I¡¯ll ignore that. Mack thought as he wadded up the empty wrapping and looked for a trash can. In the midst of his fruitless search a small commotion drew his attention back towards the food truck as he watched a man try and argue with the obstinate cook taking orders. ¡°It¡¯s just a twenty! You really can¡¯t cash that?¡± ¡°Read the sign kid! No cash, only credit. This is a food truck, not an atm.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have my wallet on me! Please can you just-¡± ¡°No! Now who¡¯s next in line!¡± The cook shouted. The man at the front of the line tensed in frustration for a moment before sagging as he stalked away from the food truck. The man looked around at the other food trucks and the long lines connected to each one with a clearly distraught expression. Feeling a pang of sympathy for a fellow victim of the food truck¡¯s ire Mack took a few steps closer to the man. He was well dressed. If a bit unkempt and frazzled looking. His button down shirt was a dark blue that looked nice until you noticed the wrinkles covering the thing. Like it had been thrown on in a hurry. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Mack said as he adjusted his cap. ¡°I saw a bit of that back there.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just that- fuck man. Today¡¯s been rough.¡± ¡°Been rough for everyone.¡± Mack nodded as he felt a bit of hope swell in his heart. Maybe he¡¯d actually found someone willing to talk? ¡°You live here?¡± ¡°No, no. It¡¯s my girlfriend who lives here.¡± The man said tiredly. ¡°Woke me up and scared me half to death when she called. I rushed over as fast as I could but I forgot my wallet at home. I¡¯d go back for it but I live about twenty five miles away. And Izzie she¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s just not doing well. I was gonna take her to my place but she starts crying because she doesn¡¯t want to leave her house. Took her forever to save up for the thing so I get it. I wouldn¡¯t wanna leave my place either but¡­ yeah.¡± The man said with a deep sigh. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡± Mack said earnestly. He¡¯d seen some of the destruction from the cliff above the suburb and he felt for the people affected by it. But he knew there was a stark difference between someone else¡¯s house getting demolished and your own. ¡°Do¡­ you need that food? I can put it on my card.¡± ¡°Thanks man.¡± The stranger said with a smile. ¡°But I¡¯m not hungry, I don¡¯t think Izzie is very hungry either. She had a lot of water and ration bars when the paramedics were checking her out. I just wanted to try and get her something to eat to take her mind off everything.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Mack said slowly as he eyed his three churros. Suddenly glad he¡¯d bought so many. ¡°How about some churros?¡± The man¡¯s face twisted in surprise as Mack offered all three of the churros. ¡°Seriously. I- I mean. Thanks man, that would help me out so much. You sure you don¡¯t need them?¡± The stranger said taking all three of Mack¡¯s churros. ¡°It¡¯s fine don¡¯t worry.¡± Mack said with a small smile and a shrug. ¡°I had about five already.¡± ¡°Well I appreciate it man, what¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Mack.¡± ¡°Terry. Thanks for helping me out Mack.¡± ¡°Anytime. Was your girlfriend okay?¡± ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s still pretty shaken up though.¡± Terry said as he started walking off. Not getting any indication Terry didn¡¯t want him to come along, Mack followed. ¡°You know anything about talking to people after something bad has happened?¡± Terry said suddenly as he wove his way through a maze of parked news trucks and haphazardly parked cars at a fast walk. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know what else to say to her. I¡¯ve told her that it¡¯s gonna be okay at least fifty different times already.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really sure what I¡¯d say sorry.¡± Mack said pushing himself slightly to keep up. ¡°Have you tried-¡± ¡°-Izzie! Hey.¡± Terry said. Forgetting about what he¡¯d asked Mack in an instant as he jogged forwards to kneel beside his girlfriend. She was sitting by herself in the back seat of a pickup truck with the door wide open. Her legs were hanging outside the pickup like she was preparing to get out and walk but she remained still. Only raising her head to look at Terry. Mack held back a few steps for a few seconds. Not wanting to intrude on the couple¡¯s space in the slightest. He almost gave up entirely on the idea of asking either of them questions about the suburb attack or the Big Guy until he froze. Unnoticed by Terry or his girlfriend he took a tentative step closer. As if afraid the girl before him might disappear entirely if he moved too quickly. Because Mack recognized her face. ¡°Are¡­ are you alright ma¡¯m?¡± he said hesitantly. Trying not to stare in shock as he looked over the very person he¡¯d recorded himself less than a day ago. The same one the Big Guy had grabbed off the street to shield her from the police. It wasn¡¯t easy to make her face out in the video since she wasn¡¯t the focus, but it wasn¡¯t that hard either. Mack wondered if she knew how many millions of times she¡¯d been seen by people and how many of those millions thought she¡¯d been eaten alive. The woman, Izzie or Isabell was clearly distressed, even wrapped up as thickly as she was in that large blanket. She was hugging it to herself like she was trying to keep out the cold of a winter storm instead of the chill of a mild afternoon breeze. And her eyes were cloudy and haunted as her boyfriend talked to her. ¡°She¡¯s been through a lot today.¡± The man said as he crouched near her and held out one of Mack¡¯s churros. ¡°Isabell here. My friend over there got you something sweet. Can you get some of this down? I know its not much but I don¡¯t want to leave you for too long waiting in those lines around the food trucks.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Isabell said with a small voice as she took the sweet from her boyfriend¡¯s hands with both hands. Like the featherlight churro was something unwieldy she might drop if she weren¡¯t careful. She took a small bite of it after a short moment. The motion more mechanical than human. Mack turned and looked for Danika through the press of the crowd and vans, managing to catch her eye somehow and make her realize that he had found something big. Mack wet his lips at all the things he could think to say to the woman but he didn¡¯t trust himself to say the right thing. What were you supposed to say to someone who survived a monster attack and was clearly still suffering from shock? That the one monster that might have terrified her most was actually the one trying to save her? Oh, and also that she should give a public statement to help Mack and Danika confirm their interpretation of events. ¡°Fucking vultures. All of them.¡± The man said with a quiet snarl as he held Isabell¡¯s shoulder. Mack tensing slightly as he tracked his gaze as he stared out at all the reporters milling about, searching for any unwary survivors they could get any more information out of. ¡°Didn¡¯t even give her a moment to rest after the attack before they were on her. I hate these kinds of people. Only thing in the world they care about is getting their pound of flesh. Not people like us you feel me? Especially the people they tear that pound of flesh from.¡± ¡°Terry¡­¡± Isabell said softly as she reached up and held his hand on her shoulder, the man visibly calming as he looked down at her. ¡°Sorry, sorry.¡± Terry said apologetically as he put his other hand over Isabell¡¯s. ¡°It just¡­ It just isn¡¯t right Izzie.¡± Mack tried to not draw attention to himself as he tried to signal to Danika. Trying to get across the idea with frantic eye movements and hand gestures that she should do anything but immediately come over and blurt out that she was a reporter like he feared she would. Weirdly he didn¡¯t feel as threatened or even offended by the man¡¯s recrimination and general dislike of reporters. He was still the unnoticed camera guy in his own mind. The one you only lingered on for a moment before looking to the nearest person with a microphone. Plus there were some genuinely terrible people Mack had come to know since he started work as a camera guy. Not Suzie though. She was fine. Danika was just weird about her for some reason. Is she though? Mack thought distractedly. Danika is the one with that gut instinct for reporting. I¡¯ve seen her put random things together so many times I know I definitely don¡¯t have what she does. She was right with the Big Guy the first time, then right again about how smart he was¡­ Suddenly the idea that Suzie was secretly evil didn¡¯t seem as far fetched as it had been an hour ago. Not gonna lie. Kinda regretting asking D to be a reporter at this point. Mack couldn¡¯t help but think as he tried and failed to think of something to say to the couple that wouldn¡¯t immediately result in a blow up from her boyfriend. His brows furrowed by a problem that required a far more complex solution than any kind of equipment failure had ever required. Thankfully he didn¡¯t have to figure that out on his own. ¡°Hey-¡± Danika started as she joined Mack before cutting herself off at the sight of the girl being comforted by her boyfriend. Mack saw the twitch of recognition in her frame that meant she must have recognized who he had found. The reporter, the actual reporter, Mack thought amusedly instantly changed her demeanor and lowered her tone as she approached. Doing an excellent job of hiding her excitement behind a mask of genuine care and emotion. ¡°Hey.¡± She said again. Noticeably more compassion in her tone as she introduced herself. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to interrupt, I was just getting my guy here and¡­ are¡­¡± Danika swallowed as she took a step forward, her body language dripping with concern as she looked at the couple. Shifting her footing and eyes in feigned nervousness before looking at Isabell directly. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Mack schooled his expression as he kept from widening his eyes at Danika¡¯s performance. He¡¯d seen her ¡°flip the switch¡± so to speak from the energetic and curious person she was to a calm and more refined version of Danika that was more palatable to the mild mannered kind of reporting their news network expected from her. But even so she¡¯d only had to act the part talking to locals about renovations to their local parks or discuss the rumors circulating around a college campus about who was responsible for the latest change in admission policies. It made Mack realize she¡¯d never had to do more than the bare minimum for her job, and it was only now that she really could show how good she was at her job. Damn she¡¯s good. Mack thought as he took a deliberate step back to allow Danika to draw Terry and Isabell¡¯s focus. Isabell made to respond but her voice faltered in a shuddering sigh as she shook in the blanket she was clutching to herself. Terry spoke up for her as he rubbed a hand along her back. ¡°She¡¯s okay physically. The paramedics checked her out and signed off on her but- she had it bad. Worse than the others.¡± The man said as he tilted his head towards the scattered residents of Centennial Pines. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Danika said as she drew closer. Crouching down so the distraught girl didn¡¯t have to raise her head from the ground that held her gaze. ¡°That must have been horrible. Did¡­ you didn¡¯t lose anyone did you?¡± Danika said softly. Not having to fake an ounce of worry in her words. She could almost recall too clearly what the monsters she¡¯d seen were capable of. Just because she knew one of them had good intentions didn¡¯t mean Danika could forget the sight of a detached human arm torn from the last seen attached to a person. ¡°No, no I didn¡¯t.¡± Isabell replied softly shaking her head. ¡°But its just¡­ horrible. You have no idea what I saw out there. There were monsters. Real ones. People were screaming and running¡­¡± The woman trailed off eyes watery as she took in a shaky breath. ¡°But I was too scared to run.¡± Isabell said closing her eyes. ¡°It was all I could do not to scream. They tore open a hole in my house, I was just getting breakfast and I had to hide in the kitchen so none of them would see me.¡± Terry crouched down to wrap an arm around Isabell and the man¡¯s presence was clearly a comfort to the woman as her breaths came more steadily. Still clearly shaky but it was a definite improvement from before. He whispered something to her and Isabell shook her head. This time with more strength. ¡°I-I can talk about it Terry.¡± She looked up at Danika with wide eyes, the fear that she¡¯d seen within them still there but mixed with a newfound determination. ¡°I was hiding. That was all I wanted to do, I wanted to hide and disappear. I didn¡¯t think they would find me but I saw¡­ I saw the biggest one of them kill a different monster. It was- Oh God it was horrible. It made it suffer before it died, and then it just¡­ tore it open. It bathed in its blood.¡± ¡°It-¡± Danika started as her mouth worked soundlessly. ¡°It what?¡± She said flatly. The compassion she carefully layered into her tone and voice faltering a moment upon hearing the information. ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth.¡± Isabell said with a small voice as Danika fought internally to reconcile that. The lofty mental image she¡¯d built up of the Big Guy fracturing slightly as she considered that the monster that saved her might have literally bathed in the blood of its enemies. ¡°I¡­ I believe you.¡± Danika said nodding as she buried her thoughts on the matter. She¡¯d heard bits and pieces about that from other survivors in the suburb at the time but she¡¯d just taken it as pure spin just for the sake of making the Big Guy seem even more menacing. That wasn¡¯t going to make it any easier to get others to accept the Big Guy as the nice monster she knew he was. Bathing in blood had that effect on people. Well uh¡­ we all have our vices? Danika thought as she kept her expression from shifting from calm and understanding to straight up concern. I¡¯ve got a thing for spending too much on expensive haircare products, he¡¯s got a thing for ripping monsters open to soak in their insides. I can fix that... Probably. Not like he has to worry about credit cards declining to help motivate him to stop being so bloodthirsty. Maybe he was just thirsty? Unaware of Danika¡¯s internal monologue Isabell kept going. ¡°I was practically frozen until I heard that first gunshot ring out.¡± She said as her voice filled with a bit more strength. ¡°I couldn¡¯t decide on what to do, where to go, or if there was anywhere safe for me to run. Then I heard the sirens of the police and¡­ I started running towards them¡­ and then¡­¡± ¡°It picked you u-¡± ¡°It nearly killed me.¡± Isabell said with a shudder as she tried to fight back a sob. ¡°I felt its claws wrap around me. The blood of the things it killed- I felt it soak into my clothes- Oh God!¡± Isabell finished with a whisper as she shut her eyes. ¡°Hey, hey!¡± Danika started as she reached out to grab Isabell¡¯s hand. The girl¡¯s cold fingers gripping hers with an almost painful tightness. ¡°It¡¯s alright. You¡¯re safe now. That¡¯s what matters right?¡± ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Isabell started as she sniffled. Nodding instead where words failed her. Danika nodded as she felt an opportunity to talk more openly about the Big Guy coming closer. A bead of sweat trailing down Danika¡¯s face the only sign of how intensely she was focusing on this conversation. Talking to people was a game of sorts. The only problem with that is that sometimes the game changed depending on who you were talking to. Sometimes the game was simple. Ask the right questions and recieve the right answers. Repeat until you find the story. That was how the game was played with people who weren¡¯t trying to play the game at all. But other times the game became complicated. When other people played the game, you had to read them more carefully. Analyze their tells, the gaps between what they were saying and what was asked, and you had to be careful they didn¡¯t trick you into accepting an answer that sounded right or one you wanted to hear. Getting people like that to give out meaningful information was an exercise in patience and guile. Isabell was a different case altogether. She wasn¡¯t playing the game at all, but one wrong word on Danika¡¯s part would push her to flip over the table. Danika didn¡¯t have the luxury of being able to ask direct questions like she could if she¡¯d had her microphone and could lean on her status as a reporter. Right now she was just a stranger among many to Isabell and while most people were willing to open up to strangers, they were just as opposed if not more so to allowing a stranger to dismiss their opinion on things so they could accept a new one. Isabell believed what she was saying and the only way you could get someone to change what they believed was by handling them with the utmost care. One wrong word and the story you wanted them to tell would slip away. Careful now. ¡°See.¡± Danika said as her mind whirred as it gauged both her words and expressions. Finding the right ones for the moment. Let her talk and get it all out. ¡°You¡¯re okay now. That¡¯s what matters most of all right?¡± She said giving Terry a reassuring smile. Pick apart the flaws in her story. .and you know what? I don¡¯t think I see a scratch on you.¡± Danika said warmly as her thoughts grew thick with tension as it checked off on the right things to say. Remind her she wasn¡¯t harmed. Get her thinking on that. ¡°Y-yeah. I guess your right.¡± Isabell said with a sigh as she looked at Danika with a small smile. Seeing a concerned stranger despite the predatory intent lurking under the surface of Danika¡¯s mind. Hunting for the right things to say to bring this girl to her side. That story- of her speaking up for the Big Guy would change everything. Millions of people had already seen a glimpse of this girl in the video they recorded, they¡¯d listen to her. It could make up for the damage she¡¯d done releasing footage that made the Big Guy look like a monster instead of the hero he really was. This one girl could change the way the entire world saw him. ¡°Thank God for small blessings right?¡± Isabell said shakily as her hand relaxed slightly in Danika¡¯s grip. A joke? That¡¯s a good sign. Danika thought methodically as she met that small spark of humor with a joke of her own. Hoping the bit of levity would help make what she really wanted to say hit home. The reporter¡¯s lips moving mechanically as the words she was focusing on getting right touched the air. ¡°Exactly. Plus think on the bright side.¡± She said with cheer. ¡°You know what that hole in your house means?¡± ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°Remodeling.¡± Danika said with a sing song voice and a knowing smile. There was a beat of silence that stretched in the air for a second. One where Danika could swear she felt Terry¡¯s confused frown like static building in the air and Mack¡¯s incredulous stare at the back of her head. Isabell broke the silence with a genuine bark of laughter. It was softer and more fragile than Danika would have liked but the smile on Isabell¡¯s face was a touch brighter than it was a moment before. ¡°I didn¡¯t even think of that!¡± She said lightly as she shook her head. Bringing her other hand over Danika¡¯s as she asked ¡°Do you think I can get a good enough claim with the insurance?¡± Steer her away from what made the hole. Danika¡¯s mind warned. ¡°Girl.¡± Danika said with a raised brow and a wry smile. ¡°Forget the insurance. The moment Uncle Sam decided to set up shop on your front door is the moment an extra zero got added onto what you¡¯re gonna make after today.¡± ¡°I-¡± Isabell started as a bit of warmth crept back into the pale skin of her face. ¡°I didn¡¯t think of that.¡± ¡°See I told you Izzie!¡± Terry said with a grin as he gently squeezed Isabell¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it seems. We¡¯re gonna get through this.¡± Danika swallowed a lump in her throat as she looked over the smiling couple, hoping that her next question sounded natural enough to not raise Isabell¡¯s guard over how badly she wanted to know what the woman knew. ¡°Is it okay if I ask you something Isabell?¡± Danika asked softly. Trying to add a note of embarrassed curiosity to her voice that was almost foreign to her. She needed to look like a normal person asking a deeper question, not a reporter probing for answers. ¡°Okay?¡± Isabell said after a moment. ¡°How did you manage to get away?¡± Danika asked openly. Even as her thoughts said something altogether different. Almost there. Danika thought cautiously. In a way, the answer to that question was one Danika didn¡¯t need to know. She knew why Isabell was alive. A slip of a girl like this would never have been able to outrun or escape one of the monsters Danika had seen. The only explanation was that the Big Guy had let her go, and even that wasn¡¯t the full truth. He¡¯d found a safe spot to put her down, away from the chaos of police cars and gunfire before heading back into the fray to keep them from finding her. But Danika couldn¡¯t just come out and say that. Isabell had to put a few pieces together herself before she¡¯d let Danika complete the puzzle for her. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know.¡± Isabell said. The fear that she¡¯d displayed earlier coming back in force as she flinched and closed her eyes hard. Only opening them after a quick breath in. ¡°And frankly, I don¡¯t care.¡± Isabell said with a quiver in her voice. The sound of it was still fragile but it felt jagged and sharp like a shard of glass. Danika¡¯s mind practically reeled as it was thrown off balance. The careful probing questions she wanted to ask falling apart as the girl shut her down. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about what happened.¡± Isabell said harshly. The words ringing with finality. ¡°Listen, Isabell.¡± Danika said as she felt the woman rip her hand away as Danika took several steps back, hands raised and palms spread in apology, though it looked more like she was trying not to spook a wild animal than apologize to a person. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to bring it up, I know its scary-¡± ¡°No you don¡¯t.¡± Isabell said with tears brimming in her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t know what those things were like.¡± ¡°Yes I do.¡± Danika said. The words almost getting caught by the knot in her throat as she spoke them. ¡°I¡¯ve seen those monsters before. I¡¯ve seen what they¡¯re capable of and¡­ God, I¡¯ve seen what happens when people can¡¯t run away from them fast enough. The blood, the gore, the pieces of people they leave behind. I- they almost killed me too.¡± Isabell¡¯s stormy expression scattered as she heard Danika speak. The slip of a girl standing and coming closer. Her gaze intense but hoping in a way they simply hadn¡¯t before. Like she¡¯d been drowning and suddenly found someone who could offer her a lifeline. ¡°You¡­ you really understand?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Danika said with a tired smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to go through that too. I really am. I wouldn¡¯t wish those monsters on anyone. But I made it out alive. Me and Mack both.¡± Danika said gesturing towards Mack. ¡°And Isabell¡­¡± Danika stepped closer to the woman and gently gripped her shoulders. ¡°You made it too. You¡¯re alive.¡± Something seemed to break in Isabell as she sagged where she stood. Tears streaming from her eyes in rivers as she let them flow without trying to hold them back. ¡°I was so scared.¡± Isabell said in a trembling whisper. ¡°I felt so small. Like I didn¡¯t have a chance. Like I wasn¡¯t going to make it.¡± ¡°I felt that too.¡± Danika said with a sad smile as she hugged Isabell and the woman hugged her back even tighter. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m still here.¡± Isabell tiredly. And the sound of it made Danika close her eyes as she braced herself. She would only have one shot at this, and this was the best chance she¡¯d ever get. ¡°I know why.¡± Danika said softly. ¡°Y-you do?¡± Isabell said. Drawing back in confusion to look at the stranger she¡¯d met. Danika met her gaze and nodded once. ¡°Yes. Both of us survived when we shouldn¡¯t have but we both survived for the same reason.¡± The question was so clear on Isabell¡¯s face that she didn¡¯t have to say a word as she shook her head. Not understanding but wanting to hear the answer. ¡°I was at a gas station when it was attacked by those monsters. They came all at once and I thought it was all over when they started clawing through the doors.¡± Danika explained. ¡°But one of those monsters that night was different. It didn¡¯t try to attack us. Even when it had the chance to, it attacked the other monsters and only the other monsters.¡± A flash of understanding lit up Isabell¡¯s eyes as she put together what Danika was talking about and she drew back with a shake of her head. ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Danika insisted as she squeezed the girl¡¯s shoulders a little tighter. ¡°That monster wasn¡¯t like the others. And it saved my life that night. Me and Mack¡¯s. The gas station we were in exploded but right before it did that monster grabbed us and shielded us from the blast with its own body. That monster you saw Isabell? Its the same one that saved me. It-¡± ¡°No.¡± Isabell said as she jerked back out of Danika¡¯s grip. Almost stumbling towards a confused looking Terry as he looked from Danika to Isabell like he wasn¡¯t sure what he was hearing. ¡°It wasn¡¯t trying to scare you Isabell. It was trying to save you when it grabbed you. Save you from the police it thought were a threat to you. The same way it saved me from the explosion that would have killed me and my camera guy.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not listening to this!¡± Isabell said as she walked away with her hands pressed to her head. Like she was trying to keep Danika¡¯s words from getting close. ¡°Izzie!¡± Terry called after his girlfriend as he turned towards Danika with a glare. ¡°What kinda fucking story is that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the truth.¡± Danika said fiercely as she made to go after Isabell. ¡°Please just give me a little more time to explain Isabell!¡± ¡°I think you talked to her enough.¡± Terry said as he stepped in front of Danika. An angry glare leveled at her when there had only been concern for Isabell moments before. ¡°You really think she¡¯s going to believe the monster that almost killed her was trying to help her? Are you fucked?¡± Turning to look over the maze of parked cars Terry started jogging towards the direction Isabell had moved towards as he called out her name. In the next moment Mack was right beside her as he looked worriedly from the retreating form of Isabell to Danika. ¡°D? Maybe we should just let her be for a bit?¡± ¡°She¡¯s the only person who can undue the damage we did with that video Mack.¡± Danika said with clear pain in her voice before it firmed with resolve. ¡°Come on!¡± Danika moved to a steady jog as she tried to determine the path Isabell had taken away from them. Eyes scanning every person she could see with something akin to desperation. They had to get Isabell to understand what the real story was. Who the Big Guy really was. She¡¯d only told her about the gas station, that clearly wasn¡¯t enough. I just need to tell her about the Circuit Breaker! Danika thought tensely as she dodged around groups of milling people and parked cars. The maps, the word he wrote into the ground, there¡¯s so much she still doesn¡¯t know! The memory of that morning resurfaced again. Its details too clear and almost too bright in her mind as she remembered the way the Big Guy had let her get close. The way he¡¯d looked at her despite the pain he was in. Danika¡¯s hands clenched as she remembered the feel of warm scales under her hand. The way that he¡¯d loomed over her without even trying but had shuddered under her hand as she talked to him. The way he¡¯d nodded as he understood what she was speaking to him. She hadn¡¯t explained any of that to Isabell and the need to tell her those things burned inside Danika like a roaring flame that stoked her hope higher and higher. She¡¯ll see then. She has to! Terry had clearly taken a wrong turn as Danika could clearly hear the man calling out for his girlfriend worriedly. She left him behind to wander in the wrong direction as she craned her neck to look above the crowd¡­ and finally saw what she was looking for. ¡°Isabell! Wait!¡± The girl must have increased her quick walk to a jog at some point because her shoulders were shaking from the effort of putting some distance between herself and Danika. They¡¯d moved out into first quarter of the wide open area around the freshly fortified entrance of Centennial Pines. The military making clear to all the eager news reporters and displaced homeowners that the space was to stay clear for their own trucks to move into the suburb without issue. That mean that there was a large amount of people milling about, some of whom turned to look at Danika to see what the commotion was. ¡°Isabell, there¡¯s more I haven¡¯t explained.¡± Danika said as she approached the girl breathing hard before her. ¡°Just give me a chance to tell you more about him alright? He¡¯s not trying to scare you or anyone. I know its hard to tell, but I¡¯ve seen him up close and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that he¡¯s good.¡± Danika walked the few steps towards the girl and seeing that the girl hadn¡¯t moved away felt bold enough to reach out and place her hand on the woman¡¯s shoulder. Too eager to talk to Isabell to notice the way she shuddered under her touch. Or the way her arms wrapped around herself too tight as her fingers dug painfully deep into her arms. Her fingernails breaking the skin in more than one place. ¡°I¡¯m trying to find him, to show the world that they¡¯re wrong about him. You can help change the way everyone sees him Isabell.¡± Danika said with genuine warmth in her tone. Tinged with the desperation to make things right and undo her own mistakes. ¡°Once we do that and we make sure he¡¯s okay, I think he might like to see you again!¡± Danika said with a small laugh. ¡°I get the feeling he¡¯s the type to care too much and he¡¯d probably want to make it up to yo-¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Danika was blindsided by the scream that tore out of Isabell as the girl grabbed her arm with both hands and wrenched her light grip on her shoulder like she was tearing herself free of a viper that had wrapped around her neck. Practically the entire clearing hushed in one big wave of silence as every nearby head turned to look at Danika and Isabell. ¡°Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!¡± Isabell continued to scream as she stomped the ground like a frightened mare and slashed her clawed hands through the air as she turned towards the wide eyed Danika with too wide eyes of her own. The girl looking like she was on the verge of a panic attack as she took light rapid breaths in and out. In that split second of shock, understanding came too fast and too late as Danika realized that approaching Isabell like this was the last thing she should have done. She tried to step forward and apologize but Isabell wasn¡¯t about to give Danika any more chances to speak. ¡°I don¡¯t ever want to talk about that fucking monster again! Never! Not for the rest of my life! And I don¡¯t ever want to see you ever again!¡± Isabell shouted as she backed away from the unmoving Danika like she was a wild animal. ¡°Isabell!¡± A voice shouted out with panicked concern. ¡°Terry!¡± Isabell said with frantic relief as she fell into her boyfriend¡¯s arms as he ran into her. The girl letting out a sob of anguish as she clutched at the man. ¡°She¡¯s crazy! She¡¯s completely crazy!¡± ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve done!¡± Terry shouted as he hugged Isabell tight. ¡°What did you do to her!¡± ¡°N-nothing.¡± Danika said as she raised her hands in surrender. Looking at Terry then past him towards the hard stares of the crowd. ¡°I was just talking to her I swear! I¡¯m a reporter with Channel Seven. I wouldn¡¯t-¡± ¡°Damn you to hell! You fucking people are all the same!¡± Terry said with a snarl of biting anger as he put Isabell behind his back. Stepping towards Danika with a pointed finger like he wanted to spear her through with it. ¡°Can¡¯t you see what she¡¯s been through today!? Don¡¯t you care at all that you¡¯re harassing a person to get a fucking story!¡± ¡°Please! I¡¯m so sorry. I never would have done anythi-¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done enough!¡± Terry said as he stepped forward and shoved Danika hard. The push was hard, fueled by anger and hatred. It was only by sheer luck and her own natural grace that she managed to turn a shove that would have sent most women sprawling into a frantic backpedal that kept her on her feet long enough for a someone to catch her before she fell. ¡°Hey!¡± Mack said with sudden heat as he glared at Terry before looking Danika over with a panicked worry. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°And you!¡± Terry said as he pointed at Mack accusingly as he stalked towards him with a vengeance. ¡°I thought you were trying to help! But you¡¯re just like that fucking snake! You got cameras on you don¡¯t you camera guy? Recorded everything just so you could make a quick buck!?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk to her like that.¡± Mack said with a quiet fury. His voice almost a mirror opposite to Terry¡¯s loud shouts as he stepped towards Terry with clenched fists. ¡°Fucking make me!¡± ¡°Mack! Don¡¯t!¡± Danika called out. Too late. Terry made the first move. Stepping in to deliver a haymaker into Mack¡¯s face that he barely managed to twist aside. The dodge more reflex than conscious thought as Mack brought his hands up in a loose guard. Missing an opportunity to hit Terry in his wide open side as the man turned around like a bull and swung again. Moving with well placed steps he delivered an uppercut that sent Mack¡¯s hat flying off his head. The man¡¯s eyes going wide as he backpedaled away from someone who clearly had more experience fighting than him. Terry¡¯s moves weren¡¯t overly graceful. If anything he was being sloppy with his wide swings in his anger. Plus it wasn¡¯t like the man was anything close to a black belt in terms of skill. But he¡¯d at least had some experience boxing in the gym or punching a bag. That immediately gave him the edge over Mack. In a real fight, any amount of fighting experience will give you an advantage against someone without any experience whatsoever. People were shouting from the crowd now. Some calling out for someone to call the police, others for calling over the guards posted by the entrance to the suburb, and a few voices started cheering Mack or Terry like they were exited to have something to watch. A few people rushed forward to try and end the fight before it got too rough, but they didn¡¯t move soon enough. Mack had put up a valiant effort fending off the blows of a more experienced opponent. But Terry had moved forward after his uppercut to throw uncoordinated, quick jabs. And those kinds of things just weren¡¯t things Mack had any experience defending against. He managed to block one with his arms by sheer luck, back step away from two more, but the next punch finally landed home. Without any proper defense Terry struck Mack hard with a jab to his face, the blow not as hard as it could have been but it was still more than enough to send Mack tipping back on unsteady legs before losing his balance and falling to the ground. ¡°Mack!¡± Danika shouted as she rushed forward. Fear and panic mixing together as she rushed towards her camera guy even as people from the crowd arrived to keep Terry from jumping on Mack while he was down. The man shouting obscenities even as he disappeared behind a wall of people. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°Fine. I¡¯m fine D.¡± Mack said with a groan as he propped himself up with one hand off the ground. The other feeling at his face with a wince. ¡°Looks like you got fucked up buttercup!¡± Said a too happy voice calling out to Mack somewhere in the crowd. ¡°Honestly, can¡¯t believe those reporters went and hounded that poor girl like that.¡± ¡°Got what he deserved I say.¡± ¡°Hope it¡¯ll knock some sense into the bastard.¡± ¡°Mr. Steal-Yo-Girl got fucking folded! Hah!¡± Danika glared around at the crowd that was doing a lot more to calm down and console Terry than do anything to help Mack get up from the ground. Mack grimaced at all the bad looks he was getting and Danika could feel more than a few glares thrown her way too. With a calming breath she bent down and picked up Mack¡¯s hat. Pushing down hard on the urge to lay into the crowd, Terry, and Isabell all at once for turning this entire situation violent. She tried not to think about the part she played in the situation as she held out Mack¡¯s hat with a worried frown. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡± ¡°I am now.¡± Mack said with a smile, wincing as he tugged at the rapidly forming bruise on his cheek. ¡°Nothing¡¯s really hurt except my ego.¡± ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get you some ice.¡± Danika said quickly as she helped Mack to his feet and the two of them took the quickest route away from the crowd. Wanting to put as much distance between them and everything that happened as possible. ¡°Well¡­ that could have gone better.¡± Danika said despondently as she munched on a french fry. The late afternoon sun hanging low as she and Mack licked their wounds. After Isabell¡¯s nuclear blowup at them in front everyone and the fight that ensued. Mack and Danika retreated to the safety of a less popular food truck that had set up on the outskirts of the suburb¡¯s quickly growing camp. Arriving too late to pick a prime spot for hungry customers and not serving anything people particularly wanted. The duo were slumped over a small plastic picnic table set up by their food truck of choice. Partly because of they were recovering from their failure to convince Isabell the Big Guy had tried to save her life and the fight with Terry, but mostly because one of the table legs was horrifically uneven. ¡°She could come around¡­ Eventually.¡± Mack said waving a fry slightly for emphasis. Two bags of chips open and next to his meal in case the burger-fry combo somehow failed to keep his hunger in check. Even all that extra unhealthy food didn¡¯t seem to help Mack¡¯s dour mood. ¡°I don¡¯t think we have the luxury of holding out for eventually Mack.¡± Danika said as she placed an arm on the table to lean her head into. Staring off into the distance at nothing in particular as she tried and failed to get her mind off the disastrous talk with Isabell. She ran the entire conversation through her head multiple times. Wishing she¡¯d said something different to get the girl to open up to them instead of shutting down the way she did. Danika let out a long sigh as she groaned in frustration before letting her head drop onto the table in defeat with a small thud. ¡°Damnit all.¡± Danika said despite her drooping hair muffling her words. ¡°What was that?¡± Danika rolled her head onto its side and blew the hair off her lips with a puff of air before responding. ¡°I blew it Mack. I blew it to fucking hell and back. That girl was our best chance to make everything right and I managed to give her PTSD towards the only nice monster on Earth. And sic her boxer boyfriend on you.¡± She said with a melancholy lilt to her voice. The despairing image Danika was trying to give off hampered somewhat by her hair covering her face like a death shroud. The table pressing against her cheek didn¡¯t help either. ¡°You can¡¯t give people PTSD, D. That¡¯s not how that works.¡± Mack said as he upended a bag of chips and its contents into his mouth like he had the munchies or like he no longer cared if others judged him. The former reporter adjusting the wet paper towel and its melted ice against his cheek with a sour expression aimed at the food truck they¡¯d ordered from. Who the hell makes people pay for ice and a paper towel after they¡¯ve been punched? ¡°You didn¡¯t blow anything either D. Except for your hair just now.¡± ¡°Bite me.¡± ¡°D. Find someone who shares your kink. I¡¯m not into that.¡± ¡°Kill me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not into that either.¡± ¡°Ugh.¡± Danika said as she raised her arms up onto the table to bury her head into. ¡°What are we doing here Mack?¡± Danika said with a sigh of blown hair. ¡°Sitting at a busted plastic table drowning our sorrows in lemonade and below average food.¡± ¡°Hey! I heard that!¡± Both Danika and Mack turned their heads towards the owner of the food truck they were sitting outside of, who was obviously trying to listen in on their conversation and stared at him until he scoffed at them and went back inside his truck. A few seconds later the volume on his radio cranked up a notch. Then several more notches as the air between the both of them filled with sound. ¡°Shake, shake, shake, Senora! Shake your body line. Shake, shake, shake, Senora-¡± ¡°Good taste in music.¡± Mack said half heartedly as he nodded his head slightly in approval. Danika nodded as well, though with her head on the table it looked like she was trying to scratch an itch without using her hands. ¡°Yeah, I really like this song.¡± ¡°Same.¡± A long beat of silence filled the air between the both them held for a moment before breaking. A heavy sigh left Danika¡¯s lungs as she reluctantly lifted her head off the table. ¡°What did I do wrong Mack?¡± She said softly. Her voice pained as she looked at her partner and winced at the dark bruise on his cheek. ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong D. You tried your best.¡± Mack said as he finally gave up on using the soggy paper towel to help his bruise. Tossing the thing onto his mostly empty plate with a flick of his wrist. ¡°It¡¯s just that sometimes, no matter how hard you try. Your best isn¡¯t good enough.¡± ¡°I¡­ I know that. I hate it. But I still know that.¡± Danika admitted. ¡°Is your face okay?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, looks worse than it is. That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°You still got punched because of me Mack.¡± Danika said softly. ¡°It¡¯s fine D. Really. Besides I didn¡¯t get punched.¡± Mack said with a dismissing wave of his hand. ¡°I just happened to catch a fist with my face today. That¡¯s completely different.¡± ¡°No its not. Don¡¯t try to make it sound less bad that it is Mack.¡± ¡°It is though.¡± ¡°And how are you gonna convince me of that?¡± Danika said looking at Mack with watery eyes. Not even trying to hide the pained emotion in her eyes even as she dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a sleeve. ¡°Because I took a hit for someone I care about.¡± Mack said with a casual shrug as he looked at Danika. The words making something in Danika¡¯s chest twist out of shape as Mack continued talking. ¡°That¡¯s what friends do. It stings and that sucks. But I¡¯ve got so much more to worry about I¡¯m not gonna spend any more time thinking about it than I need to.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Danika started. Flushing as she completed the sentence in her head. You did that for me? ¡°¡­ I¡¯m glad I have you as a camera guy.¡± Danika said as she covered her thoughts with extra thick curtains. Then stuffed them in a box. A black box, inside a slightly larger invisible box. ¡°Glad to be of service.¡± Mack said with a regal wave of his hands. ¡°But I think I should get paid extra for playing bodyguard.¡± The man said flatly. ¡°Always with the money. Okay, I¡¯ll try and renegotiate with Jameson to get a body guard bonus for you.¡± Danika said with a smile. ¡°And I¡¯ll even try and get you a little extra for reporting.¡± ¡°Ah, yeah.¡± Mack said with clear embarrassed as he fixed his hat. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m cut out for reporting D. Sorry.¡± ¡°Psh. It wasn¡¯t that bad.¡± ¡°I got punched in the face.¡± Mack said pointing to his cheek. ¡°Nobody ever punches the camera guy. Plus I think you should get hazard pay for having to work with flight risks like Terry and Isabell.¡± ¡°They¡­ they were just dealing with a lot.¡± Danika said frowning. ¡°I thought I was asking the right questions Mack but I messed up somewhere while talking to Isabell. If I¡¯d said anything else¡­¡± ¡°You serious?¡± Mack said with a raised brow. ¡°D seriously. You were amazing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not just saying that are you?¡± Danika asked. ¡°Of course not. D, listen. I didn¡¯t know the first thing I would have said to that girl. Not a clue, but you went right in and nearly got her to accept what really happened like it was nothing. You literally had her crying and hugging you before she completely flipped out.¡± ¡°But, what if I could have gotten her to open up to us more? What if I¡¯d just asked the right questions?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t linger on stuff like that D. Take it from me. The best thing you can do for yourself is not get stuck in the past. I think what we need now is to figure out where we go from here.¡± ¡°But we don¡¯t know how to find the Big Guy. We don¡¯t even know where to start.¡± Danika sighed as Mack nodded in agreement. ¡°I don¡¯t think we have to find him actually.¡± Mack said pondering as he put a hand to his chin. ¡°What if¡­ we don¡¯t look for him specifically. But for any other people he might have saved? You know how the Big Guy is D. There¡¯s got to be at least one if not more people out there he¡¯s saved monsters. Some of those people have got to be more like us than Isabell or Terry right? People who want to find out what really happened?¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Danika started as she felt a bit of hope return to her chest. It wasn¡¯t much, she didn¡¯t even know where to begin looking for people who¡¯d met the Big Guy and wanted to talk about it. It wasn¡¯t like they had a website or chat group to share stories. She literally had no leads whatsoever except a general direction the Big Guy had run off in. But when had that ever stopped her before? ¡°You know what Mack?¡± Danika said as she stood with a measure of her earlier energy. Looking at her camera guy with a smile. ¡°I think you just did the most important thing a reporter can do.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Ask the right questions.¡± Danika said beaming as she stepped away from the table and threw her plate away into the garbage can. ¡°It won¡¯t be easy, I doubt most people the Big Guy saves are the type to tell everyone they got saved by a big scaly monster. It would be nice if people did but that¡¯s not most people.¡± ¡°So what¡¯s the plan D?¡± Mack said with a smile. Uncaring of the bruise on his face as he waited for her answer. ¡°We find them.¡± Danika said meaningfully. ¡°And we tell their story.¡± A beat of silence followed between the two of them. The kind that felt purposeful and impactful. The kind that heralded the beginning of something great. Mack raised his hand as he broke that silence. ¡°Great idea. I can get onboard with that but ah, I still need a camera.¡± ¡°We can get a camera on the way.¡± Danika said nodding as she pointed off into the distance. ¡°To the rental!¡± ¡°Sure but, can we also find a motel or something to get some actual sleep too. I¡¯m about an hour away from keeling over to hibernate.¡± Danika¡¯s outstretched finger wavered a bit before drooping as she let her hand fall to her side. ¡°Yeah we need to do that. I didn¡¯t wanna say it but those espressos earlier are the only thing keeping me awake right now.¡± ¡°To the motel.¡± Danika said with much less enthusiasm than before, her tiredness slipping into her words as she and Mack shuffled off towards their rental car. ¡°Can we make sure the motel has a good breakfast too?¡± ¡°To the bed¡­ and breakfast.¡± Danika sighed as she finally let her shoulders slump. Pulling out her phone with an effort of will. ¡°Let me get the GPS going and see what¡¯s nearby.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll drive.¡± Mack said casually. ¡°You are not driving! I want to arrive to our destination safely. Not drift into the parking lot at 60 miles per hour.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a safe driver.¡± Mack protested. ¡°I don¡¯t remember feeling safe on the drive to Centennial Pines.¡± ¡°That was different and you know it. Besides we got here safely didn¡¯t we. Do you really wanna get the motel, or do you really wanna get to the motel?¡± Mack said as he looked pointedly at Danika from the passenger side of the rental. Standing outside the door and staring as Danika glowered at him for a long moment. She threw him the keys. ¡°Thank you D.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re driving kills me I¡¯m haunting you.¡± ¡°Ghosts don¡¯t haunt other ghosts D. That¡¯s not how that works.¡± Mack said with an easy smile as he got into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Just shut up and drive.¡±