Chapter 8
Under Foot
May 5th, 2048, 12:01 A.M.
-33.34 Lat, -71.22 Long
Chile, South America
Dan Krieger sped through the ravaged terrain of a seaside village in the G.W.G. land/sea conversion vehicle known as the “pod,” named for its oval shape and streamlined design. The vehicle was developed by one of Hansen’s tech companies and currently only in use by members of Krieger’s team.
The pod, remarkable for its ability to convert on the fly from a durable, lightweight personal submarine to an all-terrain land speeder, was capable of high speeds and precision handling in both modes. Also aboard the craft was a miniaturized version of every piece of monitoring equipment utilized by the crew on board The Ghost.
In land speeder mode, the pod resembled a hybrid of motorbike and dune buggy. Krieger was strapped in securely to the fighter jet-styled cockpit, the large, clear hatch providing the driver with a clear line of vision while data screens scrolled along its base with relevant terrain information.
Looming ahead of Krieger was the titanic struggle of the two Gargantua, the earth shaking near-constant as the beasts traded blow after blow from razor-sharp claws and row after row of savage teeth.
As Dan pushed the technological marvel to its limits, he came closer and closer to ground zero of the event. Cameras fixed on the pod’s exterior automatically detected the serpent’s biosignature and began relaying all relevant data. But, even with all of the technology at the G.W.G.’s disposal, there was no real substitute for concrete samples. Every creature, terrestrial or other, was composed of DNA and retrieving it was vital to the mission.
To obtain a physical sample from a rampaging monster, Krieger himself had helped develop a method that he and his team used to great effect. Each pod carried with it a high-powered launcher that shot an eight-foot hypodermic needle housed inside a titanium capsule. Once the needle pierced the creature, DNA analysis was performed autonomously inside the capsule and the results uploaded by satellite network.
The strike more than likely didn’t even register with the giant creatures’ pain receptors, but the data relayed told the G.W.G. as much as they could possibly know about a Gargantua. Their DNA often acted as a cipher to unlock a creature’s weaknesses.
Approaching from Durontus’ right rear, Dan had a plain view of the damage wrought by the unknown’s energy blast. From his estimate, nearly sixty percent of the serpent’s flank was covered in deep, penetrating burns. The edges of the wounds were black with burned flesh, charred and curling. Closer to the center, patches of dark red and white shown through, an indicator of exposed muscle and deep tissue.
He had been in enough combat to know third degree burns by sight.
Krieger’s pod climbed along a high, rocky ridge, spitting dirt and gravel from under its heavy, all-terrain tires. The ridge ran parallel to where the monsters were squaring off and was the closest Dan could maneuver the pod without getting smashed by the stomp of enraged colossi.
The veteran Special Forces officer skidded the pod to a halt at somewhere near five-hundred yards out from Durontus’ injured side. He clicked off the heavy safety buckle and popped open the vehicle’s hatch. Springing out of the craft, he opened a panel on the exterior that contained the needle delivery system.
He grabbed the collapsible tripod first and set it up on the lip of the ridge, then ran back to grab the high-powered propulsion rifle and a needle canister. He secured the rifle to the tripod and loaded the canister round. A camera on the rifle calculated the trajectory and Dan took aim.
“Krieger here, ready to fire needle monitor number one.”
“We’re ready to receive the uplink, fire when ready,” came Hansen’s voice over the pod’s intercom.
Aligning his iron sights with the estimated line of trajectory, Dan squeezed the mounted rifle’s trigger, sending the needle capsule hurtling towards Durontus’ flank with enough force to puncture the primal serpent’s heavy layer of skin.
Still peering through the rifle’s scope, Dan watched the successful shot as the needle sunk deep into its target area.
“Nice shot, we’re transmitting data now,” came Hansen’s confirmation.
Krieger hurried back to his pod, checking on the status of his other team members. He clicked his main monitor over to a topographical map that followed the other three pods in real-time. Everyone seemed to be safe and in position.
“Beta squad, prepare to fire,” Krieger commanded.
Just as he gave his team the go ahead, the ground shook with the greatest tremor yet as Durontus stumbled backwards, reeling from a powerful charge by the unknown Gargantua. The serpent collapsed in a heap in the sandy shallows, a deluge of seawater and mud splashing into the air.
“We have no uplink, Dan,” came Hansen’s voice.
“Beta, what’s the status of your shot?”
“Negative, sir, we missed,” came the report.
“Well, we need to do something,” said Hansen over intercom. “Durontus’ vitals are much worse than we thought. He’s getting bested out there.”
Dan watched from his perch as the invader loomed over the prostrate form of Durontus. The unknown looked to be readying a killing blow, but just as it was to land, the giant serpent whipped its massive tail around the legs of the dragon creature and continued to coil around his enemy with his bigger, longer body and neck.
Then, similar to the crocodile death roll, Durontus tumbled his tightly coiled body towards the surf with his enemy ensnared, unable to free itself. Krieger stared in wonder as the serpent and his prisoner disappeared slowly beneath the ocean waves.