Cthulhu from Yuggoth

by Maximoff 3000

  "Capt., it's going to ram us!"

  Capt. Taft frantically grabbed for an intercom resting in it's holster. In a moment of surprise, his grip jitters dropping the communication device. It dangles from a black cord after ricocheting off a coffee mug. Capt. Taft drops in desperation to intercept the device. He depresses the activation knob as the receptor mashes his lips, "Engage! Engage! ENGAGE!"

  Chapter 35:

  Great Orme's Head, UK

  "Commodore Davison?"

  "Yes, Professor Curlis?"

  "Yes, and this is Father Hibbert."

  "Hi, good to meet you."

  "Well, I'm told you have something for me."

  "Yes sir, right over here."

  "Wow, so this is the weapon. I have to say, I've never seen anything like it before. How did you come up with such an unusual design."

  "It came from a book we believe was written by the very creatures we are at war with."

  "You know how to work it?"

  "Yes, it will need to be dropped like a bomb."

  "Really?... Well we could load it up in an Osprey. Would that work?"

  "Yes, I think so."

  "Good." Commodore Davison turned toward a group of crewmen awaiting instruction, "Alright guys, load 'er up." Addressing Professor Curlis once more, Commodore Davison asked, "And will a couple of your engineers be coming along as well? In case we have difficulties."

  "Just me, Father Hibbert, and his nephew, Danny. He's over there."

  "The child?"

  "Yes."

  "Why do we need to bring a child?"

  "He's the only one who can read the book."

  "The alien book?"

  "Yes."

  "Alright then, just go ahead and get anything you need loaded up. We need to be heading out A.S.A.P! I hear it's getting pretty nasty in Brazil."

  Chapter 36:

  Off the coast of Rio de Janeiro

  "Good Lord!", Capt. Taft shrieks as the shadow of a leviathan engulfs the entirety of his ship. He's frozen in terror. He must devise a plan of action, but the sight is so beyond his understanding, he can't help pondering a moment; "As the colossus emerges, it is like I face an entire city, alive as one being. The abdomen retracts, and with it the openings to hundreds of caverns inhabited by alien families not so different from our own. The skin is alive with movement as parasites interweave through patches of moss collected upon a hide like petrified wood. Looking up, the sun burns my eyes but I don't look away, for the face of such a creature I must see. Dangling from what may appear to be a sort of toothed structure similar to that of a Baleen Whale, is a myriad of decaying sea life being devoured by a flock of bat-like scavengers. Overlaying the mouth is a tendril covered sheath that acts as a mane does on a horse, whipping at the bothersome. Slightly higher, a pair of pitch black spheres rotate carefully observing the plane. Suddenly, I realize our sights have collided. As I observe him, he does me. And a voice speaks in my mind, not so different than my conscience. It is a voice deep and old. It tells of a time before time and lands never seen. And I know it is his voice, the voice of the Great One.

  "Let's get some birds in the air!", someone shouts.

  The monster's sight follows the movement of tiny insect-like pests as they rise from the surface of a bobbing vessel and buzz through the sky.

  "Hit 'em with everything we got!"

  Artillery blankets the gargantuan beast. An eyelid whips shut swiftly as a rocket-propelled needle pricks an orb.

  Chapter 37:

  HMS Queen Elizabeth

  "Yes sir.......... Yes sir............. Understood......... We are headed that way as fast as we can go............." Click

  "Anything new?"

  "General Hurst says FDR is really taking a beating. They don't know how much longer they can hold out. They sent in some pictures. He says it looks like some type of massive sea creature. He could hardly even explain it, like a mass of living rock."

  "I sure hope this works."

  "Yeah me too."

  ".......... Hm............."

  "Commodore Davison do you have a copy?"

  "Yeah, go ahead."

  "I think there's something up ahead."

  "Can you tell what it is?"

  "Could be a small boat. I think I can see movement."

  "O.K., we'll take a quick look."

  "Copy that."

  Chapter 38:

  Off coast of Brazil

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Endless rounds of ammunition pound fruitlessly against the hardened hide of a freshly awakened creature. It towers like an infant over toy boats in a bath tub. Warships have traveled from around the globe to battle the beast. Waves of F-16s pelt the pestilence high and low in an effort to locate a weak spot. The creature writhes it's tentacles through the sky catching the wing

  of a passing jet. One swipe is all it takes to bring down the muti-million dollar piece of military equipment.

  "Focus on the eyes!", a commander cries in desperation.

  With so many alien appendages whipping across the sky and a swarm of planes buzzing about like flies to a carcass, it's difficult to coordinate such an onslaught. That soon becomes obvious as distances are miscalculated. Capt. Taft quickly notices the fatal error, but in the chaos of battle, he is too late.

  "Noooo!"

  Fighting the abomination head-on, the FDR was well out of range from the creature, but as the beast turned away, another weapon is revealed. A grotesque pincer extends from the backside. It hovers momentarily in the air before being brought down, crashing into the hull of the FDR. Screams echo across the water as the vessel fills with liquid. In moments, the craft is swallowed up by the waves.

  Chapter 39:

  HMS Queen Elizabeth

  "Help! Please! Don't leave us!"

  As a small motorized raft nears the port of a decrepit sailing vessel, crewmen from the Queen Elizabeth skeptically observe two frantic minors on the deck.

  "You think they're infected?"

  "Doesn't look like it. Just very famished."

  ..... "Hey Cap, they don't appear to be infected. We'll bring 'em in....."

  "Copy."

  "Please help us!"

  "O.K., we're coming to get you. Just stay put a moment."

  As the raft came closer, the young couple began trying to cross over instantly.

  "Slow down. Slow down. It's alright."

  Assisting the two starving pedestrians, the rescuers gave each of them a blanket as they sat down.

  "I'm Officer Bilsen, this is Officer Wells."

  "Tim."

  "Trish."

  "How long have you been out here?"

  "Don't know, maybe a week", Tim said with his head down.

  The raft was now speeding back toward the Queen Elizabeth.

  "Well, we have plenty of food and clean clothes. And a doctor will have a look at you once you're cleaned up."

  Soon the rescue raft pulls up to the much larger Queen Elizabeth, fitting into a harness that raises it to the main deck.

  "Hi, I'm Commodore Davison. Welcome aboard." Commodore Davison extends a hand as a greeting.

  "Tim."

  "Trish."

  "Come on. Let's go get you cleaned up", Commodore Davison says while leading Tim and Trish to a cabin stocked with clean linens. "After you get changed, I'm sure you'll want something to eat."

  "Yes, we're starved!"

  Tim and Trish quickly changed and were then led to the mess-hall. Once there, they each began a series of gorgings followed by return trips to the chow line and then stuffing their faces again. Commodore Davison sat opposite Tim and Trish, sipping a cup of coffee.

  "So how did you end up out here?"

  "We just planned on going out on the water for an hour or so", Tim's voice a tad shaky. "We got lost. Ended up on some little island. Our friend went crazy or something. He killed another guy that was with us and did, like, some voodoo ritual then killed himself. And then, like, there was a hole in the ground and
stuff was coming out of it. It was crazy."

  "You say stuff was coming out of the ground. What

  kind of stuff?"

  "I don't even know. It was liquid like oil, but it floated up in the air."

  "Really............ I wonder if I should take you to speak with Professor Curlis."

  "Who's that?"

  "I'll explain on the way. For now you just go ahead and finish your meal."

  Chapter 40:

  Off the coast of Brazil

  A fleet of warships led by the fearless HMS Daring, round the southern flank of the titanic monster, dropping a mesh of depth charges. As the last of the mines are released, a wave of explosive artillery is fired from the quickly retreating vessels. The shells painfully pelt the backside of the beast. The sudden strike angers the giant as it turns swiftly in apprehension of it's attackers. As it advances, one of the sea creature's lower extremities comes in contact with a mine, setting off a series of explosions. The leviathan is thrown off

  balance, falling awkwardly into the ocean. A mist hangs in the air momentarily before returning to the waves. Silence fills the air, but only for a second as the ancient titan bursts from the depths, grasping the USS Port Royal in one talon and the Sao Paulo in another. A deafening wail reverberates across the battlefield as the giant raises the two ships above his head. Then, enraged, it hurls them toward the other fleets. One catches the back-end of a Hornet formation before disappearing hastily into the depths of the Atlantic, while the other collides violently with the USS Independence in a fiery explosion.

  Chapter 41:

  HMS Queen Elizabeth

  Father Hibbert sat back pondering as Professor Curlis and Commodore Davison discussed the situation at hand with the new arrivals.

  "So you really think this is all connected?"

  "It's hard to imagine, but I think so."

  "That would mean this thing is a lot bigger than we realized."

  "If this works though, it will be a great advancement for our side......"

  "Commodore Davison, do you have a copy?"

  "Yes, go ahead."

  "We are currently sixty minutes from the hotzone."

  "O.K., thank you for the update." Commodore Davison turned toward his guests. "Well, it looks like we're going to have to cut this short. By the way, I don't want any civilians on board when we reach the war zone. Tim and Trish, I want you two on the plane with Professor Curlis and Father Hibbert. After they drop the bomb they're high-tailing it over to Salvador. I've spoken with my authorities and they say it's safe over there. They'll be expecting you."

  Father Hibbert looked at Tim and Trish, "You two ever been in a plane?"

  "No", Tim shaking his head.

  "Just once", Trish said quietly.

  "Well, I'll take you over to the hangar."

  *****

  As the ship progressed, soon a gargantuan beast was in view. The entire ship came alive with excitement. Crewmen zipped around like ants loading

  guns and checking engines while Tim, Trish, and Danny sat terrified, strapped into the cargo hold of an Osprey.

  Chapter 42:

  CV-22 Osprey

  "Ready to deploy!", a voice announced over the intercom. A group of militants grasped the large alien explosive inching it toward the edge of the cargo bay. One man raised his voice over the gusting wind, "Three..... Two..... One..... Go!" With that, the bomb soared through the air. As it glided, everyone watched in wonderment to see the result. But only a sigh was heard as nothing more than a large splash was produced by the device. It floated there idly near the foot of the infuriated abomination.

  "Well, what now?" Everyone turned to look at Danny.

  "Uh, I thought that was it."

  "Are you sure? I mean shouldn't there be a way to turn it on?"

  "I.. I don't know. I didn't notice anything about that."

  "Well, come on, look again. There has to be something."

  "O.K., just give me a minute. It's hard to understand sometimes."

  Everyone watched intensely as Danny read.

  "Uhm... O.K., I think there is, like, a kind of footnote here at the bottom."

  "What does it say?........"

  Danny stared silently a moment. He made a somewhat disgusted face.

  "Well? Anything?"

  "It says. The only way to open the portal is with the sacrifice of one, pure of sin, completely innocent."

  "What? There's got to be another way. We don't have anything like that."

  Everyone got quiet. Heads turned exchanging glances. Suddenly a timid voice broke the silence. "I'll do it", Trish said.

  Tim looked at her, "You? You're not....."

  "No. Not me, my.... Our baby."

  "What do mean, our baby?"

  "I'm pregnant."

  Tim's face was like a deer in headlights, "You're pregnant, but how?"

  "Tim you know we've......."

  "Yeah, but I thought you went to the doctor and got it taken care of."

  "I did go to the doctor. But I never...... I couldn't."

  "But. I don't understand. How?"

  "I'll jump."

  "But Trish, you can't do that."

  "There's no other option. I'm doing this."

  Tim put his arm around the mother of his child, "Trish please.."

  "Tim, it's alright. This is my chance to do something that matters. Something great."

  "But Trish...."

  "Just do one thing for me O.K."

  "O.K."

  "Just promise you won't forget about me and your daughter when this is all over."

  "Daughter? But how?"

  "Trust me, I know."

  "O.K... I promise."

  Father Hibbert hugged Trish, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

  "Yes, I am."

  "Best of luck to you then. I'll be pray'n for you."

  The large plane turned sharply, passing over the battle zone once again. One of the military personnel approached Trish.

  "Well, if you're going to do it, now's the time."

  After speaking, the man put his head down walking away. Trish walked to the end of the bay, looking over the edge. Just before she left the surface, she turned to look at Tim, "By the way, her name is Rose......"

  Chapter 43:

  Inter-dimensional Research and Development Headquarters

  "That was fifteen years ago, the day Trish jumped..... Many lives were lost, two million, three hundred four thousand, eight hundred twenty-three to be exact. That's counting Rose..... But much was learned as well, when the dimensional rift opened engulfing the leviathan. We realized using the knowledge of the ancient texts, we could defeat the creatures. We began studying the texts more in-depth, constructing devices never imagined by man. Inter-dimensional crafts, revolutionary communications and tracking systems, and most importantly, weapons. And finally the day has come, today we launch our very first inter-dimensional strike. I, Admiral Timothy Redd, Commander Daniel Helms, and logistics expert Lieutenant Darius Eckles will attempt to cross into the alien world and destroy them....."

  "Rose one one one...." "Ready edy edy...."

  "Oh, that's our cue."

  ..............

  "Admiral Redd ready?"

  "Ready!"

  "Commander Helms ready?"

  "Ready!"

  "Lieutenant Eckles ready?"

  "Ready!"

  "Let's go blast some alien ass!"

  "Set to launch in...... 5..... 4..... 3..... 2..... 1......"

  Sick

  "Why, hello there! How are you doing today?", Rev. Burrows greeted the Simons family as they approached the church. "Oh, we're doing fine thank you", Mr. Simons responded, "And yourself?" "It's a wonderful day! All is good!", Reverend cheerfully said, "And where is the lovely Jane this fine morning?" Mrs. Simons with a concerned look on her face, "I think she may have come down with something. I had her stay in bed today." "Well, tell her I'll be praying for a quick recovery", Rev. Burrows said patting her shoulde
r as they walked into the church.

  *****

  Knock, knock...."Why, hello Donald! Good to see you", Mrs. Burrows answering the door, "What brings you by?" "Well, I heard Jane hasn't been feeling well for some time now. I just thought I might stop by for a visit", Donald genuinely concerned, "Has she gotten any better?" "Afraid not. If anything she's gotten worse." "Would you mind if I prayed with her? I just hate to hear of such a sweet girl going through something like this", Mr. Tattle entering. "That would

  be fine! The more prayer the better I say!", leading her neighbor down the hallway”, Just don’t mind anything she says though, she is delirious.” “I understand completely Mrs. Simons.”

  *****

  “Charles! I just don’t know what other option we have! She is only getting worse! And some of the neighbors are starting to give me strange looks!”, Mrs. Simons arguing with her husband. “I really think it will pass if we just give it a little more time!”, Mr. Simons defending his daughter. “Just let Pastor Burrows take a look”, Mrs. Simons continuing, “Maybe he can help!” “I just don’t think it’s best!”, Charles insisted, “Let me go check on her, maybe her state has improved a little!”

  The next day while Charles was at work Mrs. Simons just couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted to respect her husband’s wishes, but it seemed hopeless and she was only getting worse, “Reverend, I’m sure you’ve heard about Jane’s condition by now, would you please come by and take a look? See if there’s anything you can do?” “Yes Ma'am, I’ll come by this afternoon!”, Rev. Burrows said before hanging up the phone.