Roar of Thunder

A shrill screech ripped through the night, silencing the murmuring of cicadas and the hoots of owls. It reverberated in the humid air, sending a tingle up Ravi’s spine. He bolted out of bed, tossed aside the sweat drenched covers and stumbled toward the window, peering out. 

Glowing crablike crustaceans scuttled over the beach, their pincers snapping and ripping chunks of flesh from a larger animal sprawled across the ground. Its scales glittered in the shafts of moonlight filtering through the palm trees, gouts of fluorescent blue blood spurting out every time a pincer tore into its flesh.

Adrenaline pumping through him, Ravi glanced at the phone on the table beside his bed. Time to call the army. They’d get rid of these crablike critters and whatever it was that they were attacking. The kaiju had been designated as a threat to humanity ever since they’d risen out of the sea and destroyed army units dispatched to kill them.

The creature’s moan dwindled to a throaty gasp and Ravi’s chest clenched. Nope, he couldn’t do that. Hell, he’d been a vet once. A living sentient creature was in pain, and he had to do something about it.

Striding back to his bed, he grabbed the rifle lying against the wall. Cradling it under his arm, he dug under the bed. Ravi’s fingers closed on the battered handle of his first-aid box and he yanked it out. His legs quivering, he swung open the door and strode out. Grains of sand rubbed against the bare soles of his feet. 

Alarmed hisses echoed in Ravi’s ears and the crabs swerved around to face him. Their pincers shot up and clacked open. Each of them was the size of a large dog, more than capable of turning him into sliced meat. Myriad stalk eyes glowered at Ravi, the mandibles of the creatures clicking in a warning. They’d kill him to keep their dinner.  

His tongue glued to the roof of his parched mouth, Ravi raised his rife and squeezed the trigger. The rattle of automatic fire clattered against the palm trees, followed by the sharp crack of chitin exploding. Green blood erupting from the holes punched into their shells, the crabs scuttled into the surf, yielding their prey.   

Ravi turned his gaze toward the wounded creature he had just saved. His eyes roamed over its massive form, taking in the bleeding wounds gouged into its hide. Grunting, the beast raised its snout to meet his stare, its yellow orbs reflecting moonlight. It reminded him of a tyrannosaurus with its broad, lizard-like snout and long, muscular tail. But its forelimbs were robust and sturdy, the two fingered appendages ending in curved claws.

He hunched over the beast and flipped open the first-aid box, fishing out a bottle of antiseptic and an enormous roll of surgical thread. Soaking the gaping wound slashed into the creature’s side with the contents of the bottle, he dabbed away the oozing blue blood with a bandage roll and then proceeded to stitch up the injury, his fingers flying with practiced ease. One injury and then another. Time flew by in minutes of frenzied activity as his eyes and fingers probed for any cuts or sores he might have missed.

Steaming breath bathed Ravi like a blast from a furnace and beads of sweat broke out on his cheeks. A lump nestled in the pit of his stomach. Had he done the right thing tonight? He hadn’t just broken the law in a way that would land him for at least fifty years in prison but perhaps saved an animal that had the potential to cause immense destruction in the years to come.

Ravi raised his head and met the creature’s stare, immense twin pools of shining yellow rooting him to the ground with their almost hypnotic gaze. The kaiju’s orbs were luminous, and a low reverberation rolled through it, almost like a purr. A gentle warmth radiated through his chest. Something told him this beast was still young, unacquainted with humans and the ruthlessness that they could be capable of.      

An explosive huff of air streamed out from the beast’s nostrils, thundering through the humid air like a gunshot and the creature rose up, its legs unfolding like gigantic scaly pillars. Ravi sprang back and his eyes raced across the creature’s flanks. Its scales rippled, the lacerated tissue knitting itself together and discharging sutures.  

The palm trees swayed from the reverberations rolling across the beach from the creature’s footsteps as it stomped into the pounding surf. With powerful thrusts of its tail, the beast steered itself into the ocean, flickers of moonlight glittering against the bony ridge of a sail sprouting from its back.

Ravi watched it disappear into the night, a knot of tension swelling inside his forehead.. He’d moved to this lonely island the year before, desperate to get away from the hectic craziness of the city. But this island wasn’t isolated enough to protect the creature he’d seen tonight. Scientists would be clamoring to get their hands on it and dissect it. To them the kaiju were either a threat to be neutralized or a storehouse of resources to be studied, not conscious beings capable of feeling fear or pain. I’m going to name you Thunder. Seems appropriate. Now how the hell am I going to save you?  

                                          ***

Another week passed before Ravi set eyes on Thunder again. It happened on a lazy evening when he was out in the shallows, perched at the stern of his boat. The rays of the setting sun stained the surface of the sea crimson and a keening breeze whipped over the water, sending blue flecked-spray hurtling through the sky. Ravi drank in the sight before returning his attention to the line he’d cast. The skeletal remains of bleached coral reefs stared back at him from the bottom of the sea, the gaping crevices where sea anemones had once nestled, gawking with the empty stare of dead skulls.

He let out a sigh. Rampant pollution and overfishing had wrecked the ecosystem of the local shoreline. It was doubtful he’d catch anything worth bragging about in these dead waters, but it was a good way of winding down before heading to bed. 

Streamlined shapes zipped through the green water, their scales glinting in the sunlight like polished steel. Several large fish swam toward the surface, heading for the deeper waters. Ravi’s brows snagged back. He stared at them, his lips pursed. Yep, there was no mistaking the streamlined shapes of the halibut wheeling around his boat. The fish were back! But why?

In the foreground, spumes of froth lashed the water like the beginning of a whirlpool, catching Ravi’s attention. His breath froze in his throat when a gargantuan bony ridge emerged from the water like the sail of a spectral pirate ship, casting a shadow so vast that it blotted out the dying sunlight.   Thunder! You’re back!

Azure-tinged foam slid down Thunder’s snout as he raised his head and opened his mouth to reveal a gleaming array of spiked teeth, each of them as large as a man’s forearm. Submerging his head beneath the rolling breakers, Thunder raised it again and vermilion light glistened against the scales of wriggling fish attempting to slither out of his jaws.  

Ravi’s heart swelled inside his chest, and he peered over the gunwale, his jaw dangling open. Impossible! Where’d all the fish come from? He had to be imagining this. Unless the kaiju’s arrival had somehow replenished fish stocks. But how?  

Thick pearlescent slime oozed down Thunder’s flank, forming a heavy slick on the surface. A powerful stench reminiscent of rotting fish and brine drifted toward Ravi and his nose twitched. The water around the young kaiju began to seethe, multitudes of krill gathering in a frenzied swarm, their minuscule mouth-parts greedily snatching at the mysterious fluid seeping from Thunder’s pores. Jaws agape, halibut and other large fish rushed at the tiny crustaceans, joining the feeding frenzy of pincers and scales whirling around Thunder’s titanic form.     

Realization clicked into place with an almost audible snap and Ravi’s pulse raced. Of course! The kaiju’s body was pumping out a dense nutrient secretion to feed tiny animals like krill that formed the foundation of the ocean’s food chain. With such plentiful prey to feast on, the fish had come back, providing Thunder with a reliable food source of his own.

Ravi’s chest heaved, wild, breathless laughter ripping out of his straining lungs. Finally, nature was fixing the mess humans had inflicted on the planet. Scooting back to the rear of the boat, he ignited the engine and zipped toward Thunder.     

With a throaty growl, the boat cut through the oily slick that still clung to the foaming breakers. Reaching into his rucksack, Ravi retrieved a bottle filled with water and emptied it. Then, dipping it into the sea, he scooped up some of the viscous fluid. It shimmered, taking on a glowing sheen under the lingering sunlight.

Thunder’s enormous eyes swooped upon Ravi and the muscles in his back stiffened. His shoulders quivering, he tilted his head up to see his reflection in the pupils of the kaiju.

The kaiju let its gaze linger on him for one long moment and then turned away, the sweep of its tail unleashing a wave that buffeted the boat and almost sent Ravi overboard. 

Clutching the gunwales with his fingers, Ravi cast a lingering glance at Thunder’s retreating form as the kaiju disappeared beneath the sea. He ran a hand through his soaked hair. Sure, he didn’t have the equipment to test the sample he’d taken from Thunder, but he knew someone else who did. A retired colleague living on the mainland who worked at the National Fisheries Department. Just a twenty-minute trip by carrier drone.

Back at his house, after he’d had a shower, Ravi set about drafting the email to Dr. Hoffman, his old friend. He rubbed his eyes and squinted at the screen of his laptop, running through what he’d just dashed off.

Ravi: Hey Roger, I found something interesting and need you to do a full chemical analysis on it. Look specifically for any nutrients, the sort of thing that can boost plankton and other micro-faunal growth. Hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks.

Ravi slouched back in his seat, his ears buzzing. If Roger tested these samples and presented his findings to the government, they’d understand why Thunder should be allowed to live.      

Turning away from the laptop, he reached for the carrier drone stowed at the back of his desk and switched on the keypad affixed to its nose. Its surface lit up with a subdued orange glow and Ravi punched in the coordinates for Roger’s address before proceeding to stuff the bottle containing the sample collected from Thunder’s secretions into a small box. He wedged it securely in the cargo holder attached to the drone’s belly. Kicking back his chair, Ravi yanked his bedside window open, his gaze tracking the drone’s jerky flight as it winged its way into the night.

The next morning, Ravi got into the boat and headed away from the shoreline, scanning the placid water for any sign of a gigantic sail cleaving the shimmering waves. His arms tightened when the roar of an outboard engine shattered the silence. Twisting to the side, Ravi leaned forward and his eyes landed on another boat heading toward him. Recognition was immediate. He’d seen it before, the gleaming white speedboat with a distinctive pair of eyes painted on its bow. He’d assumed it must have been another bored retiree looking for a new fishing spot.

But when it was slicing through the cresting waves now, bearing down on him with deliberate intent, he found it impossible to shake off the suspicion that the military had been spying on him. His hand strayed toward the knife strapped to his belt. 

‘‘Relax.’’ An elderly man in a stained vest grinned at him, his cloudy blue eyes twinkling. ‘‘I know what you’re thinking but you don’t have to be afraid.’’

‘‘Are you from the military? Or the governor’s department?’’ Ravi stared at the intruder, his voice hard. 

‘‘Hell, no. I’m just an angler like yourself. A retired scientist with a degree in environmental science. My name is David.’’ The stranger twirled a finger around his snow-white beard. ‘‘Do you know why I’m here?’’ 

Ravi’s limbs tensed. ‘‘You’re going to hand me over to the military!’’

‘‘Absolutely not.’’ David shook his head. ‘‘I believe that the kaiju deserves to live.’’

‘‘So, why are you here then?’’

David’ s expression turned stony. ‘‘You know he isn’t safe here. It’s only a matter of time before someone finds out.’’               

Ravi looked David in the eye. ‘‘I sent some samples to my friend on the mainland. Once he’s proven to his superiors that Thunder can fix a damaged ecosystem, the military will leave him alone. Humanity needs him to fix what we’ve done.’’

David’s cheeks turned crimson, his eyes bulging. ‘‘You’ve put the creature in danger! They’ll be sending a patrol tonight to kill or capture it!’’ 

Ravi glared back at the man, his brow scrunching into a scowl. ‘‘I believe that our government is rational enough to do the right thing.’’

‘‘You naïve idiot!’’ David snapped. ‘‘The best place for this creature is a sanctuary that we’ve established off the coast of Mexico. I’ll be sending my crew to save it once they’re ready.’’ He reached into the breast pocket of his shirt and tossed a small sleek phone into Ravi’s palms.

Ravi craned his head down to peer at the smooth screen of the device before training his stare on David again. ‘‘What is this? A satellite phone?’’

‘‘Yes. It’s a secure line.’’ David peeled his glower away from Ravi. ‘‘Call me if anyone shows up.’’ The engine of his boat thrummed into life as he steered it away.

Ravi hit the ignition and returned to the shore. His cheeks still burned hot. How arrogant of David to tell him that his astonishing discovery wouldn’t be enough to convince the government that Thunder was worth keeping alive. Leaping onto the crumbling jetty, Ravi folded his arms across his chest. He hadn’t the slightest doubt that a team of scientists would soon show up, not a kaiju slaying death squad. 

The screech of multiple boat engines ripped into his ears and Ravi’s eyes served toward the sea. A flotilla of zodiac rafts was converging on the shore, crammed with soldiers carrying rifles. The raft in the lead carried a man with a captain’s insignia on his right sleeve and a loudhailer gripped in his hand. His voice boomed over the rocks of the shore.

‘‘Tell us where the kaiju is. Cooperate and you’ll get your prison term reduced.’’

Ravi’s blood froze. No, this couldn’t be happening! A choking sourness filling his belly, Ravi dug into his pocket and tapped the screen of the satellite phone David had given him. When it responded with a soft beep, he muttered his message. ‘‘If you’re there, send your crew soon. The army just arrived.’’

An explosive gunshot resounded off the crag and Ravi jerked back, rock fragments peppering him. The phone slipped from his nerveless hand.

‘‘That was a warning shot, Doc!’’ The captain’s growl echoed against the crag sheltering Ravi. ‘‘Next one goes between your eyes if you don’t tell us where that damn monster is.’’

 Ravi’s stomach plunged when a tremendous roar resounded inside his skull. His eyes raced toward the shoreline. 

 The sail-like ridge protruding from Thunder’s back blocked out the rose-tinted sky, its shadow looming over the remaining boats like an impending omen of destruction.

‘‘Fall back! We need backup!’’ The desperate scream pierced Ravi’s ears, carried by the raging wind. 

His gaze locked onto the blazing red glow streaking through the darkening horizon and Ravi’s hands tightened into fists. It was a flare. They were summoning help.

Ravi's eardrums rang with the unmistakable scream of helicopter rotors drowning out the wail of the wind. Like giant hawks, the Apache gunships swept down on Thunder, the air igniting with the roar of the missiles slamming into Thunder’s hide

Glistening green slashes erupted across Thunder’s hide, but they looked like mere scratches against the kaiju’s humongous body. Almost as suddenly as they’d appeared, the wounds vanished, the kaiju’s remarkable biology coming to his rescue. 

Thunder’s mouth snapped open and a purple substance gushed out of it, striking the nearest gunship. An acrid odor filled Ravi’s nostrils, and he gulped as gooseflesh prickled over his back. The air in his lungs thickened as the gunship melted, its form dissolving into corroded strands of metal that plunged into the ocean below.  

Distant screams filled the air, and Ravi’s head snapped up, tracking the mangled forms of more gunships plummeting into the waters below. The overpowering odor of jet fuel and burning flesh slapped him in the face and he swallowed down the bile spurting up his throat.   

Now, Thunder turned his attention to the boats. Bright muzzle flashes lit up the gloom, but the kaiju’s jaws closed over the fleeting Zodiac rafts, his throat pumping as he scarfed down his prey.

Ravi rubbed his face, his head still swirling. The roar of an incoming ship’s engine made Ravi turn his gaze past Thunder, toward the large fishing trawler approaching the kaiju. The water surrounding the craft turned red, a trail of fish guts threading its way over the surface and filling Ravi’s nose with a pungent odor. 

Thunder raised his snout, the massive slits of his nostrils twitching. A deep boom of contentment vibrated through his body, and he turned toward the trawler, following its course as the ship led him into deeper water.   

Ravi’s mouth broke into a wan smile, his eyes following the kaiju as it vanished. Live a good life, my big friend.