Godzilla Returns (8 page)

People began shouting questions, drowning each other out.

"We're not going to be scooped," Endicott reassured them. "The other networks got the message, too."

"What's
really
going on, Everett?" Blackthorn Adams shouted from his office doorway.

"I don't know yet," Endicott replied. "Everything is on a need-to-know basis - and right now, we don't need to know!"

There were more moans and groans. Endicott's voice cut through the newsroom protests. "The Japanese government has promised to hold a press conference later this afternoon at the Diet Building, outside of the parliament's chambers. INN will be sending some of you to cover that event.

"That is all we know for now."

With that, Endicott turned his wide behind on the room and ponderously waddled toward the elevators. He left a shocked and mostly speechless newsroom staff behind him.

"It must be something really big to get that tub of lard out of his office and down here with the peons," Nick said to Brian.

"That's enough out of you. Nick Gordon!" May spat angrily. Yoshi suddenly walked away, embarrassed by May's emotional outburst. Brian didn't know what to make of her hostile reaction whenever Nick was around. She seemed nice enough to everyone else.

To Brian's surprise, Nick said nothing to her in reply. He just headed toward his cubicle in silence.

When Nick was gone, May approached Brian and waved Yoshi over to her side, too. "This is for you," she said, handing Brian an envelope. He looked at her and she put her finger to her lips. "Keep your mouth shut," she whispered. Then she handed an identical envelope to Yoshi.

"I'll see you both later," she said over her shoulder as she departed.

Brian and Yoshi watched May head for the elevators. Then Brian turned to the Japanese youth. "What was
that
all about?" he asked.

"These?" Yoshi asked, holding up his envelope.

"No," Brian replied. "I mean her reaction to Nick!"

Yoshi looked puzzled for a second. Then he nodded his head in understanding. "Ah, you mean the way Ms. McGovern speaks to Nick - always angry, always rude?" he replied.

"Yeah," Brian nodded.

"You did not know that they used to - what is the word? - step out together?" Yoshi replied.

"You mean they used to
date?
" Brian asked, stunned. Nick had never mentioned it.

"
Hai.
" Yoshi nodded rapidly. "They used to date. Big romance!"

Brian smiled and shook his head. "I should have known," he said aloud. "May is about the only woman at INN that Nick
doesn't
talk about."

"Just so." Yoshi nodded. "Deep feelings between them have caused much unseemly anger and hostility."

"What happened?" Brian asked. "Why did they stop seeing each other?"

"Nick broke it off. He said she became a big sellout," Yoshi replied. "She went to work for Boss Gaijin. Nick didn't like that too much."

Brian nodded again. "That sounds like Nick," he said. Then Brian remembered the envelope in his hand. "Excuse me," he said to Yoshi. "I have to read my mail."

"So must I," Yoshi said.

Brian rushed back to his cubicle. When no one else was looking, he examined the envelope. On the outside, next to his name, were bold red letters: CONFIDENTIAL - FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. Brian ripped it Open. There was a single page inside, with a terse message.

Mr. Shimura:
Please report to my office at six o'clock. I have a special assignment for you.
Everett P. Endicott

Brian's heart raced.
A special assignment - at last!

* * *

At precisely six o'clock. Brian stepped into Everett P. Endicott's outer office. May McGovern was sitting behind her desk, speaking urgently into the phone. She nodded to Brian when he entered, and motioned for him to sit down. Brian was not surprised to see Yoshi sitting in the opposite chair.

As May continued her phone conversation in a hushed tone, Brian leaned over to Yoshi. "Do you know what's going on?" he asked. Yoshi shook his head nervously.

At that moment, May hung up the phone. Without a word to Brian or Yoshi, she leaped to her feet and rushed into Endicott's inner office and closed the door behind her. Brian leaned back in his chair and tried to relax.

The minutes ticked by. Brian looked at his watch.

Then the door swung open and May ushered Brian and Yoshi into Endicott's inner sanctum. The office was just as Brian remembered it. The only difference was that the blinds were closed, blocking out the dramatic view of Tokyo at twilight.

The big man was sitting behind his desk. His baby face was creased with worry when he looked up at them.

"Sorry for the secrecy," Endicott said. "Sit down, boys."

Brian and Yoshi took seats.

"In a little while, two men will be arriving here. They are a small part of the biggest story of this, or any, century," Endicott announced dramatically.

Brian and Yoshi looked at each other.

"Originally, I was going to have you both assist Blackthorn Adams in working with these men." Endicott paused. "Unfortunately, Ms. McGovern informs me that Blackthorn's son was one of the survivors pulled out of the Sea of Japan after that ferry wreck early this morning... so Blackthorn won't be joining us.

"He's on his way to Hakata and has asked for some time off, which means that we'll have to make do with the resources we have." Endicott looked up at May.

"Call Nick Gordon and tell him to come up here immediately," Endicott told her.

"
Mister
Endicott!" May exclaimed. "You can't trust
him
with a story like this. It's too - too
big!
Call the network. Surely they can send
someone!
"

"I agree with your assessment of Mr. Gordon," Endicott said. "However, in another hour or two, the whole world is going to be in an uproar..."

For the second time, Brian and Yoshi traded glances.
This is something very, very big
, Brian thought, suddenly queasy.

"Every reporter in the world will be working on his or her own angle," Endicott continued. "We have a chance at an exclusive here, and we have a responsibility to our network and our viewers. INN needs a science correspondent on this story, so call Mr. Gordon, please."

May did not argue further. She tossed her long auburn hair and headed for her desk. But when she left her boss's office, she closed the door behind her a little too hard. Endicott sighed again.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said to Brian and Yoshi. Then he lifted the cover off of his laptop computer and began to type. Five silent and uncomfortable minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Endicott said, closing his computer.

"Hiya, chief," Nick said, stepping into the room wearing a cocky smile. "You called?"

"Sit down. Gordon," Endicott said, pointing to an empty chair. Nick sat down, flashing a toothy grin at Brian and Yoshi. May stepped into the office and closed the door behind her. Endicott looked at the four of them, and then spoke.

"The Pusan ferry sank this morning," he began. "Casualties were moderate, mostly because the captain got out an early distress call. But the real scoop here is that the ferry was
attacked
."

Endicott paused dramatically to gauge their surprised reactions. "The ferry was attacked by the prehistoric monster called Godzilla."

Nick's grin disappeared. Brian looked at Yoshi, who paled visibly. May nodded, her face serious. Finally, Brian cleared his throat and spoke.

"But Godzilla is supposed to be dead," he said.

"Well, it seems reports of Godzilla's death have been greatly exaggerated," Endicott replied. At that moment, his telephone buzzed. Endicott lifted the receiver. "Yes!" he barked.

Endicott listened for a moment then nodded. "Send them up," he said and hung up.

"They're here, May," Endicott said to his assistant. May rose and left the room.

"The Japanese government is about to announce Godzilla's return," Endicott continued. "The network brass has ordered me to assign a science correspondent and a cameraman to cover the activities of the two men you are about to meet."

"Why?" Nick asked seriously. "Who
are
these guys?"

"'These guys' are among the world's only experts on Godzilla - if there can be such a thing," Endicott replied. "These two men, and dozens of others, have worked together in total secrecy for over forty years, preparing for the possible return of the monster."

"If their work was so secret," Brian interrupted, "how come we know about them?"

"A fair question," Endicott said. "A few years ago, one of these men retired from his government's service. His name is Dr. Hiroshi Nobeyama -"

"The molecular biologist who won the Nobel in 1997?" Nick interrupted.

"The very same," Endicott nodded. "Dr. Nobeyama has been working as a scientific consultant for our parent company, International Science Systems. But this afternoon, when it was learned that Godzilla had returned, he was recalled to active duty to head a special defense task force established by the Japanese government during this crisis.

"Dr. Nobeyama has, of course, agreed to help but requested that INN be given exclusive coverage of his group's activities. To everyone's amazement, the government has agreed to this."

Endicott paused, scanning the three youthful faces before him. "It is a remarkable opportunity, gentlemen," he said. "You will be at the very center of the crisis, for as long as it lasts."

"Why
us?
" Nick asked, clearly excited by the prospect. "Why not Max Hulse?"

"Max Hulse stays in Tokyo. He is doing our on-camera work," Endicott replied. "And if it were up to me,
you
would not be here, Mr. Gordon.
You
are merely a replacement for Blackthorn Adams - and not a very good one, in my estimation."

"Yeah, I like you, too," Nick shot back. Endicott ignored the insubordination.

"Mr. Masahara is here because he is one of our best new field cameramen -
and
I can almost spare him."

Endicott's eyes fell on Brian. "Mr. Shimura is a special case.
He
is here because his services were specifically requested."

"The network wants
me?
" Brian asked.

Just then, the door swung open behind Brian. Yoshi and Nick jumped to their feet. Everett P. Endicott rose, too. Brian saw that May McGovern was ushering two men into the room. Leading the way was a distinguished-looking Japanese man with gray hair and horn-rimmed glasses. Brian could not see the second man, who was still behind the door, but he heard him speak.

"It's not the network that wants you, son," a familiar voice announced with a slight Texas drawl. "
I
want you."

Brian's eyes widened in amazement as a giant of an American with an erect, military bearing stepped into the room.

"Uncle Maxwell!" Brian cried out in astonishment.

May 29, 1998, 6:55 P.M.
Office of the Japanese bureau chief
Independent News Network
Tokyo, Japan

Standing next to Brian, Nick couldn't resist the urge. He reached out, put his hand under his roommate's chin, and pushed Brian's mouth closed. Brian blinked, then shook himself out of his astonishment.

Meanwhile, a tall, imposing figure entered the room. He wore a tailored U.S. Navy dress blue uniform. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his face had been lined by sun, salt-spray, and harsh weather. Despite his stern, craggy features, the man Brian called "Uncle Maxwell" had an engaging smile. He extended his hand to Everett P. Endicott, who came around his desk to meet him.

"Admiral Maxwell B. Willis, United States Navy," he said, gripping the portly man's hand.

"Pleased to meet you, Admiral," Endicott said smoothly. "
Now
I understand why Brian's services were specifically requested," the bureau chief said. Admiral Willis winked. "My nephew's been in Japan almost three weeks, and he didn't even call. I figured he was avoiding me, and so I thought I'd get his attention."

There was a ripple of laughter that broke the tension in the now-crowded office. The admiral reached out and touched the older Japanese man on the shoulder.

"May I introduce my friend and colleague, Dr. Hiroshi Nobeyama."

The Japanese man bowed graciously, and after introductions were completed, the men - and May - got down to business.

"Two days from now, on May 31, a joint task force of Japanese Navy ships and elements of the United States Air Force stationed in Korea are going to launch a preemptive strike against Godzilla."

May gasped. Nick whooped in surprise.

"This must be done while Godzilla is still in the relatively shallow waters of the Sea of Japan," Admiral Willis told his amazed listeners.

"Of course," he added, "this information is top secret, and must not leave this room - for now.
Officially
, there will be an emergency meeting of the United Nations tomorrow, where all this will be hashed out by the Security Council in the public eye.
Unofficially
, I can tell you that this attack is a done deal. It
will
take place. Period."

"How do you know where Godzilla is?" May McGovern asked. Nick noted that her long-dormant reporter's instinct was returning.

"Helicopters equipped with sonar systems, as well as two
Yuushio
-class submarines of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, have been stalking Godzilla since his appearance this morning," the admiral answered.

"What's the hurry?" Endicott blurted. "Maybe Godzilla won't even come ashore. Why ask for trouble?"

It was Dr. Nobeyama who answered. "It does not matter whether or not Godzilla comes ashore," he said. "The monster will do great damage no matter where he goes. We
know
Godzilla wrecked the Pusan ferry. Several other ships have also been reported missing."

"Why now?" Nick asked, his curiosity aroused. "What made Wonder Lizard return to life, or wake up from hibernation, or whatever he did?"

Dr. Nobeyama smiled at the youth. "Two years ago, a Russian submarine was lost off the coast of China. Several weeks before that, the French government conducted the first open nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean in many years -"