The Ark

[BB-Leviathan]

The War Room- May 2, 1948

The room is filled with sound as the gathered politicians and generals nervously talk. The recent rumors had everyone nervous, after all, landmasses don't just show up. Especially after that stretch of ocean had been extensively traveled just a few short years ago. The room quieted as President Truman entered the room and sat down, his face stern as he looked at the gathered faces.

"Gentlemen," he began, "I believe we all know why we're here. But just to make things clear, we have recently received odd rumors. These rumors state that a significant landmass has appeared north of Hawaii and that it seems to have appeared overnight." One man rolls his eyes.

"Oh Poppycock, you expect us to believe that a landmass that large just appeared overnight? More than likely the Nips are just trying to start something after we kicked their asses. Isn't McArthur over there? Have him tug their leash, make them sit down like the whipped dogs they are" He gets up, shaking his head as he mutters about wastes of his time and goes to leave, only to run into the guards at the door. Both glaring at him, very pointedly. The man huffs and turns to glare at Truman, only to see him staring at the man with a raised eyebrow.

"Sit down, Gerald." Were the only words out of Truman's mouth. Gerald puffs up, but upon looking at the guards, hugs and flops down in his seat, reminding the room very much of a child being told he still had to do his homework.

Truman looks at him, unimpressed, then nods to another man, who rapidly sets up a projector and reel. The few photos they have show a large, dark, and misty landmass not matching anything else that they had seen in the distance. Another photo is actually of the ocean, why becomes clear as a very clear line is seen, the black and white image not showing what it was for. Another photo seems to be taken while airborne, an indistinct shape off the right side of the plane, but looking like a wing. The last two photos are significant, one showing what looked to be giant coral trees, of all things. The last one is once again taken from a plane, but it shows what looks to be an enormous creature under the water, superficially resembling a sea turtle…if it wasn't for the smoke and steam that seemed to be coming directly from the shell.

"As you can see," Truman began, "These are more than just rumors." He looks around at the stumped expressions of his fellows. The man who initially spoke seemed to shrink in his seat.

"On first examining the rumors, we initially thought the same. But when we sent a scout out, he returned scared out his wits. These photos are from him. And he claimed that he had been attacked by something that tore pieces out of his plane." The picture shifts to a plane in a hangar, only it was severely damaged. Several rents in the side exposed the internals, looking like something had dragged giant claws down the side, some panels missing entirely. One wing was photographed up close, showing what looked to be…bite marks. The next slide showed a closer look, showing that the pattern of the marks. And the next…showed a tooth as big as a human palm, the hand being held beside it for reference. The last slide showed the back of the plane, with indentions pressed into the side.

"As you can see, he was indeed attacked by something," Truman looks across the table. "While at the moment we have no idea what, he claims it was a dragon." The disbelief was obvious. Dragons were the stuff of fairy tales and old legends, not the modern day. But the evidence shown seemed to match. Gerald, perhaps trying to redeem his earlier embarrassment, spoke up again.

"Dragons, sir? Really? The man damages valuable equipment, even going through the trouble of faking these photographs, and claims a dragon attacked him? Sir, we have actual problems to address! Not the least of which being why this man isn't being punished for lying and damaging valuable-"

"Shut. Up." Those two words had Gerald spinning around and puffing up like a pufferfish, only to deflate at the sight of General Anderson. The piercing glare being leveled at the politician had him stumble, though he seemed to be working up another head of steam. Anderson glare had him sputtering before the general continued.

"He went out on my order, and I watched the takeoff. The plane was pristine when it left, and torn to shreds when he got back. And if you had the patience befitting your station, you would let us finish the report." The glare leveled at Gerald had the man sputtering, before Anderson stands up to continue the report.

"Yes it sounds unbelievable, but while he did claim to have been attacked, the evidence backed up his words. We found five teeth embedded in the wing, and our scientists haven't been able to match them to any known animal so far. As he was at least five hundred feet above the ground, I'm inclined to believe him when he says it he was attacked." Anderson words turn dry as he moves to the next slide. "And he was attacked, just not in the way he thought he was." The slide showed the back of the plane, with a large amount of liquid on it. Everyone, even Truman, looked at the slide in sheer bafflement as it registered what the liquid was. Anderson seemed amused, then Gerald opened his mouth.

"Please, that is clearly the man dumping a bucket of paint on the plane. Use your brains men! The scout clearly did something during flight to mess up the plane, and has concocted this entire story to get out of trouble!" Gerald shakes his head, condescendingly. "The fact that you believe it without seeing any evidence of it is preposterous! Why, you didn't even have the decency to bring one of the supposed teeth, instead relying an a collection of faked photo-"

SLAM!!

Gerald squeals like a pig as Anderson slams his fist in front of him. Without breaking eye contact, Anderson uncurls his hand, revealing the same tooth that had been in the photo. The tooth stood gleaming, the sharp edge digging easily into the wood, just barely missing slicing Gerald's fingers off entirely. Geralds silence was welcomed by everyone in the room, everyone sick of the insufferable man.

"Proof enough?" Anderson questioned, not taking his eyes off of Gerald. As Gerald's stunned silence stretched on, Anderson turned back to the president. "Mr. President. Regardless of the opinions expressed here, something clearly happened. The plane, the photos, and even the teeth have all been examined, and all of it points to one thing. This is real, and we need to get to the bottom of it."

President Truman nods. "We do indeed. However, we cannot be seen fielding any large ships, not with tensions still high in the East. That leaves us with few options."

Anderson smirks, "Leave it to me. I have a squad in mind, sir. However, I believe simply sending soldiers will be counterproductive. Soldiers are trained in many things, investigations like these are not usually one of them."

A different man speaks up. "My cousin owns a film studio. He has been looking for a subject to create his first film on. I can send him a letter and ask him."



Truman nods, "Thank you Maxwell. Now, Anderson, gather everyone you need and be ready to leave in two weeks. We shall get to the bottom of this, one way or another."