— Washington, DC - White House, Situation room
Running for President used to be the hardest thing Martin Hornwell ever did. Decades spent in local, state and federal politics allowed him access to people and groups that he converted to victory after victory. From the moment he stepped into the spotlight as a public speaker and political leader, he won notoriety and fame which he then used to fuel his rise to power. He enjoyed thinking of himself as a transformative leader with the vision and experience to lead the country, but in reality he knew he was just another cog in the machine that was American politics.
That was the hardest thing he ever did, until today. Watching the destruction unfold on the monitors of the situation room, his stomach roiled and his mind fought against what his eyes were telling him. Monsters were attacking cities.
Real. Fucking. Monsters.
The situation unfolding in Las Vegas was just one example. In New York, a giant squid surfaced and ripped all of the bridges apart like they were made out of clay. Hundreds of people died in their cars as the massive structures crumbled under the tentacles of the beast.
Off the coast of Florida, a naval task group was battling against an actual kraken. As hard as he tried, he still could not believe what his eyes were seeing when the massive creature wrapped its arms around a destroyer and broke it in half.
All over the world, land, air and naval assets were launching attacks and engaging living, breathing weapons of mass destruction. Some of the counter attacks were successful, but none were sufficient to stop the larger monsters that appeared. Alongside the behemoths, there were also thousands of smaller creatures pouring out of holes and the oceans attacking anything that crossed their paths.
Looking over the reports, President Hornwell had to force himself not to scream in panic. He was the President of the greatest country on the planet. He authorized billions in additional spending to shore up the military and, in an act of foresight he never knew he made, increased domestic spending by signing every bill that added funding to local, state and federal disaster programs.
Every document that landed on his desk bore witness to his unyielding commitment to fortifying the nation's defenses against potential threats, both foreign and domestic. Each proposal for increased military or civilian defense spending received his resolute approval without hesitation. Critics labeled him as a fear-monger, but in his unwavering conviction, he saw himself as a vigilant protector of the United States, determined to ensure its position as the unrivaled powerhouse of military prowess and technological advancement worldwide. He never knew it would be used to fight against nightmares.
“Sir, you need to see this.” John Gilly, his chief of staff was seated next to him, glued to his laptop. He was monitoring news stories and social media to find any new instances of attacks. “We just got confirmation from SECDEF that naval assets have engaged the combatants outside Las Vegas.”
Moving to the wall, he entered a few commands into the computer and the TV switched to a view coming from a helicopter orbiting the deserted rail yard. The voice of a reporter blared from the speakers, her voice filled with awe and fear.
“Wolff, we are approximately 15 miles outside Las Vegas watching the battle unfold. The military has engaged both… creatures and I have been informed by local law enforcement that more military assets are moving in. The battle has been catastrophic for the residents of Las Vegas, early reports suggest the death toll in the hundreds but officials believe that number will increase dramatically as the day unfolds.”
President Hornwell watched the footage, his heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. He had envisioned himself as a war president, ready to combat the looming threats of communists and Marxists. His mind had been consumed by strategies against human adversaries, not fantastical monsters. As he faced the reality of these otherworldly creatures, he couldn't help but ponder how many lives could have been spared if he had anticipated this unconventional enemy alongside the more conventional ones.
The reporter continued her commentary, describing the chaos and destruction unfolding before her eyes. Gunshots could be heard in the background as military personnel exchanged fire with the creatures. Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked the screen, causing both President Hornwell and John to jump in their seats. The helicopter shook violently as a bright light filled the sky. In a testament to the pilot’s skill, the lurching image righted quickly and the resulting scene caused President Hornwell’s face to blanche.
When the image cleared, a massive mushroom cloud could be seen in the center of the junkyard below. Detonating amidst the battle, the explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the air, causing a deafening roar that shattered windows nearby. The intense heat generated by the explosion instantly turned the rusted trains into molten metal, dripping and sizzling as it pooled on the ground. The force of the blast lifted debris high into the sky before raining down like a deadly hailstorm, smashing everything in its path. The formally chaotic junkyard now lay in ruins, with twisted metal scraps scattered across the scorched earth, engulfed in flames that danced wildly amidst the destruction.
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A stern-faced general stood before the President in the war room, his crisp uniform a stark contrast to the chaos outside. "Mr. President, I am pleased to report that our operation against the creatures was …" he began confidently. The President's eyes widened in alarm, barely hearing the general’s report. As the scene continued to unfold, the aftermath became clear. Amidst a surreal sight of swirling flames and debris, Barry stood naked and unharmed across from the monster, also seemingly untouched by the destructive force that had just been unleashed.
President Hornwell couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His worst fears were coming true – they were using nuclear weapons against these creatures. He knew it would only escalate matters further and possibly result in even more destruction. “Who ordered a nuclear strike!” he bellowed. “There are civilians nearby. The fallout!”
“Sir,” the general began, “that was a thermobaric weapon. It is one of our most powerful non nuclear tactical platforms and should have atomized them both.”
Scowling at the general, President Hornwell turned off the TV and dropped heavily back into his seat, deep in thought. John followed behind him, clearly concerned about what they had just witnessed.
“Sir,” John began tentatively, “we need to address this situation immediately.”
President Hornwell nodded grimly. “Yes, you’re right. Get the joint chiefs on the line and get the cabinet in here. Get the vice president to NORAD and make sure he’s buttoned up.” Turning to his aides nearby, he began issuing orders and yelling at anyone who interrupted him. He may have been caught off guard, but he is a wartime president now and action was needed.
John pulled out his phone and began making calls while President Hornwell grabbed a notepad and started jotting down ideas. The situation room became a cacophony of chaos as aides and assistants struggled to execute the commands of their commander-in-chief.
As time passed and reports continued pouring in from all over the world about attacks by these monstrous creatures, President Hornwell and his team worked tirelessly to find a solution.
--- 15 miles outside Las Vegas
As the reporter spoke, trying to frame the conflict in a way viewers could comprehend, a massive explosion rocked the train yard. Metal, dirt and debris rocketed into the air as the bomb struck the battlefield. Massive plumes of fire and ash rose from the center as the weapon found its targets. After a few moments, the area cleared and a calm settled over the area.
As the clouds of dust scattered, the reporter in the helicopter audibly gasped as the two figures stood a few yards from each other, covered in soot and burns, but otherwise unharmed.
“Jesus fucking Christ, what just hit those two and why are they still standing?” she said incredulously.
Great, now I’m naked Barry thought to himself, staring at the monster. It did not really matter, most of his clothes burned up when he fell from the sky. What was left could barely be called rags. I have to end this now.
Another volley of missiles struck them both. The explosions hurt, a lot. He did not seem to take much damage except for superficial burns or scrapes from the strikes, but they were an annoyance he could do without. Several times, as he threw himself at the monster, he was struck mid air by something launched from a helicopter or jet buzzing around them. The force of the explosions sent him careening against the metal shards that used to be trains. He had to get an upper hand on this thing, or the military would finish what this monster started, sending him to his grave.
Picking up a massive slab of metal, he angled it at the monster and launched himself. This ended now. Shooting forward with all the power and speed he could muster, he felt the air ripple around him and ignite from the sheer speed of his advance. He did not feel the flames though as the massive beast roared in defiance at him. Striking the beast in its mid section with his fist, he followed up immediately with a slash at the beast’s head using the edge of the metal slab as a makeshift weapon. The metal shrieked and tore as it pierced the beast’s hide, finally drawing blood that steamed in the hot desert air.
This thing was burning hot inside. A lot of it’s blood splashed against his skin and he felt it burn like acid. The pain was nearly unbearable, but he knew he could not let up. Pushing his attack further, he struck again and again. Aiming for the same wound, he struck like a jack hammer, his blows becoming a blur as blood, metal and bits of the monster showered the battleground. With a final roar of defiance, Barry struck through the massive neck, opening a massive gash across it’s throat. Blood flowed as if from a waterfall as the massive creature reared up and gripped the wound as if trying to keep the blood flowing from it inside. It was a futile attempt and with a final gasp, the monster fell over and stilled.
Barry took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. He had been fighting this thing for so long he had no idea how much time had actually passed. He knew the military was still out there and he imagined more attacks were coming. Too tired to fight anymore, he dropped the bloody jagged slab he had turned into a weapon and stepped backwards from the carnage. With barely a thought, he let himself fall to the ground completely exhausted and allowed his tortured body to rest.
Just like when he was sent flying into the stratosphere, he felt his skin tighten and heal, his organs and bones knit together inside. Blessedly, no more missiles struck him, but the sound of creaking metal and diesel engines told him the military was closing in. He had no desire to fight them, so he just laid still and allowed himself to pass out.