Word: Behemoth

  

behemoth

[bih-hee-muh th, bee-uh-]

noun

an animal, perhaps the hippopotamus, mentioned in Job 40:15–24.

 

any creature or thing of monstrous size or power:  

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            The ground shook.  The light, quick earthquake did nothing to disrupt the flow of the military base.  Soldiers and support staff alike ran through the cold grey halls as alarms blared.  Some of them stopped to salute one particular man as he walked quickly towards the command center.

                “What’ve we got?” The man, General Williams, said the moment he had reached his destination. 

               “We’re still getting a bead on it, sir, so we can’t say for sure.” One of the technicians said.

               Another rapid quake ran through the base.  Nobody even looked up from their work stations.  The General moved to the table laden with high tech intelligence equipment imbedded into it.  He looked over the data as it was.

               “Great.  Looks like a Leviathan class.” He said bitterly.

               “We’re not sure, yet, sir.” One of the General’s trusted Lieutenants said.  “For all we know it could just be a big mass of Lights.”

               “We should be so lucky.  Whoever’s sending these things hasn’t sent Lights or Heavies ever since they learned we can beat them with enough infantry.  If this is a mass of anything, it would be a mass of Juggernauts at least.”

               “Uh, sir…” A tech said, right before another earthquake took place.  The General swore they were getting stronger each time, but did not say anything.  The quakes were not the problem, the giant monster was.

               “What is it?”

               “I, uh, I don’t think it’s a mass of anything.”

               “So a Leviathan then.  Damn, we’re still recovering from the last one.”

               “No, sir, it’s…it’s not a Leviathan either.”

               “Well then, what is it?”

               “I…I think it’s a Behemoth, sir.” The technician’s skin was the color of fresh snow and his entire body trembled.

               The command center grew quiet.  Every person’s attention was focused on the technician who had spoken.  Not even the next earthquake caused attention to waver.

               “Impossible.” The Lieutenant said.  “Behemoth classes are purely hypothetical.  Leviathans are the biggest there are.”

               “Sorry, sir, but I think their existence has just been proven.  This…this thing is…it’s almost twice as big as a Leviathan class.”

               “Dear god.” General Williams whispered. 

               Several others present whispered among themselves nervously.  A few crossed themselves, while others openly preyed to whatever deity they believed in.  Another earthquake, now noticeably stronger, filled the room.  This time people started taking notice as a horrifying thought crossed every mind.

               “Is it heading this way?” General Williams asked.  He wiped the sweat off his palms, dreading the answer.

               “Yes, sir.”

               “Those…we’re not getting earthquakes, are we?”

               The technician paused and swallowed a lump in his throat.  “No, sir.”

               General Williams fell into the nearest available chair.  He rubbed his stubble covered chin, dreading what was about to happen.

               “Sir?  What should we do?” The Lieutenant asked.

               “There’s only one thing.  Just one thing that might even get a Behemoth’s attention.  And even that’s not certain.”

               “Sir?  Are you sure?”
               “No.  No I am not.  But it’s the only option.  I don’t think even missiles will do anything more than make it itch.  Get me the President immediately and prepare for…for…” He took a deep breath and continued.  “Prepare for nuclear bombardment of the target.”

               “And if they don’t work?” The Lieutenant asked as The General was handed a bright red phone.

               “Then may whatever gods remain have mercy on us all.”

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No, it's not Godzilla or any related monster.  Nor is it one of the monsters from a much more recent movie about giant monsters that come out of an ocean. This is all legally distinct, original stuff that just happens to share certain similarities to more well known intellectual properties.