“HAVE THEM GET OUT OF the water,” said Bubba. “I don’t want any distractions.” Bubba Foom in a breach suit looked like a bearded mantis dipped in rubber. The waters were relatively still around Leviathan who, for the moment, felt content to stretch out motionless on its ocean. The Ann got within throwing distance of a wall of encrusted hide. Maseef withdrew the whales and clones to Foom’s satisfaction then Foom lowered himself into the water and very slowly (it seemed to all observing) swam out to meet Leviathan.
He’d seen every episode of Star Trek and Spock had not once tried to mind-meld Godzilla.
He was tethered to the ship by one of the impossible to tangle lines Quicho had invented. However, the amount of comfort in that couldn’t convince him of his safety one whit. He felt like bait and hoped to gods his jangly bones weren’t the hook for this fish’s mouth.
Smoove monitored Bubba’s vitals. “He’s close to hyperventilating.”
“Bubba,” said Desiree.
“I know.” Foom shunted his mind outward in twenty different directions and had it together when they snapped back.
Smoove, satisfied with the new reading, nodded to his wife.
Desiree allowed Bubba to continue. “Any doubts, big man?”
“Kichi told me we’re leaving him alone forever. No doubts. Total clarity.”
“Thing could kill him without being aware of it,” Smoove murmured to Desiree.
“Yes, I’m aware of that,” Foom said. “I’ve got my gain turned to full; don’t need to be psychic to hear you. Thank you.”
“Sorry, Bubba,” said Desiree.
“Hon’, when I’m ready please have everybody shut the hell up,” said Foom.
“Done.”
After a few moments he reported that he was starting his climb.
“What’s it feel like, Bubba?” said Captain Quicho to keep his mind off what he was doing.
“Like climbing Everest with a lot on your mind.”
“It’s an iceberg,” said Smoove. “Be glad most of it’s below.”
“How many brains do you think he has?” asked Bubba, his breath coming through labored.
“I’m gonna go with eight,” said Smoove.
“Twelve,” Desiree guessed.
“This is going to be fun,” said the world’s most powerful psychic.
“You don’t have to do this,” said Desiree.
“You should have told me that before I climbed on the monster’s back.”
“We’ll yank you back first sign of movement,” she said.
“Quicho?”
“Yes, dear?”
“What if I die?”
“Then I’ll jump in with a knife and gut the fucker myself. Rest yourself now. Comm silence for a minute.”
“OK.”
“Next time you hear me it’ll be to say that Michael and Asme are in Shig’s office. Let’s hold tight till then.”
“That’s a good idea. If I get bored I’ll ask for music.”
“Anything in mind?” she asked.
“Credence Clearwater Revival wouldn’t hurt.” He wedged himself deep into a pocket of barnacles and tried his best to feel Leviathan’s heartbeat. Or one of them. Multi brained, multi hearts. Hell, thing probably had a platoon of Munchkins spinning hamster wheels somewhere inside it.
Foom hated the movie The Wizard of Oz, particularly the Munchkins. Particularly the Lollipop Guild, little roughneck wannabees.
Foom took a deep breath and meditated.
Kicking the Lollipop Guild’s ass would be a good thing.