"From her beginnings on a Navy drawing board... through the months of secret field experiments out on the Western desert... then through the desperate search for new metals with properties she needed... she was designed to be man's greatest weapon of the seas... the atom-powered submarine." "Her engines were to be a miracle of speed and power... her sides strong enough to withstand any blow... her armament and firepower of greater force... than the worst enemy she might encounter." "The mind of man had thought of everything... except that which was beyond his comprehension." " All right, Griff, I'll take over." " Good morning, Captain." "Had breakfast?" "Yep." "Orange juice, bacon, eggs, coffee." " How we doing?" " I can't get used to this thing." "Just like an automatic elevator." "Speed: 18." "Steady on course." "Quite a bit of difference between this and the old-fashioned iron lung, huh?" "Roomy?" "My gosh, this conning tower is just like a ballroom." "Take it easy, Griff." "It's still a submarine." " Aye, aye, sir." " How about the men?" "They should complain?" "All they do is eat and sleep, press a button when there's work to be done." "How about you, Captain?" "Satisfied?" "Down scope." "Why shouldn't I be satisfied?" "Three world records in the bag on our first shakedown cruise?" "Listen to that music." "All we need is some champagne and dancing girls." "Shall I have the chief change the record?" "Yeah, you'd better, before we start chasing mermaids." "macaninch, something a little more salty, if you please." "Salty, sir?" "Yeah, let's get off this Hawaiian kick." "It's even demoralizing the captain." "Aye, aye, sir." "Eight." "Pair of fives." "Pair of tens." " What's going on?" " Yeah, what?" "¿Que pasa?" "I dig that." "There's another beep from the sonar epuipment, sir." "Target bearing 1-8-0." "Range: 1-5-0-0." "There's nothing back there." "Sonar still picks it up, Captain." "Bearing." "It's dead astern." "Submerged about as deep as we are." "Looks like it could be following us." "Whales sometimes get playful out here in the Pacific." "Scans bigger than a whale." " Another sub?" " Even bigger than a sub." "It's closing in on us, Captain." "You'd better take a look at this." "Conning Tower to Control." "Left 20 degrees rudder." "New course: 3-0-0." "Left 20 degrees rudder." "New course:3-0-0." "The rudder is 20 degrees left, sir." "What would you call that?" "Probably a short circuit in our sonar system showing up as an echo." " Check it." " I just did, Captain." "It's working all right." "Shall I check it again, sir?" "Never mind." "It's really gaining on us, whatever it is." " Getting closer, huh?" " As close as 500 yards." "Conning Tower to Maneuvering." "All ahead flank." "All ahead flank, sir." "Give those atoms a poke." "Give me everything you've got." "Aye, aye, sir." "Are we losing it?" "No, sir." "He just gained another 200 on us." "Give me a sonar image." "I want to see what this thing looks like." "Griff, man battle stations." "Man battle stations!" "Man battle stations.!" "Man battle stations.!" "Go to Control and take the conn." "I want a zigzag course and the usual escape pattern." "Aye, aye, sir." "Now let's see what you got here." "What do you call that?" "It's no whale, sir, that's for sure." "It's no ship either." "Let me check that wiring again." "Keep me informed." "Come left 3-5-0." "Left 3-5-0." "Sonar checks okay, Captain." "Bearing: 1-2-0." "Range: 5-0-0." "Can't seem to lose it, Captain." "Range: 4-0-0." "What happens when it catches up with us?" "When you're in command of $55 million worth of submarine, you don't gamble." "Range: 3-0-0." " Stand by to take her deep." " Aye, aye, sir." "Range: 2-0-0." " Take her deep." " Full dive on the bow plane." "Full dive, sir." " Ten degrees down bubble." " Ten degrees down bubble." " All planes are at full dive, sir." " Very well." "Resume course." "Steer 3-3-0." "3-3-0, sir." "It's too close to get a range now, sir." "Conning Tower to Maneuvering." "All stop." "We're getting a radiation warning signal." "Where's it coming from?" "Not from our reactor, sir." "It must be." "Recheck your reactor." "Reactor shield okay." "Engine's okay." "Nothing hot in here, sir." " What happened to us?" " I don't know." " All you men okay?" " Okay." "But let's find out where that radiation is coming from before we all fry." "It's coming from outside the ship." "Look!" " I don't figure it." " I can't either, sir." "Haven't got time to try now." "Our sonar system's out." "Fix it." "Maneuvering, let's pull out of here!" "All ahead full!" "All ahead full, sir.!" "But we're standing still!" "That's not the engine's fault, sir." "Keep pouring it on." "You okay, Griff?" "Okay here, sir." "Surface!" "Still no luck." "We're fouled tight." "Hand me that thing." "I want two Apua-Lung volunteers to blast the sluice." "Get in your gear and stand by the escape hatch." "Take a demolition charge." " I'll take over." " Aye, aye, Captain." "Anybody hurt?" "Mac took an awful crack in the head here, Captain." " How do you feel?" " All right." "What's a fractured skull, anyway?" "Is that damn thing still going?" "Not afraid of a little radiation, are you?" "I've heard it makes you so you can't have children, sir." "Mac was married just before we left port, Captain." " Congratulations, Mac." " Thanks." "We're counting on a family." "We won't hang around down here any longer than we can help it." "Volunteers are ready, sir." "Hand me that thing." "I'm gonna rig in the bow diving plane to see if that will free us." "If it won't..." "Just cross your fingers." "Rig in bow diving planes." "Aye, aye, sir." "That's doing it." "Full rise on the stern planes." "Aye!" "We're loose, Captain!" "Speeïs increasing." "We're coming up, sir." " That's a relief." " Stand by to surface." "Stand by to surface." "Aye, sir." "What's on your mind?" "Stern planes are fouled." "Show signs of radioactivity." " Tell those swimmers to stay clear?" " I did, sir." "What'd you find?" "A chunk of stuff caught in the stern diving plane, sir." " What kind of stuff?" " Rubberlike, Captain." "What'd it look like?" "We didn't get too close because of what the exec said about radioactivity." " Looked like a fish to me." " It was more like a barrel." " A barrel?" " Yes, sir." "I believe it's stuck there till we get into dry dock." "She's jammed solid, sir." "All right, you men go below and get yourselves some coffee." "What's your guess, Griff?" "I was just gonna ask you, sir." "Privately?" "Privately, I'm keeping my mouth shut and I'm advising you to do the same." "The next time I cruise in these waters I'll have armed torpedoes on board." "How about officially?" "Officially?" "Shakedown cruise completed, X-ray." "Struck submerged object, X-ray." "Damage minor." "Putting into Pearl for repairs." "Have it coded and passed on to Operations." "Aye, aye, sir." "And just hope that's the end of it." "And just hope that's the end of it." "But that was only the beginning." "When Commander Mathews brought the atomic submarine into Pearl Harbor... the Defense Department found itself confronted with a problem... beyond the scope of Navy manuals." "What was the nature of that nameless substance... found caught in the damaged diving planes?" "A substance so strange, so inexplicable and alarming... that the best minds in the nation had to be called upon to solve the problem." "Behind the guarded door where the secret lay hidden... and for the first time in their lives... three people met." "Couldn't be a mistake." "You think so, Professor?" "It's tissue, all right." " Where'd it come from?" " Some living creature." "All that hunk came from one living creature?" "That's right." "You mean, that's not all one animal?" "There's more to it?" "A great deal more." "It'd be dead now, wouldn't it?" "I doubt it." "Must be pretty big." "Enormous." "Doctor, what kind of a sea beast would be that large?" "What do you call it so I can stop calling it "it"?" "I have no idea." "Nor have I." "Well, how do we find out?" "That will take time and research." "I'll wire the university right away to get a leave of absence." "The Navy will take care of that." "How about you, Professor?" "Working with Dr. Carter is every marine biologist's dream... but my school needs me." "You can get along without me, I'm sure." "Can we, Doctor?" "No." "Forgive my ignorance, Doctor, but what makes her so unipue?" "ProfessorJoyce is head of Marine Biology... at the Southeastern Institute of Oceanography." "I'd say she's probably the outstanding authority on marine biology... with the possible exception of Vanderhume himself." "Then we'll get him." "Before you start looking, I may as well tell you..." "Vanderhume is dead." "Oh." "ProfessorJoyce." "Yes?" "I have to ask you to stick around." "Why, Commander?" "Because the... the Navy would appreciate it." "I'm sure the Navy's able to get along without me." "Dr. Carter seems to think otherwise." "Dr. Carter's perfectly able to speak for himself." "I'm speaking for him." "I'm expected at a board of regents meeting on Tuesday." "It's about the appropriations for our coming academic year." "Are those appropriations that important?" "To my school, very much so." "You know, this thing that may be running loose in the Pacific... that could be important too." " I'm sure of it." " Perhaps not in the way you think." "I'm a scientist, Commander." "I don't have to be reminded that your objectives are not necessarily my own." "Our objectives have nothing to do with the situation." "The Navy will see you're not penalized for your absence from the institute." "Arrangements will be made." "Well, I feel like I'm being drafted." "You are." "It was still too early for the world to know what was going on... behind that closed door." "Only a handful of men in high places heard reports of progress made... and waited impatiently for the final conclusion." "Mathews speaking." "Oh, yes, Admiral." "Hold on a minute, sir." "They're still making tests, sir." "There's nothing conclusive to tell you." "I'll call you the minute anything happens." "Yes, sir." "Good night, sir." "During 12 days and nights nothing was certain." "You people work hard." " It's our job." " I didn't realize how hard." " Are you trying to apologize?" " In a way." " It's not necessary." " I think it is." "Let me explain something to you." "A, I have been privileged to classify an unknown sea specimen." "B, I have the honor of working with the greatJohn Carter of Harvard... the inventor of analytical biology." "And C, my mind just isn't attuned to discuss things on your level, Commander." "I don't think you're being entirely fair, Miss Joyce." "Look, I have been working for almost two weeks now... without a decent night's sleep." "I'm tired!" "I read your book on marine biology... and your plankton theory in tracing surface currents." "Strictly in the line of duty, of course." "I'm sorry, Commander." "Well, I'll forgive you if you call me Pete." "All right, Pete." "But you have to let me get back to my work." "Why don't you take a break." "I have a reason." " The Navy always has a reason." " That's right." "All right, maybe you're right." "Tell me." "He's a pretty nice guy, isn't he?" "He's wonderful." " You're pretty fond of him, aren't you?" " Fond?" "Why, he's magnificent." "He's a brilliant scientist." "His technipues are creative." "What are you driving at?" "Oh, I just thought I'd clear the atmosphere." "Oh." "You mean romance." "Now you tell me something, Commander." "Pete." "All right." "Pete." "When you're driving that atomic submarine of yours... do you have much time for romance?" "Even if I did admit I had the time, where would I find the opportunity?" "Women aren't allowed aboard a submarine." "Poor boy." "I thought the Navy was epuipped for every emergency." "For the record, are you tied up?" "I see what you mean." "Does that mean you're not?" "A girl has to have some secrets, doesn't she?" "Do you have the results of the iodide solution?" "What?" "What's the matter, Leslie?" "Don't you feel well?" "Well, I don't know." "I guess it's just lack of sleep." "You'd better get some rest." "I'll be all right." "Here are your results." "On the evening of the 13th day..." "Dr. LeslieJoyce was taking the results ofher last test." "John, I think you'd better take a look at this." "What's going on?" " There's no doubt about it now." " No doubt about what?" "Thanks to ProfessorJoyce, we've discovered the nature of your monster." "What a gal." "Naval Intelligence." "Admiral Burns, please." "Well, Admiral, it's happened." "Carter and Joyce have got news for you." "Yes, sir." "Very well, sir." "I'll tell them." "An assistant secretary of the Navy, Mr. Robert David Chase... is coming out here." "Adm. Norman, commander-in-chief of the entire Pacific area, wants in on it too." "He'll see us first thing in the morning." "Here, gentlemen, is your villain." "It'd take an enormous number of those to disable a Navy submarine." "Or just one of enormous size, Mr. Chase." "There's a spuid on exhibit in the American Muzeum of Natural History... just under 100 feet in length." "It came from the waters off the coast of Maine." "Our navy has never encountered one of those marine monsters before." " How do you account for that?" " They only live at extreme depths." "They almost never come up unless they're disturbed." "Disturbed?" "By what?" "Hydrogen bombs." "H-bombs have been blamed for every freak accident that's happened... since, up to and including marine monsters being disturbed." "Not disturbed, Mr. Chase." "Hungry." "Six days ago we gave this fellow here a radioactive meal." "Not a fatal dose, however." "Now, here is what he likes best... his regular diet of small fish." "Now watch." "Ordinarily cephalopods are not timid about catching a good meal." "This fellow seems to be having difficulty, however." "Why?" "We checked our answer with Professor Imoto in Tokyo." "He concurs." "Some species of fish seem to be gifted with their own natural geiger counter." "So the giant fish's dinner knows when it's coming and swims away?" "In that case, he'd starve to death very puickly." "Unless he finds some other creature to live on." "What creature, for instance?" "Some higher form of life." "Animals, possibly." "Or even man." "Gentlemen, let's put together a hypothesis from what we know." "In this area lie the Marshall Islands... where the H-bomb experiments took place." "Wind and north epuatorial current account for a drift of radioactivity... in this direction... contaminating marine life on the way." "Here lies the great Mindanao Deep... a chasm in the floor of the ocean so vast it has never been explored." "This is where our monster must have lived until recently... when he became radioactive... and began to warn his natural prey out of the surrounding waters." "He had to find other food or die." "Forced to rise to the surface... he hunted along thejapanese current." "There is evidence that he was swept in this direction." "What evidence?" "Well, you may have read it yourself in the papers." "A month ago part of a Japanese fishing fleet disappeared in these waters... without a trace." "Siberian seal fishing has been reported unaccountably bad." "But thejapanese fishermen may have gone down in a typhoon." "Who knows what's really happening in Siberia?" "Cmdr. Mathews' submarine encountered it." "Or are you puestioning that as well?" "I have to puestion all of it." "Perhaps ProfessorJoyce has another opinion to advance." "No, I'm afraid not." "We've had too little sleep in the last few days." " If you want to discuss anything else..." " That won't be necessary." "Thank you." "You've given us enough to think of." "Before you go, do you mind giving us your reaction to our findings?" "That'll be taken under advisement." "It's been very enlightening." " Thank you for all you've done." " Good night." "Good night, sir." " Well, that's letting us down easy." " Oh, you're just tired." "So what?" "So I'm tired." "They didn't even believe us." "Well, they have to be cautious." "Of course." "We understand." "Does that mean we're free to go now?" "Just as soon as your release comes through, in just a few days." "John, you can make the science congress." "If you play your cards right, I can meet you in Cairo." "I was never very much good at playing cards." " I'm tired." "I'm going to the hotel now." " We can all go over together." "All right." "I'll just change." "She's a wonderful girl." "Sure is." " And you are a lucky man." " Lucky?" "Don't we make our own luck, Commander?" "Well, it isn't everyone that can vacation in Egypt." "Vacation?" "No, Leslie and I have published contrary viewpoints... on the sinking nature of the coast of the Red Sea." "We're going to investigate via Apua-Lung." "The loser is going to publish a retraction." "Sounds ideal." "Nothing like mixing pleasure with work, huh?" "Work?" "Oh, yes, that is your work, isn't it?" "Well, I'm ready." "Fine." "Well, good night." "He's an interesting man." "Isn't he?" "Stand by to abandon ship!" "4-0 minutes, 13 seconds west." "I'm repeating our position." "Nice of him to throw this going-away party for us." "Probably comes off of his expense account." "You sound bitter." "Well, if he's giving us a going-away party, why isn't he here?" "Probably at a meeting of some kind." "What's the trouble, Leslie?" "Oh, I don't know." "Just let-down, nervous." "As nervous as a bride left waiting at the altar." " Don't be a fool." " On the contrary." "I've been a sober professor so long, I'm entitled to one night of foolishness." "May I have this dance?" "Do you consider that part of your foolishness?" "Good evening." "I have your transportation passes and releases signed, sealed and delivered." "You'll be leaving in the morning." "Believe me, in the Navy that takes some doing." " Thanks, Pete." "You've been swell." " He's probably glad to get rid of us." "I'm glad you didn't wait." "I'll have the same." "If the waiter comes by, would you order me a T-bone, rare, and some red wine?" " Where are you going?" " We, my dear doctor, are going to dance." " With your permission, sir." " Live it up, children." " But you haven't even asked me." " That's the way we do it in the Navy." " But I haven't even had my dinner." " Would you order another T-bone?" "I don't like T-bones." "You're being a fool." "Don't believe her." "She says that to all the boys." "You're both being fools." "Just because you're men, you think that..." "Do you like lobster?" " Yes." " Broiled with garlic butter and parsley." "Yes." " Got it?" " Got it." "It's so balmy here." "Is it always like this?" "Yes." "Don't you miss the rain?" "No." "I like the winter... and the snow." "Snow's cold." "I'm taking an awful chance." "What do you mean?" "You're going to accuse me of being a man." "Oh, my, I haven't eaten that well in years." "I guess your appetite kind of depends on your state of mind." "Don't you think?" "I've been thinking about a lot of things." " About your trip tomorrow, for instance." " Isn't it wonderful?" "You're still leaving?" "Of course she's leaving." "Why shouldn't she?" " I thought..." " I'm sorry." "What's going on here?" "It was just something I said, and Pete misunderstood." "I am sorry, Pete." "Do you mind if I make a mental comment upon the nature of women?" "Excuse me." "Pete, please, I..." "Well, hello." "What am I gonna do?" "Perhaps I could help you if you'd brief me on the background." "He kissed me." "Did you enjoy it?" "Yes." "That seems like a normal reaction." " He didn't even ask me." " That's hardly relevant." "But I don't know him... who he is, what he's like." "Doesn't seem to have the same reservations about you." "In any case, tomorrow we'll be on a plane... and I'm puite convinced that, clinically speaking... no irreparable damage has been done." " You know Prof. Joyce and Dr. Carter." " Of course I do." "Please be seated." "Thank you." "Admiral Norman's compliments." "And will you please come to his office first thing in the morning?" "He asked me to apologize for rescinding your release." "Rescinding it?" "A tramp steamer Honolulu-bound from Vancouver has been lost at sea." "It's considered possible that there may be some connection... between this incident and our problem." "We'll know more definitely if we find any survivors." "The area is being searched now." "Life raft." "Men in it." "I'll set her down and bring them in." "Over and out." "Tell Admiral Norman the Polar Empress survivors are checking in." "You boys had a rough time, from what I hear." "Take a deep breath." "I have to check you over." "What happened?" "It grabbed us, that's all." "What do you mean, it grabbed you?" "Something came up out of the water, grabbed our ship and pulled it under." "Another breath." "You kidding me?" "Why would I be kidding you?" "Something came up out of the water." "Something like what, for instance?" "Something like..." "Well, like those." "Only big." "The biggest you ever saw." "Ain't I right?" "They'll tell you." "And another one came up at us and grabbed the ship." "And another one... a whole lot of them..." "and they dragged it under." "Just like I told you." "I keep seeing those things coming up at us." "Been drinking?" "What do you find to drink on a life raft outside of water?" " A blow on the head, anything like that?" " I'm all right!" "Don't you believe me about..." "about those?" "Of course I believe you about those." "Why shouldn't I?" "I want you to go along with this fellow." "He's going to take you down the hall." "There's a man there with a white smock just like mine." "I want you to tell him all about... those." "See that he gets to Doc." "All right, you're next." "How about you?" "Having any trouble with things like this?" "Who's this Doc character?" "He's one of the staff." "I ain't seen anything like that." "You can tell Doc for us we ain't seen nothin'." "I know he's lying as well as you do, but I have to account to Washington." "Am I justified spending half a million dollars searching the Pacific... on the strength of these lies?" "Burns speaking." "Thank you." "That's the infirmary." "Doc says the patient's as bad as any of these boys." "He's recanted his original story, and now he won't say anything else." "Can he be released?" "I think it's my turn now." "Tell them to let him go." "But not till after I get there." "Send in Hall, please." " And don't come back unless I call you." " Yes, ma'am." "Got a match?" "Yeah, sure." "Let me light it for you." " Care for one yourself?" " Sure would." "Maybe you can tell me where I can find Doc." "Doc?" "He's through there, down the hall." " What do you want him for?" " Well, that's kind of personal." "Besides, I don't think you'd believe me even if I told you." "I'd believe anything you told me." "Sit down." "Over here." "Well, it's kind of funny, but..." "I saw the strangest thing." " All I can say is, stay away from Doc." " Why?" "He'll make out you're sick in the head." "That's ridiculous." "Why should he do that?" "No kidding." "That's what he thinks I am." "Have you been seeing things?" "Me?" "Seeing things?" "Don't be silly." "Well, sort of." "Tell me what." "I'm not telling nobody." "You want me to get bounced back to Doc again?" "What sort of things did you see?" "I asked you first." "Okay." "But if you say I said this, I'll say I didn't." "You won't believe this... but something happened to a ship I was on." "She went down with all hands, except me and a few others." "I saw it happen myself." "Know what did it?" "It was a giant octopus." "Well?" "I guess it's up to you now, Admiral." "Take whatever steps are necessary." "In the weeks which followed, the North Pacific was closed to all shipping." "The sea trade between three continents came to a standstill." "No nation in the world failed to demand, through its government and press... the reason for such drastic steps." "It was officially announced that the US Navy was engaged in secret maneuvers... while in reality... the strangest search in history was taking place." " Any news from the fleet?" " So far they've found nothing, sir." "That's from the State Department, sir, and they want an immediate reply." "Let's say we do find your beast." "What will you do to it then?" "That's the next point for us to consider." "Torpedoes if it's on the surface." "Depth charges if it's below." " If you miss your first shot?" " We'll get it with the second." "It may not wait for you." "The Navy is not entirely incapable of speed, ProfessorJoyce." "We'll chase it." "I think you underestimate him, Admiral." "The body of a large cephalopod is like a giant sack... which he can fill with sea water and empty suddenly when he's alarmed." "Let me show you, Admiral." "Now watch." "Even the best of your ships are comparatively old-fashioned... compared to the cephalopod." "He's jet-propelled." "We'll have to destroy him with the first shot." "The State Department wants to know how soon we plan to raise our blockade." "Australia, Canada and Peru are protesting to the UN... unless we do it at once." "Why don't we tell them the whole story?" "Washington makes those decisions, not us." "This stays top secret until the thing is definitely sighted... and confined to a limited area." " How much longer will that take?" " It shoulïve happened by now." "When you start a job like this again, where do you begin?" "With Naval Intelligence, I should think." "If you mean me, I'm afraid I can't give you a very hopeful send-off." "My department has sifted all the information made available to us... during the last ten days... and this is what it boils down to." "One: three bathers missing from Australian beaches." "Sharks, probably." "Anything else?" "Unusually high waves breaking on Midway." "Possible marine disturbance." "That's worthwhile investigating." "It is being at this time." "I'll have the reports within three hours." "Marine weather station off the Canadian coast is out of radio contact with land." "Anything more?" "Deep-sea fishermen along the northwestern US coast... are complaining because of the poor fishing there." "That's all." "Any one of these may well be the clue we're seeking." "I suggest we take the one most likely... the weather ship out of touch with land." "Can you fly me there?" "Admiral Burns will have a flight ready for you and accompany you." " Thank you." " Yes, sir." "Good luck." "May I take the next most likely..." "the unlucky fishermen in the Northwest?" " Is that even worth considering?" " I think so." "I can be ready in ten minutes if you'll have a plane for me." " I'll see to it." " Thank you." "Sir, my exec is aboard the submarine." "He's perfectly capable of relieving me." "I can't spare you to go hunting needles in a haystack... particularly a haystack 3,000 miles in expanse." "You'll have to stand by, Mathews." "That haystack may be a lot smaller than we thought, Mathews." " Be on the flight deck in 20 minutes." " Yes, sir." "Well, there she is." "How'd the car get turned over?" "Well, the way we see it, they must have parked the car up the beach a bit... there where it's steep." "Brakes worked loose... rolled down, hit this soft sand... and over she went." "The ignition's still turned on." "Don't that beat it all." "Nobody ever noticed that." "Any reports since then of whales or sea serpents?" "You mean she wasn't kidding?" "She wasn't kidding." "What would you say made those marks, Officer?" "Why, the beach was covered with those marks a couple days ago." "Commander Mathews to Sheriff's Station." "Over." "Sheriffs Station." "Go ahead, Commander." "Over." "Relay this message to the 12th Naval District." "Have them notify Dr. John Carter..." "You got that?" "Carter..." "that he's wanted here at once." "This has top priority." "Over and out." " Where are they?" " Oh, fishing." "Seems they can't get enough fishing, them two." " How's their luck?" " Not good at all." "Say, you mean to tell me the Navy sent you down here in a jet... just so you could go fishing?" "That's about it." " Hadn't you better tell them I'm here?" " Yeah, sure." "Oh, by the way, where's that imprint you were telling me about?" "Down there behind those rocks." " Thanks." " Yeah, sure." "Hey, folks!" "It's John." "I'd better get my robe." "Any sign of that whale?" " Still kidding, huh, Commander?" " This is no kidding." "Yeah, I know." "Flying saucers?" "No, something that came from the sea." "Please be careful." "Look, Dr. Joyce, don't give me that sea serpent business, huh?" "Just be careful and keep a sharp lookout." "Understand?" "Yeah." "Sea serpent." "Saves a lot of argument." "Well, Doctor?" "As Leslie probably told you... it's the imprint of a giant octopoda bidranchiata." "Did you get photographs?" "Yes." "I sent them to Admiral Norman." "I hope he can believe his eyes." "Something convinced him." "He's setting up headpuarters in San Francisco right now." "Deputy tells me fishing is rather poor here." " Haven't had a single bite in 12 hours." " Every sign is positive." "It definitely has been here, and it probably hasn't gone away." "Maybe you can convince her she oughta beat it and let the Navy have this job." "Beat it?" "What does she say?" "What's the difference?" "Look, Pete, you don't see many women in the seagoing Navy." " Are you kidding?" " Oh, shoreside women, sure." "But there's a whole new breed that feel they're as smart and courageous as men." "And they are." "They don't like to be overprotected or have their initiative taken away." "A, you want me to miss an opportunity to see a specimen we may never see again." "B, you're making up my mind for me." "And C, I not only don't like being pushed around... but you underestimate my ability to help in a crisis." "My sympathies are entirely on her side." "Didn't take long to lose that argument." "News of that incident on the Oregon coast reached throughout the world." "By order of the Defense Department... shipping took refuge in the harbors and all beach areas were closed." "The coastal waters of the Pacific were mined." "From Panama to the Arctic Circle... the Western coast of America made ready." "I've been asked what the Navy is doing in this emergency." "Inasmuch as operational headpuarters are now set up here in San Francisco... we will use this area as an example." "Offshore minefields, together with radar and sonar warning devices... set up on Golden Gate Bridge... should be more than adepuate to keep the monster out of the Bay Area." "A submarine net has been hung from Golden Gate Bridge itself... completely blocking the only entrance from the sea." "Now, this is primarily a warning device... but it's also capable of taking a charge of thousands of volts of electricity... which we've been advised will repel any form of marine life, if not kill it." "Is there anything I haven't touched on?" "You say the monster could attack us in coastal waters... and that it's dangerous to human life." "What's being done to attack it?" "ProfessorJoyce will tell you." "Our first problem, of course, is to locate the monster again." "We're trying to do that now." "Operations toJohn Carter." "Have you seen anything yet?" "Over." "Nothing." "It's slow out here." "Over." "Prof. Carter, this is Lt. Adams." "Where are you?" "Over." "Patrolling coastal waters." "Over." "What if you don't find anything?" "Over." "We'll find something." "We've baited the surface out here with dead shark." "The beast will come up to eat." "We've got several hundred planes watching for it in relay." "We'll find it, all right." "Over." "What'll you do when that happens?" "Bomb it from the air?" "Over." "No, we've decided not to." "We have reason to think its destruction must be complete and instantaneous." "We risk complete failure with a near miss, or if we merely wound it." "The monster has only one vulnerable spot, one fatal target... its brain." "We're going to try to take advantage of that in a certain way." "Put ProfessorJoyce back on." "Over." "Go ahead, John Carter." "Over." "Leslie, take the newsmen down to the San Francisco Navy Yard... and show them the weapon." "That's all for now." "Stand by, Operations." "Over and out." "Looks like any other torpedo, doesn't it?" "But it's not." "This has no propeller." "It's jet-propelled." "The Navy doesn't know what to make of it." "Perhaps you'll explain where you got the idea." "I spent all day yesterday at the Seamen's Institute... talking to retired whaling men." "This is the result." "A warhead patterned after a harpoon is encased in the nose." "Instead of exploding on contact, it's designed to penetrate... and remain fixed in the monster's flesh." "By means of spreading barbs." "And what's going to destroy the thing?" "The explosive is sufficient to do that." "The difference is that in this case... we set it off electronically... once we're certain it's dead on its target." "Attention on deck!" "Another thing:" "The men want to know if they can go on liberty." "I know Market Street looks bright from here, but we're standing by for orders." "Nobody leaves the yard." "Carry on!" "Attention on deck!" "I see they picked an atom sub to fight this thing." "Why is that, Commander?" "Could be because of her new electronic epuipment or her speed." " Was she ordered from Hawaii for that?" " That's right." "You think it's as bad as that?" " I think we're lucky she's here." " Very lucky." "We have records of a monster like this one that appeared in the 13th century." "It ravaged the coastal towns of Denmark and Holland." "But they didn't have our modern weapons." "It was in those waters for over 30 years." "Here's another piece of evidence." "A monster was disturbed by volcanic eruptions on the floor of the ocean." "It happened in the same year as the Vesuvius disasters." "Gentlemen, that's all we have to tell you." "We're certainly obliged." "Thank you, Commander." "We gave you a break, now you give us one." "It all depends on you how the public takes this news." "We want them to have all the facts... but we don't want a panic on our hands." "Any last puestions?" "Just one." "Where did you say the monster came from?" "From the Mindanao Deep, in the Pacific." " Are there any more from down there?" " Probably." " How many?" " I don't know." " What do we do about them?" " I don't know that, either." "If you don't, then who does?" "Thank you." "I was just wondering, that's all." "The 12th Naval District alerted the entire San Francisco area." "They were waiting and watching for some sign... of the approach of the monster." "Electric minefield." "Contact." "Operations wants a check." "Radar." "Sonar." "Radar." "Sonar." "Still blank." "Let's get a cup of coffee." "Come on." "Stand by." "Sonar signal coming in." "Stand by." "Sonar signal coming in." " Unknown object coming this way." " Unknown object coming this way." "Wait." "Range: 6-0-0-0." " Range: 6-0-0-0." " Moving fast." "New position." "Entering minefield." " Number 40, south." " Range: dead on." " Fire!" " Fire!" "Stand by, number 38 mine." " Fire!" " Fire!" "No luck." "Approaching 32, south sector." " Approaching 32, south sector." " Fire!" "Ready, number 31 mine!" "Ready, number 31 mine!" " Fire!" " Fire!" "Ready, number 12, south." "Fire!" "Number 12, south!" "Fire!" " Ready, number six." "Fire!" " Ready, number six." "Fire!" "Coming on through." "That's the end of our first line of defense." " Send a red alert." " Right." "Red alert for Operation Sea Beast." "Get traffic off the Golden Gate Bridge." "This is Billings, and there's contact." "Contact with our net." "Give me instructions." "Over to you, Operations." "All right, Billings." "Let's see what the high voltage can do." "Close your switch." "GetJohn Carter for me, please." "It's not going to be me, after all." "I might as well be at the bridge." "Go ahead." "Wait a minute." "I'm going to go with you." "Hello, John." "It struck." " Where?" " Golden Gate Bridge." "I thought we had this figured out." "What happened?" "I can't tell you." "Instead of being driven off, it attacked." "Maybe it wants to fight." "Operations to all Navy personnel on the Golden Gate Bridge." "You can do nothing more there." "You're to abandon your posts and not sacrifice your lives needlessly." " These are Captain Stacey's orders." " Aye, aye, sir!" "What's going on out there?" "I threw the voltage into her, and up she came." " Is it still on?" " Yes, sir." " Where are you going?" " On the bridge." " What for?" " To pull the switch." "No, you're not." "Do you wanna get killed?" "Everyone has to be cleared by Captain Stacey, Carter orJoyce." "All right, clear me." "I'm Carter." " Okay." " Okay, Chief." "Hold onto her!" "John, this way!" "And a good evening, friends." "This is Sam Hayes." "I've got news for you." "As you probably know, our city has suffered disaster." "A marine monster is at large, perhaps even inside the Bay Area." "The federal authorities are doing everything to locate it... and, together with the city government, are taking every step proper... and possible to end this danger." "You are advised by the officials in charge... to remain in your homes." "This beast is dangerously radioactive." "Do not cause confusion." "Go about your ordinary pursuits." "Police officers will advise you if you must move to another place." "It will take some time before the road congestion along the peninsula... can be cleared." "Do not take these roads." "The Oakland Bay Bridge also is blocked, according to incoming reports." "The ferry boats are not running, so stay away from the Ferry Building." "I repeat, the ferry boats are not running." "This would put it approximately here." "Have they cleared that area?" " Not yet." " They must." "They have a tentative position for it..." "in the bay near the Ferry Building." "This confirms it." "We want total and immediate evacuation... of the Embarcadero and Ferry Building area... by the order of the commandant, 12th Naval District." "Get those cars out of the foot of Market Street." "Everybody back." "Go west on Market Street." "This area is in danger." "Everybody leave." "This area is in danger." "Everybody leave." "Look out!" "My submarine is ready at Hunter's Point." "I have the authority to order a submarine captain." "Go ahead." "You're commissioned to take any steps that seem proper." " Aye, aye, sir." "Coming, John?" " Absolutely." "We'll get in touch with you as soon as we get aboard." "Alert the Alameda area." "Station the maneuver at once." "On the double, Griff." "Take in two." "Take in three." "Take in the brow." "I believe it's lifting itself out of the water." "What do we do about that?" "Get me Leslie." "Com 12, this is Sea Beast." "Over." "This is Com 12." "Over." "Leslie, I would like to find something that would drive it back underwater." "How about heat?" "Over." " I don't know." "We can try." " Hold it." "Ask Captain Stacey to contact the Army for flamethrowers." "Over." "He's doing it." "Tubes forward." "Stand by." "Tubes ready forward, sir." "How can you torpedo it from here with all those ships in the way?" "This is a submarine." "If it can go underwater, it can go under ships." "This is a deep channel." "Run below if you don't want to get wet." "We'll dive." "Try to get in close enough for a clear shot." "When the sonar picks up the beast, let me know immediately." "This should do it, sir." "We're clear to shipping now." " Range?" " 8-0-0." " All back full." " All back full!" " Stand by, forward torpedo room." " Stand by, forward torpedo room." " All stop." " All stop!" "All stop, sir." "We're in too close for my taste, but it can't be helped." "We'll just have to fire our torpedo, run for it... and explode it after we're out of range." "We'll let those flamethrowers have a whack at it first." "We need a better target." "That's it." "Number one torpedo, fire!" "Fire!" "We're caught fast, sir." " This is where we came in." " What do we do now?" "We explode our torpedo and get blown apart ourselves... or we think faster than we've ever thought before." "I want a man to stand by the escape hatch." "Break out an Apua-Lung and some of that plastic explosive we were issued." "I nominate myself, if you're calling for volunteers." "This is a personal matter, Griff." "I'm reserving that pleasure for myself." "Maneuvering, are we still backing full?" "We're giving you all she's got." "Very well." "As second in command, it's my turn to try." "No, it's mine." "You don't know where the monster's vulnerable." "I do." "You want to argue about it, or you want to get free right away?" "And don't waste time." "I'll need some explosive and a harpoon gun." "Hanson, diving suit and harpoon gun, on the double." "Aye, aye, sir." "Fuse." "Timer to set for as long as you need." "Thank you very much." "Whatever he did, he knew his stuff." "It worked." "When the range opens up, set off the torpedo." "But the captain's still out there, and that other fellow too." "I know it." "I'm obeying the captain's last orders." "You'll do as much for mine." "Range: 1-0-0-0." "Fire!" "No trace of'em." "Yes, there is!" "There they are." "Get 'em in sight." "Left full rudder." "Starboard ahead two-thirds." "The Army and the Navy and our gallant police and fire departments... these have all received the honors they deserve from a grateful city." "But there are three others who served San Francisco... who also must not be forgotten." "And, therefore, a memorial plaque today... has been presented to those unsung heroes:" "the Civilian Defense volunteers... the crossing guards... and street railway employees of this city." "Well, I guess that's it." "The sub's been ordered on patrol." "I'll be on sea duty for a few months." "I'll be seeing you, John." " Soon, I hope." " Will I be seeing you, Leslie?" "You mean when I get back from Cairo?" "I mean, women can change, move away, get married... have families." "Well, there is that possibility, but..." "A, there isn't time for that to happen to me..." "B, I can be reached at the school, and..." "C, how would you like to collaborate with me on a book..." "How To Catch a Sea Beast?" "Doctor, you were right about this new breed of woman."