Godzilla Returns Read Online Free Page B

type," Brian said.
    "I wanted to be a scientist, but I'm not good at math," Nick admitted frankly. "I can sure talk the lingo, though, and that's all a good science correspondent has to do!"
    "Oh, it's that easy," Brian said dubiously.
    "Hey, Mister He-shoots-he-scores, allow me to demonstrate."
    Then Nick launched into a live, on-the-spot science report of the activities of the group of chic Japanese women they'd been scoping out since they'd arrived. "As you can see, those females are well-adapted to their environment. Their bright plumage attracts members of the opposite sex."
    Brian watched as a Japanese salaryman - office worker - tried to engage the prettiest girl in conversation. Brian noticed that another man was circling the women.
    "But nature can be capricious," Nick continued in a serious tone. "The bright plumage that attracts potential mates also attracts predators from other territories."
    Unfortunately for the Japanese man, a tall, muscular U.S. Marine was also trying to talk up the women.
    "It becomes a question of survival," Nick intoned. "Can the male of this species protect his potential reproductive partners against the predatory behavior of other wild beasts?"
    Just then, the girl turned her back on the man in uniform. She reached out and took the salaryman by the arm. He led her to a table in the crowded dining area.
    "In this case, the predator was driven back," Nick said. "Or, as my esteemed colleague would say..."
    "He shoots, he scores," Brian said. They both laughed. At that moment, the hostess tapped Nick on the shoulder and they followed her to a table.
    Brian found he enjoyed Nick Gordon's company. By the end of the evening, Brian realized that Nick knew a lot about him, but Brian still knew little about his roommate. It really didn't matter, though. Nick was funny, straightforward, sincere, and easy to talk to.
    Brian knew he'd made a friend. A good friend.

CHAPTER 4
THE OCEAN BOILS!

    May I2, I998, I I:47 P.M.
East China Sea

    With powerful binoculars, Captain Koh scanned the dark ocean that surrounded his ship - a Korean commercial vessel bound for Los Angeles. The East China Sea was calm, the night still. The dark mantle of sky twinkled with the lights from a thousand stars. It could not be clearer. The weather could not be more fair.
    But Koh was edgy. His nerves tingled and he could not relax. That he could find no reason for his agitation only made it worse. After sixty years of seagoing experience, Koh's instincts were seldom wrong.
    Koh crossed the dimly lit bridge of the Azure Dragon and scanned the ocean on the opposite side.
    Nothing.
    Koh shivered, though the night was balmy. "Perhaps some tea," he said aloud.
    "Pardon me, Captain?" asked the young ensign who manned the wheel.
    "It is nothing, Rhee," Captain Koh replied. "I only wished for some hot tea."
    "I'll call the galley," Ensign Rhee said, reaching for the horn. While the ensign spoke, Koh brought the binoculars back up to his eyes and scanned the horizon once again.
    Old habits die hard , Koh thought. I should remember that I am a civilian now - that I command a freighter, not a fast attack boat.
    "The tea will be here momentarily," Ensign Rhee said, interrupting his commander's thoughts.
    "Thank you," Koh replied. He continued to scan the horizon.
    "Are we on course?" Koh asked after a moment.
    "On course, and ahead of schedule," Rhee barked back proudly. Despite his misgivings, Koh smiled. Rhee was a conscientious officer, and Koh enjoyed commanding such men. It's a shame that Ensign Rhee did not pursue a career in the Republic of Korea's Navy , he mused.
    The steel door opened and the galley mate entered the bridge. He was a short, squat man - a former factory worker from Inchon. The galley mate smelled of kimchee, the powerful pickled cabbage the sailors of the Azure Dragon ate on a daily basis.
    "Tea, sir?" the fat man asked.
    Koh nodded. "Pour some for Rhee, too," the captain said. Soon the two officers were sipping