Office of Scientific Operations - Declassified Files (Release #1)

By K McConnell

From the case files of the Office of Scientific Operations (OSO) comes the following recently declassified files:

From 1953...
File #153 (commonly referred to by the public as "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms")
OSO agents Elliot Simms and Robbie Regan, while observing an atomic test in the Arctic, are unwittingly caught up in the release of prehistoric beasts from millions of years of suspended animation in the ice. Now they must help in stopping this new terror as it moves steadily down the east coast destroying anything in it's path.

From 1954...
File #157 (commonly referred to by the public as "Them")
OSO agents Simms and Regan investigate the odd circumstances surrounding a missing FBI agent only to stumble upon a horror in the New Mexico desert and if they cannot find a way to stop it there is a very good chance this could be the end of humanity.

Office of Scientific Operations:
With the conclusion of the traumatic events in 1933 surrounding the shocking affair involving the city of New York and a beast commonly referred to as "King Kong" the president of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, established the Office of Scientific Operations (OSO). The purpose of the OSO was to monitor, evaluate the level of risk and assist in any manner the mitigation of danger of any and all scientific operations and anomalies. With the rapid pace of scientific discovery this office was given the highest priority and clearance to investigate any potential threats or consequences to the interests of the United States of America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K McConnell
• Release date: Mar 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463137062

K McConnell

K McConnell grew up in a small Michigan town sadly similar to the town of Hamlet in the Hamlet Mysteries. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in English Literature with a minor in Writing that adequately prepared him for unemployment, a vocation he has fully embraced whenever possible. He has travelled extensively surviving numerous misadventures along the way. These days he spends a majority of his time writing for his own entertainment and anyone who wishes to listen in.

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1

The two men, bundled in their winter gear, stood next to the communication building. Behind them, with a radio strapped to his back, stood a third individual manning the portable radio. They watched and waited. They are observing Operation Experiment, a test explosion of a hydrogen bomb in the Arctic region of Baffin Island.

By the way, said Professor Tom Nesbitt, a physicist from the Atomic Energy Commission, where are the OSO guys?

Colonel John Evans, military liaison, waved a mitten covered hand towards a truck twenty yards away. They're in one of the trucks.

Nesbitt nodded. He didn't really see a reason for the OSO to be present for this. It was an important operation, but not typically the type of thing the OSO was involved in. He didn't, though, object to their being here. The OSO had proven itself in the past to be very important. There was no better example of that then the whole business with Dr. Zeitner and his army of prehistoric creatures back in the 30s.

In the truck sat Elliot Simms, District Chief Investigator for the OSO. He was of medium build, dark brown hair and a serious look to his features. Also in the truck was Robert Robbie Regan, District Investigator for the OSO. He was a little taller than Simms with sandy blonde hair and a brighter, cheery look to him.

Regan sighed. A stream of mist made a plume in front of his face in the cold air. Why are we here again? He asked.

Simms pulled the left side of his hood back so he could see Regan. Because Marcus told us to. Simms said. Marcus Edmonds was the Director of the OSO.

That's an order, not a reason. Regan replied.

Well, the OSO is always interested any time atomic energy is used for anything. You know, ever since--- Simms was cut off.

I know. Ever since the infamous Dr. Z. Regan waved a hand. They slid their goggles on.

The countdown to the bomb blast reached zero and a massive flash of light bathed the whole area. There was a tremendous roar, even at this distance, followed by several other rumblings.

Simms and Regan pulled their goggles off in time to notice Evans and Nesbitt hurry back into the communication building. Simms and Regan exchanged a look and shrugged. They climbed out of the truck and headed back into the communication building.

Inside Simms made his way to the coffee machine in an endeavor to warm up. A minute later Regan joined him. Simms glanced across the room where Colonel Evans, Nesbitt and the other physicist from the Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Ritchie, were talking.

Hey, Regan said as walked up to Simms, the radar guys say they saw something right after the blast.

Saw what? Simms asked over the rim of his cup.

Regan shrugged. They don't know. Something big, but no idea what it was. Then it was gone.

Probably nothing. Maybe just debris. Simms said.

Regan nodded. That's what they were thinking too.

Nesbitt strolled over to where Simms and Regan stood. Ah, that coffee looks good.

Simms stepped aside so Nesbitt could get his own cup. Anything to warm back up.

Nesbitt nodded. Oh, we are planning to head out to the forward observation posts in about an hour.

OK. Thanks. Simms replied. Oh, Dr. Nesbitt, what post are we assigned to?

Nesbitt flipped through a couple pages on his clipboard. Uh, you two are at Post 13.

Thanks. Simms said.

Turning back to them Nesbitt said, Don't forget your Geiger counters. You'll need to keep an eye on the radiation levels.

Simms nodded. Right.

Regan turned towards a soldier behind him. Sergeant Loomis.

Yes sir? Loomis looked up from a pile of papers he was sifting through.

Has transport been arranged for us? Regan asked.

Yes sir. It's all set. Loomis replied.

Regan nodded a thanks.

It took about 40 minutes of negotiating their way around crevasses and large jumbles of ice before the tracked vehicle carrying Simms and Regan drew near Post 13.

This is about as close as I can get. The driver called over his shoulder to Simms and Regan.

OK, we'll walk the rest of the way. Simms replied. They climbed over the side and out of the vehicle.

Walk? More like crawl. Regan said staring at the piles of broken ice chunks, some larger than cars, blocking their path ahead.

Simms patted Regan on the shoulder and they headed off through the ice. After the first line of rubble blocking their path the ice smoothed out a little and they made better progress. Regan walked a little ahead of Simms who followed in the same footsteps until suddenly Regan wasn't there. One moment he was and then, gone.

It took Simms only a moment to realize that Regan had dropped into a crevasse. Hidden by snow they were easy to stumble into. Simms quickly dropped down on to his stomach and crawled up the edge of the crevasse which was visible now that Regan revealed it---albeit, the hard way.

At the edge Simms was relieved to discover that a quick thinking Regan had buried his ice ax into the top lip of the crevasse as he slid into it. Hanging by one hand holding the ice ax Regan looked up at Simms.

Sorry, Boss.

Simms planted his own ice ax several feet back form the edge and, gripping his own ax in one hand, reached down with his other hand and pulled Regan back up over the edge.

I thought you were watching for those. Simms said waving a hand towards the crevasse as the both sat on the edge.

I thought so too. Guess I better try a little harder. Regan replied as they stood up and, leaping carefully over the crevasse, continued their trek.

I would like to be making better time than this. Simms said. They were talking about a blizzard possibly heading our way.

I think it's just over this next pressure ridge. Regan pointed on ahead.

They cleared the pressure ridge and spotted the flag marking the location of the post.

Wait. Simms said.

Regan stopped and turned around to see Simms checking the Geiger counter.

We're OK. Go ahead. Simms waved Regan on.

They reached Post 13. Simms opened the door of the instrument box and pulled out the circular paper disk that recorded data readings by etching them into the paper.

Got it. Simms said. There was a sharp sound from somewhere, but the wind had picked up and was swirling around them.

Did you hear that? Regan asked.

Simms nodded. I did, but with all this wind I can't tell where it came from.

They stood for a minute listening. They didn't hear anything.

We better head back. Simms said.

They had only traveled a short distance more when they felt the ground shaking. They slid to their knees and waited for it to pass.

What was that? Regan asked.

Simms shook his head. Don't know.

This ground is slippery enough without it jumping around. Regan said.

Agreed. Simms replied.

They stood up and after a few more steps heard what sounded like another gun shot. They exchanged a look and pushed on. Again, they only made a little progress before another more intense shaking of the ground knocked them down. Glancing back and to their right the two men saw a pressure ridge a short distance from them shift and break apart. It threw snow into the air that the wind spun around. It was like a fog. In the fog, though, something large and dark moved. It moved in a serpentine fashion. Like a snake or lizard, but a hundred times larger.

The wind picked up and the dark shape disappeared into the swirling snow. Both men looked at one another.

Did you see...something? Regan asked.

I'm...not sure. Maybe. Simms said.

Should we go investigate? Regan asked.

Simms hesitated. No. That direction heads out towards the open ocean. If we weren’t careful we could end up dropping into the sea. If that happened...well...

Yeah. I get it. Regan answered.

Simms waved a hand. Let's get moving.

A short time later they reached the tracked vehicle.

Glad you guys are back. Something's happened. The driver told them.

What happened? Simms asked.

Not sure. The driver replied. A lot of chatter going on over the radio. Can't make it out.

The storm made the trip back to the base camp much longer. Once they were back and were headed towards the Communications building Simms stopped Regan.

Don't say anything about what we saw out there. Simms said.

Regan looked puzzled. Why? I mean, we did see something, didn't we?

Did we? Simms asked. For now, I want to keep that to ourselves. Understood?

Regan shrugged. OK. I guess.

They continued on into the building. There seemed to be people hustling all about. Regan flagged down Sergeant Loomis.

What's going on? Regan asked.

It's doctors Nesbitt and Ritchie. Some kind of avalanche. Dr. Nesbitt is injured and they can't find Dr. Ritchie. Loomis answered.

Can't find him? Simms asked.

Yes sir. Don't know where he is. Could be lost in the storm. They're sending guys out right now to search for him. Loomis said.

How is Dr. Nesbitt? Simms asked.

Loomis shrugged. Not sure. It's weird, though.

What's weird? Regan prompted.

Dr. Nesbitt. When he was brought in. He was mumbling something about a monster. Loomis gave a half shrug and was off.

Simms and Regan looked at one another. A monster?

2

After a brief phone call back to headquarters in DC it was decided that Simms and Regan would stay at the Baffin Island facility and do a little more investigating into what happened. Simms had described their encounter with something they couldn't really define to Edmonds. Marcus thought about it and agreed they should keep that to themselves for now. He also suggested that they talk to Colonel Evans about not mentioning what Nesbitt had said. The OSO did not want anyone thinking this was related in some way to events more than 20 years ago.

It took two full days for the blizzard to pass. To their credit the soldiers under Colonel Evans command struggled through the wild winds and blinding snow to search for Dr. Ritchie, but to no avail. No sign of him was ever found.

During the down time waiting for the storm to pass Simms and Regan spent their time interviewing anyone that had been out on the ice that day. They were trying to determine if anyone had seen anything odd. They were careful not to suggest to anyone that something strange had taken place. In addition, they tried to dampen any rumors floating around that anything out of the expected happened.

Colonel Evans. Simms pulled Evans aside at one of the brief moments he wasn't out on the ice himself or running around organizing search parties.

Ah, Simms. Is it Mr. Simms? Do you guys have a rank? I never know with you government guys. Evans said with a smile.

"I'm referred to as