[ IP ] Nessie by Ulric Leprovost

`` This is still a bad idea.'' 
 
 Hank turned to face his partner, `` Kid, you say that about every assignment.'' 
 
 Jim went to brush the strand of hair off his face, but found the attempt blocked by the hazard suits' mask. `` Well, hank, the other ones were like at normal places. Back country road, office building, that one time at a carnival...'' 
 
 Hank cracked a smile, `` That one was fun, you've got ta admit.'' 
 
 `` There was nothing fun about it! We almost died!'' 
 
 Hank let the arm holding his gun drop and rested a hand on his hip, `` Agents almost die all the time. If you're so sick of this you could always transfer to be a E level. Those guys die like fli-'' 
 
 `` I'mgoodHankthisjobisfine'' Jim rambled. 
 
 Hank chuckled raising his gun again, `` Now move it kid, we've got a dimension to recon.'' 
 
 They continued walking past the jagged pieces of violet stone that dotted the landscape. Jim sidestepped a crack while staring at the scanner in his hands, `` Uh Hank, the signal is getting kinda close.'' 
 
 `` Then we're almost done here. We just take a peek at what it is then we can get back to the rift and call it a day. I'll even let you buy us dinner tonight.'' 
 
 `` Sounds good to me.'' Jim continued a few steps then realized what he'd said, `` Hey wait a mi-'' He was cut short by Hank's arm that was blocking his path. `` Why did we stop he-'' He froze again when he saw why they stopped. 
 
 A massive sea stretched before them, the shore reaching to an impossible distance in either direction. The water was completely black and had no waves or movement. 
 
 Jim swallowed, `` Well looks like we have our signal... we should go.'' He turned to leave until a tug at his back stopped him again. 
 
 Hank held him tightly by the hose connected to his helmet, `` read that scanner again. A signal that strong and concentrated is more than some water.'' 
 
 Jim reluctantly returned to Hank's side. `` So... what do we do?'' 
 
 Hank walked carefully down to the water's edge, `` Well, we just have to get the attention of whatever is out there.'' He reached down to pick up one of the glossy violet stones. 
 
 `` Hank... I do n't think you sho-'' 
 
 Hank wound up and threw the stone as far out into the water as he could. It entered the water completely silent making no ripples or disturbing the surface. 
 
 Hank whistled, `` Well that's different.'' 
 
 The water began to ripple where the stone had entered. The ripples turned into waves. Jim started to back away from the waters edge until his heel caught on a rock sending him sprawling to the ground. 
 
 The waves continued to grow until a scaley black... thing started to emerge. It rose higher and higher into the air, a black tentacle protruding from the surface. 
 
 The towered at least fifty feet over the shore, until suddenly it swung down to their height. 
 
 Jim was shaking too much to stand up again, `` Okay Hank we found it now we can go.'' 
 
 The tentacle turned so that the end was facing away from from, then suddenly, an eye blinked open. The realization hit Jim, `` It's a head. That's a head of something big. We're going to die here.'' 
 
 Jim tried to scamper backwards on all fours until he hit a larger rock. He refused to take his eyes off the creature so he remained still. 
 
 Hank stood no more than five feet from the massive violet eye. `` Well you're a big one ai n't ya? Can you talk? If so, are you verbal or one of those telepathic ones?'' 
 
 The creature continued to watch them with its pupiless eye. A woman's voice suddenly spoke inside their heads, `` What are you?'' 
 
 Jim clutched the side of his helmet, shuddering from the sound. 
 
 Hank smiled, tucking his gun under his arm, he scribbled a note on the paper attached to his suit's wrist, `` tele-pathic... sorry about that, so, to answer your question, I'm Hank.'' He placed a hand to his chest, `` and that courageous young man over there is Jim. We are humans.'' 
 
 The creature continued to stare at them. `` Why are you here?'' The voice rang in Jim's head again. 
 
 Hank continued to scribble notes on his paper. His eyes flicked up at the violet eye glaring at him, `` Well, the people we work for found a... door into your... home? I'm assuming that's where we are, anyway, they sent me and Jim here to learn about this place, and by extension, you. So if I may ask, who are you?'' 
 
 The creature lifted it's head away from them, back to its full height. `` This domain is not for you. Leave this place!'' The voice was harsh now, leaving an aching feeling in Jim's skull. 
 
 Jim found his way to his feet. `` Hank we really should go.'' 
 
 Hank was writing his notes again, `` poss-ibl-ly hostile.'' He clicked his pen shut and tucked it back into his suit's pocket. `` O-k Jim let's get going because I'm pretty sure this thing wants us dead.'' 
 
 `` Wait wha-'' 
 
 Hank strode past him, grabbing his shoulder as he went. Jim glanced back at the creature, it's piercing violet eyes never leaving his. It slowly slinked back into the water, leaving no trace that it was ever there.
