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Description

Monikers: Varan, Baradagi, Baradagi-sama, Obake, Varanopodes draconis

Initial Report: October 14, 1958

Hyperfaunal Category: III

Threat Level: Jötnar

Mass: 15,000 tonnes

Height: 50 m (164 ft)

Length: 177 m (580.7 ft)

History

On 14-10-1958, an entomological expedition was launched to the island of Kunish-shirioshima. None returned. A second team was sent to investigate, and learned from the local villagers of a mountain god known as “Baradagi”. Midway through the operation a large reptilian creature emerged from a nearby lake; this was the creature known as “Baradagi”. The JSDF, seeing a potential existential threat in the form of a new hyperfaunal organism, began preparations for an assault on the lake. SIRAF operatives successfully persuaded them to delay the assault. A final expedition, this time of zoological expertise, was sent to observe the creature. It was found that “Baradagi”, at the time identified as a “varanopode”, was nothing but a mundane, if extraordinarily large animal. It showed little interest in attacking humans, or even interacting with them. On 19-05-1959, the creature was assigned the nickname “Varan”, and the binomial name Varanopodes draconis; “Baradagi” was retained as the species name.

More than half a century later, on 14-09-2013, anti-submarine sonar detected a large object moving in the direction of the West Coast. The creature made landfall on the coast of Los Angeles, taking to the air immediately; it was swiftly identified as a second member of the Baradagi species, tentatively dubbed Varan II. Its hide was covered in large lacerations and scorch marks, and its immediate flight indicated outright panic as a motive for taking flight. The military moved to intercept Varan II, but were too late: a beam of high-intensity radiation cut through the ocean, igniting the hyperfaunal’s internal gas reserves and causing it to violently explode. It was this even that would mark the beginning of “K-DAY,” an attack by “Gojira” on Los Angeles, which would result in 8.7 million deaths.

Biology

Subject “Varan” is the sole extant specimen of the squamate species Varanopodes draconis. Contrary to its name, and that of its genus (which both seem to imply a relationship with the Varanidae) a mosaic of iguanian characteristics is present throughout “Varan’s” anatomy (see Addendum I). Phylogenetic analysis has shown that “Varan” is a stem-iguanian most closely related to butterfly lizards, uromastyx, and the Eocene Barbaturex morrisoni. Accordingly, radiotrophic habits aside, “Varan” is primarily herbivorous, feeding on trees in excess of 20 m (65.6 ft) tall. Exceptions exist, though, and accounts from Kunish-shirioshima’s locals indicate “Varan” has historically attacked villages.

One of “Varan’s” most notable characteristics is a pair of large, inflatable “membranes” that run along the length of its torso and the base of its tail; despite initial conclusions, it is now believed that these structures are analogous to the lateral flanges of butterfly lizards, rather than homologous. Within certain bodily cavities as speculated (and later confirmed) by biologist Max Birchwood, “Varan” is capable of separating the oxygen and hydrogen in water. It then expels the oxygen through its lungs and pumps the hydrogen molecules into its “membranes”, engorging and enlarging them enough to increase their surface area. Combined with the high concentration of hydrogen molecules, “Varan” is capable of “gliding”, rather than true flight. Incidentally, it is this same system that allows it to vocalize: by expelling all of the gasses through its mouth, “Varan” is capable of emitting loud, “thunderous” roars. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by the events of the 2013 incident, the amount of hydrogen within “Varan’s” system poses a significant threat.

Gliding and terrestrial locomotion are not all “Varan” is capable of. Observations have shown that it is a creature equally comfortable in the air, on land, and in the water. As such “Varan” has occasionally been described as “triphibian”; few animals possess such a varied lifestyle, with the most notable vertebrate example being the 380 species of flying frogs. “Varan” appears to favour sources of fresh water for dormancy; the exact reason for this remains unclear, though may be explained by the absence of the salt-extracting mechanism that would be necessary for oceanic life.

Threat mitigation

“Varan” is one of the few hyperfauna where an anti-hyperfaunal protocol does not exist. Given that no purposeful attacks on cities have yet been observed, it has been assigned a threat level of Jötnar, by far the lowest on the Wu scale. As such, any attacks will likely implement a pre-existing Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol. In a worst-case scenario, such as a purposeful attack involving a third Baradagi, Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol 56-C “Pawn Sacrifice” (see files on Battra and Rodan) will be implemented. After the events of K-DAY, Protocol 56-C “Pawn Sacrifice” is no longer considered a viable option. As such, Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” has been established with the expressed purpose of dealing with a theoretical “Varan” attack. Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” is as follows:

1. A squadron of autonomous F-16 Fighting Falcons will be deployed. Each F-16 will be equipped with incendiary munitions. Attacks will be aimed for “Varan’s” wing membranes, due to their high concentration of hydrogen, and other weak spots. Should the combustion of “Varan’s” internal hydrogen not kill it outright, the assault will persist until it is driven into the ocean.

2. Whatever Anti-submarine rockets and depth charges are available will be deployed from ships and aircraft that have previously and carefully been positioned nearby, dealing significant physical damage to “Varan”. Though its spent hydrogen will not be a threat by this stage, the damage to its body already sustained will make the assault easier.

The success of Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” is unknown. As of yet, only one attempt has been made to implement it (see Addendum II).

Addendum I: Taxonomy

Unlike most hyperfauna, “Varan’s” anatomy is replete with signs of its phylogenetic relationships. Its dentition is pleurodont, with teeth fused directly to the jawbone; a row of dorsal spines, of which some are up to 10 m (32.8 ft) tall; a small parietal eye; six cervical vertebrae; and a prominent temporal arch. Phylogenetic and genomic analysis, permitted by “Varan’s” dramatically lower radiation output, affirm a taxonomic position within Iguania.

Addendum II: Incident Report

Incident #: 4093-07

Date of occurrence: 17-04-2022

Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” was implemented as a result of an attack by “Varan” on WWWWWWW, Texas. Moderate success was observed, though its internal hydrogen failed to detonate. At 1605, USAF First Lieutenant WWWWWW WWWWWWW contacted mission control, reporting a “significant atmospheric disturbance” overhead. Contact with 1st Lt WWWWWWW was lost amidst the sound of screaming. Col PPP PPPPPPPPPP confirmed the operators’ worst fears: subject “Rodan” was briefly observed on one of the F-16s’ on-board cameras. Henceforth, the incident report is based on reports from civilians. Once the last of the planes was downed, “Rodan” engaged in a violent assault on “Varan”, succeeding in tearing one of its wing membranes. “Varan” crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Description

Monikers: Varan, Baradagi, Baradagi-sama, Obake, Varanopodes draconis

Initial Report: October 14, 1958

Hyperfaunal Category: III

Threat Level: Jötnar

Mass: 15,000 tonnes

Height: 50 m (164 ft)

Length: 177 m (580.7 ft)

History

On 14-10-1958, an entomological expedition was launched to the island of Kunish-shirioshima. None returned. A second team was sent to investigate, and learned from the local villagers of a mountain god known as “Baradagi”. Midway through the operation a large reptilian creature emerged from a nearby lake; this was the creature known as “Baradagi”. The JSDF, seeing a potential existential threat in the form of a new hyperfaunal organism, began preparations for an assault on the lake. SIRAF operatives successfully persuaded them to delay the assault. A final expedition, this time of zoological expertise, was sent to observe the creature. It was found that “Baradagi”, at the time identified as a “varanopode”, was nothing but a mundane, if extraordinarily large animal. It showed little interest in attacking humans, or even interacting with them. On 19-05-1959, the creature was assigned the nickname “Varan”, and the binomial name Varanopodes draconis; “Baradagi” was retained as the species name.

More than half a century later, on 14-09-2013, anti-submarine sonar detected a large object moving in the direction of the West Coast. The creature made landfall on the coast of Los Angeles, taking to the air immediately; it was swiftly identified as a second member of the Baradagi species, tentatively dubbed Varan II. Its hide was covered in large lacerations and scorch marks, and its immediate flight indicated outright panic as a motive for taking flight. The military moved to intercept Varan II, but were too late: a beam of high-intensity radiation cut through the ocean, igniting the hyperfaunal’s internal gas reserves and causing it to violently explode. It was this even that would mark the beginning of “K-DAY,” an attack by “Gojira” on Los Angeles, which would result in 8.7 million deaths.

Biology

Subject “Varan” is the sole extant specimen of the squamate species Varanopodes draconis. Contrary to its name, and that of its genus (which both seem to imply a relationship with the Varanidae) a mosaic of iguanian characteristics is present throughout “Varan’s” anatomy (see Addendum I). Phylogenetic analysis has shown that “Varan” is a stem-iguanian most closely related to butterfly lizards, uromastyx, and the Eocene Barbaturex morrisoni. Accordingly, radiotrophic habits aside, “Varan” is primarily herbivorous, feeding on trees in excess of 20 m (65.6 ft) tall. Exceptions exist, though, and accounts from Kunish-shirioshima’s locals indicate “Varan” has historically attacked villages.

One of “Varan’s” most notable characteristics is a pair of large, inflatable “membranes” that run along the length of its torso and the base of its tail; despite initial conclusions, it is now believed that these structures are analogous to the lateral flanges of butterfly lizards, rather than homologous. Within certain bodily cavities as speculated (and later confirmed) by biologist Max Birchwood, “Varan” is capable of separating the oxygen and hydrogen in water. It then expels the oxygen through its lungs and pumps the hydrogen molecules into its “membranes”, engorging and enlarging them enough to increase their surface area. Combined with the high concentration of hydrogen molecules, “Varan” is capable of “gliding”, rather than true flight. Incidentally, it is this same system that allows it to vocalize: by expelling all of the gasses through its mouth, “Varan” is capable of emitting loud, “thunderous” roars. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by the events of the 2013 incident, the amount of hydrogen within “Varan’s” system poses a significant threat.

Gliding and terrestrial locomotion are not all “Varan” is capable of. Observations have shown that it is a creature equally comfortable in the air, on land, and in the water. As such “Varan” has occasionally been described as “triphibian”; few animals possess such a varied lifestyle, with the most notable vertebrate example being the 380 species of flying frogs. “Varan” appears to favour sources of fresh water for dormancy; the exact reason for this remains unclear, though may be explained by the absence of the salt-extracting mechanism that would be necessary for oceanic life.

Threat mitigation

“Varan” is one of the few hyperfauna where an anti-hyperfaunal protocol does not exist. Given that no purposeful attacks on cities have yet been observed, it has been assigned a threat level of Jötnar, by far the lowest on the Wu scale. As such, any attacks will likely implement a pre-existing Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol. In a worst-case scenario, such as a purposeful attack involving a third Baradagi, Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol 56-C “Pawn Sacrifice” (see files on Battra and Rodan) will be implemented. After the events of K-DAY, Protocol 56-C “Pawn Sacrifice” is no longer considered a viable option. As such, Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” has been established with the expressed purpose of dealing with a theoretical “Varan” attack. Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” is as follows:

1. A squadron of autonomous F-16 Fighting Falcons will be deployed. Each F-16 will be equipped with incendiary munitions. Attacks will be aimed for “Varan’s” wing membranes, due to their high concentration of hydrogen, and other weak spots. Should the combustion of “Varan’s” internal hydrogen not kill it outright, the assault will persist until it is driven into the ocean.

2. Whatever Anti-submarine rockets and depth charges are available will be deployed from ships and aircraft that have previously and carefully been positioned nearby, dealing significant physical damage to “Varan”. Though its spent hydrogen will not be a threat by this stage, the damage to its body already sustained will make the assault easier.

The success of Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” is unknown. As of yet, only one attempt has been made to implement it (see Addendum II).

Addendum I: Taxonomy

Unlike most hyperfauna, “Varan’s” anatomy is replete with signs of its phylogenetic relationships. Its dentition is pleurodont, with teeth fused directly to the jawbone; a row of dorsal spines, of which some are up to 10 m (32.8 ft) tall; a small parietal eye; six cervical vertebrae; and a prominent temporal arch. Phylogenetic and genomic analysis, permitted by “Varan’s” dramatically lower radiation output, affirm a taxonomic position within Iguania.

Addendum II: Incident Report

Incident #: 4093-07

Date of occurrence: 17-04-2022

Protocol 58-D “Hellfire” was implemented as a result of an attack by “Varan” on WWWWWWW, Texas. Moderate success was observed, though its internal hydrogen failed to detonate. At 1605, USAF First Lieutenant WWWWWW WWWWWWW contacted mission control, reporting a “significant atmospheric disturbance” overhead. Contact with 1st Lt WWWWWWW was lost amidst the sound of screaming. Col PPP PPPPPPPPPP confirmed the operators’ worst fears: subject “Rodan” was briefly observed on one of the F-16s’ on-board cameras. Henceforth, the incident report is based on reports from civilians. Once the last of the planes was downed, “Rodan” engaged in a violent assault on “Varan”, succeeding in tearing one of its wing membranes. “Varan” crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.