Monster Studies Mastery

Compared to the K.R.E.F, the history of Kaiju is unclear, even to the scientists studying them. Where they came from, what caused their appearances, and how they gained supernatural abilities are all mysteries. So far, the only confirmed details are that their individual origins vary. Some have existed in a dormant state for unknown periods of time; others develop through rapid mutation, or simply appear in some unknown way. Regardless of their origins, there are two fundamental details the world knows about kaiju. The incredible danger they pose, and the immense potential they have due to their highly unstable DNA.

In an effort to effectively gauge these monsters and develop better countermeasures, they're classified in two ways. First, kaiju species are known collectively as Monstrum, a title that often appears in their scientific names. Kaiju that haven't been sighted often enough or have few or no known relatives lack this detail. This is mainly important for recording data on them, since a particular species of kaiju can be easier to predict then a unique individual.

The second and more important classification is the Danger Levels, or Level System. Developed during the K.R.E.F's earlier days, this system has been used and updated over the years to estimate the power, intelligence, size, and overall danger of any kaiju, collective or individual. While there are plenty of potential outliers, it's generally believed that the higher the level, the larger, stronger, and more intelligent the monster in question is.

Level I kaiju are the smallest, least harmful on record. Most of them are harmless, if not outright docile. Few ever grow larger than an average human, making them relatively easy to handle if they become aggressive. At this level, it's possible for kaiju to even be kept as pets or livestock, provided their owner has the knowledge and skills to earn a license to handle them.

Level II kaiju are often seen more as supernatural wildlife than outright monsters. While they're capable of posing a threat to anyone near them, most have relatively low intelligence and simple behaviors. Most tend to avoid encounters with humans, with those that don't often having a reason, such as extreme hunger or territorialism. On average they're roughly human sized at minimum, while the largest are comparable to vehicles in scale. At this level, average weaponry can injure or kill them with a good strategy or enough firepower.

Level III kaiju are considered to be the average for dangerous monsters. At this level, their intelligence is more notable, as their behaviors vary beyond those seen in most wildlife. Hostile or not, they're powerful enough to warrant an evacuation order if any appear near a populated area. Their size is often comparable to buildings, and few weapons that weren't designed for kaiju are capable of damaging them. Due to their overall danger and the increase in power of the next two levels, this is the furthest that any civilians are legally allowed to hunt.

Level IV kaiju are considered to be the reason most monsters are referred to as kaiju. They're far larger and more powerful than any other lifeforms, and are more comparable in size to skyscrapers and mountains than anything else. Most at this level are relatively intelligent as well, often displaying at least a level of situational awareness and adaptability that surpasses those of lower levels. Thankfully, the higher a kaiju's level, the rarer it usually is; on average, only a dozen of them are ever sighted on any given continent, and most tend to keep to themselves.

Level V kaiju are the rarest, most powerful beings in existence. Also known as Daikaiju, their scale can vary surprisingly often, though most are comparable to the size of large buildings. Their average intelligence can also vary, from barely sentient to matching or surpassing human level IQ. What's most dangerous about these monsters are their abilities, as they can devastate an entire metropolis, ravage ecosystems, and potentially cause worldwide destruction if left unchecked. When combining the various factors that make up their danger, it's miraculous that they're so exceptionally rare. With the right conditions, even one of them could become a living extinction event. Because of this, they're given the highest priority in regards to countermeasures, and kaiju mutations are closely studied to ensure that if more appear, humanity will be ready.

While the past of the K.R.E.F is well known, how its membership developed is less clear. Initially acting almost as an anti-kaiju military branch, its developments and changes led it to stand out over the years. To discuss its members, it's important to begin with the three main groups within the organization. These include the Combat Group, the Research Division (or R&D), and the Field Recovery Team.

The Combat Group is responsible for the active tracking and killing of kaiju. Procedures for handling one varies depending on its Level, but field agents are generally dispatched in squads to handle a threat. Stronger kaiju will usually have more powerful agents and equipment sent after it, though agents with particularly dangerous abilities can be sent in alone. Members of this group can also assist in other areas, and it's common for enhanced agents from other groups to be part of this one if they possess any abilities useful in the field.

The Research Division studies and documents kaiju, as well as developing countermeasures and equipment to handle them. Their job tends to be the most varied, from updating knowledge on particular kaiju and species to developing weapons that can counter exceptionally dangerous monsters. Many members of this group spend their time in labs and storage rooms, though some may be willing to go out for more active study; especially those with enhancements of their own.

The Field Recovery Team generally handles the aftermath of kaiju encounters. When a kaiju is killed in or near a populated area, they're responsible for disposing of the remains, sending samples and data to the Research Division, and cleaning up any damage or mess left behind. Depending on the situation, they also assist in search and rescue, triage, and evacuation assistance, making this group essential for minimizing and estimating loss of life and collateral damage.

Around the world, monster sightings have occurred throughout history. From humanoid cryptids to reports of sea monsters, unusual or even supernatural creatures were always thought to exist, usually just as myths.

After World War II however, this gradually changed thanks to the use of nuclear weapons. Large, destructive creatures mutated by radiation or awakened by the blasts began to appear, with one of the first appearing in Japan between 1945 and 1947. This beast, infamous for its reptilian appearance, radioactive abilities, and extreme regeneration would be temporarily killed only to reappear in 1954. Around this time, other monsters of similar scale would appear around the world, quickly becoming referred to as Kaiju due to their size and power.

In the early 1960s, an international organization was quickly formed to research and destroy these monsters: the Kaiju Research and Extermination Foundation. Often shortened to K.R.E.F or Anti-Kaiju Foundation, this group was given the resources to focus on the study and elimination of kaiju. Initially they were seen as just another branch of the governments they allied with, but in the late-1970s, their research had paid off with the creation of artillery designed to puncture the armored hide of kaiju. This would be the first of many innovations over the years, with their progress even extending to human augmentations in the 2010s.

By the 2050s, there are many things the K.R.E.F uses to track, study, and eliminate kaiju. Genetically and cybernetically enhanced soldiers, railgun artillery cannons, and even mechs are just some of their many creations. Some of their defensive and utility oriented devices are also available for public use, contributing to both their funding and PR. Even their symbol, a kaiju footprint inside a red circle with a diagonal line, has often been used as a sign of safety assurance in the case of kaiju attacks.

June 22nd, 2054

K.R.E.F Base, Sacramento, California

9:45 PM, Data Storage Room

A researcher looks through paperwork on his desk, while a colleague next to him goes through information on a tablet nearby.

"Is this really worth it? All these scans..."

The man with the tablet asks.

"As annoying as it is, Zeke, we have to go with it. Civilian Kaiju Hunts are legal in this state."

His tired coworker responds.

"Seth, don't act like you don't know the risks. There are whole countries out there where it's illegal...yet somehow it's almost celebrated here."

Seth just shrugs his shoulders and replies as he neatly organizes the paperwork and puts it away.

"Between the amount of K.R.E.F gear on the market here, and the number of retired agents, it's not surprising the foundation aren't the only ones trying to kill Kaiju. Besides, it's a little less work for us."

Zeke sighs before pushing a button on the tablet, forming a holographic projection above it for both men to see.

"Still, it's a pain reviewing what's in the area over and over."

He says before showing images of various monsters sighted in the nearby forests.

"So far, we've got reports of Falx..."

"Brutum Rex..."

"Amanita..."

"And a possible variant of Falx."

After showing each of the confirmed Kaiju, Zeke closes the projection and puts the tablet away.

"And that's just what we know about so far."

Seth responds as he walks towards the storage room exit.

"It'll be fine. This base is one of the closest to the forests, so it won't take long for field agents to deploy if something big shows up. Besides, it's illegal to go on a C.K.H without a guide in California."

Seth walks out of the storage room and into the hallway. Zeke looks around as he thinks to himself.

'Why does it feel like I'm the only one who's actually concerned...'

He sighs as he walks out and turns the lights off behind him.