#suboceanic earthquake

[tenth-sentence]

Much closer than any previous tremor, essentially on their doorstep: 4.2 on the Richter scale.

"Icebound" - Dean Koontz

[solivar]

Ten years ago today: the Great Tohoku Earthquake struck. Two days of smaller foreshocks preceded it -- earthquakes that seismologists later realized were smaller segments of the Tohoku subduction zone rupturing, redistributing tension further along the zone. On March 11, 2011, at 2:48 PM local time, the subduction zone unleashed the most powerful earthquake in Japanese history, a 9.1 suboceanic megathrust event felt the length and breadth of the country, that jerked Honshu six feet east in a heartbeat, threw off the axial tilt of the Earth by ten inches, and spawned a tsunami that reached over a hundred and thirty feet in height and penetrated ten miles inland in places, and caused the worst nuclear disaster in the 21st century thus far at Fukushima Daiishi Nuclear Generating Station, where it triggered the meltdown of three reactors whose emergency power and cooling systems were overwhelmed by the inundation.

[totentanz]

“I win,” said Ifrit smugly as he moved his knight into position.

Bahamut stared at the chessboard. His face was hidden behind his admittedly ostentatious and somewhat absurd armor, but if it had been visible it would have held an irritated expression.

“I concede the match,” he rumbled, and toppled his king with one oversized finger.

“The match, too,” agreed Ifrit. The flames wreathing his horned head burned just a bit brighter with glee. “But I was of course referring to the tragic events that occurred earlier this afternoon. Or tragic for you, rather. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Bahamut’s answering growl caused a very minor suboceanic earthquake. A few Alitssian nobles who were out on a pleasure cruise suffered the indignity of having the craft capsize. Leviathan took the opportunity to grab a snack.

“I suppose you sent that Spiracorn colt onto the road at just that moment,” he said.

“But I didn’t!” By now, Ifrit was practically falling off his chair laughing. “That’s what makes it so delightful. Just think: one adorable little spiracorn and one cautious driver were all it took to destroy the Chosen King and end the Line of Lucis. I win, Bahamut! There’s no stopping the Starscourge now, and all because you put your faith in…well.”

He didn’t need to say it. Bahamut understood all too well. Noctis Lucis Caelum. The Chosen King. The last scion of the Lucian bloodline. Beautiful young man. Also a total idiot.

Bahamut cursed himself. Why, oh why, had he chosen someone who lacked the common sense to wear a seatbelt, and preferred to clamber onto the back of a convertible so he could pose winsomely for the benefit of every stray monster and magitek engine? In retrospect, that was incredibly short-sighted.

The funeral was going to be closed casket. A good thing: the results of flying off of a fast-moving car onto a cruel, unforgiving asphalt road were not pleasant.

“And what is the plan now, oh Lord of the Astrals?” asked Ifrit. He was in the process of resetting the chessboard. “Now that I’ve won?”

Bahamut sighed. The earth rumbled. Ifrit was going to be even more insufferable than ever.

“I suppose I’ll have to find a worthy bloodline,” said Bahamut. “One with intelligence in its genes. The Scientia boy is still alive; maybe he’ll do.”

“We’ll see,” said Ifrit. “Now: your move.”

[tenth-sentence]

The diminution in force was not absolute proof that the more recent temblor had been an aftershock to the first.

"Icebound" - Dean Koontz