Primal Spillane: Early Stories 1941-1942

Undersea Champion

Deep down in the cold, black waters of the Caribbean Sea, the huge mass of soft body and waving tentacles that was the monster octopus flowed along the murky bottom in search of food. As dark as it was, enough light penetrated the depths to show clearly the hideous form of this undersea creature. Enormous, saucer-like eyes glinted dully as they stared out, striving for a glimpse of anything that it might wrap its thick arms about and kill with its horny beak.

Often other fish, seeing the approach of the octopus (or squid), would slide off out of reach, none daring to approach within sixty feet of him. Easily, the long grey arms could encircle a good-sized truck, and just as easily rip it apart, had one been within its reach. Smaller members of the octopus family lurked in the shallower waters above, but this one, fearful outcast was a monster that no man had ever laid eyes upon. Those in the boats above knew he was there, however, for often their nets had brought to the surface the empty shells of giant clams. Nothing but an octopus of huge size could have torn the jaws of those clams apart!

But now the giant was hungry. An hour before, he had settled upon the shells of a clam that was half his size. The rubbery suction cups held firmly, and then the might of the tentacles came to the fore. Harder and harder they pulled, trying desperately to force the shells open. But the clam was strong. Its two mighty muscles held the jaws together without a quiver. Minutes passed slowly, the pair of weird creatures locked in the struggle to the death.

Then it began! The clam started to open! A scant half inch at first, then an inch, then two! The powerful muscles were weakening against the relentless tug of the octopus’ tentacles. Slowly the halves of the shell parted, until there was a one-foot gap. A tentacle loosened, and got a new hold on the edge of the shell. With this new grip the octopus exerted even more power, and the clam opened wide.

Quickly a tentacle shot out and squirmed inside the shells. It fastened on one of the muscles and heaved. It came loose from the shell! The other muscle received the same treatment. A firm grasp, a tug, and it was all over. The shells fell back on the sandy floor of the ocean, and the octopus settled down to tearing into the clam with his hooked beak.

But he was not satisfied. His huge bulk could consume much more than that before he was ready to rest. The devilfish sucked in water... then blew it out the tube in the middle of his body like an undersea rocket ship. He went shooting along at a terrific speed with every blast from his water jet. Smaller fish darted in front of him. A snakey arm shot out, a suction cap held the squirming fish, then it disappeared into the flabby mouth.

At first the squid did not notice the tremendous body of the fish above him. It darted about, its long, flat-bladed saw swishing through the water. Then the disk-eyes moved slightly, and watched every move as the sawfish came closer. The blade was slashing into a school of smaller fish, ripping them into shreds, which it took into the gaping mouth without changing its course an inch.

The octopus squeezed back into a shadow, while his tentacles draped themselves along the bottom. To all appearances he was part of that shadow. Just then the sawfish passed. Four arms went out, seized the thick body with a terrible, crushing grip. The other four tentacles found holds around rocky projections on the bottom and anchored there.

Fighting with all its might, the sawfish sought to slash at the arms that encircled it, but with every twist and turn the suction cups took on a new grip, while the muscular arms drew it nearer and nearer to the beak. A quick thrust! The hooked beak dug into the sawfish’s side and yanked. Again and again the horned nose of the octopus went into the other creature. Then it was all over. The body went limp in the great arms, and the tentacles ripped it apart. Smaller fish fought for the scraps that floated by in the currents, while the octopus ate his fill.

With its stomach filled, the monster extended its heavy arms, drew in a blob of water, and forced it out. Lazily the squid moved off to find a resting place. A rock jutted from the bottom. Seeking the protection of the shadow, the octopus slid into the dark spot and folded its arms in. The other creatures of the deep knew that they were safe now, and flitted about in the dark waters in their never-ending serrate for food.

Suddenly, there was the far away sound as if two giants were fighting. Then the water shivered violently under a backbreaking impulse. An invisible wave surged forward, carrying a cloud of sand from the bottom and a horde of mutilated bodies of fish. Again the deep-throated roar boomed through the sea bottom. Faster they came. Clouds of fish scurried before the invisible onslaught, anxious to escape the death.

Quivering slightly, the octopus eased from the protection of the rock. For a moment he attempted to understand what was happening, and looked about for the enemy. Seeing none, he was about to shoot forward. Another blast! The concussion blew him back many yards. Without a backward look the squid followed the rest of the fish in their flight. There was no thought of the hunt now, only a desire to get away from the rending force.

A short while later the sounds grew fainter, then stopped altogether. The squid settled down into the shadows again. The commotion in the water ceased with the sounds. Fish went back to their eating and playing. Others came by and caught them while they fed. Things were normal once more.

Then... sliding slowly through the blackness came an even darker shape. Its body was smooth, save for a peculiar projection on its top. Fins protruded from the front and rear, moving occasionally to alter the course of the strange creature. Beneath the rear fins a shiny object whirled about, gradually slowing down. Then the motion ceased. The object developed into a twisted, three bladed, propelling fin.

This much the squid saw. His tiny brain could not see it to be a metal monster unlike the other fish in his world, nor did he recognize the sharp-angled insignia of the Nazi cross. This was another enemy to be destroyed! Noiselessly, he slid alongside the craft. Then could the true size of the octopus be seen, for he was almost half as long as the entire length of the sub.

Once again the mighty arms went out. They wrapped themselves around the metal body and squeezed, but there was no response. Amazed because the thing made no attempt to fight back, he sent out a cautious tentacle to explore. A tip fastened on the pole-like rod above. A yank and it came free. Someone in the sub felt a movement, an eye went to the porthole in the conning tower. The sight of the squid held the man speechless, then he fell screaming into the hold.

The motors started with a roar. Seeing that his prey was struggling to get loose, the giant octopus held tighter. The fins went up, the sub pushed ahead. Immediately a tentacle went to the fin and ripped it loose. Bubbles foamed out of the hole it left. Then the rear fins waggled back and forth. Again an arm shot out and pulled.

But the tip of the tentacle hit the spinning propeller! The end snipped neatly off, and floated away with the current. Pain shot up the long arm. The octopus rocked the sub to and fro. Two huge tentacles fastened about the conning tower and tightened in their effort to kill the enemy. Men inside ran about in fright. Compartments were shut off to keep out the water leaking in from the fin holes. They had dodged the depth bombs successfully... only to run into this.

Tighter and tighter grew the death grip of the octopus. The great muscles in his tentacles strained with the effort. There was a spurt of bubbles from the nose of the sub, and a long, fish-like thing shot out. A hundred yards off it hit a rock, and a tremendous explosion tore the ocean apart, throwing fish, weeds and sand over the dark bottom. But the liquid-like octopus remained untouched. His fury, however, grew more intense, his arms squeezed tighter!

Another form shot from the nose of the sub. The men inside were doing everything to dislodge the monster. The second projectile, too, exploded against the rock, and it was that which spelled the end for the sub. The crush of the water forced open a seam, the plates started to buckle. The octopus felt it giving, and he squeezed even tighter than before!

With a tearing of metal, the conning tower was pulled inward. The two arms around it threshed to get a firmer hold. Suction cups gripped with all the great might of the squid’s arms. Another wrench, and the tower came half off! All around, bubbles foamed to the surface. Water poured in every little hole.

Then the sides gave! Slowly at first, like the jaws of the clam, then faster and faster! The sub was a shapeless mass now, like a balloon tied in the middle. With every new hug the metal walls went in further, the terrific water pressure aiding the octopus in his struggle. Men who killed ruthlessly were trapped by a terror greater than they had ever created. They watched the water stream in, and were helpless to prevent it.

Several times the squid tried to use his beak, but it was no use. He put forth one last, mighty effort... and the sub crushed in like a paper bag! Slowly the octopus released the pressure. He knew the enemy was done for. But such a strange enemy, impossible to eat! The giant of the under-sea slid off into the ooze of the sea floor to rest. The enemy was dead!