"This is not a feature film," Q snarled. "This tape was recovered one-half hour ago from the scene of the attack, in central Kanazawa, Japan. Several hundred people perished. Survivors estimate about twenty of these creatures have flown into the mountains to the south." Q brought up a computer rendition of the creature. "This is the result of all the information we have. It flies very fast, it's nearly impervious to small-caliber fire, and it likes to kill."

"Ghastly," Bonf said. The creature flew on furry bat's wings and was covered by a spiky carapace. The head sprouted several compound eyes and a nest of tentacles. Two rows of segmented, clawed limbs lined the underbelly. The tail ended in two long polyps, like the arms of a squid. "Where does it come from?"

"We're suspecting Henbutsu Industries, a genetics lab in the southern prefecture. We've had no contact from our man there in the past 24 hours."

At Henbutsu, Bonf was cordially escorted to the president's office. "We are honored by your visit. I am kaicho Ichiro Konoyatsu. What purpose brings you here?"

Bonf's sixth sense twinged. The man was concealing something. "Lovecraftian flying creatures that have killed hundreds in the north."

"Yes, the monsters attacking in Kanazawa center. We took some samples from the victims, but have not been able to match residue to any known species. This is an especially adverse area for such an event. The Japanese grow up with such creatures in cartoons and on toy shelves; and the mountains surrounding the city are widely regarded as harboring supernatural entities."

"The monsters arise from fears of atomic attack following Hiroshima," added Bonf.

"Ah yes, the Japanese, a peace-loving people, were caught by surprise by such a senseless tragedy." His sarcasm, having erupted, immediately was cut off. "May I get you some tea?"

When Konoyatsu re-entered with tea and milk, Bonf said "Kamsa hamnida"; thank you in Korean.

His host's composure slipped for a moment. "Pardon me, what did you say?"

"Are you part Korean?" Bonf wondered.

"That is a rude question!" said Konoyatsu. "My family goes back to the Tokugawa Shogunate and has not been defiled, by actions or by blood! I must ask that you apologize."

Bonf continued speaking in Korean, and Konoyatsu's facade dropped away. He was third-generation Korean, but in Japan his family would always be gaijin, foreigners. His sister, ostracized since nursery school, was raped and killed by Tokyo students whose parents had enough clout to ensure the event never happened. He changed his name, falsified some records, and started work at Henbutsu. This was two years ago. One month ago, his life form, taichu, was perfected, bred, and released.

" Tomorrow I collect my family and fly back to Pusan," said Kim Ho, his real name. "This country will pay for its invidious, murderous racism. Taichu feed once a day, then retreat to burrows in the mountains. They breed daily. By the time you or anyone can mount an effective defense there will be too many of them."

Bonf convinced him of a way to bring the students and parents to justice without sacrificing innocent people to flying monsters. "I have international connections that can gently coerce Japanese officials to re- open the case. But you have to stop those creatures!" Kim Ho relented.

Within four hours, Kim Ho had modified a parasitic spider wasp to have a tropism for the creatures. "It stings the creature, inserting larvae which burrow to the brain and feed. Within minutes, the host dies."

"Then we have hordes of spider wasps to worry about," Bonf noted.

"Not in this case. These larvae cannot metamorphosize, and after a week, themselves die."

"I hope this works," said Bonf.

It did. Afterward, Western countries used economic pressure to force the rape/murder case open, and the offenders were given life terms.