by Frank Cereo
“I see you recognize where you are.” the raspy voice says.
“This is impossible. The Time Traveler was not operational. It was only a myth that time travel could be achieved.” Captain Laird reiterates.
“That was in 2263. Time travel was achieved in the year of Our Lord 2289 by Professor Rafael Rigby with my assistance.” The raspy voice says.
As Captain Laird looked up towards the front of the bridge there were Amanda and Stephanie tied up on the wall of the ship. Both girls were unconscious and beaten very badly. Their clothes and were shredded off with the exception of their bras and panties.
“Why the hell did you beat those girls?” Captain Laird yells toward the man.
“Same reason I’m going to beat the shit out of you.” The raspy voice says.
Just as the captain turned towards the man a fist connected with his nose. The hit broke Captain Laird’s nose as blood spattered all over the captain’s face and began to run onto his shirt.
“You see when you brilliant people decided to return from the Jupiter mission, you went through some type of time barrier. This time barrier sent you back sixty-seven million years in the past. Now you brilliant people decide to go and land on the planet figuring it was the only way to survive. How am I doing so far?” The raspy voice asks.
“Yeah so instead of coming back here to rescue us, you’re here to kill us?” Captain Laird asks.
“You got that right.” The raspy voice says.
Before Captain Laird could say anything more another fist cracked him in the mouth. This sent his teeth through the upper lip and cheek as blood spattered through the air and down his shirt.
“What is wrong with you?” Captain Laird says as he spits blood on the floor.
“You are what’s wrong with me.” The raspy voice says.
“You landed on Earth sixty seven million years in the past. Didn’t it dawn on you that everything you do alters the present.” The raspy voice says as the man finally shows his face into the red light.
“Do I know you?” Captain Laird asks.
“I think you do.” The raspy voice says.
“I can’t seem to place you.” Captain Laird says.
“That’s because I was twenty-six years younger when you knew me. I was married with three children. We even went on three missions together. Is this jolting your memory?” The man with the raspy voice says.
“Oh my god, you’re Captain John Bridges.” Captain Laird says.
“I guess you’re starting to remember now.” Captain Bridges replies.
“What happened, what did we do that altered the future?” Captain Laird asks.
“Who had the gun, Gerald?” Captain Bridges asks as he throws another punch that lands on Captain Laird’s left ear.
The hit is so ferocious that it blows out Captain Laird’s ear drum. The captain is woozy from the hit as he tries to shake it off. Blood trickles from the ear and onto his shoulder.
“Who had the gun, Gerry?’ Captain Bridges asks with a vengeance.
“Wait, wait let me think. The gun, the gun, Commander Rescott had the gun before he was eaten by the T-rex. Why what happened?” Captain Laird answers with a shaky voice.
“The gun was not destroyed or digested by the T-rex. It fell to the ground and was buried under some dirt and was somehow persevered in amber. This gun was discovered before any type of gun was invented. History was altered and people just disappeared off the face of the Earth the day Commander Rescott lost the gun.” Captain Bridges says as he slaps Captain Laird across the face.
“Can’t we change it back? The gun has got to still be where Commander Rescott dropped it.” Captain Laird says.
“That might not be a bad idea.” Captain Bridges says.
“So let’s go and we will retrieve the gun together and then we all can return back to our own time in this machine.” Captain Laird says
“We will see about that.” Captain Bridges answers as he unlocks the handcuffs.
After Captain Laird rubbed his wrists due to the tightness of the handcuff, he took his shirt and wiped the blood from his face. He took a good look at his old friend Captain John Bridges. The man was in his early sixties and boy could he still pack a wallop with a good punch. His six foot three inch frame still showed very good muscle tone. His hair was grey along with the full gray beard he was now sporting. His brown eyes were still a distinctive along with the long stout nose. His teeth were yellowing due to his age. The one thing that Captain Laird noticed was a severe limp that Captain Bridges now had.
“What happened to your right leg?” Captain Laird asks.
“It’s part of your escapade. I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe pain in my right knee cap and then a memory of a child hood shooting came shortly thereafter.” Captain Bridges says in an angered voice. “You should have stayed in space and died. You have no idea what kind of pain and death you have caused millions of people.”
“I’m sorry John. We didn’t realize this could happen.” Captain Laird replies.
They cut the two girls down and gave them first aid as needed. Captain Bridges gave them some clean uniforms to wear. They got Josef out of the other cell and exited the time traveling ship. They made their way back down the cold tunnel and to the hanging rope that lead to their camp. They all climbed out and joined Jennifer and Huey who were waiting patiently for their return. The day had already expired as nightfall had come. The camp fire was burning brightly and there was some meat cooking on the open flame. They all ate hungrily and that included Captain Bridges. The whole crew was brought up to date on the scenario and they were briefed as to what needed to be done. But that would have to wait for morning to come because everyone was exhausted. Besides moving through the open jungle in darkness was complete suicide.
Chapter 17 – The Missing Gun
As morning drew near the crew slept restlessly with their new visitor among them. Jennifer awoke earlier than the others and with one eye opened spied on Captain Bridges as he slept sounder than the others. He also had the rail gun tucked under his sleeping arm. As Jennifer looked over at the other two girls she noticed they were beaten pretty badly. Both Amanda and Stephanie had black eyes and lacerations to their faces, legs and arms. Captain Laird also was beaten to a pulp with a broken nose and two black eyes. Jennifer couldn’t understand how a man could be so cruel to other people, especially the girls, and then expect them to help him. So she quietly got up and picked up an extra piece of green bamboo that she unsuspectingly laid under her blanket the night before. She slowly moved over the top of Captain Bridges and quietly lifted the rod over her head. She targeted his head as she prepared to whip his ass with the bamboo rod.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Captain Bridges says as he aims the rail gun at her head.
“You’re a lucky bastard because I would have beaten you beyond recognition.” Jennifer yells into his face.
“I would say you’re the lucky one for not having to be scraped off the wall and floor.” Captain Bridges answers with a nasty smirk on his old gray face.
“How could you do that to the girls? To me that’s not acting like a man but more like a coward.” Jennifer says as she prepares to go onto a fit of rage.
“Just count your lucky stars that I wasn’t sleeping because you would be dead.” Captain Bridges says.
“That’s what you think.” Jennifer says before she is cut off by Captain Laird.
“That will be enough from the two of you.” Captain Laird spits out.
At that point everyone slowly began to rustle from their slumber. Each person took a short shower as Jennifer scrambled a few Triceratops eggs for breakfast. As the sun began to rise so did the movement in the forest. With the collapsed peak that protected their camp now missing the dinosaurs were moving closer every day to the entrance. Even though most of those dinosaurs were plant eaters the opening was attracting the meat eaters and that was the danger. The sun was hot as the humidity began to rise
as the sun rose higher in the sky.
“This is brutal how the hell can you stand this heat and humidity.” Captain Bridges says as stuffs his mouth full of egg.
“You get use to it.” Josef replies.
“Man this is good where did you get the eggs from?” Captain Bridges asks.
“They are plentiful around here.” Jennifer says with smile.
“I don’t see any chickens around here.” Captain Bridges says.
“Who said they were chicken eggs.” Jennifer replies as she pours a cup of tea.
Everyone chuckled over Jennifer’s response.
“You people have done better than I thought you would have.” Captain Bridges says.
“We’re smarter than you give us credit for.” Stephanie answers.
“Okay who is going with me to retrieve the gun?” Captain Bridges asks.
“Huey and I,” Captain Laird replies.
“I think everyone should go.” Captain Bridges says with his gun propped up.
“That’s not going to happen. It’s too dangerous to move with such a large group because it will attract the attention of the predators.” Captain Laird instructs.
“Well I think we should take this beautiful young black woman with us.” Captain Bridges says.
“I don’t think so.” Captain Laird says as he stands in front of Jennifer to protect her from the gun.
“Why not?” Captain Bridges asks.
“Because I said so, this is my crew and I hold myself responsible for their safety. You either go with me and Huey or go by yourself. That is your only option.” Captain Laird yells back at Captain Bridges.
“You’re forgetting one thing, I have the rail gun.” Captain Bridges says with force.
“Go ahead and shoot us all, where the hell is that going to get you.” Jennifer screams with her finger pointing over Captain Laird’s shoulder.
“Okay you win. Let’s go.” Captain Bridges says.
The three men worked their way down the rope ladder that puts them on the ground. They proceeded with caution as they worked their way through the rough and sharp rocks from the fallen peak. This was a slow process as the rocks were scattered all over the ground. As they cleared the rocks they had to shift around a small heard of Triceratopses that were grazing in the area. The Triceratops lifted their heads and watched with concern as they noticed the smaller humans intruding their area.
“I didn’t realize they were that big.” Captain Bridges says as he stares at the large four legged dinosaurs.
“Don’t rile them up because those horns will finish you off with that rail gun doing little or no damage to them. So remember that your gun is worthless unless you make a perfect shot.” Huey says.
The Triceratops did not flinch because they have now gotten use to the new creatures living among them. Even though they never took their eyes off the humans as they moved into the woods. It was a short walk to Commander Rescott’s resting area.
“How much further?” Captain Bridges asks.
“It’s right up here, just through the trees. There should be a clearing and that is where the gun should be.” Huey says as he points straight ahead.
The three men arrive at the site where Commander Rescott was eaten. The area showed nothing of a struggle that might have taken place there between a man and T-rex.
“Where did the T-rex eat Commander Rescott?” Captain Bridges asks.
“Let me see I was behind this tree while the T-rex ate the Ornithomimus. Then Commander Rescott entered the area just to the left of that tree. So I would say just to the left of those trees.” Huey says as he points to his left.
The three men made their way over to the area and began to search for the missing gun. Captain Laird and Captain Bridges worked through the tall grass where the commander was devoured. Huey worked inside the tree line figuring the gun might have flung forward when T-rex first made contact with him. They made sure they trampled the grass down to mark the areas that were searched. They kicked their feet on the loose dirt to make sure the gun wasn’t hidden in the dirt. The task was long and demanding and the search went into hours for the small hand gun. The area grew as they expanded outside the attack area. Again Huey stood inside the tree line not so much to look for the gun but to hide in the cover for safety.
“I got it.” Captain Bridges yells while holding the pistol in the air. “I hope this changes the future and brings my family back.”
“Captain hit the ground quickly and crawl through the grass towards the wooded area. Do it now.” Huey yells from the thicket.
“Why?” Captain Bridges says.
“Because you’re being hunted,” Huey says as he lies down in the tall grass inside the tree line.
Captain Laird falls to the ground quickly and crawls back to the tree line with one swift move. In the meantime Captain Bridges turns to see what is hunting him. There on the other side of the clearing is a small T-rex. A young adult is just as fierce as a fully grown T-rex. Captain Bridges aims the rail gun and prepares for the kill.
“You want me? Come on I got something for you.” Captain Bridges yells as the T-rex makes a rush to attack.
The T-rex is running full speed towards Captain Bridges as Captain Laird finds safety inside the tree line. He slides over to Huey who is totally engrossed watching the wild actions of Captain Bridges.
“Is he nuts or something?” Huey says to Captain Laird.
“I would say he is not playing with a full deck.” Captain Laird replies.
“His rail gun will do little or nothing against that thick tough skin unless he hits a vital organ. He doesn’t stand a chance.” Huey says just as something happens that is totally unexpected.
The young adult T-rex is cut down by a fully grown Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus who was waiting in the woods for the young T-rex to expose himself. The initial contact knocked the young T-rex to the ground. The T-rex tried to use its teeth to snap back at the Spinosaurus for protection but it did nothing. The young T-rex was no match for the much larger and stronger Spinosaurus. The fight was short and brief as the Spinosaurus grabbed the small T-rex by the jaw and snapped it. The T-rex let out a horrific yell as blood splattered all over the ground and on Captain Bridges who was only about twenty feet from the incident.
“Whoa,” Captain Bridges yells as he shoots the rail gun at the Spinosaurus.
The shot hits the Spinosaurus on the large fin on his back. It rips a large hole in between the fourth and fifth spine. This does no damage to the large meat eater as blood trickles out of the wound. One thing it did do was piss him off. The Spinosaurus had just saved Captain Bridges and in return he takes the attention of the Spinosaurus away from the wounded T-rex to him. The T-rex lies in severe pain as the Spinosaurus turns towards Captain Bridges when the unexpected happens again. The newly discovered Fearasaurus arrives on the scene with the smell of blood in the air and the sound of a wounded dinosaur echoing through the forest.
“John, get your ass back here immediately.” Captain Laird yells from the tall grass.
Captain Bridges ignores the request from Captain Laird as the two large predators move toward each other for combat. They both let out earth shattering roars. The Fearasaurus weighs at least five tons more than the Spinosaurus. The two dinosaurs taunt each other as the young T-rex tries to get to his feet. The young T-rex has the lower portion of his jaw hanging. He definitely will not survive with the injuries he has sustained but the instinct to survive has taken over. This tactic only lasts for about a minute because Fearasaurus was not going to let a free meal escape. It darted away from the Spinosaurus and attacked the wounded T-rex. With the razor sharp thumb the Fearasaurus ripped the T-rex’s mid section wide open. The T-rex stands for about ten seconds as all its internal organs fall to the ground at its feet. The T-rex hits the ground with a thunderous crash that shook the ground. The T-rex is already dead before he hits the ground. At that point the Spinosaurus attacked the Fearasaurus as it lunged onto its back. The Spinosaurus
tried to grip its long strong arms around the Fearasaurus’s neck to break it. The Fearasaurus using its size and strength swung its back end around with one swift move. The Spinosaurus could not hang on as it slides off and onto the ground. The Spinosaurus rebounded and got to his feet as quick as possible. Then the Spinosaurus now made its biggest mistake by attacking the Fearasaurus from the front. The sharp thumb rips into the Spinosaurus’s gut ripping a large hole that punctures many internal organs. The Spinosaurus let out a gut wrenching yell as it falls back and onto the ground. Its blood spills from the wound like a water fountain that spurts to the creature’s heart beat. The Spinosaurus lies in the grass while its life fluid spills onto the green grass painting it red.
“Holy shit that was unbelievable.” Huey whispers to Captain Laird without moving an inch.
Again Captain Bridges lets off another round but this time into the Fearasaurus. The rail gun hits its left forearm as it breaks the bone in the arm. This really riles up the Fearasaurus as it attacks Captain Bridges. He lifts and aims the rail gun again to take a second shot but instead he is engulfed by the large predator’s mouth. There is not much of a struggle as his body goes limp inside the Fearasaurus mouth. The double layer of serrated teeth shred his body. The rail gun and pistol drop to the ground. The large creature whips it head backwards and takes the captain’s whole body inside its mouth and swallows him whole.