Sapiosaurus | Out Of Time

by Lon McQuillin

  Garlmek: Of course. One simply asked the Controller to create an opening, through which one could pass. Hunters did so on an almost daily basis.

  DM: Did hunters provide your main source of meat?

  Garlmek: No. We raised livestock for most of our meat. Hunters provided game, which provided a welcome change on occasion.

  DM: Were your livestock reptiles or mammals?

  Garlmek: By your classification, they were reptiles. Most of the mammals of our time were relatively small, and not suitable for providing food. Also, we were not particularly fond of their flavor.

  DM: Your civilization was spread across 31 main cities. Were each of them based on the same model as Tarsill?

  Garlmek: Most, but not all. Tarsill was one of the smaller cities. We believe it was one of the latest to be established. The greatest of the cities was Koultma’i, located on a continent we called Ataabi. You call it Africa. Unlike nearly all other cities, which were built along coast lines, Koultma’i was inland, on a river. It was more than nine times the size of Tarsill, and we believe it was the first Noaud city.

  DM: So I presume your travel between cities was accomplished by sea?

  Garlmek: Yes. Our ships were generally smaller than yours, but were quite sufficient for our travel and trade needs.

  DM: Touolok, if I may, so far Garlmek has done all the talking. Could you describe your work as a physician?

  Touolok: As I have come to understand your use of the word “physician,” it describes only part of my field. I believe a better term would be “biologist.” In my discipline, we study life of all types as well as care for the sick and injured.

  DM: Do you plan to continue your work in your new home?

  Touolok: As much as possible, yes. My work will take on a new focus, however, since there are so many new species now living. Also, since there are presently none of our people besides ourselves, and your species faces many challenges to your health, I expect to work with your scientists on solving your problems.

  DM: Plus, as I understand it, you plan to produce offspring of your own. I presume that your young need attention.

  Touolok: Yes, though not as much as I believe do yours.

  DM: We have a saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Will the absence of a community of other Noaud around you make raising children much more difficult, especially since this will be your first?

  Touolok: (Tilting her head.) My first?

  DM: Your first offspring.

  Touolok: These will not be my first. Garlmek and I created two offspring during our first five years as mates.

  DM: I’m sorry. I had no idea. It must have been very difficult to leave them behind.

  Touolok: Yes, it was.

  DM: May I ask how you two were chosen to be placed in suspension?

  Garlmek: The Academic Council determined the range of skills that would be most useful in re-establishing our species, and as a couple, Touolok and I best matched those criteria. The same process was used to select couples at 27 of the other cities.

  DM: About the other cities, no trace of them has ever been found by our archaeologists, which is why the discovery of Tarsill came as such a surprise. Will you attempt to locate the other Noaud cities?

  Garlmek: We have not yet discussed this with your academics, but we would certainly wish to pursue such a study. A comparison of your maps of the world and ours shows that there have been major changes in the continents, and at present we must assume that they are all either under water, or under sand, or somehow otherwise destroyed. But their fates would be worth knowing.

  DM: Do you think there’s any chance that other Noaud might still be in suspension, as were you?

  Touolok: We would not have thought that our life pods could preserve us for nearly as long as they did. Since we survived, it is at least theoretically possible that others did as well.

  DM: So the problem would first be locating them, and then getting to them.

  Garlmek: Yes.

  DM: Garlmek, I’ve been told that you have a particular interest in both flight and space travel. Were those fields part of your area of study?

  Garlmek: Yes.

  DM: Could you describe the approach you were taking in your research?

  Garlmek: Our academics long ago developed the electro-repulsive technology used within the central area of our cities. From what I understand, it produces a result similar to the magnetic levitation your own academics have developed, but with far greater efficiency. We suspect that a similar technology is possible, but based on gravitational repulsion.

  DM: Which would allow you to fly through the atmosphere or into space in the same vehicle.

  Garlmek: That is correct.

  DM: How far along had your research progressed?

  Garlmek: We were still at a purely theoretical level. I believe that the research that your academics have done may prove very helpful in solving this problem. Your Albert Einstein and Steven Hawkings, for instance, found answers to questions that we had long pondered.

  DM: Forgive me for asking a somewhat frivolous question, but have you been shown any of our science fiction, such as “Star Trek,” that projects what space travel would be like?

  Garlmek: The concept of fictional depictions of events — I believe you call it drama — has been described to us. It is a new concept to us.

  DM: You had no plays, or movies; no actors?

  Garlmek: The concept of pretending to be someone or something we are not is not part of our tradition. We will be very interested to see your fictional representations.

  DM: Before we conclude, I’d like to ask one final question. The world you knew before the asteroid strike is gone, and you’re faced with a situation completely different from the one for which you’d planned. In one sense, you’ve left behind everything you knew. But in another sense, you now have opportunities that never would have existed before. Have you given any thought to the challenges that face you in co-existing with the human race?

  Garlmek: Your species and ours share many similarities. We both wish to live in peace and pursue our interests. We both wish to rear our young and improve our lives. We share a curiosity about the world and the universe around us. While there are cultural differences that might make it difficult for us to try to blend our societies, I believe that both our cultures have much to offer the other.

  Our library in Tarsill contains the accumulated knowledge of more than ten million years of civilization and progress. Your academics began their study of it even before we were revived, and continue to study it even now. We would wish it no other way.

  We expected to emerge from our suspension as the only sentient beings on the planet, and were prepared to begin the task of re-establishing our species under those conditions. Instead, we find that we are not alone. We see your species as potential allies. If we can bring into being a new Noaud society that preserves the traditions of the old, I believe that, in cooperation with your society, together we have the opportunity to create a better world.

  DM: Garlmek, Touolok, thank you.

  •

  Eugene Northrup entered the conference room at the U. S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles and was met with a barrage of flashing strobes, television lights and shouting reporters. With his attorney at his side, and escorted by two U. S. Marshals, he made his way to the table at the front of the room. As he took a seat, his lawyer faced the crowd and raised his arms to request silence.

  “Ladies and gentlemen… if I could have quiet, please!” He waited until the noise level dropped, and then resumed.

  “I’m Stephen Boyd, representing Eugene Northrup. Mr. Northrup wishes to make a statement, after which we’ll take a few questions.”

  Northrup sat calmly at the table, waiting for the room to quiet down. When it did, he unfolded a sheet of paper and began to read from it.

  “Ten days ago, at the excavation site of the Sapiosaur city in Antarctica, I placed a bomb that was intended to destroy the two
Sapiosaurs, Garlmek and Touolok.”

  The crowd resumed its buzz, and strobes fired in rapid succession. Northrup waited again for the lull.

  “I did so under the direction of Billy Joe Wilder, pastor of the Church of Clear Light.” The way he said “pastor” made it sound like an epithet.

  “When I performed this act, I did so despite grave doubts over the correctness of my actions, but with faith that Reverend Wilder was telling me the truth.

  “Before the bomb was set to detonate, I made contact with Reverend Wilder’s office, and in the process, I discovered that Reverend Wilder is in fact a liar, an adulterer and a hypocrite.”

  Again the crowd reacted, and Northrup waited out the rumblings.

  “Fortunately, there was still time to save the lives of the Sapiosaurs and the people who were with them at the time. But due to circumstances, I was unable to disarm the bomb, and instead threw it outside the pyramid, where I thought it would explode without causing harm. Unknown to me, and to my everlasting sorrow, Commander Fred Taylor of the United States Navy was directly outside the pyramid, and was killed in the explosion.

  “I accept full responsibility for my actions, and wish to express my deepest regrets to the family of Commander Taylor. If there were any way in which I could trade places with him, I surely would.”

  Northrup put down the paper and looked up at the crowd. Boyd stepped forward and spoke.

  “We’ll take a limited number of questions at this point.”

  “Eugene,” shouted one of the television correspondents, “what charges have been filed against you, and how have you responded?”

  Boyd answered.

  “Following negotiations with the U. S. Attorney’s office, Mr. Northrup has pled guilty to transporting an explosive device on board an aircraft and violation of the civil rights of Commander Taylor, the latter charge in lieu of a charge of involuntary manslaughter, which is not possible under the treaties applicable in Antarctica.”

  “How long will you serve?” shouted another reporter.

  “Sentencing isn’t scheduled until a month from now, but the U. S. Attorney will recommend 24 months, which Mr. Northrup has accepted.”

  “What about Billy Joe Wilder?” came a shouted question.

  “Mr. Northrup…” began Boyd.

  “My greatest hope,” interrupted Northrup, “is that Billy Joe Wilder burns in Hell.”

  This suddenly silenced the crowd. Northrup glanced at Boyd, who looked extremely uncomfortable, and then continued.

  “After the explosion, I was seriously injured. Touolok, the Sapiosaur doctor, saved my life. I spent the next three days in close proximity with them, and I found that they’re wise, dignified, gentle and extremely intelligent beings. Billy Joe Wilder had convinced me that they were evil. What I discovered is that’s the last thing they are. They’re wonderful creatures, and they deserve our respect and friendship.”

  The press were momentarily hushed, and then the clamor resumed.

  “I think that’s enough for now,” said Boyd. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.” He motioned for Northrup to get up, and with the Marshals providing blocking, they left the room.

  •

  Mabel Wilder answered the door herself, the servants having been given the day off.

  “Mrs. Wilder?” said one of the two men in dark suits and sunglasses.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m Agent Slayton and this is Agent Pritchard. We’re with the FBI.” The two men held up their identification badges. “Is Reverend Wilder here?”

  “No, I’m afraid he’s not.”

  “Mrs. Wilder, we have a warrant for your husband’s arrest. Do you know where we might find him?”

  Wilder bit her lower lip. She had feared something like this.

  “I’m afraid my husband is on an overseas mission at the moment. I have no idea when he might return.”

  “Do you know where he’s gone?”

  “No, I’m sorry, I don’t know specifically. Somewhere in Central America. We operate missions there.”

  “Mrs. Wilder, here’s my card. If you hear from your husband, I’d appreciate it if you’d ask him to give us a call. Failing that, I’d appreciate it if you’d call us yourself.”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. Good day.”

  “Good day, gentlemen.” She closed the door.

  Upon learning of her husband’s infidelities, Mabel Wilder had confronted him, and when he’d confirmed the truth of the accusations and begged her forgiveness, she’d been resolute. As long as his transgressions had been discrete and unconfirmed, she’d been able to live with them. Having them splashed across every newspaper and broadcast in the country, though, was more that she could bear. She kicked him out.

  He’d packed two suitcases full of clothing and personal effects, and had disappeared into his den, emerging after a few minutes with a briefcase. She knew without asking that it was stuffed with cash, but she said nothing.

  As she watched from the window, he’d placed his bags on the back seat of his Escalade and driven off into the evening. She suspected she’d never see him again.

  She was right.

  •

  The Beechcraft King Air 350 twin turbo-prop flew low over the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula. Wilder had instructed the pilot to stay low over the Gulf of Mexico to avoid radar.

  Having received a phone call from a sympathetic secretary in the U. S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles, he knew that the authorities would be coming after him. He’d packed some clothes and personal items, and taken all the cash from the safe in his den — roughly $750,000 — and headed for the airport. On the way, he called his pilot and instructed him to meet him.

  He knew also that Northrup, the damned little weasel, was accusing him of putting him up to the attempt on the lives of the dinosaurs. Which was true, of course, but he’d hoped that Northrup would have shown a bit more loyalty. He’d only been trying to rally the faithful to support his cause, to enhance his power base on the strength of the threat from the dinosaurs, and — as a pleasant side effect — increase the donations that they’d send.

  And then that slut Sheila Eakins had gone and blabbed not only to Mabel but to the press as well. The board of directors of the Church of Clear Light had demanded that he step down. He was virtually ruined. Everything he’d worked to build for the last fifteen years was gone.

  As the plane crossed the coast and into Mexican territory, Wilder looked out the window to his left and watched the beach pass below. He was startled when suddenly another aircraft pulled up next to them. It was a Mexican Air Force F-16 fighter. Looking to the right, he found another one off the starboard wing. His pilot has seen them as well.

  “Reverend Wilder, they’re motioning for us to follow them.”

  “Get on the radio and tell them who I am.” Wilder doubted that the U. S. government would have alerted Mexico to watch for him — at least not this quickly.

  “Mexican flight leader, this is Beech one niner alpha. I’m carrying a VIP passenger on a mercy mission. Over.”

  There was no response. The pilot switched frequencies and repeated his message. Still no response. The fighter pilots, meanwhile, continued to gesture.

  “Sir, I’m not getting any response. Either they’re on another frequency, or they don’t understand English.”

  “I don’t like this. Lookie here, son, I want you to get us the Hell outta here. Turn us around and head for neutral waters.”

  “Sir, I’d advise against that. We have no idea what their reaction might be.”

  “Dammit, boy, I’m paying for this flight, and I’ll damn sure decide where we’re goin’. You turn this plane around, you hear?”

  “Yes sir, I hear.

  “Mexican flight leader, we are turning to leave your air space.”

  He began a low, banking turn to the right, giving the pilot on that side ample time to observe his action and move clear. The pilot of the fighter responde
d with a series of gestures, and then pulled away as if the turbo-prop were standing still. The fighter to the left did the same.

  Wilder’s pilot now increased the bank of his turn, and as the nose of the aircraft pointed back toward the Gulf, he leveled the wings. The pilot and Wilder both searched the night skies for any sign of the fighters, but couldn’t locate them.

  As the plane passed back over the beach, Wilder felt a sense of relief.

  “We gave those boys the slip, didn’t we?”

  “Sir, a Beech King Air doesn’t give an F-16 the slip, as you put it. For some reason, the fighter pilots chose not to…” His words were cut off as the plane blossomed into a fireball, hit by a Sidewinder missile that exploded in the left wing fuel tank.

  The flaming pieces of the aircraft and the two men fell into the waters off the Mexican coast, well inside the perimeter of the enormous crater created 65 million years earlier by the strike of the asteroid.

  Chapter 31

  Relocation

  Garlmek watched as the last container was lowered down the side of the mastaba. The belongings and equipment they’d packed over the last three weeks were now loaded on a Navy airplane, and in less than a measure, he and Touolok, along with a number of the humans, would board that plane and leave Tarsill.

  He returned to the main chamber, where Touolok was giving final instructions to Florence on communicating with the Controller.

  He had constructed for her a communicator built around the type of implant that he and Touolok carried in their skulls. It would allow her to control the lights and environment inside the upper level of the mastaba. He had also given the Controller specific limits on the amount of information it was to reveal, and the subjects it was allowed to discuss. The vault of the Offspring was not included.

  He’d also assembled a duplicate Controller using one of the portable computers, containing the full data set of the mastaba’s permanent Controller. Though they needed the Controller’s help with translation less each day, the thousands of terabytes of information retained by the Controller included much that would be of use to them. Until they reached their new home, the portable was told to respond to the name “Controller Two.”