Irritated, she slapped his hand away, but couldn’t prevent a small grin from escaping. “I bet you wouldn’t! Anyone in particular or will any warm body do?”
“Ouch!” he grumbled, “wounded again!”
“Why is it when a man is sick or he gets hurt, all he can think about is sex?” She turned away, intending to end the conversation so he would rest.
“It’s our own special way of ensuring propagation of the species.” He sounded so reasonable and a quick look confirmed he was using his most convincing “innocent” expression.
“Get some rest before I do something to make sure you can’t propagate.”
Flouncing away, she smiled in spite of herself. Realization hit with smashing force as she entered the kitchen area. This could quite possibly be the last night they shared the protection and warmth of the cave, and the loss of that middling level of security was bleak and disheartening. Seeking protection among friends and family was not in the cards and all they really had was each other. Nathan would fight to the death to protect her, but if he didn’t survive, there would be nothing left worth living for. The future seemed cosmically uncertain and worry sat heavily on her shoulders. As if sensing her troubled thoughts, Demon nudged her hand, his dark eyes questioning and concerned.
“We’ll take care of him, won’t we, boy? They aren’t going to get us without a fight.” Scratching his ears, she longed to bury her face in his fur and cry. Demon whined, licking her hand, offering what little comfort he could.
Riley continued petting and scratching the huge dog, his fortitude and courage reflected in his animal eyes. “You aren’t worried, are you? As long as you can be with Nathan, all’s right with your world.” The dog really was a big comfort. Shaking off her morbid thoughts, Riley determinedly put on hold any feelings of uncertainty and loss. Tomorrow would bring what tomorrow would bring and nothing she did tonight would change that. Her stomach growled in protest, attesting to the fact that dinner time had come and gone. Deciding to enjoy what time she had left in their home, Riley took the opportunity to prepare a special dinner, waiting until the last moment to wake Nathan.
Even with her determined efforts, dinner was a subdued affair. Conversation was scarce and, other than the obvious, it was hard to find something to talk about. Who really cared how the weather looked or what needed to be done. Those items were better left to another time and place. Riley was finding it hard to eat in any event. A huge lump formed in her throat, permitting her to swallow only with difficulty, opting instead to spend the time watching Nathan eat, treasuring those mundane movements. She couldn’t fathom losing him now, he was such an integral part of life and envisioning life without him just wasn’t possible. Tears blurred her eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. Nathan glanced up, his actions stilled by the look on her face. He reached out, grasping her hand and pulling it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the palm.
“We’ll be okay. Just believe that.”
A small sob escaped. “I want to, but I’m so afraid.”
“I’m always prepared and I’ve stocked the lower caves with provisions over the years for just such a contingency. We can survive down there for months and maybe, just maybe, they’ll move on and we can return.”
“Do you really think so?” Her lips trembled and one small tear slid down her cheek.
“Yes, I do. From what I observed, there aren’t any women or children with the newcomers and I didn’t see anything to indicate family groups would be joining them later on. I think this is just a raiding party and when they get tired of hanging around here, they’ll find someplace else to go.”
Heatedly, anger replaced the fear. “Then why don’t they just go now and leave us alone?”
Gently caressing her hand, rubbing circles with his thumb, Nathan stated the undeniable, “Because they like the hunt and right now, they’re hunting us.”
Slumping in despair, Riley cried, “I hate that! Hunting us! Why are they hunting us? We don’t have anything!”
“We exist, and in what they now consider as their territory. Ancients were pretty specific on what they considered the borders of their hunting grounds. Think about the American Indians, for example.”
Mulling that concept over for a few seconds, Riley reluctantly agreed with the comparison. Boundaries were formed by those who took what they wanted, leaving little for those unwilling or unable to fight for supremacy.
Nathan broke her reverie. “Tomorrow, we’ll load up the horse and move to the lower caves. I doubt they will track us just for pleasure and it’s pretty much out of their way to go down there. Hopefully, they’ll get the idea that we don’t want to fight and are just vacating the area. We can hold out until they leave.”
“I hope so,” she whispered. “I really do, but I have this awful feeling something really bad is going to happen.”
Pushing a loose curl back from her face, Nathan cupped her chin, gazing into her eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to you! Do you understand what I am saying?”
Tearfully, Riley nodded her head, total trust reflected in her watery eyes. “Just don’t let anything happen to you, either.”
“Or the dog,” he grinned.
“Or the dog,” she agreed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Tuesday had finally arrived and the team anxiously passed the time until departure, impatiently pacing and fidgeting, excited but nervous. Bags and supplies had been packed for days and everything was in readiness to go. Bethany had calculated and recalculated and was 99.99% positive her figures were correct. That one little percentile still left her with uneasy feelings, but it was either today or never.
Following Bethany’s discovery of Miles’ treachery, Jonas pulled in his computer-expert cousin to aid Dr. Collins. Miles sat at his usual station, sullen and resentful, frequently clearing his throat and glancing nervously around. Bethany hurriedly educated the new recruit as to Miles’ function regarding the specifics of the computer program functions, positioning him behind Miles with instructions to watch his every move. One small error or last minute change could drastically alter her hard won results.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Bethany called as she dashed out the lab door. “I’ve got one last minute thing to do.”
Jonas sauntered casually away from the main group, motioning his cousin to join him, wanting to reiterate the course to be followed after the team departed. “You know what to do,” he breathed.
Nodding, his eyes focused on Miles, his cousin replied softly so as to prevent curious ears from overhearing. “After everything is shut down, we take fat boy there for a long ride.”
Jonas smirked. “Don’t hurt him too much, just take him as far away as you can into the back country and leave him. If he makes it back, fine. Bethany sent all the incriminating records to her attorney and the feds can deal with him. If he doesn’t…well, shit happens. Just make sure he doesn’t know who the kidnappers are.”
His cousin chuckled. “I called in a few favors from some friends who just happen to have some experience, and they were happy to oblige.”
Satisfied that everything would be taken care of, Jonas hugged his cousin and returned to the main group.
“Are we ever going to get this boat on the river,” Micah fumed. “I can’t stand this waiting.”
“Quit your whining!” Geena punched him sharply. “I’d rather they took their time and did it right. Otherwise, we might end up either dead or in limbo somewhere.”
Several team members voiced their agreement with Geena’s observation, adding their own comments and opinions. Most, if not all, were more than willing to wait however long to assure themselves that everything was copasetic.
Micah huffed rudely and turned away. Jonas decided to keep an eye on him—not because he didn’t have total confidence in Micah’s abilities, but because he was showing signs of overstressing. Once they were underway, he’d better settle down or Jonas would make sure he did.
“Do I h
ave time to make one last phone call?”
Jonas turned, seeking the voice. Standing there, dressed in leathers and covered with antique-appearing weaponry and gear, Allie looked even shorter than normal. No longer did she sport the intelligence-making glasses, her small face overshadowed by her huge eyes. She looked somewhat like a lost child.
“I told you to have everything completed by the time you entered the lab,” he informed her harshly. “I don’t make those demands lightly.”
“I didn’t think you did,” she retorted, “but I forgot to call the lady who adopted my cat to let her know what his favorite food is.”
Throwing up his hands in disgust, Jonas stalked away, muttering, “If the damn cat wants to eat, he’ll eat what’s there. Sheesh! What was the Council thinking of when they sent this one.” He almost made it to the door of the lab, but hesitated. “Go make your damn call, but you’d better be quick, we’re leaving shortly.” She scampered out, relief etched on her small features. All this for one stupid cat, he mentally grumbled. She did seem pleased by his concession though.
Bethany scurried in, dressed in leathers and carrying a pack of unknown contents.
“What’s going on,” Jonas demanded angrily.
She paused, catching her breath and readying for the storm she knew would brew. “I’m going with you.”
“Not on your life—no, you aren’t.” He objected heatedly.
“If I don’t go, none of you go,” she answered complacently. “It’s like that game show, deal or no deal.”
“This isn’t a game show and you aren’t the host. You…can’t…go! You aren’t prepared and you haven’t had the rigorous training necessary to survive.”
“I have you! And I’ve had all my shots and my health examination was excellent. That’s all the training and preparation I need. You might as well give up, I’m going or no one goes.” Smiling smugly, she decided the discussion was at an end.
“What brought this on?” he growled.
“There’s nothing left for me here. If this gets out, my career will be over anyway. Nathan is the only family I have and I might just find what I am looking for back there.”
“The only thing you will find is hardship and perhaps an early death.”
“So be it! That is what everyone in this team faces. I’m as fully capable of accepting those conditions as anyone here.” Resolve sharpened her features. She meant every word and nothing he said was going to change that.
“What about your calculations? Weren’t they made for only the team members?”
“I knew when I started that I would be joining you. I factored that in during the early stages.” She had covered everything, even to those items stored in her pack. More than one late night excursion into the storage area had facilitated her knowledge of the articles necessary for each individual and she had packed accordingly. Though not physically as able to withstand the hardships as the others, her determination would be her salvation.
“Why did you wait until the last moment to spring this on me?”
Shrugging, she replied. “Because I knew that if you had more time, I might not be able to convince you. This way, you really have no choice. You might as well accept it, if I don’t go, none of you go. It’s very simple.”
Allie took that moment to stumble in, knocking over a glass bottle during the process. Jonas whirled on her. “Learn to move quietly or stay away from me.” She cowered, nervously picking up the broken pieces, her face flaming red.
“Okay, everyone,” Bethany clapped her hands for attention, “time to go. If any of you have anything inappropriate for the time period we’ll be entering, now’s the time to get rid of it. We don’t want to take the chance of changing history, even a little bit.” She looked expectantly around the room, tapping her foot restlessly as various items were pulled from backpacks and pockets and tossed out.
Micah groaned as Jonas pulled a grenade from his side pack. “I don’t think they were using many of these things way back when.” Jonas tossed the grenade on the growing pile of discarded items. Motioning to one of the guards, he directed, “Make sure that thing’s secured after we leave.” The guard nodded, keeping his eyes on the ever-increasing stockpile. Jonas grinned, even with all the instructions they had been given over the last weeks, every one of the team members had some sort of contraband they thought to sneak along. He almost burst out laughing when Jeremy, one of the younger team members, dropped a small acetylene torch on the pile. “What did you expect to do with that?”
Embarrassed, his face red, Jeremy replied, “I was going to use it for metalworking.”
“Have you read up on the history of the times we are stepping into?” His lip curling in amusement, Jonas continued. “Metallurgy wasn’t even invented by the ancients until approximately 6,000 to 7,000 years ago. That’s quite a bit more than a few thousand years after the time period we expect to infiltrate.”
Unrepentant, Jeremy grinned, “I thought I’d get a jump on the rush.”
Shaking his head, Jonas waved him away, wondering how many more undetected items would be hidden until departure. Unless he did a strip search on every team member, there was no way to be certain. He had a few undisclosed items himself, but he wasn’t about to admit it to anyone.
Spinning unexpectedly, he caught a sly grin on Geena’s face. “Give it up, Girl! I know you’ve got something.”
Eye to eye, she snickered, casually denying the charge. “Nope, nothing.” Unless she read him wrong, Geena was pretty certain he wouldn’t take the time to find out that she was wearing six pairs of underwear. A girl had to have some comforts.
Satisfied that most of the undeclared items had been given up, Jonas nodded to Bethany, everything was in readiness.
Jonas’ eyes narrowed threateningly as he glared at Miles. “Just make sure he does exactly what he’s supposed to.” Jonas’ cousin nodded, a shotgun lazily held against his hip, a not-so-subtle reminder to Miles that one false move might well be his last. Miles shuddered slightly, his lips trembling with fury.
Bethany’s hands flew over the computer keyboard and, finally satisfied, she stepped back as the huge door opened. One by one, the team members walked through. Jonas motioned Bethany ahead of him and stepped through last. Dizziness, a few moments of weightlessness and then the feel of solid ground once again beneath his feet was the sum total of his disorientation.
He inhaled deeply, the cool, clean air filling him with untold delight. Quickly perusing the landscape and centering himself to focus on their instant needs, he was overwhelmed by his first sight of primitive Earth. His eyes sparkled as he beheld the grandeur and purity of long ago. The deep blue of the sky was devoid of the dirty air so common in modern times. In the distance, mountains loomed in stark contrast to the deep green almost black stands of forested hillsides and valleys. The world at the dawn of time, untouched by the destruction of future races.
Bethany knelt in the grass ahead of him, emptying her stomach and gasping. A few of the other members were in the same condition, but for the most part, the rest were up and checking out the surroundings, seemingly in awe and humbled by the magnificence of these first moments in their new reality.
Jonas reached down and helped Bethany to her feet. In the bright sunlight, she was slightly green and perspiring, her hands shaking and clammy to the touch. “Are you okay?”
“Perfect! Just give me a second to acclimate myself.” Shaking off his hand, she hefted up the heavy pack and slipped it on, determinedly ignoring his attempts to help.
Knowing from past experience not to crowd her overmuch, Jonas instead addressed the group. “Geena! Micah! Both of you! Do a quick recon and see if you can pick up any sign.” Motioning to Jeremy, he pointed north. “Head over to that rise there and take position. I want to know everything there is to know about this area a.s.a.p.”
The three fanned out quickly, seasoned soldiers intent on doing his bidding.
“The rest of you! Gather up all this equipme
nt and move it into the tree line. We’re sitting ducks out here and I don’t like it.” Loading up most of the large packs, the remaining team members along with Bethany hurried to the tree line, while Jonas stood watch. Nothing moved, but Jonas had been a warrior too long to dismiss what he couldn’t see. When all the supplies and equipment had been moved to the safety of the tree line and a security perimeter deployed, he allowed himself a few moments to adjust to the new surroundings. The team hunkered down, watchful and waiting for the reconnaissance team to return.
An agonized scream rent the air. Jonas whirled, seeking the source. A figure stumbled into the open concourse. Blood gushing from a torn shoulder, Jeremy alternately crawled and staggered towards them, his face contorted with fear. A giant saber toothed cat pounded behind him, stalking the injured prey.
The team jumped to attention, weapons drawn and ready. “Get out there and get him,” Jonas screamed, hurtling forward. The distance to Jeremy seemed overwhelming but, in reality, was only about 50 feet. Catching their movement and unfamiliar scent, the huge cat paused, screeching in anger at the intrusion on his kill. That one small hesitation was just enough time for Jonas to reach Jeremy. The younger man’s face was devoid of color, his eyes wide with fright, the slash marks to his shoulder bleeding profusely. Hot on Jonas’ tail, more of the Black Ops members arrived, spears and long knives drawn, paltry defenses against the fury of the enraged cat. The cat spun and crouched, his tail twitching, yellow eyes fixed and glowering as he appraised the opposition.
Nothing had even vaguely prepared Jonas for his first encounter with such a creature. It was huge, bigger than any modern day tiger, corded muscles bunching and rippling along well-developed flanks, the elongated canines gleamed wickedly as he roared his challenge. Behind him, Geena and Micah entered the clearing to the north, cautiously inching towards them, drawn by the commotion. The cat’s head spun in their direction and, without warning, charged, slashing and raking with giant claws.
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