by Laura Martin
“I wish I had the equipment here to tag those,” Chaz muttered mulishly as the strange dinosaurs trotted back into the surrounding trees. We followed them, but not before dragging our battered and smoking boat into the lake and sinking it. I could only hope that if a helicopter did decide to look for us, the marines wouldn’t notice the huge rut of sand the boat had left behind. With nowhere to go and unwilling to risk a flashlight, we stumbled around in the dark for a while before finding a knobby tree with branches low enough for us to climb. I fell into an exhausted sleep wedged between the elbow of two branches, my heart heavy with thoughts of Shawn.
I woke up hours later stiff and disoriented as the sunlight weaved its way through the leaves, casting a murky green glow over the surrounding forest. I tried to sit up to relieve my cramped and aching muscles, but was jerked to an abrupt stop. Glancing down in confusion, I discovered a long blue strip of fabric looped around my waist and another around my right arm. Following the fabric, I discovered it had been wrapped around the tree branch I was lying on. I carefully undid the tie at my wrist and sat up, the one around my waist pulling tight. Glancing to my right, I saw that Chaz was still asleep, curled up tight with her arms and legs thrown bear-hug style around an enormous branch. She too had thin blue cords of fabric tying her wrist and waist to the tree. When I located Todd, two branches to my left, the mystery of the blue cords was revealed. His tattered blue jumpsuit from the lab was now missing both of its arms. He’d apparently torn them off in order to lash Chaz and me to the tree. However, he hadn’t taken the same precaution for himself. Used to sleeping in trees, he sprawled out, his mouth hanging open as he snored softly, one bare arm thrown over his eyes to block out the light. I smiled, appreciating the gesture as I leaned back against my own branch.
The events of the previous day washed over me, and my smile of moments before shrivelled and died. The lab had been attacked. We had no food, no weapons, and no way to do anything about the Noah’s plan. And worst of all, my best friend was dead. Bending forward, I dropped my head between my knees as the pressure and pain of everything made it hard to breathe. Something slipped loose from the neck of my ripped lab uniform to swing free, glinting in the first rays of morning.
I stared at my dad’s compass, selfishly hating it for all it had done. If Shawn had never found that message from my dad, we would both be safe and sound inside North Compound. The topside world would have eventually been destroyed, but I would never have known what I was missing, and I’d never have experienced the gut-wrenching pain of losing Shawn. After all, what was the good of knowing the Noah’s plan if we had no way to stop it? Without Boz and the Lincoln Lab, it was all over. I swallowed hard at the lump that seemed to have become a permanent fixture in my throat.
A single fat tear splashed onto the worn bronze surface and slipped off to disappear into the dirt twenty feet below on the forest floor. It was then, feeling more hopeless and lost than I had ever felt in my entire life, that I remembered the plug Todd had swiped from Boz right before the explosion. In all the confusion I’d completely forgotten about it. I carefully unscrewed the back of the compass with trembling fingers and found to my relief that the inside was mercifully dry, the plug seemingly undamaged despite the night before.
Well, that’s something, I thought. Maybe all hope wasn’t lost, and if it wasn’t, I owed it to myself, and to Shawn, not to curl up in a ball and give up. Even if that was what I wanted to do.
Careful not to disturb the others, I untied myself the rest of the way and climbed gingerly down the tree. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I almost didn’t notice the voices. Suddenly General Kennedy’s voice sliced through my preoccupation like a knife, and I froze, the hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention.
When his voice came again, it was somewhere ahead and to my left, and even though I couldn’t tell what he was saying, I knew from the tone that he was furious. I hesitated. Every fiber of my being wanted to get out of there, but I couldn’t. As though acting on their own accord, my feet started moving towards the voices instead of away.
A minute later I found myself back on the beach, peering out from the edge of the woods at a makeshift camp. My stomach flopped sickeningly as I realised that we’d fallen asleep mere steps from our enemy. Black helicopters perched on the sand like giant bugs as the Noah’s soldiers milled around, some lounging in front of tents, while others cleaned guns or ate from small tin plates. My eyes found Kennedy immediately, and my heart lurched in surprise when I saw that standing across from him was Schwartz.
I gasped, and then clapped my hand over my mouth, as though I could shove the traitorous noise back inside. Schwartz had survived the elevator, and Kennedy had apparently escaped the pack of saltopus that had attacked him in Ivan’s clearing. The cut I’d given him had healed badly, marring his square handsome face, and his hands sported a variety of scratches and half-healed tooth punctures. He may have survived the saltopus attack in that clearing, but it looked like they’d done a number on him.
Schwartz’s face was a thundercloud, his sharp eyes narrowed. “I should have known about that insane plan years ago,” he said indignantly as he paced back and forth, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.
Barking a laugh, Kennedy removed a knife from his belt. “The Noah’s plans do not concern you,” he said coldly. He casually began using the end of the knife to scrape gunk out from under his fingernails. It was enough of a threatening gesture that Schwartz took an involuntary step back, his face dark.
“Actually,” Schwartz said, holding up a finger in contradiction, “they do involve me. When I contacted the Noah last night I was told that I would be paid handsomely for my services. But all the payment in the world does me no good if the world has been wiped clean by nuclear warfare! Which, did I mention, is absolutely insane. Do you realise how many organisms could be permanently destroyed in this plan? There is no way the topside world could ever recover.”
“You’ve spent too much time in that underwater lab.” Kennedy sneered. “Their crazy ideas about balanced ecosystems have brainwashed you. I’m amazed the Noah agreed to use you after all this time.”
“He didn’t agree to use me,” Schwartz spat. “I was working for the Noah when you were still in diapers, marine. Don’t forget that. I was the one who first told him about Jack Mundy’s little club of vigilantes. The Colombe,” he scoffed, shaking his head. “What a joke.” My hands balled involuntarily into fists, my nails digging into the soft flesh of my palms. Schwartz was a spy and apparently had been ever since my dad started the Colombe.
General Kennedy did not look at all impressed with Schwartz’s speech. He sniffed derisively. “You are also the one who disappeared for the last twelve years with that rogue scientist, Boznic.”
Schwartz paled. “If I hadn’t run with the rest of them I would have blown my cover. What matters is that I got back in contact with the Noah the moment I saw what was on that plug Jack Mundy’s brat came dragging into the lab. If it wasn’t for me, Boz would have derailed the Noah’s entire plan.”
“About that,” Kennedy said, cocking his head to the side. “Why did you stop Boznic, if you are so dead set against the Noah’s plan?”
Schwartz glowered at the surrounding woods. “I was one of the Noah’s scientific advisors once, and I believe he will listen to reason. As I’m sure you know, I specialise in DNA. And while I don’t share Boz’s views on dinosaurs being allowed to run wild, I do see the value in the species. Under the right conditions and with the right containments and safeguards in place, I believe that they could ultimately supply the human race far better than any of the domestic animals of the past. The Noah is a smart man, and I think he will reconsider his plan.”
Kennedy snorted. “I highly doubt that.”
Schwartz’s lip curled into a condescending sneer. “Well, I wouldn’t expect a marine to understand the complex workings of science. You aren’t paid to think, after all.”
Pulling his gun
out of his vest, Kennedy pretended to examine it. “It’s a real shame that you made it out of that lab alive and Sky Mundy didn’t. I would have loved to put an end to her troublemaking life myself.” He flipped his gun over, pulling something on it so it gave an ominous click before flicking his cold eyes back up to Schwartz. “You know, if I were to spot a dinosaur over your shoulder, and you accidentally got shot, I’m sure no one would question it.”
Schwartz narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Stop,” boomed a voice, and Kennedy’s hand froze on his gun. The Noah, dressed in a crisp white shirt and khaki fatigues, strode towards the pair. Behind him, like a well-organised shadow, came ten armed marines that immediately spread out to create a protective guard around their leader. Shell-shocked, I watched the most powerful man on the planet put a restraining hand on Kennedy’s shoulder. I’d only ever seen him on the port-casts sent to North Compound and on my dad’s info plug, but he exuded the same confidence and authority in person that he did on screen, making it easy to overlook his small frame and wrinkled face. He carried himself like a man used to being obeyed, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
“You will not waste your time arguing when your services are needed elsewhere, General,” the Noah said in a way that made it clear this wasn’t a suggestion. Kennedy snapped to attention, saluted stiffly, and stalked back towards the bustling camp.
The Noah turned to Schwartz, a smile on his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “What did I hear you shouting about, Doctor?”
“Sir,” Schwartz said tentatively. “Your plan. What I saw on Jack Mundy’s information plug. You can’t really be thinking about …”
“My plans are of no concern to you,” the Noah interrupted with a glance at the marines standing nearby. Clearly he didn’t want Schwartz blabbing about his plans in front of such a large audience.
“But,” Schwartz protested, “you promised to hear out my ideas in exchange for the location of the lab.”
“My dear doctor,” the Noah said calmly. “I would have promised you the moon for the opportunity to put an end to Boznic’s plotting.”
Schwartz’s face went white. “You were never going to listen. Were you? I should have known when you lied about invading the lab peacefully.”
The Noah turned to his guards. He nodded at the closest one and flicked a hand lazily. “Shoot him.”
Schwartz whirled to run, but before he could take even one step, three shots rang out, and he fell. I bit down hard on my tongue, successfully stopping the scream that was already halfway up my throat. The soldiers walked briskly to Schwartz, checked his pulse, and carried his body away.
Unperturbed, the Noah turned his attention to his guard. “Spies bother me,” he said. “I never feel as though I can trust them.” My eyes were glued to the small patch of bloodstained dirt, the only evidence that Schwartz had been there, and I fought the urge to vomit.
“We will be ready to head out in about two hours, sir,” said one of the guards.
“Any progress with the lab?” the Noah asked.
The guard shook his head. “No, sir. We’ve been unable to find another viable entrance.”
The Noah nodded, his brow furrowed. “Very well. Now that we know its location, it will be a simple enough matter to return with more powerful weaponry. Leave a helicopter and a small marine squad here to continue patrolling the area. If anyone surfaces, arrest them and send word to East Compound immediately. From Dr Schwartz’s intelligence, the place has some valuable resources. We may even be able to use it as another compound if we can find a way to remove the dinosaurs.” The Noah paused, shaking his head. “The insanity of bringing more of those beasts out of extinction.” With a sigh he pulled a port out of his pocket and pressed his hand momentarily to the screen. The guard cleared his throat nervously, and the Noah looked up in annoyance. “Is there something else?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” the guard said, sweat popping out on his forehead. “I just received a report that there have been some issues with the tree villagers we brought to East Compound. They’ve sabotaged the grow lights in the southern sector. Officer Weston was wondering how you wanted to handle the situation?”
The Noah cast his eyes skyward in exasperation. “Remind me why I am so good-hearted?” he asked. “Next time I’ll just eliminate the lot instead of extending my goodwill just to have it thrown back in my face.” He sighed. “Tell General Weston to take them off all work crews and leave them in their cell to reconsider their actions. I will decide how to deal with the miscreants upon our return.” He looked back down at his port, clearly dismissing the guard.
My heart was thundering so loud that it amazed me the Noah couldn’t hear it. I waited for him to leave, but he didn’t. I was going to have to be the one who moved. Careful not to make a sound, I began creeping backwards, ensuring each foot landed silently, barely daring to breathe. When I was far enough away, I whirled and flew back through the trees, praying I was heading towards Todd and Chaz.
They were still sleeping when I burst from the underbrush, panting and sweating, and clambered clumsily up the tree. They started awake, but I slapped my trembling hands over their surprised mouths and shook my head furiously. Chaz’s eyes went wide with panic when she realised she was tied to the tree, and it took a few frenzied seconds to calm her down and get her untied. That accomplished, they silently climbed down before following me deeper into the woods. When I judged we were out of earshot of the Noah and his marines, I signalled for them to stop and told them everything I’d just heard.
“You mean Schwartz was spying on us this whole time?” Chaz yelped. I shushed her, but she brushed me off, her normally cheerful face flushed with angry red blotches.
“I don’t think it was the whole time,” I whispered, worried she was going to be overheard by the Noah’s marines. “From the way General Kennedy was talking, it sounds like Schwartz went silent for quite a few years while he was in the lab.” I shrugged. “Maybe he even began to change his way of thinking?”
Chaz scowled. “Obviously he didn’t change it enough. He still gave away our location once he saw your dad’s message. Getting shot was too good for him,” she spat. “He should have been fed bit by bit to Pretty Boy.”
I had to agree. Thinking about Schwartz made my insides boil. If it weren’t for him, Shawn would still be here now.
Todd grabbed my shoulders and gave me a rough shake. “You’re sure he said everyone from the Oaks is at East Compound? You’re sure?”
I detached his hands before he rattled my teeth loose. “That’s what I heard.”
“And they’re making trouble,” Todd grinned. “That sounds about right.”
“What now?” Chaz asked. “Isn’t East Compound really far away? And how does knowing where Todd’s village is solve the much bigger problem of stopping the Noah?”
“I don’t know,” I said, sitting down hard on a tree stump to look up at my friends. “Schwartz even tried to tell the Noah that it was a bad idea, and look where that got him.”
“But he said that the plan Boz had come up with would have worked?” Chaz asked.
“Lot of good that does us now,” Todd said as he gave the closest tree an angry kick with his boot.
“I still have Boz’s plug,” I said, holding up my compass, “but we have no way to get to East Compound. And if we do get there, we only have one of them. And worse, it’s untested.”
“So you’re saying it’s hopeless,” Chaz said.
“Now what kind of talk is that?” asked a low voice behind us, and we all jumped, fumbling for weapons we didn’t have. My fear turned to relief when Ivan walked out of the bushes as though appearing from nowhere. His grizzled face was just as lined and stern as ever, but his blue eyes were sparkling. I’d never seen such a welcome sight in my life.
“Ivan!” I cried, running forward to throw myself into his arms before I’d really thought it through. He froze a second in surprise, and then patted my back
awkwardly with his good arm.
“You’re alive.” I sniffed, stepping back as I inspected my grandfather. Standing only a little taller than me, Ivan carried himself as though he were seven feet tall. Broad-shouldered with a long hooked nose and a white beard that covered his chest, his most distinguishing feature was the lack of one of his arms. Lost in one of his many encounters with the dinosaurs he hunted, it ended just below his elbow joint.
“Of course I’m alive,” Ivan said, sounding insulted. “I told you I’d come after you. But your tracks disappeared into the bloody lake. I’ve been walking around this beastly bit of water for days now, hoping to catch your trail again. Then the Noah’s big buzzing machines showed up, and here you are.”
A startled laugh bubbled out of me, and I shot Todd and Chaz a watery smile. “We’ve been in the middle of the lake,” I explained. “Actually, at the bottom of the middle of the lake.”
“It was awful,” Todd said.
“The middle of the lake?” Ivan asked, his bushy white eyebrows raised. “You found what your father marked on that map of his?”
“We did,” I said, my smile and feeling of elation fading as quickly as they’d come. “And we found out what was on his info plug too. And Ivan, it’s awful.”
“Who’s this?” Ivan asked suddenly, gesturing to Chaz. “And where’s the blond compound boy?”
I swallowed hard, fighting to keep my emotions in check as Shawn’s loss stabbed through me, as fresh and sharp as it had the night before. “This is Chaz,” I said with only a slight quaver to my voice. “She’s from the Lincoln Lab we were staying at, the one at the bottom of the lake.” Chaz stepped forward, her hand out to shake Ivan’s until she realised that he was missing the hand she was supposed to shake. Confused and embarrassed about what to do, she stepped back with an awkward half wave and bob of her head.
“Smooth,” Todd muttered. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Chaz stomp down on one of his booted feet.