Riley's Journey (26 page)

“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 equipment 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.

The window of opportunity opened and as one, the team attacked, spears jabbing the beast from all sides, as small wounds erupted in the huge cat’s fur. Growling and hissing, the cat retreated, saliva dripping from his wicked jaws, bounding away into the safety of the trees. Amazed and thankful, Jonas breathed a deep sigh of relief. Perhaps the cat, like many predators, was a coward when faced with what he viewed as an unknown, and greater, force. Whatever the reason, it was too close by far. Abe, the healer, rushed to Jeremy’s side, staunching the flow of blood and ministering to the young man. The wounds looked bad and the kid had lost a lot of blood. Not a good start for the new beginning.

Jonas addressed the tense group. “It’s a hard lesson, but one that won’t be forgotten. Never, and I reiterate,
never
let down your guard. We can’t afford to lose even one member of this team. Watch your backs and watch each other’s.” That being said, Jonas knelt down beside the healer. “How’s it look?”

Abe frowned, his concentration focused on the matter at hand. “It could be better, but it looks worse than it is. He’s lost a lot of blood, but it doesn’t appear like any major arteries were affected. The biggest problem right now is the probability of infection. I’ll know more when I’ve had a better chance to examine him.”

“Get him up and back to the perimeter. You and you,” Jonas waved to the men, “carry him.” The bigger of the two easily hoisted the injured man up, hauling him across his back, undaunted by the added weight, and strode back to the camp. Those who had remained at the camp watched their approach with trepidation. Allie raced forward, medical supplies and bandages clasped tightly in her hands.

“I have some medical training along with midwifery,” she explained. “I was going to be a paramedic at one time.”

Jonas nodded, relieved to place the burden of Jeremy’s survival in the hands of others. He wasn’t good at watching his people in pain.

The stark reality of their new existence was evident on each member’s countenance. What had previously seemed like an exciting adventure now became a test of endurance and ability to face the unknown and survive. Subdued, the earlier upbeat attitude flew in the face of the events of a few moments ago.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

T
he first rays of daylight had barely kissed the treetops as Nathan and Riley made ready to leave the shelter. Packs and equipment were loaded on the small horse which now waited patiently at the exit to the back entrance. Burdened as well, Riley carried the remainder of the supplies, hopeful that Nathan, if less encumbered, would better withstand the rigors of the trek to the lower caves. Although protesting his complete recovery and stoutly reiterating his capability to cope during the long march, he was still too weak by far. His own load consisted of the larger portion of the weaponry—bows and arrows, small throwing spears, and numerous knives of varying lengths which hung from his belt.

Clutching the sinister war club in her hands, several knives secured in her boot straps for easy access, Riley was grimly conscious of the perils facing her newfound family in the days to come. Like a draught of impending doom, a sharp breeze blew into the tunnel as the rock wall rolled back, whistling loudly in the silence of the cave. Nathan exited first, cautiously scanning the countryside, careful to note anything out of the ordinary. Satisfied, he nodded for Riley to follow. Stepping from the tunnel, stomach in knots and hands clammy with sweat, Riley strode into the prehistoric landscape, fighting desperately to retain control over her timorous emotions. The goddess of dawn peaked through clouds made red from the sun’s first rays, suffusing the panorama with striking color. Trees bowed to the wind’s demands, gracefully waving their long limbs in greeting. It would have been a beautiful morning but for the fear choking her.

Nathan rolled the rock wall back into place. “No reason to make it easy for them,” he grinned. “Not like they’re houseguests or anything.”

Riley’s lips trembled in response, reaching for the lighthearted display Nathan was acting on. She did not doubt for a moment that it was for her benefit.

“I don’t suppose we can plan on being home by nightfall?” she murmured.

Shaking his head, Nathan destroyed her one small glimmer of hope. “Not a chance, babe, but if we’re lucky, we can reach the first cave by sundown.”

“And if we’re not lucky?” Visions of a night in the open terrorized her already traumatized mind.

“Then we’ll make camp and toast marshmallows and make S’mores.” Nathan started down the path to the animal pen with Demon running ahead, nose to the ground, checking for any interesting passersby. Riley fell in behind. Nothing changes, she thought dryly.

“I’m holding you to that one—and don’t call me ‘babe’!” She would kill for a bite of chocolate. It was such a warm and fuzzy memory.

A small chuckle escaped Nathan. “Why not? You are a babe!”

“You’re only saying that because I’m the only available woman!” Disgustingly pleased by that small compliment, Riley’s mood lifted. Heck, it was almost as good as a piece of chocolate—almost.

The trip to the animal pen was accomplished without incident, and the three sheep were soon tied to the lead rope and attached to the horse. Nathan left the entrance unblocked, allowing the remaining sheep their freedom. Riley couldn’t suppress a small tear from sliding down her cheek. They were so defenseless by themselves! They didn’t know what it meant to live in the wilds. It was with heavy heart that she stepped away, refusing to dwell on the outcome any longer. Too soon, she realized her error. Confused and alarmed, the sheep trailed after, bleating and jockeying for position, determinedly grouping around the ram. The whole darn flock followed!