Trapped in Time-Extinction (24 page)

• • •

It took a week for Olivia to teach enough people from each ship how to grind and prepare the pods. Andy had enough collected to take back to the community as seed plants to start growing them for the community. The fliers collected enough for every ship and the infants and children were taken to the hundred and forty-five ships. One ship was dispatched ahead of the others. Zeck was ordered to take the most severely wounded and get back to the community as quickly as possible. Andy watched the last of the wounded brought on board and saw Olivia walking down the dock toward him with the young bow in her arms. Two warriors followed her carrying four large bags. Andy tilted his head and Olivia said, “He refuses to leave me. I just can’t bear to walk away with him screaming and his arms held out to me.” Andy looked at the bags and Olivia said, “This is enough food for him to make the trip.”

“The doctors tell me Tyler is hanging on.”

Olivia nodded, “I need to go to him.” Andy nodded and Olivia walked by him up the boarding ramp but stopped at the top, “Andy, no matter what the cost, this was worth doing.”

Andy nodded, “Yes, it was, Olivia. I’ll see both of you at home.” Olivia turned and walked on board. The crew began casting off lines as six boats pulled the Storm Chaser away from the dock. The rowers tugged hard on their oars and the large ship moved clear of its mooring.

Zeck set the steering sails and turned the wheel until the ship pivoted and headed out to sea. He tacked toward the southern mouth of the harbor and then turned north. Andy knew Zeck would make it home quickly. All extra weight had been removed and the ship began picking up speed as the main sails were deployed. Andy heard loud splashes and looked out toward the anchored fleet. All of the ships were rolling their cannons overboard to save weight and a recognition that at long last, the community would be at peace. Andy heard the first huge explosion echo out from the community and knew that the powder kegs taken off the ships were being used to knock down the forest wall and the remainder of the damaged coastal wall. The fliers had also put small pouches of gunpowder in all the homes and had set the city on fire with their cutters. The only building they left was the tall government building as a testament to their victory. The ships began moving and in four hours, the fleet was out of the harbor and starting the long voyage home. The warriors left behind with the task of destroying the city launched their gliders and joined four miles out at sea. The Destroyers were gone along with their cruelty and vicious ways.

• • •

The Commandant watched the fleet sail away from the top floor of the Government Building. He had hidden in an underground chamber when the coastal wall had been blown up. He stayed there and only came out at night to peer out the second floor windows to see what was going on. He’d take a look and scamper back to his cellar. He had an air duct running up into the building above him and no one had recognized what the purpose of the hole in the wall was for. He had two lanterns and enough fuel to keep them going for months. The pods that were stored were still good and he had enough to feed him for a year. He would jerk every time he heard an explosion and wondered if the enemy was going to collapse the building around him. But now they were leaving and, though there were still numerous explosions going off in the city, he was still alive. His destiny was to survive and start a new community. There were many small skiffs that he could use to sail south until he found a community to live in. There he would bide his time and he knew he would eventually take control. That enemy leader had failed on his promise to kill him. He laughed as he moved back in the cellar to wait for the explosions to stop. He didn’t need to run the risk of being hit by fragments flying through the air.

Three days passed and he saw that the only thing that might cause him a problem was the thick smoke from the burning city. It was so thick, he could lose his way and smoke inhalation was not a good way to die either. He waited another four days and when he went to the top floor, the air was clear. There was some smoke but not enough to be a problem. He gathered up a large bag of pods and a jug of water and set off for the harbor. He walked out of the tall building and looked around at the destruction of a once vibrant city. He turned and took ten steps and suddenly noticed a shadow cover him. It had come from behind him and suddenly extended twenty feet beyond him. He heard a noise and slowly turned around.

The T-Rex was staring down at him and hadn’t moved since it had snuck up on him. It appeared it was waiting for him to flee but the Commandant wasn’t going to run anywhere. He had the large bag of pods strapped over his shoulder along with the heavy water jug. He knew the giant wasn’t going to wait for him to drop everything and run. He realized three things in that moment. First, he forgot that the enemy had blown up the forest wall that kept the carnivores out. Second, he had thought of everything that could have harmed him except for the one thing he hadn’t had to worry about for many years, being attacked by a dinosaur. And third, his destiny wasn’t what he thought.

The T-Rex heard a roar close by and he knew he couldn’t wait for this meal to run and offer him the joy of capture. He quickly lowered his massive jaws and heard the meal scream just before he bit it in half. The giant spit out the half in his mouth. The covering on the pods was the worst thing the Rex had ever put in his mouth. It shook its head and ran toward the stream running through the forest to wash its mouth out. The Commandant’s body was covered in juice from the pods and the carnivores that found it took one smell and left it alone. His remains stayed outside the government building to complete the testament of the destruction of this evil society. It was fortunate that Tyler had not killed the T-Rex during the many times it made him angry. Unlike the Commandant, this particular dinosaur did have a destiny and it left it lying in the sand outside the tall building.

• • •

Rory stood beside Zeck on the stern of the Storm Chaser and watched him turn the ship back and forth as it quartered into the easterly wind. “How long will it take us to get back?”

Zeck looked up at the sky, “It took a little over three weeks sailing with the wind to arrive at the Destroyer’s land. It normally takes twice as long to cover the same distance into the wind.” Rory looked at the deck of the ship that was severely tilted and heard Zeck say, “However, if the wind is strong enough, and this wind is much stronger than the one that brought us here, you can make better time.”

“Is that true, Zeck?”

“Tacking against the wind is a slow process but if you have a good crew and trim the sails quickly with each tack, you can make good time. I’m hoping this wind holds.”

“How long are you going to hold out?”

“Long enough. Annelise will spell me when I can’t continue.”

Rory shook his head, “I hope we can get them home in time to save them.” Zeck nodded and remained silent. “You’re not saying anything.”

Zeck’s eyes were moist as he looked at Rory, “I think they’re only holding on to make it home.” Rory looked at him and lowered his head. Mindy was now fighting an infection along with her injuries and Tyler was not responsive. He sighed and looked up at Zeck, “If that’s true, you need to get them there quickly to end their suffering.”

Zeck nodded and quietly said, “That is when our suffering will start.”

Rory shook his head, “Mine started when I brought Mindy to the ship.” Zeck nodded and used his sleeve to wipe his eyes.

• • •

Harvey ran to Melody’s home and opened the door, “The lookout has spotted a ship.” Melody looked at Lyla and she said, “Go ahead, I’ll take care of the girls.”

Melody ran out the door and caught up to Harvey, “Just one ship?”

“That’s all so far. It’s one of the ships we covered in camouflage and if I had to guess, I’d say it’s Zeck and the Storm Chaser.”

“Why would he be coming ahead of the fleet?”

Harvey shook his head, “It can’t be good news.” Melody nodded as they ran toward the cliff and watched the flag moved slowly up the mast. They arrived at the steps and a priest came running down the steps, “The ship has a red and blue flag flying! I’m going to get the doctors!”

Melody stopped and bent over to catch her breath, “What’s a red and blue flag mean?”

Harvey stood and took deep breaths, “It means there are injured on board.”

Melody straightened and her eyes went wide, “OH NO!” Harvey shook his head but didn’t have a chance to reassure her. She was by him in an instant and he only managed to catch her on the pier. They put on their head coverings and they saw the ship was coming at full speed toward the pier. Harvey stared at it and said, “He’s not slowing down! GRAB A POST!”

Melody rushed to a mooring post and wrapped her arms around it. She watched the large ship drop its sails and come barreling in along the pier. It continued until it ran into shallow water and came to an abrupt stop in the sand along the low tide line on the beach. Harvey shook his head. Zeck had beached the ship less than four feet from the pier without hitting it. A gangplank was thrown over the rail as the medical teams came rushing up. They sprinted up the ramp and Harvey and Melody followed them on board. Melody prayed, “Please don’t let it be Andy. God, please don’t let it be him!”

• • •

The main fleet arrived four weeks later and large numbers of the Community rushed to the shore to meet them. Melody met Andy with the two babies as he came down the ramp and wrapped them up in an embrace as he kissed Melody. They held the kiss for a long time until the babies started squirming. Andy broke the kiss and took one of them and hugged her as he kissed her on the cheek. The crew began exiting the ship carrying the babies they had saved and Melody smiled. Andy sighed and nodded, “We were able to do it.” He looked at Melody, “How are Tyler and Mindy?”

Melody’s smiled disappeared, “They both died within a few hours of arrival. The doctors didn’t understand how they had managed to live as long as they did.”

Andy’s eyes closed and he shook his head slowly, “And Gordon and Olivia?”

“They’re bearing up as well as you would think; they are both heartbroken. We buried Tyler and Mindy two days after they died.”

Andy nodded and said, “As soon as we get everyone on shore and find new homes for the babies, I’m calling a community gathering.”

Melody nodded, “There’s one child you won’t need to place.”

Andy sighed, “Olivia’s boy?”

Melody nodded, “They’re inseparable. I think he’s the only thing that’s keeping Olivia sane. She’s named him Deuce.”

“Deuce?”

“She chose to name him Tyler because they look so much alike. The young boy is her second Tyler so she calls him Deuce. I think she’ll eventually call him Tyler.” Andy nodded and took his other daughter and headed toward the end of the pier with Melody holding her arm around his waist.

• • •

The drums started beating at daybreak notifying everyone that a Community Gathering was taking place that evening at sunset. It had been three weeks since the fleet had returned and all the babies who had been saved were placed with families in the community. Many of the infants were placed with families that also had an infant of their own. It was suggested by Melody, so that the new members would have a sibling for them to grow up with. The Community greeted the request with open hearts and other babies were placed with families that had children of the same age for the same reason. The new babies helped the Community deal with the losses sustained in the war with the Destroyers.

The members of the Community began moving toward the inner walls of the original settlement early in the afternoon and the crowd was huge long before the sun set. A special place was reserved inside the walls for the warriors and naval crews that participated in the war. They arrived as soon as the drums started beating and they talked about the warriors that died and shared what they knew about them. It was a somber moment for them as they relived the loss of their fallen friends and comrades. Andy watched the people gather from the Holy Cave and Harvey said, “Are you sure about this?”

“I am.”

Harvey nodded and said, “Then I’ll make the preparations.”

Andy turned to him and smiled, “You have always been my best friend, Harvey. Thank you for all you’ve done.”

Harvey smiled, “Now don’t get all sappy on me. There is still so much to do.”

“I know. Just know that I recognize all you’ve done and it really means a lot.” Harvey nodded and left the cave with a team of Priests. Andy felt Melody put her arms around him from behind, “The babies are asleep. I think they want to be awake for the gathering.”

Andy chuckled, “You really do ascribe things to them that can’t be possible.”

“Watch and see if they don’t wake up within an hour of sunset.”

Andy pulled her around and hugged her, “You’re serious?”

“Just watch. You’ll see.” Andy hugged her tighter and wondered if she could possibly be right.

• • •

The sun was touching the horizon and there was standing room only inside the walls. The entire community had gathered even though many of them would be unable to hear what was being said. However, they knew the message would be told to those on the edges and it would be transferred among the huge gathering. The sun finally disappeared and a Priest lit the central fire. It began burning and, as it grew darker, the flames grew brighter.

Andy walked out of the Holy Cave and walked toward the platform a hundred yards from the cliff wall in front of the fire. Melody followed him holding the twins and remained at the foot of the stage. The crowd cheered Andy’s appearance and he bowed but then raised his arms. The crowd grew silent and he waited until the cheers outside the wall stopped. He looked to the right at the drummers and pointed his right hand at them. They instantly began a slow rhythmic beat. The crowd looked at each other wondering what was going on. Andy stood on the platform with bowed head and the gathering lowered their heads as well. Soon, two teams of Priests each carrying a casket entered the gate and started a slow procession through the crowd. They took a step with each beat of the drums and they slowly moved toward the central fire. There was only silence, except for the drumbeats and the distant roars of dinosaurs that could be heard in the distance, between the beats. The two caskets arrived at the fire and one team went to the right and the other to the left. The drums stopped as they lowered them to the ground in front of the stage and Andy looked up.