His ankle was throbbing, and the skin above his boot was red and swollen. “I kind of think that, maybe, I should not have been walking on that ankle.”
Al looked at the swollen leg above the boot and gave him a puzzled look. “You think?”
To lighten the mood, Kira said, “I think I see an advantage in having metal legs.”
“I told you there were advantages,” replied Chris.
Al was impatient. They were close to their objective and he wanted to get moving. “I don’t think it’s broken, but it’s going to be sore for a while. You can ride on the cart. But first, we need to get that boot off and get it wrapped. There is an anti-inflammatory in the medical kit you should take, and we should eat something. Then we’ll get moving.”
****
They crossed a creek that led in the direction they wanted and followed it upstream. There was a path following the water that Al assumed was maintained by the local wildlife, and hoped would lead them to the lake featured in the Watcher’s surveillance footage. Occasionally Al would spot a humanoid print in the mud by the bank of the bubbling water. Smaller than normal, these feet had four toes.
The jungle gradually thinned out, and the heights of the trees came down, the associated tree trunks getting closer to normal size. The path beside the meandering stream proved to be almost level, and smooth, allowing Al to minimize his power usage. He could not manage the cart with Chris on top while in normal mode, so they proceeded with him in the enhanced state.
Fish swam in the stream. Ordinary looking fish that collected in the shallows and played in the weeds. The group did not drink the water straight from the creek, unsure if it was safe, but they had a filter that could remove most contaminants. They refilled their canteens with the filtered water.
Chris kept eyeing the fish, thinking how good they would taste cooked over a fire. The fish needed proper testing before they could be eaten, but the thought still made his mouth water. They ate their energy bars and kept moving.
The woods changed to open meadows on both sides, with trees lining the banks of the thickening stream. By sunset, they were three miles from their goal, and they made camp for what they hoped would be the last night on the trail.
Falkor checked on them from time to time throughout the journey, sometimes walking with them for short distances. For the most part, he stayed in the air; flying slow circles overhead. He surprised them that night when he showed up holding a fish from the stream in his claws and placing it before Al making it clear the fish was for them.
“You brought us a fish,” said Al. “Thank you Falkor. If it is good enough for you, I guess it’s good enough for us.”
The dragon was pleased. Whether by the words Al spoke, or the tone of his voice, it was hard to tell, but the lizard with wings definitely approved.
Chris said, “You are my hero, Falkor. Did you see me dreaming about fish for supper?”
The dragon responded by hopping and flapping his wings.
“Can you go and catch us two more?”
To everyone’s surprise, Falkor took to the air and headed for the stream.
“I think he understands English,” Chris said with amazement.
That night Chris ate well. With a little salt and pepper, it was the best fire seared fish that he ever tasted. The others agreed between mouthfuls. There is just something special about cooking outdoors over an open fire.
Kira fashioned a crutch for Chris from the crook of a branch so he could get around camp, and he made good use of it. After sitting on crates all day, he was grateful.
After dinner, they sat around the fire and talked. Chris was well aware of Al’s capabilities, and his limitations. “How are your reserves holding out, Al?”
“I’m doing okay. How is the foot feeling?”
“Nope. Changing the subject won’t work. I mean what is the level?”
“Look, Chris, I know you’re worried, but I am fine. Once we get the gateway set up, I will be able to stay in normal mode. Then we can worry about a replacement.”
“I hope you are right. If you conk out on us, my mother will kill me.”
They laughed, enjoying the comradery that comes with sharing a summer evening around a fire. They were on the verge of completing their mission, and spirits were high.
“A few more hours, and we’ll be there. Shall we call the boss?” asked Al.
“Do you mean the captain? Or do you mean our wives?”
“I think all of the above,” said Al with a grin.
They made their report, but the excitement mixed with the trepidation over Al’s longevity and Chris’ injury made for a bittersweet conversation.
Al needed sleep, and Chris’ foot needed rest, so Kira took the watch. Falkor curled up at the base of a tree and was out in seconds. She started with the best of intentions and managed to stay awake most of the night. Unfortunately, the exertions of the last few days caught up with her, and before she realized what was happening—she fell asleep.
****
When Al woke up, the camp was silent. He heard the usual background noises of bugs and birds, but that was all. He got up from his sleeping bag and found Kira sitting on a fallen log with her head slumped to her chest. A quick check of their cargo revealed one of the boxes was missing. Falkor was gone, possibly on his morning forage for food, and Chris was still snoring inside the tent.
They were so close to their objective that this theft made Al angry. The four-toed footprints around the empty space where the box had been gave away the identity of the culprits. Without realizing it, the short hairy people were spoiling the finale of their adventure.
Somewhere on the trail behind them, he heard Falkor’s high-pitched roar. He told his companions, “Stay here and watch the rest of the boxes. I’ll go and find out what our dragon is doing.”
The words that changed him from normal to augmented initiated the transformation, but he enjoyed it less than he would like to and hurried back towards the sound of the dragon’s cries. It was not hard to follow the grooves scraped in the ground where they dragged the heavy box away from camp. The thieves only concern was trying to escape with the treasure. In their haste, they left behind a trail a child could follow.
Al’s anger disappeared when he reached the commotion. Four of the short primitives were cowering behind the box, with the angry dragon holding them at bay and blocking their path. The wooden cube was not that large, and there was not enough room behind it for all four perpetrators. They were taking turns grunting at each other and making room by pushing the others away from its protection. Al had to laugh. It was such a comical scene.
When they saw Al coming up behind them, they abandoned their prize and bolted for the safety of the trees. Like ghosts, they faded into the gloom of daybreak.
Falkor began to follow, but Al called him off. “I think they have had their fill of us for a while, buddy. Let’s get this box back to camp and get going. We don’t have time to deal with them. Today we arrive at our new home.”
Chapter Eighteen
A storm blew in with the sunrise, and an hour into the day it was pouring down rain. They kept moving. The added water made the cart easier to pull, and allowed them to travel several miles by noon. They stopped to take a break under a large tree and stretched a tarp across two branches. Under their temporary shelter, they had lunch, watched the rain, and made plans for their arrival.
Al suggested, “The first thing we should do is build a hut for the machine. That way we won’t have to worry about the elements. I don’t think we want to test this thing in the rain.”
Chris grimaced and replied, “That makes sense. I’m sure it wasn’t designed for outdoor use.”
“I can help with the shelter Mister Clark. I can bring branches to the camp,” said Kira. “Then you and Chris will be free to put it together.”
Al hated to have her work so hard, but they were fighting a time limit. “That will help a lot Kira. You can use your laser to cut them. Hopefully, y
ou won’t have far to drag them.”
Chris went back to his earlier question, concerned his added weight on the cart was draining Al’s resources. “Just where does your power pack stand Al?”
Al grimaced, and told the truth, “When I shut down, a little while ago, it read fifteen percent.”
“We need to hurry and get there; then you should go to normal mode and stay there. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I was kind of thinking the same thing. You’re taking away all my fun.”
“Sorry, but I’m just trying to be logical,” said Chris.
Al had a thought. “Somewhere down there is our Watcher.”
“Do you think it’s okay? Can we find it?”
“I’m still getting the ping from the locator, but it won’t let me enter commands. I think it might have rolled under a bush, where there was no sunlight—maybe.”
They had come to rely on the little surveillance drones, and the one now missing was their last. “We’ll find it. I’m sure of it,” said Chris confidently.
The rain slowed to a drizzle and then stopped altogether. The clouds blew away, and the sun came out; glistening off the droplets all around them. The smells were crisp and fresh, and the aromatic breeze coming off the gently rising hill before them renewed their spirits. They folded the tarp; Al powered up, and they got moving.
When they reached the top of the hill and saw the landscape that lay at their feet, they knew they were home. To the west, jagged mountains stretched across the horizon, reflecting off the sparkling blue water of a lake centered in a rolling green valley. Spray from the waterfall cascading to the water below created a mist that cloaked the whole scene in mystery. The bubbling stream they followed wandered to their right and circled back to end at its source. It was a scene from a fairy tale. A fairy tale come true.
Trees circled half the large lake, with a rippling grass meadow facing the remainder.
Chris asked Al, “How about that open spot by the lake?”
“Yes Chris, I think that will do perfectly.”
Kira glanced at first one, and then the other. She smiled and said, “What are we waiting for?”
Falkor was not waiting. He was already on his way.
****
The cart felt fifty pounds lighter and easier to pull as they worked their way down the other side of the hill. Chris had to hang onto the straps holding the cargo down to keep from being thrown off. The excited explorers picked a nice, level spot next to the water and close to the trees, with the idea of using two of them for their initial supports when they started building in the morning.
The light was waning as they made camp, and too late in the day to begin construction, they prepared to spend their first night in the new land. When the tent was up, the cargo secured, and a fire burning, Al decided to look for the Watcher.
“It has to be nearby,” he told his friends. “The signal has been getting increasingly stronger, and according to my meter it must be close.”
They wandered around looking under bushes and plants, following the indications given by Al’s data pad. In one area, the steady beep grew until it was beyond ignoring.
“I think I found it!” yelled Chris.
They gathered by Chris to see what he found. Peeking out from under a pile of leaves, was one of the drone’s short silver antennas. Chris brushed the leaves away, revealing the top of the circular device.
“I don’t think it rolled under a bush. It looks to me like someone buried it,” suggested Al.
Kira said, “Maybe they hid it thinking they could return for it later?”
Chris tried to imagine other possibilities. “It might be an animal that liked how shiny it was, and hid it from the other members of its group, or this hole was already here, and it rolled into it. The wind blew the leaves over the top.”
“Well,” said Al as he pulled it from the ground, “We have it now. If anybody did try to hide it and wants it back, they will have to deal with us.”
They took the Watcher back to camp and settled down for the night. Tomorrow was going to be a momentous day, and nothing was going to spoil it. When they made the call to Atlantis, they told them to be ready. The transport gate will be operational tomorrow, and the evacuation could begin.
****
Preparations had been underway for some time, but when word got out they would be leaving the next day, everyone worked feverishly to be ready. Elizabeth and the captain were responsible for ‘The Line’. The column of people and materials traveling through the gate had to be organized, with the critical items required for settling a new location transported first. Building materials, power generators, food, and medical supplies needed to arrive before the large number of people that would be following. The line, once started, would not stop until the last person walked through the gate.
Doctor Cody and Ana, with help from Kayla, packed the medical equipment to be used in the new clinic. Cody had no idea how rough the trip would be so he wanted everything packed carefully to avoid damage.
Darius, Timothy, and Dusty still worked at convincing the remaining hold-outs to leave. Some of the old followers of the late king could not adapt to the rapid changes happening around them. Even with the smoke and earthquakes, they could not believe the mountain they loved would harm them.
Edward spent his time in the shop, working with Tiro to remove any equipment that might be useful, and monitoring the volcano. The angry mountain was changing, and showed signs of increased activity, with a steady stream of superheated steam creating a constant cloud the wind struggled to carry away. Tremors in the ground beneath them were growing stronger, and happening more frequently.
The technology used for transporting all these people and supplies differed from the standard type of teleportation. This machine generated a one-way wormhole to the portable gate Al and his friends would be assembling. The journey would be a one-way trip, with no going back.
An hour before sunrise, the line stretched from the transparent box in the temple chamber to the outskirts of town. Robot Nine, along with the rest of Al’s security team, moved up and down the line solving disputes, calming the anxious, and providing much-needed information. The people, for the most part, waited patiently and prayed the mountain would give them time to get away.
****
When Elizabeth packed the emergency backup supplies, she added three of the original food packets taken from the Excalibur. She thought it might make for a good celebration dinner the night before they brought the transporter on-line. Compared to the energy bars they had been eating, she was right.
The explorers were too excited to sleep and began unpacking the box holding the long lasting freeze-dried meals. A lantern lit one side of the tent with a nice fire burning in front. Al was helping Kira stretch the tarp over two low hanging branches in case of rain, and lay his unopened meal to the side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a hairy white hand come from the shadows and slowly reach for the unguarded package. Before he could say anything, the hand grabbed the prize and disappeared, quickly followed by the sound of running feet.
Al said, in a matter-of-fact way, “I think a monkey just stole my supper.”
Kira said, “Where? Is it here now?”
“No, he’s long gone.”
Chris could read Al. He could see the opportunity written on his face. “Are you going after him? You are aren’t you?”
There was a touch of a smile when Al replied, “I’ll be right back. Don’t eat without me.”
It would not be good for security to have the primitives stealing and causing trouble with the new arrivals. Al needed to scare them off; at least for a while.
He powered up and took off in pursuit of the thief. Running at full tilt, and using his night vision to go around or over obstacles made him feel alive. He was happiest when pressing his abilities. He ran parallel to the path heading back in the direction they came, dodging trees, and bounding over brush until he thought he was far enough ahead of
his quarry to angle over and cut him off.
He stood unmoving in the path until the primitive arrived; running as fast as his short legs would allow. Al turned on his flashlight and yelled, pointing the beam in the eyes of the creature. It screamed and threw itself to the ground, cowering and covering its eyes.
Al had no intention of harming the subterranean dweller. He only wanted to make an impression, to keep them from bothering the colonists. He considered shooting holes in trees with his laser or jumping unexpectedly out of sight. Then he had an idea.
He stepped close enough to take the meal from the hand of the bold native and replace it with the toy dragon from his pocket. His hope was the tiny idol would create a sense of reverence for his lizard with wings, and that respect would keep them away.
Al picked him up by the shoulders and stood him on his feet; then he pointed down the trail. The native grunted once, glanced down at the figure in his hand, and then back to Al’s face. His first few steps were hesitant, but he understood he was to leave. Falkor stepped off the path, and he ran for his life.
Al reluctantly returned to normal, after realizing his power indicator was now flashing yellow, and reading ten percent. He walked back to camp with his self-heating package of Meat Loaf thinking the exchange had gone well.
****
It was not much of a building they constructed to house the transporter gate. A frame made from six-inch logs covered with branches and leaves. The tarp they stretched above the machine gave it added protection.
It took them the better part of the day to build the hut and assemble the transporter following the instructions supplied by Tiro. Nothing looked damaged, but after a rough sea voyage, falling down cliffs and into holes in the ground, it was possible the machine would not work, and they had come all this way only to fail.
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