by Mark Stewart
THE SUN shone through the viewport extra early. The wind brought a few dark clouds which dotted the horizon.
Clay opened his eyes. For a long time, he squinted in the sunlight, recalling what they went through the previous day. He looked across at Florian. She was coiled into a ball and asleep on the co-pilot’s seat.
A small hand touched his shoulder. Josh whispered in his ear. “Whatever you do, don’t move.”
Clay whispered a two-word reply. “Why not?”
“If you look directly out of the viewport you’ll see something you never want to see. The computer is filming it. Don’t make any sudden moves. Don’t talk too loud; don’t flinch.”
Clay slowly straightened his head. His eyes bulged at what he saw sitting on the nose of the shuttle. Florian stirred, opening her eyes. Clay reached out, clamping a hand over her mouth.
“Whatever you do, don’t scream,” whispered Josh.
Clay signaled for her to look out of the viewport. Florian moved her pupils sideways. Clay successfully muffled her scream.
The bird turned its head. In one slow movement, the creature extended its massive wings. Making a loud screech, it took flight.
Florian scrambled out of her seat. She ran screaming to the other end of the shuttle.
“What the hell is it?” questioned Clay. His gaze searched the sky hoping to see it again.
“I know what it is, I just can’t believe it,” said Josh. “The bird must be at least eight times larger than a pelican. Computer, analyze the recording. Give a quick summary.”
“The mammal is a prehistoric bird called the ‘Pterosaur.’ It has a wingspan of twenty feet. From the top of its head to its claws, a fully-grown male can measure six feet. Its head is the same size as an adult human. It’s not uncommon to have a beak ten-inches in length. Its claws are razor sharp, capable of easily slicing open its prey.”
“I don’t care what it is, I want to go back to the USS Lock,” shouted Florian. “Make preparations to leave this place.” She glared at the two boys. “Now,” she yelled.
Clay and Josh ignored her screams. They were searching the sky and the trees around the shuttle for anything else moving.
“I don’t see anything,” whispered Josh.
“Me neither,” added Clay. He walked to the airlock, pushing the green button.
Florian sprinted at him “What are you doing? That thing might come back. If it gets in here, we’re its breakfast.”
“I reckon we’re safe. I’m positive your screams will prevent it from returning.”
“I don’t care. The only action we can do is to stay locked in here until someone comes to our rescue.”
Josh stared at Florian. “Get a grip. We’ll die of thirst in three days. Besides, I’m hungry for breakfast. The only thing we found so far is the berries.” He pointed to a branch less than thirty-feet away. “The bunch of berries was enough for the three of us yesterday. We need those berries.”
“There’s another urgent matter,” said Clay. “We have to find a toilet.”
Florian paced the shuttle massaging her temples. The moment she stopped, she stared the boys.
“I know you guys are right. I have to face reality the USS Lock may never come back. I cried myself to sleep last night. This nightmare is so hard.”
“It’s okay,” said Clay, placing his arm over her shoulder. “I’m here to protect you.”
Florian cuddled into him. “I’m hoping there are no more animals out there, only people.”
“I’m hoping the same thing,” said Josh.
“Me too,” added Clay.
Florian straightened. She stopped sobbing and wiped her eyes. “Right, it looks as though it’s us or them. We can either surrender our lives right now, or we can fight to survive. I vote we survive.”
Clay nodded vigorously. “I vote yes.”
Josh said. “Unanimous. Three votes to none. We will survive.”
“I vote we all have a vote on everything we do from this moment forward. Each decision we make could impact on what happens in the future,” hinted Florian.
The boys yelled the word yes. They made a pact to watch each other’s back, never letting their guard down for a minute.
“Survival takes precedence over everything,” said Josh. Turning to Clay, he added. “No matter what, out of the three of us, Florian is the one who must survive. Without her, there will be no future generations to tell anyone who comes to rescue us we were even here.”
“Don’t talk like that,” scolded Florian. “I don’t want to lose you guys, ever.”
“It’ll be okay,” said Clay. “It’s good we found out about the giant bird before we left the shuttle. At least we’ll be prepared. Now for the first thing, we need to work out this morning.”
Josh and Florian watched him walk to the tail end of the shuttle.
“I thought we were going to vote on everything?” questioned Florian.
“We will. I think this decision will be agreed on wholeheartedly. It’s urgent we find a toilet.”
At the rear of the shuttle, Clay spied a small door situated next to the engine room. He reached out and opened the door. Inside he found a small toilet.
“It’s a good start for the day.” He sprinted in, shutting the door behind him.
Florian giggled.
Josh nodded. “Now the commotion has settled I’m busting too. It must have been the water in the berries.”
The moment the trio completed their first task of the day Clay walked to the small porthole to study the sky. Josh and Florian stepped next to him, looking out.
“I can see breakfast waiting,” advised Josh.
“What happens if the prehistoric bird comes back when you’re out there?” whispered Florian.
“I’ll have you two standing guard. The moment you spot it, whistle, I’ll be back inside the shuttle in seconds.”
“Provided we can give you enough warning,” said Clay, nervously.
“I’ll trust you.”
Josh marched to the small maintenance cupboard. Inside the narrow cavity, he found the toolbox he used the previous day and walked to the airlock.
“You might need two hands to grab hold of a branch if you slip,” warned Florian.
Clay slipped his leather belt from around his waist, handing it over. Josh pushed the belt through the handle of the dark green plastic toolbox then connected the ends to form a loop, placed his arm through the hole and nestled the toolbox under his armpit.
“I’m off to get take away,” he said, jokingly.
“Make sure you’re not the one taken away,” warned Florian. “We don’t know how many giant birds are out there.”
Josh studied the sky before stepping out of the airlock. He hesitantly completed his first step. He didn’t want to leave the safety of the shuttle, but someone needed to play the hero. He was hungry. He surmised the other two might be craving food too.
He finally let go of the shuttle, quickly walking to the main trunk of the giant tree. He easily skirted around to the other side by hugging the trunk. He glanced over his shoulder. Not being able to see the shuttle un-nerved him. He needed to fight the panic thought quickly increasing inside his brain. He coped by focusing his full attention on getting to the berries.
Several agonizing seconds ticked off before Florian called out.
“Josh, how are you going? Please say something.”
“I’m okay,” he called back. “I’ve studied the sky from this side of the tree. The only dangerous objects I’ve seen are clouds and tree branches full of leaves.”
Florian and Clay sighed heavily. They finally saw Josh making his way back to the shuttle carrying his tool box full of berries.
Five steps from the airlock Florian screamed, pointing to the sky. The giant bird dropped through the top of the trees, its wings brushing the leaves and branches.
Josh didn’t have to look over his shoulder to know the bird was closing fast. He sprinted for the closing hatch, managing to dive through before
the giant bird started scratching the door using its razor-sharp claws. Eventually, it gave up. Clattering along the roof, it jumped back onto the nose of the shuttle. The three occupants ran to the viewport to study the bird up close.
“I think it’s looking for a place to nest,” suggested Josh.
“How can you tell?” whispered Florian.
“I read somewhere birds come back to the same place quite a few times before deciding where to build. The bird needs to feel safe.”
“There must be another?” whispered Florian.
“A male,” added Clay.
“Afraid so,” said Josh.
Clay spoke seriously. “We have to get rid of the bird.”
“If we make enough noise the bird might fly away, never to return,” whispered Florian.
Both boys sent her a blank stare.
“What’s wrong?”
“We have to permanently get rid of the bird,” hinted Josh.
“We don’t have the right to kill it,” growled Florian in a matter-of-fact voice. “I can’t allow it.”
“It’s the only way,” said Clay.
“If we don’t we’ll always be watching the sky,” explained Josh. “We need to get to the building this morning to see if there is anything we can use to help in our survival. If the bird is alive, it will make our survival much harder.”
“We might even be able to send a signal to the USS Lock,” added Clay.
“I can see your point of view about allowing the bird to live,” admitted Florian.
“Then it’s settled,” said Clay, watching Florian start to slowly nod.
“After we make a few weapons we need a rope,” said Josh.
The three-finished breakfast, stowing the remaining two bunches of berries back into the toolbox and placing the lot onto the fourth seat in the cockpit.
Clay said eagerly. “We need to search the shuttle for anything we can use to make weapons.”
The trio commenced their search. Every item found was scrutinized before being placed on the floor in the middle of the shuttle.
“Let’s see what we have,” quizzed Florian.
Clay squatted, sifting through the small heap.
“A good range of spanners, square metal patches, several different size bolts, a few small screws, washers, a couple of hammers, three hacksaw blades, a small welder and not much else.”
“What we need is a handheld laser,” hinted Florian.
“We’ve struck out on that idea,” said Josh. “You won’t be able to use any of the things we’ve found for an effective weapon.”
Clay turned to Florian. “You’re good at thinking up ideas. Any luck?”
“What we could use is a bow and arrow.”
“You’ve said it, I will make it,” said Clay. He walked off to find anything they may have missed. He came back carrying a roll of thin wire they left in the cupboard. “I can use this for the string. I can use a tree branch for the bow. The smaller branches will make good arrows.”
Florian looked impressed. “I take it your talent is making anything from nothing?”
“Yes,” boasted Clay. “I’ll use a hacksaw blade to cut the thin branches.”
Josh saw Florian’s frantic expression. “Don’t worry. If the two of us keep an eye out for the bird, Clay will be okay.”
Josh and Florian followed Clay to the hatch. They studied the sky for a long time.
“All clear,” announced Florian.
“Go,” whispered Josh. He pushed the button on the side of the hull.
The hatch door slid open.
Before stepping outside, Clay spied the perfect size branch. He checked and rechecked the entire area. Making sure the other two were watching, and with the safety of the shuttle no more than fifteen feet behind him, Clay slowly cut the first branch off and stripped the leaves. Holding the tree branches, he scurried back to the safety of the shuttle. Two more trips saw him holding enough material for three bows and enough branches for twelve arrows.
Back inside the shuttle, Clay quickly set to work. He wrapped the wire around one end of the branch which he set aside for the bow. At the exact place where the branch could bend without breaking, he knotted the wire. Using all his strength, he pulled the wire tight. The wood bowed causing the wire to be piano wire tight.
“Now for the arrows,” announced Clay.
Josh set to work whittling the thin straight branches smooth. Florian joined in and did what she could. An hour of work saw the first weapon ready to be tested.
Clay opened the hatch, raised the bow to eye level and pulled the arrow back. He locked his elbow, letting the arrow fly towards the tree.
The arrow tore through the air. The sharpened point wedged into the middle of the tree trunk.
Clay faced the onlookers. “Perfect. Now to finish the arrows and make another two bows.”
The second and third bow and arrows were easier to make. In half an hour, Florian and Josh both held a bow and ten arrows.
“I’ve got second thoughts about killing the bird,” confessed Josh. “After all, it’s a living creature.”
“Yes, it is,” said Florian. “Like us, it’s hungry for meat. If you don’t kill it, I will.”
“I agree with Florian,” said Clay. “It’s too dangerous to let it live.”
“Then it is agreed?” asked Florian.
“Unanimously,” said Josh.
“I think we should shoot the giant bird before we set out,” advised Florian.
“Judging by the position of the sun it’s nearly midday,” reported Josh. “To get to the building and return in the daylight we have to be leaving soon.”
Josh pushed the button and watched the hatch slide open. He climbed the rungs welded to the side of the shuttle and clambered onto the roof. He stood searching the sky. Florian came next, stepping onto the roof. Clay climbed the tree, breaking through the canopy. The view took his breath away. Stretching out to the horizon he could see the forest. To his left at the edge of his sight, he saw the sea. Behind him, he studied the round metal building. He could just make out its featureless flat roof. The surrounding area looked void of all life. A couple of questions entered his mind. ‘What kept the grass short? Why were there no trees in the area around the building?’
A large shadow crossed his face, interrupting his thoughts.
“Get ready,” Clay called through a cupped hand. “We have company.”
The prehistoric bird’s ear-piercing screech drowned out the reply. The bird’s talons tore several branches away when it came through the trees, landing on the roof of the shuttle. It quickly hopped onto the nose in front of the viewport. Its massive head swung around. Its large black eyes bore into Josh and Florian. The bird thrust its head forward, screeching again. Its giant wings opened. Florian estimated them to be fifteen feet wide. She gulped when it jumped onto the shuttle’s roof and started clawing its way towards them.
Clay quickly climbed down from the top of the trees. By the time, he started up the rungs of the ladder the bird had already made it to the center of the shuttle. Clay stood behind the bird as it studied its next meal. The creature’s head swayed back and forth. Its claws appeared to be fully extended, tapping against the metal hull. Clay stepped forward. Florian and Josh stepped back. The bird lowered its head, extending its wings to full width.
To Clay, the bird was ready to swoop. He quickly placed the blunt end of the arrow against the bow wire and lifted the arrow to eye level. The bird straightened. Its beak opened. Florian and Josh readied their bows. The bird thrust its head at the meal standing before it, inching closer. Florian and Josh stepped to the edge of the shuttle. Below them, the tangled mass of tree branches easily supported the shuttle’s entire weight. If any one of the branches snapped, the shuttle might nose dive to the ground.
Florian took the first shot. Her arrow struck wide of the bird’s chest, wedging into its wing. The bird’s cry came as an angry, loud screech. Clay let an arrow fly. It glanced off the bird’s
head. It seemed to be dazed but kept up it’s staring directly at its meal.
Florian hurriedly fired another arrow. It wedged in its side.
The bird quickly closed the gap.
Josh looked too scared to shoot his arrow.
Clay quietly walked up behind the bird. He raised his second arrow to eye level. When he closed to four feet, he fired. A mighty loud screech filled the air. Another arrow shot from Florian and one from Josh struck the bird’s chest. Clay fired the seventh arrow. The bird swayed, staggering sideways before dropping off the roof. The three sprinted to the side of the shuttle in time to see it plow head first into the ground.
Florian hung her head, looking at her feet. “I thought it might have been party time, but I feel we have just sentenced a species to extinction.”
“Better it than us,” stated Josh.
“We have to remember we did it for us,” said Clay. “For our safety, we might have to kill again. Come on; we have to climb down to the ground so we can get to the building. By the way, when I was above the trees I saw the sea.”
“Interesting indeed,” said Josh.
CHAPTER FOUR
