Abby’s hand suddenly shot out, grabbing Kenya by the arm, swinging her around and slapping her across the face.
“I want you to go sit down and, for Pete’s sake, shut up. This is not good for the baby.”
“How dare you? You’re not my mother!” Kenya held her hand up to her reddened cheek as she nonetheless took a seat. “You can bet I’m gonna report you when we get back to town, chicky, you wait and see.”
Abby stood in front of Kenya and whipped off her sunglasses, exposing her flashing golden eyes, anger and impatience surging at high tide.
“Don’t you get it, young lady? We’re not going back to town. How much clearer can I be? You can stay here and die with everyone else or you can come with us and live. Your baby will live. But you must stop. No one wants to hear it. And I don’t need any more problems. I have enough to worry about as it is. Got it? Now what will it be?”
Kenya appeared genuinely frightened, but everyone knew Abby meant business. Scotty watched as Kenya scanned the room for support, finding no one to meet her eyes. With a sob, she nodded her head at Abby and leaned back against her seat, finally acquiescing.
“Peter, I need you and Scotty to keep everyone together. Peter, are you listening to me?” Peter sat with his chin on his chest, his eyes shut. They flew open as Abby made her way toward him.
“I hear you. Consider it done. Animals first, then we make a dash for the limos.”
“Yes, okay. Scotty, you two good?”
“Yeah, Sis, we’re okay. We’ll be ready.”
“Good boy. Be prepared to make a wild dash. Just make sure all the animals make it off the boat first.” She turned back to Kenya and leaned down to gently brush her wild tresses back from her face. “It’ll be okay, hon, this is the worst part. Once we head for the airport we’re gold.” Glancing at Jose who stood with the monkeys in the galley, she gave a brave smile. “I’ll be up top if you need me.”
Scotty watched his sister mount the stairs and disappear. He could feel the boat pick up speed. It wouldn’t be long before they had to run for it. He wanted to make an effort to stay out of the way of the tigers. He didn’t want any repeat of the previous confrontation with Caesar.
“Hey, Scotty.” Kane rose to squat in front of Scotty and Chloe. “You ready for this?”
“Yeah, just do what you can for Kenya, I’ll take Chloe. Jose and Peter will handle Ginger Mae and Daisy.”
Scotty felt a tug on his shirt from under the sofa. He glanced down to see the posse creep out from underneath, urged on by Echo, her long slender leather-like fingers patting Mimi as she happily joined the rest of the dogs, which sat like sentinels clustered around Echo, Barney at the helm. An aura assailed Scotty, spastic with agitation.
“It is time, Brother Scotty. I will stay with My Barney.”
“No, Echo, I think you need to let me carry you. I can’t run the risk that you’ll get knocked around if you’re underfoot or with Barney.”
“No, Brother, I need to be with My Barney no matter what. I need.”
“You need? Don’t be silly, Echo.” Scotty reached down to lift the furry creature to his lap. Chloe reached over to softly stroke her head.
“You need to stick close to me, girl, Abby might need us.”
“No, no, no. I cannot. I must be with My Barney.” Echo wiggled out of Scotty’s grasp, then slid down his lap to quickly wobble over to Barney. The two stood cuddled up to one another, and Scotty cocked his eyebrow at Echo.
“Something you want to tell me, Echo?”
“No, my Brother. I should not bother you. We will stick close, do not worry.”
Dismissing Echo’s odd behavior, Scotty readied himself for the next leg of their escape.
The Lucky Lady picked up speed as she made her way across the sun-glared water of Tampa Bay, throwing out huge waves of wake from both sides of the craft. Captain Cobby’s eyes searched for the buoys marked on his map which would steer him into the private dock of a long abandoned industrial park where an old buddy from his young yacht jock days worked as a security guard. A green flag would mark the dock slated for their use. He should be able to spot Abby’s caravan of trucks, lined up and ready to accept their unusual cargo.
“Hey, Dad, I see we’re almost there. I’m going down to put the gangplank in place. Scotty will pass it out to me after we dock. I’m not looking forward to this part. I keep waiting for one of the cats to jump one of us.” Kane nervously paced around his father.
“Don’t worry, Kane, as long as we stay calm we’ll be safe. I believe in Abby and this is our only chance to save ourselves. I’m not going to blow this chance for you, Son.” Cobby wrapped his arms around his handsome boy, grateful for the intimate moment. With a swat on the butt, he sent Kane down to the deck to get in position.
They were a few minutes from docking, Cobby having spotted the green flag. He could see the trucks lined up on the other side of a chain-link fence about two hundred feet from the dock. Damn—he had counted on them parking closer. The idea of crossing two hundred feet of wide-open space with a bunch of apex predators in unfamiliar territory made his stomach churn. Steadying his hand on the wheel, he throttled back to ease the big boat slowly into the dock with a soft grumble from the twin diesel engines. Kane dropped down to the dock to secure the ropes, tying them tautly.
From below, Scotty appeared, shoving the heavy gangplank out for Kane to position for the animals.
Cobby could hear the restlessness in his four-legged charges as they became aware of the docking and reacted to instructions from their implants.
“Yo . . . you there. I’m looking for Abby. Oh boy, here we go again.” One of the truckers approached at the same time that the bears decided they would be the first to depart. Six hundred pounds of muscular fur and clacking claws would make anyone shit their pants when they were close enough to feel the hot breath of a chuffing ursine on their colorless lips. Rooted to the spot, the trucker let the bear pass before he hightailed it back to the safety of his truck. The truckers knew what to do. Sit tight, say nothing, do nothing. Abby would tell them when to close the backs of the trucks. They knew the drill. Then they would follow the limos to the airport, about a twenty-minute ride in normal traffic.
Cobby wiped his sweaty brow with a well-used rag, observing his wilted and odorous human passengers huddled on the starboard side of the boat, dogs and luggage milling at their reluctant feet, the relentless heat adding to their discomfort. Christ, it sure was hotter than a naked babe on the back of a motorcycle.
Cobby stood up, waving to the small crowd down on the deck below.
“Kane, check the boat, top to bottom. Make sure all the animals are off. Where are Abby and Scotty?”
“They’re bringing up the turtles.”
Cobby watched as Abby emerged with her brother, a huge tortoise held between them.
“We’ve got it, Cobby. Two more to go.” Abby tilted her chin in his direction. “You might as well abandon ship. Go with Jose and the rest to the limos. Get the women settled. Peter and the boys will help me with the other turtles. Meet you at the limo.”
One look at Peter, and Cobby could understand why Abby wanted him with her. He stood uselessly apart from the knot of women, a walking zombie. Maybe he would respond more effectively if he hadn’t been forced to help Ginger Mae and little Daisy. Sliding off the captain’s chair, he shut down the engines, slapped his hand on his chair and said a final goodbye to the beautiful craft he had controlled for over ten years. She didn’t deserve the piles of animal crap and pools of urine left to decorate her proud decks, but they planned to leave her at the dock to whatever her fate may be, knowing she may have helped save their lives.
Quickly descending the stairs to the deck, he swept Chloe and Teddy, Ginger Mae, Daisy, Kenya, and Echo and her dog pack down the gangplank to the waiting limos with most of the luggage. So far, the animals and people had found the dash to the chain-link fence uneventful. Casting his gaze around, Cobby glimpsed Scotty and Kane de
livering the last tortoise to a truck.
“Okay, Dad. That’s it. Let’s get out of here.” Kane ran past his father, slapping him on the back as he slipped into one of the limos with Kenya, Scotty, Chloe, and Echo and the dogs. The other limo would carry the rest of them. Not a happy bunch. Cobby shrugged, feeling the weight of responsibility as the oldest of the group, stretching his strong arms as he made his way out of the hot sun into the air-conditioned limo.
Abby ran to catch up as the trucks revved their motors and eased the convoy away from the last forlorn glimpse of Tampa Bay that any of them would ever see.
*
Abby sat between Jose and Captain Cobby, her hand resting on Jose’s lean leg. Occasionally her hand would spasm, her exhaustion and adrenaline warring with themselves to control her body, the implant placed by Netty guiding her mind. She tried to relax her body as her curiosity focused on the mystery that was Netty. She felt a clean uncomplicated honesty emanate from the regal woman. An overwhelming sense of gentle confidence which contrasted with the strangeness and urgency of the tasks she had entrusted Abby with. Everything was such an enigma. But Abby knew one thing for sure. One frightening, cataclysmic, irrefutable fact: hundreds of millions now lived their last days, and she fully intended to survive. If she could save a few others in the process—great.
She actually understood that humans as a species didn’t deserve this planet, but her heart bled with the thought of the uncorrupted babies and children who would perish. Tears escaped from under her sunglasses as she thought of the creatures that really deserved to live; the exquisite and the mighty, the docile and the fierce. All part of God’s garden, all tragic victims. Abby hadn’t been raised as a particularly pious devotee of religion, but she, along with most, believed in God. But where were the answers to God’s eternal indifference to the pain and brutality inflicted by Homo sapiens on all life since the dawn of early man? Where were those answers? Abby’s fist contracted painfully on Jose’s leg. He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Babe, you good?”
She picked up his hand, raising it to her lips to reassure him. “I’m fine, just nerves. Maybe we should call Mama Diaz and give her an ETA? Jose, I don’t know what you’ve told her, but could you ask her to pack all the tools we left at the house? And make sure they’re ready to move everything to the woods. I’ll have extra hands to move the heavy boxes when we get there. I’m going to ask some of the truckers from the second caravan if they want to join us. That’s why we tried to hire nonviolent drivers with no family connections. I want them to be able to make a fast decision. And it’s why I asked them to bring their pets with them. I thought it would help. I would never get over leaving Barney and the gang behind if the situation were reversed. It should be a big help.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s a big help.” Peter’s bitterness intruded from across the seat. As Abby opened her mouth to respond, she thought better of it. Sighing audibly, she closed her mouth, determined to say no more.
The caravan entered the approach to the commercial cargo ramp for air freight. This next phase would include Echo. One by one the vehicles and trucks passed through the gigantic metal security device which read the presence of all explosive and metal objects. Their progress continued as slowly as a snail on vacation, Abby’s impatience ready to ignite.
Finally most of the trucks made it through, pulling up to join the limos on the tarmac. Now, here comes the dicey part. Abby climbed out of the limo quickly, pulling open the door to the other car.
“Come on guys, hurry, hurry . . . Find a seat onboard. Sorry, but you have to cram in there. It’s going to be a little cramped. It’s not a luxury airliner, but it’ll get us where we need to go. The important thing is the animals.” Abby looked over her shoulder as the inspectors approached, looking for her permits.
“Echo, come on girl, you’re on!” Echo scrambled out of the limo, Barney sticking to her like glue.
“Scotty, take Barney with the rest of the dogs. Get them secured on the transport.”
A violently fluctuating aura assailed her mind, forcing her hand to her head in shock. The whispers screamed. “No, Sister. Barney must stay with me. I need.”
“Okay, okay, whatever. Bring Barney if you must.” Turning to Barney, Abby gave a quizzical look at his loyal mug, eyes bright, shining with love and unquestionable trust. Her heart melted at the thought that someone had once thrown this joyful personality away as a pup like a piece of disposable garbage. Shaking her head, she realized what an arbitrary lady Fate could be. Look at Barney’s life now: loved so well, and loved far, far beyond anyone’s wildest dream by the most enigmatic creature on the planet, part of his adoring family. Abby knelt down to place a kiss on Barney’s tender muzzle, happy to have him remind her of the smallest of the fragile lives which would be saved by her efforts.
The airport officials approached. Abby turned to Scotty, whispering directions under cover of the airport noises. Pointing out their transport, she directed him, “Get the trucks to start unloading. I won’t be long.” Turning to the airport officials, she nudged Echo forward.
“Gentleman, I believe you are looking for me.”
“If you are in charge of the contents of this transport, miss, may I have your permits please?” Echo stood with her arm wrapped around Barney’s neck as her antlers split, releasing just the correct amount of implant creatures, which flew to the ears of the officials who could destroy all hope of leaving the airport with her precious charges. Naturally, Abby had been unable to obtain all the complex permits and vaccination records needed to transport wildlife of this kind. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, required reams of paperwork and certifications to protect the transportation of wildlife. Abby was shooting from the hip here. Echo’s facilitation made everything so much easier.
The implants did their work as Abby waited for the signs that the inspectors were under control. Shaking their heads and pulling on their ears then grinning like simpletons, they assured her she could proceed safely.
“I want you both to return to your desks. Everything is in order here, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am. You have a nice flight now. Nice doggies you have there.” With a quick pat on Echo’s head, they turned smartly on their heels and walked away. One down, now just the pilots to go. Cobby should be briefing them at the moment. She hoped to avoid grief from them regarding the lack of proper cages for the animals. She had selected Pet Air because the cargo bay came equipped with built-in cages that would help secure most of the smaller animals and some of the cats. The rest would be forced to settle down on the moving blankets and make their own nests. Turning, she heard Cobby shout her name, running toward her.
“You were right, I need Echo to handle the pilots. The loading is going smoothly, just very slowly. I’m going to take Echo with me, okay?”
“Yeah, take Barney with you too, please, Cobby. Don’t let Echo implant them unless you’re forced. And keep Echo hidden until you need her. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
Cobby ruffled her long golden hair. “You holding up, kiddo?” His smile reflected nothing but worry and admiration for her.
She smiled back, her lips threatening to collapse on her. Suck it up girl, she thought. This is not the time to cry in Cobby’s arms.
“I’m fine, Cob. I’ll see you later.” She watched as Cobby marshaled the furry pair off to the animal transport for a sit-down with the pilots. Looking over the receding shoulder of Captain Cobby, she noticed another transport pulling in toward their parking area. It featured the insignia of the British Royal Air Force on the side of the transport. Why the heck was the Royal Air Force here? Mentally slapping herself across the face, she pulled her mind back to what she needed to focus on.
Fifteen minutes later, as Abby watched her animals offload from the trucks and settle into the belly of their transport with much complaining and shuffling of space mates, she found her ears assailed with the str
ange sounds of trumpeting and rumbles which gripped her deep into the very marrow of her bones. Following the frantic sounds, she found herself led to the very transport that had caught her eye a few minutes ago.
The belly of the transport lay open with activity milling, the focus of some black men dressed in blue-green coats signifying some kind of uniform. Creeping closer, she noticed agitation and helpless sorrow permeated their demeanors. The trumpets sounded more frantic the closer she got. As her presence alerted the attention of the men, she nodded politely, getting a nod from one of the taller men, his world-weary chocolate eyes dripping with disconsolate acceptance.
“Jambo, miss.” Abby nodded respectfully, understanding a friendly greeting if not the Swahili language. Peering into the belly of the transport, she got the surprise of her life. In the rear of the plane stood an unhappy group of elephants. Yes, elephants, practically extinct after the horrendous slaughter of the 2015–2019 ivory wars and the subsequent decision to slaughter the largest and wisest for meat to feed the refugees in Sudan, Uganda, Libya and South Africa.
Abby noticed grave differences in the elephants. The largest and oldest, almost elderly; two smaller juveniles; one adult tusker and three tiny babies, one of which lay prostrate on the floor of the plane, a few feet from the men, who she now realized must be their keepers. The tiny baby looked to be only a few weeks old with the tip of its delicate tiny trunk missing. It appeared to have been bitten off and now lay lifeless, swollen and infected. The poor thing’s breathing sounded labored, obviously on the doorstep of death.
“Oh no, the poor thing.” Tears trickled unnoticed from under her shades. Who are these people? She addressed the tall man who appeared to be in charge.
“Hello, I’m Abby Preston.” The man gave a quick bow.
“I’m Johno. It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Abby.” His grin reached from ear to ear, but his heart clearly neglected to join in.
Alien Species Intervention: Books 1-3: An Alien Apocalyptic Saga (Species Intervention #6609) Page 55
