Dinosaur Blackout

by Judith Silverthorne

  “I may just take you up on it,” Mr. Pederson said. “A fellow can get awfully hungry when he’s doing research.” He began chatting about the merits of flavourful and enticing food.

  “Come on, Ole,” begged Dr. Roost.

  Daniel laughed. Was Mr. Pederson having second thoughts about going to prehistoric time? Was he stalling by talking to Mom?

  “All right, Mildred, I’m coming,” he insisted. “Can’t a fellow even give the cook a few compliments?”

  “You’re acting like this might be your last meal,” snorted Mildred Roost.

  Ole Pederson scoffed. “If it was, this is exactly what I’d like to have.”

  “Are you going too, Daniel?” Mom asked.

  “Yes, if that’s okay with you.” Daniel never considered he might have to stay and do something. That would spoil all their plans. Although he wouldn’t mind a little more time to prepare before they leaped into the past.

  “Sure, just as long as you don’t go far and you’re back to do evening chores.”

  “No problem,” he answered, not daring to look at either Dr. Roost or Mr. Pederson for fear of giving himself away.

  Dr. Roost finally shepherded Pederson outside.

  “What was that all about?” she demanded as they climbed into Pederson’s truck. “You suddenly get cold feet or something?”

  Ole Pederson looked abashed. “I guess subconsciously I had a few moments of concern, but I’m okay now. Let’s go.”

  He put the truck into gear and they pulled out of the yard and across the pasture. Within minutes, they were at the spot they‘d decided was the perfect place to depart from. They all got out of the truck and gathered their belongings without saying a word.

  Dr. Roost strapped a whistle around her neck, along with her digital camera, then slung on a backpack and adjusted her Tilley hat. She also wore a waist pack with a small notebook and pencils. Ole Pederson carried the binoculars around his neck, put his sunglasses onto his head and pulled his hat down tight overtop. For people who’d prepared in a hurry, they had an impressive amount of gear between them. Daniel’s own backpack, which he always had prepared for fossil searching expeditions, held extra water, matches, a regular camera, lots of pencils and, of course, his notebook, which contained the precious leaf and tiny branch.

  When they were all assembled, Daniel took out his notebook and gently let the prehistoric leaf flutter onto a large rock. Keeping his eye on it, he returned his notebook and adjusted his backpack and clothing. Then he looked at his companions.

  “Ready?” he asked, trembling slightly.

  “Ready,” they said in unison, stepping close to him. Their faces were stoic, but their eyes glowed with anticipation.

  “Okay, hang on to me.”

  Daniel felt each of them grab onto an arm. Mr. Pederson raised an eyebrow and nodded. Dr. Roost, her lips tightly closed, squeezed Daniel’s arm.

  Without any further hesitation, he stooped down and picked up the leaf. In an instant, everything went black and a surge of energy went through them.

  ~

  Daniel heard Pederson gasp beside him. Dr. Roost gave a little yelp on his other side. They were staring at an exquisite view of towering trees, huge draping leaves, moss-covered ground and lush ferns. The moist air hit them instantly, and Daniel quickly scanned their environment from the ground up and from side to side. Dr. Roost kept watch behind them. Mr. Pederson seemed stunned by the new world of colour, sights and sounds, and said nothing. Nor did he move.

  He simply absorbed their surroundings, taking in the screeches of the huge birdlike creatures circling in the vibrant blue sky, high above the immenseness of the redwood and pine trees. As Dr. Roost took the opportunity to snap a few shots in every direction, Mr. Pederson began to study the vegetation at their feet.

  He bent down for a closer look at vines and tiny flowers intermingled on the forest floor. He examined them gently and slowly, as if memorizing every detail, then wrote information in a little notebook that he drew from his pocket. Next he looked at cycads and large-leafed plants, then at the trees.

  As Daniel continued to check for possible dangers, he held the leaf tightly in his hand. There was no need to tuck it away. They would be returning almost immediately.

  A sudden rustling in the bushes alerted him, and he touched both of his companions to warn them. Mr. Pederson rose and they reached out and grabbed Daniel’s arms once again, watching with pounding hearts for what was about to emerge.

  Daniel grinned when he saw a rat-sized Purgatorius scuttle through the undergrowth. It squeaked with surprise when it ran over the unfamiliar terrain of Pederson’s shoes.

  “Whew!” Dr. Roost breathed a sigh of relief, but she kept checking in all directions.

  Ole Pederson brought his binoculars to his eyes and scanned the horizon to his right. He pointed to a narrow path that led to a small, open meadow. Nodding his head, he motioned that he’d like to go in that direction. Without saying a word, Daniel and Dr. Roost considered the option and, peering about once more, silently nodded agreement.

  The three moved as quietly as they could to the path. Clinging to one another, they progressed single file through the dense foliage. Dr. Roost led the way, with Daniel in the middle. Mr. Pederson followed, wide-eyed.

  At the edge of the clearing, Dr. Roost stopped short and held her finger to her lips. They all listened intently. Something that made a whoosh, whoosh sound was coming their way. A dark shadow loomed overhead. They all ducked. Daniel pulled Dr. Roost and Mr. Pederson off the trail and tight against a huge tree trunk. As they stared upwards, a baby Pteranadon landed on a branch overhead.

  “Are they dangerous?” Pederson whispered.

  Daniel nodded and whispered back, “I was attacked by one.”

  Dr. Roost motioned behind them to the opening in the trees. Daniel turned and found himself staring at a small group of Stegoceras in a clearing, as they grazed on leaves, twigs and other low plants. Shorter than Daniel, they had domed heads with a fringe of horny knobs along the back of their thick skulls. Pederson seemed fascinated by the way they used their short forelimbs to grasp their food while they kept their balance using their large stiff tails and powerful rear legs.

  All of a sudden, two meat-eating Troodon-like creatures bounded out of the trees. Mr. Pederson gasped and raised his binoculars. The lead Stegoceras sounded a bugle-like alarm and the herd raced away, trying to keep their young in the middle for safety. Dr. Roost captured a couple of photographs, nearly dropping her camera in the process.

  “Zapsalis,” she whispered.

  Unfortunately, one young Stegoceras seemed to become confused and strayed slightly away from the others. The Zapsalis pursued it and isolated it from the herd. Within minutes, the juvenile Stegoceras was down and ripped apart.

  “Just like a lion pursuing a herd of wildebeest!” Mr. Pederson seemed amazed. “Obviously an ancient hunting technique in the animal kingdom.”

  Dr. Roost continued to click away with her camera, though she made small gagging noises in the back of her throat. “Never did like violence,” she admitted.

  Suddenly, the Zapsalis abandoned their meal. The next thing Daniel knew, they were bounding across the clearing towards them. With the Pteranadon above them, and the Zapsalis almost on them, they were trapped.

  “Time to leave!” Daniel yelled.

  Dr. Roost and Mr. Pederson nodded frantically. The Zapsalis were only a few metres away, so close they could see their fierce eyes, gleaming with anticipation of their first delicious human meal.

  “Everyone hang on!” Daniel felt the leaf clutched in his hand. He made sure Mildred Roost and Pederson were touching him.

  Just as the Zapsalis sprang, he dropped the leaf.

  Chapter Seven

  Daniel saw a split second of darkness, heard a sharp whizzing sound and then he was once more looking at the rolling hills of the familiar pasture. Beside him, Pederson stood speechless. Mildred Roost shook herself and moved to Ped
erson’s side.

  “You okay, Ole?” She stroked his arm.

  Pederson spoke like a person under some kind of magic spell. “I’ll never forget this as long as I live!”

  “I’m sure you won’t,” Dr. Roost said.

  He blinked and seemed to see them more clearly. “We’re going to have to give some serious thought about what to take when we go back.”

  “I don’t know that I want to go back,” declared Dr. Roost. “That might just have been enough for me. I’d forgotten how many dangerous creatures there were about.”

  Daniel agreed. “That was a little too close for comfort!”

  “I think we were slightly off the mark in our calculations too,” suggested Dr. Roost.

  “Not by much. I think we should have launched about twenty metres to the east,” Daniel said. “But it was just bad luck to run into the Zapsalis. They could have been anywhere.”

  Pederson was totally focused now. “We’ll just have to make a few adjustments before we go again.”

  Daniel and Dr. Roost looked at one another with fear in their eyes. Daniel really wasn’t keen on going back. And then he remembered something important.

  “I don’t have the leaf anymore,” he admitted, not looking at either of them. He crossed his fingers behind his back. “We can’t go back.” He didn’t want to tell them about the tiny branch, hoping the first trip had been enough of an adventure for Mr. Pederson.

  He noticed Dr. Roost let out a breath of relief.

  Ole Pederson stared at Daniel in disbelief. “How could we all have forgotten that important detail?”

  Daniel shuffled uneasily, watching Pederson to see how he was taking the news. Although he had a look of dismay, he didn’t seem extremely perturbed.

  “That’s what comes of rushing, I guess,” said Dr. Roost. “I can’t deny that I’m relieved.”

  “You really wouldn’t go again if you had the chance?” Pederson asked.

  “I’m not saying that exactly, but I’d make sure we had plans for being a little safer.” Dr. Roost glared at Pederson. “I told you we needed more time to prepare!”

  “How about you, Daniel?”

  “This research is important, but maybe not worth it if we lose our lives,” he admitted.

  “So you have nothing else in your bag of tricks to take us back again?” Pederson asked.

  Daniel tried to look innocent. Keeping his crossed fingers behind his back, he shook his head “no.”

  “Too bad.” Pederson grimaced, but his eyes didn’t show any distress. “So tell me, can anyone bring back something from the past to make it work?”

  Daniel and Dr. Roost looked suspiciously at Pederson, but he kept his face absent of emotion, as if it was just something he was curious about.

  “I suppose it would work for anyone,” Daniel said reluctantly. He could feel butterflies flipping in his stomach. “Why?”

  Pederson tilted his head, and with a little smile admitted, “I may just have a little something we could use.”

  “Ole, you don’t.” Dr. Roost seemed agitated about the prospect.

  “Yes, I do. I picked up some vegetation along the way. I’ve got it in my backpack.” Pederson slid the pack off his shoulder and patted it.

  “Leave it there!” said Daniel, stepping away from him. “The moment you touch it, you’ll be flung into the past.”

  “That’s what I figured,” said Pederson. “So Mildred, will you go with me again?”

  She hesitated. “Only if we take time to really prepare for our safety,” she admonished.

  “I’m in, if you two are!” Daniel declared, not wanting to leave them on their own.

  “No, you’re not,” Mr. Pederson and Dr. Roost said in unison.

  “We’re perfectly capable of going on our own!” Pederson said. “And I have the means to do it.”

  “But I know the terrain better than either of you,” Daniel protested.

  “Maybe, but we’ll manage.” With a mischievous grin, Pederson said, “We outwitted you this time, lad!”

  “You definitely aren’t going, and that’s final.” Dr. Roost waved a finger at Daniel.

  Daniel groaned and shook his head at his two conniving companions. But he let them think they had outsmarted him, although he still had some ideas up his sleeve.

  “Well, let me at least help you make your arrangements,” he said.

  “That would be appreciated and welcomed,” Pederson said.

  “How about we go back to the farm and see what’s going on,” Dr. Roost suggested. “I could use a break.”

  The other two agreed. Pederson dropped them back off in the yard. Daniel saw the rest of his family in the garden and planned to head that way. Then he noticed Dr. Roost lean back into Pederson’s truck and heard her offer to drive him to an appointment with his doctor the next day. So there was something wrong with him after all.

  Maybe Pederson shouldn’t be going into the past. He should speak to Dr. Roost, but she had already gone into the back of her little camper truck and shut the door firmly. Pederson waved at Daniel and zoomed back out of the yard.

  Daniel joined his family picking pumpkins and other squash in the garden. As he worked, he considered ways of making it safer to travel in prehistoric time. He tried to think of substances that would immobilize large dinosaurs. He’d recently read about an alligator in the United States being doped with the dental anaesthetic halothene so researchers could study its digestive system. Would something like that work? He had no idea where they could get it, or how much they would need.

  Another problem would be applying it. Could they use a spraying system like those used for ridding an area of mosquitoes? What would the drift factor be like? Maybe they could wear some kind of oxygen masks.

  This was getting more complicated by the minute. Even if they could get all the equipment, they certainly wouldn’t want to be hauling heavy gear around. Daniel tucked the ideas into the back of his mind until he could check out some information on the Internet.

  Once they finished harvesting the pumpkins and squash, they all turned to cleanup of the vines. When the family was almost done the garden work, the topic of the Nelwins came up.

  “I sure hope nothing serious has happened to the boys,” said Mom.

  “Maybe we’ll take another run over after supper.” Dad turned to Daniel.

  “Yes, I know,” Daniel said before his dad could speak. “Take care of Cheryl.”

  Mom laughed. “I guess we do tell you that a lot.”

  ~

  Dr. Roost never emerged from her truck camper the rest of the afternoon, so Daniel didn’t have a chance to speak with her about his theories or about Mr. Pederson. He did some research on his computer and came up with several other possibilities for halting attacks from various dinosaurs. If they couldn’t get any halothene, maybe they could find some liquid nitrogen to cool the body and slow activity down. Maybe Dr. Roost had some pull somewhere to get some.

  But he didn’t know how much of either of these chemicals would be needed for such huge, agile creatures, or how quickly they would take effect. He didn’t want to kill the creatures, just subdue them so they could study them a little in safety. He had a sudden thought. What about laser lights? Although they could cause blindness, maybe they would work as a temporary measure to slow down a dinosaur. He was still thinking this all through when he headed to the barn to do chores.

  Dad noticed his distraction and set him to work milking the cows, while he fed the other livestock and chickens. Together they finished cleaning the stalls. When Dad left to get a hammer from the tool shop to fix something in the kitchen, Daniel headed directly to the house with the milk pails. Mom wanted whole milk tonight for special bread dough, so he didn’t need to do any separating.

  After supper, Daniel offered to do the dishes so his parents could check on the Nelwins right away. He finished quickly as Cheryl chattered to him from her high chair, then swept his sister off for her bath.

&nbs
p; While she splashed and got him wet, part of his mind was on what might be happening at the Nelwins. He wondered again if they were somehow connected with the Stygimoloch theft. There had been no word from Corporal Fraser all day, either, and they hadn’t heard again from the reporter, Adrian McDermott.

  By the time Daniel had tucked Cheryl into bed and read her a storybook, his parents had still not returned. They must have found someone home. This was probably good. At least they would find out what was going on. He lay down on the couch and watched television with the volume turned down low so he could hear when they returned. The next thing he knew, Dad was nudging him awake.

  “Time to head for bed,” Dad said, easing Daniel to his feet.

  “How did it go?” Daniel asked, struggling to open his eyes.

  “The boys were there, but Horace Nelwin is missing. They’ve been looking for him since last night. That’s why they weren’t home when we were there. They started searching for him again early this morning.”

  “They must be worried,” said Daniel.

  “He’s never been gone this long before without them hearing from somebody about where he is.” Dad rubbed his chin in thought. “We stopped to talk to a couple of the neighbours, but no one’s seen him. Not even Corporal Fraser. We phoned him from the Milners.”

  “Wow!” said Daniel. His head was clear now. “What will happen next?”

  “Nothing for now. If he doesn’t turn up by morning, he’ll be deemed a missing person and a bulletin will go out looking for him.”

  Daniel’s eyes widened. “They’ll put out an arrest warrant for him?”

  Dad chuckled. “Well not quite that, but they will check hospitals and notify the network of police to check for him.”

  “Is his truck gone?” Daniel asked. “They could track him that way,”

  “The funny thing is that it’s not. But his atv is missing,” said Dad, scrunching up his face as he considered the possibilities.

  “That doesn’t sound good!” Daniel exclaimed. “He could be anywhere, maybe even lying injured out on the prairie somewhere.”