Exile

by S. M. Wilson

  Frolan seemed to spark into life as Silas put a hand on his shoulder. He was clutching something black to his chest. His arms released and the black parcel was revealed. It was some kind of sponge, with three glass vials inserted securely inside it.

  “These are the viruses.”

  It seemed like everyone held their breath. All eyes were fixed on the coloured liquid sloshing in the tiny glass vials. One blue, one green and one red.

  Frolan seemed excited. “Each one is labelled.” He pushed his fingers into the sponge and pulled out the vial with blue liquid. “Each virus has to be delivered to the watering holes at each of the nest sites. It’s up to you to identify where the watering holes are. You’ll need to observe the dinosaurs and watch where they drink. Once they leave, all you have to do is pour this liquid into their watering hole. After that” – a large smile spread across his face – “we just need to wait and see what happens next. Once delivered the virus should pass between the dinosaurs” – he paused – “in a natural way.”

  He lifted a small silver carrier from the floor and pushed the black sponge inside it. “Blue for the pterosaurs, green for the velociraptors and red for T-rexes.”

  Leif was the first to speak. “The pterosaurs – they nest right next to the sea. Don’t they just get their water supply from there? Does that mean we tip the virus into the sea?”

  Frolan shook his head. “Oh no. They don’t drink from the sea. Even pterosaurs don’t drink salt water. They must have a clean watering hole somewhere nearby. You’ll have to look for it.”

  Storm found her voice. “And all we have to do is pour the liquid into the watering hole? That’s it?” It seemed too easy. Too simple. That was all it took to infect a dinosaur with a virus and take their life? It seemed almost unbelievable.

  They wouldn’t even need to get near the dinosaurs.

  Part of her felt sick. Yes, she’d had a few thoughts about a safer Piloria. But did she really want to do this? Did she want to take part in killing the dinosaurs?

  Her skin prickled with the enormity of it all. She was torn for selfish reasons, and ethical reasons.

  Selfish, because they could do this task relatively quickly. The rest of the time could then be spent doing the other job for Lorcan Field – and for Arta. They could find the plants, and get the samples that were needed. Hopefully they could even find Blaine and persuade him to show them how he made the ointment.

  But the whole ethical issue still made her guts churn. This wasn’t their continent. She’d never wanted to steal the dinosaur eggs in the first place – never wanted the viruses to be created. But how safe could anyone ever be on Piloria if they didn’t use them?

  Silas still had a sneer on his face. “That’s all you have to do, Knux. Or should that be ‘Don’?”

  She tried to still her flare of temper as the others in the room all glanced at each other. She hadn’t told anyone outside her group that Reban Don was her father. Now, it seemed she wouldn’t need to.

  “What about weapons?” Reban’s deep voice filled the small room.

  Silas looked surprised. He didn’t expect anyone to challenge him. His nose wrinkled and his mouth returned to its default position of a sneer.

  “Weapons?”

  “Yes, weapons.” Reban strode forward. At some point he’d changed. He was wearing black now. A short-sleeved black top and trousers with multiple pockets. He was also wearing some kind of black waistcoat – it was covered in pockets too. Some of them seemed full already.

  He tilted his chin and met Silas’s gaze. It was clear that there was no love lost between these two men. “Weapons. You’re sending us onto the dinosaur continent. You tell us” – he gestured to the silver carriers – “these vials are essential to help poison the dinosaurs. Yet you expect us to complete this mission without any weapons?”

  Storm could see Silas trying to formulate a suitably cutting response. Last time they’d been sent to Piloria they’d been allowed to take old weapons from an assortment left behind. Not that they’d been much use. But Silas didn’t know that.

  Reban wasn’t finished. He stepped closer to Silas until they were almost nose to nose. He lowered his voice. There was a hint of menace in it. “How much do you really want this to work, Silas? How much do your plans depend on it?”

  Silence. She could swear a million insects had just started crawling over her bare arms. Why else would her skin prickle like that?

  “Don’t you want success to be assured?” It was almost like Reban was baiting Silas. What was it he knew that the rest of them didn’t?

  She could see the rage behind Silas’s eyes. He didn’t like anyone to challenge him. He certainly didn’t like anyone to better him.

  He spun around and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Open the weapons locker. Let them take what they need.”

  More silence. The Stipulators left in the room stared at each other in shock. One of them gave a nod and pulled a large key from his belt. “Over here,” he muttered.

  Reban was first. He was in the locker as soon as the door was opened and started handing out random things to those gathered behind him. Leif was given some kind of spear. Jesa a crossbow.

  Lincoln got an axe. He gave an ironic smile as he held it up. “Well, this will slay a T-rex. I guess it’s my lucky day.”

  For a few more seconds, Reban rummaged around the bottom of the locker, finally finding what he was looking for. It was a belt. A belt with knives sheathed all the way around it. “You take this,” he said as he thrust it at Storm.

  Her mouth dried. Knives. The weapon they’d had to use in the last part of the final Trial. Her mother had been a knife-throwing expert. It was something Storm had never really shared with anyone. But Reban had known. He’d used it in her favour then. He was using it in her favour now.

  She said nothing. Just took the belt and fumbled as she tried to fasten it around her waist. It was bulky. Unwieldy. But she could get used to it.

  When she looked up again she realized the room had filled with more Stipulators and crew. Of course. They’d just given the teams weapons. They wanted to ensure the weapons were only used on Piloria and only used against the dinosaurs. She looked around the room. The recruits were completely outnumbered.

  She glanced towards the virus carriers now sitting on a bench.

  “Get ready. You’ll be leaving shortly,” Silas told them. “Let’s get this started. The sooner this continent is ours, the better.”

  Leif, Lincoln and Jesa turned towards Storm. Jesa licked her lips, clearly nervous. “Is this it? Are we ready?”

  Leif folded his arms across his chest. “You seem to think it’s a foregone conclusion we’ll be working together.” He shook his head. “I’ve been here before. Teammates should be trusted.”

  Storm stood straight. She was tired of all this. “You’ve made your point, Leif. But there are only so many times I can say I’m sorry.” She put her hand on her chest. “And I am sorry. I’m sorry that in the few seconds after I won the competition I forgot to mention your family. I forgot to say they were my family. I was thinking on my feet. I was thinking about Rune and Kronar. I was thinking about the fact they’d lost their lives.”

  “You didn’t seem to forget Lincoln’s sister.”

  Storm threw up her hands. “Because she was right in front of me, looking like she could blow away in a wisp of wind.” She shook her head. “I’m done saying sorry. I mean it, but I won’t keep saying it. If you want to work with another team, go ahead. No one will stop you.” She glanced sideways. “But before we start, Lincoln and I have to be honest with you both about something.”

  “That will be a first.”

  Lincoln looked at her in confusion.

  But Storm kept going. “We have another reason for being here.”

  Leif frowned. “What could that be?”

  Storm nodded towards the door. “Let’s go outside.”

  The rest of the group followed her out into the passagewa
y and she lowered her voice.

  “We’re looking for the plants that Blaine used to make the ointment he gave us last time. It helps the blistering plague. We need more for Arta – and for Rune’s sister, Livia, and now his brother, Cornelius. He’s started to show signs too.”

  “Cornelius has the plague?” The concern in Leif’s voice was clear.

  Storm nodded. “Yes.”

  Leif turned and stared out the porthole for a few seconds. As they waited for him, Jesa spoke. “This means that you’ll be looking for my father? You’ll be looking for Blaine.” Her words were hopeful.

  This time it was Lincoln who hesitated, clearly choosing his words carefully. “Of course we’ll look for Blaine. It’s just that…I’m not sure we’ll be able to find his shack again. It was deep in the forest – well disguised.”

  “But you’ll try?”

  Lincoln gave the briefest nod. “Of course we’ll try.”

  Leif made an exasperated noise and stalked over, picking up one of the silver carriers. “If we’re doing this then let’s do it. If Rune’s brother and sister are sick then I will try and help.” He glanced at the carrier. “And I have no problem killing a few dinosaurs along the way.”

  Storm shifted uncomfortably. The thing she’d been so opposed to before was now right in front of her. Killing the dinosaurs. But did she really want to face a T-rex or a raptor again?

  Would these viruses even work? Lincoln hadn’t seemed sure – he said they’d been made in haste. How did they know that these viruses would only kill the T-rexes or the raptors? She still had a horrible feeling the Stipulators wouldn’t be above killing all the dinosaurs – not just the dangerous ones. Silas’s words back in parliament hadn’t exactly reassured her. What had he said – “rid us of the most dangerous dinosaurs – or all dinosaurs”?

  She turned away. “I’ll meet you out on deck. I’m just going to get my backpack.”

  It only took a few minutes. As she reached the rail she could see one of the boats about to be lowered to the clear blue water. It was amazing how the coastline along Piloria could look so different. The other beach had been much more rugged than this one.

  The first group climbed into the boat with one of the Stipulators and a few members of crew. The second and third boats were ready to be lowered too. Storm walked over to the second, where Leif was already waiting. He gave her a sideways glance. “Let’s get this over with, I’d planned on never seeing this place again.”

  Storm stared over at the golden beach framed with dark green jungle. It was clean. Inviting. She couldn’t wait to get over there.

  Her heart started fluttering in her chest. Piloria. The place that had haunted her dreams. Now it was within her reach. She’d wanted to come back here. The smell of the jungle was drifting over on the breeze. The richness, the depth, the flowers and the fruits. Her hands practically itched for it.

  Lincoln appeared at her side with Jesa close behind. He murmured in Storm’s ear. “I don’t get it.”

  She frowned at him. “Don’t get what?”

  His bright green eyes were right in front of her and his brow had deep furrows. “How will they know if we’ve planted the viruses? We’re back here in five days. Will there even be enough time to see if they’ve worked or not?”

  Storm bit her lip. She still wasn’t sure that she wanted to plant the viruses, let alone stick around to see if they worked. She shook her head. “I have no idea. Maybe they’ll be waiting for Reban Don to report back to them. They’re Stipulators. They’ll have worked it out somehow.”

  Leif caught the tail end of their conversation and merely raised his eyebrows. As they got ready to climb into the boat there was a steady thudding of feet behind them. Storm turned around. Reban was practically on top of her, with his backpack slung over his shoulder.

  “What do you want?” she snapped.

  “I’m joining your group,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “No!” she said quickly. “No way.”

  Reban gestured towards the other groups. One already on the water, the other near the back of the ship. “Most of these other people have never been on Piloria. None of them have the knowledge that you do. I’m not like the rest of you. I’m not here for a few days. I’m here for life. I plan to learn as much as I can to stay alive.”

  Storm held her breath. Of course. He wouldn’t be coming back to Earthasia. He was another Blaine. This was his punishment. This was his life from now on. Piloria. Whereas, as long as it was assured that she’d played her part and planted the viruses, she should still have a place on the ship home.

  Right now even that made her angry. While others dreaded this place, she didn’t. Oh, she was still terrified for her life. But what kind of life did they really have on Earthasia? No space, rationed food, limited energy.

  She closed her eyes for a second and breathed. In, out, in, out. The aroma of Piloria was flooding through her, invading her senses. Was it her imagination or could she actually hear the insects chirping in the jungle?

  Lincoln turned on Reban. “Storm doesn’t want you here. Join another team.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do.” There was an edge to Reban’s voice.

  “We don’t follow your orders now,” said Lincoln. “None of us do. And as soon as we hit the soil on Piloria you might find yourself fighting for your life. Somehow I don’t think any of us will try to help.”

  “I have to join a team. I’ve already told you why I’m joining yours. In a few days you’ll be out of here. I won’t. I plan on learning everything I can. You’ve been here before. I’m sticking with you all.”

  Leif waved his hand in amusement. “Just don’t shout for me when you’re T-rex bait,” he said as he shouldered past and headed to the boat, the silver carrier clutched in his hand.

  Storm hesitated. She wanted to fight with him about it. But there was something ingrained deep down inside her. She was so used to looking at Reban as Chief Stipulator, with everyone obeying his every word, that it was difficult for her to remove him from that position in her brain. She stalked past him. “Do what you like,” she muttered as she climbed into the boat. She sat silently as the rest of the group joined her, with Reban pushing his way on board at the last possible moment as the boat was lowered slowly down to the clear blue water.

  It would only take a few minutes to reach the shore. The bay was sheltered on either side. The large leaves of the jungle moved gently in the breeze.

  The water around them was so clear. Storm couldn’t help but lean down a little to let her fingers brush the warm water. She smiled, remembering how cold their part of the ocean was in comparison. It was almost as if they lived on entirely different planets.

  A shoal of orange-coloured fish darted directly underneath them, heading towards the coral at the far side of the bay. The fish were tiny – too small to eat. A few moments later another shoal, this time grey and yellow, shot past. The first boat had already landed ashore, the third was in the water behind them. As the oars hit the sand beneath them, Leif jumped out first and started to drag the boat up onto the beach.

  Storm stepped out, enjoying the feel of the water around her ankles, her boots in her hands. Why get them wet when she didn’t need to?

  There was a sharp intake of breath behind her. She turned just as Lincoln’s body slammed into her, sending her onto the ground.

  “Ooff!” The air rushed from her lungs as she hit the sand, one boot landing in the water and her backpack just missing the lapping ocean.

  She sat bolt upright, ready to shout at him, then blinked as she realized the bay was changing colour. The pale blue water was filling with dark grey.

  Quick-moving creatures, four times bigger than a human, were moving in a pack. They swam as if they were one, as if they were communicating with each other. They were clearly visible through the crystal water. Each had four paddle-like limbs and long sweeping tails that powered them through the sea. Their snouts occasionally poked above the surface, show
ing their long jaws.

  Storm pushed herself to her feet. “What the—?”

  No one spoke. The third boat was rowing through the water towards them, already cast off from the ship, but still a few minutes from the shore. The team on board looked panicked, their heads flicking from side to side as the pack of grey creatures moved rapidly in their direction.

  “What are they?” said a voice next to her. Reban.

  “I have no idea,” she answered honestly.

  “Are they plesiosaurs?” asked Lincoln.

  She shook her head. “No. Look at them. They don’t have a long neck. It’s a distinct jaw and more of a snout. Their heads look—”

  She never got to finish. The first creature banged sharply into the side of the third boat, rapidly followed by another. One of the team aboard had been standing upright, trying to get a better look at the creatures in the bay. He gave a yelp and fell backwards into the clear blue water. A few of the creatures moved towards him as the rest continued to ram the boat. It was persistent, coordinated behaviour.

  “What are they doing?” Leif shook his head in astonishment.

  The man in the water gave a few squeals as the pack surrounded him.

  It was difficult to make out what was going on in the mass of flickering grey bodies and tails. “I think they’re tylosauruses,” said Lincoln hoarsely.