SauraCorps, page 17
“That snake’s about to go where no snake has gone before.” Kam draped an arm over his fiancée’s shoulders and pulled her in close. “You good?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m….” Viv shifted herself in to him. “I should be asking you, though. How’s your arm?”
“It’s just a flesh wound.” His usual smirky expression quickly turned into a wince before staring over at the Pinpoint platform. “Wonder how long it’ll take for—”
ZEEUU-ZEEUU-ZEEUU-BWOOOOOOOOM!
Though the indoor teleportation system had been taken offline, the Pinpoint satellite worked perfectly from its position in space.
Saddled upon a portion of Bertha’s bulky body, Sebastian glanced around before zoning in on the teenagers.
“Sebastian!” Viv rushed over, thankful to have another familiar face around. “I…don’t even know what to ask you. Are you okay?”
Dismounting the titanoboa, he faltered as his wounded thigh gave him a painful reminder. “I’ve been better.”
Kam studied the furrowed brow and despondent expression on their older friend’s face. “I take it things didn’t go slitheringly back then.”
Halting mid-step, Sebastian placed both feet on the floor. He’d expected the events of Claire’s demise to affect Blake somehow. Even with the alterations to how things played out in the past timeline, Sebastian never thought he’d be as moved as he’d become.
Arrowsmith had allowed his grief to turn him into a monster.
In the end, it had consumed him whole.
Stepping forward, Dr. Delton inquired, “Where’s Blake?”
Pity weighed Sebastian’s face downward, but he managed to look back and lift an eyebrow toward Blake’s location.
It took Viv a moment before she glared and pointed at the oversized snake. “He’s…inside of Bertha?”
About to make a snarky comment about indigestion, Kam took Sebastian’s countenance into consideration and said nothing.
Taking a few seconds to gather his thoughts, Sebastian made eye contact with most of the group of scientists and technicians throughout the laboratory. “As of this very moment, I’m offering to employ each and every one of you. What we have access to…” he raised his hand, directing their attention to the spacetime transmitter. “…is a means of resetting the wrongs SauraCorps—and many others—have committed.” A spasm in his leg caused him to buckle, but Viv came to his aid by getting under his right arm. “We can work to protect prehistoric creatures from ending up in the wrong hands and then relocate them to their own time. If you accept, I’ll be grateful to work along with you. If not, then there’s….” His glance to the broken door turned into a double-take as he grimaced. “Uh, you’re free to go.”
Within the duration of ten seconds, none of Arrowsmith’s former team budged.
Sebastian grinned, pleasantly surprised and impressed by their choices. “We have a lot of work to do.”
Five Months Later
JAMMING OUT to Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me by Bad Suns in his pickup truck, Kamren reversed into the driveway of his family home. He hopped out and made his way up the front walk.
The front door opened, and his mom Cassie brought out a full cardboard box in her arms. “There’s only a few boxes left. We may have opened up a couple again just to reminisce a bit.”
“Mom, I’m moving out, not dying.” Kam poked her in the side while passing by. “And we’ll have you over more than once, I promise.”
“It better be more than once,” she countered, balancing the box on her thigh as she lowered the tailgate. “Or else we’ll be dropping by when you least expect it.”
Keeping the door open as he stopped in the doorway, he chuckled. “I’d be careful about that, Mom. Viv and I will be doing what newlyweds do by then.”
“Oh, you mean playing videogames?” Evan Eckhardt piped up as he approached his son from inside of the house. “And sharing cat videos on your phones while sitting right beside each other?”
“Uh huh.” Kam smirked as he received another moving box from his father. “Games and cat videos, yup.”
“I’ll admit, it’s going to be different not having you around,” Evan remarked with a tightness his voice. Picking up more of Kam’s belongings close to the door, he cleared his throat a tad. “I um… I know I don’t say this enough, Son, but I’m very proud of the man you’ve become. You’ve been through so much in the last while, and I can’t tell you how much you’ve impressed me with how you’ve handled it all.”
As Kam walked side by side with him to the truck, he wore a sheepish smile. “Thanks, Pops. But are you trying to get me all emotional before my wedding day?”
“Oh, I’ve already rented my poncho dress suit.” Evan set his box down on the truck’s bed and patted his son on the back. “I know you won’t keep it together as soon as you see her walk down that aisle.”
Cassie came up beside her boy and snickered. “And I’ve already got my bets in that you’ll be crying the most that day.”
Kam laughed at them until his cellphone buzzed in his pant pocket. “Saved by the fiancée.” He stepped away from his parents and accepted the call. “Future husband here, how may I be of assist—”
“They canceled the venue, Kam!” The dismay in Vivienne’s voice had been more than noticeable. “Apparently a stupid water pipe burst and of course, the only time they can get stupid renovations done is around our freaking wedding date next week.”
Kam had pulled the phone away from his ear the louder she got, then placed it back to reply. “Okay, well…did they offer to rebook later?”
“They’re slammed until stupid spring of next year.”
Scratching the back of his head, Kam released a sigh of disappointment. “Too bad we can’t just time travel to…. Hey, wait a sec.”
After a silent moment of suspicion, Viv responded, “What? Kamren, what are you thinking?”
Kam nibbled on his bottom lip as he formulated a possible idea. “I’ll call you back asap. Love you, future wifey!” After hanging up on her, he opened his contacts and scrolled. He tapped on the person he wanted and swiped right to call them.
“Hey, Kam,” Sebastian answered, trying to talk over noises in the background. “Kind of in the middle of—Uh, Driscoll! I need you in New York for some pachycephalosauruses. Yeah, something about a café—hey, buddy, hey! Watch the ankylosaurus’s tail, that’ll break all of you with one swing. Make sure everyone clears the platform for transport.”
“Sorry, Seb, I just wanted to ask one thing.”
“What’s up?”
Kam took up a confident stance as he continued. “Remember how you tossed Viv and I through a time rift, and then by helping you out we inadvertently got caught by the kingpin of all dino dealers and thought we were going to die on his boat?”
Sebastian grunted along with an audible eye-roll. “Vaguely.”
“Yeah, well, we lost our wedding venue, and I was thinking you could help us to have it somewhere epic instead.”
“Epic, huh?” Sebastian replied with a hint of curiosity. “What did you have in mind?”
STANDING BY a rustic wooden trellis in a fancy navy-blue suit, Kam flexed his hands open and closed over and over again.
The wedding day had finally arrived.
Outdoors in an open area with perfectly green grass, the stage sat at the end of a few rows of chairs. The quaint amount of family and friends waited for the bride to arrive.
Viv’s little brother Arty stood beside the anxious groom in a similar outfit. “Gotta relax, bro. This day is already amazing, and everything else will be, too.”
“I know.” Kam exhaled a long breath. “I mean…I’ve faced life and death experiences, and somehow this is making me more nervous.”
“Listen, Kam, if there was a word for more than perfect, that’s what you and my sister are for each other.” Arty spoke from the heart, though still in his youth. “And I’m not one to get into all that mushy stuff.”
A small laugh came out of Kam. “Thanks, future-bro. And you’ve got the ring all cleaned up and ready, right?”
“Yeah, I—wait, cleaned up?” Arty placed his hand on the pocket where he’d stashed the ring. “Why cleaned?”
Kam placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Because it used to be inside of Phrodo.”
Dooo-dooo-dooo.
They looked over at the dodo bird standing just a few feet away. A custom black bowtie hung on its neck, which Phrodo scratched at with one of its feet.
Arty stuck his tongue out and pretended to heave. “Gross.”
“I’m kidding,” Kam chuckled. “We had it cleaned immediately after he pooped it out.”
Felicia Voorhees sat close to the front left of the seating area in a purple dress. Holding a high-tech walkie-talkie style phone with glowing electrical blue indent lines, she gazed around at the serene setting.
Coming over, Kam sat a couple chairs away from her. “Felicia, hey, thanks for helping us set all of this up.”
She raised both of her eyebrows in an unsure fashion. “Let’s just hope all of your close family and friends here take their NDAs seriously. And remember, we can’t let everyone stay late, or else this place will get a little more—”
Ksssshhhh-ksshh-ksshh.
The glowing phone crackled to life.
“Hey, Fi, you there?” Sebastian’s voice came through.
Placing the walkie closer to her mouth, she nodded. “Yep, is it that time?”
“Tee minus thirty seconds-ish.”
Taking the cue, Kam left to go back to the stage. “Talk later.” As he walked backward down the middle aisle for a few steps, he cupped his hands around his mouth. “All right, everyone, the bride will arrive very soon, so if you could all take your seats.”
The intimate mix of people bustled back to their chairs.
“Better get back there, Arty,” Kam instructed the kid. “Or else the bridesmaid will be walking by her lonesome.”
“On it.” Arty began a quick stroll to the back.
Distant cries made Kam look around at the surroundings. They didn’t bother him at all, because nothing could ruin his day. I’m about to get married. He took a slow and shaky breath. I’m about to marry Viv—
“Deep breaths, my friend,” a mature voice instructed from behind him.
Kam turned and shook a familiar redhead scientist’s hand. “Thanks, Theo. Make sure you get some money shots, okay?”
“Oh, you betcha.” The bearded Dr. Lewis brought a camera to his face and snapped a picture of the eager groom. “You look dashing.”
“Why thank you, kind sir.”
Positioned behind a makeshift decorated wall, Arty waited for the rest of the wedding party to arrive. A boyish grin appeared on his face as he spotted a massive pterosaur as tall as a giraffe drinking from a pond. “Wonder what it would be like to ride one of—”
ZEEUU-ZEEUU-ZEEUU-BWOOOOOOOOM!
Adorned in a white dress, Vivienne appeared a couple of feet away from her brother. “Man, what a trip. Never thought I’d see this place again, but the circumstances are much safer this time around.”
Once the awe of the time-teleportation beam faded, Arty whistled at his sister. “Yeah, Kam’s gonna bawl like a waterfall.”
Viv snorted. “At least he doesn’t have makeup to worry about.”
He gave his sister a big hug. “And hey, you actually don’t look half bad, Sis.”
She gave him a light punch. “That suit kinda helps your face, too—”
“Better get moving, guys,” Emily-Ann butted in with a low voice. “The music just started.”
Arty held out an arm to E-A, and they exited from behind the wall and began strolling down the walkway.
The music made E-A squint for a moment, and she whispered, “Is that…a piano rendition of the Jurassic Park theme song?”
Arty giggled. “Isn’t it epic?”
As they ended their walk, they took their positions in front of the stage.
Kam grinned as he nodded, then mouthed to the sister he’d adopted, I’ve missed you.
Catch up later, E-A mouthed back, then leaned her head to point down the aisle.
Viv stepped out from behind the partition.
Half a second later, Kam couldn’t contain his tears.
Andrew Lancaster wore an emotional and proud smile as he walked his daughter down the aisle. His expression changed to a gaping mouth.
Far beyond the trellis setup, a herd of long-necked apatosauruses strode along the top of a low hill. Their bellows intermingled with the dinosaur-themed wedding march, giving everyone attending a surreal moment of glee and astonishment.
“Keep walking, Dad.” Viv gave him a little pull, and he obliged.
“This is…” It took Andrew a second to find his breath. “…amazing.”
Arriving at the stage, Viv received a kiss on the cheek from her father, then stood beside the man she’d loved for so long.
Kam shook hands with his soon-to-be father-in-law, then locked eyes with his stunning bride, and whispered, “Vivienne, you look… There’s no words.”
She raised her shoulders as she grinned. “You look quite handsome. And I can’t believe we’re doing this here.”
“What can I say?” He smirked. “We needed a wedding of prehistoric proportions.”
Sebastian made his way up on stage, and took his place behind the podium. “Welcome, everyone. Today we’re gathered to celebrate and witness the marriage of Kamren Eckhardt, and Vivienne Lancaster….”
“I’VE GOT a pair of dryosaurus, half a dozen gastonia infants, and one majungasaurus on the docket for tomorrow so far.” Sebastian reported over his spacetime-integrated phone. Late in the evening, the light from his laptop had been his only light source.
“Sounds good, Seb.” Emily-Ann Lewis responded from the prehistoric past. “Hear that dad? We have some young gastonias on the way.”
Theo stood a few feet away and snapped a picture of an archaeopteryx family up in a tree. “Really? Maybe we can introduce them to the heard we found.”
Sebastian could hear the distant voice of the scientist, then spoke to E-A. “Your father’s still loving it out there, eh?”
E-A laughed. “He’s in his glory. And honestly, I feel like I finally have a refreshing and rewarding purpose in life.”
Smiling at her candid words, Sebastian nodded. “And thank you again for helping me out with relocating these creatures to their proper time.” His stomach growled, reminding him that he’d skipped dinner to keep working. “Oh, and if you ever want me to send back a pizza or anyth—”
ZZEU-BWOM!
Ominous blueish-white light lit up a corner of Sebastian’s office for a second.
E-A groaned as her tastebuds recalled delicious flavours. “Pizza sounds grea—”
Hanging up, Sebastian sprang up and off his chair.
An outline of a person stood in the room’s corner.
Backing up toward the light switch, Sebastian pointed. “Who… Who are y—”
“You’re Sebastian Sharpe, correct?”
Sebastian placed his hand over the switch beside the office door. “Who’s asking?”
Click.
The light in the middle of the ceiling turned on.
A man in a black tactical suit and blond hair remained where he’d arrived. “Do you have any idea of the kind of power you’re in control of?”
“I have an idea, yeah.” Absolutely dumbfounded, it occurred to Sebastian that the man had teleported into his home by an unfamiliar source. “Wait, did you use my satellite?”
“Not exactly.” The mystery man slipped off his high-tech goggles as he stepped forward. “My name is Brett Gallagher. I need your help returning someone to their home planet.”
An overwhelming buzzing struck Sebastian’s comprehension. “Did you just say…planet?”
You better not have time traveled to the end of this book and read the ending first, (I’m looking at you, Dad) but if you enjoyed this book, please take a moment to give it a review!
THE ULTIMATE AGENT SERIES
The Ultimate Agent – Book 1
The Helios Files – UA Classified Anthology
The Ultimate Agent – Book 2
The Ultimate Agent – Book 3
DINO-RIFT
* * *
Side Note:
There are subtle ties to the Ultimate Agent universe within Dino-Rift and SauraCorps: Salvation.
As per usual, the first acknowledgements always go to my wife. This book might as well also have your name attached to the front cover. For the number of times you’ve sat there as I stared at you trying to come up with a word, you still accept me as your husband, and I’m more than grateful.
To my lovely editor, R. A. Milhoan, is it possible to keep having so much fun working on a book together? I submit, yes. You’re such an integral part of the process because you’re not just my editor, you’re an awesome friend!
To my cover artist, Molly Phipps at We Got You Covered, even though this sequel wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place...you made it so these two books in the series look FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC with a side of EPICALLY AWESOMENESS side by side…I want to cry because they’re so gorgeous!
To my Betas Lisa, Amanda, Cassie, Jo, Lisa, Stacy, and newcomers Julia, Jenaiya, and Shannon, you’re an incredible team that knows how to tell it like it is, and each and every one of you keep helping me to shape these books into the best versions of themselves.
To my fellow authors and readers, my bookish family, and those that screamed for more in the Dino-Rift world…THANK YOU for pushing me to do this, because this book was a BLAST from the past to write!
Be someone’s hero, don’t take time for granted, and keep moving forward.
DEREK
DEREK BORNE is a Canadian author who lives in “the prettiest town in Ontario” with his wife and moody bearded dragon, Ziggy. Always telling stories since a young age, he first wrote The Ultimate Agent at fourteen, and kept writing as a hobby over the years until finally publishing. When he isn’t writing, he’s selling olive oil and balsamics, watching hockey, and waiting for the next superhero movie to come out.
“Uh, yeah, I’m….” Viv shifted herself in to him. “I should be asking you, though. How’s your arm?”
“It’s just a flesh wound.” His usual smirky expression quickly turned into a wince before staring over at the Pinpoint platform. “Wonder how long it’ll take for—”
ZEEUU-ZEEUU-ZEEUU-BWOOOOOOOOM!
Though the indoor teleportation system had been taken offline, the Pinpoint satellite worked perfectly from its position in space.
Saddled upon a portion of Bertha’s bulky body, Sebastian glanced around before zoning in on the teenagers.
“Sebastian!” Viv rushed over, thankful to have another familiar face around. “I…don’t even know what to ask you. Are you okay?”
Dismounting the titanoboa, he faltered as his wounded thigh gave him a painful reminder. “I’ve been better.”
Kam studied the furrowed brow and despondent expression on their older friend’s face. “I take it things didn’t go slitheringly back then.”
Halting mid-step, Sebastian placed both feet on the floor. He’d expected the events of Claire’s demise to affect Blake somehow. Even with the alterations to how things played out in the past timeline, Sebastian never thought he’d be as moved as he’d become.
Arrowsmith had allowed his grief to turn him into a monster.
In the end, it had consumed him whole.
Stepping forward, Dr. Delton inquired, “Where’s Blake?”
Pity weighed Sebastian’s face downward, but he managed to look back and lift an eyebrow toward Blake’s location.
It took Viv a moment before she glared and pointed at the oversized snake. “He’s…inside of Bertha?”
About to make a snarky comment about indigestion, Kam took Sebastian’s countenance into consideration and said nothing.
Taking a few seconds to gather his thoughts, Sebastian made eye contact with most of the group of scientists and technicians throughout the laboratory. “As of this very moment, I’m offering to employ each and every one of you. What we have access to…” he raised his hand, directing their attention to the spacetime transmitter. “…is a means of resetting the wrongs SauraCorps—and many others—have committed.” A spasm in his leg caused him to buckle, but Viv came to his aid by getting under his right arm. “We can work to protect prehistoric creatures from ending up in the wrong hands and then relocate them to their own time. If you accept, I’ll be grateful to work along with you. If not, then there’s….” His glance to the broken door turned into a double-take as he grimaced. “Uh, you’re free to go.”
Within the duration of ten seconds, none of Arrowsmith’s former team budged.
Sebastian grinned, pleasantly surprised and impressed by their choices. “We have a lot of work to do.”
Five Months Later
JAMMING OUT to Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me by Bad Suns in his pickup truck, Kamren reversed into the driveway of his family home. He hopped out and made his way up the front walk.
The front door opened, and his mom Cassie brought out a full cardboard box in her arms. “There’s only a few boxes left. We may have opened up a couple again just to reminisce a bit.”
“Mom, I’m moving out, not dying.” Kam poked her in the side while passing by. “And we’ll have you over more than once, I promise.”
“It better be more than once,” she countered, balancing the box on her thigh as she lowered the tailgate. “Or else we’ll be dropping by when you least expect it.”
Keeping the door open as he stopped in the doorway, he chuckled. “I’d be careful about that, Mom. Viv and I will be doing what newlyweds do by then.”
“Oh, you mean playing videogames?” Evan Eckhardt piped up as he approached his son from inside of the house. “And sharing cat videos on your phones while sitting right beside each other?”
“Uh huh.” Kam smirked as he received another moving box from his father. “Games and cat videos, yup.”
“I’ll admit, it’s going to be different not having you around,” Evan remarked with a tightness his voice. Picking up more of Kam’s belongings close to the door, he cleared his throat a tad. “I um… I know I don’t say this enough, Son, but I’m very proud of the man you’ve become. You’ve been through so much in the last while, and I can’t tell you how much you’ve impressed me with how you’ve handled it all.”
As Kam walked side by side with him to the truck, he wore a sheepish smile. “Thanks, Pops. But are you trying to get me all emotional before my wedding day?”
“Oh, I’ve already rented my poncho dress suit.” Evan set his box down on the truck’s bed and patted his son on the back. “I know you won’t keep it together as soon as you see her walk down that aisle.”
Cassie came up beside her boy and snickered. “And I’ve already got my bets in that you’ll be crying the most that day.”
Kam laughed at them until his cellphone buzzed in his pant pocket. “Saved by the fiancée.” He stepped away from his parents and accepted the call. “Future husband here, how may I be of assist—”
“They canceled the venue, Kam!” The dismay in Vivienne’s voice had been more than noticeable. “Apparently a stupid water pipe burst and of course, the only time they can get stupid renovations done is around our freaking wedding date next week.”
Kam had pulled the phone away from his ear the louder she got, then placed it back to reply. “Okay, well…did they offer to rebook later?”
“They’re slammed until stupid spring of next year.”
Scratching the back of his head, Kam released a sigh of disappointment. “Too bad we can’t just time travel to…. Hey, wait a sec.”
After a silent moment of suspicion, Viv responded, “What? Kamren, what are you thinking?”
Kam nibbled on his bottom lip as he formulated a possible idea. “I’ll call you back asap. Love you, future wifey!” After hanging up on her, he opened his contacts and scrolled. He tapped on the person he wanted and swiped right to call them.
“Hey, Kam,” Sebastian answered, trying to talk over noises in the background. “Kind of in the middle of—Uh, Driscoll! I need you in New York for some pachycephalosauruses. Yeah, something about a café—hey, buddy, hey! Watch the ankylosaurus’s tail, that’ll break all of you with one swing. Make sure everyone clears the platform for transport.”
“Sorry, Seb, I just wanted to ask one thing.”
“What’s up?”
Kam took up a confident stance as he continued. “Remember how you tossed Viv and I through a time rift, and then by helping you out we inadvertently got caught by the kingpin of all dino dealers and thought we were going to die on his boat?”
Sebastian grunted along with an audible eye-roll. “Vaguely.”
“Yeah, well, we lost our wedding venue, and I was thinking you could help us to have it somewhere epic instead.”
“Epic, huh?” Sebastian replied with a hint of curiosity. “What did you have in mind?”
STANDING BY a rustic wooden trellis in a fancy navy-blue suit, Kam flexed his hands open and closed over and over again.
The wedding day had finally arrived.
Outdoors in an open area with perfectly green grass, the stage sat at the end of a few rows of chairs. The quaint amount of family and friends waited for the bride to arrive.
Viv’s little brother Arty stood beside the anxious groom in a similar outfit. “Gotta relax, bro. This day is already amazing, and everything else will be, too.”
“I know.” Kam exhaled a long breath. “I mean…I’ve faced life and death experiences, and somehow this is making me more nervous.”
“Listen, Kam, if there was a word for more than perfect, that’s what you and my sister are for each other.” Arty spoke from the heart, though still in his youth. “And I’m not one to get into all that mushy stuff.”
A small laugh came out of Kam. “Thanks, future-bro. And you’ve got the ring all cleaned up and ready, right?”
“Yeah, I—wait, cleaned up?” Arty placed his hand on the pocket where he’d stashed the ring. “Why cleaned?”
Kam placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Because it used to be inside of Phrodo.”
Dooo-dooo-dooo.
They looked over at the dodo bird standing just a few feet away. A custom black bowtie hung on its neck, which Phrodo scratched at with one of its feet.
Arty stuck his tongue out and pretended to heave. “Gross.”
“I’m kidding,” Kam chuckled. “We had it cleaned immediately after he pooped it out.”
Felicia Voorhees sat close to the front left of the seating area in a purple dress. Holding a high-tech walkie-talkie style phone with glowing electrical blue indent lines, she gazed around at the serene setting.
Coming over, Kam sat a couple chairs away from her. “Felicia, hey, thanks for helping us set all of this up.”
She raised both of her eyebrows in an unsure fashion. “Let’s just hope all of your close family and friends here take their NDAs seriously. And remember, we can’t let everyone stay late, or else this place will get a little more—”
Ksssshhhh-ksshh-ksshh.
The glowing phone crackled to life.
“Hey, Fi, you there?” Sebastian’s voice came through.
Placing the walkie closer to her mouth, she nodded. “Yep, is it that time?”
“Tee minus thirty seconds-ish.”
Taking the cue, Kam left to go back to the stage. “Talk later.” As he walked backward down the middle aisle for a few steps, he cupped his hands around his mouth. “All right, everyone, the bride will arrive very soon, so if you could all take your seats.”
The intimate mix of people bustled back to their chairs.
“Better get back there, Arty,” Kam instructed the kid. “Or else the bridesmaid will be walking by her lonesome.”
“On it.” Arty began a quick stroll to the back.
Distant cries made Kam look around at the surroundings. They didn’t bother him at all, because nothing could ruin his day. I’m about to get married. He took a slow and shaky breath. I’m about to marry Viv—
“Deep breaths, my friend,” a mature voice instructed from behind him.
Kam turned and shook a familiar redhead scientist’s hand. “Thanks, Theo. Make sure you get some money shots, okay?”
“Oh, you betcha.” The bearded Dr. Lewis brought a camera to his face and snapped a picture of the eager groom. “You look dashing.”
“Why thank you, kind sir.”
Positioned behind a makeshift decorated wall, Arty waited for the rest of the wedding party to arrive. A boyish grin appeared on his face as he spotted a massive pterosaur as tall as a giraffe drinking from a pond. “Wonder what it would be like to ride one of—”
ZEEUU-ZEEUU-ZEEUU-BWOOOOOOOOM!
Adorned in a white dress, Vivienne appeared a couple of feet away from her brother. “Man, what a trip. Never thought I’d see this place again, but the circumstances are much safer this time around.”
Once the awe of the time-teleportation beam faded, Arty whistled at his sister. “Yeah, Kam’s gonna bawl like a waterfall.”
Viv snorted. “At least he doesn’t have makeup to worry about.”
He gave his sister a big hug. “And hey, you actually don’t look half bad, Sis.”
She gave him a light punch. “That suit kinda helps your face, too—”
“Better get moving, guys,” Emily-Ann butted in with a low voice. “The music just started.”
Arty held out an arm to E-A, and they exited from behind the wall and began strolling down the walkway.
The music made E-A squint for a moment, and she whispered, “Is that…a piano rendition of the Jurassic Park theme song?”
Arty giggled. “Isn’t it epic?”
As they ended their walk, they took their positions in front of the stage.
Kam grinned as he nodded, then mouthed to the sister he’d adopted, I’ve missed you.
Catch up later, E-A mouthed back, then leaned her head to point down the aisle.
Viv stepped out from behind the partition.
Half a second later, Kam couldn’t contain his tears.
Andrew Lancaster wore an emotional and proud smile as he walked his daughter down the aisle. His expression changed to a gaping mouth.
Far beyond the trellis setup, a herd of long-necked apatosauruses strode along the top of a low hill. Their bellows intermingled with the dinosaur-themed wedding march, giving everyone attending a surreal moment of glee and astonishment.
“Keep walking, Dad.” Viv gave him a little pull, and he obliged.
“This is…” It took Andrew a second to find his breath. “…amazing.”
Arriving at the stage, Viv received a kiss on the cheek from her father, then stood beside the man she’d loved for so long.
Kam shook hands with his soon-to-be father-in-law, then locked eyes with his stunning bride, and whispered, “Vivienne, you look… There’s no words.”
She raised her shoulders as she grinned. “You look quite handsome. And I can’t believe we’re doing this here.”
“What can I say?” He smirked. “We needed a wedding of prehistoric proportions.”
Sebastian made his way up on stage, and took his place behind the podium. “Welcome, everyone. Today we’re gathered to celebrate and witness the marriage of Kamren Eckhardt, and Vivienne Lancaster….”
“I’VE GOT a pair of dryosaurus, half a dozen gastonia infants, and one majungasaurus on the docket for tomorrow so far.” Sebastian reported over his spacetime-integrated phone. Late in the evening, the light from his laptop had been his only light source.
“Sounds good, Seb.” Emily-Ann Lewis responded from the prehistoric past. “Hear that dad? We have some young gastonias on the way.”
Theo stood a few feet away and snapped a picture of an archaeopteryx family up in a tree. “Really? Maybe we can introduce them to the heard we found.”
Sebastian could hear the distant voice of the scientist, then spoke to E-A. “Your father’s still loving it out there, eh?”
E-A laughed. “He’s in his glory. And honestly, I feel like I finally have a refreshing and rewarding purpose in life.”
Smiling at her candid words, Sebastian nodded. “And thank you again for helping me out with relocating these creatures to their proper time.” His stomach growled, reminding him that he’d skipped dinner to keep working. “Oh, and if you ever want me to send back a pizza or anyth—”
ZZEU-BWOM!
Ominous blueish-white light lit up a corner of Sebastian’s office for a second.
E-A groaned as her tastebuds recalled delicious flavours. “Pizza sounds grea—”
Hanging up, Sebastian sprang up and off his chair.
An outline of a person stood in the room’s corner.
Backing up toward the light switch, Sebastian pointed. “Who… Who are y—”
“You’re Sebastian Sharpe, correct?”
Sebastian placed his hand over the switch beside the office door. “Who’s asking?”
Click.
The light in the middle of the ceiling turned on.
A man in a black tactical suit and blond hair remained where he’d arrived. “Do you have any idea of the kind of power you’re in control of?”
“I have an idea, yeah.” Absolutely dumbfounded, it occurred to Sebastian that the man had teleported into his home by an unfamiliar source. “Wait, did you use my satellite?”
“Not exactly.” The mystery man slipped off his high-tech goggles as he stepped forward. “My name is Brett Gallagher. I need your help returning someone to their home planet.”
An overwhelming buzzing struck Sebastian’s comprehension. “Did you just say…planet?”
You better not have time traveled to the end of this book and read the ending first, (I’m looking at you, Dad) but if you enjoyed this book, please take a moment to give it a review!
THE ULTIMATE AGENT SERIES
The Ultimate Agent – Book 1
The Helios Files – UA Classified Anthology
The Ultimate Agent – Book 2
The Ultimate Agent – Book 3
DINO-RIFT
* * *
Side Note:
There are subtle ties to the Ultimate Agent universe within Dino-Rift and SauraCorps: Salvation.
As per usual, the first acknowledgements always go to my wife. This book might as well also have your name attached to the front cover. For the number of times you’ve sat there as I stared at you trying to come up with a word, you still accept me as your husband, and I’m more than grateful.
To my lovely editor, R. A. Milhoan, is it possible to keep having so much fun working on a book together? I submit, yes. You’re such an integral part of the process because you’re not just my editor, you’re an awesome friend!
To my cover artist, Molly Phipps at We Got You Covered, even though this sequel wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place...you made it so these two books in the series look FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC with a side of EPICALLY AWESOMENESS side by side…I want to cry because they’re so gorgeous!
To my Betas Lisa, Amanda, Cassie, Jo, Lisa, Stacy, and newcomers Julia, Jenaiya, and Shannon, you’re an incredible team that knows how to tell it like it is, and each and every one of you keep helping me to shape these books into the best versions of themselves.
To my fellow authors and readers, my bookish family, and those that screamed for more in the Dino-Rift world…THANK YOU for pushing me to do this, because this book was a BLAST from the past to write!
Be someone’s hero, don’t take time for granted, and keep moving forward.
DEREK
DEREK BORNE is a Canadian author who lives in “the prettiest town in Ontario” with his wife and moody bearded dragon, Ziggy. Always telling stories since a young age, he first wrote The Ultimate Agent at fourteen, and kept writing as a hobby over the years until finally publishing. When he isn’t writing, he’s selling olive oil and balsamics, watching hockey, and waiting for the next superhero movie to come out.
