Infinity's Gateway, page 32
“Yes sir,” said Hatfield.
MacKay rushed back to the windows and picked up his binoculars. He got them focused in time to see the three boats being pulled up through the surf. He breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the first half of the mission had gone without incident. “Sir, Dr. Brennan is here to see you,” said Gallo.
“Thank you for getting here so quickly, Doctor,” said MacKay.
“I was already nearby, but still, if it hadn’t been for the young marine who guided me up here, I’d be lost and wandering around somewhere,” said Dr. Brennan. “We’ve been on this ship for weeks and I still haven’t gotten the hang of the place.”
MacKay guided him over to Hatfield. “In addition to the dinosaur that attacked us yesterday, you were telling Seaman Hatfield of another creature to be on the lookout for.”
“Yes,” said Dr. Brennan, “they’re called mosasaurs, very dangerous.”
“We possibly have two of these mosasaurs approaching the Eclipse. What do you make of this?”
Dr. Brennen leaned over and stared at the screen. Hatfield directed his attention to the two bogies he’d been following. “Sir, they’re still about three quarters of a mile out, but they’re no longer heading directly at us. They seem to be staying in this general area,” said Hatfield.
“Your thoughts, Dr. Brennan?” said MacKay. “Could they be the mosasaurs you warned Hatfield about?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so, that could very well be them,” said Dr. Brennan. “Please understand, I’m basing my conclusion strictly on their size. Back in the late Cretaceous period there weren’t too many things swimming around that were as big as they were.”
“We’re getting ready to bring that team back from the beach,” said MacKay. “The boats they’ll be using will make a fair amount of noise. This will end up sending out some very different vibrations through the water, vibrations I’m sure they’re not used to. In your opinion, will that draw their attention towards us, or send them away?”
“Captain, I think you already know the answer to that,” said Dr. Brennan. “None of us can say for sure what they’ll do, but my guess is yes, that’ll draw them in. They wouldn’t run from guns. I doubt they’ll run from anything. The vibrations from the three boats will be different but may even signal to them an animal dying in the water. A struggling animal typically means an easy kill.”
MacKay nodded. “That’s what I was afraid of. Do you have any feel for how fast they can move?”
Brennan walked over and looked out towards the beach. “If you’re asking me if those two mosasaurs can get here in time to intercept our boats coming back from the beach, it won’t even be a contest. I can even tell you how they’ll attack. Mosasaurs had elongated, cylindrical snouts. Like dolphins in our world, mosasaurs likely used their snouts to ram their prey. Put some speed behind twenty-five to thirty thousand pounds of dinosaur and you’ve got a very destructive predator on your hands.”
“That’ll break those boats in half,” said MacKay, his voice low, almost inaudible.
“Whatever’s left, and doesn’t immediately sink, the mosasaurs will go after with their teeth,” said Dr. Brennan. “They had massive, conical teeth and they’ll bite into anything and drag it down. Captain, if you try to bring back that team with those things around, I don’t believe that it will end well.”
MacKay picked up the radio to call Colton. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say to him. The memory of the two marines being attacked by that sea monster yesterday was still too fresh in his mind. As bad as that had been, this would be even worse. “Colton, MacKay here.”
“Colton here. We’re nearly finished loading the boats and should be shoving off in the next few minutes.”
“We have a problem,” said MacKay. “We may not be able to bring you back to the ship right away.”
Colton didn’t respond immediately. MacKay found Colton with his binoculars and saw that he was walking away from his team, making sure that he was out of earshot. “What’s the problem, Captain?”
“You’re not going to believe this, but here goes,” said MacKay. He quickly told Colton all that Dr. Brennan had told them. He then told him that there may be two huge mosasaurs just under a mile away. “We really have no way of confirming this, one way or the other, but it’s a risk I’m not sure we can take. We have no solid defense against them. I know all of this sounds crazy, but that’s what we’re up against.”
“Captain, we are so far beyond crazy at this point that I’ve given up worrying about it,” said Colton. “The problem is that we have some wounded men that need Dr. Severin’s attention and can’t wait much longer. Plus, we don’t know how long our escort is going to stick around, and they’re the only thing keeping the land-based predators at bay.”
“Commander, I understand, but if Dr. Brennan is right, then bringing you back right now would be tantamount to suicide,” said MacKay. “We just can’t do it.”
The radio went silent and MacKay watched Colton. He watched as he started to pace back and forth on the sand, probably trying to figure out how he would break this news to his team. Then he stopped and looked out at the Eclipse. “Captain, I have an idea. It’s not a great idea, but it’s the only thing I can think of.”
Mercer had just returned to the bridge and MacKay motioned for him to join him. “Mr. Mercer is here with me,” said MacKay. “Please tell us what you have in mind.”
“When our planes have missiles fired at them, one of the ways in which they defend themselves is by using flares and chaff. It distracts the missile from its original target,” explained Colton.
“I’ve served on two aircraft carriers, Colton, I know how it works,” said MacKay. “Get to the point.”
“In the event that those things do start to come at us, we’ll deploy our own chaff,” said Colton. “We’ve still got a few grenades and will start dropping them in our wake as we go. They’ll kill all kinds of fish and hopefully the blood, along with the various fish parts, will draw them away from us.”
MacKay spun around and looked at Dr. Brennan, raising an eyebrow, asking the unspoken question. “I doubt that would work, but then the combination of the blood, the guts, and the blasts just may do the trick. However, and there’s no two ways about this, they’re still going to be taking a terrible gamble,” said Dr. Brennan.
“Hatfield, have the mosasaurs moved in any closer to us?” asked MacKay.
“No sir, in fact they’ve moved away some, putting a little more distance between us,” answered Hatfield.
MacKay glared across the water at Colton for a couple of moments. Then, shaking his head, hit the button on the radio and said, “It’s not that great of an idea, Colton, but considering the alternatives, I’m afraid it’s all we have.”
“We’ll be shoving off within five minutes,” said Colton.
“Commander, bring our people home,” said MacKay. “Godspeed.”
“I can’t tell if he’s just desperate or completely nuts,” said Mercer. “Of course, in a crazy world only nutty people are sane.”
“Mr. Mercer, once they push off, get two of our fifty-caliber guns trained on either side of them. Those beasts will have to come close to the surface to hit our boats. Maybe we’ll get lucky,” said MacKay.
MacKay turned and looked at Father Ryan. “Well Father, we’re doing all we can do, but it looks like we’re going to come up short. It’d be nice to hear from your boss right about now.”
Father Ryan nodded and bowed his head in prayer.
Colton quickly briefed Garrett and Corporal Lee, not holding anything back. He wanted to make sure they understood the risk they were about to take. Both nodded their agreement, then split up, each getting into a different boat. The team pushed off, and they were soon out of the shallow water and on their way towards the Eclipse. Initially, as expected, their progress was frustratingly slow as the never-ending line of waves heading towards the beach served to push them back.
“Hatfield?” shouted MacKay.
The young seaman’s face was covered with sweat. “I’m not sure, Captain. They’ve stopped moving away from us, but they seem to be staying in place.”
Mercer went over to stand by Hatfield. He knew this would put even more pressure on the young sailor, but he felt that a second set of eyes was needed. “You’re doing good, Hatfield. Just stay on it.”
The three boats were staying as close together as possible. This had been Garrett’s idea. She hoped that by doing this, they might appear bigger than they really were. Colton didn’t say anything but didn’t really think it would make much of a difference. But then, in fairness, he wasn’t all that confident that his plan would work any better.
“Give me a freaking break!” exclaimed Hatfield. Not the kind of language one was supposed to use while on the bridge, but his emotions got the better of him.
“Sir, here they come,” said Mercer. “And they’re making pretty good speed.”
“When do you expect them to intercept our boats?” asked MacKay.
Mercer studied the screen for a couple of moments. The bridge had gone completely silent. “At the rate they’re closing in, they should hit Colton’s team when they’re about halfway here.”
“Colton, this is MacKay. The mosasaurs are headed your way.” Colton didn’t respond. “Colton, did you get that?”
“With the boats being as close together as they are, he probably can’t hear you,” said Mercer. “I’ll have the gunners standing by.”
Everyone on the bridge was doing the best they could to prepare themselves for what was about to happen. As close as they were, they knew there was nothing they could do. Every heart beat like a hammer, every face pale.
“Sir,” said Hatfield, “I don’t know if this is a good thing or not, but that craft that had been hovering over Colton and his team is now moving towards us.”
“Just what we need,” muttered MacKay under his breath. “How fast are they approaching?”
Hatfield stared at the screen. He was trying to pull together an answer for the captain, but the mosasaurs kept distracting him, as they appeared to have increased their speed. At the rate they were moving they’d be on top of those boats in just a few minutes.
“Hatfield!” shouted MacKay. “The craft, how fast is it approaching us?”
Gallo quickly moved over to help Hatfield, but it wasn’t necessary. “I’m not sure that it is,” said Hatfield. “It appears to be keeping pace with our boats. It’s just staying over them.”
Father Ryan grabbed MacKay’s arm. “Look,” he said, his voice almost a whisper. “What is happening out there?”
The top of the egg-shaped craft was still emitting the blindingly bright light. Although they couldn’t get a clear look at the craft without damaging their eyes, they too were able to catch brief glimpses of what appeared to be a large, multifaceted object rotating inside it. As Hatfield had said, the craft was staying with the boats as they continued to approach the Eclipse.
MacKay was about to say something to Father Ryan when a cone-shaped beam of pure, white light shot down from the craft, completely encasing the three boats. Then the light started to grow in strength to a point where the crew on the Eclipse could no longer see Colton or his team.
At that moment, several alarms went off on the bridge. “Sir, Argos has targeted the craft and our systems are preparing to open fire,” shouted Gallo.
Grabbing for the phone, MacKay quickly got Sahir on the line. “What in the hell is going on down there? Argos has just repositioned our guns, targeting that craft!”
“Yes sir, I know,” said Sahir. “The energy levels from that thing just spiked off the charts and it’s heading directly towards us.”
“No one is to fire on that craft, not with it being on top of our people. I don’t care if you have to shoot that overrated machine, disengage Argos immediately. Is that order clear enough for you?”
“Yes sir, I’m on it.”
“Sir,” said Hatfield, “you’ve got to see this.”
MacKay, dropping the phone, raced over to Hatfield’s side and looked down at the screen he was pointing to. “What is it?” asked MacKay. He couldn’t even begin to guess at how things could get much worse.
“They’re leaving,” said Hatfield. “The mosasaurs, I don’t get it, but they’re moving away from us! And that’s not all. Look at this monitor. Everything is moving away, there’s practically nothing swimming around below us. How is that possible?”
“What do you mean there’s nothing below us?” said MacKay.
“Sir, from the moment we arrived, the waters here have been teeming with marine life,” said Hatfield. “It’s been a constant, night or day. But look at it now. There’s literally nothing moving down there. What could have happened? Why did everything suddenly swim away?”
MacKay turned and rushed back to the windows. Everyone on the bridge had put on sunglasses, but they weren’t nearly strong enough to block out the sun like light from the craft. As the light got closer, MacKay noticed that the tension that had filled his whole body seemed to be draining away. He felt calm when not ten seconds ago his nerves had been on fire.
The craft was now hovering just off the port side of the ship. MacKay knew he should be taking action, but the fear, the urgency to respond, had left him. Everyone on the bridge continued to stare at the strange craft, but no one moved. After about two minutes the craft moved away from the Eclipse, heading back to shore.
Petty Officer Briggs said,” Sir, our boats are back, and our people are all on board. You’re wanted in sick bay.”
MacKay looked around the bridge. It was clear that his men had experienced the same strange transition from mind-numbing fear to an impossible state of calm. “Mr. Mercer, you have the bridge,” said MacKay, pulling himself together. As he started out the door he caught sight of Father Ryan. The man was smiling while tears streamed down his face.
CHAPTER 24
The four days since Colton and his team had miraculously emerged from the jungle had passed quickly. Unfortunately, seven of the marines that had been with him were still in sick bay, three in serious condition. Dr. Severin, although intrigued by the gel they’d brought back, had at first been reluctant to use it. Due to Colton and Payne’s urging, he tried it out on a couple of smaller injuries. He too was stunned by its healing properties. Sahir’s people were still analyzing a portion of the gel.
Private Lockridge was one of the three men in critical condition, and everything that could be done to save him was being done. His prognosis had not really improved, and things were still touch-and-go. Considering the severity of his injuries, it was amazing he’d made it back to the ship.
On the other hand, the loss of Private Blake had been hard for Colton’s team, and the rest of the crew mourned his loss. But despite this tragic loss, the overall morale had greatly improved. Practically everyone on the Eclipse had believed that Colton and his team had perished in the jungle and would never be seen again. Their unexpected return had given the crew something else they’d started to lose, hope. The “angels” were much talked about as well.
MacKay and Colton entered sick bay and found Dr. Severin attending to one of his patients. Captain Garrett was also there, visiting her men. “Doctor, we’re here when you’re ready,” said MacKay.
Looking up from the chart he’d been writing in, Severin smiled at them. “This shouldn’t take too much longer. I’ll meet you in my office.”
MacKay and Colton went to Severin’s office and made themselves comfortable, MacKay getting yet another cup of coffee. “Just how much of that stuff do you pour into your system on a daily basis?” asked Colton.
“As much as I need,” said MacKay, sitting down.
“You need to switch to tea,” said Colton. “You’ll like it, and it’s far better for you in so many ways.”
“There are times when I need that little boost of energy that coffee gives me,” said MacKay. “Tea doesn’t do that.”
“Don’t tell that to the British,” said Colton. “They built an entire empire by drinking tea. Black tea, green tea, there’s all kinds of varieties and I assure you, if it’s a caffeine boost you’re interested in, there are plenty of teas out there that pack a punch.”
“So, then what’s the difference?” asked MacKay. “Caffeine is caffeine.”
“No, no, no,” said Colton. “Obviously, there’s a great deal that I need to teach you about the benefits of tea, from cleaning out the arteries to fighting cancer-causing agents, and that’s just the beginning. Hezekiah has a whole cabinet of teas in the officer’s mess. I’ll have him talk with you.”
“Lectures on the health benefits of tea are not something I need, or want, at the moment,” said MacKay.
There was a knock on the door and Captain Garrett walked in. “May I join you?”
“Of course,” said Colton. “How are the men doing?”
“Better, but I’m still not clear on what made them so sick,” said Garrett. “Every single one of us got banged up pretty good, but something really did a number on those men out there.”
“Well, Dr. Severin called and asked that Mr. Colton and I join him in sick bay,” said MacKay. “He said he finally has some answers for us.”
As they waited for Dr. Severin, Colton thought back over the last four days and what MacKay had just said. Answers, precious answers, were what they had all been searching for, what they had been craving. Ever since they’d arrived in this lonely and terrifying land, the number of unanswered questions continued to pile up, hour after hour. Other than themselves, there had been no one to turn to. It had been maddening. The absolute uncertainty of it all, facing the complete unknown, day after day, had worn many of them down.
Once back on ship, as soon as Colton and Garrett had been checked from head to toe and cleared for duty by Dr. Severin, the debriefings had begun. For the next two days Colton, Garrett, and Corporal Lee joined Captain MacKay, Mr. Mercer, and various other crew members and discussed, in detail, all that had occurred. The crew was as eager to learn what had happened to them in the jungle as they were interested in all that the Eclipse had gone through.
