After Armageddon, sequel to Armageddon
Rating: PG/Teen for adult situations, language, and violence
Spoilers: Series 5
Description: Surviving the events of Armageddon was one thing, now the ARC members have to deal with life in a world where the anomalies and creatures are out in the open.
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters
Author's note: May want to read Armageddon first. It was a darker story for me, with violence and suspense. I don't think this will be as intense, but it is not my usual, light hearted story. The main characters are Becker/Jess, with the other main characters from season 5.
Edit note: I got hyaenodon confused with bear dogs. The part with the creature in Chapters 1 and 2 have been edited to make the hyaenodon a bear dog, that was my original intention anyway.
After Armageddon, Chapter One
"You know what? It's harder to track a creature when the streets are covered with dust, wreckage, and left over carnage. Ew."
"Thank you, Connor," said Abby.
"That was a very somber statement, Connor," said Emily, "but it is true."
"You should write a blog: Connor's Tips for Hunting after Armageddon," said Jess.
"I should."
"Where's the creature?" asked Matt.
"Sorry Matt. I don't have a specific location. Cameras across the city are still down, some work so-so, some not at all. Unfortunately, the ones that work well aren't much help," said Jess. "I have lots of radio chatter about sightings, but it's mostly panic. There isn't much useful information."
"Another side effect of Armageddon," said Connor.
"Stop calling it that," said Abby.
Becker scoffed. "What should he call multiple creature attacks, future predator infestation, widespread damage, and heavy death tolls, Abigail?"
"Now I'm worried, Action Man agrees with me."
Becker smiled. "Another side effect, the scariest one," he said.
Connor laughed.
"Anything now, Jess?" asked Matt.
"Nothing definitive, but the panic seems concentrated in East Dulwich. How are you reading me, by the way?" she asked.
"Loud and clear," said Becker. "We need to buy the engineering blokes a round."
"That's generous of you," said Connor.
"Maybe that's another side effect, a kinder, gentler Becker," said Abby.
Everyone scoffed and laughed heartily.
"Take it back, Abigail," growled Becker. She laughed.
"Let us hope the ADD readings are as strong as the comms," said Emily.
"They seem to be," said Connor.
"OK, I'm now getting multiple sightings around the Dulwich Library and the Dulwich Plough pub."
"Might not be the creature though," said Matt. "Might be the drinks."
"I wouldn't mind if this thing turned out to be some drunken hallucination," said Abby.
"Not much hope of that," said Jess. "I'm getting descriptions now that are sounding similar. Some are saying it's a large cat, incredibly fast and ferocious."
"Smilodon?" asked Connor.
"I do not care for them," said Emily.
"Me either," said Becker.
"They're magnificent creatures," said Abby, "but yeah, not so much fun to catch."
"Still no pictures of the creature?" asked Matt.
"Afraid not," said Jess.
Becker's men held up. One of them trained his gun on something. There was a commotion.
"Drop your weapon!" he screamed.
"Drop yours!" said a voice.
"Drop it!"
"Drop it!"
The men and the team surrounded a figure outside a small house.
"What's going on?"
"Hold on, Jess," said Connor.
A disheveled man, staggering somewhat, still fought with the men. "What the hell? There's one of those monsters loose!" he cried.
"And instead of chasing it, we're disarming you!" screamed Becker. He sent his men on ahead.
"How did you get this gun?" asked Matt, holding an EMD taken from the man.
"I ain't telling you nothin!"
"He found it," said a young voice. "The day the monsters came."
The team turned and shined their torches, illuminating four kids.
"What are you doing out here?" asked Connor, "It's nearly midnight."
"Daddy said to come watch him take down the monster."
"Are you mental?" Connor asked the man.
"You wanted your kids close to a creature?"
"He's drunk," said Matt. "Been hitting the pub a little hard?"
"That is shameful. You have children to care for," said Emily.
"Mind your own business, darling," sneered the drunk.
"Mind your manners, pal," said Becker.
"The children should be in bed, certainly not outside during a creature incursion," said Emily.
"Don't tell me how to raise my kids! I'm their father!" He staggered as he screamed.
"Poor kids," muttered Connor.
"Get inside guys," said a second man. He ushered them all in, but they kept watch from the window.
"Great, another loaded idiot," said Becker.
"He's just worried about his family," said the second man, carrying a rifle. "That thing was...monstrous."
"You saw it? Describe it, carefully," said Matt.
"Looked like a large cat but bulkier. It had large, sharp teeth."
"Were the teeth hanging down, over it's mouth?" asked Connor.
The man shook his head.
Abby looked at Connor. "Doesn't sound like a smilodon."
"No, it doesn't," he agreed.
"Look at you," said the drunken man. "You're the experts? You're all standing around, talking. Don't worry, I'll get the monster for you," he said with bravado, then he grabbed the rifle from his friend.
"Dude, all you're going to get is shot," said Connor.
"Or you'll shoot someone else," said Matt.
"We don't have time for this!" cried Becker. "Jess, call the police."
"I already did. They're as spread thin as us."
"Come inside, Al," said the drunk's friend.
"No way! I aint lettin that monster get away. It's head's gonna be on my wall."
Becker cursed. "Why are we messing with this nut?"
"Cause he's armed and dangerous," said Matt.
"Daddy, get the monster," said a voice through the window.
"Sure will, son."
Matt groaned. "Look, you're better off inside, taking care of your kids. We'll handle the creature."
He snorted. "You lot are too pretty," he said, laughing.
Becker's face turned red. "I've had it." Emily put a restraining hand on his arm. She nodded at the kids watching.
Becker groaned and took a step back.
Matt moved toward the drunk. "Leave it to the professionals, Mate," he said.
"Where the hell were you when those monsters tore through the city?" he cried with a snort.
"We were trapped inside the..."
"Don't Connor," said Becker, seriously angry. "We don't have to explain."
Matt, losing patience, said through clenched teeth, "We lost more than half our people then. We did our jobs, just like now. Get inside."
The man glared menacingly at him. "I have a right to protect my family and property."
"You do, but not this way," said Matt. "You don't know what you're dealing with."
Becker looked at the children. "Do you really want to leave them without a father?" he asked.
"I'm no newbie with a gun. I can handle myself."
His pal said, "We've brought down plenty of large game."
Connor scoffed. "These are unlike any animals you've hunted. They're unlike anything alive today."
"Look, we don't have time for this, get inside!" yelled Becker.
"Or what?"
Becker smiled.
"Becker, don't," said Connor.
"Yeah, don't," sneered the man. He ignored Becker's warnings, and started to walk, uh, stagger, after Becker's men.
"I warned him," he said, and he aimed his EMD.
"Becker..." said Matt.
"Don't shoot my daddy!" cried one of the kids, running through the door, the others were behind him, all screaming and crying.
Becker sighed, silently cursed, and lowered his gun.
"Of course not," said Becker to the frightened child. "It's not safe out here, get inside," he said gently.
Connor rounded up the kids. He ushered them inside saying, "Who likes Harry Potter?" Soon he had a lively debate about Hogwarts going on inside the house.
Matt looked at the other man. "You know, if he really cared about his kids, he'd be in there, not out here following the creature."
The man's eyes darted toward the kids.
"Be a better man than your mate," said Matt gently.
The second man hesitated than looked at Becker. "You'll get that thing?"
Becker nodded.
"Alright, I'll stay with the kids."
"Keep a radio or tv turned to the emergency frequency, just in case," said Matt.
The man nodded. He went in the house, and talked with the scared kids, holding a couple of them.
Connor came out a few moments later. "They'll be OK."
"Now someone responsible is with them," said Matt.
"Semi-responsible," said Becker.
"He chose the kids, Mate."
Becker sighed. "Their dad is coming back in a body bag, you know."
"Let's keep that from happening," said Matt.
"I still might shoot that idiot," said Becker.
"I might let you," said Matt.
Becker nodded, and the team ran to catch up to Becker's men.
End of Chapter One