Taylor straightened from the bamboo railing on the balcony directly outside his office. The absence of a breeze had left the heat from the compound below hanging stagnant in the afternoon air. It was as if molten rock from the earths core had edged its way from the bowels of hell and waited restlessly inches from the surface. Taylor found the humidity stifling and shifted uncomfortably, pulling at the neck of his T-shirt. He'd left the others inside still studying the weather charts.
"Climatology. Area Forecasts. Anomalous system predictions... " He'd shaken his head at the technical jargon. He was a soldier not a meteorologist. His job was caring for all the other men, women and children who lived within the bounds of this compound. All he needed to know was that some mother of a storm was barrelling its way towards them with the speed of a freight train.
He'd given orders to bring everyone back into the compound and to prepare for the onslaught. He sighed as he looked down on the scurrying humanity below. The storm was not due until later that evening but preparations were well under way. To the north end of the courtyard soldiers secured vehicles, parking the rovers and taking bikes into the shelters. As he watched a woman approached one young man. He was no more than a boy, a new recruit. Taylor had remembered his eager enthusiasm. The soldier seemed ill at ease with the conversation and momentarily glanced in Taylor's direction only to look quickly away as if finding his C.O.'s attention unnerving. Curiosity piqued, Taylor strolled down the staircase and crossed towards them.
She was maybe in her early forties, blond hair wispy around her pale features. She was slight in build but looked agile and, he noted, was pleasantly shaped. A bike stood propped against the side of a storage shed and the woman ran an appreciative hand across the tank.
"I have to store it, Ma'am." A young soldier appeared unsure how to deal with the woman. "We're calling everyone back inside the gates. Storm brewing."
She looked up at the pristine blue sky. "Really? There's not a cloud in sight."
"Orders."
"Orders from whom?" She asked.
"Commander Taylor, Ma'am."
"Do you always have to get permission from Commander Taylor?" She frowned but her eyes were lit.
"Yes, Ma'am," the young man answered seriously.
"Don't suppose you'd accept a note from my mother," she smiled then, teasing.
"Sorry Ma'am." The young man glanced nervously at the approaching Commander.
"So our intrepid leader is the only one who can give permission," she said. "Bit dictatorial isn't it? What if I went without permission?"
"Wouldn't advise it." Taylor growled from behind.
The soldier came to attention, "Sir."
"I have this, son. Take a break."
The woman turned with a smile, resting sparkling eyes on Taylor. He was surprised by her lack of embarrassment in being caught in such blatant rudeness and tilted his head to one side as he studier her closer.
"Apparently," she began with a playful smile, " I have to get permission from Commander Taylor to take this bike out. I don't know about you, but I think that's a bit much. You'd think he'd have something better to do with his time. Surely he doesn't have to vet every excursion. I mean, I'll only be gone a little while." There was absolutely no recognition in her eyes. Taylor realized she had no clue who she was talking to.
"I haven't seen you around." He crossed his arms and pinned her with an intimidating glare. "Did you come in with the Eleventh Pilgrimage?"
"Er..yes..." Her smile waned a little.
"You weren't at the orientation?"
"No, I was in the infirmary. Got caught in an explosive blast."
"You hurt?" His eyes scanned her body and she shifted nervously under his gaze.
"A concussion. Some gaps in my memory. Doctor Shannon says the amnesia will wear off eventually. It can be a bit confusing."
He relaxed his stance. This was the explanation. His face softened as he came to stand beside her. She turned to look out across the vast greenery of the countryside. A soft breeze had come up and gently swayed emerald branches of distant trees. Still no clouds marred the azure blue sky
"He sounds like a bit of a tyrant our Commander," she added conspiratorially. "I don't suppose many people are brave enough to disobey him." She looked up with a half smile.
"Oh, you'd be surprised."
"You don't suppose..." She indicated the open gate.
"There's a storm brewing."
"It's a beautiful day," she argued. "If someone came with me..." Her eyes danced with mischief.
"And what about permission?" His deep voice growled a warning.
"I wont tell if you don't." She grinned and he shook his head in disbelief.
"Are you always this much trouble?"
"It's OK ," She quickly glanced back and smiled her most winning smile. "I have a note from my Mother and anyway, we can be back before the storm hits."
"WE can?" He narrowed his eyes and studied her for a moment. His pause spurred her into action and she straddled the bike, gunned the machine forward and with a backward wave shot through the gates. Taylor, caught off guard, sprinted for the other vehicle and spinning his tires sped through the gate and after his quarry.
He watched her lithe form as she sped ahead of him. For a moment she throttled back and looked over her shoulder, but once she'd established the pursuit, her bike roared louder and kicking up pebbles she shot onto the dirt track. She handled the bike well, cutting and sliding into the turns. She was fast and Taylor had to inch up the throttle to keep pace. Her machine bucked and jerked, its wheels biting into the rough terrain, skidding on the scree, pitching and growling. She seemed to ride the powerful beast with an exhilarated delight, racing ahead of him. She gunned her bike into the trail head and grinned as she manoeuvred the tight twists and turns of the track. The roar of his bike seemed to spur her onward but he had seen the danger and gunned his vehicle over a small ledge and cut her off at the top of the hill. His manoeuvre startled her and her bike skidded sideways into the dust spitting up small rocks as she slid to an abrupt stop. Her bike righted itself and she remained on board. He was impressed despite his annoyance..
"What the hell!" Her eyes were wide.
A roar echoed up from the tree line about half a mile ahead.
"Slashers," He nodded toward the thick bush. "You were about to drive into them."
"Oh!" She watched the bushes rustle in the distance before turning her gaze back. Taylor was watching her closely his brows knitted together in a frown.
"Sorry," she tried an apologetic smile.
He took the pistol from its holster and she watched him as with furrowed brow he checked the chamber and stared toward the rustling flora.
"You took off before I could get myself properly armed. Not a smart move, Lady. Do you have a death wish?"
He dismounted, dusted the dirt from his pants and went to lean against a nearby tree. He re-holstered the weapon and pulling off his gloves he gave her an oblique look.
"Maybe we should head back." She looked again toward the distant trees.
"Would have been better not to have come out at all. What would you have done out here on your own. You haven't had any survival training, haven't even been to orientation."
"I would have turned back if you hadn't followed me." She moved closer to him suddenly aware of the dangers.
"You wouldn't last five minutes out here on your own." He straightened and glanced out across the endless sky.
"I'm surprised anyone can last out here." she said and shuddered as if the beauty of the place had taken on a sinister and malevolent presence.
"Oh, some do."
"Who would want to."
"Sixers."
"Who."
"Folks who came in on the sixth pilgrimage. Had their own agenda. And a few who've got themselves banished from Terra Nova."
"Banished? Why would they get banished?
"You wouldn't want murderers walking around. Fortunately most of the folks in Terra Nova are honest hardworking people glad of the opportunity to live a better life."
"Still I don't like the idea of feeding them to dinosaurs. Is that a directive from Commander Taylor?"
"Well, we could always have 'em shot!" He threw out the last barb and she flinched.
"I don't think I like your Commander Taylor much"
He shrugged and gave a half laugh.
"Do you like him?"
"Not always."
"Are you going to get into trouble for leaving the compound?" A worried line ran across her face.
He gave her a wry smile. "One or two won't be too pleased but don't worry about me. But what about you. I thought I knew everyone in Terra Nova. The Eleventh got here, what four weeks ago. Where have you been hiding yourself? I know you haven't been in the infirmary all that time."
She turned from him and he caught the sense that she was wary, uncomfortable and wondered why. She walked to the top of the small hill and looked out across the waves of green that stretched into the distance. Up here it was airless and in the valleys a heat haze arose from around the trees giving them a mirage like quality. Her features relaxed as she stood silently drinking in the opulent primeval forest that surrounded them and then she turned and the teasing smile was back on her face. He felt it was an evasive tact but followed her movements as she parked herself on a fallen log.
"What are you then?" She raised her eyes to challenge him. "Some sort of official greeter? Is that what they do with the senior citizens in Terra Nova?"
Her eyes danced with delight and his stabbed at her audacity as he wagged a wary finger at her.
"Mind your manners, Lady. I'm the one with the gun remember."
She continued to laugh and he plonked himself down beside her. Giving her a hip check she landed with a thump in the dirt beside the log.
"I'm sorry," she laughed. "You know what? I never even caught your name."
"Didn't throw it. Yours?"
"Kate." She looked down suddenly sober and began to brush her pants. Taylor watched her wondering at the change in attitude again.
"Something wrong?"
She looked down and slowly shook her head. It was a troubled expression.
"Just some obstacles to overcome." She smiled a little sadly.
"A lot of people have second thoughts when they first arrive. A kind of home sickness. It will pass."
"It's not that simple," she sighed.
"You regret coming?"
"I regret something!" When she saw his frown she continued. "But no, not that...Terra Nova is a dream come true. Who could not want to be here. I just have some...demons to face." She sighed.
"If you need someone to talk to?' He offered.
"Thanks but I'll work it out."
A far distant rumble of thunder floated towards them.
"Storms coming." He noted.
"It's miles away." She shook off the heavy load. "Let's not go back yet."
She climbed to her feet and wandered over to where he sat and rested against the tree beside him.
He looked at her and shook his head.
"If you'd been to the orientation you'd know all about the storms here. They move in very quickly and are very dangerous. Not to mention the local wildlife which would be more than happy to tear you to pieces and feast upon your... body." His eyes raked over her with a male appreciation and she blushed.
"I have you here to protect me?' There was a warmth in her voice again as she looked into his striking blue eyes, but bravado tested, she turned away to scan the treetops. In the west the lofty columns gave way to a small glittering patch and she squinted, trying to make it out. "What's that?"
"Ocean." Taylor lifted his chin to peer into the distance.
"The Ocean? The sea?" She spoke softly almost reverently. "Oh, I've never seen the ocean." She glanced over to her bike and made a move toward it.
"Whoa, Whoa!" Taylor caught her arm. "Not today!"
"Oh!"
"There will be lots of time to see the ocean, but not today. There's one hell of a storm heading this way."
"How far is it? The ocean can't be that far." She placed a pleading hand across his arm. "Just a quick look. Please. I've never seen the ocean."
Taylor was finding it hard to deny this woman anything. Her spirit was intoxicating, her appreciation of nature, her courage and bravado, and her cheek! He found himself shaking his head again in disbelief of his own actions. Where was the tyrannical Commander Taylor now? He nodded approval and headed for his bike but watched her crestfallen as she turned from hers.
"I've got a flat."
"What?"
"Flat tire! Damn!"
"Leave it, someone will get it later. Climb aboard!" He thumbed behind him and with a grin she clambered up onto the pillion and he felt her arms tentatively wrap around his waist. He throttled the engine and they moved through the bush, past opulent ferns, where creatures of nightmares had cut trails through shadowy glens. The air was scented with pines and the aromas seemed more pungent than Taylor had ever experienced. He felt a sense of peace and contentment and slowed incrementally to enjoy it. The trail became narrower and gloomy as light fought through thickening branches of ancient rainforest but suddenly they came out into the open and Taylor heard her intake of breath as he stopped.
She stood on the foot pegs and resting her hands gently on his shoulders to peer over him, exclaimed, "Oh, how beautiful!" Her voice brushed softly against his ear and he felt her lean against him. He turned off the engine and became aware of the rumble of waves rolling onto the rocks below. It was more a feeling than a sound. As if some primeval beast sought to consume the land and was consistently rebuffed by the sentinel shoreline. Wave after wave of futile attacks only served to infuriate this creature from the depths and it appeared to throw larger crescendos onto the cliffs, churning and angry. The erosion would take years but eventually this powerful force would win and they watched the process with awe.
"Thank you," she whispered as she alighted and stepped forward. Further down the coastline the smaller spent wavelets rippled gently onto the beach and still mesmerized by the experience she was obviously unaware how close she had come to the edge. Taylor stepped forward to grip her arm
"Careful."
She turned, but lost her footing on the wet slippery rocks and Taylor pulled her towards him and away from the danger. He became immediately aware of the electricity that sparked between them. Her eyes opened and her lips parted and in one breathtaking moment the whole of the world seemed to stand still until she suddenly stepped back, nervously bringing her hand to her lips.
"You know, I think we'd better be going," She tried to control the wobble in her voice. "I think we should get back to the compound before we're missed. Don't want to upset our intrepid leader!" She added with a nervous laugh.
He looked down, seemed to study the pebbles at his feet, then those eyes came back at her, probing.
"Well, Kate, maybe I should introduce myself." He held out his hand and after a moment she took it gingerly. His fingers tightened around hers like a vice grip. "Nathaniel Taylor, Tyrant, Dictator, Commander of Terra Nova."
Kate yelped and tried to pull free but his grip tightened, a wicked smile played across his lips.
She looked down, panic rising, but heard a rumble of laughter as he slowly released her hand. She shook her head. "Can we please go back to the compound. I need to find a very deep hole to crawl into."
He tipped her chin bringing her reddening face to meet his and in a heart stopping moment he searched her face. The distant rumble of thunder broke the spell and they both turned to watch lightening dance across the far horizon. Reluctantly he walked back to his machine, straddled it and indicated the seat behind him. "Lets go find you that hole." He gave a rumble of laughter.
The gates opened to allow them through and the first splatters of rain began to explode in puffs of dust on the parched ground. He stopped briefly for her to dismount then with a nod, drove the bike across to disappear behind the storage sheds. She didn't wait for him to come back but hurried toward the maze of buildings.
Taylor watched her scurry across the compound and smiled. Strange he hadn't noticed her before. He shook his head, a grumble of laughter in his throat, and headed to his office. It had been unfair to keep her in the dark but he had enjoyed the encounter. He would look out for her.
"Commander," A voice from below stopped him on the stair. "The storm is building. Reports of high winds and hail heading this way. Outpost five has had some damage."
"Better batten down the hatches then Lieutenant," Taylor took the stairs two at a time to reach the landing.
"It's not looking good," Jim Shannon was in the office. "What kind of contingency plan do we have for these storms. I don't think the outer buildings can stand this. What about the homes? "
"Calm down, Shannon. We have plans in place." He opened the computer screen and tapped the images.
"We were looking for you. You went OTG?" Shannon asked.
"Joy ride." Taylor cast a crooked smile. "Lets get down to work."
