The wagon rolls recklessly through the savanna. Aurarius rides alongside, while Laurel keeps his eyes peeled for any predators.
"Remember, if you see any animals, do not harm them!" Indy calls from the driver's seat. "Just get them out of the way as fast as you can by any means necessary!"
A flock of flamingos degenerate into a chaos of squawking and screeching as they whiz past the waterhole. Hippopotami poke their huge heads out of the water to inspect the noise, and watch the horses gallop along the banks of the creek.
The wagon proceeds through the gateway into Zone B. A narrow bridge crosses the creek, and the wagon slows down to a more cautious pace. Aurarius walks steadily behind it. Laurel peeks down into the creek and sees a number of logs floating on the surface. It is only on closer inspection that he discovers they are in fact aquatic reptilian creatures with long snouts and narrow slits for eyes. Doubtless they are as dangerous as they look, so Laurel monitors their movements closely.
The journey progresses beyond the bridge and the wagon starts to speed up again. They snake through the grass effortlessly and the mission appears to be going well.
"Laurel! I would recommend riding ahead to let the guy at Zone A know we're on our way and to open the gate!" Indy instructs him. Laurel obeys and Aurarius accelerates towards the gate.
A man sticks his head out of the window, chewing a piece of grass. "How can I help you, Recruit?"
"Officer, we need you to open the gate to Zone A." Laurel explains. "We've got a poisoned antelope coming through in the back of a wagon which needs urgent treatment from Dr Mizumi."
"Code Yellow." the guard nods and disappears back inside. "Got it."
The gate swings open. Laurel salutes his thanks and turns to see the whereabouts of the wagon. To his horror, Indy's horse is under attack by a large spotted cat. Aurarius gallops over as fast as he can to tend to the situation.
"Hey! Hey!" Laurel shouts from the saddle. "Leave that horse alone!"
"It's not the horse it wants!" Indy calls. "It's a distraction!"
Laurel struggles to understand until he is alarmed by the sound of shrieking from the back of the wagon. Another cat has leaped onto the back door, brought by the scent of antelope blood.
"Back, kitty, back!" Borges yells desperately as he tries to protect their cargo.
Give it up, chubs! the cat growls. This catch is mine now!
"Aurarius!" Laurel commands his steed. "Bite its tail!"
Do what?! Aurarius says in disbelief.
"I said bite its tail!"
Aurarius sighs and runs to the back of the moving wagon. He leans forward with his teeth and nips the cat on the tail. The cat wails and falls off the back, rolling wildly into the grass. As it gets back on its feet, it locks eyes with Aurarius and hisses.
Now you've done it.
"Get the antelope to Zone A!" Laurel calls to Indy. "I'll handle these guys!"
The cat pounces. Aurarius rears in panic, almost sending his rider flying off the saddle. Laurel holds on for dear life as they engage in a fierce chase around the savanna. They soon find that Aurarius is no match for the astonishing speed of the slender spotted cat.
Laurel! Help!
"Don't panic! We've got this!"
The cat pounces again, this time catching the horse's flank with its claws. Aurarius whinnies as it sinks its teeth into his rear. Laurel instinctively pulls a bottle of water from his backpack and unscrews the lid with speed. He throws the water into the cat's eyes so that it hisses and recoils.
This isn't over, human! the spotted cat spits. You robbed me of a well-deserved meal! There will be consequences! You can't cheat a Cheetah!
It scowls angrily before sprinting away into the grass, vanishing from view. Laurel screws the lid back onto his bottle and pats Aurarius with pride.
I'm never doing that again! Aurarius replies, still shaken by the ordeal. I could have been cat-food!
"Don't be ridiculous! That cat didn't stand a chance against the dream-team!" Laurel laughs and rubs his mane. He glances up and sees that the wagon has long gone. Time to return to his original post and wait for news on the mission's success.
