Chapter 6
At sunrise, everyone was up and preparing to meet with the Senate concerning the waters off the southwest coast of the island as Brock and Mira were the heads of the committee overlooking that particular sector. At first, Mira was going to leave Kaala and Croco to go through the city, but thought against it as she thought it was important for the dolphinback to learn about the Dinotopian government. They made their way to the Senate chamber, but first they had a free breakfast courtesy of the innkeepers as they knew of their arrival ahead of time. When everyone was ready, they made their way to the chamber as Brock explained to Croco how they govern the island among both humans and saurians.
They entered the building and greetings were exchanged, but the senators had a curious eye on Croco. Many of them had never met a dolphinback fresh from the sea before and they wanted to know about what was going on in the outside world. Croco told them the best he could from about the mid-60's to present days and they were in shock at all the war and violence in his revelation. But with all greetings aside, they proceeded into the main hall and were seated. There was a typical clamor before the session started, but that was put to an end by and old, bald man who stepped up to what looked like a platform with a machine in it for turning scrolls. The chamber fell silent as he addressed Brock.
"Chairman Hornaday," he said in a loud, booming voice, "do you have your reports with you?" Brock reached into a small sack and pulled out a scroll for the man to look at.
"Yes I do Senator Rebrackar," Brock answered, and he gave the scroll to the senator. "You will find that the delta of the Polongo has become more laden with silt and that is affecting the fish population around the surrounding estuaries. This in turn has affected the local crocodilians as well." Rebrackar looked over the scroll with an intense glare. Then he looked down on Brock.
"And what's this about the mass dolphin beaching near Burbleville around the summer solstice last year?" he demanded. Brock didn't know what to say but Mira picked him up.
"Well it's real simple," she stated, "dolphins are very social creatures. In every pod, there is a lead animal like in wild raptor clans in the Basin. And the other members of the pod follow this animal to hunting grounds, breeding grounds and so on. Well with this pod, the leader must've been sick or something and beached himself and the others followed suit. From what I heard, there was about 15 animals that ran aground and died...a truly tragic event." The other members of the Senate looked on with some amount of shock and concern, but Rebrackar still maintained a fiery look in his eye as he continued to look over the report. Then he rolled it back up and eyed Brock.
"Well, it looks like everything's going along just fine," he said. "Except for the silt lining the delta of the Polongo, the health of the waters in your sector is perfect. Likewise for the wildlife in the waters of your sector...everything's moving along like the migrating herds of apatosaurs on the northern plains." Then he caught a glimpse of Croco.
"Might I ask who that is with you?" he asked, "A new dolphinback, I presume?"
"Yes," Mira replied, "This is Croco Hallaway. He is American and came ashore after his flying machine crashed into the sea. He was the only survivor among the three on board." Rebrackar perked up when she mentioned that Croco was an American.
"American, I see. Well the last time an American came ashore during my term was when the Great War was going on between them and the Japanese. Might I ask what has happened from then to now?" Croco stepped up to the podium that he spoke from.
"It's over, and we won," he told him. "In fact, America and Japan are close allies and trading partners...it's also the same with Germany. But our relationship with Russia wasn't that good." He went on to tell the Senate about the Cold War and the rise and fall of communism, answering questions along the way. When he was finished his report, he lightly nudged Brock in the shoulder.
"History was always one of my favorite subjects," he whispered. Then Rebrackar silenced the room, where senators broke out in random chatter about Croco's revelation, then addressed the young man.
"Croco...your knowledge of the past will help you immensely in your future. Therefore I shall see that the Hornadays will take you to Waterfall City. There, you will learn how to be Dinotopian...you will learn to read and write as a Dinotopian and you will learn the ways of our great island. After you've finished and proven yourself, you will then proceed to Treetown, which is a camp for young men and women like yourself. Once in Treetown, you will learn to live in harmony with the dinosaurs and prove yourself in the Dinosaur Olympics. After that...your fate lies in your hands." Croco approached to shake the senator's hand.
"Thank you Senator," he said, "I shall continue on my journey with pride."
"Very well then. I shall call for a short recess while Brock, Mira and Croco are dismissed. Breathe deep, seek peace." They all said goodbye to the senators and left the building. After talking to a few more people, they were in the wagon and heading northward. It would take them three full days to reach Waterfall City, but it was something that had to be done. They stocked up on food and other necessities before leaving the civilized world of Sauropolis behind to make the trip to the great Waterfall City.
At sunrise, everyone was up and preparing to meet with the Senate concerning the waters off the southwest coast of the island as Brock and Mira were the heads of the committee overlooking that particular sector. At first, Mira was going to leave Kaala and Croco to go through the city, but thought against it as she thought it was important for the dolphinback to learn about the Dinotopian government. They made their way to the Senate chamber, but first they had a free breakfast courtesy of the innkeepers as they knew of their arrival ahead of time. When everyone was ready, they made their way to the chamber as Brock explained to Croco how they govern the island among both humans and saurians.
They entered the building and greetings were exchanged, but the senators had a curious eye on Croco. Many of them had never met a dolphinback fresh from the sea before and they wanted to know about what was going on in the outside world. Croco told them the best he could from about the mid-60's to present days and they were in shock at all the war and violence in his revelation. But with all greetings aside, they proceeded into the main hall and were seated. There was a typical clamor before the session started, but that was put to an end by and old, bald man who stepped up to what looked like a platform with a machine in it for turning scrolls. The chamber fell silent as he addressed Brock.
"Chairman Hornaday," he said in a loud, booming voice, "do you have your reports with you?" Brock reached into a small sack and pulled out a scroll for the man to look at.
"Yes I do Senator Rebrackar," Brock answered, and he gave the scroll to the senator. "You will find that the delta of the Polongo has become more laden with silt and that is affecting the fish population around the surrounding estuaries. This in turn has affected the local crocodilians as well." Rebrackar looked over the scroll with an intense glare. Then he looked down on Brock.
"And what's this about the mass dolphin beaching near Burbleville around the summer solstice last year?" he demanded. Brock didn't know what to say but Mira picked him up.
"Well it's real simple," she stated, "dolphins are very social creatures. In every pod, there is a lead animal like in wild raptor clans in the Basin. And the other members of the pod follow this animal to hunting grounds, breeding grounds and so on. Well with this pod, the leader must've been sick or something and beached himself and the others followed suit. From what I heard, there was about 15 animals that ran aground and died...a truly tragic event." The other members of the Senate looked on with some amount of shock and concern, but Rebrackar still maintained a fiery look in his eye as he continued to look over the report. Then he rolled it back up and eyed Brock.
"Well, it looks like everything's going along just fine," he said. "Except for the silt lining the delta of the Polongo, the health of the waters in your sector is perfect. Likewise for the wildlife in the waters of your sector...everything's moving along like the migrating herds of apatosaurs on the northern plains." Then he caught a glimpse of Croco.
"Might I ask who that is with you?" he asked, "A new dolphinback, I presume?"
"Yes," Mira replied, "This is Croco Hallaway. He is American and came ashore after his flying machine crashed into the sea. He was the only survivor among the three on board." Rebrackar perked up when she mentioned that Croco was an American.
"American, I see. Well the last time an American came ashore during my term was when the Great War was going on between them and the Japanese. Might I ask what has happened from then to now?" Croco stepped up to the podium that he spoke from.
"It's over, and we won," he told him. "In fact, America and Japan are close allies and trading partners...it's also the same with Germany. But our relationship with Russia wasn't that good." He went on to tell the Senate about the Cold War and the rise and fall of communism, answering questions along the way. When he was finished his report, he lightly nudged Brock in the shoulder.
"History was always one of my favorite subjects," he whispered. Then Rebrackar silenced the room, where senators broke out in random chatter about Croco's revelation, then addressed the young man.
"Croco...your knowledge of the past will help you immensely in your future. Therefore I shall see that the Hornadays will take you to Waterfall City. There, you will learn how to be Dinotopian...you will learn to read and write as a Dinotopian and you will learn the ways of our great island. After you've finished and proven yourself, you will then proceed to Treetown, which is a camp for young men and women like yourself. Once in Treetown, you will learn to live in harmony with the dinosaurs and prove yourself in the Dinosaur Olympics. After that...your fate lies in your hands." Croco approached to shake the senator's hand.
"Thank you Senator," he said, "I shall continue on my journey with pride."
"Very well then. I shall call for a short recess while Brock, Mira and Croco are dismissed. Breathe deep, seek peace." They all said goodbye to the senators and left the building. After talking to a few more people, they were in the wagon and heading northward. It would take them three full days to reach Waterfall City, but it was something that had to be done. They stocked up on food and other necessities before leaving the civilized world of Sauropolis behind to make the trip to the great Waterfall City.