PRIMORDIUM NULLA RETRORSUM

Chapter 8

AUTHOR: TowandaBR, Thisbee, Lady Cris Krux

Translation, Lady Cris Krux

DISCLAIMER: All of the characters of the series "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World" are property of John Landis, Telescene, Coote/Hayes, DirecTV, New Line Television, Space, Action Adventure Network, Goodman/Rosen Productions, and Richmel Productions.

SPOILERS: After HEART OF THE STORM

To all people who keep TLW alive by any means.

One more time, thank you very much: Cris, Roxana, Santa Crux, Katybelle.

Also in Portuguese: "PRIMORDIUM NULLA RETRORSUM"

"Pay attention, Malone. Being lazy is a dangerous disease. If you don't take care, you may finish like this: lying under a tree, in the middle of the afternoon."

"Do you think he's sleeping, Roxton?"

"Hummm! Actually, I don't know. Any idea about how we can check?"

The journalist took a slender wooden stick and handed it to the hunter.

"How about poking him? It usually works to know if somebody is sleeping or dead."

"Neither one nor the other." – The man lying down advised them, eyes still shut - "And don't stay in front of me – you are preventing the sun rays to get to me."

"Did you see, Roxton? He is still rude."

"What if we put one of our domesticated raptors to attack him?"

The scientist lazily opened one of his eyes.

"Do you mean you two now are creating raptors to earn a living, your scoundrels?"

"Get up, George." - hunter smiled. Malone immediately stretched out his hand, helping the scientist to get up. He was tightly hugged. Then Challenger looked at the young man.

"You look thinner, kid."

"I'm very well, Challenger." - the journalist laughed, remembering that Roxton had said the same thing to him when they had met again.

"And you, old boy?" - He hugged the hunter warmly - "You put on weight."

"It's a problem with your eyes, George."

"And how are you both?"

"Actually, very well."

"And may I ask what brought you here?"

"It depends on you."

The scientist laughed.

"Me? How can it depend on me, if I don't even know what this visit is all about?"

"Let's sit down under your tree and talk a little, George." - John had already removed his jacket - "When we finish, you will tell us if what comes next is a farewell or a new adventure."

Gathered for the first time since a long time, the old companions talked, as they had never done before. Not even in the three years of adventures. As Roxton and Malone some weeks before, each one told his history during the period in which they had been separate.

"Challenger?" - Malone was curious - "why didn't you go to seek Jessie?"

"I also thought a lot about that. She was my mate, but I'm sure that I never was her mate. Jessie was not happy by my side, and she couldn't be. I was too selfish. I love Jessie more than ever. I think that just now I understand that leaving her free is the greatest gift I could ever offer her. Believe me. I'm very sure about my decision."

Roxton laughed. He remembered his own arrogance and insolence, characteristics that he shared with the old George, and recalled that finding out feelings such as humble and simplicity had lightened his heart. He was surprised with George's next question.

"And you Roxton? How is your heart, old boy?"

"Very well, George."

"You know what I mean..."

John was thoughtful, but he didn't have a sad glance. After a while, he said slowly.

"Malone took a huge risk saying things that only a friend would say, and that helped me to wake up. I love Marguerite and that will never change. She's the woman of my life. I said she IS. I will never forget what we had together. Nothing will replace what I lost. However, for some reason I stayed alive and I can't, I must not and I will not spare this gift and spend the rest of my life grieving. You can call me pretentious, but I'm a good man and I deserve anything I can still conquer or achieve. I want to live, George: for my brother, for my father, for my mother, for my Marguerite, and especially for myself."

Although clearly touched, Roxton was calm and firm. After a pause, Challenger continued.

"You know, I thought a lot about that subject... And I am absolute sure that, in those circumstances, Veronica could never have saved Marguerite."

"What do you mean, George?"

"When the plateau was unstable, Veronica became the only connection that made it possible for that spectacular force to be controlled and to reestablish the balance, saving whatever existed in there, including us."

"Except for Marguerite." - Ned completed.

"Marguerite and Veronica. Two human beings absolutely normal, but at the same time very special ones. On that moment, the special characteristics of Marguerite prevented Veronica to reach and save her, as she did with the rest of us."

"As if they two were the same pole of a magnet?"

"Exactly. While common human beings, Veronica and Marguerite would be perfectly capable to protect each other. However, this would not be the same when they used their powers. If the situation was inverse, Marguerite couldn't also have saved Veronica."

"What if Veronica or any one of us had arrived at the cave in time?"

"Then we could fight and try to save her, or die trying. It would have been a worthwhile battle."

"Deep in her heart, Veronica still feels that she could have done more."

"I believe that we all feel in that way..." - Ned said, facing John, who sustained his glance, understanding.

"Did you know you're becoming a great philosopher, Malone...? As a matter of fact, wait..." – Challenger interrupted - "Have you received my letter?"

"I didn't receive anything. How long have you sent it?"

"Actually I sent the missive recently, but by now it should has already arrived."

"And what did it say?"

George got up.

"My friends, let's take a walk. I have a very important thing to tell you."

They began walking together, and Challenger, with his powerful voice of teacher and lecturer, continued.

"Well, despite everything that happened, I'm still a member of the Zoological Society: a far member, but still a member."

Ned and Roxton agreed.

"About twenty days ago I received a letter. As far as I know, its contents are highly confidential. Leaned and financed by several business groups, scientists and exploiters are being gathered for a great expedition to return to the plateau."

"How many, George?"

"I believe that about twenty, maybe thirty. Their mission is to discover and explore the natural and scientific potentialities that exist there - if they really exist, according to them."

"But we know that they exist!" - Ned got scared.

"Did you already imagine all those people digging, picking samples? They would destroy that place."

"I was invited to join the group, but I don't want to return as an explorer. I'm sure that Roxton is the next one to be invited."

"And how about Malone?"

"Malone has the most important element for them. It would make it possible for them to reach their goals even if none of the others would decide to collaborate."

The journalist lowered his head, understanding immediately.

"The journals."

George just smiled to them both.

"When I saw you today, I felt that you had come looking for me because only this subject was capable of reuniting our lives once more. Not that we can't be friends just here, but what makes us more than normal people is the unique and inspiring experience we've shared together."

"Tickets for three, George?"

"Once you are paying, Lord Roxton, I demand the best cabin of the ship."

"You will have it, my friend. But we still have a lot of things to do."

"And a lot of things to rewrite." - Ned completed.

"I know exactly what you're thinking, gentlemen." - Challenger smiled - "If it depends on me, the wild scientists and exploiters of the Zoological Society will be guided to anywhere in the world but to our beloved plateau."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Please R&R