All Aboard
"Well, is that Allan Quatermain?" Ann joked at General Kirk's change of attire. He was dressed like an old-time big-game hunter, complete with knee boots and fedora.
"Now, now, that's enough of that." The General said, embarrassed. "Besides, you should see 'Jungle Jim' back there," He said, motioning over his shoulder. Ann and Raymond looked behind him to a shaggy-haired man in his late twenties wearing full safari gear, with a large pack, a rifle over his shoulder, Colt .45 on his hip, and a double-barreled shotgun slung over his back.
"Are you sure you've got enough firepower, Jim?"
"You know me, just an overgrown Boy Scout," he answered, smiling. Jim had joined the project a year earlier, and had already accompanied on several trips.
"He's a bright boy," General Kirk said to Ray and Ann as Jim boarded the helicopter in the tunnel, "Solved the Ripper case." Doctor Swain nodded; being able to witness history firsthand was an invaluable tool to historians and had also been applied to criminal investigations. Jim had proven himself a capable and worthwhile asset to the project.
"Ready whenever you are, General!" An unseen voice called out gleefully.
Their heads turned in unison, Tony Newman stood at the front of the assembly waiting to start the journey. Each man was attired in khaki with a large field pack and rifle.
"All right, I'd like to say a few words first." The general straightened up and addressed the group, "This will be the first trip for some of you, and there are a few things you should keep in mind. This isn't just a weekend in the woods… don't wander off from the group, dispose of any garbage or waste in the proper fashion; don't just throw it on the ground. Don't drink the water or handle the plantlife with your bare hands. Also… don't get trigger happy, only take a shot when it has been approved or in defense of yourself or others."
With that, he turned and led the collection of veteran time travelers, technicians, scientists, and security personnel up to the immense double-bladed helicopter within the Time Tunnel. Doug was bringing up the rear when he felt a delicate hand stop him.
"Doug…" Ann had taken him by the arm, "Be careful, will you?" There was the familiar look of concern in her eyes, much like when he first went into the tunnel to save Tony two years earlier.
"You know I will," he whispered back. He gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder and went back to rejoin the group. Ann sighed and quietly returned to her work station beside Ray.
Everyone strapped in as Doctors Raymond Swain and Ann Macgregor initiated the countdown. Doug joined Jim in the cockpit, and donned a helmet, "just in case" he said. The lights of the tunnel came on; the smoke and explosions followed, and the Chinook shook slightly from the force and disappeared from sight.
The helicopter and its crew passed through the kaleidoscopic haze and reached their destination upright with only a minor thud; but that was enough to shake up one of the more delicate passengers.
"I… I'm gonna-" Jerry yelped holding his hand over his mouth.
Tony, sitting next to him, quickly snatched the boonie hat off Jerry's head and thrust it into his hands, "Here!"
Jim unstrapped himself and made his way to the opening rear hatch of the vehicle, stuck his head out and took a quick look around before waving everyone else forward. The men exited cautiously and looked about their new surroundings curiously.
"Gentleman," General Kirk declared, "Welcome to Montana… 70 Million B.C."