Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
3.11 The Warrior's Quest
"…we shouldn't be locking the anomalies."
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Becker didn't get his tank.
"The budget is strained enough already," fussed Lester. "Be glad I was able to get you and your security team additional weaponry."
The L17A2 underbarrel grenade launchers were a welcome addition to the equipment in Becker's opinion. And they had the advantage of being more easily deployed than a tank.
"If we get a large enough anomaly for a spinosaurus to come through," argued Becker "we really should set an armed perimeter including a tank."
Only one anomaly in the ten days since Christine Johnson's budgetary crisis had been revealed had been big enough for a spinosaurus. However, that anomaly had been located underwater. The megalodon in the Celtic Sea was reason enough to cause Lester to order it be locked. Cutter's dry remark that Abby and Connor wouldn't be able to breathe underwater was beside the point.
The members of the ARCH were taking back their jobs. Johnson herself had been reassigned… rumor had it she had been sent to Adelaide Antarctica. Other rumors abounded about the imminent reorganization of the ARC and ARCH… consolidation… cut backs… downsizing… were just some of the more worrisome words being used.
James and Vivian Lester along with Nick and Claudia Cutter were involved in interminable meetings. Sarah and Jess were tweaking Connor's tracking program updating it daily. Danny and Stephen joined Becker and his security team on field missions.
The ARC and its work continued on.
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"When are we?" asked Percy.
Percy stopped walking to sheath the sword in its scabbard. He slung the strap over his shoulder. Abby and Connor also stopped walking and looked around.
The tall trees could have been from any of several different eras. Warm afternoon sunlight shone down upon a forest path covered with pine needles and various twigs and sticks.
"Dunno," replied Connor. "Conifers have been around since the late carboniferous… could be Permian… Jurassic… Cretaceous… or even someplace in modern England… like the Forest of Dean."
"We should only be so lucky," said Abby.
Connor handed Abby the glowing anomaly opening device. Then he loosened the gray woolen cloak from around his shoulders and folded it over his arm. Then Percy looked at the young scientist in surprise.
"What do you mean you don't know?" asked Percy. "The last anomaly… back at the dolmen… you said it went to somewhen in the mid-twentieth century… how could you know that… and not know when we are now?"
"I saw the car," responded Connor as if that were self-explanatory.
"What car Connor?" asked Abby as she handed the flickering anomaly opening device back to him. "We don't usually see through the anomalies… and I don't remember seeing a car."
Abby wiped one hand across her forehead and started unbuttoning her jacket.
"When the woman and the raptor backed through the anomaly… I could see clearly through the opening," Connor replied "there was a car parked on one side… there was a man there too… he had an easel… it looked like he was painting something… he could probably see us too."
"Okay, so there was something different about that anomaly… and you were able to see through the anomaly," said Percy "but the car could have been from anytime since they started making cars… or even some future time."
"Maybe, but the car I saw was a Renault 4CV… it was only manufactured from August 1947 to July 1961," replied Connor "and that one looked pretty shiny and new."
Both Abby and Percy stared at Connor.
"You can identify the make and model of a car," asked Percy incredulously "from just one brief glimpse… from so far away?
"Don't have to be close," said Connor, "just have to see it. I know cars just like I know dinosaurs when I see them."
"Hmmph," muttered Abby. She removed her jacket and handed it to Connor. He looked startled.
"Just hold it," said Abby "while I take the hoodie off. It's too hot to wear now."
She started to pull Connor's red hooded sweatshirt up over her shoulders. Both men averted their gaze, staring into the light dappled forest. The gray printed t-shirt she was wearing beneath the hoodie tried to cling to the sweatshirt, but Abby managed to keep it in place. She then handed Connor the sweatshirt and took back her jacket. Abby glanced at Percy.
"Aren't you hot wearing that?" she asked the man in the brown leather clothing.
"I'm fine," responded Percy "just wish there was a way to tell when we are."
"Yeah," agreed Connor, "but I haven't a clue."
Connor dropped the cloak to the ground and then knelt on it. He set the intact anomaly opening device down by his knee. Opening the rucksack, he began to shove the red hooded sweatshirt into the bag. He held out his hand and Abby shook her head.
"I'll keep this jacket on," she said sliding her arms back into the sleeves.
Connor zipped the rucksack closed. Then he reached to pick up the anomaly opening device that had brought them to this place. Connor paused, bringing it closer to his face. The glowing light was all but gone.
"Oh no," groaned Connor "it's dying again."
"What?" exclaimed Abby. She knelt down beside Connor.
The barking call of a raptor sounded through the forest.
"I think we just found out when we are," said Percy with a worried look.
Percy pulled the sword he had so recently sheathed back out. He rested the pointed end on the ground in front of Connor. The device in Connor's hands began to glow a little. Connor's lips curled up in a grin. He scooted closer towards Percy. The ring and the chain around Connor's neck lifted in the air, reaching towards the sword. The device in Connor's hand shone even brighter.
"What kind of ore did Henri use in his new smelting process?" asked Connor.
"Dunno… something black, I was kind of hoping it was carbon," responded Percy "thought maybe it would make the sword stronger."
"No, I don't think it was carbon," said Connor shaking his head "it was probably magnetite."
Another call echoed through the forest.
"Later yeah," hissed Abby as she rose to stand. "Connor, get up. We need to be ready to run."
"We need to open another anomaly," insisted Connor.
He rose to stand between Percy and Abby. Holding the device next to the magnetized sword, Connor began to press buttons.
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Since the decision to let the anomalies close naturally had been made, most of the anomalies that occurred had blinked in and out of existence quickly. Becker always checked open anomalies to the cretaceous era personally. This small one near the Forest of Dean had originally opened on Tuesday. Defying the trend to disappear quickly, this anomaly had lingered, remaining open for the past three days.
Becker greeted the two members of his security team assigned to monitor this incursion. The anomaly was barely big enough to allow the dracorex that had been roaming in and out of time passage from one world to the next.
"There's been no change Sir," said Worthington.
Jess's voice crackled over his ear bud. Becker smiled.
"Yes Jess," he replied "there are still some daisies left for the dracorex."
The dracorex had been munching the flowers in the cottage garden at the Clearwell Caves Visitor's center since they first appeared. The sweet peas were entirely gone. The back row of large white daisies was nearly all gone. If the timid creatures ever worked up the nerve to move forward, the row of daisies near the parking area would soon disappear as well.
The facility manager was having a fit. He seemed less worried about the presence of the dracorex and more concerned about the potential loss of revenue if the Visitor's Center remained a restricted area. School tours were expected to begin in just a week.
Jess informed Becker that the facility manager was currently in a meeting with Lester and the minister. Becker listened to Jess's continued chatter but was soon forced to interrupt her.
"Jess," said Becker "we're going to need more back up… now… the anomaly is expanding… and something is coming through."
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Connor looked at the device in his hands in frustration. The blinking lights appeared to be indicating the gadget had power.
"I don't understand," said Connor "there should be an anomaly opening… right here… in front of us."
"Connor," asked Abby "what happens if you push those buttons… and there is already an anomaly open?"
The slim brown haired man turned to look at her.
"Dunno," replied Connor "it's never happened before."
Abby pointed her finger to a spot beyond him. A glowing light was shining, and growing larger, soaring up into the air.
"I think," the blue eyed woman said "it may have happened."
The barking call of a raptor echoed through the forest. The sound was coming closer. Abby, Connor and Percy were between the sound of the raptor and the glowing light.
"We should get moving," said Percy.
A huge roar that was louder than the sound of any raptor filled the air. A raptor ran past them without slowing down.
"What scares a raptor?" asked Abby.
"Don't want to find out," said Connor. "Run."
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The dracorex were scattering. Whatever was on the other side of the anomaly obviously had them in a panic. They jumped the row of daisies near the parking area and kept on running.
"Don't worry about the dracorex," said Becker to Worthington and Smythe "we can round them up later. Right now, keep your weapons trained on the anomaly."
Becker stared at the growing glowing light. Jess's voice sounded in his ear.
"Security backup is on its way," she said in a calm, efficient tone. "And Danny and Stephen are coming from the Briavels anomaly… it already closed. Cutter and Sarah are on their way too."
Becker barely had time to mutter thanks before the first raptor came running through the anomaly. It was quickly followed by another. The snarling, snapping creatures approached the three soldiers. Young Smythe looked to Becker uncertainly.
"Is that the kind of creature we contain," the young man asked "or shoot to kill?"
Becker and Worthington let the volley of their assault rifles answer the question.
"If it tries to kill you," said Becker "defend yourself. Remember… we're here to maintain public safety."
"Sir," said Worthington "something else is coming through."
The man in the brown leather clothing staggered through the anomaly, moved a few steps further, then collapsed.
"Wait here," instructed Becker "guns at the ready."
The tall soldier approached the fallen man. The man looked almost familiar.
"Becker," called the man. He held one arm across his lower abdomen and groaned.
"Percy?" asked Becker "How did you…"
Percy was pointing back at the anomaly.
"Abby and Connor," said Percy "they're still back there... and a spinosaurus…"
Becker turned his head and called back to his security team.
"Worthington," said Becker "get this man out of harms way. Smythe… get the anomaly locking device from the SUV… if a spinosaurus sticks its head through… lock the anomaly."
"Wait…," called Percy as the soldier strode through the anomaly. "Becker!"
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Becker stopped on the other side of the anomaly. He checked the clip on the L85A2, then for good measure loaded a grenade in the underbarrel grenade launcher. This wooded forest looked more suited for a hike with friends he thought. It hardly seemed possible that this peaceful place could hold a threatening creature like a spinosaurus. But then, he heard a scream.
"Connor," cried Abby "No!"
Becker ran towards the sound.
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Danny slammed both hands on the car horn. The driver in the small compact car in front of him jerked nervously and tried to restart the stalled engine. The car was blocking the tight intersection, and the ARCs huge SUV couldn't pass. He could hear Jess's calm voice on the ear bud.
"If you can back up," Jess said "there is an alternate route."
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Becker crested the low ridge. On the forest floor below, he could see Abby crouched by a body. The sprawled figure on the ground had to be Connor. Abby appeared to be trying to pull Connor out of the path of the oncoming spinosaurus. Becker ran down the hill. Placing himself in between his friends and the creature, he stepped wide, steadying himself. Becker pulled the trigger on the L17A2. The recoil of the grenade launcher rocked him slightly. Becker reloaded.
The grenade landed just past the moving spinosaurus. The explosion distracted the creature. The dinosaur turned to look in the direction of the dangerous sound. Becker fired the second grenade. This one exploded directly in front of the beast. It howled in pain and fear. Becker reloaded again, but he didn't fire this time. The creature turned away from the small group of humans and headed straight towards the anomaly.
"No," breathed Becker.
The anomaly shimmered, fractured, and closed.
"Becker," called Abby.
He turned to look at the petite woman kneeling next to Connor. Her blue eyes were shining with unshed tears.
"Thank you," said Abby "you saved our lives."
Beside her Connor groaned.
"The anomaly is closed," sighed Becker "we're all stuck here."
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Cutter and Sarah arrived just minutes after Danny and Stephen. Danny was arguing with one of Becker's security detail.
"No Sir," replied young Smythe. "Captain Becker gave orders… if a spinosaurus sticks its head through… lock the anomaly."
"And where is Captain Becker now?" asked the Professor.
"He went through the anomaly sir."
"We need to go get Captain Becker," said Cutter.
"That's exactly what I've been telling him," exclaimed Danny. "The spinosaurus is no threat now."
Cutter looked at poor creature. The unfortunate beast had come through the anomaly, leaving a bloody trail from the anomaly, through the garden, and across the parking lot. The trail circled back and came to a halt. The body of the spinosaurus lay directly in front of a row of white daisies.
"You can unlock the anomaly now," said Cutter.
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Connor groaned again.
"What happened to him?" asked Becker.
"We were running, heading towards the anomaly," explained Abby "when some little furry thing with whiskers ran out in front of Connor… he tripped… fell… hit his head."
Becker gave a small smile.
"Yeah," said Becker "he does that a lot."
Abby and Becker watched as Connor pushed himself up off the ground. He wiped some leaves from his mouth. He put one hand to his forehead, and leaned back on the other hand.
"It was an Eomaia," said Connor.
He looked from Abby to Becker.
"My head hurts," said Connor. "Can we go home now?"
"That might be a bit of a problem Connor," said Becker "the anomaly is locked."
"We can open it," said Connor.
He looked around in confusion.
"Abby," asked Connor "where is the anomaly opening device? And Percy's sword? And Percy?"
"Percy made it home," said Becker.
Abby and Becker searched the forest floor and soon found the blackened blade that Henri had made for Percy, but there was no sign of the beveled glass and metal casing that was the functional anomaly opening device.
"I had it in my hand," said Connor for the umpteenth time "when I tripped. It has got to be here."
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Cutter was getting red in the face. His argument with the young security officer was going nowhere. Sarah whispered something to Danny and Stephen, and the three circled around the two men.
"What are you doing?" asked Cutter.
"Practicing restraint," replied Danny with a cheeky grin.
He and Stephen grabbed Smythe and held the young man back. Sarah walked over to the anomaly locking mechanism. She typed in some commands on the keyboard, and the anomaly shimmered, fractured and opened.
"What are you doing to my cadet?" asked Worthington.
He looked at the group suspiciously and raised his weapon just a hairs breadth.
"And what are you doing with the anomaly locking mechanism?"
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Abby was the first one to realize the anomaly had opened again.
"Guys," she said "quickly now… we need to move."
"Don't forget the sword," said Connor.
Becker rolled his eyes at the scientist's words.
With Abby supporting Connor on one side, and Becker on the other side, the three friends walked up the hill, through the anomaly and back to England.
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