Chapter 9 – Kokoda Trail

The Owen Stanley Range, Papua New Guinea…

It was the start of the wet season and the Alpha Gang found themselves in the middle of a torrential downpour. In London the rain had come down in sheets of small icy cold droplets. Here it flooded down, warm, and solid. Large fat raindrops that hammered the leaves of the canopy above and turned the earth to mud.

The storm clouds had brought a complete darkness to the forest to the point where even the trunks of the closest ironwood trees were visible only a faint outline. The vines that wound their way around their trunks hidden in the inky blackness. The only source of light, apart from the occasional flash of lighting overhead, was from the lamps on their heads.

"This is the worst assignment Doctor Z has ever given us," Ursula moaned loudly. "We have been here three days!"

"Three days and no sign of this stupid dinosaur," muttered Rod. "Why did I volunteer for this?"

"Stop complaining and be quite."

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated Seth's face as he turned back to give them a warning look, a single finger raised to his lips. The effect of the light and shadow gave him a momentarily terrifying visage. It made the two humans jump.

Suddenly a roar came echoing though the tree, momentarily distracting the three of them.

"Blue," said Rod. "They must have found something."

"Come on, quickly now," ordered Seth, gesturing for them to follow through the trees.

[Dinosaur]

Zeta Point…seventy-two hours earlier…

"My Dilophosaurus. I always knew I'd find you some day," a surprisingly cheery Doctor Z had said upon summoning the rest of the Alpha gang to his lab.

On the giant screen, the image of two dinosaurs standing in what appeared to be the middle of a jungle. They were theropods, of a similar shape and size to velociraptors Mycealis and Blue. Except they were dark green in colour and sported frills on the tops of their head. One sported a large frill around its neck.

"You know them," Ed asked as he Ursula and Zander entered the lab. Rod, Laura, Mycaelis, Blue, Terry and Speckles were close behind.

"From where," Zander added.

The seemingly innocuous question was sufficient to trigger Doctor Z sending him into one of his characteristic rages. He spun and round and shrieked, "OF COURSE I KNOW THEM! The magnificent specimen with the frill is Dino. And that Danno…The two of them are secret dinosaurs I took great care to raise from tiny hatchlings."

Ursula, Zander, and Ed looked at each other.

"This story sounds familiar," mumbled Ed. He glanced over at the Raptor brothers. "What's with all the secret dinosaurs."

"And why would you name one Danno?" asked Zander.

A vein seemed to pop in Doctor Z's temple as he glowered at Ed. "Believe me, these three are nothing like the others. NOW LISTEN UP… We went through hard training, day after day. Through wind and rain, they withstood the toughest preparation I could devise. Until they grew fine ninja dinosaurs…Stronger than even Mycaelis."

Mycaelis lifted his head curiously, his brow creasing in a scowl. "What?"

Blue smirked, turning his head towards his brother and saying mockingly, "Looks like you've got a rival."

Mycaelis's frown deepened, and he opened his jaws slightly to reveal his needle like teeth. "We'll just see about that." He punched his claws together. "Won't be much of a rival when the fucker's teeth are knocked out."

His outburst caused Doctor Z and the other humans to be looked at him in surprise. Zander and Ed back away a little fearfully, while Doctor Z glared at him. Rod just shook his head and muttered something about, "reckless."

The gathered dinosaurs had the opposite reaction, with Terry beaming at his raptor mate admiringly and Speckles nodding his head approvingly.

"So, you don't believe that there are dinosaurs stronger than you, then…What a hot-blooded fool of a velociraptor!"

Although softly spoken and monotonal, Seth's words cut through the room as though he had shouted them. A hush came over all present as the tall blue haired man entered the room. All eyes fell upon him.

"Seth, my boy," said a suddenly cheery Doctor Z, his eyes lighting up at sight of him. "Glad you could join us."

"Good evening, Doctor," replied Seth. "Please forgive my tardiness. I was finishing some experiments in the laboratory. However, I understand that the Dilophosaurus twins have emerged in Papua New Guinea."

"Dilophosaurus twins," repeated Ursula.

"You know about these secret dinosaurs too?" added Rod.

"We captured a pregnant Dilophosaurus in the early Jurassic," Seth explained. "Injured in a fight from another predator. Most likely another Dilophosaurus. Sadly, we were not able to save it. The Dilophosaurus passed away shortly after producing a small clutch of about five eggs. Only two were viable. Dino and Danno. Using the data, I had obtained from the experiments on the raptors, I modified them to improve their speed, strength, and endurance. Unfortunately, this also increased their aggression, meaning they had to be hand raised separately from other dinosaurs."

"I suppose that explains why we're only hearing about this now," growled Mycaelis. "I thought Blue and I were the apex of your experiments!"

Seth ignored him. "We also discovered something that had been previously unknown to Dinosaur science up to that point!"

"Yes," interjected Doctor Z extatically. "You see, Dilophosaurus is also poisonous."

"Poisonous, chorused Ursula, Zander, and Ed.

"They primary attack strategy is to spit venom at their opponents and prey," continued Seth. "The venom causes extreme pain and, if caught in the eyes, temporary blindness. If injected into the blood stream, say through a bite, it can cause cardiac arrest and death."

"Fortunately, however, in the course of my experiments I was able to develop an antivenom," said Doctor Z. "Which was necessary as those little blighters' would not stop trying to bite me!"

"Ghee, I wonder why," Mycaelis muttered to Blue, who smirked.

Doctor Z ignored them. "You'll need to make sure you take a large quantity with you on your mission."

"…Alert…Dinosaur activity detected…"

A red light flashed on the screen above, along with the sound of an alarm and the whir of a computerized voice. Doctor Z and the others looked up. The image on the screen had changed to one of two boys, a Triceratops and a Carnataurous had appeared in the middle of the rainforest, seemingly having materialised from nowhere.

"IT'S THOSE HORRIBLE KIDS AGAIN," Doctor Z screamed, jumping up and down at the sight of them. He spun around and yelled at Ursula, "Quick. Get out there and bring back my Dilophosaurus before they get to them."

"Doctor, perhaps I should field this mission," suggested Seth. "After all, I made the modifications to these Dilophosaurus'. I know their abilities best."

Doctor Z gazed at Seth as though he were his first true love. "You would do that Seth!"

Seth returns his favour with a surprisingly warm smile of his own and replied simply, "yes!"

"I'll go too grandpa," said Rod, raising his hand. "Blue and I will get those dinosaurs back for you!"

Doctor Z turned to him, clasping his hands together. "Oh thank-you Rod." He then scowled and pointed at Ursula. "Ursula. You're going with them. Take Mycaelis, Blue, Terry, and Speckles with you. You'll need some pure theropod power to deal with these two…And if anything happens to my grandson, I'll feed you to Terry!"

[Dinosaur]

Seth, Rod, and Ursula found their way through the trees to where the two raptors were calling from. They were on the edge of ridge on the side of a steep mountain with a view over a valley of thick jungle…visible only when the lighting struck. The two other theropods, safely in their chibi forms followed suit.

"Ugh, how are we ever going to find these dilo-what-do-you-call-it's in all of this," groaned Ursula. "This jungle looks like it goes on forever!"

"We don't have to search the whole mountain range," said Rod impatiently. "We've set up a perimeter around an area of about 60 square kilometres using the Alpha Cypher Troopers, based on where the card was activated. Now it's just down to Blue to track them down."

Seth approached the two raptors. Placing his hand on Blue's side he asked, "have you found them yet."

Blue shook his head in response. "The scent leads down this way. It's harder in the rain, but's stronger this way."

"It's distinct too," added Mycaelis. "Probably only came through a couple of hours ago."

Seth took a step forward and peered into the valley, shinning his torch on the ground to see where the path led. "What is down there. Rod, what does you map say."

Rod whipped out his Alpha scanner and peered at the screen. "There's a stream at the bottom of the river, but the hillside looks quite steep."

"Yes, that makes sense," said Seth. "In the Jurassic they didn't stray far from sources of fresh water such as rivers and streams." He reached a hand up to his collar and held the edge up to his mouth. The high collar on his uniform served as a large pocket, handy for many items including a communicator. "This is Alpha one to Alpha Transporter. Close the perimeter to the north of our current position. About fifteen kilometres should do it. We're close. Should be able to cut off their retreat."

[Dinosaur]

About ten kilometres away, on a ridge about halfway up the side of a mountain, in a clearing in the jungle, was the Alpha Transport Craft. Hidden from view in the remote mountain range, it served as a base of operations for the Alpha Gang, containing equipment and supplies too big to carry.

The Alpha gang would, of course, not have left it unmanned. A certain Saichania and Spinosaurus had been left to guard the base. Although, with no humans and around and few other threats, they little to do but lay on the floor and play cards…

"Got any…threes," mumbled Spiny, as he tried to peer at his cards past the end of long nose.

Tank shrugged. "Go fish."

Spiny glared at his partner. Tank hadn't even bothered to hold the cards up to prevent him from seeing. Of course, being a saichania, a quadrupled dinosaur with large feet built for digging and not card holding, didn't make one a natural at this game…Still…

"Here's the problem Tank," he groaned, "You have several threes."

"Go fish," Tank repeated, grinning at the frustrated expression on Spiny's face.

Spiny sighed. "Well, it's still easier playing with you than with Terry. At least you can hypothetically look at your cards. Not so with a big head and short arms."

They were interrupted at that moment by a cackle of static, and a voice calling from the radio in the cockpit. "…Spiny, Tank, do you copy… Close the perimeter to the north of our current position. About fifteen kilometres should do it. We're close. Should be able to cut off their retreat…Repeat…Alpha Transporter come in…"

Spiny let out another groan, as Tank lifted his head. "What does he want now?"

[Dinosaur]

"Useless," Seth muttered clicking off his communicator.

"Any response," asked Rod, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope. Why the Doctor thought having two dinosaur man equipment is beyond me! Looks like if we can't flush them out to us, we'll have to go down there."

"WHAT…In the dark," gasped and incredulous Ursula. "Are you insane Seth."

Seth pursed his lip, his hand clenched into firsts. "There's no other option. We need to get this done."

A length of cable was produced from Seth's pack and secured to the largest tree. Clipping themselves to it with pulley, Seth, Rod, and Ursula were able to lower themselves down the steep side of the ridge. The two raptors, with flexible bodies and strong claws managed to scale down the mountain without the aid of the cable, and twice as fast as the human.

They reached the bottom first. Terry and Speckles transformed briefly back into cards, allowing them to be carried down the side of the ridge. The three humans were nearly at the bottom when they heard it. A loud musical cry, like the song of a bird. It cut through the sound of the rain like a knife.

"Rahh." Blue raised a claw balled in a fist into the air as a signal to the Alpha gang to stop.

The two-brother looked around. Velociraptors were perfect hunter, equipped with keen senses of hearing, sight and smell. At the bottom of the ridge was a small stream, with a fast-flowing current. Moving even faster thanks to the rain. One wrong step here and it would be easy to fall in and be swept away.

Mycaelis and Blue prepared themselves, taking battle ready stances. Legs apart and slightly bent, with their tails low to the ground. Every muscle tenses, ready to pounce at any moment.

"Phwwht Phwwht…"

There it was again. That high pitched whistle cutting through the air.

"They're close," growled Mycealis as he sniffed at the air.

"I don't like this," hissed Blue. "We're too exposed. We shouldn't have come down the hill."

"What do you…" Ursula started to shout from further up, but Seth snapped at her to be quiet.

"You want to scare them off and make this all for nothing!"

"Phwwht Phwwht…"

"Shit," Blue whispered to his brother. "We're being hunted!"

Mycaelis suddenly whipped around, sensing something behind him…And there they were!

Dino and Danno, the dilophosaurs were of similar shape and build to the two raptors. Large powerful hind legs, long forearms ending in sharp claws, pointed faces and muzzles and long tails. They were each however, slightly larger than Blue and Mycealis, standing about a head taller. Their distinguishing features were the crests on the top of their heads.

"Hmmm…Let's see."

Seth took a small pair of binoculars out of the pocket in his coat and raised them to his eyes. They were night vision goggles, allowing him to see the pair of dilophosaurus with precision. He stored them away again a moment later, before relinquishing the cable and leaping down onto the riverbank.

"Mycealis, Blue."

The two dilophosaurs raised their heads and hissed aggressively. Seth raised his hands slowly as though to show the dinosaurs he was not armed.

"We can't afford any wrong moves. Do exactly as I say and no sudden…"

"Raahhh…"

"Graar!"

Mycaelis opened his jaw wide and roared at Dino, seemingly ignoring Seth's command.

"Mycealis!" shouted Seth. "What do you think, you're doing!"

Dino returned the favour in kind, roaring at the Velociraptor. The frill around his neck flew open like a poisonous flower in bloom. Mycealis struck first, leaping at Dino with his claws raised. But Dino, armed with quick instinct and fast reflexes, avoided the attack, jumping backwards in turn.

The dilophosaurus's timing was perfect. He chose the split second before Mycaelis's claws touched the ground to attack. The moment when the raptor was most vulnerable and unable to take any evasive action to protect himself. Dino slapped his head in one single swift motion.

Mycealis felt something wet smack him in the face, just as he landed. A wet glob of foam had landed on his forehead and over his eyes. It dripped down snout, running over his nostrils. Instinctively, he raised a claw to wipe it and let out a little cry if repulsion. "Ewww…Dino spit!" he raised his head, staring at Dino in disbelief. "Did you seriously just spit at me."

"Hehehe." The dilophosaurus's jaws twitched into smile and he chuckled. Dino was laughing at him. The dinosaur had actually spat at him and was laughing about it. It enraged Mycaelis.

"Why you!"

The velociraptor struck out again, racing towards the dilophosaurus with a swipe of his claw. Behind him, he could hear Seth shouting, "you fool Mycaelis," while Rod gasped, and Blue let out a roar of apparent concern. He realised why a split second too late.

Mycaelis felt a sudden excoriating pain in his eyes, as though he'd been skewed with a triceratops's horn. Right through the eyes and into his skull. Against his better judgement he shut his eyes, trying to fight the pain. He knew it would only slow him down. Flashing spots of light appeared behind his eyelids. With a great effort he swiped with his claw but felt only air in front of him.

"Damnit…Where are you, you frilly necked…"

He forced himself to open his eyes, but the flashing spots of light remained. He couldn't see. His stomach turned over as realisation of what was happening to him slowly dawned. What was it Seth had said about dilophosaurus.

'They primary attack strategy is to spit venom at their opponents and prey… The venom causes extreme pain and, if caught in the eyes, temporary blindness.'

He was blind! Dino had blinded him!

Mycaelis swore. "FUCK!"

"Mycaelis. Are you alright," cried Blue.

"I did try to warn you," came Seth calm yet somehow smug voice from behind. "But you just went ahead anyway."

"The little fucker blinded me! Blue, I need you to cover me."

"Mykie, we need to fall back," said Blue.

"I can still fight. I'll kill cunt!" Mycaelis fought hard against the pain. Even if he couldn't see, he could still hear, smell, and sense the other dinosaurs. They were close, he knew that. In this state he would have to play defensively, so he stepped backwards towards his brother.

And then something slid up behind him, and before he knew what was happening, he felt a pair of jaws closer around his neck and his head pulled backwards. While he had been concentrating on Dino, Danno had snuck up behind him and grabbed a hold of him in his jaws.

Leaving Danno clear to advance on Seth, Blue and the others. The other dilophosaurus ran up towards Blue, positioning himself between his twin with Mycealis to prevent the raptor going to his brother's aid. He flicked his head, just as Dino had done. Blue had been expecting it and threw himself backwards to avoid being hit.

Seth let out a cry and fell over in his scramble to get out of the way. "So that's the way you want to play it. I'll show you." He got quickly back to his feet. The mask had slipped. His usual calm collected demeanour had been replaced by one of pure fury. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal his Alpha scanner and drew a card from the pocket in his collar. "GO TYRANNOSAURS!" He swiped the card through the scanner.

The card exploded in a flash of red light and Terry materialised in his full size in front of Seth. He growled, flecking the dilophosaurus's with saliva and causing Dino to back away from Seth and Blue, hissing as he did so. And that was when Terry caught sight of Danno with his jaws around his boyfriend's head, and he let out an alrighty roar. "RELEASE HIM!"

Dino was not intimated, however. He glared at Terry, opened his frill, and roared back, "Or what! You don't frighten me tyrannosaurus."

"You show 'em Terry!" Mycaelis wasn't defeated just yet. With his reaming strength, he threw all of his weight against Danno, causing him to lose balance just long enough to pull his head free of his jaw. Then he pounced on him, biting at any part of his body he could reach. It became a flash of teeth and claws.

Dino meanwhile took a run a run at Terry, jumping and kicking him in the chest and under his chin. Though bulkier than the raptors, he moved just as fast and gracefully. At the same time, with Mycaelis blind, Danno was able to pull away from him to assist his twin. The two then did something quite remarkable.

Dino took a hold of Danno's tail in his mouth, spun around, and swung the other dilophosaurus like a club. Danno's body smacked hard against Terry's head and neck. He let out a growl of pain, as Ursula and Rod gasped in surprise.

"Ahhhh."

Before Terry had the chance to recover, they were upon him again, leaping onto his back and nipping at his neck. Terry continued to roar in anger and discomfort as he tried to shake them off. To make the situation worse, it was at that point when the D-Team arrived on the scene…