CHAPTER 19

The metal hinges of Gate Lock C creaked shut behind the two all-terrain rovers as they ventured into the tyrannosaur paddock. Robinson manned the passenger seat of the number two rover, observing the velociraptor's progress via the motion sensor tracking system. Ms. Murdock was in the driver's seat, grappling the steering wheel like a wrestler as they bounced along.

"They're about a quarter mile north east." Robinson raised his voice over the racing motor. "They've slowed down."

Joan raised her scar crossed right eyebrow at him. "Did you ever see any combat while you were in the army, Robbinson?"

"Here and there." Robinson answered with a touch of resentment. "Why do you ask?"

Ms. Murdock put her eyes back on the dirt road ahead. "Then you ought to know a trap when you see one."

Robbinson swallowed uncomfortably. The way she had spoken was unsettling. He looked down at the monitor and realized that the raptors hadn't moved since the last time he checked.

"Don't underestimate anything they do." Joan firmly adjusted the brim of her hat. "These bastards are intelligent."

Robinson nodded slowly. "You copy that, Chathem?" He called over his shoulder into the back seat. "Chathem?"

A man leaned forward out of the shadow behind them. A long-range rifle lay across his lap. He chewed on a toothpick as his frown came into view. Suddenly he spit out the toothpick and brought a crumpled magazine to his face. With a ballpoint pen in hand he scrawled down a word on the open page.

"Ha!" Chathem's frown became a toothy grin of pride. "Juggernaut! That's another word for an enormous unstoppable force." He looked back up at Robinson who was now scowling at him. "Crossword puzzles." Chathem waved the magazine innocently.

He could see that Robinson's glare was unbreaking. He rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, I heard ya on the smart ass dinosaurs, and I raise em twenty." Chathem tapped the side of his cranium with the end of his pen. "They're no match for my brains. Some consider me a juggernaut of intellect."

Robinson sighed and put his attention back on the dirt road and the columns of redwoods ripping by. He periodically glanced down at the motion tracker to keep tabs on the velociraptors. Occasionally he'd shoot a look at Ms. Murdock who was remaining silent. For a brief moment he examined her stern face. She was about ten years older than he but appeared extremely youthful and fit. Robinson had no question she was the right person for the job. She had the wisdom and the strength. He felt she would take on a velociraptor with her bare hands if she had to.

The Number One Rover followed closely behind. Both vehicles were startling away compsognathus and small groups of coelophysis as they rushed through the forest.

Robinson saw the trees beginning to clear. "They're at the north end of the watering hole." He pointed to the monitor.

Joan nodded and continued to drive hard but slowed down considerably when the trees broke away completely.

There was a large pond in front of them surrounded by muddy banks and tall green horsetails. Dragonflies patrolled the shallow water and outlaying weeds while turtles bathed in the sun. Dozens of milling compsognathus chased bugs through the wet vegetation.

Robinson got on the radio. "Rover One, break away to the west bank. We'll circle around along the east."

"Copy that, Rover Two." A man's voice came back.

Robinson reached his arm between the seats and snatched the magazine out of Chathem's fingers. "Get your nose out of that magazine, Chathem! It's open season."

He turned back to the monitor as they arched toward the north shore of the pond. "They're straight ahead of us, Joan. They're not more than a few meters within the tree line."

As they approached the woods at the north side of the watering hole Joan spotted two of the adult velociraptors. "There!"

A male and a female sprinted from the woods towards the west bank.

"They're headed your way, Rover One." Robinson said over the com.

"Rodger that. We see em."

"The other four are breaking off deeper into the woods." Robinson followed their yellow markers on the monitor. "The pack is separating."

"No, Mr. Robinson." Joan's eyes burned through the windshield. "The pack is separating us."

Robinson got back on the com. He held his finger on the button a long moment before he spoke. "Rover One, stay on the pair. We're pursuing the other four."

"Copy that, Rover Two."