CHAPTER 70

Ms. Murdock led the group along the beach in silence. She was listening for any indication of danger. Here and there the jungle stirred, but the velociraptors didn't show themselves. They simply followed and plotted from the shadows.

Bryce said, "They're out there."

Joan glanced at him. "Yes, Dr. Conners. Keep moving."

Over head the quetzalcoatlus were circling. Kyra and Seth exchanged looks of unease.

Dianna caught some of the expressions they were passing. She said, "We're almost there, guys."

Seth looked up at the metal framework ahead of them. There were a lot of thick supports rising out of the sand with intersecting cross beams to stabilize them. In the midst of it all was a cylindrical cage that served as the elevator shaft. It was hundreds of feet to the observation deck. Seth was glad there was an elevator and not stairs.

Small crabs darted across the sand as they approached the base of the observatory. Seth watched them scurry behind the concrete anchors of the armature as the group walked by. The jungle stirred and everybody paused to pan the tree line.

Joan prodded the air with her gun. "Move along," she told the group.

The elevator was right ahead. The further the group moved toward it the further they went among the shade of the observatory. It was smelly and damp here, much like being under a pier. It was one of those places on the beach where a lot of seaweed washed ashore, and nothing ever seemed to fully dry out.

Out of the corner of his eye Bryce caught the flit of a raptor tail as it slipped behind one of the concrete anchors. Joan had seen it also. A moment later Dianna saw the shape of another raptor sidestep into hiding among the framework. There were soft trills and quiet purring. One of the raptors sprang from hiding with a bark and darted to another anchor. Dr. Conners moved to shoot but didn't take it.

Joan said, "hold your fire. It's a confusion tactic."

There were more trills. Another raptor sprinted in and out of the open. Everyone with a gun resisted the temptation to act upon the opportunity. The velociraptors remained quiet for a moment. The group was almost to the elevator when three of the hunters stepped into the open, blocking the elevator doors.

Bryce said, "what the hell is this?"

Dianna watched the velociraptors take positions. There was no doubt they knew what they were doing. "Well, they clearly know where we're headed."

There was a trilling behind them as three more raptors emerged. Everyone turned toward the sound. When they looked back at the elevator again the original three raptors were gone.

Dianna waved to Seth and Kyra. "Get closer." She pulled them in.

Raptors appeared to either side of the group, squawking and kicking up sand.

Joan said, "keep moving, everyone. They're only trying to disorient us."

The raptors behind them were gone, and now there were more in front of the elevator again.

Bryce said, "Joan, They're not going to let us just walk right by them."

"They may, Dr. Conners."

Dianna said, "Do you really want to call that bluff?"

Joan raised her gun at the raptors in front of the elevator. They narrowed their eyes at the weapon but stood their ground. Dianna and Bryce had their firearms sweeping across the other raptors. Joan tipped her barrel to the side and blasted a shot past the dinosaurs. They growled and stepped away. Their body language was reluctant but submissive.

A small smile crossed Joan's lips. "They're intelligent, Dr. Conners. One might even argue there's some emotion behind them, and the fear of death is a powerful bargaining chip."

Ms. Murdock approached the elevator. To the right of the door was a control box with a metal hatch concealing the panel within. Hooking her fingers under its latch she popped open the box. Inside there was a small keypad and a simple digital display. Joan punched a button and the elevator began to descend. Around them the raptors snarled but did not come closer. The lift was about a quarter of the way down when a grinding of metal was heard, and the elevator came to an unexpected halt. The digital readout on the control box was flashing: MECHANICAL ERROR.

Dr. Conners said, "Joan, what the hell is going on?"

She answered, "Doctors, we have a problem."