CHAPTER 83

Dianna stood by the observatory windows watching Star Fire clamber back and forth over the caging in frustration of the fact that she couldn't reach them. The large pterosaur was mainly staring at Dianna. Any time she moved the quetzalcoatlus would stiffen up as if hoping that an opportunity was about to arise where it could snatch Dr. Johnson.

In a far corner of the observatory Seth and Kyra were huddled on the floor hugging their knees. Seth was watching his mom interact with Star Fire, and Kyra was watching him. She could see that his face was tight. His eyes were narrowed, and his jaw clenched.

"Are you alright?" she asked him.

Seth exhaled and his face loosened a bit. He didn't look at Kyra. His gaze was still following his mother. In the shadows of the observatory Kyra thought his eyes looked a little teary, but she couldn't be sure.

Seth swallowed. "I get why she's mad. It's just… She can be completely distant one moment and then overbearing the next," he paused.

Kyra didn't say anything. She just nodded in the shadows.

Seth lowered his eyes between his knees. "It's been that way ever since my dad died."

The statement hit Kyra like a wall. In all the turmoil she'd forgotten that fact. She put her hand on his back. "I'm sorry," she didn't know what else to say.

Dr. Conners had reentered the observatory and was standing behind Dianna. He marveled at Star Fire's wingspan as the pterosaur crawled in front of Dr. Johnson. He thought, if ever there were dragons quetzalcoatlus certainly lived up to the expectation.

"It's amazing," Dr. Conners said. "In a few mere moments she became the last of her kind. It'd be the second time they went extinct."

"We've got twelve more embryos bottled up in the lab," Dianna said coldly. "INGEN will just crack a few more open and keep on going."

"Right," Dr. Conners spoke quiet and passive. He was steering away from any potential debate now. He didn't want things to get confrontational. He just wanted to get back to the operations compound. "The truck is ready," he said and turned away.

"I'm resigning," Dianna just threw it out there.

Bryce knew she had been having growing conflicts about INGEN, but he hadn't gotten the impression she was prepared to quit. He turned back around. "Are you serious? Dianna you should-"

"Bryce, no! I'm done with this bullshit."

He wasn't about to argue with her. Not there. Not in front of the kids. Perhaps she was just that upset about what had transpired. Maybe she'd be willing to hear him out by the next morning. This was what he hoped at least. If there's one thing he learned about Dianna it was that she put her foot down about everything she felt. "Suit yourself," he muttered and went off.

Crossing the observatory he stood over Kyra and Seth, making his best attempt to put on a lighthearted expression. "Here," he said, tossing Hector's shirt down at Seth. "You're gonna shoot an eye out if you keep flashing those guns around."

Seth had all but forgotten that he'd lost his shirt to the pterosaurs. Looking down at his bare arms he chuckled but gave an uncomfortable look about the new one he was being offered. There wasn't an inch of it that wasn't drenched in sweat, and it reeked to say the least.

Dr. Conners saw his hesitation. "I know it stinks like liquor, but it's the best I could do."

Seth gave a shrug and started slipping it on. He shivered at the cold sweat laden fabric draping his skin. His face twisted at the odor. He wasn't sure he could get past it.

Dr. Conners slapped his shoulder and the shirt splashed with sweat. "See? Not so bad." He gestured toward the door. "Let's get going." When Seth wasn't looking Dr. Conners made a face and wiped his hands on his pants. As he was leading Seth and Kyra to the door he saw Ms. Murdock limping to her feet and moved to assist her.

Joan's hand shot out as she hobbled across the observatory. "That's entirely unnecessary, Dr. Conners."

As she continued on Bryce noticed that she uprighted her posture and put a bounce in her step to hide the limp. He backed off and reached to open the door.

When they were outside Seth noticed an odd path in the gravel lot that went from the truck to the bushes. The gravel and dirt looked like it had been kicked around to cover something up. The foliage where it led to was chattering with comps although Seth could not see them. He had a growing understanding that something dead was concealed in the bushes.

Dr. Conners caught his eye and saw his concern. He put an arm around Seth and steered him directly to the passenger side of the pickup. Hector had just finished brushing copious amounts of glass off the seat and Kyra was already scooting into the middle of the truck. Dr. Conners used a persuasive hand to squish Seth in beside her. He gave another look at Dr. Conners, seeking an answer as to what was in the bushes despite his concern that he might not actually want to know the answer to begin with.

Bryce could see that Seth was a sharp kid, and he didn't want him stressing about something he really didn't have to be. "It's nothing you need to worry about, Seth." Dr. Conners pressed him back in his seat and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. He didn't think he'd put his mind at ease, but it would have to do.

Dianna squeezed in beside Seth and Dr. Conners went to the driver's seat. As he buckled his safety belt Hector and Ms. Murdock climbed into the bed. When everyone was secure Bryce turned the key. There was an ear splitting screech as the starter motor gave a toothy grind. With embarrassment Dr. Conners realized that the motor was already running.

From the bed of the truck Hector said, "What the hell, amigo? You told me to start the engine."

Bryce bit the inside of his cheek. He really didn't need to be told that. He put the truck in gear and it lurched, jumped, and stalled.

Hector's head hit the side of the bed cover. "Come on, amigo," he growled with a laugh that was tainted with the slightest bit of aggravation.

"Do you want me to drive?" Dianna barked from across the cab.

"No thank you. I've got it." Dr. Conners turned the key again, and the motor rumbled back to life. For the second time he eased off the clutch. This time the truck rolled forward without hesitation. Bryce muttered a swear as he pulled away from the observatory and followed the winding road down the crater rim and back to the island's interior.