CHAPTER 131
The faint sound of a diesel motor grumbled through the air. What at first had been a distant hum so low it transpired without notice soon became a growing roar that could not be ignored.
The clan leader became tentative to the noise on the wind. With a tilt of its head it pondered the mechanical vibrations that were soon accompanied by metallic clangs and sharp rattling.
Every member of the pack was emulating their leader's newfound mode of concern. Dr. Conners felt the killing claw at his back relax and lift away. It appeared his execution would be postponed at least until this curious matter was dealt with.
Velociraptors were shifting their positions and forming ranks between the utahraptors and the direction of the sound. It had become apparent that the noise was coming from down the road that led back to the operations center.
Dianna and Bryce exchanged looks. To them the mysterious interruption was sounding more and more like a piece of heavy equipment.
Ms. Murdock and the others were all looking down the road now, wondering what this thing was that now held the raptor pack's attention. Out of the fog emerged a skid steer barreling forward at full throttle.
At the sight of the growling tractor the raptors recoiled a matter of steps as though they were being threatened by a large dangerous animal. When gunshots began to fire out of the door of the cab the hunters fled to either side of the machine.
The skid steer rumbled up to Dr. Conners and the rest of the group revealing the unknown operator's identity.
"Hector!" Bryce shouted as he saw his face.
Hector was covered in bite marks and dripping with blood. He was sitting with a weary slump and looked to be straining when he said, "get out of here, Amigo!" He turned the tractor and opened fire on the raptors again. "Go!"
Dianna was already grabbing Bryce's arm. "Come on!"
Bryce jumped to his feet and looked at the emergency bunker. There were three hissing velociraptors guarding the door. His eyes shot to the pile of guns. Another snarling velociraptor jumped on top of them and roared at the two doctors.
"Forget it, Bryce!" Dianna was pulling him toward the motor pool now.
The other members of the group were already running past them to find shelter among the vehicles.
Kyra nearly crashed into her dad as she ran by him. "Come on, Dad!" She gave his shirt a tug as she passed.
Bryce started running to catch up with the group, but he saw that several velociraptors were moving to pursue.
Dianna saw the same thing and knew the kids were well within range of being run down. She gave Seth a push and yelled, "hide!"
"Mom?"
"Seth, take the girls and hide. Go!"