SITE B
BOOK 3:
ESCAPING THE FIVE DEATHS
CHAPTER 148
Three months before the Jurassic Park incident…
The green Ford Explorer had left the edge of the valley and was venturing up a narrow jungle road when it stopped. After five minutes of sitting still Peter Ludlow looked up from a stack of documents he was sorting within an open briefcase.
"For God's sake, Daniel, what's the hold up?"
The driver hooked his armpit over the edge of his seat as he twisted around to converse. "Brachiosaurs, Mr. Ludlow. They're grazing in the roadway just ahead. Should be moving off in a matter of minutes."
Peter snapped his briefcase shut and put it aside. Leaning forward between the front seats he spied up the dirt road through his delicate wire frame spectacles.
Three tall scaly masses reached into the treetops. Around their lumbering bodies sticks and leaves fell to the ground. With a loud snap a large branch crashed down and two younger and much smaller brachiosaurs began to feed on it. The heads of the larger dinosaurs were difficult to see as they drifted among the higher vegetation. It was almost like watching a trio of giant headless elephants stomp around.
Reaching past Daniel, Peter blasted the horn and then fell back in his seat with a huff.
Daniel had a restrained annoyance on his face as he said, "that agitates them, Mr. Ludlow." He shifted his gaze as Peter's judgmental eyes met his in the rearview mirror. Gripping the steering wheel with his right hand he leaned against the door and murmured into his left palm, "stupid rich prick." Daniel shot another glance across the rearview mirror to find Mr. Ludlow tipping a flask to his lips. The loud trumpet of a brachiosaurus brought his attention back to the windshield.
Three sets of tree trunk sized legs were tromping toward the Explorer with the juvenile brachiosaurs tailing behind.
"Shit." Daniel put the shifter in reverse and eased the vehicle backwards.
"Is there a problem, Daniel?" Peter's tone was condescending.
"We just need to give them a little more space, sir." Daniel answered after a moment of biting his tongue to avoid an angry outburst.
The SUV shuddered and came to a halt, causing Peter to spill a portion of his flask. "You idiot." Brushing his suit dry with a stiff palm he turned his head to the back window. "There's a tree there."
The back corner of the vehicle had struck a trunk that was slightly further in the road than the rest of the tree line.
Daniel forced the shifter back to drive, but he had no space to move forward. One of the brachiosaurs had reached the hood of the Explorer. "Crap," Daniel said as he looked up through the glass roof of the SUV at the herbivore's towering neck. He was praying that Mr. Ludlow wouldn't try anything foolish like blowing the horn again.
For the moment Peter had grown quite still and equally silent.
Both men stared at the brachiosaurus as it bent its neck to look down at them. Its jaw chewed at a mouthful of leaves as it lowered closer. The herbivore held an inquisitive gaze and continued to chomp on the vegetation. Slobbery bits of green fell from its mouth and scattered across the glass roof as it ate.
"Well, isn't there something you can do?" Peter said after a minute.
"I wouldn't suggest blowing the horn."
"We're you attempting to be humorous?"
"Of course not, sir."
"Well?"
"What would you like me to do, sir?"
"Can't you drive around it? It's nothing more than a big lummox. I'm certain you can simply inch your way by."
Daniel knew this was a bad idea, but he didn't think Mr. Ludlow would hear it. With a sigh he reluctantly eased on the gas pedal and steered at a sharp angle.
The brachiosaur grunted and swung an ankle at the front bumper, tapping the Explorer back against the tree trunk.
"Damn. Give it another go." Peter was leaned between the front seats with an observant poise now.
"Sir, I really don't think-"
"Just try again. It should be a simple enough concept for you."
The brachiosaurus was still chewing and watching them through the glass roof. Daniel shook his head and tried another time. Once more the herbivore kicked the bumper with its front ankle.
Peter clenched a fist at the brachiosaurus. "Stubborn beast."
"Tell me about it." Daniel muttered into his far shoulder.
Peter adjusted his spectacles. He looked past the other two adult brachiosaurs and the juveniles to where the base of a tower was visible just up the road. "Damn it all, I'll walk." He snatched his briefcase and reached for the door.
"Mr. Ludlow, I really wouldn't recommend that."
"Thank you, Daniel, but you've been more than enough help today."
Upon the door opening there was a terrible crash, and the bottom of the SUV dropped to the ground. Recoiling into the vehicle Peter covered his head.
"Good God!" Daniel peeked out from under a protective forearm.
The brachiosaur's foot was embedded in the hood of the Explorer. Slowly it lifted as the dinosaur continued to chew. With a grunt the brachiosaurus side stepped, walking past the vehicle while dragging its rough hide along the paint. The other two brachiosaurs followed in a likewise fashion along the other side of the SUV. There was a crunch as both sideview mirrors were ripped from the doors. The Explorer rocked back and forth as the dinosaurs shoved it from both sides. As the adults passed, the juveniles followed. Each one stooped its head to get a look at the two men inside the vehicle. In another moment they were fading into the jungle and moving back toward the valley.
Daniel and Peter sat in silence for the next minute until Daniel reached for the radio and said, "I'll call for another car, Mr. Ludlow."
Peter, still appearing shaken, looked through the rear window. Seeing that the brachiosaurs had vacated the premises he latched onto his briefcase and said, "It's appalling that you suppose I have that kind of time." Kicking the door open he exited the vehicle and tromped off toward the tower.
As Daniel watched him storm away the radio in the dashboard crackled, "Oh my gosh! Are you two alright?"
Daniel took the receiver. "Yeah, Carrie, we're gonna need another Explorer sent out to our location. This one's undoubtedly out of commission."
"Copy that, Dan. You better catch up with Mr. Ludlow and make sure he doesn't do anything else stupid."
"Do I have to?"
"Go, Daniel."
Daniel reached in the glovebox and took out a tranquilizer pistol. As he stepped from the vehicle he felt how much lower to the ground he was. The suspension had clearly been blown. Daniel looked up the road at Mr. Ludlow and then turned to a near by surveillance camera. After a moment the lens nodded up and down.
Daniel sighed and trudged off after Mr. Ludlow. "They don't pay me enough to handle this shit."