“I mean there’s nothing between us and the enormous reptiles that roam Jurassic times, that’s what I mean. Nothing, Mr. Masterson.” He turned away in disgust. “Get into the truck,” he said harshly. “We’d better get back to the party while we’re still able to.”
They climbed into the truck, Owen still sullen, Masterson looking quite calm after what he’d done. Owen started the motor without saying another word.
“What about the jeep?” Chuck asked.
Owen signed deeply. “It’s probably still operable, Chuck. You drive it back, will you?”
Chuck nodded and hopped out of the truck, walking quickly to the jeep. He stared around him uneasily, not at all content with their present position now that the force field had been destroyed. He climbed into the driver’s seat and started the small vehicle. “Okay,” he called to Owen.
Owen swung the truck around, backing it over an outcropping of conglomerate. Then, straightening his wheels, he headed for the party in the distance.
Chuck glanced around him nervously as he drove the jeep forward. He thought of the restorations he’d seen of reptiles from this period, and a shudder worked its way up his spine.
Unconsciously, he stepped on the accelerator a little harder.
The party surrounded Owen silently, listening to what he had to say. Masterson sat in the cab of the truck, his face void of any guilt. Denise dangled her feet over the tailgate and listened to Owen with her lower lip caught between her teeth. Gardel leaned against the fender of the jeep, his long body bent forward at a curious angle. Arthur squatted on the ground, turning a large fern over in his brown hands. Pete, his green eyes pensive, listened with interest.
“Our generator is useless now,” Owen said. Chuck nodded silently, standing near his brother and looking at the thoughtful faces in the circle. “The force field is broken, and we’ve no way of putting up a new one.”
“That’s not so good,” Pete said with a shake of his head. His red hair gleamed brightly in the sun, and there was a worried look on his face. “It means there’s nothing to keep the animals out any more,” Owen said. He clenched his fists, then unclenched them quickly. “If there were some way for us to get back to the present immediately, I wouldn’t hesitate a moment. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until the automatic process begins again, one week from now.”
Arthur sighed deeply. “That’s a long time. Especially with all those animals out there.”
“You’re all behaving like a bunch of frightened children,” Masterson said suddenly. “What’s there to worry about? I understand these dinosaurs have brains the size of peas. Surely, we can outsmart such a stupid lot for a week.”
“You may be able to outsmart them,” Owen said, “but do you think you can outrun them?”
“What? I don’t understand you.”
“I’ve seen these big babies in action, Mr Masterson. Many of them are extremely ponderous and slow-moving. But there are many others whose speed would amaze you. I hope you never have to run a race with
“Who?”
“
“
Owen grinned wryly. “I think you’ll find Allosaurus to be a little different from either of those animals.”
“We’re wasting time talking,” Masterson said. “So I happened to short the force field. All right, so what?”
“I don’t think you realize the seriousness of our position, Mr. Masterson. These animals…”
“These animals are only animals!” Masterson said forcefully. “They happen to be big, that’s all.”
“The bigger they come, the harder they fall,” Gardel put in.
“Exactly. I don’t see what everyone is making an issue about.”
“No issue at all,” Owen said tightly. “From here on in, I’m giving the orders, and they’ll be obeyed. As far as I’m concerned, the hunting part of this expedition ended the minute we shorted the force field.”
“What!”
“You heard me, Mr. Masterson. No one is to leave the vicinity of the trucks, starting right now. Is that clear?”
“This is absurd,” Masterson complained. “I paid a handsome fee for the privilege of…”
“That has nothing to do with it!” Owen snapped.
Masterson leaned out of the cab, his face ruddy with rage. “It has a lot to do with it,” he said. “I paid for a hunting expedition and, by Jupiter, I’m going to get one.” He hopped out of the cab, angrily pushing aside a tall fern that blocked his path. Without looking back, he walked purposefully to the rear of the truck.
“Where are you going?” Owen asked.
Masterson’s voice was low when he answered. “There’s something I want to show you,” he said.