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On its first voyage into the distant past, the time machine ran into big trouble |
| [Introduction]
A team of adventurous scientists decide to test their new invention, a time machine, to the max and go millions of years into the past, but they are surprised to discover that the dinosaurs are not quite as stupid as they thought. In fact, some species of dinosaur are so intelligent they have built towns and cities! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
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| Name: Skeemo Saab Species: rat humanimal Occupation: chronological scientist (translation: time traveler) The time machine fell to the earth like a broken elevator. They all gasped, but no on was hurt. "Sorry about that!" Skeemo said. "It's difficult to get the heights to match between take off and landing." He studied the control panel. "But you will be happy to know we made it to 100 million years in the past!" |
| Name: Melissa Cephalopa Species; Humboldt Squid Humanimal Occupation: Prehistoric Wildlife Expert/Single Mom Melissa's tentacles were aching from the crash and she looked around, they were currently in a desert, not the best place for a Squid "I'm glad you're happy about this." She said in her Dixie Accent (Melissa once one the Southern Sea Belle Beauty Pageant at her Underwater High School) "We're currently in the Jurassic Period, I thought we were aiming for the Cretaceous!" |
| The time machine resembled a big box, a dumpster, or a warehouse container. There was room inside for 4 or 5 occupants and there was a door. It was nothing fancy. Now they all stood outside on the desert surveying the surroundings. "Look!" Skeemo said. "A dust cloud over that way. I think something is approaching." A few minutes later a half a dozen human-sized dinosaurs arrived. Remarkably, they seemed to be wearing belts and vests and caps and weapons. "They look like Troodons," whispered Melissa. "I think you're right," Skeemo said, "but how can they be wearing garments? Very strange." The Troodons surrounded them. The largest Troodon, who seemed to be the leader, looked them over. He made noises which might have been a language. Skeemo had no idea what the noises might mean, but when a Troodon fastened a leash to him, he knew what that meant. They wanted him to go with them. "What are we going to do?" said Melissa, sounding frightened. "Don't panic," Skeemo said. "I don't think we have any choice but to go with them. I can't believe they actually have a civilization, but I can't think of any other explanation." "There is nothing about this in the fossil record," Melissa said. |
| Name: Theronx Snapjab Species: Evolved Troodon Occupation: Herd Protector, Rank Pack Leader (Combination Police Officer/Soldier, with the Rank of Sergeant, with a small squad) (Since it's unlikely that Prehistoric Dinosaurs know English, or whatever, I'm going to enclose their speech with the ^ symbol, so that I don't need to build a "dino-translator" for us.  .)Theronx looked at the strange creatures his patrol had located. He wasn't sure what they were, but if they proved dangerous, it was his job to protect the Herd. The creatures didn't look to be that dangerous, in fact, one of them lacked anything resembling claws, and had small fangs, too small to be deadly. As for the rest, there was one or two that might poise a bit of trouble, but nothing that his Pack couldn't take care of. By now, the others in his Pack had started fastening Restraining Vines (leashes) to the creatures. ^If these creatures get out of hand, use your Flash-Zaps,^ Theronx said, as he pulled out a device, and held it in front of one of the creatures, Skeemo. The creature found itself looking at two small metal teeth. Theronx then pressed a button, which sent a lightning bolt from one tooth, to the other. Theronx watched as the creature's eyes widened, perhaps in fear, perhaps in amazement, or a combination. The creature turned to the others. "These guys have Tasers." ^What did that thing say?^ Scrax, one of the Pack Members under Theronx's command asked. Theronx looked back at his subordinate. ^How should I know? I've never heard of these creatures before, so how could I know their language?^ Scrax looked away. ^I'm sorry Pack Leader. It just looked like the creature knew what a Flash-Zap was.^ ^If it does, good,^ said Theronx. ^Now, I'm going to show it what a Hard Claw looks like, in case they try to attack us.^ At this, Theronx pulled out a curved metal object, that resembled a claw, showed it to the creature, and then placed it against its throat, not hard enough to do any damage, but enough to put pressure on the creature's skin. He then made a very careful motion, against the creature's skin, before removing the object. The creature rubbed it's throat, and nodded. It hadn't been harmed, but it knew what would happen, if Theronx decided to get rid of it for good. "That's some knife." |
| Name: Sabastian Taylor Species: White American Ibis Humanimal Occupation: Assistant to Skeemo. Author's note: For those who are wondering, yes, Sabastian is the Mascot to the University of Miami's football team and the reason why I chose this because, I was Sabastian when I went to U.M. in my Junior year, though it was hot in the costume, I kept the fans going. Sabastian peeked out from the machine, "Is everything alright Dr. Saab?" |
| Melissa said "Sab! Get back in the machine!" But the Troodons noticed the Ibis and they were...Pretty shocked, since the Troodons had feathers and long necks and long legs like Sab they felt like they were looking at a deformed specimen of their kind looking at the Ibis, uncanny valley and all that The Herd Leader snapped his fingers and two Troodons rushed over to leash the Ibis Sab tried to fly away but the Troodons were too fast for him |
| The three time travelers were marched for several hours until they came to a small village. The villager troodons gathered around to stare at them and gabble at each other in amazement. One of the little ones said, ^Daddy, what are these strange beasts?^ ^I'm not sure,^ said its father. ^The protectors must have found them in the dessert.^ Skeemo and Melissa and Sabastian were tossed into a room with bars on the windows. "A jail is a jail," Skeemo said, "no matter where you find it." "Now what?" Sabastian said. "One thing is sure. We're not going to get very far if we don't figure out away to communicate with them. Melissa, you're a pretty good artist, aren't you?" "I'm good at drawing wildlife," Melissa said. "What do you have in mind?" "I thought if we made little cartoons we could possibly communicate with them that way." "That's not a bad idea," Melissa said. "In fact, I'm thirsty. I'll draw the three of us drinking water and see if we can get a drink with it." Sabastian snorted. "You don't have to draw that. We can just mime it." "I guess you're right," Melissa said. "What about food? I can draw what we like to eat." |
| Meanwhile, Theronx was meeting his Superior, the Head Herd Protector, Patriarch Snazzle Bigclaws. ^You found some rather strange creatures out there, Pack Leader,^ said the Patriarch, drumming a claw on his wooden desk. ^What do you think they are? Friend, Foe, Prey?^ ^I'm not sure what they are,^ said Theronx. ^They are not at all alike themselves. Some might be Friend, some might be Foe, and some might be Prey.^ The Patriarch nodded. ^How are they with themselves?^ ^They weren't aggressive towards one another,^ said Theronx. ^They didn't try to harm any of us, even when we put Restraining Vines on them, though the one did try to escape.^ ^Yes, the Mutant,^ said the Patriarch. ^Tried to fly away, according to your Pack Members. Are you sure it's a Mutant, and perhaps not another Species altogether?^ ^I can't be sure about that, Patriarch,^ said Theronx. ^I did not have a Life-Blood Analyzer on me, so I could not determine their Genetic Structure or anything of that sort. We do not even know what it is they eat or drink.^ ^In that case, get an Analyzer, get samples from each of them, turn the samples over to a Genetics Reader, and he'll figure out their biological needs,^ said the Patriarch. ^After that, get a Body Healer, and have him test these creatures, and perhaps get a Mind Healer as well, to see how smart they are.^ ^Yes, Patriarch.^ ^Good.^ The Patriarch then grabbed a box, opened its lid, and turned it towards Theronx. ^Greenscale? My son caught them this morning.^ Theronx looked in the box. The creatures inside resembled Troodons, and some Genetics Readers even theorized that the creatures shared a distant ancestor to them. However, that was back during something called the Pre-Evolved Time, back before the Great Egg Layer decided to lay eggs that contained Intelligent Life. Besides, creatures, no matter their status, needed to eat, and everything was Prey to something, just as one of these Greenscales was about to be to Theronx. One of the creatures then decided to try to make its move, and started to climb out of the box. It only got half its body out when Theronx grabbed it. ^I always like it when one of them tries to run.^ He then bit the creature's head off, and swallowed. The Patriarch chuckled, as he closed the lid on the rest of the creatures. ^Good. Just make sure to wipe your mouth and claws. After all, if your prisoners are Herbivores, they might not be too comfortable around blood.^ ^Herbivores never are,^ said Theronx. ^They don't like getting close to meat-eaters, which is why they use those like us as go-betweens.^ Theronx finished his Greenscale, wiped his mouth and claw on a cloth, and left the office. ^Start of an interesting day, Patriarch.^ |
| Skeemo says "I'm not sure about you two, but I'm starting to get hungry." Sebastan says "I'm a little hungry too, I hope these Troodons have fish because that's what I like to eat." Malissa says "Got it, but are you sure they'll feed us?" Skeemo says "I'm sure they will, even if they don't speak our language they look civilized. Also, it's not fair to starve the prisoners." |
| One Troodon came up to the bars, in his hands was a small rectangular device, out of the box came a needle, that pricked all three of them drawing a blood sample from each of them, after that the Troodon went away. "Maybe he drew blood from us so he can determine what we can eat and what we can't." Said Melissa "You sure that's why he did that?" Asked Skeemo |
| Patriarch Snazzle Bigclaws decided he wanted to see the strange captured beasts for himself, so he met Protector Theronx Snapjab at the jail. ^You didn't tell me they wore clothes!^ said the Patriarch. ^And listen to them. Surely they are talking to each other.^ In fact, at that moment Skeemo was saying, "I wonder who that guy is? He looks important." ^I'm sorry, Patriarch,^ said Theronx. ^Does it make any difference?^ ^Of course it makes a difference! Can't you see that these must be intelligent beings like ourselves? They aren't beasts. They must have traveled here from another land. I knew this would happen some day. My father always told me there were many lands and many beings.^ ^But what are we to do with them?^ Theronx said. ^They don't speak our language.^ ^The first thing we do is get them out of this jail and into better quarters. They can stay in my guest house. See that it's done. I am going to send for a language expert. If there is a way to talk to them I will find it.^ |
| ^If you wish them to be placed in your guest quarters, I'll do as you say,^ said Theronx. ^However, I'm going to post some of my Pack Members nearby. I don't intend to repeat the Chompy Incident.^ Snazzle looked at Theronx. ^That is good thinking. I don't want to lose another son to a pack of Renegades.^ |
| Skeemo. Melissa and Sabastian just waited in their jail cell, "Next time we time travel," Sabastian said, "bring a translator device so we can understand what the people are saying in a certain time period." Skeemo says "The only drawback is, I don't recognize the language here, I can translate ancient Greek or Italian. If we ended up in time of Greek gods and heroes or the reign of Julius Caesar. Talking dinosaurs is a different language altogether." Melissa says "That is a problem." She noticed one of the Troodons approaching the cell, "Now what's going on?" The Troodon opened the cage and beckoned the trio to follow it. Skeemo says "I believe it wants us to follow it." Sabastian asked "What? To set us free?" The 3 time travelers followed the Troodon to outside, the guards just looked but made no action. Skeemo says "I think the leader wants to see us." They all came to a door where a guard opened it and they are lead in, the room is a lot more roomier then the cell, Skeemo nodded in approval. Melissa says "Well, this is more like it." They all went inside. |
| The Leader of the Pack looked at them for a few moments, then he rose, approached them and started to sniff them. Some of them smelled delicious! Especially the red slimy creature with many tails growing out of the face, The fuzzy creature with the scaly tail and the small fangs reminded him of what he called 'Furballs' (Small Mesozoic Mammals) As far as he knew no Furball species was intelligent |
| And the creature that looked like a twisted version of a white Troodon was most puzzling of all. The red slimy creature extend something to him. What's this? The Patriarch examined Melissa's drawing. I knew it! he thought. They are intelligent! He grabbed a sketchpad off his desk and quickly drew a crude cartoon of a Troodon making the traditional "Greetings, friend!" gesture to the three creatures. They looked at it, but he sensed it meant nothing to them. "What did he draw?" Skeemo asked. "I think it's supposed to be him and us," Melissa said. "But what does it mean?" asked Sabastian. |
| Meanwhile, Theronx was stationed by the door when a lesser Herd Protector came up to him. ^Pack Leader Theronx, I have a report to make,^ the Troodon said. ^The Velociraptor Scran Eggstealereater was caught just outside of town. He tried to break into the Egg Room of Tyrannosaurus Enird Biglegs, when Enird caught him.^ Theronx chuckled at this. ^So, that Non-Survival Cannibalistic Renegade finally stuck his snout into the wrong nest. Did Enird eat him, or did she bring him here to face punishment?^ ^She's got him tied up, over by the Healer's,^ said the Herd Protector. ^She's visiting the Healer to make sure that her eggs weren't damaged.^ Theronx nodded. ^Alright. I'll go check it out. Stay here and keep an eye on the Patriarch.^ ^I heard he had some strange guests,^ the Herd Protector said. ^I'll see to it that no harm comes to him, or his family, if they should prove to be less than friendly.^ A short while later, Theronx was outside the Healer's office, where he saw the bound velociraptor, tied up leg, arm, tail, and snout, unable to move or talk. Theronx chuckled, as he walked up to the criminal. ^What the Herd Protectors couldn't do, an expectant mother did. Either way, your crimes have come to an end.^ He took out his Hard Claw, and cut the vines restraining the velociraptor's mouth. Scran hissed at him, and snapped his jaws. ^What are you going to do now? Have you come to gloat?^ Theronx looked the criminal over. A broken leg, a smashed arm, and at least a couple of broken ribs, based upon the bruises on Scran's sides. ^I only came to tell you your punishment.^ Scran scoffed at this. ^What did you do? Judge me before you could catch me?^ ^Universal Law, Illegal Non-Survival Cannibalism is considered murder, and is punishable by Death,^ said Theronx. ^Specifically, you've been reclassified as Prey. I'm certain that Enird will appreciate the extra meat in her Cold Storage, plus the Credit for bringing in a Multiple Egg-Eater/Child-Killer like you, both in terms of Thanks from her neighbors, and for purchasing Goods and Services.^ Scran tried to snap his jaws, but Theronx kicked him instead, and tied his mouth back together. ^So long, Prey.^ Theronx then stepped into the office, and saw the Name/Note Taker at the desk. He walked up to her, and pulled out his Shiny, which marked him as a Herd Protector. ^Is the mother Biglegs still here?^ ^Is this about that Egg-Eater out there?^ Theronx nodded. ^Room 6.^ Theronx walked behind the desk, and went to the room, knocked, and was told he could enter. ^Herd Protector?^ Enird asked, as she watch the Healer go over her eggs with a scanning device. ^You have a Good Catch,^ said Theronx. ^You're free to do with the Egg-Eater as you please. He's nothing more than Prey.^ The T. Rex smiled. ^Thank you, Herd Protector.^ |
| Meanwhile after communicating to the Leader they were hungry, the Troodons gave them big bowls of a funny smelling green liquid. "What is this stuff?" Asked Sab "It looks like a soup made from algae." Said Melissa "It smells disgusting." Said Sab They had no way of asking the Troodons so they did not know that this was the 'Primordial Soup' the Troodons were serving them this in hopes the Primordial Soup's mystical properties would help translate the strange creatures strange speech so they could understand each other more clearly |
| Although the Primordial Soup did not result in instant communications, it did prove nourishing enough to survive on. The language expert sent for by the Patriarch was Elder Janx and he was very good. For five weeks he worked all day every day with Skeemo, Melissa, and Sab and at the end of that period the two species had a better understanding of each other. However, although Skeemo, Melissa,and Sab could all understand Troodon speech, only Sab could speak it because it was a bird language composed of high-pitched tones. Likewise, the Troodons could understand what Skeemo, and Melissa, and Sab were saying when they spoke English, but the Troodons couldn't speak it properly because of the low-pitched tones. But the end result was that now communication was possible. "Thank you for a job well done, Elder Janx," said the Patriarch. "Yes, thank you," agreed Skeemo. The occasion was a party to congratulate Elder Janx for the completion of his task. He would now return to his home village. "It's been my pleasure," said Janx. "And now I can add English to my Library of Languages." After the party, Patriarch Snazzle Bigclaws called the three time travelers into his office. "Now that we can all speak to each other, I would like to know what are your plans?" "To return to our own time if we can," said Skeemo. "Is it possible that you cannot?" "I am afraid so. When we landed here our time machine fell quite a ways to the ground. Hopefully, no critical part was damaged." |
| "I'm certain suitable equivalents can be found," said Theronx, as the Herd Protector entered the office. "Sure, like in the Back to the Future movies," said Skeemo. The Patriarch blinked at this. "What are you talking about?" "Science fiction story, or so it was at the time, about an inventor who made a time machine out of this really cool car," said Skeemo. "His teenage assistant accidentally uses it, and finds himself at a time just before his parents met, and he has to work with the inventor's counterpart in that time in order to fix the device after it breaks. A lot of crazy things happen in regards to that device - went to the past, to the then present, then the future, then to an alternative present, then to the past, then further into the past, where the device then had to wait a few decades to get fixed, then back to that past, and then back to the present, where it finally gets destroyed, to prevent the timeline from unraveling. Funny enough, the inventor, who had gone into the further past, made another time machine, and got married, with kids, to a woman, who was supposed to die, but he'd accidentally saved, thus changing the timeline slightly. It was quite crazy, though it gave the implication that the timeline is always in flux." The Patriarch looked at Theronx. "Sounds like the future is going to be strange." "I just wonder what our descendants are going to look like," said Theronx, as he looked at Sabastian. "Are our kind still around as a species, or have they changed, or, given when you're from, have they died off?" The time travelers then looked at each other. This was something they hadn't expected. How were they going to tells these people that an asteroid was going to wipe them out? How were they going to explain that birds like Sabastian were their closest living relations, along with certain reptiles, and that mammals, in the future, would dominate the planet? |
| Sabastian says "I may not be an expert in evolution, but I heard that us birds are evolved from dinosaurs. For all I know, you could be my ancestor." |
Meanwhile, in the Velociraptor Camp, the Matriarch Thorny Claws looked at her map. "My People!" she said. "It has come to my attention that deep under this desert there is something very old and big and dangerous. Whenever any Dinosaur gets too close to certain caverns, they vanish never to be seen again." |
| "We know that place!" said Jimmy Jumphigh, one of the younger velociraptors. "We call it the Caverns of Doom. That's where Bobby Blowhard disappeared." "Then have some sense, you youngsters," said Thorny Claws, "and stay away from that place!" "Awww, we do, but it's fun to see how close you can get and not get killed." "Well, I forbid such fun! Do not go there!" Skeemo and Melissa and Sabastian made the long trek into the desert to visit their time machine. It was just like they left it. Skeemo tried the controls. "It's not going to work," he said. Melissa gasped. "Oh no! Does that mean we are stuck here forever?" |
| "We could do what Marty McFly did in the Back to the Future movies," said Skeemo. "Find the equivalents of the replacement parts we need." |
| Sabastian says "Question is, where do we need to find parts to replace in age of dinosaurs?" |
| Melissa looked to the Troodon "Exactly where and what is this desert?" Theronx replied "This is the Great Desert. It's the largest country, that takes up the entire center on Gondwanaland." "That's odd." Said Melissa "Our history books give us the story that the Jurassic was a time when most of the world was covered in lush rain forest." "That may have been true a few decades ago but today there has been a drought spanning many generations...The Desert grows larger and larger every generation." "Huddle up guys." Melissa said "I don't want you guys to panic." The Squid said "But I think there is another time traveler here trying to change history for some reason." |
| "Why would you think that?" Skeemo asked. "Call it squid's intuition," Melissa said. "I kind of got that feeling too," added Sabastian. Skeemo shrugged. "No feeling about it here. I would have to see some proof. But it would be very convenient if another time traveler was here because that would be a way back to our own time." "Maybe a rescue operation was launched in our time when we didn't return," Melissa said. "Maybe they sent someone into the past to find us." "That's a good point," Skeemo said. "They could be looking for us right now." |
| "Still, why would this place be a desert?" asked Skeemo. "Well, perhaps our history books are wrong," said Melissa. "Obviously, they are wrong about the intelligence of the locals. I mean, given that there's 65 million years between the last of the dinosaurs, and what we call Modern Humans, the evidence has time to be destroyed/altered, and perhaps all we've been able to find is the evidence of the Wild Dinosaurs, just like there's wild versions of us. I mean, in a million years, there's time for things to change into their basic elements, like with sunken ships made of metal turning into piles of rust over several decades." "You have a point there," said Skeemo. "I mean, we don't really know anything about these people. Sure, we know that they are friendly, but what do we know of them; customs, laws, judicial punishments, funeral practices, marriage practices, and all of that. We know nothing. This is a golden opportunity, especially once we fix our machine." |
| Meanwhile, within the Caverns of Doom. Dinosaurs that disappeared are really being held for slave labor for a rogue time traveler and his stooges, a mad scientist named Dr. Oskar Von Wolffe, who plans to alter history to suit his world domination needs. One of the slaves a, weakened Dilophosaurus collapsed with exhaustion. Dr. Von Wolffe says "Svinehunde! Herr Gerbles. This one lost it's strange, go out and find me a replacement, schnell!" |
| Melissa still felt certain that someone was altering the past, She took her soil sampling kit and began tests to see if there was anything, unusual in the dessert |
| Herr Gerbles muttered a protest that Dr. Von Wolffe ignored. "Just go do it, Gerbles! And shtop all that muttering!" After Gerbles left, Von Wolffe sat for a long time staring at the ceiling. Visions of a future ruled by him filled his head. And oh, the women he would have! And der fast cars and der private airplane! He would be king! Melissa held up her sand sample for all to see. "Look at this! Proof that someone from the future other than us is here!" "What is it?" Skeemo asked. "Traces of beer! And we brought none with us! The Troodons don't drink beer!" "Are you sure?" "Positive! I asked them." |
| "Perhaps they call beer by a different name," said Skeemo. "Or else they use the main ingredients, like hops, in something similar." Melissa then picked up something else. "I doubt they'd call it Busch, or that they'd put it in a can like this one, especially one with an eagle on it." "You're right," said Skeemo. "They'd call it Snaps, or some such thing, with a T. Rex for an image, or something, and not an animal that won't exist for several million years yet." "Perhaps we should talk to the Patriarch about what we've found," said Sabastain. "I mean, he's like the chief protector, or whatever around here, along with that Theronx fella, who seems to be like his right-hand dinosaur." |
| Gerbles muttered something in German as he goes out in the desert then he spots Skeemo and his crew, he sees Sabastian with great interest "Was ist das? An American White Ibis at this time? It'll make a excellent replacement as a slave, Dr. Von Wolffe will like this one." He then sneaks behind them and just waits until they leave the Troodon encampment. |
| Unfortunately for Gerbles, Melissa being an Aquatic Humanimal could feel him approaching through her 'lateral lines' which functioned as well as in air as in water, seeing a fat German Man approaching them with a net, Melissa decided it was time to remind everyone why her species was known as the 'Red Devils' Turning quickly she lunged with her face tentacles splayed open revealing her sharp venom filled beak, Gerbles had no time to react as Melissa did her best Mind-Flayer impersonation and latched onto his face. Skeemo turned to Sab "This I think is why the Professor insisted we bring her along." The Rat said with a cheerful smirk it's next to impossible to sneak up on a Squid and any attempt to do so will result in a face full of ink or..." "MY NOSE!" Screamed Gerbles "THE Tintenfisch BIT OFF MY NOSE!" |
| "Oh calm down," Skeemo said. "You still have most of your nose. Now just who the hell are you and what are you doing here 100 million years in the past?" "I might ashk you der same thing!" Gerbles said. "Obviously I am a time traveler like yourself." "Did you come here to rescue us?" "Rescue you! No! Did you come here to arrest us?" "Arrest you?" Skeemo said. "For what?" Gerbles face turned red. "Oh...er... nothing! Did I say arrest? I meant rescue." "Oh no!" Skeemo said. "Don't tell me your time machine is broken too?" "No, it works. I mean.. maybe. Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't." "Don't you know?" Skeemo said. "You have to talk to Doctor Von Wolffe." |
| It was at that moment that a loud screech was heard, and it shook all four to their cores. "Vhat vas dat?" Gerbles asked, as he tried to regain his composure. "Sounds like someone is not happy with something," said Skeemo. "I'd say so," said Sabastian. "Look." Skeemo and Melissa turned, and saw Theronx, with a number of other Troodon Herd Protectors. Next to him was a Velociraptor. The creature was speaking so fast, that Skeemo and his friends couldn't understand what was being said. Theronx snarled, and then made a running jump, sending Gerbles into the sand. ^Is this one with you?^ he asked, drawing his Hard Claw, and putting it to the human's throat. "We just met him," said Skeemo. "He said that he and a friend of his were trapped here." Theronx snarled. ^This one's scent was located near a dead Dilophosaurus, which seemed to have died from forced labor, and not from natural causes.^ "He didn't say anything about that," said Skeemo. "Vhat are dey saying?" Gerbals asked, trying not to impale his throat on the Herd Protector's weapon. "They said that your scent was found near a dead body, one that had been murdered," said Skeemo. "I don't know anything about dat. I vas just traveling through the area." Theronx snarled. ^I smell a lie. Tell him that he'll lead us to his friend, and the others they've taken. Tell him, if he tries to run, Snonx Fastrunner here will chase him down, and tear open his lying guts, before feasting upon him!" Skeemo's eyes widened at this. "I'd advise against trying to leave, for your own safety." |
| Sabastian gleamed at Gerbles "it seems that your hiding something, and Like are friend here, I don't trust you. he says if you try to run. Snonx Fastrunner here will chase you down, and tear open your lying guts, before feasting upon you." Gerbles is now scared out of his wits. |
| At that point he did what Wolfe instructed him to do in such a situation...He reached for his cyanide pill. "Oh no you don't!" Said Melissa knocking away the pill with a tentacle, "Skeemo! Sab!" Melissa said "Tie him up! We have ways of making you talk!" At the Troodon Camp, Skeemo sniffed all around Gerbles body and Sab pecked with his beak "Found no tracking devices on him." Said Skeemo "I think we're safe." "Ditto." Said Sab "Seems you've been using Dinosaurs for slave labor..." Said Melissa "Time to go Medieval on your rump!" She got out her MP3 Player "10 Hours of Country Music..." |
| "No!" screamed Gerbles. "You vould not do dat! It iss not human!" Skeemo said, "Um... in case you didn't notice, we are not human. We are humanimals." "Yah, yah, I get it!" Gerbles said, "but surely you would not do such a thing?" "Turn on your MP3 Player, Melissa." |
| (Hey, now I like country music.) ^I hope whatever you're talking about isn't harmful to us,^ said Theronx. "No, but not everyone likes country music, especially with all of the changes its gone through in recent decades," said Skeemo. |
| The first song Melissa played was Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyris. Skeemo and Sabastian just tapped their foot to the beat as they watched Gerbles reaction. |
| "ARRRRGGG!" Screamed Gerbles as he thrashed in his seat "Are you gonna talk?" Asked Melissa "I'll Talk! I'll talk!" Screamed Gerbles Melissa turned off her MP3 Player "We are Germans from the year 1952." Said Gerbles "Really?!" Exclaimed Skeemo "We're from a far later year then that!" "How far later?" Asked Gerbles "Five thousand years later." Said The Rat "How did you manage to travel to the Late Jurassic with 50s Technology?" "We found a mysterious cavern deep below the Earth's surface." Said Gerbles "In that cavern were portals to different times." |
| "You're from 1952?" Skeemo asked. "But that seems unlikely. In 1952 the Germans were still trying to recover from their devastating losses of World War II." "Losses?!" Gerbles said. "Vhat are you talking about? Ve von der war! In 1952 Germany iss a super power." "Uh oh," Melissa said. "I smell an alternate parallel earth timeline situation here." "I don't know what that is," Skeemo said, "but I agree these Germans cannot be from OUR future. I wonder if the those caverns exist in this time as well." "Of course dey exist!" Gerbles said. "Do you think I traveled to this time in a Volkswagen?" |
| ^Sounds like he's not being very helpful,^ said Theronx. Skeemo sighed. "Not really. I mean, it's not like I'm a cop or someone who would be an expert on such situations." Theronx scratched the side of his head, as he looked at the German human. ^Tell me, do you let your Meat-Eaters eat your dead?^ Skeemo chuckled nervously. "Depending upon the situation, but not normally. Is that what you do with your dead?" Theronx nodded. ^It's also how we deal with criminals who commit certain crimes that are deemed punishable by being classified as Prey, where Meat-Eaters can hunt them down, kill them, and eat them, with no legal repercussions.^ "No offense, but there are some medical issues with that sort of thing," said Skeemo. ^The deceased is examined by Healers, to make sure that the body isn't contaminated by things that would survive the preparation methods,^ said Theronx. ^One such sickness being something that reverts one to an unEvolved Dinosaur, in mannerisms that is. Should there be such a condition, the body is incinerated. Otherwise, we prepare the body like any other medium to large-sized animal, freezing, drying, partially cooking, cutting it into pieces, before it is eventually sold to the average dinosaur, or to a restaurant.^ "Um, the family knows about this?" Skeemo asked. ^Of course, and they receive Credit from the sale of their deceased relation,^ said Theronx. ^Otherwise they would get the remains, which they could then eat, or, in the case of a herbivore, give to a Meat-Eater that they are on good terms with. In any case, prayers are to be said, to honer the spirit of the departed, before dinning commences.^ "So, why are you telling us this?" Skeemo asked. ^I suggest taking him through one such facility, where he can see just what might happen to him, if he doesn't cooperate,^ said Theronx. ^As it is, his actions are serious enough that, if he wasn't a Time-Traveler, or whatever, he would be classified as Prey by any Herd Protector. The murder of young ones is that serious.^ |
| Author's note: If you want to read a story that takes place in Alternate History, I recommend, The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K. Dick.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_in_the_High_Castle) even though the author is long dead, still this is a good story with lots of twists and turns. Sabastian says "I know how you feel, but we need to correct all this. Last thing we need is finding an alternate world when we get back, where the Axis still hold power." |
| "We need to get this Human to take us to his leader." Melissa said "He can't do that if he's dead." "You said you found a Dinosaur dead of forced labor." Said Skeemo "Was there any evidence, any tracks we can follow to the source?" ^I have an idea.^ Came a new voice it was Thorny Claws ^The Caverns of Doom.^ Said the Velociraptor ^I've identified it as the sight where Dinosaurs go missing.^ |
| "Of course!" Skeemo said, slapping his head. "How could I not put 2 and 2 together? It's the same place! That's why the dinosaurs go missing. They wander off into a time portal. Floyd only knows what the people at the other end think when a dinosaur pops out." "Who is this Floyd of which you speak?" asked Sabastian. "A mythical character who knows a lot," Skeemo said. Melissa raised a tentacle. "So maybe the so-called Caverns of Doom are our ticket out of here, eh?" "Only if you know which portal to step through," Gerbles said. "Well, we don't want to use the one that you and Dr Wolffe use," Skeemo said, " because that would land us in 1952 earth with Germany as a superpower. I don't relish that." |
| ^It is also possible that we may have what you need,^ said Theronx. ^I have a cousin who was working on something that requires a great deal of power. Exactly what it is, I do not know, but it might have what you need.^ |
| "Leave that to us," said Theronx. "As you know, the Troodon jails are very solid." "True dat!" said Skeemo. "Come on, guys. Let's go have a look at those caverns." |
| "Just how good are your jails?" Skeemo asked. ^Angry Brontosaurus can't break through,^ said Theronx. |
| Sabastian says "I hope the bars are narrower then that, last thing we need is them slipping through them because the bars are too far apart." |
| After a few hours of travel they found themselves in the location where the Caverns of Doom were supposed to be. "Now what?" Sabastian asked. "I don't see anything but hills." "The entrance is disguised," said their guide, a young velociraptor who had been in the Caverns before. "We follow this stream until we come to its source. It appears to spring from the hillside and there is a large boulder there. When you roll the boulder aside, a cave entrance is revealed." |
| "And on the other side somewhere are the kidnappers we're looking for," said Theronx. |
| Meanwhile Wolfe was sitting on his throne drinking lager from a stein and eating a pickle loaf sandwich What was he doing with his dinosaur slaves? In the Caverns of Time with all the portals was powered by streams of a green gooey liquid that maintained the portals. Wolfe was using the Dinosaurs to Harvest the Green Goo which he discovered could be used as a fuel more powerful then nuclear energy and he would use the goo to power his death machines and become the Immortal King of Time and Space |
| One of Wolffe's assistants (henchmen), a hunchback named Hugo, sat on a wooden barrel watching his boss's face. He's totally insane. Look at those eyes. He's trying to be God. It can only end badly. Skeemo and Melissa and Sebastian and Theronx rolled the boulder aside and sure enough, there was a cave behind it. They crawled through and found that the narrow opening soon opened into a huge cavern. From this cavern there were dozens of exits leading to other caves. "It's like a giant honeycomb," Theronx said. "We better be careful we don't get lost." |
| "How do we do that?" Skeemo asked. "Look back over your shoulder every few steps, so that you know what the way back looks like," said Theronx. "And, just as importantly, use a Hard Claw to trace an arrow on the side of the cavern every few steps." At this, Theronx pulled out his weapon, walked to the side, and scratched a quick arrow, then brushed his hand over it, making it vanish. "What was that for?" Skeemo asked. "Why did you erase it?" "Hidden from patrols, if they are like that human we caught," said Theronx. "My scent is on it, for my Herd Protectors to follow, and water with reveal it to naked eyes." |
| They heard voices in one of the tunnels, "Shh," whispered Theronx. "It appears we're not alone, but I don't recognize the language." Sabastian whispered, "I know that language, it's german." |
| "That must be the tunnel that leads to the portal Gerbels and his pals use," Skeemo said. "Let's avoid that one." "But I'm kind of curious what they are up to," said Theronx. "How about if you sneak down there and make a quick check while we wait for you here?" Theronx padded rapidly, but quietly, down the tunnel toward the voices. |
| Theronx carefully reached into his pocket, and pulled out a device called a Sound Copier. It could copy sounds, and repeat them at another time. In this case, he could use it to record what was being said, and let his strange friends hear them later, so that they could tell him what was said. |
| In the tunnel, two german guards discuss the ideas of Dr. Wolffe, ^I don't know Tybalt, does it really matter we need a god? I'm just satisfied with the Furher's victory over the war.^ One said and Tybalt responded, ^Udolf, ever sense Dr. Wolffe pitched his idea, the Furher knew he would never accomplish such a mission, but this. Having dinosaurs mine the fuel for his death machine. I'm starting to marvel such an accomplishment." |
| As our four heroes made their way through the dark passage, Suddenly four long arms reached forth and attacked! Everyone was caught of guard! Theronx used his hard claw to attack one of the arms the arm sliced clean off, and wriggled onto Theronx and tried to strangle him! "I think I know what's going on!" Said Melissa as she cleared some dread vines, revealing a giant prison cell and inside there was a Giant Ammonite like a massive Nautilus half submerged in him sludge "It's one of my Prehistoric Relatives!" Exclaimed Melissa "Poor thing, what are you doing locked up here?" The Ammonite wasn't intelligent so it couldn't speak |
| "I said why are you locked up here?" Melissa repeated in a louder voice. Skeemo touched her shoulder. "I don't think it can talk, Melissa." "We have to set it free," she said. "Why? Maybe it's a criminal or something." "It's not a criminal, Skeemo. It's one of my relatives! Help me unfasten these chains." Once the giant nautilus was free, it scurried away down a tunnel. "Play your recording again, Theronx," said Skeemo, and he listened once more to the Germans. "That's a weird future. I just hope we can find our own future, but I'm beginning to wonder how. We can't just walk through every portal we see." "Why not?" said Sabastian. "Can't we just turn around and come back through if it's the wrong portal?" |
| "They could be guarded by those who are hostile, or think that you are hostile," said Theronx. "Hard to find your own time if you are dead in another world's time." "You have a point there," said Skeemo. |
| Wolfe had fallen asleep drunk on his throne, was he was out of it, Hugo stole his ring of keys and headed to the Dungeons where the slaves were kept when they weren't slaving. One of the Slaves, a Triceratops Warrior named Deep Blue because his scales were a beautiful sapphire blue, was in his cell when Hugo came over "FILTHY FURBALL!" Bellowed the Horned Dinosaur "Hey! Hey!" Hugo said "I've come to let you out! I haven't done so before because I haven't had the chance!" "Why are you helping me?" Asked Deep Blue "I've been watching you." Said Hugo "I know you have Psychic Powers because I have Psychic Powers." Meanwhile, Theronx had heard Deep Blue's voice and recognized it "The Great Triceratops warrior is here!" He exclaimed |
| "Who is that?" asked Skeemo. Theronx looked fierce. "Deep Blue was a legendary warrior in the time of the Swamp Wars. He helped the Troodons defeat the Stegosauria. Those despicable Nazis must have enslaved him. We must help him." |
| "So, how do we do that?" Skeemo asked. "Thankfully, my Herd Protectors were given instructions to gather the Herd Protectors of the other nearby Herds, and to attack if I don't contact them by the time the sun rises tomorrow." The Troodon removed a device from his belt. "Far Talker. Lets us talk to those at a distance." "We have things like that," said Skeemo. "Press the open egg button to talk. Press whole egg to end." "What?" Skeemo asked. "Old style Far Talkers, for use at home, are modeled after eggs. Open egg to talk, close egg to end." "Ah." |
| Hugo opened Deep Blue's Cage "I noticed you had to power of healing." Said Hugo "You would place your hand on any other slave in your chain gang to heal their wounds and sickness." |
| "Yes, that is true," said Deep Blue in his resonant, low-pitched voice. He could have been an announcer if he hadn't been so successful as a warrior. "Heal me!" said the hunchback, falling to his knees. "Please! I beg you! And I will make sure you go free." "I can try," Deep Blue said, "but it is not a battle injury or a sickness. You were born this way, were you not?" "Yes," said Hugo. "But please try anyway." |
| Meanwhile, Skeemo had been watching the guards in the distance, and noticed their weapons. "Theronx, tell me that you have something other than that claw thing, and that zapper. These guys have rifles, and other such weapons." ^What is a rifle?^ Theronx asked. "It's like a metal stick that can throw a stone real fast, and real hard," said Skeemo. Theronx smiled. ^We have those as well.^ The dinosaur pulled out something that looked like a handgun. ^We call ours Firesticks. This is a One-Hand Firestick. We have Long Accurate Firesticks, Scattering Firesticks, Rapid Firesticks." "So, pistols, rifles, shotguns, and machineguns?" Skeemo asked. ^If that's what you call them,^ said Theronx. ^That or something similar.^ |
| As Deep Blue tries to heal Hugo's back, Dr. Wolffe came in "Hugo, have you seen Gerbles lately? He hasn't been seen sense..." As he walked in he was surprised to see Deep Blue's cage wide open and Hugo lying on the table "HUGO!!! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!!!!" Hugo was to scared to say one word then Dr, Wolffe pulls out a Lugar and aims it at Hugo "Put that creature back in his cage or I'll personally have you shot for treason!" |
| At that moment the Ammonite that had been released by our heroes came rushing down the passage, to fast for Wolfe to respond to it, The Ammonite opened it's massive poisoned beak an caught Wolfe in it! "AAAAAAHHHH!" Screamed Wolfe as the Ammonite started chewing him, Apparently the venomous saliva of the Giant Ammonite is as toxic as the blue ringed octopus, very soon Wolfe was in the belly of a Giant Ammonite |
| "Oh my God!" Hugo said. "You ate my boss!" If the Ammonite had the power of speech he would probably have said, "And that's a bad thing how?" but the poor creature was too dumb to talk. Although the Ammonites were born smart, their own toxic poisons soon destroyed their brain cells and made them dumb as dirt. Deep Blue was no dummy. He recognized this was his chance to escape and lumbered off down the tunnels. "Wait!" Hugo called. "My back! You didn't finish!" "A hopeless case!" said the Triceratrops, "but if you can keep up with me I'll try again." The Ammonite watched the dinosaur and the man leave. It had a belly full of Dr. Wolffe and just wanted to sit quietly and digest for a while. Skeemo and Theronx were still discussing weaponry when Deep Blue and Hugo came hurtling out of the tunnel and skidded to a halt. "What's this?" Deep Blue said. "A rescue party?" |
| Sabastian saw Hugo and acted quickly "Watch out!" Deep Blue says "It's alright, he saved me." Skeemo says "Quasimodo here saved you?" Hugo says "The name's Hugo, not Quasimodo." Skeemo asked "Yeah but still, why did you save him? I the dinosaurs were inslaved." |
| "You realized it just in the nick of time," Skeemo said. "If we had come in there you would be dead now." "He's under my protection now," said Deep Blue. "Sure, I get it," Skeemo said. "I'm just saying. Anyway, we've got more important things to do. We have to find the portal that will take us to our own future." "I might be able to help you," Deep Blue said. "I know where some of these portals go. I don't know where all of them go because there is just too many of them." "Good!" Skeemo said. "Well, for starters it has to be a humanimal future with people like us in it. If it's only humans, it's not ours." "I know several portals like that," Deep Blue said. |
| "Shouldn't we free all the prisoners here first?" Asked Melissa "I mean if we don't our own history could end up vastly changed because some dinosaurs weren't where they had to be!" |
| "I like that idea," Deep Blue said. "Why don't Theronx and myself be protectors while you guys unlock cages?" "I want to be a protector, too," Hugo said. "Look! I have Dr. Wolffe's pistol." "Okay, the three of us will guard the rest. Let's go!" |
| "I have the ring of keys." Said Hugo "I'll give them to anyone who has the best slight of hand and can open the cages as quickly and quietly as possible." |
| "That would be me," Skeemo said. "Wouldn't I be better?" said Melissa. "After all, I have eight graceful tentacles, but you only have two clumsy paws." "They're hands!" Skeemo said. "And why would slimy, slippery tentacles be better?" "They are NOT slippery! They have suckers on them." |
| Skeemo whispers "Let me handle it, I can open the cages without making a sound." Hugo hands Skeemo the ring of keys "Okay fine, just make sure there are no guards around." Sabastian says "I'll handle the distractions just in case." |
| Sabastain clunked them on the head with a big rock. "I think they will sleep really well now. Hehehe!" "Shhh!" said Theronx. |
| Theronx then looked at device on his wrist. "Got about half the night, until the Herd Protectors launch the assault." |
| Melissa noticed the guards are so drunk, they look like they were celebrating Oktoberfest "Judging by their current condition, I doubt we'll have trouble with the guards." Theronx asks "What makes you think that." Melissa points to a couple guards waving beer steins and singing a German drinking song. |
| "I don't know," Skeemo said. "Germans can hold their liquor. It takes a lot of beer to get a German drunk." Sabastian hefted his big rock. "How about I clunk a few heads?" |
| "What kinds of chemicals knock out humans?" Theronx asked. "Why do you want to know that?" Skeemo asked. The dino pulled out his pistol-like weapon. "Swap out a few components, and I can fire these things." He then pulled out something that looked like a tranquilizer dart. "Fill this with the right chemical, and they will go to sleep." "Do you have the things you need to change that weapon over?" Skeemo asked. Theronx nodded. "Regulations - Always be Prepared for the Unexpected." "You didn't expect us," said Skeemo. "No, but we did expect you to be dangerous, and we were prepared to kill you if need be." |
| Once the guards were taken care of, the time travelers made quick work of releasing all the prisoners. "Well," Theronx said. "Now you can safely check out the portals. I have to warn you that there are hundreds of them." "Then we better work fast," Skeemo said. "Melissa. Sabastian. We've got work to do. One of you keep a list of the portals we've checked so that we don't check the same one twice. Here's an interesting looking side tunnel." They followed the side tunnel for a few dozen feet until it opened into another world. "Hmmm," Skeemo said. "Red sky, blue trees... I don't think this one is for us. Turn back, gang. Let's try another portal." |
| "I did suggest that you try my cousin," said Theronx. "He has lots of things, and he works with a lot of other Thinkers, who are like you." |
| "Can you bring him here?" Skeemo said. "I do want to check out as many portals as I can." "No," Theronx said. "I'm sorry but he has a deep fear of being trapped underground." Skeemo looked at Sabastian and Melissa. "Which one of you wants to go with Theronx to talk to that cousin while the other stays here to help me with the portal search?" |
| "I guess I'll go," said Sabastian. "After all, I'm more closely related to these people than a squid, no disrespect meant Melissa, but I think he'd be less startled to see something like me talking, as opposed to you, if that ammonite is an indication on how your relations around here are like." |
| Melissa says "I understand, no offense taken." As Sabastian is about to leave the caves, Theronx soon joins him, "I'll go too, he'll know me and I'll introduce him to you." |
| "No," Skeemo said. "We've got lots of portals to check. Let's get moving. Here's a tunnel." They followed the tunnel until it began to hum and glow and smell funny. "Stop!" Skeemo said. "This couldn't possibly be the right tunnel." The next tunnel seemed ordinary enough until they reached the end and stepped out into a rainforest. "Possibly it could be earth," Skeemo said, "although I don't recognize any of these plant species." "We need to see an animal," Melissa said. "I'm pretty sure I know just about every earth animal there is." |
| Skeemo says "No, this isn't our Earth. I don't recall that in our reality. Quickly, head back." |
| Meanwhile, Theronx and Sabastian were back in town. "Hard to believe that such a dangerous place is this close to town," said Sabastian. "Not really," said Theronx. "There are some places that, within half a day's journey from the outskirts of the Herd, you're at risk of being attacked and eaten by rogues, to say nothing about the wild carnivores." "Well, the one thing that surprises me is that there's nothing like you, or any of the others, or your civilization, to be found in the fossil record." Theronx shrugged at this. "Your friends say that your people are from 65+ million years in the future. Plenty of time for the proof of our existence to be lost, destroyed, or altered. Our collective civilization, of all our different species and such, is over a hundred thirty million years old, and much of that is little more than myth, legends, and stories, with most of the physical evidence having been lost over the large timespan between our time and that early time. At one point, we wondered, Who will succeed us? Now, we'll know. Some of this planet's future inhabitants will be our kin, and others will be evolved furballs." "Aren't you worried about the fact that some of the planet's future inhabitants will be murderous monsters?" Sabastian asked. Theronx grinned. "Like we don't have our own murderous monsters? We have to believe that the Herd Protectors of the future will do their job, and remove these threats as best as they can, just as we remove ours as best as we can. The methods might be different, but the goal is the same, to keep society safe." |
| "Anyway," Theronx said. "The future is the future. I live in the present. That's what's important." Skeemo and Melissa passed by several tunnels from which strange sounds were coming - screams and laughter and roars and whistles and horns. "What in the world is going on in those futures?" Melissas asked. Skeemo shrugged. "Sounds like a gigantic New Year's Eve Party. Hey, look at this tunnel. Nice and quiet." The tunnel was lined with pink cobblestones and smelled like strawberries. "Nice," Melissa said. "I hope they serve cake and ice cream in this future." |
| As they looked at this future an Anthropomorphic Strawberry stepped out it's house and took a look at Melissa and Skeemo watching...Her...Him? It was hard to tell with Anthropomorphic Fruit "AAH!" Screamed the Strawberry in a high pitched voice "ANIMALS!" |
| "Oops, wrong world," said Skeemo. Meanwhile, Theronx and Sabastian arrived at Theronx's cousin's place, where they were greeted by his mate. "Theronx," she said. "I was just about to get on the Far Talker, and ask for you. That cousin of yours is in the basement working on something, and well, it's that time of the year, and I'm not in the mood to tell my parents that the reason I haven't laid any grandeggs for them is because my mate was busy on other things." Theronx scoffed at this. "I'm still surprised you picked him." "You were busy at the time," said the female. "Well Shonx, I'll see to it that you have an egg this year, even if I have to provide the genetic material myself," said Theronx. "I'd have a better chance with you, or someone else, than I would with him," said Shonx. "He's busy making something big. Claims it's going to be revolutionary." "What would that be?" Theronx asked. "A suit that can enhance one's fighting capabilities?" "Something about the Time-Space Continuum, and that the device can send someone into the Past, or the Future." Theronx looked at Sabastian. "Let's hope he's on the right track there." |
| As Theronx and Sabastian went downstairs, his cousin sees Sabastian and immediately knows what he is. "Oh my, a White American Ibis Humanimal. Cousin Theronx, where did you find such a futuristic species?" Theronx says "This is Sabastian, he and two others got here from their time machine, now they're stuck here and need to go back. I was hoping you know which portal is their time period." In the room is a machine partially rock partially tech, which looks almost like Skeemo's machine. "Is that your machine?" Theronx asks. His cousin replies "Yes it is, still working on it though. So, he's stuck along with two others. Where are they?" |
| Theronx pointed in the direction of the Caverns of Dooms. "Hunting for a portal to their future." "In the caverns?!" Shonx said. "Dangerous! I might be able to help them if they can help me get this machine to work." "I know a little bit about time travel," Sabastain said. "Let me take a look at it. Do you have any schematic diagrams?" Meanwhile, Skeemo and Melissa had discovered another promising cave/portal. "I smell bacon," Skeemo said. "Mmmm!"said Melissa. "Reminds me it's been a long time since we ate." "A few hours!" Skeemo said. "That's a long time! Let's go see where this bacon-flavored tunnel will take us." |
| Skeemo and Melissa went down the bacon smelling tunnel and there they saw to plump anthro pigs, who were roasting a third pig alive on a spit. The two pigs saw Skeemo and Melissa "MMMMmmm!" Said one Pig a "A Rat and a Squid!" "You two will make lovely appetizers!" Said the Other Pig |
| "Really wrong tunnel!" Skeemo yelled, as he grabbed Melissa, and started running. |
| Skeemo and Melissa made it back to the cavern, leaving their cannibalistic pursuers back in their dimension. Skeemo says "Wow, what's next? Man-eating plants?" Melissa says "Let's just wait until Theronx and Sabastian get back with that cousin before we decide to explore another cave." |
| Skeemo pouted. "Awww... Okay, I guess we need a rest and a snack." Sabastain looked over the diagrams that Shonx had drawn. "Very interesting... I see your machine has a similar circuit to our machine, even using a flux capacitor of about the same size." |
| Meanwhile in the caves, Skeemo and Melissa were done with exploring, but then they heard something that sounded like a small child weeping "What is that?" Asked Melissa "I thought we weren't going to explore anymore." Said Skeeemo |
| Skeemo saw the source, a young raptor hatchling chained to the wall of the cavern "It seems we missed one." The young raptor looked at Skeemo and Melissa with teary eyes, "Help me before those bad humans come back." |
| "Sure, little one," Skeemo said. "I'm surprised they chained up one as young as you." "That's just how evil they are!" said the raptor. |
| "You are certainly very bright for someone so young." Melissa said "To know they're called Humans." "That's what the Pink Pigs called them." Said the Raptor "Huh?" Said Skeemo "The Pink Pigs, Creatures from that tunnel." The Raptor gestured to the Tunnel Skeemo and Melissa had just run from "They said they were from a world where Pigs were waging war with Humans." |
| "Let's get out of here before they do show up," said Skeemo. "Either one of them. Nazis and cannibalistic pigs. Scarier than most anything I've dealt with." |
| Skeemo and Melissa took the Raptor to his herd, meanwhile Sabastian recognized Shonx diagram, "Wait a minute, now I know this diagram. It's the same one my Mentor, Skeemo and I studied over. We built the time machine using the same diagram you used to build yours using parts in our own time, except we had to substitute the power crystal using costume jewelry and when we used it, they burned out after we got here." |
| "You need a real diamond," Skonx said. "We know that now," said Sabastian. "How is the diamond situation around here?" "There is a diamond mine about 20 miles west of town, but between here and there is a village of raptors and they are very mean. We haven't been able to get any diamonds for a long time." "Oh yeah?" Sabastian said. "We'll see what Skeemo has to say about that. Here hecomes now." "We couldn't find the right portal," Skeemo said. "What's happening on this end?" "We need a diamond to repair the machine," Sabastian said, "and we know where to get it, but there is a village of angry raptors blocking the way. Say... what's that you brought with you? That's a young raptor, isn't it?" "Yes," said Skeemo. "This is Ferara. She was being held prisoner and we freed her." |
| Back in the village, Theronx looked at the raptor, carefully sniffing her. "I know this one's sire, Slash Quicktalon. He's a Herd Protector." "Is he a friend of yours?" Skeemo asked. Theronx shook his head. "I wouldn't think of him in any terms that would even come close to that. Me and him have something of a dispute going on, over the capture of a certain renegade." "Renegade?" Skeemo asked. "What did this renegade do that made you and this other fella get into a dispute over?" "Said renegade was kin to me, and it was my job to hunt him down, and kill him," said Theronx. "Said renegade was an egg-eater/child-killer. He attempted to repeat the crime in the home of a raptor, specifically, Slash Quicktalon's nest. Slash found him, killed him, and ate him. I can't fault Slash for protecting his family, but said renegade was my eggmate, and thus it was my job to do the deed myself, not someone outside of the family. My reputation was tarnished somewhat as a result, as I had never failed to catch my Prey, kin or otherwise." "So, how would he react if we returned his daughter to him?" Mellissa asked. "The trick will be convincing him that you were not the one who took her in the first place," said Theronx. "Child-snatching is punishable by death, unless said child was in danger from their sire and dam." "Well, we didn't take her," said Skeemo. "We saved her." "That's in your favor then," said Theronx. "If you can convince him that you didn't take his daughter, and did not do her and harm, especially intentional harm, by Tradition, and Law, he can grant you a boon." "What sort of boon?" Skeemo asked. "In this case, he might be able to get the diamond we need," said Theronx. "Other Child Saviors were given Credit, mates, homes, Honorary positions, and one even asked for an Honorable Death." "Why would someone ask that?" Sabastian asked. "Said person was a Renegade, with the status of Prey," said Theronx. "Instead of being hunted down like an animal, and getting his throat torn out, he had his head cut off with a Large Hard Claw, which was much quicker." "I see," said Sabastian. "So, we can ask for whatever we want, and get it." |
| Melissa asks "Question is, will they believe us?" Ferara says "Don't worry, I'll explain everything to dad. After you did help me escape, it's only fair that I'll help you get what you need." Skeemo says "I guess your eager to go home, then let's start going." |
| When they reached the home of Slash Quicktalon, there was a moment of danger and confusion when he rushed out to confront them, but when his daughter Ferara called out, "Daddy! Don't hurt them!" the situation was changed for the better. Overjoyed to have his daughter returned, Slash agreed to help them get the diamond. "Wait here," he said. "I can run faster than any of you and I will be back with the diamond before you have a chance to drink three cups of tea." Slash's wife Elvina said, "Who wants blueberry tea and who wants mint?" |
| They were on their second cup of tea when Slash returned. "Got it!" he said, gasping for breath and holding up a large diamond. "Whew! Ran all the way!" Skeemo and the others admired the diamond. "This would be worth a fortune in the future!" "Let's hope it fixes our time machine," Sabastian said. |
| "Let's hope nothing goes wrong with this," said Skeemo." "Like what?" Sabastian asked. "Like all of the sentient dinos ending up in our future by accident," said Skeemo. "Of course, that would explain why we wouldn't find anything, but still." "Or maybe we had been digging in the wrong place all this time, or didn't understand what we were looking at," said Melissa. "Happened when they dug up the Neanderthal, especially since the one that was nearly whole was that of one crippled by injury and arthritis." |
| Sabastian asks "Just to be on the safe side, shouldn't we go back in time and make sure this place is still a jungle and not a wasteland?" |
| "Forget all that!" Skeemo said. "Let's just go home! We've been here for months. I just want to be back where everything is familiar and ordinary. Say good-bye to the dinosaurs." There were a few more minutes of waving and hugging and saying, "If I can find a way I will write!" and then finally Skeemo's finger was poised over the start button. "Ready, guys?" he said. "Here we go!" The time machine shuddered and trembled but quickly smoothed out with a purring hum. "It's working!" Melissa said. After a few moments everything became quiet again and the door slid open. "We're back at the time lab," Skeemo said. "A perfect trip. Uh oh..." "What?" Said Melissa. "What is it?" At the wall of the time lab that contained the monitoring equipment stood two technicians. They were wearing the usual white lab coats. What was unusual was that they were obviously small dinosaurs." "Oh no!" Sabastian said. "Somehow we've changed the future!" Skeemo had a grim expression. "Looks like it. Apparently in this timeline the dinosaurs never went extinct. They just got smarter and built a bigger, more advanced civilization." "What do we do now?" Melissa asked. "We go back," Skeemo said. "Back to before our first trip. Back to just before we arrived in the past. And we wait for ourselves to arrive. And we warn ourselves to go home immediately." "Is that even possible?" Melissa asked. "It sounds like it's full of paradoxes." "What else can we do?" Skeemo said. "We've got to at least try it." The door slid shut. Skeemo reset the controls. The atmosphere was worried and tense. "Here we go," he said. "Back to the past." |
| Somewhere, in the Past, Herd Protector Theronx Snapjab is patrolling the outskirts of the Herd, with the other Herd Protectors. He stops, and sniffs the air. ^Something is coming. Get ready. Restraining Vines, Flash-Zaps, and Hard Claws.^ |
| The time machine then suddenly appears in a flash in front of Theronx, he quickly hides behind a tree, the door opens and Sabastian peeks out "Hmm, looks like we went back further then before. There's vegetation around which means we arrived before the Nazis did." |
| "Hang on, Skeemo," said. "I'll try to move us a few years forward..." The time machine fell to the earth like a broken elevator. They all gasped, but no on was hurt. "Sorry about that!" Skeemo said. "It's difficult to get the heights to match between take off and landing." He studied the control panel. "But you will be happy to know we made it to 100 million years in the past!" "Hooray!" Said Melissa. Sabastian was looking through the small viewport. "What's that? Oh my! It's a time machine like ours." "What?" said Skeemo. "Let me see. Hmmm... It's identical to ours! Someone is coming out." Skeemo gasped. "It's me!" "You?!" Melissa said. "How is that possible." "He's waving his arms and yelling something. I think it is 'Go back! Go back!'" Skeemo thought rapidly. "We must have made another trip back and it must have been to warn ourselves about something that would happen." "What does he mean by 'Go back'?" Said Sabastian. "And how can you exist twice? There can't be two of you, can there?" "I don't know," Skeemo said, "but I have a bad feeling about this. Me and my double out there might be like antimatter. If we touch we explode." |
| "Maybe, if we go to the future, we'll figure out what went wrong," said Sabastian. "Maybe those Future Dinosaurs will help us. Or, maybe our actions saved the dinos, who used their own time machine to meet us, or something." |
| "Alright then," Skeemo said. "It's back to the future." When they arrived back at the time lab they couldn't believe their eyes. There was another time machine already there and even as they were watching another one popped into existence. They opened the door and exited their machine while other Skeemos and Melissas and Sabastions were doing the same thing. "What the hell!?" Skeemo said. "What's going on?" He could hear other Skeemos voicing variations on the question: What happened? What went wrong? Why are all these other time machines here? And more machines kept popping into existence until the lab was crowded with them. "What will happen when there is n more room?" Melissa asked. "The machine always finds the nearest clear area to manifest itself. Oh my God! Let's check outside." They ran to the exit of the time lab. A dozen other Skeemos and Melissas and Sabastians had the same idea. Out side there were more time machines, a sea of them stretching off into the distance. "We must have created some kind of feedback loop," Skeemo said. He could hear his words being echoed by hundreds of other Skeemos: feedback loop... feedback loop... feedback loop... "What happens when every available space is occupied by time machines?" Sabastian asked. The answer to his question came but he didn't survive to see it. There was a gigantic WHOMP sound, the sky flashed a brilliant white, and then there were no time machines at all. A hundred million years in the past, the one remaining time machine, most likely the original, failed to respond to Skeemo's push of the start button. "Why didn't it work?" Skeemo said. Sabastian flipped open the view panel for the diamond at the heart of the time machine's mechanism. "It's shattered!" he said. "There's nothing left of it but diamond dust." "Was it defective?" asked Skeemo. "No, it was a perfect diamond. Damn! If that didn't work it looks like we really are trapped here in the past." Skeemo sighed. "We'll have to make the best of it and just keep trying. We still have hundreds of portals in the Caverns of Doom to look at. Maybe one of them leads to somewhere even better than our own future. "Maybe..." Sabastian said. |
| Melissa let out a long sigh. "You know, when we started on this time travel project, a little voice in the back of my head said don't mess around with a force of nature as powerful as time. You'll only screw things up." "What's the little voice saying now?" asked Skeemo. "I told you so." The End! |
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