The Valley of Tooth & Claw Read online

  “I aim to please,” Campbell finally told her, taking a step toward the base of the hillock.

  Behind the brunette, Trevon and Greg crested the hill not long after, much to his relief.

  “Where’s Clementine?” Elias arched an eyebrow, noting her absence.

  Kate simply shook her head at this.

  “Would someone mind telling me, just how in the hell we are getting out of here?” Professor Trentham asked angrily, looking down his hooked nose at Commander Campbell.

  “Problem solved, Professor,” Campbell pointed at the sky. “Looks like the cavalry has finally arrived.”

  Two black dots punctuated the morning skyline. Seconds passing, they grew noticeably larger and thus more discernible. Soon the faint suggestion of spinning rotorblades could be seen as well. Added to this, the tell-tale whump-whump-whump from those same rotorblades filtered over the scene below.

  “Thank God for that,” Trevon winked in his superior’s direction, leaning against Greg and propping an elbow on the older man’s shoulder.

  “The plan was to rendezvous with the choppers at the clearing just outside the village,” Elias explained, pointing aftward with a thumb.

  “Was?” Kate asked, puzzled.

  “We can’t go back that way,” the commander motioned over his shoulder again.

  “Why exactly?” Miller questioned further, her eyes locking on the ginger-haired merc. “Didn’t you just clear a path for us?”

  “Let’s just say˗” Elias didn’t get to finish.

  “Oh my God!” Trentham shrunk backward.

  Professor Miller echoed her companion a fraction of a second later, as did Trevon.

  A roar went up, high-pitched and piercing! Fresh screams sounded at the same time, villagers flooding en masse from their respective hiding places. Once more the settlement’s thoroughfares were choked with tan bodies scarpering in all directions. Where they had come from and how they had appeared so fast, Elias did not know. In any event, Campbell barely even bothered to look at them. Or over his shoulder for that matter. Quite simply, he didn’t need to. Elias knew better than anyone what was coming for them.

  “We need to go, now!” he told the others, rushing forward.

  CHAPTER 17

  Commander Campbell was a little shocked to find his legs were like lead. Heavy and slow, he struggled to close the distance between himself and his companions. Realizing too late he should have maintained his momentum from before, Elias watched helplessly as his comrades quickly outpaced him, the trio scrambling for the hilltop.

  All the while, he felt the ground vibrating, the ominous sensation growing stronger and stronger, even managing to penetrate the soles of his boots and riding up his weary legs. Memories of the man’s encounter at the swamp played over in his head. Sadly, in the end, these were not enough to reinvigorate his exhausted limbs.

  “Mill˗” Elias tried to call after the fleeing professor.

  Legs cramping, Campbell tripped and fell then, his face smashing into the carpet of arid earth beneath him. The mercenary’s cheek filled with fluid immediately, pain dancing across his bruised face. Groaning, he tried to raise himself up but his arms refused to cooperate with the messages filtering down from his brain.

  Get up…

  The ground shook, the accompanying noise resonating harder now, the oncoming monster’s footsteps like hammers against an anvil. Terrifying as this was, Elias was prepared to meet his fate head-on. Death be damned. He would not cower before, nor shy away from, the brute that had pursued him so relentlessly.

  Steeling himself, he rolled over onto his back just as the Carnotaurus’ scale-ridden face glided into view. Its tiny forelimbs twitched with anticipation, its clawed digits flexing almost feverishly. Campbell didn’t wait. Raising his assault rifle, the Scotsman squeezed the trigger˗ craaack! craaack!˗ emptying the last of his magazine in a single, short burst! A series of red geysers erupted along the underside of the theropod’s trunkish throat, the hot bullets managing to pierce its toughened hide. Still, they did little more than annoy the beast, which recoiled more in anger than in actual pain. Quickly recovering its composure, the huge reptile shrieked as it stepped closer, flashing its dagger-like teeth at Elias in a menacing grimace. Most terrifying of all, some of its fangs still dripped with the blood of its latest victim. Or was it victims? Next, dipping its head, the monster looked down at Campbell, an unmistakable anger welling in its golden eyes; a look that was only accentuated by the rock-like brows residing above them, not to mention those Baphomet-like horns.

  “Do it!” Elias dared the titan. “Just do it!” he reiterated.

  The Carnotaurus appeared to wear a devilish grin as it silently appraised the now helpless mercenary.

  “Campbell!” he heard Trevon and Professor Miller call his name in unison from somewhere unseen.

  “What are you waiting for?” Campbell screamed at the killer. “Finish it!” He beckoned the beast to him with his hands.

  Not waiting any longer, the behemoth jerked forward. Preparing to engulf its helpless prey, the monster’s hungry maw wound open˗

  ˗just as an object, blurry and virtually amorphous, slammed hard into the unsuspecting dinosaur, driving the brute out of sight!

  CHAPTER 18

  Professor Miller watched dumbstruck as the Oxalaia appeared on her right flank, the beast’s green hide glittering in the daylight. Dripping wet from the lake, droplets of liquid scattered to the wind as it dashed forward, all the while the animal screaming ferociously at the intruder in its midst. Quick as a cat, the spinosaur proceeded to crash unforgivingly into the other reptile, using the crown of its head like a battering ram.

  Driven back, the horned dinosaur buckled, partially collapsing into a nearby hamlet, its scaly mass crushing much of the humble abode beneath its huge tiger-striped frame. Still, the demon-like creature wasn’t down for long. Bracing itself on one knee, the burgundy-colored goliath retaliated, managing to launch itself back at the Oxalaia. Jaws snapping like an angry terrier, spittle flew helter-skelter amidst the ferocious display. And in the blink of an eye, the Oxalaia was forced onto the backfoot as the other reptile tried to take hold of it with its ravenous maw.

  Mesmerized at the sheer ferocity of the scene unfolding before her, Kate had to convince herself to look away from the brutal contest. Zeroing in on the still downed figure of Campbell instead, the geographer raced toward the mercenary, Latham at her side.

  “C’mon,” Miller hooked her hands underneath the man’s bulletproof vest, “get up!”

  “Got another mag?” Latham asked his superior at the same time, scooping up the man’s discarded G36.

  “Here,” Elias produced a magazine from his combat webbing. “It’s my last one. Make it count,” the commander added, reaching for his Glock.

  #

  The Carnotaurus was back on its feet now, charging after the Oxalaia. Jaws extended, the horned beast made to bite its opponent but the spinosaur sidestepped at the last second, proceeding to whip the bullish creature full force across its stubby face!

  Stumbling backwards, the burgundy behemoth shrieked with anger, shaking off the pain like a wet dog attempting to dry itself. Separated now, albeit not by much, the two titans considered one another for a long moment, both suddenly overcome with a sense of hesitancy. Next, the pair began to circle one another like wolves contesting a kill. Snarling and grunting, each dared the other to make the first move.

  #

  It wasn’t long before the reunited quartet reached the edge of the fin, Campbell having allowed himself to be guided by the other three. Waving their arms animatedly toward the sky, they instinctively tried to attract the attention of the two encroaching choppers.

  After a few moments of this Campbell retreated from the group, his earpiece buzzing.

  “Reiver, this is Raven-1,” said a female voice in his ear. “Do you copy? Over.”

  “Reading you loud and clear, Raven-1,” Elias replied. “Evac site has b
een compromised. Please advise. Over.”

  “Don’t worry about that. We have visual on you Reiver,” the voice came back. “Just sit tight. Raven-2 will maintain overwatch while I come get you. Do you copy? Over.”

  “Copy that, Raven-1,” Elias spoke into his mic. “Over and out.”

  “What’s happening?” Kate called to Campbell as she broke away from the others, the anxiety evident in the woman’s expression. “Can they see us?”

  “They’re coming to get us,” Elias told her, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry.”

  #

  The Carnotaurus feinted, trying to draw the spinosaur in. Taking the bait, the Oxalaia lunged forward snapping its wedge-shaped jaws but still somehow managing to miss its adversary by a few inches. Still, this was all the Carnotaurus needed.

  Rushing forward, the Carnotaurus clamped its maw around the Oxalaia’s now overextended and thus exposed neck! Blood proceeded to gush in rivers as the former creature’s fangs pushed past the spinosaur’s coating of emerald scales, sinking deep into the juicy flesh residing beneath! The Oxalaia screamed in pain. Roiling in its agony, the wounded beast attempted to shake itself free, but to no avail. Panicking, it turned frantically on the spot, taking its assailant on a dizzying ride.

  And so, the two monsters danced, circling once more, only this time joined in the most mortal of combat, the pair battering into buildings as they went! Maddened with pain at this point, the spinosaur clawed at the other reptile, using its significantly longer forelimbs to its advantage. As such, the Oxalaia raked the Carnotaurus’ neck and side, leaving bloody tracks, all the while still endeavoring to free its trapped neck.

  #

  Raven-2 circled slowly overhead as the lead chopper, Raven-1, lowered its bulbous frame toward the edge of the sacrificial platform, the two black helicopters looking something like massive, metal dragonflies. The downdraught from the incoming helo was intense, the spinning blades working up a torrent of dust around the four figures below.

  Heads arched expectantly toward the blue sky, the waiting quartet watched Raven-1’s grey body descend, the group forced to shield their faces as best they could. Both Elias and Trevon knew from experience the bulky aircraft were Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallions. Reliable as they come, they were the packhorses of the US Armed Forces. If anything could get them out of this hellhole, it was these babies.

  #

  With a hellish howl, the spinosaur managed to wrench its neck free of the Carnotaurus’ mouth˗ scales, along with chunks of flesh, going with the retreating beast! Blood rushed forth from the horrific wound, cascading over the spinosaur’s hide to paint it a deep crimson. And whilst the wound was not mortal, it was serious, nonetheless.

  Emboldened by its handiwork, the horned predator trailed after the injured Oxalaia only to be gifted with another savage swipe from the spinosaur’s tail. The tip of the Oxalaia’s serpentine appendage collided with the Carnotaurus’ rounded snout. Momentarily stalling the latter creature’s advance, the accompanying craaack! from the strike was sickening, like bones breaking.

  Provided with some breathing room now, the emerald-colored carnivore repositioned itself, shuffling backward. Still, its opponent kept coming, hyperextending itself toward its quarry. In response, the Oxalaia turned side on, expertly checking the charging beast with its hip and part of its massive, multi-colored sail. Thankfully for the spinosaur, the Carnotaurus’ horns scraped against the ribbed sail, gouging twin tracks into the ribbed landscape but causing no other damage.

  #

  The CH-53K hovered about four feet off the ground now, its rotors continuing to whip up a mini-sandstorm beneath it. The pilot had positioned the aircraft’s ass-end toward the platform, its loading ramp extended out like a metal tongue to allow Campbell and his cohorts access to its interior.

  “Go! Go! Go!” Elias shepherded Trentham and then Miller onto the waiting bird, pistol at the ready.

  Next went Trey, then Campbell himself, the two men clambering onboard.

  “Everybody, strap in!” Elias ordered the others, making a sweeping gesture to the spring-loaded flip-down-style seats lining the aircraft’s port and starboard sides.

  Needless to say, Professors Miller and Trentham made straight for the stalls. Whereas, Trey lingered by his commander and friend for a few seconds.

  “Thanks for coming back for us, brother,” Trevon grabbed the nape of Elias’ neck. “You had no idea we were even still alive… but you came anyway.”

  “I had to try,” Campbell struggled to meet his friend’s stare.

  Trevon let go of his comrade then, eyes glistening.

  “Raven-1,” Elias spoke into his mic, “let’s get the hell out of here!”

  “Roger that, Reiver,” the female pilot responded.

  CHAPTER 19

  Eager to draw blood and even the score, the Oxalaia’s jaws parted involuntarily, betraying its hungry anticipation. Inspecting the Carnotaurus, the spinosaur watched its opponent back up; seemingly trying to find some room to maneuver. And so, sensing an opportunity, the Oxalaia pounced.

  Yet, the Carnotaurus had other ideas.

  The maroon-colored monster ducked low and the spinosaur overshot, missing its mark entirely. Reacting quickly, the Carnotaurus brought its head up, thrusting hard. Using both its horns, the wine-colored devil skewered its adversary; one spike punching through the underside of the Oxalaia’s jaw and the other puncturing its throat! A scarlet baptism ensued as the victor was doused in its enemy’s warm blood. And with that the mighty Oxalaia was vanquished. The spinosaur abruptly went limp, its mass held aloft purely by its killer’s strength. Next, giving a grunt, the Carnotaurus jerked its head and neck, allowing the Oxalaia’s corpse to slide free of its killer’s horns, the former’s huge crocodilian corpus collapsing amidst the dust.

  Standing over its quarry now, the Carnotaurus surveyed the spinosaur with its yellow-gold eyes. The Oxalaia was unmoving; not as much as a twitch from it. Even so, this proved not enough for the bloodthirsty victor. It had to be sure. Stepping forward, the Carnotaurus brought a clawed foot down on the spinosaur’s already savaged neck, flattening it into the ground with a gut-wrenching cruuunch!

  And with this, the surviving titan bellowed a deafening victory chorus.

  #

  The chopper’s take-off was sluggish to say the least, the vehicle’s hefty frame jerking somewhat as it began its ascent.

  Meanwhile inside the craft, Professor Miller didn’t waste any time slapping in her restraints. The woman was eager to be in the air, but most of all, to finally be rid of this godforsaken place. Looking across from herself, she watched Gregory do the same with his restraints. Next, her eyes travelled to Trey and Campbell who were yet to take their seats. The pair were still standing by the helicopter’s loading bay entrance, their outlines silhouetted black against the array of color seeping in from outside.

  Considering them for a second, Kate couldn’t believe the two men were still standing after everything they had been subjected to in the last thirty-six hours. Evidently cut from a different cloth, they truly were warriors.

  Survivors, Kate mused inwardly.

  All of a sudden, Professor Miller caught movement to the rear of Trey and Elias, her brown eyes widening in surprise. Behind the mercenaries’ profiles, something huge and unexpected appeared. Reddish-purple in color, the armor-skinned figure emerged just beyond the curve of the slope connecting the village proper to the platform. To Kate’s horror, a pair of pointed, conical horns came first, before a set of dagger-lined jaws, and then finally the rest of its fearsome reptilian frame.

  Miller’s words failed her completely. She did however muster a shrill scream, the sharp cry escaping her throat as she pointed toward the oncoming monster. Despite the tumult from the chopper’s powerplant, both mercs heard the woman’s desperate cry, inevitably drawing their attention.

  “Campbell!” the woman shrieked finally, her arm still extended.

  #<
br />
  Elias turned on the spot, dread gripping him. He witnessed the Carnotaurus rapidly crest the gradient just yonder. Racing toward the waiting helo, the fiend’s muscles flexed and contracted beneath its scaly slathering of skin. In that moment, the animal looked unstoppable.

  “Raven-1, this is Raven-2,” said a male voice in the commander’s ear, “you have an incoming biologic positioned to your six! Move to evade!”

  “Get us in the air, Raven-1!” Campbell keyed his mic, joining the conversation.

  “I’m working on it, Commander!” was the tinny, but no less stern, reply.

  “Trey,” Elias turned to his comrade, “with me!”

  “Gladly,” Trevon growled, his dark eyes focusing on the tiger-striped Carnotaurus.

  Elias raised his Glock, stepping to challenge his target. He silently prayed the weapon would fire, remembering it had been submerged for a brief spell back at the swamp. Trevon followed the Scotsman’s lead, the man nestling his borrowed assault rifle in against his meaty shoulder.

  “Eat this, you son of a bitch!” Campbell snarled, pressing down on his trigger.

  Pop-pop! Two shots from the pistol rang out, much to the merc’s relief.

  Trevon’s G36 crackled to life a fraction of a second later and together the two mercs doused the charging theropod in a barrage of piping-hot lead! Still, the Carnotaurus kept coming for them, regardless of the myriad cherry-red gouts opening up all along its scaled mass.

  “God damn it, Raven-1,” Elias snapped, “get us airborne before this bastard thing kills us all!”

  Despite the pilot’s best efforts, the King Stallion continued to creep into the air, moving only a few feet at a time. Meanwhile, the beast’s monstrous form grew larger as it closed on the aircraft.