Caught in the Cretaceous

Chapter 12: Uninvited Guests

A few days after the events that had scared the entire crew they are all still sticking close to the ship. They have become more cautious, some think a little over cautious. 

Meg is down in the engine room working. So focused on her work she doesn't pay much attention to the world around her. She hears what sounds like footsteps behind her. "Leave me alone, I'm working." The shuffling continues. That's odd. Apollo would've snapped back with what he would've thought to be a witty comeback. And Artemis would have completely ignored her demand and made demands of her own. The others would have listened to her. 

Now that she is paying attention tot he sounds she realizes the footsteps sound more like en animal. Mars maybe? Now, not Mars. For one thing, the family dog has been glued to the kids since Apollo let him out of the infirmary. And, Meg realizes, that doesn't sound like Mars at all. 

Curious, and doing her best to control her panic, she slowly turns around. The sight that greets her makes her heart skip a beat or two. There are two small creatures in the engine room in front of her. They shuffle around and communicate with each other in chirping-like noises. 

Meg stands frozen. She doesn't know what to do or how best to react. Slowly, doing her best to remain unnoticed, Meg turns on her com. "Engine room to the crew, this is a ship-wide alert. Wildlife has entered the ship and made its way to the engine room. More may be on board." 

She waits for a few tense seconds. Finally she hears a response. "Thank you, Meg. We will start searching the ship. Do you need assistance?" 

Meg sighs in relief on hearing Artemis' voice. "They aren't being hostile at the moment. Though any suggestions would be appreciated." 

There is another moment of agonizing silence. "Meg?" She is almost shaken at hearing Apollo's voice this time. "Can you get to the door?" 

Meg looks between the door and the creatures. "I can try." 

"Go slowly. Try not to draw attention to yourself," Apollo orders. "I'm on my way." 

Taking a deep breath, Meg keeps her eyes on the creatures and slowly makes her way to the door. Her heart pounds with every shuffle-like step she takes. Inching her way to the door. A part of her suddenly realizes that she has no idea what will greet her on the other side of that door. This realization causes her steps to falter. Her toe bumps into a small piece of metal on the ground. It goes rattling across the floor. The sudden sound gets the creatures attention. They turn to her. 

On instinct Meg freezes. This doesn't help. She already has their full attention. Panic starts to rise in her chest. 

A sudden movement by the door catches her attention. Turning her eyes to the source of the movement, Meg finds Apollo standing in the doorway. He waves to get her attention. Once he realizes has it, he gestures for her to keep going towards the door. Her eyes widen and she glances between him and the creates. With panic setting in even more, she shakes her head. 

Apollo drops his shoulders and rolls his eyes in exasperation. He repeats his earlier gesture. After Meg refuses again, Apollo gets annoyed. He picks up the closest thing. Holding it up to show her what eh's about to do. He tosses it across the room. The sound of it clattering across the floor echos in the room. 

The creatures turn to the source of the noise. Realizing this is her chance, Meg sprints for the door as quietly as she can. Apollo wraps an arm around her shoulders and guides her through the door and down the hall. She hears more sounds from the other rooms they pass. 

They climb to the main deck as quickly and quietly as they can manage. Once they get to the main deck Meg can see the others moving around, checking the other rooms for any more trespassing creatures. As they continue on their way the lights begin to flicker. The sounds in the ship start to echo and, in Meg's opinion anyway, the noise only gets louder.