by dinoman666 » Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:33 pm
The trip wasn't a very long one, especially considering everyone seemed to be in a big hurry to leave the research facility behind. Jenkins carefully pushed past a couple of tall bushes, a trio of compies frightened into the open, squeaking in alarm as they scampered around the group of mercs. Barnes ignored them. He need to watch in case something bigger and potentially more dangerous stepped into the open. The lieutenant, as well as Dodgson, followed Jenkins onto the bank of a wide (nearly 30 feet) and gently flowing river. The water was smooth and calm, but surprisingly murky. He could only make out the shimmering forms of small fish at the water's surface, but couldn't make out the riverbed. "How deep is this river, Doctor?" Jenkins turned to Barnes. "At its shallowest? About 40 feet. This is the main artery for all waterways on the island. Makes sense to be big. It runs the entire length of this place." He pointed over Barnes shoulder, slightly further down the river. "And that's our ride."
A small metal pier extended out into the river near a shallower portion, forming a small docking area. Next to it was one of the strangest boats Barnes had ever seen. The ship, easily 50 feet in length, seemed to defy classification. If he could guess, Barnes would say it was some sort of oceanographic research vessel combined with a cargo ship, and heavily modified beyond its original purpose. Its hull had a few specks of red where there used to be paint, but most of its had peeled away, revealing the dark gray metal beneath. A large command cabin dominated the front of the ship, while the rest of the upper deck was relatively bare. Jenkins smiled. "This, my friends, is the HSV Jurassic. Yes yes, I know, it's not very original, but it works. We primarily used it to transport cargo and perform research from the water. Safe from hungry jaws, so to speak. Dodgson and I are fully qualified to pilot this craft on our own, so the rest of you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery!" Jenkins moved towards a ladder attached to the ship's hull, within reach from the pier. "All aboard, soldiers! We've got a military to call!"
The Troodons still stayed motionless, not budging from their hiding spots. Occasionally, one would shift slightly, but the movement was so small, so subtle, that the humans would almost certainly miss it, especially in the darkness of the lab...
"Heroes have morals. Villains have work ethic."
-Megatron