“Hey, Dad, I see we’re almost there. I’m going down to put the gangplank in place. Scotty will pass it out to me after we dock. I’m not looking forward to this part. I keep waiting for one of the cats to jump one of us.” Kane nervously paced around his father.
“Don’t worry, Kane, as long as we stay calm we’ll be safe. I believe in Abby and this is our only chance to save ourselves. I’m not going to blow this chance for you, Son.” Cobby wrapped his arms around his handsome boy, grateful for the intimate moment. With a swat on the butt, he sent Kane down to the deck to get in position.
They were a few minutes from docking, Cobby having spotted the green flag. He could see the trucks lined up on the other side of a chain-link fence about two hundred feet from the dock. Damn—he had counted on them parking closer. The idea of crossing two hundred feet of wide-open space with a bunch of apex predators in unfamiliar territory made his stomach churn. Steadying his hand on the wheel, he throttled back to ease the big boat slowly into the dock with a soft grumble from the twin diesel engines. Kane dropped down to the dock to secure the ropes, tying them tautly.
From below, Scotty appeared, shoving the heavy gangplank out for Kane to position for the animals.
Cobby could hear the restlessness in his four-legged charges as they became aware of the docking and reacted to instructions from their implants.
“Yo . . . you there. I’m looking for Abby. Oh boy, here we go again.” One of the truckers approached at the same time that the bears decided they would be the first to depart. Six hundred pounds of muscular fur and clacking claws would make anyone shit their pants when they were close enough to feel the hot breath of a chuffing ursine on their colorless lips. Rooted to the spot, the trucker let the bear pass before he hightailed it back to the safety of his truck. The truckers knew what to do. Sit tight, say nothing, do nothing. Abby would tell them when to close the backs of the trucks. They knew the drill. Then they would follow the limos to the airport, about a twenty-minute ride in normal traffic.
Cobby wiped his sweaty brow with a well-used rag, observing his wilted and odorous human passengers huddled on the starboard side of the boat, dogs and luggage milling at their reluctant feet, the relentless heat adding to their discomfort. Christ, it sure was hotter than a naked babe on the back of a motorcycle.
Cobby stood up, waving to the small crowd down on the deck below.
“Kane, check the boat, top to bottom. Make sure all the animals are off. Where are Abby and Scotty?”
“They’re bringing up the turtles.”
Cobby watched as Abby emerged with her brother, a huge tortoise held between them.
“We’ve got it, Cobby. Two more to go.” Abby tilted her chin in his direction. “You might as well abandon ship. Go with Jose and the rest to the limos. Get the women settled. Peter and the boys will help me with the other turtles. Meet you at the limo.”
One look at Peter and Cobby could understand why Abby wanted him with her. He stood uselessly apart from the knot of women, a walking zombie. Maybe he would respond more effectively if he hadn’t been forced to help Ginger Mae and little Daisy. Sliding off the captain’s chair, he shut down the engines, slapped his hand on his chair and said a final goodbye to the beautiful craft he had piloted for over ten years. She didn’t deserve the piles of animal crap and pools of urine left to decorate her proud decks, but they planned to leave her at the dock to whatever her fate may be, knowing she may have helped save their lives.
Quickly descending the stairs to the deck, he swept Chloe and Teddy, Ginger Mae, Daisy, Kenya, and Echo and her dog pack down the gangplank to the waiting limos with most of the luggage. So far, the animals and people had found the dash to the chain-link fence uneventful. Casting his gaze around, Cobby glimpsed Scotty and Kane delivering the last tortoise to a truck.
“Okay, Dad. That’s it. Let’s get out of here.” Kane ran past his father, slapping him on the back as he slipped into one of the limos with Kenya, Scotty, Chloe, and Echo and the dogs. The other limo would carry the rest of them. Not a happy bunch. Cobby shrugged, feeling the weight of responsibility as the oldest of the group, stretching his strong arms as he made his way out of the hot sun into the air-conditioned limo.
Abby ran to catch up as the trucks revved their motors and eased the convoy away from the last forlorn glimpse of Tampa Bay that any of them would ever see.
*
Abby sat between Jose and Captain Cobby, her hand resting on Jose’s lean leg. Occasionally her hand would spasm, her exhaustion and adrenaline warring with themselves to control her body, the implant placed by Netty guiding her mind. She tried to relax her body as her curiosity focused on the mystery that was Netty. She felt a clean uncomplicated honesty emanate from the regal woman. An overwhelming sense of gentle confidence which contrasted with the strangeness and urgency of the tasks she had entrusted Abby with. Everything was such an enigma. But Abby knew one thing for sure. One frightening, cataclysmic, irrefutable fact: hundreds of millions now lived their last days, and she fully intended to survive. If she could save a few others in the process—great.
She actually understood that humans as a species didn’t deserve this planet, but her heart bled with the thought of the uncorrupted babies and children who would perish. Tears escaped from under her sunglasses as she thought of the creatures that really deserved to live; the exquisite and the mighty, the docile and the fierce. All part of God’s garden, all tragic victims. Abby hadn’t been raised as a particularly pious devotee of religion, but she, along with most, believed in God. But where were the answers to God’s eternal indifference to the pain and brutality inflicted by Homo sapiens on all life since the dawn of early man? Where were those answers? Abby’s fist contracted painfully on Jose’s leg. He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Babe, you good?”
She picked up his hand, raising it to her lips to reassure him. “I’m fine, just nerves. Maybe we should call Mama Diaz and give her an ETA? Jose, I don’t know what you’ve told her, but could you ask her to pack all the tools we left at the house? And make sure they’re ready to move everything to the woods. I’ll have extra hands to move the heavy boxes when we get there. I’m going to ask some of the truckers from the second caravan if they want to join us. That’s why we tried to hire nonviolent drivers with no family connections. I want them to be able to make a fast decision. And it’s why I asked them to bring their pets with them. I thought it would help. I would never get over leaving Barney and the gang behind if the situation were reversed. It should be a big help.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s a big help.” Peter’s bitterness intruded from across the seat. As Abby opened her mouth to respond, she thought better of it. Sighing audibly, she closed her mouth, determined to say no more.
The caravan entered the approach to the commercial cargo ramp for air freight. This next phase would include Echo. One by one the vehicles and trucks passed through the gigantic metal security device which read the presence of all explosive and metal objects. Their progress continued as slowly as a snail on vacation, Abby’s impatience ready to ignite.
Finally most of the trucks made it through, pulling up to join the limos on the tarmac. Now, here comes the dicey part. Abby climbed out of the limo quickly, pulling open the door to the other car.
“Come on guys, hurry, hurry . . . Find a seat onboard. Sorry, but you have to cram in there. It’s going to be a little cramped. It’s not a luxury airliner, but it’ll get us where we need to go. The important thing is the animals.” Abby looked over her shoulder as the inspectors approached, looking for her permits.
“Echo, come on girl, you’re on!” Echo scrambled out of the limo, Barney sticking to her like glue.
“Scotty, take Barney with the rest of the dogs. Get them secured on the transport.”
A violently fluctuating aura assailed her mind, forcing her hand to her head in shock. The whispers screamed. “No, Sister. Barney must stay with me. I need.”
“Okay, okay, whatever. Bring Barney if you must.” Turning to Barney, Abby gave a quizzical look at his loyal mug, eyes bright, shining with love and unquestionable trust. Her heart melted at the thought that someone had once thrown this joyful personality away as a pup like a piece of disposable garbage. Shaking her head, she realized what an arbitrary lady Fate could be. Look at Barney’s life now: loved so well, and loved far, far beyond anyone’s wildest dream by the most enigmatic creature on the planet, part of his adoring family. Abby knelt down to place a kiss on Barney’s tender muzzle, happy to have him remind her of the smallest of the fragile lives that would be saved by her efforts.
The airport officials approached. Abby turned to Scotty, whispering directions under cover of the airport noises. Pointing out their transport, she directed him, “Get the trucks to start unloading. I won’t be long.” Turning to the airport officials, she nudged Echo forward. “Gentleman, I believe you are looking for me.”
“If you are in charge of the contents of this transport, miss, may I have your permits please?”
Echo stood with her arm wrapped around Barney’s neck as her antlers split, releasing just the correct amount of implant creatures, which flew to the ears of the officials who could destroy all hope of leaving the airport with her precious charges. Naturally, Abby had been unable to obtain all the complex permits and vaccination records needed to transport wildlife of this kind. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, required reams of paperwork and certifications to protect the transportation of wildlife. Abby was shooting from the hip here. Echo’s facilitation made everything so much easier.
The implants did their work as Abby waited for the signs that the inspectors were under control. Shaking their heads and pulling on their ears then grinning like simpletons, they assured her she could proceed safely.
“I want you both to return to your desks. Everything is in order here, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am. You have a nice flight now. Nice doggies you have there.” With a quick pat on Echo’s head, they turned smartly on their heels and walked away. One down, just the pilots to go. Cobby should be briefing them at the moment. She hoped to avoid grief from them regarding the lack of proper cages for the animals. She had selected Pet Air because the cargo bay came equipped with built-in cages that would help secure most of the smaller animals and some of the cats. The rest would be forced to settle down on the moving blankets and make their own nests. Turning, she heard Cobby shout her name and saw him running toward her.
“You were right, I need Echo to handle the pilots. The loading is going smoothly, just very slowly. I’m going to take Echo with me, okay?”
“Yeah, take Barney with you too, please, Cobby. Don’t let Echo implant them unless you’re forced. And keep Echo hidden until you need her. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
Cobby ruffled her long golden hair. “You holding up, kiddo?” His smile reflected nothing but worry and admiration for her.
She smiled back, her lips threatening to collapse on her. Suck it up girl, she thought. This is not the time to cry in Cobby’s arms.
“I’m fine, Cob. I’ll see you later.” She watched as Cobby marshaled the furry pair off to the animal transport for a sit-down with the pilots. Looking over the receding shoulder of Captain Cobby, she noticed another transport pulling in toward their parking area. It featured the insignia of the British Royal Air Force on the side of the transport. Why the heck is the Royal Air Force here? Mentally slapping herself across the face, she pulled her mind back to what she needed to focus on.
Fifteen minutes later, as Abby watched her animals offload from the trucks and settle into the belly of their transport with much complaining and shuffling of space mates, she found her ears assailed with the strange sounds of trumpeting and rumbles which gripped her deep into the very marrow of her bones. Following the frantic sounds, she found herself led to the very transport that had caught her eye a few minutes ago.
The belly of the transport lay open with milling activity focused on some black men dressed in blue-green coats signifying some kind of uniform. Creeping closer, she noticed agitation and helpless sorrow permeated their demeanors. The trumpets sounded more frantic the closer she got. As her presence alerted the attention of the men, she nodded politely, getting a nod from one of the taller men, his world-weary chocolate eyes dripping with disconsolate acceptance.
“Jambo, miss.” Abby nodded respectfully, understanding a friendly greeting if not the Swahili language. Peering into the belly of the transport, she got the surprise of her life. In the rear of the plane stood an unhappy group of elephants. Yes, elephants, practically extinct after the horrendous slaughter of the 2015–2019 ivory wars and the subsequent decision to slaughter the largest and wisest for meat to feed the refugees in Sudan, Uganda, Libya and South Africa.
Abby noticed grave differences in the elephants. The largest and oldest, almost elderly; two smaller juveniles; one adult tusker and three tiny babies, one of which lay prostrate on the floor of the plane, a few feet from the men, who she now realized must be their keepers. The tiny baby looked to be only a few weeks old with the tip of its delicate tiny trunk missing. It appeared to have been bitten off and now lay lifeless, swollen and infected. The poor thing’s breathing sounded labored, obviously on the doorstep of death.
“Oh no, the poor thing.” Tears trickled unnoticed from under her shades. Who are these people? She addressed the tall man who appeared to be in charge. “Hello, I’m Abby Preston.”
The man gave a quick bow. “I’m Johno. It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Abby.” His grin reached from ear to ear, but his heart clearly neglected to join in.
“Where did you come from? And what’s wrong with the little one?”
“She has pneumonia. She is dying.” He hung his head. “There is little we can do now.”
“What in the world are you doing here, in Tampa?”
“We are from Nairobi, Africa. The radical Islamic leaders ordered all non-native landowners to turn over their land to the government. They were given forty eight hours to vacate the country. We could not leave these precious few elephants behind. They would have been eaten, just like this poor little one’s mother. The babe was found stuck in a shallow well. She must have run in her panic after her mother was slain and fallen in. We were notified by a kind Masai. Her trunk was savaged, probably by a hyena. It is common. We set down here from the Miami airport because if she dies, the others will be upset and they need calmness. It is not a good time to be in an airplane for them.”
“I don’t understand why you have them, elephants are almost extinct. It’s against the law to bring an elephant out of Africa.”
“Yes, Miss Abby. I work for the Elizabeth Siggins Wildlife Foundation. I have worked for them for over forty years. Ms. Elizabeth’s husband started the Kenya Wildlife Protection Corp. so many years ago. Ms. Elizabeth was a very famous woman, loved by many all over the world for her spirit and dedication. She created miracles for her beloved elephants. When the government threatened the land that belonged to the foundation, the family enlisted the help of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force to secrete the elephants away to safety in the United States. They have always been important supporters of Ms. Elizabeth’s efforts. Everything happened so quickly. Unfortunately, we were only able to save these few before the soldiers came. We were lucky to get away. Many more were left behind.” Johno’s voice broke and he raked his arm across his eyes, wiping away his tears. “My babies . . . so much trauma and terror in their short lives.” He broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. “We could not save them all. I am sorry, I cannot speak further. Please excuse me.” He turned back to the pitiful creature sprawled on the floor surrounded by the other keepers, tears in the eyes of the anguished men.
Abby slowly approached the circle of men. She reached out to rest her hand on Johno’s shoulder. “Johno, I can help you. I can help the baby.?
??
Johno’s head snapped back to her with uncontrolled hope. “You can help our baby, Miss Abby? Please, please. How can you help? Do you have a miracle medicine?”
“No, Johno, I have something better. Please, stand back.” She moved Johno to the side, waving away the attentions of the other keepers. Johno’s face fell as he realized she would not be forthcoming with medicine.
Seemingly from out of thin air, Abby’s tail flexed and snapped high into the air, extruding its healing membrane, sending pressure felt by all and the accompanying odor of sulfur. The keepers didn’t understand the significance of her tail or where the path of pressure emanated from, and reacted by throwing themselves flat on the ground, screaming.
As the excited screams slowed to frightened mutters, the men finally absorbed the complete quiet settling around their shoulders, no more sound coming from the belly of the transport, the elephants’ silence ominous. Then a squeak. And a squeal, coming from none other than the dying baby, who struggled to stand under her own power as a cacophony of excited trumpets emanated from the back of the transport, happy elephants eager to caress the newly healthy baby.
The keepers rose slowly, frightened and unbelieving, their hands making the sign of the cross. Abby watched Johno, his face impassive and calm, a cypher. He turned to her, holding out his hand. “Miss Abby, the Lord has sent you to us.”
Abby stepped up to grasp his hand in hers. “Where are you traveling with these elephants, my friend?”
“We have been offered sanctuary in the most wondrous place. It is called the Bronx Zoo.”
Abby smiled wide. “Yes, I have heard of it. I think we will meet again, my friend. I’m going in that direction myself. Will you be leaving soon?”
“Yes, miss, we will leave as soon as possible.” Johno’s eyes searched hers, his voice giving out and reverence overwhelming his impassive nature.