Owl and Poly's Trip thru Time2

The ground rumbled as the apatasaurs thundered by. I got to my feet, realizing such gentle vegetarians could only be put to flight by one thing...

The shriek of the giant Allosaur made my blood run cold. My legs locked as I literally debated with my fight or flight reflex. "To hell with this," I thought, "I'm running!" I dove down into the shorter growth of the forest, hoping he wouldn't find me. But the swath of woods was too small, and I emerged on the other side, with a second Allosaur glaring back at me.

Instinctively I leaped skyward, catching the wind and rising above the dinosaurs just as a jaw snapped where I had been standing. From my perspective, I could see the big carnivores roaring frustration at not being able to eat a bronto burger. I could also see them angling toward the clearing where Polygirl was working on the time bubble. Apparently, somethig about us said "food," and Polygirl no doubt looked like she could provide additional wings for the table.

The allosaurs were fast, and conniving! They approached together, then one split off, to cover the only other means of escape. I remembered the old joke about not having to outrun the bear, but frowned. Poly was my friend, and I'd sooner die than let anything happen to her. I managed to arrive in the glade ahead of the beasts and landed next to Polygirl.

"Have you got it fixed yet?" I asked

"Hand me that screwdriver," she said. "Not the slotted one, the phillips head." I handed her the requested tool, then got out of her light.

"I've almost got it ready," she said. "Maybe another fifteen minutes, then I can figure out WHEN we are too."

I winced. "I know when we are Poly! Its lunchtime in the Jurassic!"

She laughed. "You're silly. We wouldn't have come that far..." but she stopped short when the first Allosaurus lumbered into view. "OK Let me amend that. You MAY be right."

"You said it was almost done?" I asked.

Poly nodded. "Yes, just a few more minutes. Can you stall them?"

I looked at the big dino and swallowed. "Not my usual job, but hey, I'm flexible."

"That's the spirit," said Polygirl, turning back to the repairs at hand.

I flew toward the allosaurus and dropped a flash bang on its nose. The dinosaur howled and snapped at me, but I darted just out of reach. Big Al followed me and I led him away from Polygirl. With careful feints and dodges, I kept my distance.

But I forgot about the second one. The path I was using to draw one away was putting me on a collision course with the second one. I was turning one more time when CLUDDDD!!!!! A scaly tail slammed me in the small of my back. I spiralled to the ground, hitting hard and laying dazed. I felt the earth move beneath me as several tons of repilitian hunger drew near. I scrabled to my feet, but my boot got caught in the marshy ground.

I slipped my foot out, then flew around the two dinosaurs, pushing them closer to one another. The therapods got angry with one another--and a shouting and shoving match broke out between them. I flew back to Polygirl.

"Hop in," she said. I settled back into the passenger seat and watched as she entered data. The bubble began to vibrate and through the glass I could see the Allosaurs charging at us.

"You better punch it!" I said. Poly nodded in agreement and the Time Bubble glowed. Outside it grew dark and a moment later, the bubble materialized inside the Guardians HQ in Angel Falls.

"What's the time?" I asked Polygirl.

She paused, then said, "Its noon. We were gone an hour."

A pall crossed over her face though as she recognized the man approaching. "Oh crap! It's the boss," she said.

The Lone Stranger had a paternalistic smile on his otherwise unreadable features. He looked at my mud covered uniform and missing boot, then at Poly. For a long time he said nothing.

"White Owl? Have one of the other Polys take you to the replication device. We should be able to get you a clean uniform and a new set of boots if nothing else."

"Sir, I encouraged this."

"I'm aware of the part you played in this White Owl. The Polys were keeping me informed the whole time. But this..." he tapped the Time Bubble.

"This is dangerous technology. It nearly cost the lives of two ivaluable people. And it could conceivably fall into the wrong hands...what a mess that would be. So I'm ordering this destroyed, and for Poly to hand over all her notes."

Polygirl bowed her head and meekly said, "Yes sir."

I followed the other Poly to the replicator and got a clean uniform made. Slipping into it, I smiled. "I never did get lunch."

"Its not too late," said the duplicate. A moment later, Poly came and we had a nice lunch. But I made sure my pizza was vegetarian.

The End

Polygirl and the Lone Stranger are OC's of and used with his consent

This story took place in and around the area