One Crazy Life (Apocalypse Paused Book 10) by Michael Todd & Michael Anderle

Author:Michael Todd & Michael Anderle [Todd, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642021974
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2019-04-15T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Three soldiers, Babyface among them, followed their commander’s orders and scaled the tree. They made short work of it. Fortunately, the creatures had picked one with a ton of branches instead of one of the straighter palm-like varieties. They moved out on one of the thicker limbs toward the enormous cocoon that hung there.

Ava, now that her plan was in action, felt anything but relief. The caterpillars still approached and grew closer by the second.

“So, what’s the plan?” Gunnar asked Peppy and lit a cigarette. Ava didn’t know if it was because he felt calm or if he wanted to be.

“Simple.” The commander gestured to a cocoon. “We cut one of these things down and carry it back with us. That’s as close to a butterfly as we’ll get.”

“It makes sense to me,” Ava said. “These things also explain why the crawlers were so voracious. They’re beefing up before they make a cocoon for metamorphosis.”

“There’s only one problem, sir,” Babyface said from his perch in the tree. “My knife’s not doing shit.”

“Cut the damn wood, then—and Babyface, do me a favor.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Kick the shit out of that cocoon. I have a hunch.” Peppy pointed at one.

He nodded, brought his knee up, and hammered his leg into it with everything he had. Ava could see—even from down on the jungle floor—that the strike rattled the man more than the bug.

“It’s as hard as shit, sir.” Babyface rubbed his jaw. Apparently, he’d bit his tongue with the force of impact.

“Good. That’s good. It means Kessler should be able to use it fine. Who knows? Maybe it will be better than the butterfly.”

“Is this really the time to pontificate?” Gunnar protested. “We have less than three minutes.”

“Right. Okay, here’s the plan. You four—I want long branches. Who’s good with knots?”

Three soldiers raised their hands.

“I want a sled and I want it done yesterday. I’m willing to bet those things are fucking heavy. Attach ropes to the front so we can all pull this thing if we so desire. Let’s move, people.”

Tree bark snapped and crackled and one of the cocoons fell. It struck hard enough to dent the soil, but the landing didn’t so much as scuff the thick, yellowish shell. A strange-looking appendage protruded from the very top of it and was attached to what looked like silk that was so strong, the soldier had severed the bark to cut it free.

Two soldiers tried to lift it, with no effect.

Another two joined them, but their combined efforts were futile.

Finally, six people working together were able to lift their prize. The thing was definitely heavier than it looked. Peppy voiced vague death threats to the soldiers who worked on the sled and they hurried to complete it. The rope in their packs might have simply been a “you never know” precaution, but they certainly made good use of it.

“All right, grab hold.”

The twenty or so remaining soldiers formed up and grasped the ropes connected to the sled. On the count of three, they heaved into motion, and not a moment too soon.

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