Return To Primordial Island by Rick Poldark (namjoon book recommendations TXT) 📗

“He did it,” gasped Mary. “He saved his tribe.”

“Let’s go say hello,” said Peter. He turned to his escort and pounded his chest. “Thank you.”

The ape warrior returned the gesture, and then he grunted at the others. They immediately dispersed, leaping into the trees and disappearing into the canopy.

Peter smiled, watching them vanish. They seemed like a good species. Maybe there was hope for this place yet. “Let’s go.”

He, Tracey, and Mary strolled into camp. They were quickly spotted by one of the Umazoa, who sounded the alarm. Within seconds, they were surrounded. Men, women, and children all took turns embracing each of them, fussing over them in a true hero’s welcome.

“Thank you…yes, nice to see you…” Peter looked around to see if any Poseidon Tech staff were present. He saw Hiu approach, smiling, arms held out wide in front of him. Marcy and Collins were with him.

The others parted as Hiu embraced Peter first, chattering on in Umazoan. He touched Peter on his arms and chest, apparently looking for wounds. His expression turned to concern when he saw Peter’s chest sans orb. Hiu pulled his shirt open, practically sticking his head inside. “Where it?”

“Gone,” answered Peter. “Nazimaa gone. Dead.”

This pleased Hiu, as he laughed raucously and embraced Peter again. He then kissed and embraced Tracey and Mary, greeting them as prodigal children returned. His joy faded as he looked around. He turned to Peter once more. “Where hunter?”

Peter’s smile withered, and he shook his head.

Hiu bowed his head in respect and grief.

“We thought you left us,” said Tracey, hugging Marcy.

“Not a chance,” said Collins, shaking Peter’s hand. “Marcy wouldn’t leave without you.”

“You stayed too,” said Peter.

Collins shrugged. “I was contracted to bring everyone back safely. I didn’t want to get sued for breach of contract.”

They all shared a laugh.

“So, that means we’re getting off this damned island?” asked Mary.

Collins nodded. “A chopper is on its way to pick us up.”

“Thank you,” said Peter.

“Don’t mention it,” said Collins. He pointed to Marcy. “You should’ve seen her stand up to Nielsen.”

“He must be pissed,” said Tracey to Marcy.

Marcy smirked. “I think he was impressed.”

“How did you know we’d come back? That you’d ever see us again?” asked Tracey.

Marcy shot a glance at Peter. “I knew you’d bring him back. I just had a feeling.”

Within minutes, a chopper arrived. Hiu and his tribe, having never seen a contraption like that before, startled and practically ran away. Peter and the others reassured them, and they reluctantly stayed but never took their eyes off the magic flying machine. Hiu nearly fell over when he saw a human hop out.

Nielsen ran over to the group. “Excellent! You’re back.” He looked around at the group. “Where’s Jason and Susan?”

“They died saving our lives,” said Peter.

“We have to go,” said Nielsen. “HQ is sending a fresh team to guard base camp. We’re keeping the portal open.”

“About that…” said Peter.

“We’ll discuss your concerns when we return back to our dimension,” insisted Nielsen. “There’ll be a full debriefing.”

Peter nodded. He said his goodbyes to everyone. He didn’t have time to tell Hiu about the Simians, nor did he have time to ask about the Zehhaki. It would all have to work itself out—natural selection.

He hopped into the chopper with the others, and they took off, heading for the offshore oil rig. Peter looked out the window as the island dropped beneath him, shrinking as they flew away. The island remained in view, the portal containment field holding up. However, as they flew further away from it, the sky resumed its familiar blue. He was in his home dimension again.

It was an odd sensation, leaving the island behind. He didn’t know why, but he felt ambivalent about it.

* * *

In the cafeteria, Peter dove into a ham sandwich with Swiss and mustard. He never thought a ham sandwich could taste so good. The others also dove in, stuffing their faces like ravenous beasts. Peter took a long draw off his can of ginger ale, which tasted amazing.

Nielsen watched, smiling, apparently pleased they enjoyed the refreshments provided by Poseidon Tech. “Eat and drink up. We head back home in a few hours, after a full debriefing.”

“Can I take a shower?” asked Mary. “God, I’m dying for a shower.”

“I think we have time for that,” said Nielsen.

“Fresh underwear,” blurted Peter with his mouth full. “I’d give my right arm for a fresh pair of underwear.”

Home. While initially a strange concept, with the island behind him (left in another dimension) a feeling of normalcy began to wash over him. He wanted to see his parents and his friends. He enjoyed the filtered air in the cafeteria, the feel of the metal tables, and the halogen lighting. It was real.

He wasn’t sure if he was just compartmentalizing it all in his mind, but his experience on the island was beginning to feel like the vague memory of a distant fever dream. He looked over at Tracey, who was downing an ice-cold beer. She was real, and now their relationship was real. Prior to the island, the notion of romantic involvement with Tracey was a mere fantasy. Ironically, actual fantasy made their relationship real.

The whole experience with the dinosaurs, orbs, demons, lizard and ape men…it all reminded him of one of those Saturday morning cartoons from the 1980s he liked to stream on the internet. It was like a tabletop RPG come to life. No one was going to believe it. Then again, thanks to the non-disclosure agreement he had signed, he wouldn’t be able to tell anyone anyway.

He’d get to tell Nielsen everything when he was done gorging on deli sandwiches. Then again, maybe Nielsen didn’t have to know every little detail.

Chapter