The Researchers meet Muddy

I’ve had a decent work day today, and a cheque came in from Worker’s Compensation for work I did in January and May. That was nice to get. Anyway, on with the story.

***

Liam and Eva collected their luggage, made their way through customs and stepped out into the Sydney airport. A tall, broad-shouldered man with short hair and a tanned complexion approached them.

"Are you Eva and Liam?" he asked.

"Yes," said Eva. "Are you Muddy?"

"Right in one!" He reached for her large suitcase. "My truck’s outside. Come on. How was the trip?"

They talked about the length of the journey from Montreal to Sydney, and other inconsequentials until they were in Muddy’s truck driving out of the airport.

"I thought we might stop for something to eat where we can talk about those damn little monsters," Muddy said.

"Sounds good to me," Liam agreed.

"Likewise," said Eva. "I’m starving."

"I’ve got just the place in mind," said Muddy. He negotiated through traffic to a small and rather dingy-looking restaurant in a dingy part of the city. "It doesn’t look like much, but the food’s great and there’s a corner booth where we can talk without half the city listening in." He found a parking spot nearby and they climbed out, Eva and Liam glad for a chance to stretch their legs. The trio strolled along the street. Eva studied the people and cars and buildings, noting the similarities and the differences, compared to Montreal and Toronto.

"Here we are," Muddy said, and opened the door to the small restaurant."

The paused to let their eyes adjust to the change in light. Although it was winter in Australia, the day was bright and warm. Inside the restaurant, the dim light took a few moments to get used to.

"Over here." Muddy led them to a corner booth with no tables close by. At this time of day, the supper crowd hadn’t begun to come in yet and there were only a handful of other patrons scattered at the tables. They settled themselves on the benches and read the menus. The waitress strolled over, took their orders and strolled away.

"Any new developments here?" Liam asked when they were alone.

"I can tell you the bastards are multiplying faster than bloody rabbits. They’re all over that part of my land. I’ve had to move the rest of my cattle well away from there, but it’s only going to be a matter of time before they migrate from that spot. They’re already moving out in all directions and I think they’re looking for a new food supply. There’s nothing left where they are. Even kangaroos are staying clear."

Eva frowned. "You’re saying they’ve driven out every other species?"

"No. I’m saying they’ve killed and eaten every other species. The few survivors are staying away." Muddy picked up his spoon and twirled it slowly between his fingers. "Anything that wanders in is dinner."

Liam opened his mouth to speak, but kept his peace when the waitress returned with their soup. They all gave her a polite smile. After she was out of hearing range, Liam leaned forward and  asked, "How fast are they reproducing? Do you have any idea?"

"All I can tell you is they’ve more than quadrupled since I first saw them, and there were scores of them then. The last time I saw them, they had to be in the hundreds. I didn’t stick around to count them. But I did get a video of them attacking."

Eva’s hand paused with the soup spoon halfway to her mouth. "Attacking what?"

"A croc. Only a medium sized one, mind, but a croc all the same. Poor bugger. He put up a fight, I’ll give him that, and he took out quite a few before they got him."

It was Liam’s turn to gape. "They killed a crocodile?" He looked at Muddy from under lowered eyebrows. "You’re joking. You wouldn’t keep your cattle near a river with crocodiles in it."

"I told you, the creatures are on the move and one of the spots they got to had a croc. It was past a fence to keep the bloody stupid cows from going there. I’ve got the video at home to show you."

"That’s terrifying," said Eva, and meant it. She understood how enough small predators acting in concert could bring down a large prey animal, but not another predator. Nothing attacked a grown crocod

ile except maybe an enraged hippopotamus and hippos weren’t predators and they didn’t live in Australia.

"What are they?" she wondered out loud. Then, "You have any live ones?"

"Yes, but not for long. Having them around is making me fuckin’ nervous, excuse my language. They keep trying the doors of their cages and if they ever got out–well, none of us wants to be there then, that’s all I’m saying. I thought you could look at them, take pictures, and then we’ll kill them and you can examine them to your heart’s content."

"I’d like to ship one home to compare with the ones there, if we can ever get our hands on one there," Liam said. He set his empty bowl aside.

"It’ll be easier to ship a dead one than a live one," Eva pointed out. "Fewer hoops to jump through."

The waitress arrived to clear away the bowls and set their main courses in front of them. Eva felt a little queasy, thinking about the crocodile vs. creature battle, but she knew she should eat. She hadn’t had a decent meal or enough sleep in the past twenty-four hours.

"How far is it to your place, Muddy?" she asked.

"About six hours of driving," he said, and grinned. "I don’t know if you feel up to another long sit-down after your flight, and I booked a room at a hotel for the night. We can get an early start in the morning."

Eva and Liam agreed. They tucked into the meal, which was delicious, and abandoned the topic of discussion for a time.

***

Don’t mess with these genetically engineered little devils. Seriously.