Picking Up The Pieces (New episode!)

[thundertail]

PICKING UP THE PIECES:

(Based on 'Dinotopia, the miniseries', containing all the pertainent characters in thier original roles. *Possible script for another episode!)

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By: Thundertail

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ONE:

The world is always changing, as is its' want to do.

Tides flow, both above on the sea as well as below in the magma of the core; and this causes eventual tectonic movement of the crust above. These plates move across the globe on thier own courses, yet still at thier ever slow pace; and the continents atop these plates converge and collide at the pace that's slower than a snail. Sometimes they get stuck for eons, and release that energy all at once; causing great disasters in many diverse places, and many lives are lost. The Indian continent had been colliding with the Asian continent for countless eons, pushing India further north and causing the collossal rise of the Hymalayan mountains; which shoot up to heights of many miles. The indian plate is pushed by the Caporicorn plate and the Somali plate, and the pressures in those regions had been on the increase these past few centuries; ripping apart the ocean floor at its' roots and stretching the crust below the seafloor. But recently there was a problem with the faults below the waves, for the plates had been stuck, and the pressure was quickly becoming too great for the surrounding rocks to hold back. Time was ticking away for the gargantuan catastrophie that was about to happen, and scientists were glad the epicenter was in a remote area of the oceans; but the scientists scarcely knew about the hidden island of Dinotopia!

At last time ran out for the pressures hidden away in the center of the earth, and a great cracking occured at the boundaries of these plates; centering at a point three miles north of the northern coast of Dinotopia. Shockwaves spread out faster than the speed of sound, rippling the waves above as well as the seafloor below; slamming into the coast mere seconds later, liquifying absolutely everything it encountered. Fishing outposts all along the shore were wiped out nearly instantly, and even stone structures could not withstand the cataclysm washing over everything all along the shore. At the front of this wave of death a great massif of stone and mortar stood perched upon a bluff looking out to sea, seeming like a suicide victim waiting for the right moment to jump; and jump it did as wave upon wave of insurmountable force slammed the shore, stripping away the escarpment and everything atop it.

This did nothing to slow down the force as the shockwave left the shore and cascaded across the land, collapsing nearly everything in its' wake. The areas of weakest geological strata were hit worse, and underground landslides created channeling in the rock, diverting rivers and underground aquifers; crackiing the roots of the Amu canyon and blocking all channels for the river below, creating a flood so massive down there that it rendered the valley floor below uninhabitable. Tectonic activities redirected magma throughout the mountainous regions, creating floes where there once was none and plugging up magma where there should have been some. As the waves of destruction ceased, the inhabitants of this unknown island were left to pick up the pieces...

_

Frank Scott looked over his cards at the four other players at his table, two being complete strangers yet merchants in town he had done business with while the other two were fairly close friends; one being saurian and his and his boys' house caretaker and major domo thier first few months here on Dinotopia, and the other was his son Carl. One merchant took a sip of his cold Jinka infusion amd placed his cards down before him, face down as it wasn't his turn to do so; and the other beside Zippeau chatted to him briefly in saurian on what, Frank did not know - and hoped they weren't cheating how ever impossible for these trusting people it was. Frank Scott took a sip of his own drink and placed it down loudly, making all at the table jump slightly.

"Your turn, Zip...", he said nicer than he wished.

"The cards say I had better withdraw...", ther Stenoychosaur clipped in a brittish way, fanning his cards out so all could see before dropping them onto the table.

"Good call!...", Carl looked. "You had garbage!"

"Anybody else?", Frank asked the rest.

"Three tens...", the one with a sky blue silk tophat announced proudly.

"Four twos!...", claimed the turbaned and robed figure next.

"Aw...! Small straight...", Carl tossed his cards in.

"And me?...", Frank spread his cards on the table. "Straight flush...!", groans.

They all tossed thier cards on the table as Frank reached to scoop up his winnings, David Scott coming by to collect the emptied mugs as it was his turn at barkeep duties; others either leaning back to relax from that round of cards, or standing to stretch thier legs. Zippeau had gone over to the bar to wait for another drink while Carl sidled up to his father to speak.

"How'd you do?...", whispered Carl.

"There's almost forty Drachs here...", Frank recounted. "Hey!... I'm short here!", the turbaned one turned and dropped the two Drachs he had palmed.

"I think you're a bad influence on them...", Carl whispered.

David returned to the back of the bar, through the door behind it to deposit the tray of cups to be washed and returned to his customer. Zippeau requested another drink from him and waited while Scott prepared it. A tense feeling wafted through the room, and Zippeau suddenly stood bolt upright, tail and head straight out, looking around with extreme dismay before letting off a mournful moan. Everyone turned to look at him just as the glassware and bottles began to tinkle; and this increased in intensity as Zippeau's worried look transferred to all the native Dinotopians in the tavern! Moans and calls could be heard from the outside as vibrations could be physically felt inside the tavern, and Frank rushed to the batwing doors to look out into the night.

"What is it...?", "What's going on...?", Carl and David babbled at the same time.

"EARTHQUAKE!!!", Zippeau shouted. "There's an earthquake going on!"

"It wasn't a bad one...", Frank observed as the slight trembling began to subside, but the moaning outside did not.

"No!... It's still going on!", Zippeau spun. "I can still feel it!"

"Then it must be pretty far away.", David said. "It's only a little one."

"No it wasn't!", Zippeau was coming out of his mild funk. "I felt the land lurch... It was a strong one, perhaps on the other side of the island.", he looked at David. "There may be a lot of damage... A lot of death!"

"I must leave now, I guess...", David said. "They may need me for Skybax patrols...", he rushed to remove his apron.

"You be careful!", Frank Scott yelled at his son, disappearing out the door. "Oh, wwell...! So it shouldn't be a total loss, anybody want to play another hand?...", everyone looked at him like he had a disease! "Just kidding!"

In the distance another faint rumbling begins, climbing in intensity until the glasses in thier racks tumble and break. The rustic chandoliers above thier heads begins to tinkle and swing slightly, groaning from the chairs and tables as they shook themselves out of place made the two human patrons jump from them and begin to creep out the door. Zippeau took a look lf utter dismay and fear and bolted out into the night as the quake grew like a tidal wave throughout the trading post compound, Frank trying to follow him but holding back at the sight of all the buildings around swaying and shaking. Carl retreated to the back rooms as David went with him, returniung shortly with his Skybax helmet.

Frank scooted aside as his son ran out into the night as well, gon in a flasdh top where his Partner, Freefall, was roosting; and calmed his squawking protests as he mounted him and flapped off into the night. A night full of mournful sounds and concerned shouting, for this local disaster would prove to be felt throughout Dinotopia...

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[thundertail]

TWO:

Rolling greenness sped by far below the next day, for David's leader told his squadron to patrol the island for signs of damage from last night's quakes. He and freefall had been flying most of the night to get to Waterfall City in the dark, homing in on the sunstone in the city tower to land at the aerie there; seeing every light in the city on, and every person out and about, alert for any kind of danger. He had gotten little sleep that night as thier squadron was roused at dawn, but his duty made David Scott will the weariness away as the miles sped by under Freefall's wings. The scenes he had witnessed were gruesome and heart wrenching indeed, but his resolve at seeing such destruction steeled his resolve as he flew from one disaster to another. Already they witnessed many sites of destruction, both large and small; and thier report as they completed thier section of the search at Canyon City would be lengthy indeed.

"I have received your reports, pilot Scott.", said his leader. "This quake was bad and hit everyone. Look out into the canyon and you will see...", the river, usually so far below that it couldn't be seen, now lapped at the escasrpments the Sentinals stood upon. "The whole of the Amu canyon is flooded! We have granted refuge to the Pteranodons, and waived the no tresspassing treaty with them until further notice..."

"How terrible!", David said, looking. "What do you want me to do to help out?"

"Your orders were clear.", said his leader. "You and your squads are to continue patrolling the island. Give all assistence as you see fit and report back to either Waterfall City or here."

"Yes, sir!", David saluted "Breathe deep..."

"Fly high!...", his leader said as David wheeled around and sprinted out the door.

Many small towns had suffered small and great collapse of dwellings and barns, people and dinosaurs already scrambling to assist one another. As thier circuit winded them out to the coast, the results of the earthquake proved it grew stronger and stronger the saltier the air became. Many fishing villages were completely leveled, thier boats splintered upon the shore like so much driftwood. Not many survivors were detected in these villages, and those that were could be seen gleaning through the wreckage for the remnants of thier lost lifestyles. All along the shore David saw what the earthquake had done, which must have been a seven or eight on the Richter scale, he figured; but what he saw next nearly took away all the resolve at his disposal, and Freefall screeched as he spied the stone wreckage in the distance.

There used to be a cliffside here, David thought as they circled above the washed out basin in the coastline. Huge stone blocks lay strewn about like a child's discarded toys, barely betraying the outline of the gigantic edifice that was once here; now nearly completely washed out to sea. If he didn't know better, he wouldn't have known that king Adolpho's castle was supposed to be on this spot at all; but now it was gone forever, and he knew the nature of its' current occupants! David Scott led freefall down to spiral in for a landing, six more of his squadron following suit; all looking around as they hopped off thier steeds in bewilderment at this scene of complete destruction! All the pilots sauntered up to thier leader and waited for David to give the orders.

"What happened here?", one asked.

"The castle is completely gone!", another said.

"Ok everyone!", David said to them all. "You know what to do... Scour the whole area and look for survivors!", he looked back to his steed. "Freefall and the others will direct from the air..."

Presently all six flyers squawkingly took to the air and blanketed the sky in mile wide search patterns. The men and women fanned out among the stone blocks that were strewn all around, viewing the ones that were leading out to the sea via a newly carved beach; skirting them and looking around thier bases for survivors. One Skybax or another would cry out when a pilot came near a suspicious shape in the rocky wreckage, then wheel away when the search proved unfruitful. David came around such a stone block to see the shape of an arm becoming visible, but turned away gasping seeing it was severed from the rest of the bloody clump crushed underneath the stone. By the time two hours passed, the whole area was looked over; and finding nothing alive theroughout the wreckage, gathered at a clear spot inland to meet back up with thier flyers.

"Report...", David said. All reported no survivors. "We'll make the report when we return to Waterfall City... Pilots, away!"

The squadron of Skybax lifted off and wheeled away, down the coast and on thier way back around to Waterfall City; making note of all the destroyed and semi-destroyed settlements along the way. David, as squad commander, had to go to the council chambers to make his report; and all of them would be shattered when they heard of all the damage the earthquake had caused, and David knew he would be crushed at all the bad news told by all the other squadron commanders during the meeting...
_

David Scott sprinted through the city, barely noticing the verticle crack running almost all the way up the Sunstone Tower and all the scaffolded workers scrambling to repair it; and dodged out of the way when stray cartloads of wounded and repair materials trundled by in his wake. The debris of the two saurian gargoyles littered the stone steps of the council building as he raced up them and bolted through as the doors opened for him. Several other Skybax pilots were already there, giving thier reports and receiving orders to relieve other groups in the city to give aid. When it was his turn to speak, he bowed as he approached the bench in the center aisle.

"Lord mayor, distinguished guests...", David began. "The northern coasts of the island seemed to have suffered the brunt of the earthquakes. It is my belief that this area was the epicenter of the quake."

"Please David, what of the damage?", mayor Waldo Seville asked.

"Of course, your honor.", said David. "All along our patrol route, the destruction to the outposts was almost complete devastation. Every fishing village from Beakhead to Windy Point has been completely wiped out, and thier fishing fleets have all been destroyed."

"How terrible!", shouted a female human delegate.

"This will completely ruin our fishing capacity!", the mayor said. "Postpone any and all caravans through the Rainy Basin immediately!"

"Yes, your honor.", Minch said from his post at the side of the chamber.

"Go on.", Waldo prompted.

"Similarilly, all other outposts have been destroyed.", David Scott told them. "The survivors are picking through things right now, and tending to such wounded that survived. I suggest aid be sent there as prudent to help them out; and perhaps evacuation caravans be arranged."

"Yes, both suggestions should be arranged right away.", Waldo said as Minch nodded and wrote. "Any other reports?"

"Yes. As you know, this earthquake has hit everybody - and I mean everybody.", David continued. "We passed over the area of king Adolpho's castle, where the pirates led by LaSage have made thier home. We found that the entire castle had been literally swept out to sea... The quake must have hit there harder than anywhere else!"

"Were there any survivors there?", a Chasmosaur delegate asked.

"We landed and looked around.", David said. "We found many bodies, and no survivors that we could tell... Of course, some of them might have escaped..."

"Do you mean to tell us that LaSage, the scourge of Dinotopia, is no more?", Waldo nearly shouted.

"It would appear to be so...", was David's meek opinion.

Many pleasant murmurings wafted quietly throughout the room, punctuated by comments like 'Good riddence!', 'Couldn't happen to a better group of people.', 'At least something good came of this.'; along with many other comments and mild cheering. Rosemary, the matriarch of Dinotopia, had been sitting quietly in the audience and overheard every one of these comments; but up to now chose to remain silent. She rtegally rose and walked to the center bench, right beside david; who bowed to her and allowed her full access.

"Ladies and gentilebeings!... Please!...", she announced strongly. "LaSage may have been a pirate, and didn't exactly follow the ways of Dinotopia; but she was a Dinotopian never the less, and deserves at least some measure of respect now that she is dead. She should not be remembered in this way, and all of you should be ashamed of thinking thusly of her!"

She scowled at everyone, ending her acidy stare at the mayor, her husband. "You, of all people, should have stopped them from acting so!... At any rate, it is disrespectful to make light of the dead; so I proipose we all observe a moment of silence in thier memory.", she lowered her hands, and everyone in the court complied.

"Well then, shall we discuss relief procedures now?", mayor Waldo Seville said after enough time was up.

All agreed, and everyone in the court contributed ideas; all agreeing to save what was left of thier lives. Soon efforts were made and multitudes of humans and dinosaurs converged on the more troubled spots, offering relief to those who needed it. Within a span of days efforts produced results, and everyone eventually contributed to the effort; no less the Trading Post and the tavern ran by Frank Scott...

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[thundertail]

THREE:

"Ok, put that cart over there...", Frank Scott directed as wave upon wave of refugees came spilling into the Trading post, coming in from all points north. "Elanzo!... Get help and bring more litters!"

"Right away, Frank.", Elanzo came from the tavern wiping his hands. "Oh! See here!...", he rushed to a knot of humans not currently busy.

Carl Scott rushed about, handling the saurian pullers as they came in, leading them to places where they could drop off thier loads of wounded. Many of these beasts showed signs of either wounds or extreme exhaustion; and Carl had others tend to these creatures. Marion Seville rushed from litter to litter, tending to wounds and directing medical assistants to where they would be best suited. A disheveled doctor Forschie did likewise, tisking and worrying over the more injured of the groups coming in; and Rosemary Seville rushed about doing likewise. David Scott ran all over the compound, looking for places to bed down all the more ambulatory refugees; and was finding that room for them all was quickly running out!

"How you holding out?", Frank said as he passed Rosemary Seville, who was working on a human female with a slightly severed leg artery. "Looks bad...!"

"There are so many!", Rosemary nodded in dismay. "We are starting to run out of supplies!...", she frowned. "I can't keep the bleeding stopped!", she looked up. "Get doctor Forschie over here right away!"

"Will do...", Frank ran off.

For hours this went on, and the sun gradually began to set; but this fact wasn't noticed by anyone for thier preoccupation. Neither did any of them notice the second to last cart load of casualties that came into the compound that day, or the nature of the passengers until Carl came by to perform a visual triage.

"What the...?", Carl said as he noticed the long hair and headband on the unconcious tall one on the tailgate of the cart. This one had a crushed leg and many fractures, uncioncious but thrashing in pain. "Hey bro!... Come over here!..."

"What is it?", David said, and pursed his lips as recognition set in. "It's Quint!... And some of his friends, by the look!", there were six more in equal condition.

"We were going to Irenic to pick up wounded; but we found this group along the way...", the Stenoychosaur driver explained, Triceratops puller grunting and nodding. "We figured to bring them in instead."

"You did well.", David told her. "Bring them over there, where the infirmary is set up...", the driver and puller complied.

"Where did they come from?", Carl asked.

"I don't know, but dad and Rosemary HAS to know about this!", David said as they both ran into the tavern.

"Pop! There's more of 'em...", Carl called into the back room of the tavern.

"Be right there...", Frank said as he emerged.

"You'll never guess who they are!...", David said. "It's Quint and a few of his men...!"

"They're alive?!", Frank sped out of the tavern and followed his sons out toward the Hadrosaur paddocks - the only other space available. "Did you tell Rosemary?"

"Haven't found her yet...", David said as he saw doctor Forschie and some assistants begin treating them. "I'll go look...", and off he went.

As doctor Forschie examined, Frank went to Quint's side and began inquiring what happened to them; but all he got was incoherent gasps of pain. The doctor told him to leave them be for now, and maybe they could talk when they're more healed. Soon Rosemary came into the paddock, conferring with the doctor before whispering to Frank on just what happened. After helping these seven men out as best they could, binding wounds and splinting breaks, they left them to rest for the rest of the night. In the tavern all who worked on the pirates had a little meeting on what to do with them, for the potential mayhem they could cause when ambulatory could be disasterous for the Trading Post!

"Even though I am glad they survived, there is considerable risk here.", Rosemary was saying. "We are duty bound to help any injured person, but these persons have no morality.", she looked at the group before her. the dozen or more people and saurians filled the rather cramped tavern. "Who knows what they will do!"

"Look Rosemary.", Frank said. "I've dealt with them before. They know me!", he smirked. "I suppose it is no secret the rapport I had with LaSage!... They'll listen to me, and should behave themselves long enough for them to leave."

"Dad! you can't trust them!", David said. "You know all the things they are capable of!"

"Those dudes are just no good!", Carl said, Marion Seville sitting next to him. "I would put nothing past them if I were you!"

"They have no moral fiber at all!", Marion said. "I hate them!"

"Never the less, these are living persons, and deserve the reguard due them thier injured condition.", Rosemary said. "Even though it is true they would not return the favor!..."

"So, even though they might cause trouble here, they are hurt and need help.", Frank said. "I say that we take care of them anyway, and so what if they cause trouble later! They aren't causing trouble now, are they?"

"Dad! The reason why they aren't causing trouble right now is because they're passed out!", David pointed out.

"Point taken...", Frank said. "But us three come from the outside world! We're used to such swarthy characters!"

"Well, if you're so set on helping them, you can take care of them.", Rosemary told him. "But be it on your heads if they cause harm!"

"We'll be careful.", said Frank, then turned to the others in the room. "Now people!... This is likely to be a tough job, so I won't tell you to help us out. We would, however, appreciate volunteers to help out with them.", he saw the minimal enthusiasm, but continued anyway. "Those who want to help as needed, raise your right hand - or what is apropriate..."

Though all of them were appalled at the idea of helping common criminals, they all felt it was the Dinotopian thing to do; and eventually they all agreed to help out as the situation decreed, and within a half hour of debate all of thier forelimbs were raised. It was also decided by them that, if they should ever cause too much trouble, the pirates would be asked to leave; and asked forcefully if they refused - whether they were sufficiently healed or not! After the meeting they all went back to tend the other wounded and homeless, and the Scotts went back to see how the seven pirates were doing...
_

Massive work crews plied the roads between towns, loads heavy with all sorts of building material and hundreds of people and dinosaurs. The monumental task of restoring the cities, towns, villages and outposts all across Dinotopia had begun; led by and supervised over by the Bondu construction company, the best such company on Dinotopia. Ajax Bondu knew he had his work cut out for him on this job, so he had him and his sons employ every able bodied soul with at least some construction experience that wanted to help. The Brachs and other large dinos all wanted to help as was thier way, which was good for the tasks of heavy lifting and hauling to come; and the people flooded out of towns little effected by the quakes eager to volunteer as well. With all this help, Ajax Bondu predicted that the restoration of Dinotopia would be completed in record time! Upon his Ankylosaur pulling an overheavy burden, his caravan paused at the precipice at the edge of the Amu canyon near Canyon City and surveyed the deep lake thast was now the canyon and scratched his balding head; for this job would take the longest to remedy...
_

"I tell you, this news of the surviving pirates can not get out!", mayor Waldo Seville said. "The people would be crushed after hearing they were dead!"

"But sir, Dionotopian deicts state that all life is precious...", Minch said at his side, waiting for his mayor to finish signing another materials voucher. "Even with ruffians like them!"

"They say that dumb luck is bestowed on the strangest of ones...", Waldo finished the signature. "And those are the strangest of all!"

"Well, if anybody can keep them in line, it's the Scotts.", Minch replaced the paper with another one.

"Funny... I'd expect the Scotts to join the pirates by now...", the mayor looked at the sheet, it was a death roster for Volcaneum. "But no one knows what to expect any more...", he signed. "Has anybody a clue as to where my wife is?"

"From what I understand, she is away helping the injured.", Minch took that paper and replaced it with another work voucher. "Last known whereabouts at the Outpost."

"She's with them!", Waldo ingnored the paper. "That tears it!... I must go see these pirates for myself!", he signed at last. "Could you arrange it, my boy?..."

"Right away, sir.", Minch said. "But could you please finish signing these forms first?"

"You're right. Mayoral duties come first...", mayor Waldo Seville nodded. "But spread the papers out so I can finish faster...", Minch complied.

Within the hour all the daily paperwork was done, and minch went to arrange transportation for the mayor to go to the Outpost; but his duties during this emergency left him no time to think of going anywhere for several days more. The many buildings that suffered damage had to be repaired, and thier reopening needed official ceremony; and as the growing injured began to slowly succumb to thier injuries, Waldo had to attend at least the most prominent citizens. As this span of time began to ebb, mayor Waldo Seville gradually forgot that he had made the request of Minch at all, and eventually Minch remembered and came by to remind him...
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[thundertail]

FOUR:

The small bicycle powered pushcart had only two passengers, a fact that the Dromeosaur driver was glad of. The baby boy Bracheosaur was found lying in the road, all four knees wounded and bleeding; suffering mostly of heat exhaustion, but his waterbag took care of that symptom. The female human passenger was wounded like so many of his passengers of late, raggedly shambling down the road directly in his path nearly an hour later; and with a look of being completely lost, saying she had to get back to Romana Hatchery. Both passengers seemed to have gotten into better spirits as the miles passed under his wheels, each seeming to become strong acquaintences along the way; but the innocent look on the Brach's face at her rambling gave the Dromeosaur concern, and the dismayed look on the human's face gave him a feeling of alarm, for the fool human was babeling along in that species' version of hatchling talk!

The really good thing for the Dromeosaur was that the next outpost was in sight, and soon he would be free of his charges; and he hoped the Trading Post near Waterfall City could treat such a stricken human and hurt dinosaur. Even though he wished them both the best of luck, he still could not wait to be rid of his charges. He pedaled into the center of the compound and braked to a halt, and the human thanked him with a nod and the Brach thanked him with a bray. The human slowly slid off the pushcart, unsteadilly controlling the Brach's fall as he leapt out; and both staggered away toward the array of buildings, where a pair of humans were sitting at a bench talking to an older man who was standing beside it.

"Waldo, they're just waking up.", Frank Scott said to him as he sat with his wife, Rosemary. "They probably feel so lousey right now they don't feel like doing anything - especially cause trouble."

"Still, they are a danger!", Waldo said, taking Rosemary's hand. "Why, all the mayhem they have caused already is proof enough!"

"But dear, they are no threat right now.", Rosemary said. "I'm sure Frank and his boys can overcome any trouble they cause in thier convalescence."

"They're hurt and need help.", Frank said. "I heard it's the Dinotopian thing to do to help those that need it."

"Yes, but to hear it come from you...", Waldo shook his head. "Who'd've thought it!"

"See Waldo?", Rosemary gave him a light kiss. "Frank is learning!..."

"Here comes some more...", Frank said as he looked in the direction where a human female and a Brach baby were coming near, the loose scarf of bandages around her head prevented identification just yet. "They look hurt!... Let's go.", he scampered over with Rosemary and Waldo in his wake.

"There you go, little one!...", Waldo said as he crouched near the brach. "Got some hurt knees, eh?..."

"Help me...", Frank said as the lady collapsed, Rosemary quickly giving assistence. "Let's sit her down over there...", they both helped the female to sit on the bench.

"There we go... Now let's look at your wounds...", Rosemary felt arms and legs. "Where do you hurt?"

"I hurt all over!...", the female groused in a childlike way. "My head hurts!", her head dipped.

"Well, let's see...", Rosemary lifted the bandages, revealing the scalp; and recoiled in shock as recognition set in. "I don't believe it!..."

"What's wrong, miss?", the lady asked. "Am I all right?"

"LaSage!...", Frank gasped as he turned suddenly.

"Oh, hello, mister LaSage...", LaSage greeted. "That was a funny greeting...!", she smiled up from Rosemary's administerings. "My name is Francine."

"Don't worry, Francine.", Rosemary recovered somewhat. "Just some torn skin... You'll need to heal for a few days, I'd say.", she turned to a baffled Frank Scott. "She can stay here, right?"

"Um,... Sure.", Frank stammered. "There's a spare bedroom above the tavern..."

"But I can't stay!", Francine wailed. "I got to get home to Romana hatchery right away!... Papa Romana is going to be mad at me as it is!..."

"I'm sure he'll understand.", Rosemary told her. "What you need right now is rest and a chance to heal."

"What's she talking about?", Frank asked.

"That must be where she lives.", Rosemary said, but her eyes spoke volumes before looking back at her. "I will send him a message by Postal Bird."

"I like Postal birds!", Francine said. "They're funny!"

"This little one seems ok...", the mayor said as he came over, and instantly recognising LaSage. "My lords!... Look who it is!...", he nearly took steps back.

"Dear, this is Francine, from the Romana Hatchery.", Rosemary introduced, promising with her eyes to explain later and to follow her lead. "This is mayor Waldo Seville, mayor of Waterfall City."

"The MAYOR?", Francine bowed. "Wow!..."

"Charmed, my lady.", Waldo replied. "

"Do you know who I am?", Rosemary asked her innocently. She shook her head, producing pain. "I am Rosemary Seville, matriarch of Dinotopia."

"Wow!... Royalty!...", Francine said, then thought. "Say,... what happened to matriarch Romana Dennison?"

"She passed away a long time ago.", Rosemary said. "I am her daughter."

"I'm friends with a Rosemary back at the hatchery...", Francine said. "What a coincidence!"

"Um,... Francine.", Frank spoke up. "Could you tell us what happened?"

"Well, me and Rosemary were playing a game.", Francine said. "We were in the forest having a big adventure, camping out and the like... Well, anyway a Tyranosaur came and we ran!", she looked around before continuing. "We got split up, and soon I was lost; and so was Rosemary, I guess. I ran and I ran and I ran some more; but I couldn't find my way home. I was out for days and days, avoiding other Tyranosaurs and stuff...", she began to have an unsure look, pausing a moment before continuing.

"And then the ground shook and the rocks fell!...", Francine practically yelled in fear, rubbing her brow in pain. "I woke up in the forest, and I hurt all over. I walked best I could until I found a road... The nice dinosaur gave me a ride, and that nice little Brach over there, too...", she gasped again. "Is there any place I can lay down?... I got a headache!..."

"Of course, dear...", Rosemary told her. "Let's get you to your room..."

Frank and Rosemary lifted LaSage, who thought she was simply Francine from the hatchery, up to a standing position; positioning her so she could walk assisted to the tavern door. Waldo held the batwing doors open while she was led inside. Carl was in doing his chores, and nearly dropped the glass he was drying when he saw the sight; and his father hushed any comment with a glare, steering LaSage around toward the stairs above. Waldo watched this intently for a moment, but the little Brach nuzzled at his leg for attention.

"Well little one,", he said to the bright-eyed tyke. "Time to find you a place for the night as well!", the Brach cooed, and followed the towering human out around back...
_

The meeting called for directly after LaSage had been taken care of by doctor Forschie only included all the Scotts. all the Sevilles, the doctor and Zippeau; for they deemed it best that only a few should know. LaSage was showing all the signs of Amnesia, or so the doctor said; and warned that they all should watch what they say around her until her condition lessened. La Sage had evidentally regressed into her childhood, her mind thinking the way it did before joining up with the pirates. It was deemed imperative that none of the pirates currently recuperating in the paddocks near by never find out, for what they would tell her could cause irreversable damage to her currently fragile psychology! Everyone there discussed this for a long time, and when subjects turned to the other patients currently recovering around the Trading Post it was decided to break up the meeting to tend to everyone.

Waldo had to return to Waterfall City to officiate aid from there and Rosemary had to travel to other towns where aid for the earthquake victims were being performed, so they decided to leave Frank and company to thier job of keeping the peace there. Doctor Forschie decided to leave as well seeing that no major medical emergency still existed here, but Marion Seville decided to stay on for a while more and so did Zippeau. David Scott, always on the move these days, received word to perform courier service and other aid in the Northern Plains for the Bondu construction company; and took off with Freefall at first light the next day.

This left Frank and Carl Scott, Marion Seville and Zippeau to oversee the recovery of the earthquake victims and to tend to the more seriousely injured among them; and to keep an eye on thier unwanted patients so they didn't cause too much trouble while they were recovering! By the close of the next day it was all of thier chores to see the patients were fed and had fresh linens and things for the night ahead, a thing that Zippeau hated seeing it was his turn to tend to the pirates' dinner! The cooking of thier meals went well, for he was a master chef in his own right; but the serving of the meal would be quite a problem with ruffians like them! As he thought all this while cooking, Carl and Marion was at the laundress shop collecting bedsheets and other linen niceities for them, provided they appreciated such things; for the beds in the Hadrosaur paddocks were probably the best beds they ever slept in, and they both knew the job ahead as they prepared them.

"So Carl. Remember the meeting.", Marion was saying as she helped him wheel the pushcart across the compound. "Don't tell them or anyone that LaSage is here.", this she said in a whisper.

"Mum's the word...", Carl grunted as a wheel got stuck on a small rock in the road. "Think Zip's finished feeding them?"

"Unless he's become the main course!...", said Marion, which got a chuckle from Carl. "Barbarians!... Eating meat and all!...", she huffed.

"Hey, don't knock it.", Carl said. "It ain't so bad...", he dodged her swat.

Presently they continued pushing the cart of linens across the compound, giggling slightly at Carl's whispered jokes and occasional capering; and when they reached within earshot of the Hadrosaur paddocks, they could hear many shoutings and clatterings. As they rushed to get the cart there, the door sprung open and Zippeau sprung out after it; sputtering and grumbling at some offense, and being jeered at by the occupants inside.

"Zippeau! Are you all right?", Marion rushed over with a towel as Carl followed.

"I'm all right...", Zippeau began wiping warm cabbage and lentils off his flank with Marion's offered towel. "Those ruffians have no reedeeming characteristics at all!..."

"What happened?", Carl asked.

"I was serving them thier meal, and they got really ugly.", began Zippeau. "They complained that the food wasn't to thier liking - along with many other unspeakable comments - and that long haired one threw his soup on me!...", he continued wiping.

"That's pirates for you!", Carl said.

"Surely you don't expect them to be appreciative!", Marion began drying him with another towel. "After all, they are Outsiders."

"I mean, I don't mind insults, but throwing things goes too far!", Zippeau groused, then yelled toward the paddock. "I HOPE YOUR INJURIES HURT!!!", a mug of deep orange beverage came flying out to shatter on the doorway, and Zippeau scurried out of the way.

"Woah, Zippeau!...", Carl cautioned. "That is no way to handle this!", he looked to the paddock door. "Let me handle this..."

Carl rose and cautiousely went to the doorway, looking this way and that for the stray flying object; and looked around more dilligently as he entered. Inside he saw two rows of beds, and on all but one a raggedly dressed human adorned with various bandages and casts lay; tray or plate balanced on thier chests, grumbling about this or that or nothing at all. Carl stopped when he was in thier midst, looking each in the eye before speaking.

"So guys...", he began. "How's your food?"

"Soup's watery...", one grumbled. "You call this food?", said another. "This cast itches.", said another, and the rest grumbled comments that are unprintable!

"Shut up, mugs!...", yelled Quint, the last bed in the row on the right. He turned to Carl. "So, what you want?"

"Just wanted to know if you needed fresh sheets...", said Carl offhandedly. "But I come by and see your chef being attacked!... What gives?"

"Yeah?...", said another pirate. "And he's lucky!"

"I would have wrung the smelly scaly's neck if I weren't laid up!", said another and the rest agreed rather lewdly!

"You couldn't even strangle a hatchling!", Quint yelled. "I'll flog you when I'm better!..."

"Now woah, fellas!...", Carl raised his hands. "This is no place for this!"

"What's it to you?", asked one of the pirates.

"Well, for one thing, you're supposed to be healing.", Carl told him, then to all. "I know you are in a strange situation here, and it's hard to adjust.", he turned to Quint. "I know you're not used to being so vulnerable; but the people around here are only trying to help you.", he looked at the rest. "They are tending to your wounds, they are feeding you and they are providing you a place where you can heal. I know you're not used to being grateful or anything like that, and we are not really expecting it from you.", he looked back to Quint. "All that we really want is that you not injure the help!". he smiled. "So, what do you say? No more trying to kill poor Zippeau?..."

"All right...", Quint considered. "But answer a question first."

"What is that?", asked Carl.

"When we recover, what can we expect when we get back to our home?", asked Quint.

"Well, from what I hear, your castle was completely destroyed.", Carl told him. "It was completely swept into the sea.", gasps and groans wafted around the room.

"Even though the construction crews can never restore the castle,", Marion said, who had just come in. "They will build you several shelters near by. They will be made with what stonework remains at the site, and be provisioned with enough supplies to last a while."

"See?... We're even thinking ahead on your behalf!", Carl added.

"You would do that for us?", Quint was amazed.

"Of course.", Marion told him. "This earthquake was not your fault. You were a victim of it just like we were, and we all must pitch in to make things right for all - including your group."

"And since I'm the new leader, I'll be getting most of the supplies!", Quint stated absently amid his mens' groans. "You know, in all of this, I had been kind of wondering something.", he looked at Carl. "When the quake struck, LaSage was nowhere to be found. I wonder what happened to her..."

Carl remained silent, too silent for Quint's tastes; so he looked at Marion, who was equally silent. The only thing that told him that something was going on was the way that Marion was giving Carl the eye. After a few moments of silent indecision from the two, Quint smiled and stated what was on his mind.

"You're hiding something, aren't you?...", said he. "Come on!... Tell us what it is..."

"Tell you what?", Carl acted dumb.

"Lad, you know as well as I that is is unwise to try and con a con-man...", Quint said slowly. "By your looks, I'd say you have some word on LaSage.", he sneered. "I guarantee I will slit your throat when I'm well if you don't tell me!..."

"Oh, very well, you ruffian!...", Marion snapped. "LaSage arrived yesterday, in about the same condition as you are..."

"Then I must go to her!...", Quint turned and began to rise from bed, but his efforts were halted by shooting pain from his broken leg and multitude of other injuries. carl rushed over and eased him back dowen.

"Woah there, big fella!", carl soothed. "You need to recover before you waltz off like that!"

"But I must see...!", Quint winced.

"She is in the same condition as you.", Carl lied somewhat. "She's out cold, and has been since she came here. The doc said she would recover, but she still needs time."

"You need recovery too.", Marion said. "So behave yourselves!", this she said in her meanest and most commanding voice!"

"Yes'm...", Quint said, and mumbled agreements came from the rest.

"And please don't hurt the help!...", Carl's voice cheered somewhat. "Now, who needs clean sheets?...", both he and her got busy sorting out each bedset...
_____

[thundertail]

FIVE:

The fire in her mind was real, and the Tyranosaur chasing her was even more real, trees swirling with smoke and hot, ruddy cinders; making her cough and choke at every gasped breath. The monster chasing her seemed made of fire as it bore down on her, stinking breath blazing at her back, scorching skin and causing her clothing to smoulder. The terrain in her dream wavered and she fell on her face, making the scene instantly change to that of one entirely under water; and she got up wondering why she could still breathe, pacing as fast as she could in the inhibiting liquid. The currents suddenly turned torrid and she was whisked away toward parts unknown, faster and faster until the liquid she was in was a blur of motion; and then the reason for the waters' rush became apparent as it dropped down a dark chasm and sending her a thousand feet below.

The world spun upon itself one more time, and she woke to a forest setting free of fire, water or foes; and she reached and clawed her way through the ground litter in a daze. The swimming sensation returned as she tried to rise, so she scrabbled her way further; feeling a wet hand on her wetter forehead as she peered over a fallen log. The maisma of disorientation increased to near unconcious levels as she cleared the obstruction on her belly, and crawled on until her hands lost traction due to a strip of hardpacked road. Thudding in her head turned to footfalls as her mind was convinced that the latter were true, and it stopped just as her mind shut down; and the creature staring inches from her face squawked a string of something that shocked her so badly that she screamed in horror!

"Mommy!?...", Torres LaSage, who thought she was Francine, sat bolt upright in a very strange bed; eyes wide with bewilderment and looking around at these new surroundings. "Where am I?...", then she called. "Papa Romana...? Sister Rosemary...? Mother!... Where is everybody!!!..."

She suddenly turned to the slightly open door, for slight noises were coming from the space beyond; mere thuddings and shufflings that she could not identify, then a creak as another door opened. Moments later the door to the room opened slowly, and the head of an older man that was not her stepfather; coming all the way in with an armload of linens, and a change of female clothing that was not hers.

"Good morning...!", Frank Scott nearly sang. "Did we sleep well?"

"You may have slept well, mister LaSage...", she said. "But I had bad dreams."

"Ooh!... That's too bad...", Frank said. "You're clothes are freshly laundered, and you can change later, after your breakfast.", he turned after setting the clothes on a stand. "Oh!... By the way, my name is Frank Scott. I run this tavern."

"Pleased to know you...", Francine said. "When can I get back to Romana Hatchery?"

"Not for a little while yet.", Frank told her. "You're still very sick."

"I feel fine!...", Francine said adamantly. "And these are not my clothes!"

"Oh, they're yours all right!...", Frank winked as he left the room. "Hope you get better soon...!", he left at last.

Within moments Francine's childlike mind craved entertainment; and her eyes wandered across the acoutriments of the room. Yellowish stucco walls were adorned with simplistic paintings of cute dinosaurs and playful people, accentuated by greenish arts-and-crafts style shelving and dressers; all adorned with books and other things denoting recent use by a boy. The wide window to her right gave a commanding view of the rest of this place - where ever this place was! The sounds of bustling activity wafting inside to her ears; and even though she couldn't see anything due to her laying position, she could see the occasional Brach head loom by the window.

Banging and clattering could also be heard from outside, and that was the possible reason why Francine didn't hear the bedroom door open slowly; and the only way she could know that something entered the room was the now slightly ajar door as she looked in that direction, but she thought little of it. All of a sudden she turned with a start at the sound of a squeaking mewling coming from the side of the bed facing the window; and turning, she saw the smirking face of a baby Bracheosaur squinting at her in greeting.

"Well, hello there, sweetie!...", Francine reached to touch the muzzle, noticing the small bandages still on his kneecaps. "You're the one that rode here with me, right?", he mewled.

"I see they patched you up...", she said sweetly. "Me too!...", she began to stroke the little ones' neck. "Well, stick with me and we'll get better together...", the little Brach cooed, trying to climb up on the bed.

After several moments of this, both slowly grew bored with the affection, and as one decided to look about the room again. The little one got down, and was just about to go to the door again when a light tapping came from that door. It opened just the tiniest of bits, and a blonde headed girls' head came peeking through the crack.

"Tebo...? Are you in here?", the little girl opened the door almost fully to peer into the entire room. She was dressed in a plain sky blue dress with white lacings, and carried a pair of homespun ragdolls. "There you are!... I was looking all around..."

"Hello there...", Francine said from the bed. "He was just keeping me company...", she turned to the squinting face. "So, Tebo's your name!..."

"Hello, lady.", the girl said with shyness. "My name is Anna, and I was helping the hurt hatchlings... Only one got away from me!"

"Well, Tebo meant no harm.", Francine chuckled. "Me and him came in on the same cart; and I guess he wanted to make sure I was OK...", the hatchling nodded.

"I see.", Anna said. "But I got to get him back to the paddocks so he can have his medicine.", she looked around, clutching her dolls. "Matriarch Rosemary said so..."

"Say, those are swell dolls you have there...", Francine commented. "I have dolls back home..."

"Yes they are!... They're my best friends!", Anna said, brightening. "This one is named Beatrice...", she moved the one in her right hand, hair made with yellow yarn. "And this one is named Francine.", the one in her left hand had deep brown yarn for hair.

"My name is Francine...", she said. "What a coincidence!"

"It is!...", Anna commented. "You know, they help out a lot when I'm sick or feeling blue...", her eyes lit up. "Say! Maybe if you have one, you'll feel better quicker!... Which one shall it be?...", she thought sliently.

"Oh really, I couldn't...!", Francine tried to beg off.

"I think it should be Francine!...", after kissing it bye-bye, she handed the doll to Francine who took it tenatively. "At least you two have something in common!"

"Well... Thank you very much.", Francine said slowly. "I'll take real good care of her!"

"I got to go...", Anna said after hearing rustling in the hall outside. "Come on, Tebo!... Your medicine won't wait any longer!", she scooted the baby Brach toward the door, and Tebo mewled his good byes to his bedridden friend on his way out. "Bye-bye Francine!...", she went out the door with her little charge.

Bye-bye, Anna. Bye-bye, Tebo.", Francine called after them, gradually looking at the Francine doll as many minutes went by.

Francine spent the next handful of minutes listening to the slight noises outside the window as well as the fainter noises eminating from the hallway beyond the doorway, unaware of what her hands were doing; for they clutched the doll in a worried grip, and she relaxed that grip slightly as she noticed this. She slowly drew the Francine doll to her chest and hugged it for comfort as her mind worried about what was to happen next. That nice Frank Scott person said that breakfast would soon come, and her stomach told her that it was definitely time for that; but what else that was to become of her, she had no clue! All she knew was that if she didn't get back to Romana hatchery soon, papa and mother would be very worried; and probably yell at her for being away so long!

The trouble was she didn't know exactly how long she had been gone; but she figured it wasn't no more than a few handfuls of days, wasn't it? She was just so unsure of things like that, and that dream she had told of something that was just beyond the borders of her memory; and with this unsureness, she hugged the Francine doll all the harder. This action gave her no comfort, for thoughts dark and dangerous wafted like fog across her memory; and this made her all the more miserable. She clutched the Francine doll all the more tightly.

Many moments went by, nearly driving her to tears; and then a clattering began just outside of her door. It opened and the blonde haired woman came in, carrying a tray of something smelling good; but in her condition, eating was far from Francine's mind. Rosemary Seville smiled at the sight of her patient holding the doll and came in, setting the tray on a side table before rising from it and bowing.

"Good morning, Francine.", she said. "And how are we feeling?"

"All right, I guess...", said Francine. "Tired, hungry, confused... I just don't know...!"

"Well, with a good meal in you, you should feel much better!", Rosemary said as she turned to the food. "We have nice seaweed pancakes with Jocca berry dressing, mammoth milk, barley meal and guava jiuce..."

"I want to go home...", Francine requested whiningly.

"You will soon.", Rosemary set up a bed tray and placed it above her lap. "But please eat first."

"Well,... OK.", Francine tested the pasty barley meal with an implement. "Um,... you know, I had visitors this morning...", she took her first bite.

"I know. Anna told me all about it.", Rosemary told her. "Such a sweet girl, you think?"

"Yeah. She even gave me this doll.", Francine switched to her juice. "Just like the one I have..."

"Yes, it is a very nice doll.", Rosemary said. "We were wondering about you. Where you came from and how long you were missing.", this was sort of a lie, but Rosemary knew the truth would be dangerous at this point. "We sent a Postal Bird to the Romana hatchery, and we are still waiting word on you.", which was also a lie.

"Papa's probably too overjoyed at the news to reply just yet.", Francine said, digging into her pancakes. "He was always the emotional type..."

"And to have his long lost stepdaughter reappearing again must be quite a shock.", said Rosemary as she offered a napkin for the spill Francine made.

"Mother will be beside herself too!...", commented Francine. "Sister Rosemary will be surprised to see me after giving me the slip!"

"I'm sure everyone will be pleasantly surprised...", Rosemary said. "And everyone will be thrilled!"

"Yes!... I can hardly wait!", Francine said around the remainder of her breakfast.

Rosemary simply waited for her to finish, then collected the spent dishes to be cleaned up later; turning to see Francine reach for the doll. At this scrutiny, Francine made a protective mou with her lips and then smiled. This melted Rosemary's demeanor somewhat, for she saw that LaSage truely believed she was the little girl she thought she was; and not likely to start trouble at this stage of her amnesia. Though she knew that divulging her true personality would be dangerous for all involved, she knew that LaSage would undoubtedly find out. This cloud passed her eyes without Francine's knowledge, and Rosemary went to the wardrobe that Frank Scott had left. Being both female, she helped her patient up and into her clothes with little protest from Francine; though she could not believe that such big clothes actually fit her!

Once dressed, Rosemary led her up to a standing position; noticing her slight disorientation, and led her a few paces around the bed. Giving encouraging words, she led her to the door and through it; out into the short hallway beyond, where Carl Scott was sweeping. He waved at them both, but said nothing as he continued; and Francine commented on how cute he was after they passed him! A short decision at the top of the stairs and Rosemary decided not to lead Francine down it just yet, choosing instead to lead her back to her room. Once there Rosemary drew her back to the bed and had her lay down, and as she relaxed Francine began to ask questions.

"So, what exactly do you think is wrong with me?", she asked all of a sudden.

"Well, we are not sure, but we think you have Amnesia.", Rosemary explained. "You have a nasty bang on your head, and it might have done something to the way you thunk and remember things."

"Amnesia?... You mean it's why I've been having these terrible headaches?", Francine asked. "And it gets worse when I try to remember things.", she reached for the Francine doll. "It happens, and what I'm thinking becomes strange and hazy..."

"That could be it.", Rosemary told her. "It prevents you from remembering things."

"It's strange, but I had dreams of being chased by something.", Francine said from afar, look of worry or pain running across her face. "Then all of a sudden I come to a road, and I see a strange dinosaur...", Rosemary merely nodded.

"Francine, do you know how long you were lost?", Rosemary knew it was dangerous to ask this, but needed to know just how much she remembered.

"I don't know, really.", Francine started, but paused to think. "A fortnight or two, I guess..."

"Francine, what if I told you that you were lost for a lot longer than that?", Rosemary leaned in and looked for any slight reaction. "That, perhaps, many years had gone by..."

"What are you trying to say?", her look was one of shock. "I'm only forteen!"

"Let me tell you a story, Francine.", Rosemary began, getting up so she could pace the room. "Many decades ago, me and a friend of mine were playing in the forest. I had planned a grand adventure for the both of us. We were to go as close to the Rainy Basin as we dared, and camp there for as long as we dared.", she saw that Francine was listening intently. "A few days into the adventure, a pack of Tyranosaurs came and raided our camp, making us flee for our very lives. Somewhere in the confusion, my friend and I got seperated; and we became hopelessly lost. I eventually found my way back home, and got the adults to form a search party.", her head hung low. "We looked and looked for her, but could never find her..."

"Goodness! Did she die?", Francine asked.

"No, she didn't.", Rosemary continued. "Many years later word of a young woman living in the forest emerged, but we thought that it was just a story. A few years after that we heard that a young lady joined up with a group of dispickable people... You have heard of pirates, have you?"

"Ooh yes!", francine said. "They rob caravans, and are meaner than the meanest Tyranosaur!"

"Well, she moved up in thier ranks, and became thier leader after thier old leader, Quattrone, died.", Rosemary told her. "Now, think back and find things that you remember that is similar."

"I was playing in the woods with my friend...", Francine complied. "Tyranosaurs chased me, and I got lost...", her eyes widened.

"My name before I was married was Rosemary Romano...", Rosemary told her all of a sudden.

"Rosemary?..." Francine could not believe it! "Sister Rosemary!...", Francine reached to hug her. "Oh,...! It's been ages!", then she took a good look. "Say!... You're old!"

"You are just as old as I am.", Rosemary smiled as she rose from the hug, then she yelled out the door. "Frank!... Could you get me a mirror?"

"Right away, ma'am...", Frank said from an adjacent room.

"But what happened to all those years?", Francine asked meekly. "My whole life is missing!...", she bowed to cry, and Rosemary went to console her.

"There, there...", Rosemary soothed as Frank, noticing what was going on, silently placed the small hand mirror into her free hand, then left without a sound. "It's not so bad... If you want, I can tell you what happened..."

"Not right now...", Francine sniffed, pulling away. "Maybe later...", she grabbed the mirror and looked at her face. "Oh, no!... Is that me?..."

"You are now almost fifty...", Rosemary told her. "I'm fifty four myself."

"You were always the oldest sister...", Francine traced her facial features with a finger. "I didn't show my age much..."

"My parents were crushed when your parents were killed.", Rosemary said. "We felt it our duty to take you in."

"Yes, and I was grateful, too.", said Francine, who looked into her eyes. "But you were always getting us in trouble!..."

"That I did...!", Rosemary laughed. "But I grew up and became more responsable, and that led to me becoming matriarch."

"And what did I become?...", Francine wondered soberly. "I don't know where the years went!"

"You may have became a very different woman than you may have wanted.", Rosemary told her. "But there is always a chance to start over...!"

"What did I do?", Francine asked.

"Well, after you were lost to us; you had changed your name.", Rosemary told her. "You went by the name of Torres LaSage, and led a band of pirates that are a scourge to us. They did an awful lot of evil under your command...", she noticed her somberly absorbing this information. "If you want me to stop, I will..."

"You mean to say that you think it's me?!", she scoffed. "I don't know how much of this you expect me to believe.", Francine said tactfully yet mistrustfully. "But since I have no memory of it, I won't hold judgement on it... Yet!", she began to rub her temple as Rosemary cleared the breakfast dishes. "I think I'm starting to get another headache..."

"Very well. I will get you medicine...", Rosemary rose, turned to the side table, picked up the tray of spent dishes and headed out the door. "I think you have enough to think about anyway."

"But you know, if you're sure about what I did, I'm sorry about it...", Francine added, voice cracking. "I don't know what happened to make me so bad, but it must have been something terrible!"

"Perhaps it was the trauma of being lost, chased by Tyranosaurs and being lucky enough to live to tell about it.", Rosemary suggested. "With all that happening to you, it could have triggered those bad traits."

"Like I went crazy?", Francine asked.

"Maybe something like that.", Rosemary said. "But it is best not to worry about that for the moment. The good thing is you're back, and that is all that matters.", she smiled as she turned to the door.

Francine let out a huge sigh, not out of relief or pain; but one comprising all emotions at once, air escaping like it had been pent up all her life. At least she had a clue as to what was going on, and didn't like it one bit! Somehow what sister Rosemary had told her made her nightmare and dark moods make sense in some kind of strange way; for in her childlike mind, she could not fathom such evil things coming from her. But if what was said was true, then there was a lot more than normal memories to be remembered; and this made her mood and thoughts darker still. She could find no solace in the thoughts she retained before everything went upside down, so she clutched the Francine doll in her arms and silently began to cry...
_____

[thundertail]

SIX:

"But Rosemary!...", Frank Scott said as he stood behind the bar. "Do you think it was wise to tell her that?"

The morning had turned to afternoon, and noon turned to evening; and the work among the persons at the Outpost seldom wavered. The many days since the earthquake and resulting catastrophies around the island had taken its' toll on everyone on the island; no less the people at the Outpost, and certainly no less than the Scotts. Frank's nerves were frazzled, and his look resembled the injured he and the rest were taking care of. They all were more tired than any of them cared to admit, but the way thier shortness with one another proved thier fatigue more than any words could ever do.

"I'm not about to lie outright to her.", Rosemary told him, pacing just within the batwing doors. "Besides, if she can not remember her life prior to childhood; then the chances are good that we can turn her around."

All of a sudden Carl Scott backed through the door behind him, startling Frank with the tray of clattering glasswear in his arms. The boy turned and set the tray down, receiving a glare from his father. Carl merely shrugged with his eyes and headed toward his brother. David sat at a table where he was, chuckling silently at the whole exchange.

"I see... And she ain't no dummy...", Frank considered, mixing a concoction. "But maybe you should have eased into it with her."

"Perhaps, but what I saw in her demeanor after I told her indicated that she would be truely sorry if what I had told her proved true.", Rosemary said. "With her personality altered like this, I'm sure she will turn herself around."

"Yeah, but do you think that's fair to her?", Frank said. "If she doesn't get better and her memory returns, the whole rest of her life would be lived as a lie!"

"What would you consider better?... To have her live like a regular Dinotopian, or to continue to be a pirate?...", Rosemary pivoted and continued her pacing. "I must think of everyone on the island when it comes to her. We all know what she was capable of!"

"It's not only her.", Carl Scott said before sitting at David's side. "There's all the other pirates in the paddocks!... As soon as they recover, you know what they could do..."

"I'm aware of that.", Rosemary told him. "But there is nothing to be done but to take care of them until they are recovered enough to leave."

"Ok, Rosemary.", Carl said. "But they are a rowdy bunch! Zippeau's scared to death of them!"

She turned to see David Scott sitting in his uniform at the table. "I have been reading reports about the other efforts in the island, and I am needed there as well. How are the other outposts doing, pilot Scott?"

"All major cities are as much as eighty percent rebuilt.", David told her. "Flooding of the Amu canyon is receeding, and the Pteranodons are preparing to go back home. The northern coastal areas are still too damaged to do more than damage control and emergency repairs. Aid continues to be provided for the towns of Azonthas, Irenic, Spicer and Volcaneum. The volcano that powers that city is ebbing..."

"Then I must go there immediately.", Rosemary told them. "Please take care of your guests until I return.", she spun again, knocking the batwing doors into thier frames on the way out into the night.

"You heard her...", Frank said as he continued his task, then turned to his nodding sons. "You guys better get some shuteye if you want to get up before those thugs!"

Unaware to thier knowledge, a black haired shadow loomed above them on a stair landing, and she had heard every word; and held her hand at her mouth, exclaiming silently at all that she had heard. So, it was true that she had been up to no good all these years, and the fact that some of the people that knew her might be here as well! Francine backed away, ascending the remainder of the stairs backward as she heard the rest below stirring; and knowing they would soon climb the stairs themselves and find her there. francine silently stole back to her room and slid into the room, climbing into bed and blowing out the lantern just as she heard footsteps on the stairs. Her feigned sleep fooled them all as they passed the slightly open door, and an eye opened as soon as light from their sleep preparation went out.

Francine lay in bed contemplating what was to happen next. Even though her memory was barren of any wrong doing, her hosts' memory and actions said of her guilt. Her childish mind could not fathom her doing anything as bad as what they implied, yet her heart had shadows of dark deeds; and the feeling both thrilled and appalled her, bringing on twinges of physical pain as well as inner conflict between what she knew was right. In the dark she reached for the Francine doll she left in the bed, but it wasn't where she thought it would be; and she fumbled for it until it was just within her grasp, then it slipped away and landed on the floor with a soft thud. Instead of retrieving it, she clutched the corner of the bed comforter and began to silently cry into it...
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Ragged snoring wafted through the paddocks very early the next morning, punctuated by grunts of pain as one or some of the pirates turned in thier sleep; but there was one there that had been in bed long enough, and he lay there awake and contemplating thoughts other than recovery. Over the last few days, Quint had been figuring out a way to take a look around, for that runt of a boy told him that LaSage was in the area; and he had to talk to her so they could plan a way out of this mess! During the times the ones who lived here and the scalies left them alone, Quint searched the paddocks as well as his recovering body would allow and found a farm impliment to aid him like a crutch; the very same impliment that was stashed under his bed right now, and the one he reached for as he painfully swung himself to a sitting position.

Grunting as quietly as he could, Quint levered himself to a standing position; the leg that was in a cast dangling in a useless way, and braced him there as he readied himself for the currently long journey in search for his leader. They wouldn't have put her in one of the barns like the rest of them; for she would have insisted on first class accomodations; so he looked around as soon as he quietly opened the small side door of the paddock for the classiest buildings in this ramshackle dump of a town. He knew the only place with suitable rooms was the boarding house just above the tavern, a place he had spent plenty of forgotten days in when the place was under its' former management, he remembered with a wicked sneer! Now run by that rugged do-gooder newcomer, Frank Scott; who was not afraid of him at all, he knew from experience. So smiling in both evil determination and grunting in pain, Quint hobbled his way to the tavern.

Quint kept to the shadows, avoiding open spaces to avoid detection as he led the way with the pitchfork handle; he gradually made his way to the wooden porch and the batwing doors, venturing a peek inside over them and slowly easing them aside once he saw the coast was clear. The improvised crutch tapped on the wooden floor as he made his way across it and behind the bar area, gently moving the door beyond aside and sneaking a look left and right before continuing to the stairway in back. The trip up the stairs was more painful than he would have imagined, but he clenched his teeth and made it up them as silently as he could. What met his ears was the sussurusses of snoring of many pitches coming from several rooms with closed doors; and though he knew LaSage snored just the tiniest of bits, none of these snores matched hers. He quietly clomped down the short corridor above the tavern and stopped at the one down the end, where snuffling and light snoring could be heard; both were coming from LaSage, he was sure.

Ever so gently he eased the door open all the way; and there was LaSage sleeping like a baby, mouth turned to the comforter she was clutching! Quint smiled at the thought of just knifing her where she slept, then HE would be the leader of the pirates like his ambitious mind often pondered; but remembered that the people at the Outpost had taken all thier weapons, and the pirtchfork handle might not do the job. Instead he crept toward the bed and smiled before whispering his version of a greeting.

"Hey LaSage...", he said, smiling at the sleeping form. "LaSage!... Wake up...!", this had no effect, so he gave her neck a little poke, which only produced a light stirring and a moan.

"Torres... It's me: Quint!", he said slightly louder. "Time to make our break!..."

"Unnn..., w-what...?", her head turned loosely, eyes still closed. "...I don't want my lessons today, daddy... I'm sick...", she commented dreamilly and went back to sleep.

"La Sage!... Wake up!...", this Quint said at normal volume.

Francine moaned and stretched slightly before blinking her eyes and trying to focus, and she nearly screamed when her head rose and saw the leering stranger she was now witnessing. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my room?!!!...", this she nearly yelled, and Quint shushed her unsuccessfully. "You better get out of here!!!"

"Wait!... LaSage...! It's me!...", Quint begged her to calm down with two outstretched hands. "Don't you remember me?..."

"I most certainly do not!", Francine cringed to the other side of the bed. "And if I did, I would have certainly reported you to a guard!", she spied the tall and swarthy character up and down. Barring the current situation, she might have considered him pretty cute. "Now. Who are you, and what are you doing in my room?..."

"It's me, Quint...", Quint was at a loss. "Come on. You must remember me!", he turned his head.

"I most certainly do not!", Francine scoffed.

"Please!... Let me explain...", Quint was getting desperate. "You are a pirate, and you are our leader."

"I most certainly am NOT!", Francine said. "I belong at the Romana hatchery. I'm in for it as it is!"

"Why don't you believe me?...", he looked down in defeat, then spied the Francine doll on the floor by the bed. He reached to pick it up. "Say!... Where did you steal this!..."

"It was a gift, and GIMME THAT!...", Francine lunged for the doll, and wrenched it out of his hand; then clutched it protectively. "Look. I don't know what your game is, mister...", Francine said sternly. "But if you don't leave right now, I'll scream my head off!"

"Look, there was this earthquake, see?", Quint began. "Our hideout was wrecked, and nearly every one of us died.", he thought, then he had an idea. "You and me was business partners. Come on! Don't you remember the raids we were on?... All the loot we got?", he smiled. "All the fun times taking it to the others?... We stole a king's ransom!... We stole all the medicine when the scalys were sick and everything...!", then he got serious. "Look, we live in a castle on the coast. There are hundreds of us guys under you. You are thier leader, for crying out loud!"

"Why would I steal anything?", Francine told him. "Stealing is wrong!", then she scooted to a near sitting position. "Besides, why would I ascociate with such ruffians!... You storm in here, wake me from the best sleep I had in days; and then you tell me the biggest pile of Copro I ever heard, and expect me to believe it?!..."

"But it's so much fun...", Quint commented, and saw it was a wrong answer. "Maybe I have the wrong person..."

"Look, I really can't remember anything short of a few days ago...", Francine considered. "Maybe what you said is all true, and maybe it was just an excuse to invade my bedroom.", she grasped the Francine doll all the harder, in hopes she would protect her.. "Maybe you should start from the beginning and tell me all about things. I promise I won't scream or anything....", Quint smiled and told her.

Francine knew this strange person might do anything to her, so she figured to stall him until the others woke up. This bohemoth of a man went on for a long time, talling her things that appalled her; yet she didn't show her distaste openly so it wouldn't anger him, wishing all the time that mister Scott or someone would come soon. As Quint went on, her nodding at one point or another to keep him going; his dialogue grew in volume until she was sure he would be heard by the slumbering people in the next rooms. Quint was so engrossed in telling his stories that he failed to hear that stirring many moments later, and was startled to silence as Frank Scott arrived at the door; scowling and adorned with his sleeping outfit before storming in and snapping.

"Quint!... What are you doing here?!", he said, grabbing his arm with a lunge. "Get back to the paddock right now!..."

"Why didn't you tell me?...", Quint said as he staggered under Frank's forceful hand.

"Never mind!", Carl showed up next as Frank turned at his gasping noise. "Let's get him back... Did he hurt you, Francine?"

"No, but he was rather rude...", Francine said, thouroughly relieved.

"He's like that...", Frank said. "Let's go, you...", they both escorted him out of the room as Zippeau, visiting the injured on this visit, came into the room.

"Don't worry, Francine.", said Zippeau. "Everything will be all right now...", he strutted into the room and cringed under Quint's glare before he went and began straightening her bedclothes.

Downstairs in the pub area, the trio stopped and Quint was allowed to sit at a near by table. Both Scotts glared at the pirate for a moment before anyone spoke.

"Ok Quint.", Frank spoke. " What gives?"

"I knew she was here, but you said she was out cold.", the pirate said. "She seems fine, but why can't she remember anything?..."

"She has amnesia, stupid!", Carl told him. "She was hit on the head, and can't remember anything after the accident."

"The doctor wants us to go easy on her until she remembers on her own.", Frank said. "Something bad might happen if she gets too bad of a shock."

"What you just did certainly didn't help!", said Carl. "Nice going, bonehead!"

"I didn't know!", Quint defended. "I wanted to see how she was doing."

"Well now you know...", Frank told him. "So lay off her!"

"Pop, don't be so hard on him.", Carl defended. "After all, he didn't know!", he winked at the larger man. "Maybe by the time he heals up, she might be right as rain!... So if you get back to the paddocks and stay put for a few more days, you all can go home."

"But what home do we have?", Quint said as he was helped up by the both of them.

"Worry about that when the time comes...", Frank winced at the pirates' greater weight.

In the mean time, upstairs in Francine's room; Zippeau had just finished straightening her bed, and was about to turn to leave. He had seen the change in her demeanor toward him; for before she would forbid him to even speak! He smiled as he performed his task, then turned to address her one last time.

"Well, ma'am. Everything's all set now...", Zippeau piped. "I will go prepare your breakfast now..."

"Thank you, kind saurian.", Francine told him. "I'm just glad that strange man is gone."

"He definitely is. The other day he threw hot soup at me!", said the Stenoychosaur. "Humans are a strange species..."

"Well, don't worry about him.", Francine told him. "He's a man, and you know how THEY are...!", she giggled.

"Um,... may I call you Francine?", Zippeau asked, and she nodded. "Francine, before you lost your memory, we knew each other. You were a pirate, and you hated dinosaurs. One time we were out searching for medicine for Carl Scott, and were attacked by Mosasaurs. You stumbled while running away from them and trapped your foot; but I came back and pulled you free.", he shuffled. "You had little gratitude for the act back then, but at least you could tolerate me better..."

"I guess that, even back then, I knew a noble creature when I saw one...", Francine considered. "But if I didn't say thank you back then, I'll say it now... Thank you, Zippeau.", she beckoned him over and gave him a light hug...
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