Page 44 of Crocodile Tears
He slides behind the steering wheel and begins hot-wiring the ignition system.“Can you drive a stick shift?”
“I have a PhD in biochemistry.I think I can manage basic mechanical operations.”
Cal gives me a skeptical look while working on the electrical connections.“That’s not actually how gear systems work, but I’ll assume you’re more competent than you sound.”
The engine turns over just as guards appear at the motor pool entrance.He reverses quickly while I create makeshift weaponry from the remaining chemical vials I collected during our escape.
He notes my chemical preparation work while maneuvering around parked vehicles.“What are you doing?”
I combine compounds that will create significant noise and smoke when properly ignited.“Improvised explosive devices using basic organic chemistry.Nothing sophisticated.Just practical applications of exothermic reactions.”
“You’re making bombs from laboratory chemicals?”
I test the stability of my chemical combinations.“I’m making diversions from laboratory chemicals.The terminology matters for legal purposes.”
Cal drives toward the compound’s main gate while I prepare my chemical surprises.The guards are organizing pursuit vehicles, which means our window for clean escape is rapidly closing.
Bullets ping off the Jeep’s metal frame as we accelerate through the compound.Instead of fear, I experience a strange euphoria that I recognize as the intersection of controlled risk and primal excitement.My crocodile nature revels in the chase while my scientific mind calculates optimal escape vectors and tactical advantages.“Something’s wrong with me,” I say while throwing one of my chemical diversions at a pursuing vehicle.
Cal takes a sharp turn that sends us sliding on the loose gravel.“What kind of wrong?”
“I’m enjoying this.The controlled scientist is thriving on calculated risk, and the crocodile is having the time of her life.”
He laughs.“That’s not wrong.That’s adaptive.”
We crash through the compound’s main gate in a shower of sparks and twisted metal.The jungle road ahead offers multiple branching paths, but he seems to know which direction will take us toward whatever extraction point he’s arranged.
Several vehicles follow us from the compound, their headlights visible in the side mirrors as we navigate the winding dirt road.I alternate between excited scientific observations about our tropical surroundings and surprisingly creative profanity directed at our pursuers.
“The biodiversity here is remarkable,” I note while preparing another chemical diversion.“Those sound like howler monkeys, which suggests we’re in a primary rainforest ecosystem.”
Cal focuses on the challenging road conditions.“Focus on the people shooting at us rather than the local wildlife.”
I throw another chemical device at our pursuers.“I can multitask.Also, our pursuers drive like mud-eating bottom feeders with the tactical awareness of dead fish.”
“Mud-eating bottom feeders?”
“Crocodile-inspired profanity.It’s more creative than standard human cursing.”
He takes another sharp turn that sends us sliding sideways on the loose dirt surface.I brace myself against the dashboard while calculating the physics of our trajectory and the likelihood of maintaining vehicular control.
Cal adjusts his grip on the steering wheel while navigating another series of turns.Another vehicle gains on us from behind, close enough that I can see muzzle flashes from weapons being fired in our direction.I throw another chemical device, which explodes in a cloud of smoke and flame that causes the pursuing vehicle to swerve off the road.
He observes the results in the rearview mirror.“Nice shot.”
I calculate the trajectory for my next throw.“Basic ballistics combined with chemical engineering.The trajectory calculations are straightforward once you account for wind resistance and gravitational acceleration.”
“You’re lecturing about physics while conducting combat operations.”
“I’m applying scientific principles to tactical situations.It’s multidisciplinary problem-solving.”
Cal grins while maintaining speed through the challenging terrain.“It’s the most attractive thing I’ve ever seen.”
The road ahead splits into three different directions, all leading deeper into jungle territory that looks increasingly wild and remote.Cal chooses the middle path, which appears to be the least traveled of the available options.
“Are you sure about this route?”I ask as we bounce over increasingly rough terrain.
“I’m sure about the compass bearing.The route is more flexible.”
