Astrosaurs 3 (12 page)

“But they're dangerous!” Cripes complained.

“All they want is some peace and quiet,” said Arx. “They've never bothered you in the north. They
probably won't bother you in the east and the west, either.”

“Share the planet with them, Cripes,” Teggs urged him. “Let them live here in peace.”

Cripes nodded, a little shamefaced. “You're right. I'm sorry. Of course we'll let them stay!”

“HEY!” came a booming voice from the undersea pen. “What's going on here?”

“It's Mira!” said Teggs. “He's woken up!”

“But he sounds different,” said Gipsy. “He sounds really scary!”

Suddenly Mira crashed through the surface of the water and glared up at them. “Who are you?” he bawled. “Who dares to lock
me
up?”

“Don't you recognize us?” said Gipsy.

“Never seen you before!” he shouted. “I'm hungry! What have you done with my whisperfish?”

“They're off the menu,” Teggs told him. “Sorry!”

“Sorry? You will be!” snarled the liopleurodon. “I'm Admiral Don Leo of the Liopleurodon Space Fleet! The last thing I remember was crash-landing on this crummy planet during a test flight.” His eyes narrowed. “But now I've woken up. And I'm hungry. And I'm very,
very
ANGRY!”

Arx cleared his throat. “It would seem that the liopleurodon's memory has come back,” he said. “It must be the shock he got from biting the force field!”

“No one keeps me locked up!” roared Don Leo. “Forget the whisperfish – I'll eat every one of
you
when I get out of here!”

“Oh, dear,” sighed Teggs. “We've dealt with one monster. Now here's another one to take its place!”

“There's not a prison built that can hold me!” growled Don Leo. “And I'll prove it!” He swam at top speed towards the side of the pen and bashed it over
and over. The wall was thick, but soon cracks were starting to show.

Cripes was trembling. “He's going to get out into the open sea! Think of the damage he could cause!”

“We'll just have to stop him,” said Teggs simply. “Cripes, Iggy, let's head for the super-sub – fast!”

With a final roar of rage, Don Leo smashed a huge hole in the side of the pen.

“Now I'm going to eat everyone on this planet!” he yelled.

“Not so fast!” shouted Teggs from the super-sub. “First you'll have to deal with a couple of astrosaurs!”

With that, Iggy turned the super-sub round and revved the dung-powered engines right in Don Leo's furious face.

“That tastes revolting!” Don Leo spluttered. “I'll get you for that!”

The super-sub sped away, the liopleurodon close behind it.

“All right, Cripes,” said Teggs. “Where's the nearest floating factory?”

“About three miles north,” said Cripes. “But it's a brand new building. We've only just put all the machines in.”

“Perfect!” cried Teggs. “Well away from the whisperfish. Iggy, get us there at top speed!”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” grinned Iggy.

But though the super-sub soared through the saltwater at an incredible speed, Don Leo was catching up!

“We
must
keep ahead of him, Iggy!” urged Teggs.

Cripes pointed to a big block of metal ahead of them. “There's the floating factory!”

“Does it have a packing room?” asked Teggs. “You know, like the one I got trapped in on the wreck?”

“Sure it does,” said Cripes. “Iggy, head for the intake pipe round the side. It'll take you straight there. But I still don't see—”

“No time for explanations now,” said Teggs, as they shot through the pipe and into the loading area. “I'm getting off! Park the sub and wait for me.”

“But Don Leo's right behind us!” protested Iggy. “If he sees you, he'll eat you!”

“I hope he
tries,”
smiled Teggs. “My plan depends on it!”

Iggy parked the super-sub just outside the packing room. As it bobbed about
on the surface of the water, Teggs jumped out and quickly waded over to another large pipe, half-filled with water. Designed to let through tons of shelled ammonites for packing, it was easily big enough to fit a stegosaurus.

And, with a bit of a squeeze, a livid liopleurodon.

Don Leo suddenly burst out of the water beside Teggs, ready to bite. His terrifying teeth missed Teggs's neck by millimetres.

“Phew!” whistled Teggs. “You know, I think I liked Mira a whole lot better than Don Leo!”

“I'll like you a whole lot better when you're lining my stomach!” growled Don Leo.

“Don't hold your breath,” said Teggs. He bashed Don Leo on the nose with his tail.

“Come here!” Don Leo roared in anger.

Teggs waded off down the pipe, with the liopleurodon slithering along right behind him, trying to squeeze through.

A few seconds later, Teggs splashed out into the packing room. Panting for breath, he turned on the machines. The conveyor belt jerked forwards. Metal scoops swung down from the ceiling.

Don Leo wriggled along through the shallow water after Teggs. He looked
furious.

“Catch me if you can!” cried Teggs.
He climbed up onto the clanking conveyor belt.

“I'll chase you onto dry land if I have to!” snarled Don Leo. Somehow he managed to flip himself out of the water and onto the conveyor belt behind Teggs.

Now they were both heading straight for the wrapping machine.

Don Leo laughed nastily. “I've got you now, you stupid stegosaur!”

Teggs just smiled. “Actually, I think you'll find that . . .
I've got you!”

Just before he could fall into the wrapping machine, Teggs jumped off the conveyor belt. He hit the water with an enormous splash. But it was too late for Don Leo. He couldn't flip himself out of the way in time.

“No!” yelled the liopleurodon as he tumbled into the wrapping machine.

Teggs held his breath as the machine rattled and shook. Then it bulged like a balloon. Steam started to spurt from its insides.

Finally, out popped Don Leo, all wrapped up on a long plastic tray. Only his head, tail and flippers were left sticking out.

“Get me out of here!” yelled the liopleurodon, struggling furiously.