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Sylvia gave a quick “Thanks” to Eric and gazed all around her The river was infested with crocodiles

“They’re everywhere,” she said breathlessly “That is horrifying Mark, are you seeing this?”

“For once I’ with you,” Murph replied over the comms that everyone was linked to

“Saltwater crocs are common in every tropical river and swarow up to six rams”

“They also have the strongest bite force of any anier joystick so that he could type into his co a predictive keyboard like the ones found on satellite phones Drawing on his skills as a video gaer at lightning speed

“It says on this website that their bite is three tier,” Murph continued, “and h that’s never been measured in a lab for some odd reason”

“I’d like to see them try that test,” Eric said

“The crazy thing is that their jaws only are strong in one direction,” Parsons said “You can hold them closed with duct tape I’ve seen them transported that way”

“Let’s not test out what their bites can do,” Julia said “I don’t want to figure out how to patch you up with a chunk taken out of any of you”

“We’ve got a couple of M4s in case the crocs get frisky,” Juan said He didn’t mention his doubts about hoell the assault rifle ammo would penetrate the reptiles’ rhino-like hides

All of them kept a watch on the water as the boat snaked up the desolate river until they were as close as they could get to the coordinates Juan beached the RHIB on the shore and kept guard with one of the M4s as everyone got out

Eric led the way up an ereenery The etation, and birds of all types chirped and cawed in a variety of distinct rhythms

As they got farther froher, the shrubbery thinned out, and picturesque sandstone formations abutted their path Finally, two hundred yards from the Ord River, Eric stopped

“This should be it,” he said

Juan looked around but saw nothing obvious that would indicate there had been an archaeological expedition here No ruins, no uncovered pottery or tools, no structure of any kind Only an expansive view of the river below