Chris Bellenot - Owen Parker: Rhino Connection

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And dont forget to follow Owen Parker:

on Twitter @OwenParkerBook

or at http://owenparkernews.wordpress.com

Follow Owen Parker adventures:

On Twitter @OwenParkerBook

Or at http://owenparkernews.wordpress.com

First published in 2013

by Primedia eLaunch

ISBN: 978-1-62890-576-2

Copyright 2013 by Chris Bellenot and Arthur Pendragon

Chris Bellenot concept, research, writing, cover design, illustration and pictures

Arthur Pendragon idea generator and writer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or authors. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Everything starts with a dream. Many years ago I had a dream and with these words the dream finally comes true

To Ryan who is an avid reader and very enthusiastic about Owen Parkers adventures.

Chris Bellenot

As confirmation of our commitment, a percentage of the proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to wildlife conservation dedicated to save the rhino.

Foreword

This sequel describing the adventures of Owen Parker has two main purposes. The obvious aim is to entertain readers with action-driven books of fiction based on facts. Beyond this lies a deeper intention. The beauty and majesty of wildlife and nature are under threat from external pressure from a variety of sources. We strongly believe that each individual can make a difference by acting to reduce this threat and thereby contribute to the preservation of our fragile environment. Through the character of Owen Parker, we aim to promote the conservation of wildlife. Together with you, our readers, we would like to build a future where human beings will live more in harmony with nature than at present. We hope you enjoy Owen Parkers adventures and along the way feel encouraged to be more active in the protection of wildlife and nature, wherever you may happen to be on the planet.

Owen Parkers journal

in a lifetime some days result in no memories. They pass as though they have not existed, instantly erased by the rush of my routine at the game reserve. Other days leave telltale marks in my memory, for days, months, years until the breezes of remembrance cover them with the soft dust of new challenges. Some events are so compelling that they leave a permanent imprint and will remain with me until my last day on earth. Seeing a rhino taking its last breath in a bath of its own blood certainly falls into this category I feel low, appalled, angry and helpless

Another killing

BEEP ... BEEP ... BEEP ... BE

Willem rolled over in bed, one arm outstretched. His hand hit the side table, knocked the lamp askew, brushed against his iPhone and swept it onto the floor.

EP ... BEEP ...

Hey, wheres that bloody phone? he grumbled.

BEEP ...

Whats wrong, Willem? asked Esihle, emerging from a deep sleep.

... BEEP ... B

Switch the bloody light on. Ive knocked the phone under the bed and cant find it ..., he went on.

EEP

Willem rolled off the bed and landed on the floor with a crash; he stretched under the bed. Ive got it. He picked up the phone and read the message. Shit ... its Horace.

What about Horace? Esihle was now fully awake.

His alarms activated. Wake up Owen and tell him to get Tebogo. Ill get Neutron and Lesedi. Ill meet them at the Landie , ordered Willem. Go ... go ... go, move, Esihle. Ive got to get to him, hes seven kilometres from here. He jumped into the khaki shorts that he had dropped by the bed earlier in the evening. That GPS better be spot on, otherwise well miss him, he added. Then he slipped his two-tone shirt over his head and shuffled towards the door as he pulled on his velskoens .

Willem was already revving the Land Rover when his son, Owen, and Tebogo, one of the trackers, jumped aboard; he floored the accelerator and the vehicle leapt for the gate that Lesedi, the head of the guards, was holding open.

Get in, Lesedi; leave the gate. My wife can close it once were through, shouted Willem.

Whats up, Pa? asked Owen.

Son. Horaces microchip has been activated. Hes about seven kilometres from here and moving fast in a northerly direction. Too fast for a black rhino, so I can only assume that poachers have hit him. Did you bring your R1 rifle? replied Willem, focusing on the narrow dirt road.

Yes, Pa. Give me your iPhone; let me direct you. Owen took the iPhone, fired up the app and pinpointed Horace. Hes on the road heading around the westerly side of the dam towards the eastern boundary. Theyre heading for Kruger.

Damn, once theyre through the fence into Kruger theyre gone. Heading for Mozambique, no doubt. Get hold of Bruce Tshabalala and tell him well be coming through into Kruger and tell him it looks as if Horace is down. See if he can set up some sort of a buffer and stop these bastards.

Pa, its almost three in the morning.

I dont care, Horace is our last male rhino and Im not going to let them get away with killing him that easily. Well track them from here to hell ...

Left, Pa. Left, get on the east side of the dam and we can cut off a large loop. It should bring us up to them quicker.

Where exactly are Pinta and Kikki? asked Willem, now worried about the other two rhinos.

They are south of the dam. I would say within 100 metres of the dam wall. Do you want to stop off and see if he is okay?

Yes, quickly. I know hes down. I just feel it and with Pinta and Kikki still there while hes heading for Kruger bodes badly for him and us. If hes down and injured, I want you to dispatch him quickly and then we go on. Well come back to see Pinta and Kikki. But I want these bastards. I guarantee its the same guys who took out those three last week. Theyre working this area. Shit.

There! shouted Tebogo, pointing just off the track. He was sitting on the tracker chair extended ahead of the Landie on the left out of Willems way. Stop, Willem, stop! he yelled, already jumping out of the seat.

They all bailed out of the Landie as it slid to a stop and rushed towards Horace. Owen and Lesedi carried their rifles in the high port position ready for any action. Willem had his .357 snug on his hip. Neutron, their faithful dog, was the first to reach Horace and lay down in front of the rhino and whimpered.

Its all right, boy, yes, hes hurt. Shit, theyve carved half his face off to get the horns. Bastards, morons. Owen, what do you think; will he survive?

I doubt it, Pa. His back leg has been sliced through to the bone and he has a deep slash across his throat. Judging by the mess here he fought back. He didnt give up his horns easily.

Have you found anything, Tebogo? asked Willem, now really mad.