Manny Delgado, 38, was driving up to Ajo on a beautiful, warm Sunday afternoon to attend a meeting of concerned citizenry. The gathering was scheduled to take place at the local high school.
The number one topic on this days agenda would be the recent rash of cattle disappearances in Pima County.
As the superintendent of Organ Pipe National Monument [OPNM], and a long-time resident of Why, Manny was on a first-name basis with most of the local farmers and ranchers. Generally speaking, they were a self-reliant, common sense group of people, unaccustomed to the macabre or things that go bump in the night. Yet the disappearances were real and the reason or reasons unknown.
What mystified this employee of the U.S. Department of the Interior was that the animals had simply vanished. No skin, bones or hooves left. No nothing.
The only plausible explanation, he surmised, was theft. And, if the thieves were using his park to work their mischief, he wanted them apprehended as soon as possible.
Also attending the meeting, unbeknownst to Manny, was Tom Searcy, an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He'd recently come to the area to monitor the results of a Federal program designed to increase beef stock via earth-friendly organic supplements [or so he'd been told]. His bosses back in Washington wanted him to ascertain if their experiment was responsible for the cattle deaths. They, like many in this area, failed to understand that "death" was presently not part of the equation. But, like everyone else, he was wondering what was.
Tom had flown into Phoenix on Friday afternoon, and had checked into an Ajo motel by early evening. A veterinarian by trade, he spent the next day, Saturday, inspecting the ranches that had participated in the study. There were a total of five within a 50-mile radius of the motel.
Though tired and sunburned by the time he returned at six, he was confident the experimental feed was a danger neither to man nor beast. Searcy concluded all was going according to plan. From his perspective, the government was not the culprit. But he kept an open mind, and looked forward to hearing the opinions of others at the town meeting.
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Brianna Hovey, Park Ranger, was 'holding down the fort' at the O.P.N.M. visitors center. She was trying, but failing, to console an obese British tourist who was hysterical over the loss of her Yorkshire terrier. "One minute Wellington was there," the woman cried, and the next he was gone. "I demand to speak to someone in authority!"
The meeting in Ajo came to order about 2:20, at which time Abraham Sanchez, Mayor, introduced the out-of-town guests, community leaders, and members of the local media. The high schools gymnasium now held approximately 150 people.
The mayor gave a short overview of recent events, followed by several rancher's talking about their missing cattle. They expressed frustration over not knowing who or what to blame for their losses.
About 40 minutes passed before County Sheriff, Roy Watson, reached the podium. He was emphatic about bringing those responsible to justice, and assured the crowd his department, in coordination with police from Ajo and Why, were doing all in their power to make that happen.
Some people in the audience heckled him, but most simply nodded in silence. A few nodded in sleep.
Though Manny hadnt been one of the featured speakers, his name did come up a time or two during the open forum. Tom took note, as hed been wanting to meet the superintendent. He managed to track him down in the mens room immediately after the gathering, explaining who he was and what he was doing in Ajo. "Why dont you follow me down to the Park?" Manny asked him. "I can show you around a bit before dark, and we can talk privately in a nicer setting." They both laughed, and agreed to the rendezvous.
Later, as Tom was entering O.P.N.M., a British couple came tearing out. A frazzled looking man was driving, with a rather large woman screaming in his ear.
Entering the main building, Tom and Manny approached Brianna, who was obviously relieved to see her supervisor.
"What's the problem?" Manny inquired.
"Another missing pet," she replied, our third in the past five days. "Something's going on here, boss, thats for sure."
She and Tom made eye contact. Before Manny could formally introduce them, Tom extended his hand and did the honors himself.
"Bri," the superintendent began, "could you join us for a brief tour of the Park? You probably know the terrain better than I do, and I'd appreciate your thoughts on our problem. I'll find someone to watch the desk."
Though Ms. Hovey was looking forward to going home soon, she was also flattered that Superintendent Delgado thought so highly of her.
She acquiesced, and the threesome took off in the facilitys canary yellow Jeep. They spent about 50 minutes bouncing around the cacti, but neither saw nor heard anything out of the ordinary.
Upon their return, it was time to close the facility for the evening. Tom, who was planning to remain in Pima County another couple of weeks, agreed to stay in touch with Manny. The superintendent then gave his staff permission to leave, as he'd decided to stay on awhile longer.
Exiting the visitor's center, Tom asked Brianna if there were any good restaurants in the area. 'Bri' told him about an excellent Mexican eatery in Ajo; nothing fancy, just good food. When he inquired if she'd care to join him, Bri accepted his invitation, and they left together.
At seven, after finishing his work, Manny turned off the lights and locked the building.
Driving north from O.P.N.M., he spotted something large lying on the opposite side of the road. It wasnt moving. Backing up his Ford Ranger, he focused a spotlight on the object. It was still unrecognizable. Grumbling under his breath, he threw the pickup into park, took a flashlight out of the glove compartment, and jumped out to investigate.
There before him lay a mangled calf. Deciding to call public works first thing in the morning to remove the carcass, he turned to leave.
Pirouetting, what he saw next sent a shiver down his spine. Standing between him and his vehicle, silhouetted by the headlights, was what appeared to be a large man with his arms in the air. Manny simply froze and stared for a moment or two, hoping someone would drive by. No one did, but the figure didn't move, either. Inching ever closer, the superintendent was relieved when he recognized the shape as that of a cactus.
But how in the world did it get there? He couldn't recall hitting anything in the road. "This is truly bizarre," he thought.
Upon further investigation, he noted the cactus wasnt touching his truck. Bending down to see how the plant was supporting itself on the paved roadway, he felt an immediate and sharp pain on his lower back. Trying to straighten up, he discovered one of the spiny arms was preventing him from doing so. Twisting in an attempt to get away from the impediment, he was suddenly enveloped by the cactus.
Struggling and yelling, he was lifted off the ground and turned head first above the plant. A large opening appeared, akin to the calyx of a crinoid. There was a foul odor. The cactus produced sinewy feelers that wrapped tightly around him. In one swift motion, he was thrust into the gaping maw. The orifice closed, the arms retreated, and the green monster moved off into the night.
The next day, bright and early, Tom was meeting with Simon Arnold, state hydrologist, to discuss his findings. The news wasn't good. Somehow, chemicals from the organic supplements were leaching into the soil, and had reached the local water table. The extent of the contamination was, as yet, unknown. "This is going to be a bombshell, especially when the media gets a hold of it," Arnold told him. Tom shook his head in frustration and acknowledgement.
Placing a call to his superiors in Washington, he was instructed to act as their point-man until help arrived. A team of scientists would be on the next plane out.
After being asked who else knew about 'the problem,' Searcy was told to sit tight and wait.
Not one for waiting, Tom tried to reach Manny on his cell phone, but the line was dead. He immediately called the main number for the O.P.N.M.s visitor's center, and was informed the superintendent hadnt reported to work. The ranger's voice sounded odd, and he asked to speak to Brianna.
She came on the line, putting him on hold while she transferred the call to her office. A moment later, she said her bosss pickup had been found abandoned a few miles north on Route 85, and he was nowhere to be seen. She admitted to feeling frightened.
Tom chose not to go into details on the phone, but said hed be right over. He told her to keep everyone, employees and guests alike, inside. Though Bri was full of questions, she agreed, and told him to hurry.
Searcy was no geneticist, but he had a strong suspicion the contaminated water table had something to do with the growing problem in Pima County. "Some kind of transformation gone bad," he thought to himself.
Driving rapidly down 85, he came upon Manny's truck. Next to it were two empty police cruisers. Pulling off to the side of the road, he honked his horn several times without reply. Getting back on the pavement, he saw the most bizarre sight his eyes had ever beheld. Directly in front of him, bounding across his field of vision, were two huge organ pipe cacti. And if that wasnt bizarre enough, the largest of the pair had two human legs sticking out from the top of it.
Tom rubbed his eyes more than once. He saw them leaping in tandem, indicating some measure of intelligence. As quickly as they appeared, they disappeared into the desert.
Searcy floored the gas pedal, and sped 90 miles an hour to the National Monuments headquarters.
Roaring into the parking lot, he noticed only one car. Bri's white Honda Civic looked like an elephant had sat on it.
Tom found the doors to the visitors center locked, and began to pound on them. Bri emerged from the shadows, and let him in.
"They've already been here and gone," she said in a shaky voice. "Everyone else made a break for it. I stayed behind because I knew youd come."
As he held her, she asked, "Tom, what on earth are we going to do?"
"One thing's for certain," he replied, weve got to get out of here. "We're right in the middle of them."
Searcy and Hovey moved to the front windows, and cautiously scanned the parking lot. It appeared quiet. A few more seconds passed when, at a nod from Tom, they bolted for his SUV.
They unconsciously held their breaths, and only exhaled when they were safely inside with the doors locked.
As the Ford Explorer inched forward, there was a loud popping noise emanating from all four tires. Tom lowered his window, and peeked out to see his Bridgestones full of cactus spines. His wheels had been spiked! "Good try," he yelled aloud. "Hold on Bri."
Amidst a shower of gravel, they exited the premises on four flats. Control was difficult, but at least they were heading in the right direction.
As they pulled onto the highway, Bri shouted, "Watch out!"
Fifteen yards ahead was a solid wall of undulating green. The cacti had arranged themselves into a living barricade.
To their rear, more succulents began to appear on the roadway. While those in front never moved, those behind began hopping towards them. It took the couple mere seconds to decide to make a break for the visitors center. Bri and Tom were now running for their lives.
Nearing the main building, they saw their path blocked by a 12 foot behemoth. It was swaying back and forth, almost daring them to pass. The only option left was the open desert.
Ranger Hovey led Tom to one of the nature trails extending from the parking lot. They'd kept to the well-marked path for the first hundred yards when Bri, sensing danger, opted to do something unpredictable. She motioned for Tom to follow.
Leaving the trail, they scampered cross-country. Their luck was still holding, as none of the beasts was in sight.
After ten grueling minutes, they took their first breather. "We need to get back to the main road," she said quietly. "Circle behind them. I'd guess another half-mile or so. And Tom, there's no more resting until we reach the highway. You hanging in there okay?" Still gasping for air, Searcy gave her a thumbs upsignal.
During their brief respite, Tom used his cell phone to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department. He was connected to an answering machine. Exasperated, he left a hurried message for Roland Watson saying he and Bri were on 85 south of O.P.N.M., and their lives were in peril. He wasn't sure if the authorities knew about the cacti, and chose not to say anything for fear they'd think his call a crank.
As soon as the phone was put away, they were off again.
At that exact moment in Washington, a group of Department of Agriculture executives and bio-engineers, along with military brass, were planning strategy. Though pleased the experiment had been so successful, none of their number had predicted either the mobility or lethality of the faunal mutations. Even so, and incorporating recent unforeseen events into their equations, there was unanimous agreement containment remained the best option.
"We've quarantined a 20-mile circumference around Ajo," announced Colonel Sikes, "from the Mexican border to Gila Bend, and Santa Rosa to the Luke Bombing and Gunnery Range. Nothing's getting in or out."
"The usual chemical spill contingency?" asked General Van Sickle.
" Thats affirmative, sir," replied the Colonel. "We've already landed troops at Yuma Air Station. They should reach ground zero within the hour."
"Good job, Mike," said the General. "And what about our man down there, Tom…what's his name?"
"Searcy, sir," answered Sikes. "We're attempting to re-establish contact with him now."
With their goal in sight, Bri and Tom sprinted for the road. Arriving at their destination, Searcy gave his companion a 'what now?' look. She immediately responded, "I've got an idea. "More running?" he asked plaintively. Ranger Hovey only smiled. Tom shook his head in agonized acquiescence. Though tired and hurting, he realized his partner had managed to keep them alive, and so he continued to follow her lead. "If only I'd worn my Nikes," he kept mumbling to himself.
Heading south at a slow jog, they neared the crest of a hill. Something moved to their right. A roadrunner dashed out from behind some brush, hesitated a moment, then darted away. Tom thought his heart would burst through his chest. Bri was bug-eyed, obviously as startled. Taking a second to laugh at each other in mutual relief, they turned in time to see two cacti bounding in their direction. There was no way to avoid them.
Suddenly, Searcy's cell phone began to chime. As he instinctively looked down at his belt, Ranger Hovey then redirected his attention to what was happening to their front. The plants had not only ceased moving forward, but were, in fact, retreating. As he brought the phone to his ear, they quickened their pace.
A Lieutenant Colonel Hixon, commander of the troops bearing down on Why, was calling to arrange for a meeting.
Tom rattled off his and Bri's tenuous situation. Walking and talking, Searcy noted that the longer the conversation ran, the farther the cacti hopped. It occurred to him the creatures were sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. He passed this information along to Sikes. He also told the Colonel to not hang up.
The most pressing problem, though, was not the quality of their connection, but rather low batteries. True to Murphy's Law, the cell phone would be dead in a matter of minutes.
Once again, Bri emerged as the problem solver. "About a half mile from here." she said, "is a microwave tower. "If we can reach the structure, we might be okay."
Agreeing, Tom informed the military of their plans. Searcy tightened his laces, wiped his brow, and got ready to run again.
Though the cacti could be seen moving on both sides of them, they came no closer than 20 or 30 feet. As long as the phone was functioning, the couples path was clear.
Rounding a curve in the road, they spotted the tower. It was then the phone died. Tossing it aside, Tom shouted, "Bri, run as fast as you can; give it everything you've got…now!"
Hovey and Searcy made their final push for safety. Bri hit the perimeter fence first, and began to climb. Tom, a few paces behind, could sense an ominous presence bearing down on him. As he grabbed the fence, something pulled at his left leg. In the blink of an eye, his entire lower body was crawling with lithe tentacles.
"Don't look back," he screamed, "just keep going."
Ranger Hovey hesitated, wanting to help, but not knowing how. In that brief slice of time, a huge cactus hopped directly next to Tom. Landing, it gave out a shriek, and emitted a rancid stench. Behaving as though mortally wounded, the creature jumped backwards, carrying Searcy with it. Rising in the air, he grabbed Bri's belt, and lifted her up and over the razor wire.
Brianna rolled in the dirt, bruised but unharmed. Looking up, she saw a phalanx of helicopters flying overhead. Rising to her feet, brushing the hair from her face, she watched Tom being carried off into the Sonoran Desert, never to be heard from again.
The next few days saw the evacuation of all civilians from the quarantined area. In the months to come, military personnel and equipment of every rank and type imaginable moved through the air station at Yuma.
The first team of scientists to arrive discovered that the genetically altered succulents gave off a unique infrared signature. In essence, they couldn't hide. A sample of live specimens was shipped back to a lab in Chevy Chase, Maryland, while the remainder were incinerated. Also, the aquifer was treated to eliminate the contaminants.
Certain individuals, including Simon Arnold, four O.P.N.M. rangers, a few tourists and Brianna Hovey, were held for several weeks under Homeland Security dictates pertaining to national defense. Their silence on the situationwas obtained through a combination of threats, legal sparring, and monetary inducements.
By late spring, with the quarantine lifted, O.P.N.M. Superintendent Brianna Hovey and her staff were preparing for the onslaught of summer tourists. Though on the surface she appeared composed, underneath she was an emotional wreck. Bri tried to keep busy, so as not to think about Tom.
On the first weekend in August, Juanita and Juan Ortiz, along with their nine- year-old son Pablo, were traveling from their home in Nogales, Mexico to Puerto Penasco, also known as Rocky Point. They were planning on spending a fun-filled weekend together on the beach.
About 18 miles southwest of Sonoyta, Federal Highway 8, on a hot Saturday morning, Pablo became exceedingly agitated in the back seat.
"Madre, Padre," he yelled, "miren alli…un nopal saltando!" Both Juanita and Juan took a quick glance, but saw nothing. "Yo fue suficiente con tantas mentiras," his father said in a stern voice. "Pablo, nosotros hablamos acerca de esto apenas el otro dia, que no? Mas de tus tonterias, y giro el coche y nos regresamos a casa."
Pablo folded his arms in disgust, and said nothing when only seconds later he spotted the very same succulent crossing the road behind them."
