Post-traumatic effects are, by their nature, unpredictable.
— Ian Malcolm
…
"Strange. How is this Deinocheirus still so energetic?"
From the sun-roof of a Jeep emblazoned with the Jurassic World logo, an ACU operative emerged with a tranquilizer rifle, peering through the scope to check the condition of the Deinocheirus in the distance.
"Should we hit it with another round?" the driver suggested.
The operative on the roof didn't agree immediately. She hesitated, considering the situation.
"The dosage in these heavy-duty darts is dangerous. I'll swap to a smaller grade and try a follow-up shot."
She cycled the bolt, removing the large dart and placing it in a specialized case. From another container, she pulled a slightly smaller tranquilizer dart.
Click-clack.
The bolt slid home, chambering the round. Holding her breath, she centered the reticle on the Deinocheirus and…
Thwip!
The tranquilizer dart buried itself deep into the creature's thick, shaggy plumage.
…
Feeling the impact of a foreign object, the Deinocheirus didn't react much. It simply gave its body a vigorous shake, dislodging the "stinger" stuck in its feathers.
The Scorpios rex watched this scene with a twitch of its head, unable to comprehend why this was happening. Usually, as soon as it whipped its tail, its prey collapsed.
Refusing to believe its failure, it spun on the spot again, launching a fresh volley of venomous quills.
The Deinocheirus, having already seen this move, had learned. It tilted its body slightly, shielding its sparsely feathered areas and once again using its dense, matted coat to catch the incoming quills like a pin-cushion.
Screee-hiss—!
The Scorpios rex let out a piercing, miserable shriek, as if it were screaming in outrage at the Deinocheirus for daring to resist. It dropped to all fours, scurrying in an ugly, shadowy crawl toward the larger dinosaur, craning its neck to snap its jaws at the "Boss."
BAM!
Utilizing the principle of "deflecting force," the Deinocheirus swung a massive, heavy-set palm and slapped the Scorpios rex right across the face. The impact forcefully redirected the hybrid's trajectory, and the Deinocheirus stepped aside as the dazed monster lunged past.
The Scorpios rex lost its footing and skidded sideways into the dirt. It scrambled back up instantly, screeching as it charged again.
THWACK!
The Deinocheirus hadn't expected its opponent to be so simple-minded. To use a failed tactic a second time? Another broad palm met the Scorpios rex's face, sending it flying.
Feeling utterly humiliated, the Scorpios rex finally snapped. It reared up, using both hands and feet to launch a frenzied assault.
Little did it know, this was the exact opening the Deinocheirus had been waiting for.
CRASH!
The "Boss" lunged forward, meeting the charging Scorpios rex in a full-body collision.
Rip—!
The Scorpios rex raked its massive talons across the side of the Deinocheirus. The claws tore through the air, but they only served to groom the thick fur, failing to inflict any real damage.
Seeing the moment was right, the Deinocheirus gripped the hybrid's arms. It reared back, forcing the Scorpios rex to stand upright on two legs. The hybrid felt its balance waver, but in its madness, it didn't care. It only wanted to kill.
Snap... snap...
The Scorpios rex had a relatively short snout. The sound of its jaws snapping empty air echoed near the Deinocheirus's ear.
Just a little more... almost... got it!
The hybrid finally managed to sink its teeth into the opponent's neck, thrashing its body wildly in an attempt to shred the annoying fur.
But very quickly, it realized... its strength was draining. Its grip on the fur loosened as its jaws went slack.
Squelch...
The Deinocheirus withdrew its long, clawed hand from the hybrid's abdomen, bringing a portion of the creature's innards out with it. Blood soaked half of the Deinocheirus's arm, and fresh crimson beads dripped steadily from its matted fur.
Only now did the agony override the hybrid's madness. The Scorpios rex fell onto its side, twitching uncontrollably. A river of blood flowed from its gut, staining the vibrant green meadow.
The Deinocheirus didn't let it go that easily. It delivered a series of heavy, brutal slaps to the hybrid's throat.
Thump...Thump...CRACK!
…
Whir-whir-whir...
The faint drone of helicopter rotors circled in the sky. The trees couldn't hide Carlo's massive frame, and he was clearly visible to the team above.
Down below, Carlo lowered his head, carefully sniffing an Edmontosaurus carcass. There was no sign of a struggle, no bloody wounds, just a few tiny, hair-like needles embedded in the hide.
Carlo realized the gravity of the situation. A new, unknown dinosaur had appeared on the island, slaughtering herbivores silently and efficiently.
How many had already fallen?
His gaze shifted to the back of the Edmontosaurus. Wherever the quills had struck, the flesh was already beginning to putrefy, bypassing the usual stages of bleeding and consumption.
Carlo stiffened. He reared back and let out a furious roar toward the sky.
"ROAR—!!!"
The piercing sound, accompanied by a visible shockwave of sound, tore through the air, announcing his rage to every living thing on the island.
"Doctor! He's changed direction! He's no longer following us!" reported the operative in the co-pilot seat, tracking Carlo's movements.
"Follow him," Dr. Wu commanded.
Wu looked down through the window, trying to catch sight of Carlo, but the dinosaur had vanished from that side of the craft. He let out a long breath and handed the case to Hawkes, who was sitting opposite him, wiping down a sniper rifle.
Hawkes didn't say anything. He opened the case and began loading the antidote vials into tranquilizer darts.
"Why aren't you letting us handle this creature?" Hawkes suddenly asked. From his perspective, the dinosaur below held a significant place in Wu's heart; there was no reason to put it in harm's way.
"Because humans cannot solve this," Wu replied. His gaze remained fixed on the window, his thoughts drifting back to the past. "It isn't a question of firepower."
Hawkes was baffled. He had been about to ask if the dinosaur could somehow withstand modern weaponry, but if it wasn't about strength, then what?
Wu didn't elaborate further, merely continuing in a low voice: "The Scorpios rex... it is a mistake I left behind. It was merely a prototype to prove the Indominus project was viable."
He looked through the glass at the wandering herds of dinosaurs below, huddled together for protection.
"I once thought I could change its temperament, make it one of them. But I only just realized that is impossible."
"It has no home."
This time, even Hawkes stopped his preparations, looking out the window following Wu's gaze to the running form of Carlo below.
So this monster actually has a family?
Before he could imagine what kind of colossal beasts Carlo's parents must be, Wu spoke again.
"Now, we are merely guests. He is the master."
"Even if this place is no longer my concern, I must make amends for my error."
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