Chapter 0:
The young man looked around the nursery room with curiosity in his eyes. In all of his years growing up on this island he had never been inside this room before.
There was pens… And incubators…
Incubators that held many different eggs of different sizes and colors.
His brown eyes scanned each and every one… And his eyes fell on the pens empty for now but showing signs they were recently used.
"So… You're a very bright and intelligent young man… Your family of course has been vital in the survival of this place… Your mother runs a tight ship… Your father a valued asset."
"Please don't refer to my father as the same name you refer to the animals you send him in to wrangle Mr. Krei."
"I'm just asking… If you're interested in a job…"
"What? Managing the Starbucks next to the lazy river?"
"No...Something much better."
"Here to pick up your charges today Mr. Hamada?"
The young man looked to see an older gentleman in a labcoat standing beside one incubator in particular.
He gave a gentle smile as he approached him adjusting his white shirt. He was starting to regret wearing this now but he wanted to look presentable. The man he was approaching after all was the reason all of this existed… Why he was even here in the first place.
"Yes Dr. Callaghan…" The young man took a shaky breath looking around nervously. His reddish brown hair fell into his face a bit as he blew it out of his face. "They're hatching soon right?"
Callaghan gave a nod stepping out of his way handing him a set of gloves.
"You already give the actual medics here a run for their money. You can handle the chicks Max."
Max shoved on the gloves before taking a deep breath.
"I hope your right."
The incubator opened up as a blast of hot air hit his face. He wouldn't deny that Callaghan was right… His family was known for their intelligence. His own cousins were already close to college and they were 19 and 14 themselves.
I'm the son of Katashi Hamada commander of the Asset Containment Unit… If my father can chase down the bigger ones…
Why can't I handle….Them?
He waited seeing cracks forming on the eggshells. He could see an eye, or hear rapid breathing.
Max was gentle as he lowered himself a bit.. It wasn't long before he had three squirming, tiny...Hissing creatures and trying to help the fourth one… The smallest one out of their shell.
"There we go… You're almost out… Atta girl…" He coaxed quietly as a tiny ashen grey and red marked raptor practically fell out of her egg and into his awaiting palms.
Their eyes were still looking around blearily when they landed on him.
He stood still letting them get a look… Waiting as they watched him back and regarded him.
It felt like forever until the smallest, the runt of the miniature pack leaned up her head pushing it against his arm in a nuzzle.
The rest followed suit as Max gradually relaxed grimacing a bit as he noticed his shirt was now covered in what the hatchlings were previously covered in.
"You will be alright… There… There…"
Max stayed there for what felt like the longest time cradling the hatchlings, finding himself lowering himself to the ground letting them become familiar with his scent. With his warmth.
I promise…. I'll raise you with as much love and care as I can give you.
You're smarter than they think…
oooooooooooooooooooooo
To say his apartment on the island was busy after that was an understatement. He was seen as their parent so he couldn't leave the hatchlings alone for long.
Not to mention… The little red and black one was still very weak. Max knew they needed each other to survive but he knew if they were left alone for too long they might try to eat her versus their actual meals.
That was how it went as he started to train them. To get them to recognize what signals would mean food and what meant to stop messing around.
One on one training started with the little red and black one after the others were asleep.
"Akuma."
The dinosaur didn't look at him.
He used a clicker used usually for other kind of animal training as she looked towards the sound. "Akuma."
The hatchling let out an irritated hiss.
Max gave her a patient look.
"Akuma."
A little squeal left her as she bumped up against his hand that held the clicker.
"One more time…. Akuma."
The raptor lifted her head. Max smiled warmly.
"There's my little one."
Max picked her up as she nuzzled into his shirt as he laid down on his bed among her siblings. The hatchlings huddling around the young man as he closed his eyes.
He knew he couldn't trust them forever…
But for now…
His girls needed him.