Chapter 4: Preparing the Pack
While Grady raced off to the control center to chew out Claire, Javelin set for the raptor paddock. His mind wandered as he drove. What were those idiots thinking? You don't put something that potentially destructive in isolation. He mentally cursed the geneticists responsible for the hybrid. For all those smarts, they sure had a lot of stupidity.
When he arrived, the security chief immediately ran to the walkways. He called out, "Barry!"
The man turned around. "Javelin! Thank goodness you're here. I can't raise Owen. What's going on?"
Javelin looked around before saying, "InGen, that's what. They made a hybrid and kept it in isolation. Lured us into her paddock and she escaped."
"And the fuel smell on you?" Barry asked.
"Owen and I hid underneath a truck. He cut the fuel line and covered our scent."
"I think you should take a shower before you go inside. You know how the girls react to certain smells."
Javelin did a facepalm. "Should've done that before coming here. But..."
"You wanted to make sure everyone here is safe."
The security chief nodded in affirmation. "Yeah," he said while going back to the jeep. "I'll be back in a while." Luckily, he didn't turn off the engine. He turned around and sped towards his house, not wanting to be away from the pack for long.
-
The shower took some edge off his nerves. After he got dressed in another ACU uniform, he noticed an opened bin hidden behind a pile of clothes. Memories flooded his mind as he pulled it out. Memories of when he first came here, of his adventures, of his squad.
The majority of the space was filled with crimson body armor. An undersuit was folded against the side of the bin, a helmet in a corner. Laying on top of the armor were a mismatched pair of guantlets and a journal.
Javelin had forgotten about that. He had stopped writing in it a few weeks after the nightmares began. As he thumbed through it, he often stopped at the entries involving the pack. Below each of those entries were "I will give my life if it means they all live." One entry gathered his full attention.
Charlie. It's official, she is my favorite. Maybe because she's the youngest. Or perhaps it's because Owen and Barry already claimed Blue and Delta. She always next to me whenever I'm with the pack.
I don't know how distressed I'd be if I lost her. I won't lose her the way I lost my squad. Candle. Oscar. Drake. Talon Squad. Now I'm the last. To die will end this burden, but it will also end a chance.
Velociraptors. I've always tried to understand them perfectly, but I can't. My shattered mind has given me a way to be one.
I will gladly give my life if it meant Charlie lives.
Javelin let out a long sigh after he read the entry. Happiness was in his mind for being one of the pack, but sadness was also there when his squad was mentioned. He looked at the clock nearby. I've been here too long. Getting up to head out the door, the man paused, a plan formulating in his head.
-
Javelin had a renewed sense of vigor when he returned to the paddock. Back at his home, he decided to bring his old armor with him. It took him a few minutes to get the undersuit on beneath the ACU clothing, but he felt quite relaxed wearing. It felt like a second skin.
Instead of walking straight to the paddock like he normally did, the security chief went to the back of the jeep and unhooked the bin holding his armor. Memories flooded his mind again when he pulled out the helmet, but the grief was covered with joy.
It was a normal combat helmet, except Javelin had added on a guard for everything below his eyes. Resting on top of the helmet was a push-down visor that fit smoothly into the face-guard. Smiling, he put it on. It was a little tight, but was comfortable enough for it to not be an issue.
Barry approached as he was taking the helmet. "Javelin," the man greeted merrily, "glad you're back." He eyed the equipment. "What's all this?" he asked.
"My Spec Ops armor, personally made or modified." Javelin calmly replied, tucking his journal into a pocket. "Nicknamed Javelin and the Crimson Sunset."
"Crimson Sunset?"
"Had a tendency to let my enemies see who got them. That, and I would often be outside in twilight." Javelin was fighting hard to focus on the good adventures. He saw the pack racing to the gate after Blue let out a bark. Barry followed his friend as he steadily walked to the airlock. "Missed me, ladies?" Javelin asked while opening the outer gate.
Charlie quickly let loose a series of gleeful chirps. Javelin grinned as he raised the inner door, the opposite one already closing. "I missed you all, too." He hugged them before sitting down in his spot. The security man pulled out his journal and began to write.
It's been a long while since I wrote in this. Guess my nightmares caused that. Candle on the ground, Oscar in pieces, Drake falling. A year of seeing them disappointed. The pack, Blue, Delta, Echo and Charlie, lessened their intensity.
Now, as I'm writing this, I see my old squad. They're whole, sitting and talking with each other. They saw me and smiled instead of a frown. Oscar said, "We're gone, but you are still here. Love your new family as we loved each other." They faded away, still grinning.
Blue is with Echo. Delta and Charlie are playing. Serenity is the description, ignoring the guards above. Being with them gives me joy. I will give my life to see Blue live, to see Echo live, to see Delta live, to see Charlie live.
Javelin looked up when he was done to see Charlie walking over. Smiling, he said, "Hello, girl." He rubbed her side when she lay down to sleep. "Not a bad idea." He spoke softly as he soon joined his favorite raptor into unconsciousness.
-
The chief woke up when he felt Victor Hoskins' presence and Blue's growling. He got up and looked at the airlock. The heavy man was on the outside, grinning with yellowed teeth. Javelin was next to Delta before he asked with clear hostility, "What do you want? Here to feed the raptors yourself?" He couldn't help smiling evilly at the last part. Echo had the same problem as she licked the side of her mouth in hope.
"Nope. Just here to tell you that the field test has been approved from up top."
"Why?"
"In case you haven't heard it, the park is already in evacuation after their hybrid got out. Not only did that thing wipe out an ACU squad, but she also got Mr. Masrani killed and shattered the Aviary." He looked at the raptor chief with a "stating the obvious" look.
"Only part I knew was the Indominus escaping. And before you ask, I have my radio set to a certain frequency so I don't have to listen to you."
"Tell the raptors to get in their cages so we can set them up. Before you say no, I am glad to warn you that you can lose your job immediately. That may not be a bad thing. We'll get them in there forcefully, if I have to." Hoskins chuckled.
Javelin threw up his hands in surrender. He did not want to leave his pack. "Fine." He called out to Barry, "Barry, get down here and help me." He turned to look at his family, Blue in particular. "I'm sorry, but they need you in your chutes."
Blue screeched with anger at Javelin. "I know, I know, I don't want to do this either. But if I don't, they won't let me be with you four anymore."
It had taken them all a while, but the pack was in their chutes. Javelin did his best to keep them calm, Echo especially. It was evening when Owen arrived with Claire and two boys. The paddock security chief kept his attention on his girls while Owen argued with Hoskins. They entered the airlock to help put the cameras on the raptors.
The smaller boy, Gray, was outside, leaning against the bars. He asked, "What are their names?"
Owen pointed at each of them in turn. "This is Charlie, Echo, Delta, and the beta, Blue."
Javelin scoffed at Grady, "You forgot me, buddy." He turned to look at Gray. "Name's Javelin."
"Hello," he replied. "So who's the alpha?"
Owen smiled before pridefully saying, "You're looking at him, kid."
Javelin pointed at the raptor trainer before Gray could ask. "He is."
Grady tossed a thankful look at his security officer before turning to reluctantly help Hoskins' men.
"So you're in the pack?" Gray asked.
Javelin answered, "Yep."
"What's your pack position?"
The guard rubbed his chin thoughtfully before responding, "Omega, I'd guess. I don't worry about that stuff, only their protection."
"Who's your favorite?"
"Charlie." Javelin spoke as soon as the question was asked. He pointed towards her form, already having the camera on her head. "She's the youngest of the four and always came to me when she wanted to rest."
"Javelin, can you help with Echo?" Grady asked behind him.
"Yeah," He said before looking back at Gray. "See you later, Gray." Javelin turned to calm Echo down.
Gray only looked in awe as the raptor slowly listened to the paddock security chief.
-
(AN)- Hi guys. I'd just like thank Matt for giving me my first review, even if it was a flame.
Matt, I did not lie to you. There is a transformation in this story, but I have decided not to implement it yet. Most transformation fics I've read happen right at the beginning with actual characters. Because Javelin is an OC, doing the same wouldn't allow to you connect with as well. I am sorry if it seemed I put that there only to grab attention. But again, I thank you for your input.
Keep strong, fellas.