Kris stretched back in his chair as he rubbed his eyes tiredly while he chewed through his sixth piece of Extra Gum. Damn was he bored as hell. The 'Ad' had sounded appealing to him. Smash & Grab, no casualties, high-risk, big reward. He didn't expect to be sitting here for four hours in what had to be the starkest room he'd been in. And he had seen his share of stark rooms.
He popped his neck and knuckles as the door opened and fixed his blue-green eyes to the door as one of the oldest men in the business walked in; Ken Wheatley.
"Kid."
He huffed in greeting as he took the chair opposite him and sat down with a thick folder between them. Kris ran a hand through his light brown hair, as Wheatley began reading.
"Kristian Athans, Born October 5th of 89. No family, except one sister aged 22 in Patras, currently attending Culinary school right here in the U.S."
Wheatley gave him a measuring look to see if he had rocked this kid's boat, but true to his street cred, the guy just stared back at him chewing his gum evenly.
"Enlisted in the First Infantry Division, at 19. Applied and was trained in the 1st Raider/Paratrooper Brigade, transferred to the Zeta Amphibious Raider Squadron, specializing in sniper tactics."
Wheatley set the dossier aside, and returned his gaze to him.
"I could go on, but what's the point? I read your last mission Major. Well, what wasn't blackened out."
Kris kept chewing as he looked at him.
"Last mission would've gone off without a hitch if you'd just listened to your superior."
Kris spat out his gum across the room as he leaned forward, keeping his tone and face level even as his temper flared along with his accent.
"If I had listened to that ηλίθιος ένας, my team would've died."
Wheatley grinned slightly, seems he finally got 'The Wall,' to show his face after all. He leaned back before things got nasty.
"I agree Major, which is why you're here now isn't it? Not many mercenary jobs around that offer this kind of pay?"
Kris sat back, enough beating around the bush. What was the job?
"What is the job, there weren't that many details in the ad?"
Wheatley smiled again, he knew he made the right call extending this job to him. No questions except which ones were important; the pay, and the job.
"Ever been to Jurassic World?"
He asked as he got up and gestured to the door.
"Alright boys and girls, this is what we are going for."
Wheatley and the other five turned to see what this target was and why they were being sent to grab it from a resort.
"You're shitting me."
Kris turned as an African female's voice cut the silence that had settled over the room. Kris had to agree, he turned back to the screen as he took in the target. It was Jurassic World's newest addition; a genetically enhanced raptor named Rio.
"This ladies and gentlemen, is Rio, actual name R-10. An Indoraptor. He represents a significant investment to our employer, and he wants it and two other raptors caught and brought here."
This time it was an Englishman that spoke up.
"Here to the mainland?"
Wheatley nodded as he tapped the laptop and another slide came up. Kris leaned forward, what in the hell was this?
"This is no ordinary animal. It's been enhanced both genetically and mechanically. It can create low EMP bursts to disrupt even the hardest radio comms, it can hack into anything without a firewall surrounding it, its bones are encased in a titanium alloy, it can camouflage and hide from thermal imagery. On top of all its other natural tools."
Someone in front of him snorted.
"Sounds like we're hunting the ultimate predator."
Wheatley turned and raised a brow.
"The job is simple; get in, get it, and the other two, get paid. You'll be given high power tranquilizers, and a special device that feeds directly into one of its implants, you can use it to lure it and knock it out. Easy capture. Anyone sees you, you won't exist long. Just go in and don't pose a threat unless you have to."
Kris turned as he popped another piece of gum in his mouth.
"We're assassins. Isn't posing a threat kinda the point?"
There were more than a few laughs in the room, before Wheatley quieted them.
"I'm glad you see it that way Major, especially since you're the one in charge of this little scout troop."
Kris nearly swallowed his gum in shock, as someone slapped him on the back.
"Τι?"
Wheatley turned and headed out the door.
"Load up. You'll be flown out ten miles from shore and swim in tonight. Happy hunting boys and girls, let the games begin."
Lucille Bourseiller couldn't believe where she was. After months of intense begging she'd finally convinced her Père to let her visit her Tante, who had the most awesome job ever; a handler at Jurassic World.
She tried to keep from spinning her head around as much as a 16 year old could try. She was so busy taking in all the sights, she almost ran into a digital ad, until it spoke and had her freezing as she came eye to eye with a fearsome looking animal. She jumped back before a handsome older Américain appeared.
"Can you find Rio?"
He asked her before continuing.
"Rio is Jurassic World's newest dinosaur. He loves to sneak around the park and play hide n' seek. If you think you see him, don't panic."
His image fixed her with a hard yet soft gaze as he told her this.
"Rio doesn't mean anyone any harm, just call out 'Olly Olly Oxen free,' and he'll appear."
The moment he said it the animal, whom she guessed to be Rio, appeared wrapped around him like a big cat. The man smiled as he scratched at a spot between Rio's shoulders.
"Welcome to Jurassic World, and keep an eye out, you never know where Rio might be."
Her jaw dropped as the dinosaur vanished again. She snapped out of it as the ad began playing again. Hide n' Seek with a dinosaur? Génial! She had a feeling she would love her stay here.
Rio stirred from his nap, as he stretched and let his back relax. He was currently playing his favorite game of Seek. It was fun, especially when the hatchlings would find him. Their hands were so soft on his scales, and eased his aches. He sighed quietly as dark thoughts threatened to choke out his mood.
Alpha had told him that he was dying very soon and there wasn't anything they could do for him...yet. Alpha Owen had stressed that to him every chance he had. He knew Rio was sick, but he wasn't going to abandon him. Rio personally thought that was foolish. Any other Alpha wouldn't have thought twice about abandoning an ailing member who was beyond help.
But Alpha Owen wasn't like any other Alpha. He had actually arranged it with Alpha Claire to let him roam the park freely and play Seek. Provided he was good with his hiding. He could visit Elder Mother more now and was happy to have her for what little life he had left. The same with Curious One.
She hadn't been happy that he frequently left at first, but when he began bringing back tasty morsels to her, she forgave him. He still had an intense burning in his gut around her which he could never pin down. Perhaps he could ask Alpha Owen about this later?
He settled into the bleachers surrounding the lagoon where Massive One ate her fill in front of Alpha's kind. He still didn't understand why so many wanted to see them, but he did understand that so long as more of Alpha's kind came, the more food they brought too. Elder Mother had taught him that.
He stirred as a young female sat beside him, not that she noticed. Rio sniffed cautiously. She had that yummy, puffy treat Alpha called Popcorn! He slowly crept forward as she fixed her eyes on the older female before waving at her happily. The female returned the gesture, before turning her attention to the filling crowd and began to speak. Rio paid her no heed as he cautiously poked the bag the young one had, and curled his tongue around one of the soft salty snacks.
Lucille was ecstatic. Not only had she gotten good seats close to her Tante, she got to see her favorite dinosaur; the Mosasaurus. She paid utmost attention as she talked about the Mosasaurus who was currently having a giant Great White wheeled out to her. She was on her feet and gave a yell as the big beast clamped down and cut it in half like it was an éclair. She was smiling broadly as she watched the Mosasaurus swim off, finishing its snack.
She made to stamp her foot and jump up, to give a hoot of joy at seeing something so amazing. Instead of the floor however, she stamped on something warm and hard. Which was quickly followed by a loud bellow.
Rio was immediately diving away from the bleachers after the female slammed her foot down hard on his tail tip. That hurt! He hissed softly as he waved it back and forth trying to get a sense of feeling back into it. He stopped as the small female approached him.
Lucille was beyond nervous as she slowly approached Rio. She hadn't meant to stamp on his tail, that had to hurt. She brought her bag of popcorn with her as she got closer to him.
"Je suis tellement désolé Rio."
She said softly to him, before mentally slapping herself and switching to English.
"Sorry Rio, I'm really sorry."
She hoped he understood her. She held her breath as Rio got up. He had to be the biggest thing she'd ever seen, and such beautiful eyes too! Fantastique!
He bent low to her eye level and huffed softly at her. She couldn't help but laugh as his hot breath tickled her nose, along with the faint scent of...popcorn?
She looked at her bag and saw a hole at the bottom. She thought she'd been given a smaller bag! Rio had been sneaking away with her snack!
She turned and made to snap at him, but found she couldn't. Looking at something so magnificent, and sneaking a snack from her like she had when she was younger had her smiling up at him and the memories he brought back.
"You could just ask if you wanted to share."
She huffed as she held up the bag. She let out a squeak as Rio grabbed the bag and gulped it.
"Hey!"
In spite of herself she laughed.
"You are amazing Rio."
She laughed as she scratched at the same place the man had in the ad.
Rio chittered happily as the young female scratched at his favorite place. Her words had him thinking, she had called him amazing. That's when he realized why Alpha's kind came here. They came here to remember that their world wasn't so constrained, that there were things in their world that were far beyond their power, and always would be. They came here to be humbled.
He crooned happily and gave the female a happy lick, as she squealed in protest. Rio didn't care, he didn't have long to live, so why not live it? And live it knowing his purpose now. He saw the second bag of popcorn in the female's other hand, and had a plan. Alpha had recently shown him a game called Tag.
Lucille was laughing outright as Rio gave her another lick. What did she say to get him so happy? Then she lifted her hands to wipe her face and paused. Where was her other bag of popcorn?
She turned as Rio chirped at her. No way...
"Rio..."
She rumbled in a tone her Père always used whenever she was up to something, and gawked at him, more particularly his left clawed hand. She narrowed her eyes at him. He didn't seem to want to eat it, but from the way his tail was wagging, she had a sinking feeling and her right foot began tapping.
"Rio..."
She growled again.
And he bolted straight out the side door.
"Oh non!"
And she raced after the dinosaur, all for $3.50. This game was so on.
"RIO, COME BACK HERE!"
She could've sworn the raptor was laughing as she pursued him.
