The sun had just begun to rise upon Isla Nublar. In a clear field stood Aaron Price, an Archeologist, and Animal Behaviorist. In his left hand, he held a compound bow and in he gloved right hand he held an arrow. Across the field, nearly a hundred yards away stood a target. The archaeologist kept his eyes locked on the target as he nocked the arrow and pulled back the string.
He calmly took in a breath before he breathed out and released the string. He maintained his stance as he watched the arrow flew across the field hitting the target dead center next to the other four arrows that also hit the bullseye. Smirking to himself he reached over his shoulder and pulled another arrow out of the quiver.
Nocking the arrow and pulling back the string he aimed for the target once again. He evenly inhaled before he exhaled and began to release the string. The arrow lodged next to the first arrow in the bullseye. Smiling to himself he looked over to the sea seeing the sun rising above the horizon.
"Time to start the workday." He sighed walking towards the target.
Walking through the dense jungle of the island. Walking along the riverbank he kept a keen eye about his surroundings. The Cretaceous Cruise is home to many dinosaurs who primarily live near bodies of water. The more approachable ones were the Stegosaurus, Parasaurolophus and Microceratus. Then there were those who were too dangerous for the guests, they needed to be fed earlier before they could be seen by the guests.
Aaron specializes in crocodilian behavior. He's studied crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. He's studied these animals all around the globe from South and Central America to Louisiana and then Egypt, Nepal, and India after. He's studied them, watched them hunt, mate, raise their young. He swam with them, fed them and even wrestled a gator once in Louisiana.
When Jurassic World approached him about being in charge of the Spinorauridae, he readily accepted. First, they started small with a trio of Icthyovenators he named Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. He came up with the names given that the three unique colors that the dinosaurs had, reminded of him of his favorite cartoon. Blossom has a salmon almost pink body with a red sail, Bubbles has a cerulean body and a silver sail and stripes, Blossom has a dark mossy green body and dark grey stripes and sail.
His work with the trio was a major success. They hunted and behaved in such a way that astonished everyone. Not only did they fish like storks by spearing their snouts into the water catching fish they also hunted from the water to land like alligators. They would keep hidden and leave their head exposed before pouncing on their prey on land.
Then after were four Baryonyxes. This time he was more creative with the names, taking inspiration from Greek and Roman goddesses. Artemis, Venus, Athena, and Juno. He named them for their distinct personalities rather than appearances. Diana was the most adequate hunter of the four, Venus was the most affectionate with him, Juno was the most dominant of the group even challenged him a few times and Minerva was the quickest learner.
Finally, there were the five Suchomimus who he's currently working with. This time he named them after legendary creatures. Behemoth, Cetus, Bunyip, Scylla, and Charybdis. They were far more aggressive than the Icthyovenators and Baryonyxs despite them imprinting on him. They would growl, roar and snap at him from time to time but he continued to show his dominance.
Grabbing the walkie-talkie from his belt he pressed the PTT button he spoke to his assistant, "Ash, release the fish and open the doors."
"Got it." Her voice replied.
Ashley Nelson was his classmate during college. She majored in Paleontology while he majored in Zoology. After his success with the Icthyovenators, he requested to have her as an assistant. She gladly accepted anxious to get up close and personal with the dinosaurs she grew up dreaming about.
Hearing the groaning of the steel doors opening he placed the walkie-talkie on his hip. He allowed the three species to walk amongst each other because they're quite tame to each other. They hardly eat anything other than fish. Even when they're offered a goat they leave it alone before one of them works the nerve.
The first to break through the shrubbery was a grey-green and beige Baryonyx, "Venus, first up as usual." He smiled fondly at the dinosaur.
The Baryonyx bowed its head and nudged its snout against Aaron's head. She gave a fond rumbling as Aaron stroked her snout. She pulled away when something else appeared. Looking up Maz saw that it was Bubbles. Icthyovenators were smaller than Baryonyx and Suchomimus so much so that their snouts were eye level to an average height man.
"Hey, Bubbles." Aaron greeted patting the dinosaur on the side as it walked by before facing the Baryonyx, "Go on get yourself some breakfast." He encouraged and Venus rumbled once more before walking past him.
The others began to flood out of the jungle and towards the riverbank. Aaron took note that all but one of them had arrived for feeding. A low rumbling came from behind him he rolled his eyes and looked back to see a black and red-striped Suchomimus it was Bunyip.
"Hello, Buny." He greeted with a bright smile.
The Suchomimus let out a mighty roar in Aaron's face. Venus quickly sprung to action and ran up on the shore and roared at the larger Spinosaurid intent to protect Aaron. He quickly raised up his hand at Venus stopping her before she could attack. Looking back at Juno he kept his stance, unwilling to back down.
Bunyip began to roar again before Aaron gave her a sharp smack on the snout, "That's enough! Go eat." He demanded. Bunyip growled at him before turning away and walked past him with a huff, "I discipline you because I love you." He called out getting a growl in return.
After they had their breakfast they were free to roam around the river. On a full stomach, they weren't interested in any of the herbivores or the guests that floated down the river. They were some of the more docile carnivores on the island. They didn't need paddocks with high electrical fences as long as they're kept at a distance and with full stomachs.
"Hey, Aaron are they almost done with breakfast?" She asked through the radio.
Looking over the group spread out across the river snatching up as much fish as their heart's content he replied, "Just about, why what's up?"
"Dr. Wu from the lab asked for you." She informed.
What did the scientist want with him?
"Tell him I'm coming." Aaron stated.
Entering the hatchery Aaron found a crowd of tourists ogling at the eggs and the scientists hard at work. He found the chief geneticist ogling at an egg in an incubator like he was one of the children behind the glass.
"Dr. Wu, you asked for me?" He said making his presence known.
The scientist turned around and greeted Aaron, "Dr. Price thank you for coming in such short notice."
"What can I do for you Dr?" Aaron asked curiously.
Henry smiled before stating, "Actually it's what I can do for you. Come." He said excitedly as if he just found a chest full of treasure. Guiding Aaron to the incubator he announced, "Our newest attraction." He gestures to a single egg.
Aaron looked at the egg curiously, "What is it?"
"Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus." The doctor announced.
Aaron blinked before he asked, "Spinosaurus?"
Henry watched as the handler approached the incubator, "Cloned from my original specimen on Isla Sorna." He confirmed, "Though with a few modifications."
"Modifications, Dr. Wu?" Aaron inquired keeping his eyes on the egg.
"It will be more cooperative, empathetic and intelligent." The geneticist informed, "Improved from his predecessor in every way."
"Less aggressive?" Aaron looked up at the man seriously, "Dr. Alan Grant wrote how the previous Spinosaurus relentlessly hunted him and his team across Isla Sorna. He theorized that it was of above intelligence compared to other theropods. It singled them out and ignored other feeding opportunities just to kill them. He even hypothesized that it was mistreated during infancy by humans and developed a hatred for them." He stood straight looked Henry dead in the eye, "Is there any truth in that?"
Henry gathered his thoughts before he replied, "I admit my methods in the past were a bit barbaric but now with all the advancements science has to offer there will be no need for such archaic procedures." He assures before putting a hand Aaron's shoulder, "Dr. Price you're our only expert on Spinosauridae you're quite literally the only man on earth who can do this."
Aaron looked down at the egg and contemplated the offer before he turned to Wu, "All decisions regarding her need my supervision if she even sneezes I want to know about it." He demanded.
"Of course, everything will be run by you." Henry assured.
Aaron turned from Wu and looked down at the egg once more, "When is it estimated to hatch?"
"A month if everything goes smoothly." Henry replied.
The handler nodded before walking, "Now if you excuse me I have to do my job."
Shutting the door behind him Aaron walked away from the hatchery. Thinking back to when each and everyone one of his dinosaurs were babies he wondered if it would be the same. He knew he'd be kidding himself if he thought of it that way. The only reason he agreed to it is that he knew they would continue on with the asset with or without him.
Better it be handled by the most experienced person rather than let someone else mistreat that animal.