Chapter Six
Title: Project: More Teeth
Author: Divine Dark Angel
Summary: If the I-rex had been prevented from killing her sibling, if someone had stepped in and stopped IGen and the people of Jurassic World from isolating them and had gotten them properly socialized, if they had been trained to know what they are…how would life be different for the I-rex sisters and the rest of the park?
Rating: M for mentions of death and a mature relationship.
Pairing: Owen/Claire, Oc/Katashi Hamada
Disclaimer: All characters that you recognize belong to and are copywrite of Universal. The recognizable plot items and other such things are also copyrighted to Universal. I am simply playing in the rich world they have created for us.
The girls were three months old the first time Emma lost them. They were out in the paddock, "hunting" the hollow plastic tubes while Emma lounged by the pool of water. Realizing that neither girl had pranced by with a newly discovered tube in quite some time, Emma shaded her eyes with her hand and searched the enclosure. Seeing neither infant, Emma scrambled to her feet and began trotting around the perimeter of the paddock, scanning under the ferns and other foliage the poor groundskeepers kept planting every few days. Panic rising, she checked under the pile of dead leaves in the corner where she had hidden a large femur bone for the girls to play with. Not seeing them there either, Emma ran to the wall near the exterior door and slammed her hand on the panic alarm.
Immediately, a loud siren started wailing and the red alert lights lit up around the top of the perimeter fence. The door leading into the paddock flew open as ACU squad members flooded into the cleared space just inside the exterior door. Katashi grabbed her by the elbows and scanned her head to toe for injury as his team swept the paddock for threats. Seeing her unharmed, he asked her about the girls.
"I can't find them Tashi! They were just here and now I can't find them! I was doing 'hunt-and-find' with them and they disappeared! I looked everywhere! What if they got out? Did we leave the door open to the apartment this morning?!" Emma's eyes were frantically flickering over the paddock, Katashi still holding her elbows to keep her still. "Ohmigod Katashi, what if they got in a fight and hurt each other?! One of them coulda killed the other one and…."
Katashi rubbed his thumbs over her elbows soothingly, tugging her into his chest. Her breathing slowed to a more normal rate as she rested her forehead against his vest. The team reported back that the assets were not in containment and waited for the commander to choose the next course of action. Katashi let his eyes go unfocused for a moment, staring at the back corner of the paddock that he knew the girls liked to nap in. A brisk wind blew over the paddock just as he started to look away, but something about the way the leaves blew over the patch of sun made him pause. He sent the team out to search the perimeter as he and Emma calmly walked over to the suspicious leaf pile. As they approached it, a few of the leaves at the base shifted unnaturally to the ground, almost as if an object from underneath was being lifted up out of the pile.
Emma stared at the pile of leaves in amazement as Nefret's head shimmered into existence, her sister appearing a moment later as the shifting leaves fell away. Nefretari chirruped at her mother as she clambered to her feet and shook the leaves off her body. The girls skin blended back to their natural white as the two dumbfounded humans gazed at them in mild apprehension. The twins, not even a bit contrite at the trouble they caused, romped over to their mother and her mate, thrumming as they twined around ankles and butted the backs of knees.
Relief made Emma sink to her knees and gather her charges into her arms. Even with three months of growing, the girls were only the size of medium dogs. They had filled out and careful attention was being paid to their weight and dentition. A few of the teeth had been pulled early on as they interfered with the proper closing of the girl's jaws and a snaggle-toothed predator was not as impressive. The imps rubbed her jaw with their noses, begging for food the way they had as smaller infants. Emma giggled through her tears of relief and dug out strips of jerky for them. They took the strips delicately from her hands and bounced off to chew them, leaving their mother to plop onto the dirt and stare after them in shock.
"I am assuming you did not know that they could do such a thing?" Katashi asked, crouching down to rest a hand on her shoulder. He had notified ACU control that the assets were indeed in containment, fielding the questions for later. As he squatted in the blazing island sun, the heat forced him to remove the vest and set it on the ground. His shirt clung to his back, and he set to rolling his sleeves up. Enviously, he eyes Emma's tank top and short-shorts, wishing he could change into his 'casual' clothes as well. Checking his watch, he saw he had three more hours in his shift before he could head into the apartment and change into the spare set of clothes he kept in the closet.
Emma's raised voice pulled his attention to where she paced a circle around the leaf pile where they had found the twins. She had her phone pressed to her ear as her free hand gesticulated wildly, her face telling him that whoever was on the other end of the line was getting an earful. Her flip-flops were discarded after a quick turn-trip-stumble almost sent her face first into the dirt. Another few minutes of quiet-screaming and she hung up the phone and glared at it. She slid the phone back into her pocket and rubbed her hands over her face before plopping down in the dirt next to Katashi's squatted form.
"Fuckery, sheer mad-scientist fuckery. I dunno who this bastard thinks he is, mixing genes and splicing shit together like he's sculpting play-doh. 'Oh, we need to make them fiercer let's add wolverine.' 'Oh we need to make them terrifying…. quick what's scary? OH! Let's make them able to fuckin' camouflage!' Ah would love to jes' once be able to punch tha' ass right in the throat!" Emma sucked air in through her teeth as her charges sped back towards her from where they had been racing around the enclosure. "Ah'm cahlm…..ah'm calm….I'm calm…..I am calm."
By the time the girls bounced into her lap she was as calm as she was going to get. Keeping herself in zen mode was the best way to keep the girls there with her, or at least as zen as two infant predators could get. She glanced up to see what had sent them running for her and saw the door to the apartment sliding open. A quick glance to her left saw Katashi with this shirt and vest back on and standing at military attention at her back, sunglasses blocking her view of his eyes. His micro-expression showed worry, even as he subconsciously altered his stance to more firmly show his support for her.
Emma began to get to her feet but the bundle of fifty pound dinos prevented her from doing much more than shift her weight and straighten her spine. She didn't like meeting this group of unknown people from a weaker position, but could more easily keep a handle on the girls if they were in her lap. The wait was short and soon enough Dr. Wu and a mixed group of lab workers and ACU members tromped into the sunny corner where Emma and the girls held court.
"Trainer McGovern, Commander Hamada. I see the two assets are evidently not out of containment since they both appear to be right in front of me. Care to explain why a full-scale containment breach was launched if no breach was evident? Could you simply not be bothered to do your job effectively Ms. McGovern? Was searching the paddock thoroughly not something you were capable of doing?" Dr. Wu's scornful tone made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. "Commander Hamada, was it not you who found the assets? How hard could she have possibly looked for them if you were able to locate them under a pile of leaves? Perhaps you simply wanted to see your lover early today Trainer McGovern?"
Nefret hissed warningly as the small spines that now protruded an inch from her spine stood up. The ostoderms that would one day form her head spines were still not developed yet, and the spines she did have were still soft and blunt. The fact that they could lift in clear aggression was a new development, and Emma saw several of the lab assistant's taking notes on the girls' behavior. Emma drew in a deep breath through her nose and let if escape past her clenched teeth as she breathed through her frustration with the good doctor. It wouldn't do her or the girls any good to piss off the one person on the planet who knew exactly what had gone into their genetic make-up.
"Dr. Wu, there has been a development with the girls that has just begun today. It is not that I didn't look for them, I couldn't find them because they can camouflage. And I don't mean they blend like chameleons, I mean they fucking disappeared. Commander Hamada saw them when the wind blew a pile of leaves against them in the corner here." Emma tried, really she did, but something about Dr. Wu set her teeth on edge and made her want to violently beat the ever-loving shit out of something. She felt the ghost of Katashi's hand brush against the crown of her head and was pleased to have his support.
Dr. Wu looked pleasantly surprised about this development and immediately wanted to take the girls back to his lab to run tests. Emma, of course, vetoed the demand immediately on the grounds that the girls were already stressed from the ACU response team being in the enclosure and the lab group in the enclosure now. "You'll just have to pull the security footage and watch for yourself. Kat…. Commander Hamada's body camera would have captured the whole thing. I'm sure the ACU can provide you with the proper reports. Now, if you would all please leave, the girls and I are worn out from today and will be retiring early. Exit through the paddock doors please, there is no need to traipse through my living quarters. Again."
Emma's stern gaze cowed most of the lab people immediately. The ACU team took one look at their Commander's face and vacated towards the paddock doors immediately, which convinced the rest of the lab people and Dr. Wu to move with them. The two girls climbed out of Emma's lap and stalked the intruders a few feet before Emma's call had them reluctantly turning to follow her into the den.
Katashi followed her as far as the door to her quarters before he leaned over and kissed her forehead, "I have reports to file and film to edit, amoure. I shall return as soon as I am able. Is there anything you require from the commissary? Have the little monsters ceased eating your soap?"
Emma smiled up at him and shook her head, "I'm ok Tashi, thanks. I'll see you when you get off okay?"
A quick press of lips and Katashi followed after the gaggle of people exiting the paddock. Emma watched from behind the glass as the group of intruders left her territory, relaxing the second the large paddock doors slid shut. The girls chirruped at each other, their long tails whacking against Emma's calves painfully as they skittered around on the tile chasing each other.
While still aggressive, the twins had limited their tussles together to play fighting and fewer dominance battles. Emma knew that would likely change as they got older, but for now she was simply glad that the two of them had stopped causing her to carry the shock stick around with her anymore. She had it set to the lowest volume and used it as a mother raptor or rex would use their teeth, to break up the bloodier battles. Kept in a carry pouch on her belt, the stick measures just over a foot long and had settings from low (around 150 volts) to high (7,500 volts – enough to put down an adult pachyasaurus). Emma used it only when she absolutely had to and ensured that the twins thought it was an extension of her and not something that was independent. The most important part of dealing with apex predators was ensuing that they never learned they were higher on the food chain than you.
"Always be the alpha," Owen had told her, stroking a finger down the then only weeks old Indominus, "That's what happened with Barry, the girls saw him as a beta male and attempted to engage in a dominance fight. They were maybe six months old then, not very large. That's what probably saved his life, that and his jolt stick. Keep that on you all the time, though I think your girls will stay obedient longer. The infant stage for the T-rex is reportedly three years, longer for females. As long as you remain Alpha, you should be relatively safe."
Emma tried to keep that in mind, but on days when she and the girls were curled up on the recessed couch watching Animal Planet on the flat screen, it was difficult. The two most dangerous creatures in the park were currently fighting over who got the middle couch cushion and occasionally hissing at the hyenas on the screen. Emma made sure that the 'indoor toys' (one of the hard rubber balls that was hollow on the inside and stuffed with peanuts and two large femur bones that had freeze-dried gristle and meat on them) and then took herself into the bathroom. Knowing better than to shut the door – that had been an awkward thing to explain to the repair guy- Emma tossed her clothes into the hidden hamper and stepped into her steaming hot shower. She enjoyed a solid ten minutes alone before she heard the clicking of talons on the tile and the purring before the shower curtain parted to show Nefretari's inquisitive face. Emma whistled at her and she came completely into the shower stall and rubbed against Emma's thigh. The sensation had taken getting used to, especially since Emma had been single for a good two years. Having felt no touch outside her own -and the lovely European lady at the salon who did her waxes- suddenly she had no privacy at all.
Everywhere she went her little white shadows followed. Bathroom, training sessions, spa appointments, restaurants, everything. The vendors around the island had gotten used to her and her shadows, although the salon and spa charged a lot more since they had to close the area for her and her guests. Thanks to a pay raise -plus bonuses and hazard pay- meant that she was just fine with that. Her sister Cricket had screeched and insisted on a family visit to evaluate the risks of her new position, even after the explanation that nothing could be done to change it. The entire McGovern clan -spouses and children included- were due to land on the island in a week. Mr. Masrani had somehow gotten wind of the impending visit and upgraded the entire family to Apex status and given them the top floor suite usually used for VIP guests. Emma was completely floored by the offer and had attempted to protest but was quickly shot down and sent back to her apartment with the girls.
Nefretari whistled at her, curious about why her mother wasn't paying her attention. Emma smiled down at her, careful to keep her teeth covered. Whatever genes the girls had, smiling with teeth always sparked an aggressive response from them, so Emma modified the impulse to closed-lipped smiling. Kneeling down to put herself on eye level with her young charge, Emma cupped her hands under Nefretari's muzzle and blew across her nostrils. The young dino thrummed back at her, blinking her deep amber eyes slowly. Squatting in the warm spray of the shower, eye-to-eye with an apex predator, naked as the day she was born, Emma burst into laughter and promptly lost her balance. The crack of her head against the side of the tub was the last thing she remembered before the edges of her vision went dark.
Commander Hamada stood at attention in front of Simon Masrani's pristine desk, watching the disgusting piece of filth in charge of the asset development program malign his girlfriend over her care of the twin monsters. He couldn't read Masrani's body language, but the bastard doctor kept up his eloquent assault on Emma. Since her main experience was in large aquatic predators, Takashi could see that there was some validity to the doctor's complaint. Emma simply didn't have the experience for someone in charge of the most volatile and valuable assets in the park. Rationally Takashi could almost agree with the mad scientist, but emotionally…. well emotionally he was in danger of losing his heart to the crazy-impulsive trainer and would back her decisions.
"And what do you think, Commander Hamada?" Masrani had turned to meet his eyes across the desk, "Is Trainer McGovern up to the task of training the Indominus? Perhaps we could attempt to break the imprint and use Trainer Grady after all?"
The skin around Takashi's eyes tightened minutely and he automatically moved into parade rest, "I am not sure that I am the one to ask on this matter. I have a…personal relationship with Trainer McGovern. I do not believe it would be a good idea to attempt to remove the two assets from her care. They are very closely bonded. The little ones would likely not take kindly to the changes, possibly to the extent of becoming completely uncontrollable. I do not believe this would help you in achieving healthy adult assets."
Masrani considered this, stroking his chin and turning to stare out across his park. The tailored suit jacket had been discarded upon entering his office and tossed over his expensive leather couch. Ms. Dearing currently sat on the end, speaking quietly to someone on her cell phone. The woman looked as polished as usual, but Takashi could see the tension in her shoulders and around the delicate skin around her eyes and mouth. Around the time the phone call ended, Mr. Masrani seemed to reach his decision. He turned to consult Ms. Dearing quietly before returning his attention to the other two men in the room.
"Ms. Dearing and I have decided that in order to prevent this from happening again, Trainer McGovern is going to be paired up with Trainer Grady to ensure that the assets are being handled appropriately. We understand, of course, that the imprint bond cannot be changed over to another person and without it the two assets are likely to become volatile without it. I also must insist that you, Commander, assign another ACU member to command the response team where Trainer McGovern is concerned. You will now be in charge of the Raptor Unit as well as the Containment Unit, the appropriate raises and paperwork will be dropped off at your bunk by open tomorrow."
"Of course Sir. Thank you for your support." Commander Hamada saluted his boss, "May I be excused sir? I have reports to file before I am relieved."
"Sure, sure. Please pass along the news to Trainer McGovern, Ms. Dearing will inform Trainer McGrady." Mr. Masrani waved a hand dismissively.
"Wait a moment Simon! You can't possibly allow the assets to remain with that girl! She panicked and called in a full alert when the assets were still in containment! What's going to happen when an emergency actually happens!? She's gonna panic and cause irreparable harm to either the response team or the assets themselves!" Dr. Wu's voice had taken on a nasally quality as he attempted to appear rational.
Takashi knew that there was bad blood between Emma and the good doctor, but he didn't know the whole story. He decided to ask her over dinner tonight, he was picking up the little monsters' weekly ration of meat as well as their food on the way over and would have to hustle to get both promptly. Spinning on his heel, he saw the sly look on Ms. Dearing's face as she discreetly called the office phone on her cell. Mr. Masrani answered it and had an intense conversation with himself before hanging up violently. He turned to the doctor and excused himself with the fabrication provided by Ms. Dearing, sliding his suit jacket back on and holding out his arm for his assistant park director. The two left through the private helipad door to the waiting chopper, climbing in and disappearing in a whirl of blades.
Dr. Wu's pinched face was sweet to Takashi, who simply nodded at his ranting. Having been dismissed, he moved to the door and was leaving when Dr. Wu's quiet words reached him, "She's going to die, you know that don't you? She's going to slip up and those two creatures are going to kill her."
"That will not happen. You think you have created the perfect monster, however, even the perfect monster has a perfect love for their mothers. She is safest with them and should you chose to try and come after her, it is they you will face."