The corpse was brought on the back of a truck. The scent of death was strong. The toxins in particular were quite foul to the point that the guards were wearing face masks as they drove up to the Medical building at.
Naomi Okoye parked the vehicle in the garage. Everyone got out and made their way to lift the corpse off of the back of the truck. It was carried on a large stretcher – designed and intended for carrying injured animals, but it worked well enough to carry a dead one. Naomi frowned although it could not be seen underneath the medical mask. Having worked around wildlife in and out of captivity all her life, the 40-year-old Nigerian was not unused to the foul odors that came with animals. But the smells of the dead dilophosaurus were different. It cast a dark gloom on her and the team.
The other vehicle drove over to another garage which was connected to the operating rooms. Naomi watched them go, worrying for Ricardo. The young man was always one to get too concerned for his own good. But she understood the why. His animal was hurt, an animal he helped raise from birth practically on his own.
The corpse was brought to a secure room by the team. There were many in the "Paleo-Veterinary Hospital" – the only one of its kind in the world – designed to house and provide medical care for dinosaurs of all sizes. Smaller rooms were for medium to smaller species that would be comparable to present day wildlife. Other rooms were quite spacious and large in order to treat the larger denizens of the island such as enormous theropods like Tyrannosaurs or the gargantuan sauropods like Apatosaurus or species like Trikes or Stegos. Some were so large that medical care was best provided in the field such as the Brachiosauruses. Still, caring and treating dinosaurs meant some were too much work to transport all the way to the Med Center, meaning that Naomi would wind up leading a team to do their work out in the open instead.
This led to many rooms, like the one now, being empty. It was large enough and had an enormous table upon which the body was laid atop of. Machines were rolled in in-order to examine the body and the Vet Staff were already present in their scrubs. Naomi ordered the ACU officers to leave the room and they didn't hesitate. As the last of them exited, Naomi turned to the Paleo-vets.
"Pass me some gloves. I'll help."
"Dr. Okoye that won't be necessary. We've got enough-"
"It's a big body. It smells godawful and, believe me ladies, I do not want to spend another second around it. But I lost in on my charge. And, I've enough experience with this work. It'll be done faster. Then we can get the information the board wants."
The vet staff looked to each other. Each was a young woman, some recent grad students, one having worked in the park for three years but still very green. Naomi on the other hand was the real deal, an experienced zoologist, not an official veterinarian, but one with a past history working with wildlife across warzones and around the world. Experience topped off with her work the last eight years as the head of Behavior for Jurassic World.
Naomi waited but it wasn't long until the team nodded in approval. One of them handed a pair of rubber gloves. The Nigerian woman tied her red hair up so as to not let her long curly locks get in the way. She should have asked for scrubs as well but she instead removed her button up shirt leaving her in only her tank top. It would be barer and more exposure to the blood and toxins but nothing that she couldn't wash off and the relief of the cool air helped clear her head. She didn't much care about modesty either when there was work that could be done.
The work proceeded in silence. Naomi's thoughts only on the work of examining the injuries and body thoroughly. Reptilian flesh was cut and sliced as they looked into the body. At one-point Naomi shoved her hand in its bloated belly as she checked for signs of its last meal (afterwards thanking God that there was no human remains). The other staff looked over the main marks of its death – the deep bites that had crushed its throat. Its entire neck was also bloated but the bones were crushed like toothpicks. The vets lifted the head easily and as they dropped it the neck swung like a rag.
"What animal has a bite force that strong? What killed it?" one of the vets asked. Naomi looked to her. She had almond skin and strikingly yellow amber eyes. The color coincidence didn't evade Naomi's sense of irony.
"Paddock 12. The only mammalian megafauna that lives on this island. What Simon Masrani calls 'Super lion'."
The vets all shared looks with each other. The yellow eyed vet stared down at the neck of the dilo. Her hands held it up, one beneath its massive jaws. The animal's teeth jutted out and were still covered in the black toxin it so famously used as a weapon.
"Bloody big lion. Dilophosauruses are already huge fully grown."
"I heard there's three of them. Three huge ass cats."
"Jesus. I was already scared of raptors being on the island already. Now we got super fucking lions."
The vets continued to chatter. Naomi didn't stop them or reveal that she in fact worked closely with the animals. Paddock 12 was isolated, much like the Raptor Arena, in order to properly study the behavior of the animals but also because the super lions weren't technically designed to be park attractions. At least at the start they were not. Naomi recalled upon last speaking to Masrani that he wished for the super lions to be featured as an exhibit with the rest of Jurassic World.
Our new attraction is facing… setbacks. To settle down the anticipation of our guests, why not show off the prehistoric king of beasts? Everyone loves these animals already and they will love a real living giant sized one. Not to mention, we have three!
Naomi knew Masrani dreamt big. It went hand in hand with seeing and knowing what would make for good money makers. He in his infinite wisdom would have the world see a species that was potentially quite dangerous in order to inspire wonder and fear. Ignoring that fear usually came from danger.
The body she was holding was proof enough of that. She did not fear the super lions in particular, they were not more dangerous or necessarily stronger than other carnivores on the island. But any creature that could pose a danger was to be treated with caution and respect. Great caution is what allowed Jurassic World – both the greatest theme park and zoological attraction with some of the most dangerous animals known to the planet – to continue operating without major incidents.
As she beheld the body of the deceased dilophosaurus, Naomi continued to gather data. She collected blood and toxin samples and took photographs of the wounds inflicted. Her careful dark eyes took in anything that could be gleamed from the body. This animals' life would not have gone out for nothing. It would serve as a reminder of the very real danger capable of Jurassic World.
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Luke was laying on the middle of the medical room atop of a large stone slab like table which was rose from the floor. There were several other vets standing around him dressed head to toe in scrubs covering their uniforms beneath as well as their mouths and goggles to protect their eyes. Luke had his eyes closed and a tube sticking down his throat, meant for giving him oxygen while he was put under as they began the treatment to heal his arm.
The burns were treated by use of a gel like resin which was spread all over. It was a aqua blue color and brought to mind the color of mouthwash or hair gel. It was applied liberally and already the injuries appeared to be reduced. From what the vets had said this gel was a breakthrough in treating burns as well as toxins of the Dilophosaurus' venom. Now it was used in other medical facilities around the world – Masrani Global continuing to innovate and profit off of running the world's most unique theme park.
Ricardo Torres stood in the room as well. He hadn't changed clothes, only getting rid of the rain poncho when he arrived. The man had refused to leave Luke's side when they'd arrived. It wasn't necessary for him to stay either but he knew he had to be by Luke. He had to make sure he was okay, even if he knew that ultimately, he would be just fine.
Jurassic World had some of the best veterinarians in the world on their payroll. They recruited early, searching for the best and brightest from the best universities and were always watchful of undergraduates. However, the company also kept their eyes on unique persons even if they weren't of scholarly background. Unique people like Navy men who trained dolphins, African mercenaries who spent their lives protecting wildlife for zoos and reserves, or young men who had a gift working with large carnivores.
Ricardo looked to Luke who still lay motionless. The only sign of life was his stomach moving slightly with each small breath he took. While he was under, the vets had taken the time to go over his health and check on other things that needed to be seen. Blood samples were taken, his teeth examined and cleaned of grime, and his fur was lightly scrubbed of dirt and blood. One of the vets held one of Luke's massive paws in their hand. It was a short, petite woman who looked even smaller holding his massive limb.
"You know, when I woke up this morning, I didn't expect to be doing this."
"Kim, you hold dinosaur feet and hands every day here. How is this unusual?" Another vet, a young dark skinned man said as he held Luke's mouth open. Ricardo had to give him props for staying cool and calm as he cleaned through Luke's massive fangs all the while holding his face so close to the animal's jaws. Even Hamish didn't do that.
"Yeah but I mean, c'mon. This guy's a big kitty. Like his hands and feet are almost like a bears. And he's so soft too." Kim said as she combed her hands in the fur of his foot.
"You're definitely right about that. You're holding the foot of the largest big cat on the planet." Ricardo said. Kim blinked rapidly, her eyelashes grabbing Ricardo's attention. He watched as the small vet set his foot back down before stepping back, pulling out her phone.
"Mr. Torres, can I take a photo of him? Or a selfie? I mean, if that's true then I wan't my grandkids to hear about this."
"I thought you didn't want kids?" The other vet said. Kim shook her head at him.
"No, no its my girlfriend who doesn't want kids. I want the whole Brady Bunch. But like, Asian. cause y'know." Kim gestured at herself awkwardly.
Ricardo laughed as he nodded at the vet. Kim gave him a thumbs up and then proceeded to try and pose just right to take her photo from her tiny phone.
He's the first of his species in ten thousand years. Ricardo thought as he looked over Luke's massive frame. His arms were so large that it was like a grizzly's, and his head was three times larger than the largest modern big cats. If he was awake, he would surely be able to bite one of their heads off and fit it whole in his mouth. But as Ricardo combed his fingers across the top of Luke's head, he didn't see a giant predator to be feared. He saw the baby he raised, the small, sick little ball of fluff he held in his hands five years ago.
Ricardo didn't have the largest hands so he knew Luke was definitely small when Luke fit perfectly within them. The geneticists expected a large baby to be born which had a number of issues in itself (if he would be too large for his surrogate mother to hold or even give birth to) and were not expecting a premature birth. Etosha, Luke's mother, had complications in the pregnancy. She'd gotten quite sick losing interest in things and then stopped eating all together. Her body had lost the energy and so an emergency C-section was performed. Ricardo had been there but it was Dr. Rockbell who performed the operation (thank goodness she had double majored in Medical Science along with genetics).
They thought he might not live. It wouldn't be uncommon; it happened all the time in zoos. Ricardo did not want to become too attached as he knew how fast a new life could be snuffed out from this world. But as he held the tiny little cub in his hands on that fateful day, he knew he wanted him to live. He prayed he would live.
Somehow, despite his lungs being small, despite trouble eating, despite trouble learning to walk, Luke survived. Ricardo was there, caring for the cub like his own child. In some ways, Luke, Cora, and Winter were his children. He had raised them all and watched them grow into healthy fine lions.
The door to the medical room then opened. Two men dressed in Security Uniforms stepped inside now. Ricardo watched them carefully. They were gruff, military types not unlike those in the ACU. Part of that put Ricardo on guard, even though he knew they were here not to harm anyone. At least, not supposed to.
"Dr. Torres, you are wanted at Control."
"Mr. Torres. I don't have a doctorate." Ricardo said as he stood up. One of the officers' stern facade dropped. Now Ricardo couldn't' feel any fear as the man bumblily scratched his goatee like Big Hoss.
"Oh oh, sorry bout that. Well, Mr. Torres anyways…"
Ricardo nodded and stood up. He looked to Kim who nodded to him, she was probably smiling underneath her mask in a way to assure him that Luke was in safe hands.
He stepped out following the Security Officers. They walked down the hallway leaving Luke behind to be healed. All the while Ricardo could hear the sounds of other vets and other animals in rooms all around them.
At one point he heard a loud bellowing grumble that reverberated throughout the building. It startled Ricardo, more so at the loudness which ached his ears somewhat. The two officers, no matter how big or what their experience were, were both scared shitless.
"Was that the T-rex? That had to be the T-Rex right sis?" A young girl's voice echoed in the hallways.
Ricardo turned spotting a young teenager with short hair and a red hoodie run down the hall. That confused him since she appeared way too young to be an employee. But then Ricardo saw Isabella Hernandez step from behind the hallway following the young girl from behind.
"They're cleaning Rexy's teeth. She's had a bad tooth ache." Isabella said. The younger girl seemed to glow in excitement hearing that. Ricardo then began to recognize the girl from the family photos from Isabella's office.
"Hey Isabella, is that your baby sister Ruby?" Ricardo said as he turned away from the Security Officers. The raven-haired Paleo-Vet then noticed him. Her blue eyes stared in confusion as she looked him over. Ruby however was quite annoyed.
"Isabella I'm not you're baby sister! I'm your younger sister, I'm a teenager!"
"Same difference Rubes. Yeah, I finally brought her to Jurassic World. Ruby, this is Ricardo Torres. He's one of our specialists. Really, he's a lion tamer." Isabella said as she held her hands out as if presenting Ricardo on a stage. But as she was taller than he, it awkwardly looked like she was holding her hands around his head.
Ruby looked up to Ricardo. Her eyes looked him up and down. To Ruby, Ricardo definitely looked the part of a guy who worked with wild animals. The black beard and messy dark black hair on his head reminded her of rugged mountain men yet his actual face and expression were young, more like a teenagers. He wore a simple blue cotton shirt that was quite messy looking and over it a leather vest that reminded Ruby of old-fashioned hunters. His pants surprisingly were dark jeans that looked out of place compared to Isabella who proudly wore the uniform grays and tans.
"You work with lions, on a dinosaur island?"
"We're not just cloning dinosaurs here, Rubes. A lot of our genetics work has been put to good use, the research and studying, leading to work in reviving other species. Although I wasn't supposed to tell you that…" Isabella remarked. Her blue eyes then fixed on Ricardo. The young man slightly confused at her sudden serious expression.
"Yeah, I uh, I work with prehistoric lions. We call them "super lions"."
"Like giant ones? Saber toothed lions?" Ruby asked.
"No. Those are saber toothed cats. These are prehistoric lions that onced lived all over the world, from Africa to Europe and most of Asia and even the Americas. Our lions are the American ones, the largest lions to ever live."
Ruby was drawn in to Ricardo's descriptions and the man couldn't help but go on with it. He told Ruby about the animals, how they were enormous and before mankind were the most widespread mammalian species on the planet. How they hunted man and likely halted their progression into the Americas until the recceeding of the global ice sheets. But he went on with things like their bite force, what they ate, their digestion systems, how they were able to run despite their massive body plan arguing that only short bursts should be capable, their brilliant eye sight, how much they had to consume overall in order to actually be able to carry on surviving-
"Why is there blood on you?" Isabella spoke pulling Ricardo from his conversation.
His brown eyes looked down and it dawned on him. He was a mess. His shirt was soaked and caked in blood from Luke and the dilophosaurus. His pants and boots covered in brown mud still and looking much more dishelved. Then there was the large tear on the side of his pants, courtesy of Winter earlier.
"Oh, yeah, um, a lot…. Happened. Luke got injured. He um… him and Cora, and Winter, they kind of killed a dilophosaurus." Ricardo said straight out. But he spoke softly still and somewhat stumbled.
Isabella was speechless. She had so many questions. What happened. Why did it happen.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Ruby asked. Ricardo smiled at the young girl. Then he held a thumbs up. Kim had rubbed off on him.
"You bet. We've got the best vets in the world."
"Mr. Torres, we really must be going." One of the Security officers spoke from behind Ricardo.
The young man then remembered they were still there. He waved at the two Hernandez sisters and then followed the Security Officers down the hall back on their way. Isabella and Ruby still stood where they were, Ruby pulling out her camera and taking a photo all the while.
"He seems nice. Kinda awkward though. But I like him." Said Ruby.
"Yeah. You've no idea." Isabella replied. The type who prefers animals to people, she'd wanted to say. She'd wanted to mention how Ricardo almost always never spoke for so long with people he did not know, or even some people he did know. He was a shy type by his nature.
Perhaps Ruby was just a pleasant soul that Ricardo felt at ease with. Isabella could never tell which people it was that he would feel at most comfortable with. She had taken a long time before he felt comfortable casually talking with her when they weren't working or not about their work. But Isabella was always the type to pick her friends and never give up on the loners. Which was why she and he were friends.
"C'mon Rubes, let's get to my office so I can take you to dinner. Winston's Burgers are the best."
"What? No sis, can we stay longer? Can we see the T-rex please!" Ruby pleaded. Isabella rolled her eyes but smiled back at her sibling.
"It's on the way."
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Images flashed by her. New York. Its tall buildings rising out from the earth towards the heavens. The sky a deep purple like the glow of afternoon. But there were stars, stars all about and shining brighter than they ever had. How was that possible? She didn't know and yet she knew this was real.
Ayaka was back in the city. Yet it was also Costa Rica. She was standing in Central Park and yet down the road on the west side were bars and small houses of San Jose. She walked out of the park and into Costa Rica. She walked up and was back in the jungle. It was raining. There was danger. There was terror.
The roars. She couldn't mistake the roars. The dinosaur was coming after her. Chasing her down. She ran, ran and ran but was getting nowhere. Ayaka turned to look upon the face of the terrible spitter – the dilophosaurus standing tall and its frill extended. But it seemed to grow, its frill fading away, its head becoming bulkier. Its arms shrinking.
It was a Tyrannosaurus rex. The tyrant lizard king. A terrible beast. It was always hungry. Its jaws built for crushing nearly anything. It opened wide and was ready to devour her.
She saw the face of the black bearded man. What was he doing here? What could he do?
Then another roar. A large lion appeared roaring back in defiance at the lizard king.
.
.
.
Ayaka awoke to see a white ceiling above her head. She was thrown off not recognizing her surroundings or remembering what she was doing. But most of all she was thrown off after having been stuck in a dream. A long winding thread of dream.
Why am I so sweaty? Ayaka felt her forehead. She had been warm. She didn't like the feeling much even though she preferred warmth over being cold. Her eyelids were a bit sticky and her chest covered in sweat. She wanted to just take her shirt off but wondered just where she was.
The woman made herself sit up and felt her body ache somewhat. Sitting up so suddenly made her stomach feel a bit nauseous and she laid back down. Her head fell back onto a pillow that was unbelievably soft. That drew her in, it relaxed her. Her eyes closed and she was back in the blackness, the comfort of rest. Perhaps she would go back into sleep, sleep a long time, then wake up again fully rested, and no longer sweaty.
"You got banged up. If you're wondering." Tessa Bridges spoke. Ayaka then noticed the new co-worker. She'd been sitting in a foldable seat that was next to the bed Ayaka was laying in. The younger woman's black eyes watched Ayaka and Ayaka blinked back at her.
Ayaka began truly taking in her surroundings now. She was in the Medical ward, a large room with many beds next to each other. Most were empty but some had occupants. Mostly it was sick tourists but Ayaka could see clearly that some had ACU members on them. But these officers didn't look as bad, merely having bandages here and there.
The worst injured ones were likely elsewhere. In another wing of the Medical Center so as not to cause a panic. Ayaka didn't forget the poor bastard who was struck in the face by the venom. Chances were slim he would get his sight back, but not without Masrani's Medicare doing their damnest to try and save him. Ayaka sat up again and realized they'd changed her clothes when they brought her, removing the straps and protective gear leaving her in the black shirt she wore beneath. But they took her trousers – luckily her bare legs hidden by a blanket.
"Is there water?" Ayaka asked. Her tongue and throat felt unbelievablely dry. Tessa reached for a cup that sat on a nightstand like table next to Ayaka's bed and held it for her. Ayaka sat up and took the cup herself taking a slow but steady drink from it.
The coolness was good. She was feeling a bit better already and had more feeling in her head. Not to mention she felt much cooler now. Ayaka would have dumped some water on her face to fully cool down but in her thirst she drank all of the water. Oh well.
"How long have I been out?" Ayaka said as she wiped her mouth.
"Oh… only about three or so hours. It's dinner time." Tessa responded.
"I see… wait what about Meyers?"
Ayaka then began to remember. The howls of the dilophosaurus. The close call with the beast. Meyers being held beneath its monstrous foot. Being knocked over by the animal. And…
Lions.
No that had to be her imagination.
"I'm fine. I just feel shitty." Meyers spoke. Ayaka turned around to see the blonde woman in a similar bed. She too had her ACU uniform removed but was wearing a hospital gown. She looked a lot different, less military and more like a regular civilian woman. Her head was bandaged and she also was connected to a monitor.
"Meyers… I'm sorry."
"For what? Saving my life? You got the bastard one on one. You carried me on your back all the way to safety. I should be thanking you."
"As should I." Tessa spoke up again. Ayaka looked to her and saw the young woman's expression clearly. She saw her cheeks, dry now but clearly marked by tears streaking her face. Part of Ayaka felt bad that her first day, something so routine that the ACU did without problems every day could turn into such a nightmare so fast.
Ayaka balled her blanket in her fists. But she released them along with a heavy breath. She was glad. Glad that Meyers was okay. Glad that her dear colleague was alive and well. Glad that Tessa was okay, even if a bit shaken. And Ayaka was glad that she herself, was still here.
She moved her toes and her fingers then. She felt everything was there. Part of her had suddenly worried that the big bastard of dinosaur had taken a bite of her. But Ayaka knew that she was whole and okay. Then she removed the blanket and stepped out from the bed. Her feet instantly felt the icy sting of cold tile. But Ayaka did not mind and merely continued walking.
"Hey – hey wait the doctor said –" Tessa spoke up but blushed as Ayaka began walking away, still only wearing her underwear bottoms. She knew she should look away but Tessa found herself watching Ayaka's long, tall fit legs as she walked on. Part of her was jealous, the other part a bit hot and bothered.
"I'm gonna get a drink. I deserve it. You, newbie. Wanna come? Actually, since I saved your life, you owe me one." Ayaka spoke soft and cool, like she always had. Yet her direct honesty and carefree attitude along with the cool calm exterior threw off Tessa Bridges. She didn't know what to do, turning to Meyers for some sort of explanation or answer. Meyers simply closed her eyes.
"She does that. And plus, she's okay – more or less. Just go with her. You'll love her when she's drunk."
Ayaka frowned at her co-worker's response and promptly flipped off Meyers. But Meyers merely flipped her off back with her IV attached arm. Tessa then stood up and followed Ayaka as the formerly injured woman made her way out of the ward and down the hall. Trousers or no trousers, Ayaka was gonna get her well-deserved rum and sugar.
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Jurassic World's Control Center was a large cube like structure of concrete and metal built into the side of the mountain overlooking main street. It stood apart from the other structures in the park looking more akin to a building at NASA or the military. Its material grey and dull compared to the bright green jungle surrounding it – modern, sleek, a symbol of how far ahead Masrani Global had come with technology.
It was a place that Ricardo Torres rarely found himself. He was usually busy with the work with the behavior study and spent much of his time away from the concentration of main street. Being here at the park's Control was a place as alien as being back in civilization. Somewhere he felt out of place.
Now he sat inside a meeting room at control. He was alone. No doubt he smelled from all the sweat, rain, dirt, mud, and blood gathered on him from the past three hours, the first two the physical activity and walking with the Pride, the other the incident. He'd been waiting for twenty minutes now since being brought over and he wondered if and when someone would get here to speak to him. His stomach was growling and he felt dizzy and weak. His body was hungry. He needed sustenance.
I don't want to get sick. He thought as he felt his throat begin to ache in a scratchy like pain. It was still a bit cold as was his chest. He needed a shower, bad. And to take medicine. He had to see to checking on the lions and wanted to not be in poor health. He already had a bad immune system as it was.
The door to the meeting room then opened. Ricardo sat up, out of instinct combing his black fluffy hair with his fingers. He heard the clicking against tile of heeled shoes. Stepping from the doorway was a tall blonde woman in a lab coat. Ricardo blinked and apart of him felt at ease seeing the face of another familiar person. One he liked.
"Glynda."
"Ric- Torres. I heard what happened and came as soon as I could. I… here." The scientist was holding two cups of coffee. Ricardo could smell the piping hot brew – Colombian. His favorite.
"Thanks Glynda. You don't have any snacks, do you?" The man asked as he gingery took the coffee from the woman. He held it softly like one would hold a baby and the sight made Glynda smile.
"Well… I do have these." Glynda snaked her had into her deep lab coat pocket pulling out a opened wrapped package of donuts. They were the small kind, white powdered that you'd find in a vending machine. Vending machines that Ricardo would find himself at in Mainstreet's breakroom whenever he dropped in.
The young man smiled at the geneticist. "You know me so well."
Glynda liked his smile. She though just nodded back at the man handing over the coffee and donuts. He sat back down and she took a seat across from him.
Ricardo didn't waste time and began eating immediately. He ate each donut clumsily, chewing carefully but still eating food without shame. He took gulps of the coffee despite how hot it was – the heat itself soothed his throat and made his chest warm again. The nourishment was helping his body and his head feel a lot better and he continued to thank the blonde geneticist. Glynda held her head in her left hand as she sat across the table from him. Her green eyes taking the young man all in while he didn't notice.
To think he's only barely 26. Barely 21 when we met. And he's in charge of carnivores.
Five years ago was when they'd first met. Glynda had been working for the park since it's opening on Henry Wu's recommendation. Geneticists with her years of experience working for many projects and with experience in cloning species were valuable and Glynda's employment secured when Masrani started plans to open a new park. Her particular background was cloning mammals – now she helped Wu bring to life dinosaurs, which normally hatched from eggs that they created and held for observation.
When Ricardo was brought to Isla Nublar in 2011, Glynda was assigned to the project to bring the extinct American lion to life from the corpse that Masrani recovered two years prior. She had already figured out the code and the method of restoration: live birth. Which was why Ricardo, a young man and animal trainer from a wildlife sanctuary, and a 400 lbs African lion were brought to Jurassic World. His animal would be the surrogate mother, give birth to the prehistoric relative, and the young man would train the animal from their birth into adulthood.
At first they were just mere co-workers, from different areas of expertise needed for this project. Ricardo wasn't exactly science minded either even from what he did understand of geneticist, which may have been what drew him to ask Glynda everything about it.
They'd spent time together. An evening finishing up reports here. Another just talking about their respective work and how each impacted the others there. A lunch or two… or three. Dinner after one very long evening observing the lions when Winter had gotten sick.
Eventually, a sort of friendship bloomed between the two people.
"What exactly happened? I got worried." Glynda asked. Ricardo had licked his thumb of powder as she said this. He awkwardly paused looking straight into Glynda's eyes. For a moment Glynda felt overwhelmed by this, he never looked anyone in the eyes and even then, not very long. But he focused his brown irises onto hers.
"I-" Ricardo was interrupted as the door opened again.
They heard the heels once again, but the careful calculated movements across the marbled floor gave away Claire Dearing before she was revealed. Instantly the smell of a strong vanilla perfume wafted into the room and overtook Ricardo's senses. Glynda noticed this.
Claire was a beautiful and tall redheaded woman. Age 34 and the Park Manager of all of Jurassic World. She was like Ricardo in some ways, young and accomplished. Dressed in all white, with a button up coat and matching skirt, she looked flawless, manager like. Despite obviously looking youthful, Claire also radiated a mature air about her. It was partly what made her a good leader and why she was the one in charge.
Glynda respected Claire for that. To become the Park Operations Manager at her age was a feat in of itself. She'd risen in the ranks going from a mere intern with Dr. Wu, to assistant to Simon Masrani, to now being in charge of every action, attraction, and employee within Jurassic World.
Ricardo looked down as Claire had stepped in. His eyes noticed Claire's heels – they were white like her outfit. She always wore white like the lab people but she didn't work with them. Yet the color looked good on her. Then he looked to Glynda's heels – they were purple, matching her purple blouse. That was Glynda's favorite color as well as green. His eyes looked up at both women. When he thought of Claire and thought of Glynda he thought the two were a lot alike. Both of them were mature, responsible, career focused, and commanding. And they both liked dinosaurs.
Although neither would admit it. Ricardo was observant though and he knew dinosaur fanatics when he saw them. That and from the chances he'd gotten to be around both women he'd gotten to be rather friendly with the two. He would even go as far as to call them friends. And in those rare moments he'd gotten to see them past the veil of authority they'd always had. Claire had a real soft spot for animals and even dinosaurs. Glynda was the same and took interest in the animals she'd create in the lab and seeing them out in the wild. It honestly touched Ricardo when they'd show this side of themselves.
"Ah Ricardo, good to see you again. And Dr. Rockbell I wasn't expecting you. What is that smell?" Claire paused. Her brows furrowed and her nose bunched up as she sniffed the air. Ricardo awkwardly scratched his head.
"Um… I… the smell might be the lions. And the um, the dilophosaurus was bleeding a lot. And I… might've um, stepped into the venom, so um, it's strong. Um. Some got on my clothes, I um…" he couldn't help mumbling the rest of his words. Along with the fact that his voice was naturally soft spoken it made hearing what he was saying difficult by others. Claire raised a brow.
Claire just smiled awkwardly at Ricardo who awkwardly smiled back. She and Ricardo didn't see each other much these days but she did like the man. When he'd started working at the park he didn't know that many people and making friends wasn't that easy for him. When the two first ran into each other it was actually at a broken vending machine in the Visitor's Center. Claire's favorite fruit & health bar was jammed. Ricardo casually snuck it out by popping the machine open with his pocket knife and a wire. After that they'd hung out sometimes for lunch. Other times...
Claire tried not to blush.
"I… I see. Right, you came here immediately I presume, Mr. Torres - sorry, Ricardo. Professional habit. And… Glynda why are you here?" Claire pulled a chair out and sat down.
"Well, when I heard what happened involved animals that I created I made my way over. It's of my concern after all. How they behave could be uncovered from the DNA after all." Glynda stated honestly. At least, half honestly. She tried not to stare back at Ricardo and directed her focus on the woman in white.
"Okay. And the assets, the… Super Lions? Did Simon come up with that?" Claire asked as she read from a tablet. Glynda nodded.
"It was something about a 'more marketable name'. But also, I recall him saying that it was 'cooler' than the scientific name. I didn't argue. At the end of the day, it fits much better than Panthera leo atrox" Glynda said.
"Well… he might have a point. I don't know if kids would be able to pronounce that."
I did. Thought Ricardo.
The young man sipped his coffee still. Perhaps he should have been the one to explain this. They were his animals after all. But he stayed quiet, content with Glynda's explanation in spite of Claire's own misreading. Most children fascinated with prehistoric life – and kids in general, if they had a dinosaur phase – were quite capable at mastering the many complicated names of dinosaurs. Scientific names, genera, species, family, etc. Ricardo could pronounce a lot of those names when he was a kid. And Glynda and Claire did too.
But he didn't speak up. He simply nodded in agreement.
Claire's eyes looked up watching the man. She sat her tablet down and focused her full attention at him. Ricardo could feel an enormous weight as she bore into him. He tried not to get too overwhelmed but he could feel himself grow a little shaky. He knew Claire. She was his boss. They were friends too. But Claire was also damn good at intimidation even when not trying, that's how she got so good at being in charge. That's why some on Nublar called her the "Ice Queen".
"Where are they now? Can you answer Ricardo?"
Ricardo felt his body grow cold all over. But he mustered himself to try and speak. He cast a glance towards Glynda, she not staring at him directly. That in a way eased his mind.
"I… I um, we took Luke back to Paddock 12. I had to um… there was two women, they were injured. I had to um, had to um, send Cora and Winter back to the Paddock on their own. They made it back and um, then the team helped me treat Luke. We took him back um, and then I came here." a knot in his throat as he spoke. He was looking down at the conference table away from Claire. He'd hoped she wouldn't notice and just accept him talking to her anyway.
But she did notice. How could one not notice the mumbles and patterns of odd speech when he talked? Part of her wondered if the man was affected by the incident, but Claire had a suspicion about the lion tamer sitting across from her. Well, had had the suspicion for a while now from all their interactions. When they'd first met he was much quieter. As they got to know each other and it being clear that in some situations Ricardo wasn't that talkative or would ever be. But with the things he knew and with getting closer to people like Claire and Glynda, and only those specific people, it was clear he could speak up enough.
She hadn't spent as much time with her sister or her kids to be as aware of signs of neurodivergence but Claire still knew enough. So, Claire just decided to go for the direct approach.
"Hey Ricardo, it's okay. You can look me in the eye. I'm not here to interrogate you."
Ricardo nodded a bit in repetition.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yes." Ricardo raised his eyes to focus on Claire's eyes.
She had a cool stare, not meant to be intimidating at all. Far from it. But Ricardo didn't like direct eye contact and found it difficult even after just a second of doing it. Even with Claire, even though he knew her well, her stare could intimidate. His mind raced to focus on something else – her actual eye color ironically being what he picked. They were green, like plants and trees. He liked plants and trees because they were green. It was a calming color. Glynda had green eyes too. Vibrant, bright. But there was a comfort in Glynda's eyes that couldn't be put into words. Green eyes.
Actually green was kind of comforting. He could stare at her eyes. Why did he have to be intimidated when green was a good color? He felt his muscles ease up a bit as he relaxed into staring at Claire's eyes. In fact he always liked her eyes, didn't he?
Claire meanwhile had Ricardo figured out as his thoughts went from overwhelmed anguish, to thought spirals beyond. She could tell right away that he was like her nephew. And aside from the thick black beard on his face Ricardo still looked boyish, young. He wasn't much younger than Claire but something in her gut told her that he was less comfortable as an adult, a manager, in the business and management side of the Park. Perhaps he was so specialized and fixated with his particular field that it was what made him qualified for his position. Other than that, he seemed totally out of his element in this room speaking to Claire one on one.
Kind of like Owen. Except, Owen out of his element is a jack ass. Claire rolled her eyes remembering the raptor wrangler. He had a rugged charm but could be insufferable with his gung ho cowboy attitude. Meanwhile, Ricardo Torres, also an animal behaviorist, was totally different. Softer, quieter.
"Ricardo, I just to hear what happened from your perspective. You can take your time with this. Is that okay with you?"
Claire's eyes softened as did her tone. She thought she was dropping her general, icy business tone put on as manager of the Park and her voice now, to ease the man before her was her natural voice. The voice of a wider-eyed redhead who simply loved science. Before she had to grow up to become the career woman she was now.
The door then opened again and another person stepped inside the room. Claire, Ricardo, and Glynda turned their heads to see the head geneticist of Jurassic World enter. Dr. Henry Wu still wore his lab coat and walked with a calm gait. Ricardo didn't see him that often but he did have a sense of respect for the man's work, at least from what Glynda would tell him about Dr. Wu.
"Hello Claire, Glynda, and… Mr. Ricardo Torres. I remembered your name this time. I'm not late, am I?"
"No, actually. I just got here. But why are you here Henry?" Claire asked Dr Wu. The geneticist stepped over pulling out a chair from the opposite end of the table. He was still smiling like he usually was.
"There was an incident regarding several of our assets. I create the assets. Their well-being is of keen… interest, too me." Henry smirked as he let the last words simmer.
Claire accepted the answer, she didn't question his intentions as Henry was a man of science, simple, loving the work. She knew him well – memories of her days assisting labeling test tubes and watching over eggs incubating made her recall the studious minded man. He loved his work – bringing back extinct animals through cloning of acquired DNA – more than anything in the world.
Glynda didn't buy it. She knew Henry had an interest in his creations, but not quite a close relationship like he was implying. But she didn't bring this up.
"That is a lie." Ricardo said all of a sudden. His voice was loud which threw off Claire and Glynda. However, there was no mal intent in his words. He spoke with a much clearer voice. But it was still off, somewhat flat. Claire in particular didn't even know he was capable of speaking at such high a volume.
Dr. Wu raised a brow at lion tamer. "I, beg your pardon Mr. Torres."
"I don't like Mr. Torres. You all can call me Ricardo. That is my name, and my boss Ms. Naomi is usually the one who overlooks when animals escape or incidents happen. She said several times that you are always too busy and stay in the geneticist's lab to step into the park. Therefore, you are lying about why you are here."
Claire could swear her jaw hit the ground. She didn't expect the quiet, shy man she'd been speaking with to suddenly speak up like this. Nor speak up in a way that directly challenged a senior employee like Dr. Wu. His eyes weren't quite focused on Henry Wu but they weren't looking to the ground any more. What threw Claire off more was the confidence in his voice that steadied his cadence. He was like a kid pointing out when their parent contradicted themselves or broke a rule, not in an aggressive or accusatory way. Part of her was reminded of the speech pattern of a Professor or a lecturer. He was simply pointing out his observation.
Glynda couldn't hide the smile from her face now. She felt a wave of pride in the young man standing up and speaking up. He had this in him, she knew, but he was generally nervous, quiet around people. But he could speak quite articulately when he fully understood something or was speaking of something he was quite informed in. Right now, it was his animals. Her eyes then looked back to Henry. She knew her old friend had been lying and now she could see how the man felt when being caught out. He was truly surprised for once in his life.
Henry had dropped his smirk but he didn't seem angry at the lion tamer. But as quickly as he'd dropped his smile he was back to it. The geneticist took his seat and folded his hands onto the table. If he was angry, or at the least momentarily miffed, none of that showed in his facial or body expression at all.
"I see. Well, then yes. It is true that this incident has particular interest to me. Ricardo, your animals are part of the behavior study. The information gathered from the research is vital to the program. As well as the animals themselves. I wish to know what happened as it could be critical to understand the genetics better."
Wu didn't mind revealing this much. It wouldn't arouse Claire's suspicions and he doubted Ricardo would ask more questions beyond that. The young man was no scientist, nor did his interest pertain to Wu's genetics work behind the park. Ricardo was hired like every other zoologist at Jurassic World to work in the field, with the actual animals. The lab was for the real magicians behind the curtain.
But Glynda was one of those magicians. Nay, she could be Henry's equal. A wizard of genetics. Part of him was wary of how much his old friend was reading into the situation.
"Anyways…" Claire turned to focus back to Ricardo. Ricardo looked away from Wu to Claire now. His focus turned to her white coat. Her entire attire was all white but it looked almost impossibly immaculate. This alone fascinated him. It also distracted him from his fear of speaking.
"I was taking the lions out for a walk."
"You – hang on you what?" Claire's confused voice startled Ricardo.
"I was, I, um, walking with the lions. I… I do that…every three days in and near the Restricted Area. It is part of their exercise."
The redheaded woman wasn't sure what to say. Now her follow up questions, why the lions were outside of their paddock was answered. But that didn't explain why this was apparently a regular occurrence. How had she not known about this? The wellbeing of the assets and if they were out of containment were her top priority in order to main the security of the park and safety of the visitors. She was always the first to know at Control – that was the point of her job. And apparently this shy animal trainer had been doing just that with Claire not having any clue.
"I… you've taken the assets outside of their paddock, and this is routine?" Claire steadied her voice. She could tell Ricardo was easily affected and loud or raised voices seem to make him retreat into his shell. Part of her was reminded of speaking to Gray.
"Yes, yes, Claire, I've done it for a while now since they've been grown. But I walk them in the Restricted Area since it's out of the ways of any tourists or other dinosaurs on exhibit. It helps them mentally and for physical activity outside of being within a confined space. Because they're so large and they're going to keep growing they can't be content with just the paddock." Ricardo said. His voice sounding all the more confident and clearer than earlier.
"Claire, this is what is required of his work. He has authorization from Naomi Okoye." Glynda spoke up. Claire furrowed her brows towards the older woman.
"You knew about this?"
"Yes. I was at the meetings to approve it." Glynda responded to the redhead.
"As did I. As I said, the animals that are a part of the study are of a particular interest to my work." Wu said.
Claire did not believe this. This… this was actually frustrating. More than that to a point. Claire brought her firm index fingers up to rub her temples now. She could feel herself become more than personally annoyed at this and she did not want to let it get to her. Rather she decided to continue on speaking.
"I've already had a word with Hamada about what transpired today. As per his word, the dilophosaurus escaped in a freak occurrence. An actual bolt of lightning struck their transport which let them loose. There's nothing that could've been done to stop that much. So, you are not entirely at fault, Ricardo. But… I think it is best if we revoke these privileges to let them out of the Paddock for the time being."
Ricardo then looked up at Claire. The Park Manager blinked as he watched her, his eyes serious, expression worried.
"But it wasn't their-"
"I understand. I will speak more with Dr. Okoye to understand the reasons for this. Why this is aloud at all. But they are still large predators. They were out in the open while this incident was happening. What if they hadn't gone after the asset and instead one of the any Security Personnel? What if your two lionesses hadn't gone back to their Paddock and run into Security or other Employees?".
Ricardo felt himself wilt again. He looked down now and his focus was down to his boots and their laces. He knew why he took them out of the Paddock. It was for their mental well being, because they were large animals that would get bored or at worst depressed by being confined to their small enclosure. He knew this, he could argue this. But… he was withered by the authority, the louder way of speaking that had overwhelmed him all his life.
Claire could tell he was getting back into is shell. She softened. "I recognize that you know what you are doing. I don't doubt the trust that was placed into your hands Ricardo. You… you're a responsible man, I don't doubt your ability or methods, but this is a question of safety that takes priority."
When was it last that she spoke so warmly to an employee? Claire couldn't recall. Her job didn't normally see the use of a gentle approach. Her underlings at Control knew her to be the cold calculated clinical park Manager because that was what worked. That was what made the Park run smoothly. Speaking to Ricardo, going the opposite of that persona the job knew her by, made Claire feel a little warm too.
The lion tamer raised his head, now his eyes focusing on Claire's, holding that direct contact. From Ricardo's expression, how his eyes softened, the look of worry and anxiety fading from his features, her warm approach worked. She couldn't help but smile at him, the kind of smile that surely showed off her dimples in her cheeks.
"I understand. It's not a problem." Said Ricardo.
"Mr. Torres," Wu spoke up. The lion tamer didn't look at the geneticist. Glynda watched Ricardo noting he was already quite overwhelmed by the conversation. He was also tired too, likely wanting to get out of Control and back to the Paddock. "Their walks, you at least take them out of the Paddock three to four times a week, correct?"
"Yes. It, I started because, because it was what helped Etosha. She was – she was Luke's mom. The surrogate. Back on the mainland, at the Sanctuary, she seemed to do better mentally when taken on walks as well as the – the, the enrichment. T-the same works with our Pride." Ricardo said. He went back and forth from speaking clearer and louder to softer. But luckily everyone was seated so close that the other three could hear the man anyways.
"I see. Behavior wise, there are no issues. They've shown no aggression, no challenges to your authority? The only reason they took off from you was… instinct?"
Ricardo sat still only reaching for his coffee and taking more sips. He was nearly wholly warm now, the soreness in his throat faded away. He was quiet for a while after that. Wu, Glynda, and Claire watching and waiting for his response. Glynda in particular feared he was all talked out. He would get suddenly silent when he didn't have more to say. It was like the energy was gone from him. The man however raised his head now holding his eye contact better with the three.
"I think they took off to protect me. I, well, lions in the wild, t-they defend their territory from predators or other lions all the time. That's that's lions, that's what lions do. Something in them must have known that the dinosaur, that other predator, was in the area. I was trying to load them onto the truck to take them back when they just ran off without warning. But I think, because I was there, they had a feeling to protect me until the threat was done."
It was a thought that was a huge possibility. But there was no way to have tested this before. So it remained inconclusive at best.
Ricardo's eyes widened then. His mouth forming an 'O' as he literally said 'oh'. Glynda almost wanted to pinch his cheek.
"There was something else! W-when when they attacked the dilophosaurus, there was two women from the ACU. They were injured b-but when Cora and Winter killed the dinosaur, they they didn't pay any attention to them. I don't know why. I got there, and they were just… there. Wild lions, or any animal really, they would've investigated, they're carnivores. But they, they just ignored them."
"I see. How very interesting." Wu said, now sitting back. Glynda eyed her old friend warily but turned to ask Ricardo another question instead.
"Just to clarify, you don't mean to say that they're subservient to you? It was just them being protective, like any other animals closely bonded to a person."
Ricardo nodded to Glynda. "Yeah, yeah no yeah. It's not like, I didn't tame them. That's a possible thing to do. But they're not gonna do my bidding or follow orders like attack dogs. They just, its just um, they're… they like me."
"Well, that is good to know." Claire said, as if she only understood that much. Truth be told she had a much clearer understanding. Taming large animals was possible, it was done all around the world by amateurs and trained wildlife professionals. But domestication was understood to be impossible. There was no way this young man, however gifted, could domesticate these super lions in a quick time.
No doubt they were just acting like animals. Acting on instinct. They cannot be controlled.
Part of Claire disliked that. Control… she could very well say she had it, and there was a truth in that. She controlled the park, controlled each computer technician at their stations who helped control and operate each department and function of the Park. They controlled the operating systems which ran the machines, other systems, vehicles, fences, and more which made the Park operational. There wasn't much that was not within Claire's control.
But Wu had long ago instructed her on Control. That in reality, no one had control. Life, fate, chaos, whatever you called it, was in truth real control. Nature did as it pleased. Claire had no control over animals that were out of the paddock or what actions they would take. She had no control of the weather which was the cause of the escape of two dinosaurs. She had no control of their actions and the people they maimed and injured when they got out.
"We've never had control Claire. That's the illusion. We are illusionists behind the curtain that is Control."
Wu's words echoed in Claire's mind. She looked to the man now who sat still. Even after years of being his intern, of helping him closely with his work, Claire sometimes still found Wu to be an enigma. Only Glynda Rockbell truly could read him, better than anyone else.
"May I go now? I'll write a report if you need me too. I just want to make sure Luke is okay." Ricardo spoke up again. Claire blinked before nodding and sitting up from her seat.
"Yes, yes you may leave now. I think we have a clear picture of what transpired. The restriction on taking them out of the Paddock will remain until I say it is safe to. Thank you again, Ricardo Torres." Claire smiled and held her hand out for him to shake. The young man awkwardly reached out and gently held her hand, shaking it like he was holding a delicate flower.
Claire felt the roughness of his tan hands. It seemed like his fingers and palms were scarred. But what struck her was how strong his grip was. He didn't look like a weak person but from the way he talked she didn't take Ricardo for a particularly strong person. Then again, his work might've required a certain level of it.
She turned around and made way to leave out the door. Henry Wu stood up and silently followed the Park Operations manager. But he cast a side glance towards Ricardo then back to Glynda. Wu's old friend watched the scientist with a wary stare.
"He's definitely your type." Wu said as he stepped out and left. Glynda's cheeks reddened.
Now only Ricardo and Glynda remained in the room, alone again. Their coffee now finished. The wrapper of donuts remained on the table. Ricardo then stood up from his seat, Glynda following suit.
Glynda turned to look at Ricardo. She stood taller than he and looked down into his eyes. He noticed her gaze and focused his brown eyes on the woman before him. Then he smiled before he let out a tired yawn.
"Well, I'm gonna head back. Thanks so much for the coffee, you're a life saver Glynda." Ricardo said. He grabbed his empty cup and made way to toss it in a nearby trash bin. After that he would walk to the door and be out on his way.
Glynda stopped him before he could leave. The young man turned around to face Glynda standing directly in front of him. The tall blonde geneticist reached her hands out and took his right hand in hers.
"How about dinner? I mean, it's a bit late, I know you haven't eaten. My work is done for the day and… I like your company." She knew she had to be direct. When you wanted something from Ricardo Torres, you had to be clear, direct with your intentions. Otherwise, things would go over his head.
The young man stared up into Glynda's green eyes. He loved how they shined; her eyes were one of many beautiful features about her. She was a striking woman. Clueless and quiet as he may be, he wasn't ignorant of that. Ricardo nodded to her, his fingers entwining in her hand now.
"I'd like that. We can swing buy at the Paddock afterwards." He led the woman out of the room. Glynda walking in pace with him, her soft fingers gripping his hand.
Notes:
Original Character Notes:
Naomi Okoye. She's the head of Behavior and really sort of a Muldoon in being in charge of all the dinosaurs with a background working with wildlife. Naomi is also wholly original, not taking particular inspiration from anyone. She is Nigerian, older than most of the cast with more hardened experience. Naomi is the boss of Owen Grady and Ricardo Torres and yes, she's the one they should be turning in their reports to.
Ricardo Torres. Our protagonist, a lion tamer similar to real life cases of people who have very special bonds with otherwise dangerous carnivores and wildlife. There are several real-world people who work with big cats that you could see shades of in Ricardo. But mostly wholly original. Has Aspergers too which adds a bit to why he's better with his very specific job than with people.
Ayaka Katsuragi. She takes her given name from the protagonist from the manga Witchcraft Works, and her surname from the iconic character Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Like Misato, Ayaka has a military career background – in her case, the United States Marines. But appearance wise, Ayaka resembles her first name sake more. Somewhat sharing a similar personality but more open, sociable, and relaxed in comparison to the rest of the ACU. In that sense, a lot like Misato when she's got her downtime but Ayaka when she's in action.
Glynda Rockbell. She is a best friend of Dr. Henry Wu and is also a mirror to Wu, a science-based character who shows the good of science over evil. She's close to his age. Unlike Wu is warmer, more open and comfortable with other people and sharing those bonds. I also wanted to have a character who is a woman of middle age but portrayed like real rad older women, who are scientists, career women, kicking ass in fields like science or engineering, etc. Glynda is the older woman character I never see in media that really should be in more stuff.
Luke, Cora, and Winter. Their names are significant. Luke being a word for "Light" similar to Lucas. Cora is named after Kora National Park in Kenya, where the famous "father of lions" George Adamson re-wilded Elsa the lioness and Christian the lion. Winter takes her name from Winter Schnee from RWBY, since she is a white lion.
In Chapter 1's notes I mentioned their inspiration, the discovery of two frozen prehistoric lion cubs in Siberia and how work to actually clone them is still being done to this day. The method that is desired is the same method which is how our fictional Pride is born: using a surrogate mother of a closely related species. It's mostly just theory and some would argue the offspring would be hybrids or a brand-new animal, not the same prehistoric animal even if it greatly resembles it. That's what sparked the idea to incorporate non-dinosaurs into the story. Glynda's background ties into this science.