The Acura Of Life
Hey guys, Vaporzz here! I'm so happy you guys are liking the story so far, and yes I know, it's been a long time. Sometimes life just gets in the way. Now, not much to say, so why don't we jump right in to where we left off.
Chapter 3: The calm before the storm
Welcome to Jurassic World. It still had an odd ring to it, to be working at this place, a place that for the most part, should not even exist. It's been a week since I accepted Wu's proposal to work here full time as the caretaker for our upcoming Acrocanthathosaurus, and yet, there's no dinosaur to carefor. Obviously that's not Wu's fault, you can't rush an egg to hatch, especially one as important as this one. For the time being, I've kept to myself aside from the small tasks I've been given from Wu. This consists of either paperwork, or helping other caretakers with our current species. From what I've seen, we have 17 species, ranging from large herbivores to tiny carnivores. It's slated that our Acro will be the newest addition to the park, moving our species count to 18.
I've been looking up and researching the best I could about my new partner, but not much is known about it. Basic information, a 40 foot long 6 ton theropod from the early cretaceous. 60, 1 inch dagger like teeth meant for cutting and tearing instead of crushing. Surprisingly, they were believed to be quite social, which kinda has me worried, more so when she's young. She needs siblings to help her grow social skills and learn basic acts. From what Wu has told me, it should be another couple of weeks before my partner is ready to hatch, and to be completely honest, I'm way too excited for my own good. I was very 50/50 on working here when I got here, but now I'm sure this is what I want to be. It's almost like I'm little me again, living my dreams of being an expert on dinosaurs, although I'm nowhere near an expert. I glance up from my computer, and look out the window of my room. All Jurassic world employees are housed in Hotel 4, and it's basically where they all hang out after or during their shifts. Personally, I like the piece and quiet, however that won't last much longer.
I close my laptop and walk out to the balcony and look over the lagoon where our Mosasaur is living, if you can even call it one. From what I've seen that animal is over 100 feet long, compared to the 50 feet it's based on. My thoughts drift widely looking over the lagoon, and I watch the sunset over Mount Sibo, our dormant volcano. For all the madness and danger this place could cause, the views never get old. The sound of my phone ringing brings me back to reality as I walk back into my room to check it. I hop into bed and pick up, "Hello? This is Miceala bronze speaking". "Hey Miceala It's Wu, I don't know if you've heard but Claire is hosting our first staff meeting and was just letting you know to come". "Oh, I didn't know about it" as I shift out of bed to check what I should wear. "Ya it's nothing serious so you can com in basic clothing, nothing crazy". Red sweater and black shorts it is, as I put on my clothes. "It'll be at the innovation center, down the fossil corridor". "Perfect, thanks for the info Wu". I hang up and start putting on my boots, staff meeting eh, ugh I hope it's nothing serious, I have to get up early to help Jannet with her baby trike. I make my way out of my room and out of the hotel. For a tropical island Nublar can get pretty chilly at night. I start walking faster to get to the Innovation center quicker. I round the corner of main street and there it is, light brightly lit per usual. I make my way down the street, with restaurants and bars serving their customers, and everything seems calm and collected. I reach the steps and walk up, opening the doors and heading down the fossil corridor. I open the door slightly, looks like I'm a bit late, everyones already in their seats
I make my way down an aisle and sit next to a very good looking guy if I'm being honest. He smiles at me and I smiled back as I look up at the stage. Hearing Claire's typically loud heals walks onto stage and head to the mic. "Hello everyone, I'm so happy to see you all and our first week at Jurassic World is finished. A loud clap ensued as everyone was very much excited as the park was full every day of the week, It was a great start to a prosperous future. "As for the report, the park made a whopping 20 million dollars in its first week, a global record set by any amusement park or zoo. Now i'd like to hand the mic to our head scientist Doctor Henry Wu!". More cheers roared as Wu walked on stage.
"Thank you miss Dearing and thank all of you for a first great week, it's been amazing and we have you to thank, our great staff. Now, I want to introduce the backbone of our operations, the dinosaur handlers themselves". Oh no, I'm really not prepared to go on stage, please don't call me Wu. Wu began naming personnel, along with the species they handle. I took a few down as more important, Veronica, the handler for our Tyrannosaur, average build, black hair with glasses. Micheal, the handler for our Suchomimus,pretty short guy to be honest, blonde hair with a pretty strong looking build. Roberta, the handler for our pair of Metriacanthosaurus, Very tall woman, at least 6'4, brown hair with very young girl like features. "Next up, Miceala Bronze, handler for our upcoming Acrocanthasaurus". A surprising amount of cheers and claps came, guess that's what happens when you get a popular attraction. I walk up the stage and gave a little wave.
A couple questions are yelled from the seating area as I'm reaching the podium.
"Micela, we were curious what you are gonna name our newest attraction when she is born!".
I was kind of taken back, I have not really narrowed down any names yet for her". I look up, Sadly I have not narrowed down a name yet for my partner, but I can assure you I'll have one before her birth. The other staff member seemed saddened, but seemed to respect that im putting thought into it. I sit down as the last caretaker is called. "Finally our Final handler, Owen Grady, Caretaker for our… Henry seems to hesitate hard, is he just stuttering? He seems to compose himself and finishes his sentence, "Owen Grady, caretaker for our upcoming pack of Velociraptors.
The entire crowd and everyone on stage were completely silenced. Wu's actually doing it, he's bringing back Velociraptors. I glanced at the crowd, and everyone looked in shock. I don't blame them, the horrors those animals have as well as their intelligence is frankly, movie monster like. You cannot ignore the chaos those animals caused in the initial Jurassic Park breakout. It was a bloodbath, mostly caused by the raptors. Claire quickly jumps in to end the awkward silence, "Thank you Doctor for introducing our Caretakers, now who wants to get some food and drinks." A unanimous applause confirmed their answer as everyone began to shuffle out of their seats to head to the lounge for some food and refreshments. I stay on stage waiting for everyone to leave before I get up myself.
As I get up, I notice Wu walking over to me with Owen, the Raptor caretaker. "Hey Miceala, I wanted you to formally meet Owen, he didn't really get a great first impression". I look to the side of see Owen looking around the auditorium and looking unmoved by said reaction. "Well to be fair Wu, they are extremely dangerous animals, and the reputation they have is less than stellar." I grab Owens attention and mention "However, that does not mean we should judge Owen so harshly, in fact it's a compliment they think you can tame raptors. I'd be quite happy to know our raptors aren't as deadly as the ones in the 1993 incident". Owen raises his eyebrows, "Ms. Bronze is it? As much as it seems you'd like that these raptors will be docile, it won't be the case. They are pack hunters, and very intelligent. You can't control that kind of instinct, only nullify it to be used in certain situations". Owen Chuckled and said "At Least I'll be able to imprint on them and be some sort of father/alpha figure to them."
I sigh a breath of relief, and Wu tells us he's gonna depart. Me and Owen waved him off and we both start walking to the lounge. "So, enough about me, pardon my rudeness but I wasn't really paying attention to the other handlers, what dinosaur are you caring for?" I smile, "Don't worry, it was a long meeting, and I'll be the handler for our Acrocanthosaurus".
He slowed down a bit, and regained his pacing. "You're gonna be the handler for that? Sorry for my assumptions but I saw you more as a herbivore caretaker." Apart from the very odd remark I keep my composure, "yup, it won't be easy, trust me". Owen watched me closely as we made our way to the lounge.
We opened the doors and the place was bustling, people avoiding each other, looking for the best table, and food. "You know, I think I'll head home, I'm not feeling a crazy party". Owen laughed, "Sure thing, cya around Miceala, was nice meeting you". Same to you, I yell as I make my way out of the center and begin my small walk to my hotel. I walk slowly as I soak in the beautiful gust of wind on the chilly evening. For a pretty modern built park, it still has some older vibes at night.
I sat down on a bench near the Mosasaur exhibit, and looked up at the sky. Hard to believe I'm here, an employee here. Am I prepared for this? Will I be successful? Everyone has so much trust in me, to complete my tasks and bring this Dinosaur up from hatchling to adulthood. I haven't even done anything yet and they believe so much in me. Is it because I was a caretaker at the zoo? That's not even on the same level as this.
I get up and start pacing, I usually start pacing heavily when I stress myself up or I'm put in Stressful situations. My condition is usually related to my high blood pressure which I was diagnosed with when I was 15 years old. Ya, I know what you are thinking, how could someone with high blood pressure be caretaking a Dinosaur. Well, my stress level is usually very low when I'm working with animals, so it's kinda perfect for me.
I control myself and tell myself it's time for me to head back to my room, I've got more work to finish before the week is up. I walk by most of the exhibits, with most of the Dinosaurs inside fast asleep or were attempting to sleep. Before I head back to my room, I wanted to check one last Exhibit. Making my way down main street and turning right, I came across the last Exhibit, Tyrannosaurus Kingdom. Home to Our resident T. Rex, Rexy, the original Rex from Jurassic park. She's definitely a bit older now, she was only 4 years old during the original incident, but her enhanced growth cycle caused her to become full grown 3 times faster than normal.
I make my way to her viewing port, a large fake fallen log, viewing her feeding area as well as most of her enclosure. I spotted her in the moonlight at the far left of her enclosure, fast asleep between 2 large trees, most likely where she set up her nest. It always shocks people how such a large animal could look so peaceful while asleep, but I find her to be beautiful, a little frightening but hey that's a given. I notice movement coming from the right of the enclosure, and out of the brush, it's Martin! He's the assistant Rex handler, guess he's grabbing the remains of Rexy's meal.
I knocked on the glass slightly, hoping he will notice without being too loud. He glances up and puts a big smile on his face as he continues to pick up bones from Rexy's feeding area. He's done this plenty of times I'm sure, and I realise I'll probably have to do this unless I get my own assistant. I giggle thinking about him doing all the dirty work. Well I wave him goodbye as I turn to make my way back to my room, I glance at the back of the paddock…. And my heart drops.
Rexy, she's…, she's not at her nest anymore. I run to the viewing vent banging on the glass to warn Martin. He looks up to me and tells me to be quiet by putting his finger over his mouth. I frantically start looking for where she could be.
I notice movement closer to the feeding area, and I my heart basically stops. She's stalking Martin, she's not even 50 feet away from him now. I start screaming and bamging the glass to get his attention but he ignores me. I remember there's a button next to every viewer that will set an alarm in the enclosure and to our ACU team. I run over to it and smash the button as the alarm begins to ring.
I run back to the viewing area as Martin finally noticed Rexy stalking him, and begins to bolt to the nearest exit door. Rexy lets out a thunderous roar as she bolts from her ambush position to chase Martin. All I can do is watch as Martin gets closer to the exit.
Rexy is just out of her prime, but she's still really fast. My heart jumps as Martin stumbles on a stick as he reaches the door. Rexy attempts to grab him as he closes the small human sized door, barely dodging Rexy's bite.
I fell over on the wall as my heart almost stops on me. A couple minutes later the ACU team arrived with a medical team in tow. Claire and Wu also arrived on the scene as well as Rexy let out another thunderous roar before exiting back into the forest. I laid on the floor as the medical team inspected me and grabbed a stretcher to take me to the ambulance. Claire and Wu bent over to see if I was okay.
"Dear god Miceala are you okay? Your Heart Rate is through the roof." As Wu walked with my stretcher to the ambulance. "Is… is Martin okay?" I could barely muster out of my mouth.
"Ya he's okay, Just a couple of bumps and bruises. He was an idiot for entering Rexy's paddock without putting her to sleep, that's part of the routine before entering her feeding area." Claire answered with some dread behind it.
This was the first incident on any scale that has occured in Jurassic world since it's opening. This was all a wake up call for staff all around the park, these animals are no joke, they are dangerous and will attack you if they feel threatened or hungry. I was taken to the Jurassic World medical facility with Martin later that night, and I slept there overnight. Martin thanked me for what felt like thousands of times, as if I didn't push that button, he would have never made it out alive. I decided to sleep, enjoying the comfy hospital bed, falling into a deep sleep.
I was woken up the next morning with the sounds of Wu yelling at the nurses to wake me up. I rose up ad\nd was curious what was going on. I got up and made my way over to the doorway.
"I NEED TO SEE HER NOW!" As Wu continued to yell. "I'm sorry Doctor but Ms. Bronze needs to rest after her incident last night." I looked over the clock, "It's 9am, it's not exactly super early. I guess I'll see what's up." I walk into the doorway and Wu's attention switches completely to me. "MICEALA, you need to come to the incubation room NOW!"
"Wu calm down, what is going on?" he shoves his way through the nurses and grabs my hand. "The egg Miceala, it's hatching".
My eyes went wide eyed, how can it be hatching so early? No, it's way too early, there must be something wrong. I run to get my coat, I have to get to the incubation room, I need to know what's happening to my animal.
Well guys, hope you liked this chapter, looks like something is wrong with our little hero, and it looks like she's trying to come into this world a little too early.
This chapter has definitely been overdue, and you guys have waited far longer than you should have. I'll be writing daily now so hopefully the chapters come out much quicker than before.
As always, review, and let me know what your most excited about and what you think is wrong with our little hero. Until next time, Vaporzz out :P.