Author's Note: If Matt seems a bit out of character, it was on purpose. I wanted him to act in a surprising way.

Chapter 5: Matt's Public Announcement

Matt stood in front of an anomaly.

"Nice and easy, Matt," said a young woman named Erin. She wore a navy skirt suit. She was a little overdressed for the field, but she was a professional reporter and always dressed the part.

"I'm a little uncomfortable with speaking on camera," said the Irishman.

"Don't worry. It's just me and the crew. Oh, and the Captain."

Becker, leaning against an ARC truck, EMD hanging around his neck smiled and waved.

Matt rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and he's always so helpful."

Becker chuckled. "Make him sing."

Erin laughed. "No singing. No music of any kind. I know you're quite the video star, Captain."

Becker laughed and blushed.

"I'm afraid though that this will be a straight, boring public awareness type commercial."

"See, you spoiled it for the rest of us Captain. They don't want any more of you," teased Matt.

"Actually, the videos are very popular," said Erin.

Becker made a face at Matt.

"However, Mr. Lester appears to be concerned that they are too sensational and not informative enough."

"Right. Just like Becker."

"Don't call me sensational, Matt. It's weird."

He laughed. "I meant that you've become a sensation. Jess told me all about the mob of fan girls."

Becker groaned. "I love that girl, but sometimes she needs more chocolate in her mouth."

Matt laughed.

Erin went on directing, "Matt, I want you to briefly explain why the anomaly is very dangerous."

"Big things come out and eat you."

"Yeah, you're bad at the informative thing, Becker," said Matt.

Erin chuckled. "You'll be great, Matt. Just act normal, like you're talking to a friend."

"Right," said Matt. He looked nervous. "Hope I don't get stage fright," he mumbled.

"OK, Matt…You're on," said Erin.

Matt nodded. He looked at the camera. Then all the nervousness left his body. He switched on the charm, looking right into the camera and smiling.

"Hi, there. I'm with the ARC. I handle anomalies and incursions for a living. I deal with the danger so you don't have to." He was very suave, almost over-doing it.

Becker shook his head, chuckling.

"Behind me is an anomaly. You should never go near one. They are extremely dangerous," said Matt. Then a roar came through.

"Heads up! We've got incoming!" yelled Becker, jumping into action. He urged Erin and the crew back, and aimed the EMD at the anomaly.

Matt stayed in public announcement mode. He smiled cheekily. "We're about to see why."

"Do you have to look so happy?" asked Erin.

"Sorry Erin," he said. "You're about to get an exclusive."

Erin's two man crew was excited.

"Yeah! I want to see some dinosaurs! Imagine, catching them on film," said Lenny, the cameraman. He was in his late twenties. He was skinny and always wore a scruffy blue jacket.

Moe was older, plumper and very quiet. He was the sound man. He didn't speak, but grinned widely at the anomaly.

"You two are crazy," whispered Erin. "I was praying we wouldn't see an incursion up close."

Just then a raptor ran through.

"Cool!" cried Lenny.

Moe nodded.

Erin shrieked. She was so panicked that she accidentally hit Becker's arm, causing him to miss.

"If you're caught in this situation," said suave Matt to the camera. "Remember to stay calm."

"My advice would be to run," said Becker calmly, running to the truck.

Matt kept speaking to the camera, "Never, ever do what we're about to do," said Matt. He winked to the camera and ran to the truck

"Wait for us!" cried Lenny. "Come on Moe."

The two men jumped into the truck with Matt and Becker.

"Erin, you coming?" asked Matt.

She shook her head in stunned silence.

"No worries, we'll get the shots!" cried Lenny. Moe nodded.

They drove off.

Moe's sound system caught the action inside the truck.

"After it, Becker!"

"Thank you, Matt. That wasn't obvious."

"It's going to change direction."

"It isn't, Matt."

A few seconds later the dinosaur changed direction.

"Told you."

"Big deal," said Becker.

"Watch the turn!"

"Passengers will kindly refrain from irritating the driver," Becker said calmly as her maneuvered the truck to chase the dinosaur across a park.

"Look at it run!" cried Lenny, filming outside the open window. "This is incredible! I'm getting it all on film!" He was giddy with delight.

"We need to get it before it finds people."

"Also not obvious. Matt, if you must talk, say something actually helpful."

"Fine. Watch out, we're going to hit that wall!" screamed Matt as a large gray cement wall appeared closer and closer.

"I'm driving! I know what I'm doing. I have a plan!"

"Seriously? You aren't paid to think, you know," said Matt.

Becker smiled and swerved slightly. The wall was replaced by the raptor directly in line with the truck.

"Oh, so you're plan is not to hit the wall, but to smash into the raptor. Nice."

"Trust me," said Becker. He continued driving close to the dinosaur, but stopped just before he hit. He then turned sharply, even closer to the raptor. Now, however, the wall came back into view.

"Oh, actually this works," said Matt. "I apologize. You did have a thought. For once."

Becker smiled, still turning the truck, until finally he stopped abruptly, trapping the raptor between the truck and the wall.

"What a ride!" cried Lenny.

Moe nodded.

"We got some great stuff for the commercial."

"We aren't done yet," said Matt.

The two ARC men got out of the truck as the raptor kept wriggling in its trap, trying to get free.

"You want to do it?" Matt asked.

Becker shrugged. "Don't care. You do it."

"Are you still filming?" asked Matt.

Lenny nodded.

"You've gone Hollywood, haven't you?" asked Becker.

Matt smiled. He looked at the camera, then turned and stunned the dinosaur with an EMD. Then he turned back to the camera. "That is how we catch the creatures and keep the streets and you safe." Then he actually struck a heroic pose.

Becker groaned. "I don't believe it."

"Afraid of competition?"

Becker shook his head. "No. You can have the limelight."

"Excellent, Mr. Anderson," said Lenny. "Even though I'm just a camera man, but I thought you rocked!"

Moe nodded.

Another car pulled up. Erin got out. She walked toward them, until she saw the raptor. "Is it dead?"

Matt shook his head. "No, but it's harmless, Erin."

"It does not look harmless."

"It is," said Matt. "Promise. Come on, Becker. Let's load it in the truck and put it back through the anomaly."

"Don't you want to let the camera know what you're doing?" asked Becker with a smirk.

"Oh, I'm filming," said Lenny. Moe nodded, activating the sound equipment.

Matt smiled. He adopted his 'Hollywood' charm. "Let's send this creature home."

Erin sighed. "I had intended to appear on film, interviewing you."

Becker laughed. "Sorry, Erin. Matt's fallen in love."

"I can't help it if I have the presence of a star."

Becker shook his head.

Erin said, "It may have not been planned, but still, it is what we were supposed to document: everyday life in the ARC."

"Good," said Matt.

"But, I'm staying well back from that thing."

"Smart," said Becker.

Matt nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Erin that gives me an idea."

Becker laughed as Matt turned on the charm, looking at the camera and saying, "Remember, these aren't harmless lizards. Keep your distance. Let us handle it. It's not just our job; it's our life's work." He flashed a brilliant smile.

"You're a ham," said Becker.

Matt smiled. "I can't help it. I think I missed my calling. I should have been in the telly biz."

Erin shook her head. "Stick to what you know."

Becker laughed. "Ouch, Matt."

Matt blushed.

"I didn't mean it like that. You aren't bad…"

"But?" teased Becker. Matt turned redder.

"Stop putting words in my mouth, Captain," pleaded Erin.

"I stink at acting, huh?"

"No, not at all, Matt. We just need you out there, getting these things off the streets."

"Nah, she's being polite," said Becker.

"Stop it!" cried Erin.

"It's Ok. Becker loves to tease me."

"You're right. I do."

"Can we please get rid of this…creature?" asked Erin.

"Sure, no problem," said Becker. They lifted the raptor up and pushed it through the anomaly. "Go on, Matt; dazzle the audience one last time."

Matt tried not to, but he couldn't help it. He struck a pose and said, "Now it's back where it belongs. Even better, no one was hurt. "

"That's it? Where's the style, Matt?" teased Becker.

"We're done here," Erin said, motioning to the crew. "I need a drink."

"Never drink and dino hunt," said Becker, mimicking Matt, but way over-doing it by puffing out his chest and flashing a giant, cheesy smile.

The others burst out laughing.

"I'm the ham?" asked Matt.