Timing and action I've always struggled with. Trying to balance fighting and action scenes with so many characters. So sorry this sucks so much. I've really put off working on the majority of this chapter because... YOU WILL SEE! 8D HOPE YOU STILL THINK I'M AWESOME!
Raptor
Chapter 33: Resurface
"Claire, honey, you have to snap out of it." Zara said loudly. She was leaning inside the cab of the truck, waving her arm in front of Claire's eyes. "Claire? Claire!" The redhead was seemingly catatonic, sitting in the passenger seat. Her eyes were cast forward and she wasn't moving. She hadn't said anything since Zara forced her into the seat roughly.
"Is she okay?" Gray asked softly, standing just behind Zara. He was standing on his toes, trying to see over her.
Zara nodded quickly and straightened up. "Yes. She's fine." She breathed out. "She's just being dramatic." She turned to look down at Gray. "Climb in." He said, standing back.
Gray nodded and climbed in the cab of the truck. He watched aunt Claire as he moved to sit beside her. He waved his hand and got no response. Gray sighed and settled in beside her. He hoped Zara was right.
Zara sat in the driver's seat and pulled the door closed. She let out a sigh and leaned back in the seat.
Gray turned back to look at his aunt's assistant. "Where are we gonna go?"
She took a deep breath, her eyes on the ceiling. "If Zach headed into the jungle that way..." She inclined her head. "There's a good chance someone from the mission will find him. If any of them are still alive... I think they'd head back to the raptor paddock."
"Oh... yeah." Gray said, a note of hope in his voice. "They could be there now."
Zara nodded. "Maybe." She said as she shifted the truck into gear and swung them around. "Hold on." She said.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Ida was blocking the road. Just in front of her was one of the ACU trucks. Someone was indeed still alive, shooting at her from the top. But Owen couldn't see much past her large frame. The headlights from the truck and from his bike were little help. He couldn't make out just who was wielding the gun on the truck. Not that he really knew many of the men by name. Or any of them really. And then suddenly, Echo was there. She was darting back and forth in front of Ida. Ida snapped and Echo darted back out of reach. Ida growled loudly again and lunged at the truck as it backed up. Echo let out a squeal, trying to get Ida's attention back on her.
"Damnit!" Owen hissed, shaking his head as he watched his youngest. The raptor let out a growl in his head, equal parts angry at Ida for threatening Echo and angry at Echo herself for not listening and putting herself in danger. Either way, both of them needed to hurry and save her. "I told her to stay with Charlie!" He snapped. "She's gonna get herself killed!"
Blue nodded her head and let out a snort as she pulled up beside the motorcycle. She glanced at Owen for a moment before looking back at Ida, who was snapping at Echo again.
Owen shook his head again. "Get off." He said.
Zach was leaning around Owen slightly, staring at the large dinosaur that had tried to eat him earlier. "Me?" He asked.
"Yes, Zach!" Owen snapped. "Now!"
Zach didn't move. "What are you gonna do?" He asked.
"Lure her away." Owen answered.
Zach shook his head. "I'm staying with you."
Owen rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I need you to get off the bike, Zach. Now."
Zach shook his head again. "No."
"Zach!" Owen clenched his teeth and gripped the handlebars tightly.
Zach shook his head again and tightened his grip around Owen's waist. "I'm just as safe right here behind you then I'd be standing in the road by myself." He argued. "Probably safer."
Owen gritted his teeth and let out a growl. He wanted to argue more, but they were just wasting time. Plus, maybe Zach had a point. Because leaving the kid alone, in the middle of the road seemed like a bad idea. "Fine." He snapped and glanced sideways at Blue. "Blue! Hang back."
The raptor shook her head. [No.]
Owen rolled his eyes. "Blue, Ida's too close."
Blue shook her head and let out a growl. [No again.] She said.
"You sure?" Owen asked.
She nodded.
Owen sighed. "Fine. But when we all get out of this... we're all gonna sit down and talk about this." He glanced over his shoulder at Zach. "We need to reestablish the order here. I'm in charge."
Blue snorted and shook her head.
"No lip." Owen snapped at her. "Stay close."
She nodded her head.
"Fine then." Owen breathed out. "Zach, this the clutch and this is the gear shift..." He quickly pointed out the mechanisms on the motorcycle. "And the brake."
Zach frowned and blinked for a moment. "What?"
Owen pulled the rifle off and gripped it. "We're gonna drive up close on her and I'm gonna jump off with my rifle."
Zach's eyes widened. "What?!"
"You're gonna steer the bike." Owen said smoothly. "And try not to crash." He glanced sideways at the raptor. "Blue, you get in front, get Ida's attention."
"Owen..." Zach started softly.
"Here, you climb in front of me." Owen said. "It's easy, I swear."
Zach opened his mouth. "Owen, I don't think..."
Owen shook his head. "Do it or get off."
Zach narrowed his eyes. "No."
Owen straightened up and shifted the rifle again. He leaned to the right and looked back. Zach climbed in front and Owen scooted back, giving him room. Zach leaned forward, gripping the bars of the motorcycle, his arms shaking a bit. Owen leaned over him and started it up. "Alongside her tail." Owen said, leaning close to Zach's ear. He lifted his arm and pointed. "Fast. Before she sees us."
Zach gave a nod and the bike lurched slightly and swerved.
Blue let out a snort, watching them. Then she darted forward and dashed in front of Ida. Echo let out a delighted squeak, seeing her sister. Blue snapped at her and she danced back. Then they turned together. The sisters zigzagged in front, gaining all of the giant dinosaur's attention. Her attention off them, the ACU truck was able to back up more. The man on the roof ducked down until it stopped moving. Ida stood up straight and stepped back, her tail flush on the ground. She let out a growl, her eyes watching the raptors below.
Zach steered the bike towards her. He was trying to focus his attention on keeping it going straight and not having a panic attack as they got closer to her. And then the front tire touched her tail and suddenly they were actually climbing up her back. Ida whipped her head around and Blue jumped up, sinking her teeth into Ida's arm. Ida let out a wail and turned. She shook, trying to dislodge the raptor. Echo darted under her and nipped at her stomach.
It all happened in seconds. Zach managed to keep the bike balanced and going straight as it climbed up Ida's back. Owen slipped off and held his rifle up. He kept low as he ran up Ida's spine. Zach pulled on the motorcycle and tried to steer it off. But the incline was too steep. He landed with a thud and the bike slipped out from under him.
Ida spun around and let out a growl. Zach tried to get away but he couldn't move. His leg was stuck. Echo and Blue darted towards him. Blue leaned over the motorcycle and grabbed the handlebars between her teeth. She pulled back with all her strength and it moved a tiny bit. Echo moved in behind Zach. She bent down and grabbed his shirt gently and she pulled. With their help, Zach was able to scramble out from under the motorcycle. Once up, he turned and ran towards the truck.
Zach pulled up and stopped once he got closer. Simon Masrani was waving at him from the cab. Zach offered him a smile and turned back around.
Blue and Echo darted back at Ida, trying to distract her again. She'd started shaking herself, trying to dislodge Owen. But he'd anticipated her. He concentrated, letting the claws on his left hand come out. Then he sunk them into the tender scales along her spin and held on.
Ida stopped her movements and straightened up. She looked down at Blue and Echo. She opened her mouth and let out a roar. Once the girls had her distracted, Owen let go. He lifted his rifle and aimed. "Ida." He called out. He pulled the trigger as she turned her head towards him. The first bullet ripped through her eye. More followed and she ducked her head and let out a wail of pain. Owen flinched against the sound. He shouldered his rifle and started sliding down her side. His feet touched the ground and he pulled the rifle back off and held it up.
Ida was bent forward, blood streaming down her face and neck. She rubbed her face against her arm and shook her head. She let out another pained wail and turned. Blue dashed towards her and clawed at her back leg. Echo moved to copy her sister. Ida crashed through the trees and quickly disappeared from sight. Blue followed, Echo on her tail.
Owen breathed out and lowered his rifle. He turned, smiling as he caught sight of Zach.
The kid was standing near Simon, his eyes on where Ida and the raptors had disappeared. "Blue! Echo!" Zach called out, moving like he was going to follow them.
Owen shot forward and held his arm out, stopping him. "Whoa, there." He said with a smile. The kid's concern for his girls warmed him greatly. "They'll be fine."
Zach glanced from Owen to where they'd disappeared. "But..." He started.
Owen reached out and touched Zach's arm lightly and the kid turned to look at him. "Blue'll just follow her long enough to make sure she'd far enough away for us to run for it."
Zach nodded slowly. "And Echo?"
Owen shrugged and let out a laugh. "No telling with her. But Blue can handle her. Echo can listen when she needs to. Don't worry." He said softly. He glanced around quickly, noting the other men still far away and busy with their guns and the truck. He stepped closer to Zach, still touching his arm lightly. "You okay?" He asked softly, his voice barely a whisper.
Zach nodded, leaning closer to him. "You?"
Owen smiled widely. "I'm awesome." He said.
Zach pulled away and rolled his eyes.
Simon climbed out of the truck, the two ACU men right behind him. "That was quite a display." He called loudly, waving at them.
Owen dropped his arm and stepped away from the underage kid quickly. He cleared his throat and turned to shrug at Simon. He scratched at the back of his neck. "Yeah..."
Simon turned to face him and stopped. He tilted his head and looked Owen up and down. "What happened to you?"
Owen glanced down at himself, suddenly feel a bit exposed. The dirty faded and tattered pants, the lack of shirt or shoes. "Uh... got... in a bit... of a fight... with Blue..." He said awkwardly. "Before I snapped her back." It was a horrible lie and he knew it. Though, he guessed, it wasn't exactly a lie. It was just half a lie. He shrugged and looked away.
Simon eyed him for a moment longer, then shook his head and looked where Ida had disappeared. "But damnit!" Simon breathed out, shaking his head. "She got away again."
Owen breathed out, relieved, and glanced at the trees. He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. We need to get everyone to the docks."
Simon breathed out and nodded. "Yes, yes. You are right."
Owen glanced behind him, at the truck. "Where's the helicopter?" He asked, looking back at Simon.
Simon opened his mouth and then looked away quickly. "It's uh... gone." He said awkwardly.
Owen tilted his head to the side. "You crashed the second helicopter?" He asked slowly.
Simon turned back to him, his eyes narrowing. "I'm an excellent pilot." He snapped.
Owen's mouth dropped open. "You crashed the second helicopter!"
"I did not!" Simon insisted. "She destroyed it!"
Owen smiled and shook his head. "Sure she did."
Simon continued to glare at him but his voice was softer. "She did." He mumbled.
Owen let out a laugh and turned around. He glanced over at his fallen motorcycle and started towards it. He bent down and hefted it up. It didn't look any worse off. At least not any worse off than anything he'd done to it before. At least it looked like it would still run.
"Sorry." Zach mumbled, stepping up behind him.
Owen glanced over at him and smiled. "It's fine. You're what's important." He added softly.
Zach smiled and looked away.
Blue popped her head out from the bushed suddenly and whistled lowly. Owen looked up and waved her over. She darted towards him and bumped into his shoulder. Owen smiled at her. "You okay?" He asked, reaching out to touch her cheek. Blue leaned into the touch for a moment and nodded her head. "Ida didn't get you?"
Blue snorted and shook her head. [No close.]
Owen smiled again. "Where's Echo?"
Blue turned slightly and pointed back to the bushes. Echo rushed forward, ignoring Owen completely. She danced closer to Zach and pressed herself against him. She let out an odd almost purring sound and Zach laughed.
"Echo!" Owen snapped. "You're supposed to be watching Charlie."
Echo ducked down immediately and slipped around Zach, hiding behind his legs. [Here.] She whined out.
Owen's eyes widened. "Charlie's here? You moved her?"
"Charlie's in the truck." Simon said quickly, stepped towards them. He didn't even seem to question the weird maybe conversation going on.
Owen turned to him. "She is?"
Simon nodded. "Echo found us after Ida destroyed the helicopter. She led us back to the truck and then to Charlie. She made it clear she wasn't helping if we didn't take her with us."
Echo poked her head out from behind Zach and nodded her head. [Echo good!] She said.
Simon continued on. "One of the ACU guys dosed her with tranquilizers. Then he found a medical kit in the van. Patched her up the best he could."
Owen breathed out and smiled at Echo. "Okay, fine. You did a good job. Stop hiding."
Echo let out a squeak and bounced out from behind Zach. Blue growled and Echo stuck her tongue out at her sister.
Owen rolled his eyes. "Stop it, you two." He looked at Echo. "Need to be serious, alright? We're not out of the woods yet."
[Jungle!] Echo said with a bounce.
Owen sighed and shook his head. "Echo. Pay attention." He hissed to her. "When we find Delta... if she's still under Ida's control... we're going to have to fight her."
Echo let out a squeak and shook her head.
"Not hard..." Owen continued. "Just... we're going to have to stop her. Chase her off or get her down..."
Zach laughed. "Echo, you're the biggest. Sit on her."
Owen smiled and shrugged. "That could work. Just remember. Delta is not in control of herself. She'll hurt someone. Like Firelady or Dirt or Trip..."
Blue let out a growl and shook her head.
Owen glanced at her and nodded. "Blue, you take point. See if you can find Claire again. Hopefully she hasn't gotten herself into trouble."
Blue let out a snort and nodded her head, like she was agreeing. Then she turned and ran off.
Zach smiled as he stepped closer to Owen. "Hopefully."
Owen turned to Simon. "You guys follow in the truck. Echo, you bring up the rear. Keep alert for Ida following us. If you think she is, you whistle loudly."
Echo nodded and wiggled excitedly. Then she turned and darted off behind the truck.
"Remarkable." Simon breathed out, shaking his head. "They understand you perfectly. Like you're really talking to them."
Owen nodded and cleared his throat loudly. "Zach, you're riding with me?" Zach nodded and climbed up behind him quickly. Owen started the motorcycle and revved the engine loudly. Zach smiled and let out a laugh. He wrapped his arms around Owen's waist and leaned against his back.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Author's Notes: Getting to the end! 8D Then the sequels!
