Chapter 6
Owen was briefing the soldiers.
Owen: We know for a fact that she's somewhere in sector 5. This is a game called Hide and Seek. A scent drill we've done about a thousand times. When the raptors get on target, and they will get on target, wait for my signal to engage. Once you start shooting, keep an eye on the raptors. It's one big target. Do not shoot them. Please.
Steven was comforting the raptors in their face brackets.
Steven: Easy Blue. Ea-Easy. Ssh. Alright. It's ok. You're about to be in the biggest hunt of life. Are you ready?
Blue chirped to agree.
Steven: Alright.
Claire and Connie boarded a medical truck with Zach and Gray in the back. Claire and Connie watched the raptors on and iPad showing the camera views of the raptors.
Hoskins was watching from the control room.
Hoskins: Awesome.
Steven brought out the slab of meat with the tracking implant. He brought it close to the raptors so they could get the scent.
Steven: Alright boys. This isn't a race. This is a team effort. Ya'll work together. Cover each other. When the gates open, attack.
Steven boarded a motorcycle and Owen boarded a four wheeler. The Gems got in the truck with the soldiers. The worker from the cage attack earlier prepared to open the gates. He clicked the button, and the raptors rocketed out of the cage. Steven took lead with his motorcycle with Owen behind and the troop transport taking the rear. They raced through the jungles following the raptors. The raptors soon began to slow down, closing on the scent.
Steven: They got something.
The truck stopped and everyone unloaded, locking their weapons into place. Owen and Steven took up positions beside each other along with the soldiers. The raptors looked into the thick brush as heavy stomping was heard. The Gems drew their gem weapons, ready to fight.
Garnet: Let's keep our distance.
Pearl: Right.
The Indominus appeared from the brush, seeing everything waiting for it. It put its head near the raptors, and began growling in succession, mimicking the raptors. Blue started screeching at it.
Garnet: Something's wrong.
Blue began chirping along with the Indominus, almost as if...
Garnet: They're communicating.
Steven: Garnet. I think Dr. Wu left something out of that list.
Owen: What?
Steven: That thing is part raptor.
The raptors turned towards the group.
Everyone saw this in the control room.
Hoskins: Jesus, what's taking so long. Light it up!
Soldier: Engage!
All of them opened fire. Pearl fired spear blasts, Amethyst used her whip to send out energy attacks, and Garnet fired her rockets, blasting into the side of the Indominus and knocking her over. The raptors ran off different directions. The group began moving out to go after it.
Steven: Watch your six. Raptors have got a new alpha.
The carefully observed their surrounding environment. The raptors began attacking, tackling and abducting soldiers to go in for the kill. In the chaos, Owen and Steven got separated, leaving Steven on his own. He saw a tail thrashing around in long tall grass. Charlie rose up, and saw him. They stared at each other for a moment. An Ingen trooper shot a rocket at Charlie. Steven dove on the other side of Charlie, bringing out his shield, blocking the rocket. Charlie soon realized her true allegiance, siding with Steven once again. She nuzzled Steven.
Steven: Well, looks like I got you back. Come on. We have to find the rest.
Steven got on his motorcycle and drove forward with Charlie following.
Owen saw Garnet being attacked by Blue. Garnet knew she couldn't attack Blue and risk killing her. Garnet hid inside a log and Blue began tearing into it.
Garnet: Blue! Stop!
Blue paused briefly, but continued attacking. Owen revved his motorcycle, getting her attention and driving away with Blue in pursuit.
Claire and Connie watched in horror.
Gray: Is everyone dead?
Claire: No. No, everyone's fine.
Zach: Don't lie to him.
Claire: He's scared. It's ok to lie if someone's scared.
Gray: I want to go home.
Claire: Oh you will, sweetie. You will. And then your mother will never let me, see you again.
A bloodied hand struck the window. A soldier rose up.
Soldier: Get out of here! Drive!
Another soldier opened the door in the back.
Soldier: They're coming!
Delta tackled him, pulling him out of the truck and killing him. Claire drove off, with Zach and Gray holding on in the back. Delta was in pursuit. Echo burst through the window, snapping at Claire.
Connie: Sorry Echo.
Connie kicked Echo multiple times in the head, sending her out of the car. Echo and Delta chased after the truck. Claire smashed Echo into a tree, knocking her out. Zach and Gray got a taser and managed to tase Delta and get her off their trail.
Zach: Did you see that?
Gray: I can't wait to tell mom!
Claire: Oh. Please no. You cannot tell your mother about that ever!
Steven and Owen arrived. Charlie was running along side them. The Gems were using motorcycle forms to keep up.
Steven: We need to get indoors. Follow me.
Hoskins made a phone call to Dr. Wu.
Dr. Wu: Hey where have you been?
Hoskins: Hey, uh. Mission took a jog to the left. We can't let anyone know of our involvement. I don't a bunch of lawyers messing with something they don't understand. Get everything off sight. Got it.
Dr. Wu was speechless.
Hoskins: I'll take that as a yes.
The group and Charlie reached the Visitor center.
Steven: Charlie. I want you staying out here. If the others come, send the signal.
Charlie growled to agree.
They ran inside, and made their way to the lab, finding it abandoned.
Claire: They evacuated the lab.
Ingen troopers began stowing away embryos for transport. The Indominus was shown on a computer screen.
Steven: What are they doing?
Hoskins: Dr. Wu, works for us now.
Gray: Is that a dinosaur?
Hoskins: No it ain't. But imagine that. About a fraction of the size. Multiplied. Able to take commands, camouflage, and hide from the advanced military thermal cameras.
Steven: You designed the Indominus.
Charlie let out multiple chirps.
Hoskins: That's right. I figured if we can hunt this thing with raptors, we can command this thing. After all this progress, what do we learn? Nature always loses to progress.
Delta appeared in the doorway, targeting Hoskins.
Hoskins: Oh, shit!
Delta backed him into a window.
Hoskins: Easy! Easy, boy. We're on the same side. I'm...I'm on your side.
(Cue Costa Rican standoff song)
He tried to hold his hand to Delta, but she snapped and bit his arm. He screamed in pain as it went in for the kill, biting his throat and killing him. The group ran through, running towards the exit. Gray activated the hologram projector, projecting a dilophosaurus and distracting Delta. They ran out and saw Blue waiting for them. Echo came up at the side. Charlie appeared, trying to turn the other raptors but failing. They were trapped.
Steven: So that's how it is, huh?
Steven reached for Blue, slowly. Blue snapped at him, but slowly began to move closer to him.
Connie: Be careful.
Steven unbuckled the camera from Blue's head. Blue realized that Steven really cared about them, and the Indominus was using them. The Indominus roared, appearing from behind the buildings. It stomped to them, communicating to the raptors to kill the group. Blue screeched at the Indominus, challenging it. The Indominus swiped its claw at Blue, knocking her into the wall, seemingly killing Blue. Delta, Echo, and Charlie screeched at the Indominus, challenging her, preparing to strike. Steven whistled, and the three attacked, leaping on to the Indominus and striking with teeth and claws.
Steven: Get the kids to cover.
Steven and the Gems drew their weapons and Owen got out his gun, laying down suppressing fire on the Indominus. Amethyst grabbed it by the neck with her whip, holding it back. Pearl struck its ankle with her spear. Indominus smacked her into an exposed rebar, impaling her as she retreated to her gem. It overpowered Amethyst, biting down on Garnet and throwing the two of them into a wall. It threw Charlie into the same rebar as Pearl, dead. It grabbed Echo throwing her into a grill, incinerating her. She finally grabbed Delta throwing her away. Steven and Owen grabbed cover in the same building as Claire, Connie, Zach, and Gray.
Gray: We need more.
Claire: More what?
Gray: Teeth. We need more teeth.
Steven: More teeth. I got it. Claire, I'm gonna need your radio.
Claire: I know what you're thinking.
Claire handed Steven her radio.
Steven ran out of the building out of the Indominus sight into another part of the park. Steven contacted the control room. The only one left there was Lowery. Everyone else evacuated.
Steven: Lowery are you there?
Lowery: Yeah. Where are you?
Steven: We need you to open paddock 9!
Lowery: What? Are you kidding?
Steven: Just do it! Be a man and do something for once in your life!
Lowery: Why did you have to make it personal?
Lowery reluctantly opened the paddock door. Steven summoned his shield. Something stomped out of the darkness.
Steven: Are you there, girl? I need you.
The very T-rex from 20 years ago appeared, eyeing Steven, recognizing him. It picked up Steven on top of it. It let out a roar, preparing to fight.
(Song end)