CHAPTER 11
Dr. Bryce Conners raced passed the laboratory complex and the hatchery in a company pickup truck. His foot was heavy on the gas. Dr. Dianna Johnson rode in the passenger seat. A deeply concerned expression hung on her face. She turned to Bryce. Her ponytail was whipping in the rushing air of the open window.
"What exactly happened?" She looked at Bryce expectantly.
Dr. Conners gripped the steering wheel hard curling his knuckles until they turned white. "I don't know." He said. "All they told me was that the velociraptors are unconscious and their breathing is shallow. We'll know more whence we get in there I'm sure."
"They didn't open the cage did they?" Dianna said it as though it would have been the worst idea in the world.
"I told them not to." Bryce pulled up in front of the nursery and cut the engine.
They both jumped out of the truck and ran for the nursery. There was an unusual amount of chatter coming from the concrete building. Through the barred windows they heard the sounds of infant dinosaurs howling as though their lives were in danger. Cages rattled with metallic clangs as the chilling cries continued without cease.
"What the hell is going on in there?" Dr. Conners said as he ran.
Dianna reached the door first. Swiping her key card she threw open the door. Instantly her body was slammed with a hundred and fifty pounds of fury. As she collapsed on her back she didn't know what had hit her, but she could feel the weight of a creature bearing down on her chest and stomach. Dianna opened her eyes to a snarling set of teeth. A breathy growl blew in her face.
Dr. Johnson was wedged in the doorway holding it open. A second juvenile raptor jumped over her and sneered at Bryce. Bryce skidded to a stop. His hands were held up as though he were at gunpoint. He kept his knees bent in case he had to jump out of the way quickly. The young velociraptor glared at Bryce coldly sizing him up. Bryce could see the thought behind its eyes carefully calculating the situation. He was totally vulnerable without a gun or a taser, and he had no idea what this creature's intention was.
The young raptor's stiff tail bobbed up and down. Her killer hind talons twitched back aggressively. Out of the near by jungle a sharp grizzly caw emanated. It went several times and sounded to Bryce like the unmistakable barks of an adult velociraptor.
"What in God's name?" Bryce said in disbelief.
By the end of the barking the juvenile raptors looked to have made up their mind. They cackled to each other in a short series of high-pitched caws and then dodged passed Bryce with lightning speed.
"Are you ok?" Dr. Conners immediately reached for Dianna's arm.
"I'm fine." Dr. Johnson pulled herself to her feet. "I'll check the nursery! Bryce!" She pointed at him harshly. "Don't let those two get away!"
Bryce nodded and ran for the pickup truck. He pulled a tranquilizer rifle from behind the seat, slung it to his shoulder, and ran for the back of the truck. With a grunt he flung down the tailgate to reveal a cammo-green dirt bike lying inside the bed. He jumped in the back, up righted the bike, swung his leg over, and revved the motor to life.
Bryce scanned the jungle ahead of him. Two settling dust clouds still hung in the air, trailing into the trees over fresh velociraptor footprints. He spent no more time thinking about it. Gassing up the bike he ramped off the tailgate and sped for the woods.
Dianna turned towards the nursery. There was now a presence to it of impending danger. She stepped inside and her eyes were flooded with the intense white light of the halogen ceiling lamps. From a wall rack near the doorway she grabbed a Kevlar vest and strapped it on. Then she picked up a taser prod and charged it up. Looking down the long hallway of the herbivore/omnivore wing Dr. Johnson steadied her breath and ventured on.