The board watched the screens with interest - they were images from various observation cameras around the park, intended to monitor both the park residents and the staff. Now, however, they had an additional focus - the first ever guests in Prehistoric Kingdom. Even if they were only a test group, this was still a novel experience.

"It seems they are hooked," noted Winstone.

"Yes, it does," agreed Edgar. "It seems the first box on our list can be checked off. Now to see about the others."

XxXxX

Gertie watched on curiously as the park's guests all watched in awe as their buses passed by a herd of Stegosaurus. The Jurassic herbivores were on of the most famous dinosaurs around, which meant the keepers would often crowd around to observe them. This helped acclimate them to the presence of humans, but it had also made them uncomfortable due to being constantly watched. Fortunately, this had been resolved by several sessions of heavily supervised hand feedings and further environment enrichment, but the herds never quite calmed around people. The smaller carnivores had been easier to acclimate in this regard, as even animals the size of Allosaurus were relatively docile when they got used to the company of humans.

Soon, though, their interests turned toward the other well known dinosaurs in the area, of which there were many. The three horned Triceratops drew many glances and awed expressions, as did the titanic Brachiosaurus. A few also noticed that the dinosaurs were joined by other herbivores, like the unicorn rhino Elasmotherium and a few ground sloths. Everyone also noted that there were lesser species among the more familiar sights, such as the dicynodont Placerias and the aetosaur Desmatosuchus. Even modern animals shared the stage, as a herd of maras were using the giant dinosaurs as shields against predators. The keepers had been smart enough to make that mostly an unnecessary precaution - there were not carnivores in the area, since those were not something that you wanted around first-time guests…

…well, except for one big exception. One that made even Gertie nervous.

Most of the animals that weren't feeding had gathered around a large watering hole to quench their thirsts, with a few taking turns to watch for predators hoping to exploit the gathering as an easy source of prey. It was they who first noticed as a familiar and unnerving odor filled the air. With barely a sound, all eyes fell on two giant, bipedal forms that were slowly meandering their way toward the water hole. Covered in scales except for their dorsums, the duo edged ever closer, their black and gray bodies moving surprisingly swiftly for animals of their size. Each step made the gathered herbivores and guests more nervous, until finally the pair had reached the shores of the lake, where the gathered animals had neatly given them a bank all to themselves. For a moment, neither moved, but then the male of the pair lowered his maw toward the water, with his mate soon following suit.

Only once Jane and Terrence had both lowered themselves to drink did the herbivores relax even slightly, for even the mighty Tyrannosaurus was forced to concede to the might of the sun.

Gertie watched them drink for a bit longer before lowering her guard - she never knew how Tristan made the duo docile enough to interact peacefully with herbivores on occasions like this, and she had no intention to find out. Instead, she focused her eyes on the buses that were now meandering around the gathered animals, until eventually they were in the clear to continue their tour. A few guests took the chance to get pictures of Gertie, much to her annoyance - the flashes were so annoying! Why did they always use flash even when they were told not to?!

Leaving these questions for another day (if ever), Gertie observed the buses slowly shrinking as the staff took their charges off to see the other portions of the park, then glanced at a nearby tree. Curiosity finally lost the battle to instinct as Gertie lumbered toward an unoccupied tree. Heedless of whether the new arrivals were still looking at her, the female Brontosaurus started munching away, confident that her size, whip tail, and neck spines would protect her if the tyrannosaurs decided to buck their training.

It was an unnecessary thought, but you could never be too sure.

XxXxX

"So far, so good?" questioned Nigel.

"Correct," confirmed Winstone. "It looks like our park is set to be a smashing success."

"Then can we address the elephant in the room?" intoned Ai.

"We can," assured Edgar, who then gestured to another member of the group. Moments later, a powerpoint appeared on a nearby screen.

Ai cleared her throat. "While the park has proven so far to be a smashing success, it will not be able to account for our overall plans. Ignoring how some of our residents cannot be released into the wild for obvious reasons, the phase two plans for creating breeding populations of those that we can release faces the inevitable issue of space - we don't have enough room to accommodate all intended residents for our breeding programs. At least, not yet."

"And while construction is underway to expand our exhibit space, we also face two other issues - money and locales," added Edgar. "Our funding may be grand, but even if we could keep the park's finances hidden, people will figure out that various business moguls, aristocrats, and environment groups are funneling money into something colossal in the Caribbean, which will attract suspicion. And while I am familiar with how to duck suspicion, the methods my family uses would not be suitable for a coverup this massive."

"So, then," intoned a Japanese man - a Dr. Ichirou - "we are agreed on what to do next?"

Everyone nodded, with Nigel taking the chance to speak again. "For the sake of the creatures living in the park, we'll have to go public. And expand operations to other parts of the world."

"We've already secured areas to operate in the Yukon, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Jordan, and Spain, and negotiations are ongoing elsewhere," noted a woman of mestizo descent. "That should help us expand to accommodate creatures that can be released elsewhere when reintroduction becomes an option."

"Of course," interrupted Winstone, "we will need someone to help train our staff to handle these new arrivals - and that includes acquiring them in the first place."

Everyone threw pointed looks at Nigel. "We mean you no offense, Mr. Marven, but age is not a foe you can conquer. You may continue to rescue these creatures as you wish, but do consider-"

"I understand. Besides, I want to see what our new hires are capable of."

"Speaking of new hires," noted Edgar, "where are they right now?"

Glancing at the tour progress monitor before her, Ai smiled. "Right on schedule at the Dryptosaurus exhibit."

XxXxX

"So," said Michelle, "that job you said you were doing for your mom…was working with dinosaurs?"

"Uh, yes?"

"...Is this why you couldn't talk about the…accident that happened there?"

After glancing around to make sure that no one had heard Michelle's whisper, Tristan nodded. "Yeah. We were under strict non-disclosure agreements with steep penalties if we squealed."

"...I see."

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "I am not off the hook yet, right?"

Michelle rolled her eyes. "Hell no - you broke up with me when I tried to ask you about why you were so lifeless after that accident-"

"I was having panic attacks! An intervention was the last thing I needed-"

"But you never told me that this wasn't something you could talk about. Just saying this was a government job with your parents - cause I know your folks work for the feds - would've been enough for me."

Tristan groaned. "Fine. But I am not talking about that accident yet."

"I. Can. Wait."

"Good. Also, you might want to turn in early tonight."

"Why? More physical training?"

"More like a final evaluation. Then you can get onto the real job."

"And what is that?"

"Animal acquisition."

"And how is that…..no fucking way!"

Tristan smirked, thankful that his ex had managed to keep her shock muted. "Yes, way."

XxXxX

"How long will you need to evaluate the new hires?"

"Three days. Then those for the rescue team can join me on their first mission."

"What's the target?"

Nigel gestured to the screen, where an image of what looked like a robust giraffe had appeared. "The largest non-elephant land mammal to have ever exhistied, Paraceratherium."

XxXxX

Next time, Nigel will go back in time to rescue the largest rhino to have ever existed

(shot of Nigel watching a herd of Paraceratherium browsing on trees)

While also taking his first group of trainees with him.

(Shot of several young staff slowly backing away as a large crocodile approaches them)

While back at the park, the first set of guests enjoy the park's hospitality.

(Shot of some teens and children trying to have lunch…while a Microraptor tries to steal their sweets)

All next time on Welcome to Prehistoric Kingdom: Land of Giants!

XxXxX

AN: I will post author's notes later, but I have to say this now: WALKING WITH DINOSAURS LIVES!

The BBC confirmed we will be getting a new season next year. REJOICE!

With that said, read and review at your leisure! This is Flameal15k, signing off!