Dud-dud-dud-dud-dud-dud...
The rhythmic thrum of helicopter rotors filled the air. Massive shadows swept over the harbor, and every rcenary working the docks looked up to witness the spectacular sight.
A full fleet of five CH-47 Chinooks worked in perfect coordination to sling-load Carlo, airlifting him toward the fleet.
Mills seed to have accounted for Carlo's imnse proportions; the cargo hold of the second transport ship had been designed with an open-top hatch, seemingly tailor-made for him.
Carlo's silhouette slowly descended into the cavernous hold. Inside sat a custom-built enclosure, the walls were solid steel plates like a shipping container, but the overhead grating was nearly open-air. Was it designed that way to prevent him from suffocating?
Splaaash—
As Carlo settled into the cage, the release cables from the Chinooks were severed. The ship groaned and dipped significantly into the water, bobbing several tis before finally settling into a steady rhythm.
Clang!
The bars at the top of the cage slid shut. Carlo squinted one eye open just a fraction, but his view was obscured by the container-like steel walls surrounding him. Closing his eyes, he shifted his focus to his sense of sll, scanning his surroundings.
The ship's hold was still relatively empty, plenty of room for Dad, Mom, the three little ones, and then so.
The signs of human activity were frequent. They seed to be busy settling a Tyrannosaurus rex... Wait, what?!
It was only then that he noticed the cage directly adjacent to his own already had an occupant.
Is it seriously you again?!
That oversized Scientificus Tyrannosaurus was sleeping soundly in the neighboring pen. No wonder he hadn't seen her during the evacuation; she'd already snagged a ticket onto the ship.
Carlo didn't realize she had simply missed the main herd while out on a stroll; he figured she'd just been lucky enough to beat the rush.
Dud-dud-dud-dud-dud-dud...
The roar of helicopters returned. This ti, a single CH-47 descended slowly, carrying another massive silhouette.
Carlo went from anticipation to confusion, and finally, to utter doubt.
Did I get on the wrong boat?
The transport lowered Rexy into the hold on his other side. Two Tyrannosaurs were now flanking him like twin palace guards, locked in cages to his left and right.
Fortunately, monts later, the familiar scents of Giga Dad, Giga Mom, and the three youngsters began moving toward his section of the ship.
…
"Hey, Mills! We got the assets you wanted. Mission accomplished."
Back at the docks, Ken Wheatley was holding a phone to his ear with one hand and a pair of pliers in the other, clearly straining at so physical task.
"Ha! It was a real nail-biter. I nearly bit the dust out there! I'm gonna need a bonus for 'emotional distress.'"
Despite his words, Wheatley wore a smug grin. Dancing on the edge of life and death seed to bring him a perverse kind of joy.
"Wheatley, what are you doing? We're a full day behind schedule," Mills snapped over the line. His irritation wasn't about the price hike. The volcano had already blown; one wrong move and all their efforts would go up in smoke. He couldn't afford that kind of failure.
"Thank your Giganotosaurus friend for that. He moved the herd away from the extraction point. Not like the beast could save them all anyway, at the end of the day, we're the ones who decide if they live or die. It's poetic, really. And make sure the funds hit my account before I dock."
The Giganotosaurus... the one Dr. Wu specified?
Mills didn't care which dinosaurs survived; he was just checking off the list Dr. Wu had provided. For the rest, the higher the "market popularity," the better.
"Fine. But listen to , no more delays, understand?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just don't forget my hazard pay."
With the sound of tearing flesh, Wheatley successfully freed a tooth with his pliers. Patting the head of a Hadrosaurid before him, he tucked the trophy into his small pouch. Inside the bag were dozens of teeth from various species; he clearly had a morbid hobby for collecting biological souvenirs.
"I know, I know... Hey! Stop that truck!"
Still on the phone, he jogged over to the next transport truck. This one held an Acrocanthosaurus, seemingly dead to the world under sedation.
With practiced ease, Wheatley spread out his kit, gripped his pliers, and prepared to perform a little "dentistry" on the predator.
Rumble...
The distant volcano belched thick smoke, montarily drawing Wheatley's gaze. Mills was still rambling in his ear, but Wheatley didn't loosen his grip on the Acro's tooth.
Huuuuh…
A heavy, low breath sounded right against his free ear, causing him to freeze.
Wheatley turned his head. The Acrocanthosaurus's eyelid twitched, then slowly slid open.
"Shit."
The predator's eye focused, its pupil snapping into a slit as it locked onto Wheatley. Though its body was restrained, it whipped its head around in a flash, snapping its massive jaws shut around Wheatley's right arm before he could pull back.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
Wheatley's screams drew the attention of the entire crew. Realizing the Acrocanthosaurus was awake, the rcenaries scrambled for their tranquilizer rifles.
Snap! Snap!
The sound of breaking ropes and straining tal echoed as the Acrocanthosaurus forced itself upright on the truck bed. The tarp covering its body fell away, revealing a hide scarred from previous battles, a testant to its status as a veteran survivor.
"AAAAAAGH!"
Wheatley's arm was clamped in its maw, and he was hoisted into the air as the beast stood tall. Blood splattered the floor, and serrated teeth sliced through skin and bone, forcing an endless wail of agony from the hunter.
The Acrocanthosaurus, seemingly annoyed by the noise, applied a fraction more pressure and bit the arm clean off.
Thud!
Wheatley hit the ground, losing consciousness instantly from the shock and pain. His phone clattered onto the concrete nearby.
The surrounding guards closed in, firing tranquilizer darts. But the drug would take ti to work; they had to contain the beast now.
STOMP!
The Acrocanthosaurus raised its right foot and slamd it into the ground with bone-shaking force, followed by the left in a rhythmic, violent display.
The earth heaved. The rcenaries closest to the impact were knocked off their feet, stumbling and falling. Even Mills, on the other end of the line, realized sothing had gone horribly wrong.
"Wheatley? Wheatley!"
"AUNNNG-ROAR!"
A piercing, shrill roar exploded through the phone, making Mills wince and pull the receiver away from his ear.
"Mr. Mills... are the dinosaurs safe?"
Maisie had just walked into the room, catching the sound of the prehistoric roar over the line. "Mr. Mills, was that...?"
"I don't have ti right now, Maisie," Mills said, his face pale and grim. "I'll explain everything later. Be a good girl and go sit with your grandfather, alright?"
"Okay," Maisie replied softly, unable to do anything but retreat.
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