Dinosaur Creek Part 3

Chapter 13: A Sticky Situation

The following chapter contains mentions of sex, ableism, and heavy themes of animal experimentation, cruelty, and abuse. Readers be warned.

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Ruby Horn was publicly known as a top-rated scientist working for Selva's branch of Terrarium. To the paleoids and private workers at the company, the 35-year-old carnotaurus woman was the first paleoid to become a scientist, specializing in chemical tests and theories regarding the mutagen and related substances. That reputation carved out a brand for herself, with a poster advertising her TSF presentation hanging above the doors entering the auditorium. Dreda and Buckley were the first generals to arrive among the crowd of people waiting to see her. Just like Vicky, Buckley was stunned by the photograph of the beautiful Spanish scientist who was romantically involved with Dreda.

"Damn, and I thought Kai got a good score," Buckley muttered to herself.

"Yeah, she's as sexy as she is smart. Though I rarely see her with a serious attitude. Usually, when she does talk seriously, it's mixed with a hint of sincerity and romance. However, that doesn't change that she's still good in bed. Very smooth" Dreda monologued, charmed by Ruby's romantics a little. Buckley still felt weirded out by what the two women did together.

"Huh? Haven't you slept with her enough times to see that side of her?"

"Hard to say, it hasn't been as many times as you think, kiddo. But trust me, you're gonna love her. Given how she has a kid herself, she'd probably be good at interacting with you better than me. After all, she is very maternal." Dreda's happy bragginess didn't stop Buckley from giving her interesting, yet weird, ideas.

"Please take it slow, Dreda, I'm not ready for a second mother figure yet."

"We're here!" The two women heard Grey call out from behind them. He, Kai, and Vicky returned after their lap and booth sale.

"Great! Right on schedule" Dreda happily announced. "Kai, Vicky, did your weapon's booth go well?"

"It did. Got twenty inventions and weapons sold in the last hour, mam!" Kai answered with glee. "And the best part, we did it without causing any explosions, unlike last year."

"Yeah, well, we should make sure that's not the case before the day ends" Vicky elaborated nervously. She whispered, "I may have forgotten to put a safety barrier on one of my harpoons and I'm worried someone might not be properly licensed to use it right."

Just as she said it, a large bang went off as a harpoon blade fired from its cannon. They heard a swish extend for a second before a loud, girlish scream was set off.

"AH! HELP! I'VE BEEN SHOT BY A HARPOON! WHO MADE THIS?!" The man's voice stretched across the fair, concerning the generals.

"Time to go!" Vicky pushed her team through the crowd so they could enter the auditorium without anyone finding them, especially herself.

The large, dark auditorium room was packed with people, filling up every red cushioned seat. Most of the attendees were fellow scientists in lab coats, who sat closer to the stage. Those who weren't scientists or Terrarium personnel sat in the back rows. The spotlight shined on the stage, with the show's centerpiece, Ruby Horn, standing behind a curtain. For the occasion, she wore her white lab coat underneath her usual attire. Part of her was excited to showcase her research to new and returning faces. However, the rest of her felt deeply worried that this might not go according to plan.