The Dinosaur Project

By Craig Strete and Terry Izumi

They're back! And bigger than ever! In this spectacular sequel to The Mammoth Project, the military didn't think mammoths and cyber mammoths were enough--so they brought back--dinosaurs! Including, of course, a cyber-dinosaur... What could go wrong? And who could they turn to for help...

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReAnimus Press
• Release date: Oct 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005179977

Craig Strete

Craig Kee Strete is a Native American science fiction writer, noted for his use of American Indian themes.Beginning in the early 1970s, while working in the Film and Television industry, Strete began writing emotional Native American themed, and science fiction short stories and novellas. He is a three-time Nebula Award finalist, for Time Deer, A Sunday Visit with Great-grandfather, and The Bleeding Man.In 1974 Strete published a magazine dedicated to Native American science fiction, Red Planet Earth. His play Paint Your Face On A Drowning In The River was the 1984 Dramatists Guild/CBS New Plays Program first place winner.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Stanton Forbes sat with his legs crossed and picked at the uniform cuff. They were prison pants and they were way too short. He noticed with some regret that he had holes in his socks. He should buy new ones but all of what little money he had, and it wasn’t much, went to pay for his daughter’s education. So holes in his socks seemed a small price to pay. It was his fifth year of a twenty-five year sentence. Stanton seemed resigned to his fate.

The door opened and his bright bouncy daughter Nina breezed into the room. His face lightened up immeasurably at the sight of her.

Hey pops! It’s me and have I got news! Nina said and she seemed unrestrainedly happy.

It’s old news. You were once accepted into Stanford and you’ve just completed your first year with a four point average. So that’s all I need to know. His eyes brightened at the happy thought. That’s my girl.

Of course, it was never in doubt. Neither was my choice of major. I’m going to major in robotic engineering just like you did. But that’s not my good news. This is something even better.

Knowing that you are going to Stanford is all the good news I can handle at the moment, said Stanford with a smile.

Listen you have no idea what good news sounds like. This news that I’m going to tell you is the best news ever, I swear. But I’m not the one to tell you. He is.

Nina turned her head and looked back at the door. It opened suddenly and General Milos Stone came in.

Stanton sighed. He was not thrilled. General Stone had put him in prison. And rightly so, because Stanton Forbes had been guilty of an outrageous theft of funds. He had misappropriated money, a lot of money in fact, to build a secret Cyber Mammoth which was not the worst of it. He had also brought into existence a herd of cloned mammoths which explained the reason why he had felt the need to create the Cyber Mammoth. The mammoths were still alive which was his saving grace. Now they were a national treasure, protected and nurtured by native tribesman.

Hello Stanton. I must say you are looking exceptionally well. Prison seems to do you a world of good, said General Stone. I can’t think of anything better that I ever did than send you to prison for twenty years. Yes sir, it was very satisfying.

I pled guilty to all charges. I got what I deserved. I have no complaints, said Stanton Forbes. I’m glad you take joy in it. At least somebody is happy I am here.

Tell him the stuff you told me, insisted Nina.

In due course, young lady. I have a protocol I must follow. I can’t just blurt it out, said General Stone. There has to be some explanations first. I need to lay the groundwork.

Is it ok if Ketai comes in and hears it too? asked Nina turning to look at the General.

Well, I would rather he didn’t, said General Stone.

I need a witness to what you’re going to say, said Nina. She looked at her father. He’s got good news but it’s kind of sketchy so you need somebody else to hear it. Let him come in, pops. You won’t regret it.

Stanton Forbes looked surprised. He looked at Nina and looked at General Stone. General Stone shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

I hardly think there is a need for that, said the red-faced General.

General Stone swallowed as if tasting something unpleasant. He tried to look unrelenting but there was no give in Nina’s face.

But if you insist I guess I could...

Nina cut him off.

Oh, but I do insist. I really do.

Fine, said General Stone with poor grace.

Nina went to the door and talked to the guard.

He turned and motioned for someone to come forward and then opened the door. Ketai came in. He was dressed in jeans and an Alaska University sweater. His long black hair was tied in braids and he walked with an evident swagger. He smiled at the sight of Nina and her dad. But frowned when he saw General Stone.

What’s going on? Was this guy invited? he said meaning General Stone. He’s not on my Christmas card list.

Nina laughed. He’s on mine. He’s got great news in spite of himself. Sit next to me, this is going to be awesome.

Stanton looked wary. He eyed Ketai and Nina with some alarm.

What is this all about? I don’t understand, said Stanton.

Let him explain it dad. It’s super good.

General Stone came straight to the point.

First let me say that Ketai’s people are doing very well as keepers of the mammoth herd. They have actually managed to tame them a little. I was against it on principle, mind you, I thought the military should handle it but I was outvoted. The president of the United States has declared them a National Treasure and I’ve had to go along with it. He’s the commander in chief and he’s backing it 100% and so am I. Unlikely as it seems, you seem to have done yourself a world of good by cloning those damn mammoths! The whole world seems to be nuts about them! General Stone sighed. It was not his doing and he really didn’t approve of it but it was what it was and he had to back it fully.

They are even doing a National Geographic special on them! said Nina excitedly, and Ketai’s people are the stars of the show!

I am, uh, I mean I think it is wonderful, Ketai, that your people have emerged as protectors and keepers of the herd. I just hope the government is doing its part of taking care of your people as well, said Stanton with a look of concern on his face. At least some good has come out of it.

Ketai looked at General Stone before he spoke.

Despite this guy being who he is, he’s actually been decent to all of us. General Stone upgraded our housing, our tuition is paid for. The army provides us with food and we even have free doctor privileges. Within the limits, you might say we are almost living the posh life. It ain’t perfect but it’s better than it ever has been before.

This explains the Alaska University sweatshirt, said Stanton Forbes eyeing the logo on the shirt, I suppose you are majoring in robotics too.

Not me. Never in a million years. As the first member of my tribe to go to college, I am going to be a vet, said Ketai proudly. There are some mammoths that need me.

If I could change the subject here. I really need to say what I have to say, said General Stone sternly. And I will brook no interruptions.

So much for the chitchat. Listen to him, pops. It’s the best thing, all things considered, said Nina and she was keeping her fingers crossed that it would go as she imagined it.

General Stone explained it in detail though the detail was certainly troubling to him.

First let me say, that in no way are we condoning the act of lawlessness that ensued in the Mammoth Project. I just want to make that clear. If it were totally up to me, you’d rot in prison for the rest of your life but it isn’t entirely up to me. Second, with the usual objections as to your methods, there was a lot of useful stuff in what you did. Enough so that we have enhanced some of the things you began.

Stanton bent forward with interest.

Enhanced how?

We used the schematics and prototype of the Cyber Mammoth to design a fully automated...., and here General Stone hesitated, Cyber Triceratops.

Why would you... a triceratops? I don’t... Stanton was stunned.

General Stone interrupted.

Let me finish, will you? This is difficult enough. Initially it was designed as a weapons platform based on your system. It was intended to be a considerable upgrade to the Dire Wolf weapons program that you left undone or least as you left it, was inoperable. We wanted to recover some of the money lost. At least that was the rationale. I don’t know all the details but I have the facts that matter, and here the General took a long breath before he spoke again. I blame it all on the misguided presidential interest in the mammoth herd. It was an unbelievable success. So much so, that our president authorized a lot of projects that should never have got off the launching pad, if you ask me. Hence the triceratops.

What do you mean, hence the triceratops?

I mean they cloned the damn things! A whole herd of them! said the General. And that’s why the idiots went ahead and built the damn Cyber Triceratops!

Stanton Forbes looked shocked.

But how is that even possible? I mean mammoths was one thing. We had elephant samples and we used elephants to implant the clones but how in the hell did they, began Stanton incredulously.

General Stone held up his hand to make him stop.

I don’t know the science behind it. I don’t give a crap how they did it or why, I just know it happened. I’ve seen the triceratops. They did it somehow, don’t ask me how. Some bright-eyed retards at Darpa did it. How they qualified this as a damn project that justified the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to commit money to it, is beyond my pay grade. I know people said it couldn’t be done. Well, they did it and that’s why I’m here today.

But why... how...? began Forbes.

Just listen to him, pops. Please! It will make sense when you hear it, pleaded Nina.

What exactly are you proposing?

First let me explain what little I know. As replacements for the elephants you used, they used Komodo dragons as pseudo parents. They have hatched out ten triceratops and let them loose on a remote island. You understand how this works. I don’t get it, but it must work, said General Stone. Cause I have seen those damn triceratops up close and they are no treat, let me tell you.

I know how it worked for me so I assume they followed a similar program. I didn’t think it would work with something so ancient as the dinosaurs but if you say they’ve done it, well then, yes, it must work. The idea of how they did it is beyond my understanding. I can accept that but go on, said Stanton Forbes impatiently. I’m waiting for the punch line.

There isn’t any punch line. We want you to come work for us, said General Stone. We need your help.

You forget I am in prison, said Stanton. Only twenty more years to go on my sentence.

Accept our offer and you won’t be. It will come down to time served and the rest of your sentence will be excused. That’s twenty years total. By order of the President himself I might add, said General Stone. It’s none of my doing, I can tell you that.

But what am I supposed to do?

Pilot our damn Cyber Triceratops, for one thing, said General Stone. The idiots built it and now they can’t make it run.

Stanton laughed.

I knew there was a punch line in there somewhere.

Will you take the job? asked General Stone. His face was a mask of conflicting loyalties. Or would you rather rot in prison?

Nina looked at him with a joyous look on her face. What’s it gonna be pops?

Stanton hesitated quite a while before he made his answer.

I’ll take the not-rot-in-prison option, said Stanton with a sad smile on his face. He seemed troubled and not at all glad about the news. He was holding something back. He looked at Nina’s face and was moved to speak but the look on her face would go away if he spoke. Whatever it was that was troubling him, he kept it to himself.

Nina came and gave her dad a big hug.

Stanton and his daughter were about to enter a new phase of their lives together and it all revolved around a Cyber Triceratops.

CHAPTER TWO

General Stone stood up abruptly. I’ll see to the details. We’ll have you out shortly.

He turned as he reached the door and looked back at the three of them. Ketai and Nina were excited and happy. Stanton Forbes looked worried and not at all happy. General Stone wondered why that was so. He shook his head. A deal was a deal. General Stone didn’t have to like it. He didn’t trust Stanton Forbes any farther that he could spit. But he had no choice in the matter.

He slammed the visitation door behind him.

Stanton looked at them and thought before he spoke.

Fill me in on the details of how both of you are doing. I only see you, Nina, when your schedule works for you. So I’ve seen you once in four months. And you haven’t visited me for more than three years, Ketai. Tell me, how are you?

Ok pops, said Nina. Here’s a quick rundown. As you know, I am staying with your younger sister and her husband while I go to school. It’s a match made in heaven. Darren is an archeologist, specializing in Egypt and your sister is a fruit cake. I know, I shouldn’t say it but she is. She has four degrees and doesn’t do anything with any of them. She runs a day-care center for toddlers. But she is the sweetest person I ever met and we are simpatico.

I knew you’d get along with them. They are everything that a parent needs to be and I am not, said Stanton. I am at least aware of my limitations.

You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You’re a great parent.

Spending time in prison seems to prove you wrong on that point, said Stanton glumly. Let’s face it. I am a lousy role model.

Hey! I turned out alright. So how could you not be doing something right? said Nina.

Stanton grinned at her. She certainly had a way about her.

He turned and spoke to Ketai.

And how have you been? I understand from what you said that the military is treating you right, said Stanton. They do some things well, it seems. You look good in that university sweatshirt.

Don’t I know it. I’m in my third year. Going to be a first class vet. A very-large-animal vet. You see there are these mammoths....

He didn’t finish the sentence but was delighted by the very thought of it.

I’m proud of you both. I really am, said Stanton Forbes and that troubled look had returned to his face. But there seems to be a little problem with me as a pilot. I didn’t mention it to General Stone but I don’t think I am up to the task.

What are you saying, said Nina with an anxious look on her face.

If you remember Nina, I was a lousy pilot in the first place. I needed to make the Cyber Mammoth sit up and do tricks and I couldn’t make it work. I had to have you bail me out time after time.

I remember pops. I made it dance. You made it fall down and go boom. But maybe you’ve learned by now how to make it run, insisted Nina.

Even if I had learned something new, it still wouldn’t work, said Stanton and he held up his hands. I have developed a pretty severe case of arthritis. I simply don’t have the strength to run the controls of a Cyber Mammoth. I would be of little use in a different prototype which I assume the Cyber Triceratops is. I am afraid if my release is conditional on being able to run a cyber project, it is doomed to fail. I don’t expect they will let me out after all.

This last was said with an air of finality and gloom.

Everything is negotiable. You can’t give up just because you can’t run the mechanics, said Nina. You can teach me. I can run it for you.

General Stone, who was outside listening in on their conversation, pushed through the visitation door, entering the room like a bull running into a china shop.

Seems like a bad idea doubled, he interrupted. He directed the rest of what he had to say at Stanton Forbes. You should have been up front with me. You flat-out lied.

I guess we don’t have a meeting of the minds. If you can’t do the work, why do we need you? said General Stone.

Nina turned to face the angered General.

Listen to me. I was always a better pilot that him. I could make it sit up and do tricks. It was my piloting that made it work. He taught me and I picked up everything he told me and more besides. I know the ins and outs of a Cyber Mammoth. If you’ve built a Cyber Triceratops on the same platform, then I am the perfect person to run it. With my dad’s help, we can do this. There isn’t anybody else better qualified!

It’s out of the question, snapped the General.

Is it? Who do you really have who has been qualified to run a Cyber Mammoth? No one, is who, said Nina with a steely glint in her eye.

The General thought about it before he replied.

Ok, we don’t have anybody qualified. We don’t understand how it works. There is no manual for running the damn thing. We built the Cyber Triceratops following his design but we can’t make it work. So I guess it’s a no go.

I can make it work. My dad and I are the only ones who can make it work. Don’t you see that?

Let’s for the sake of argument say you and your father together can make it work, I can’t simply authorize a young girl to run it. Stanton is a convicted felon. We felt we could justify risking his life. But he is not you. You’re a young girl with your whole life ahead of you.

I don’t approve of it either, said Stanton.

Dad, my doing this is your only chance to be free. You know my skill set, you know I can do it. Isn’t it worth the gamble? Either I do this or you stay in prison. Do you have any doubt I can run another Cyber machine if it’s based on your platform? Give me the chance, dad, pleaded Nina. You know it’s the only way.

Stanton looked down at his hands. They were already feeble but there was no answer there. He swallowed and hesitated but then he said, quite clearly and quite distinctly, "I could teach her. She’s young and reckless, also impulsive and frankly disobedient, if it comes to that. But there is one thing she does really, really well.