The Ankylosaur Adventure

By Thomas P Hopp

In The Ankylosaur Adventure, a day of wildlife observations turns into a struggle for survival. When an angry armored dinosaur decides to pummel Kit's Volkswagen with its massive tail club, she and her friends quickly learn that the automobile's metal skin is far outmatched by the ankylosaur's armor. In a matter of minutes, the car is reduced to a pile of auto parts--with Kit and her friends still inside. To make matters worse, a pack of hungry tyrannosaurs shows up, hoping to make a meal of the losers of the fight. As is always true, Dr. Hopp has researched his subject matter thoroughly, giving a highly accurate portrayal of the big beasts involved. In fact, his researches helped him conclude that his paleontologist colleagues had overlooked some aspects of ankylosaurian nature--for instance, the fact that they were built to roll themselves up into a ball when danger threatened. And in a world where T rex roamed far and wide, danger was always near. So, come along and join Kit and friends. It promises to be one wild ride. And you might learn a few new things about armored dinos along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas P Hopp
• Release date: Dec 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463529492

Thomas P Hopp

Thomas Patrick Hopp routinely imagines the unimaginable. He writes science fiction and mystery thriller novels that draw on his background as a scientist and scholar of the natural world in all its glory and terror. His stories have won multiple literary awards and garnered him a worldwide following. He is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and served for several years as President of the Northwest Chapter of MWA. Tom is also an internationally recognized molecular biologist. He discovered powerful immune-system hormones and helped found the multi-billion-dollar Seattle biotechnology company Immunex Corporation. He advised the team that created Immunex’s blockbuster arthritis drug Enbrel. He developed the first commercially successful nanotechnology device, a molecular handle for manipulating proteins at the atomic level, which is used by medical researchers around the world to study human cells and every major microbe known to science.Tom’s NORTHWEST TALES are thrillers set against backdrops of disaster, whether natural or man-made. Earthquakes, eruptions, and epidemics are grist for these gripping adventures. Tom’s mystery stories follow Dr. Peyton McKean, a super-intelligent sleuth known as “The Greatest Mind Since Sherlock Holmes.” Viruses, microbes, and evil geniuses form the core of his opposition. Tom’s DINOSAUR WARS science fiction stories read like “Star Wars meets Jurassic Park.” Featuring laser-blasting space invaders and huge beasts from the past, they follow Yellowstone Park naturalist Chase Armstrong and Montana rancher’s daughter Kit Daniels, who struggle to survive in a world where dinosaurs live again. Most of Tom’s tumultuous adventures are suitable for readers young and old.

Book preview

THE ANKYLOSAUR ADVENTURE

Thomas P. Hopp

A DINOSAUR TALES Short Story

Issue date: December 27, 2021

Smashwords Edition copyright © 2021 Thomas P. Hopp

ISBN: 9780463529492

CONTENTS

SLUMBERING CLUBTAILS

ANKY ATTACK!

ANKIES VS REXES

SMACKDOWN

THAT’S A WRAP

DINOSAUR SCIENCE: ANKYLOSAURS

About the Cover Art

Defensive Behavior—Volvation

Hot and Cold Ankylosaurs

Dietary Lowbrows

Scientific Sourcebooks and Articles

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BOOKS BY THOMAS P. HOPP

SLUMBERING CLUBTAILS

You’ll be careful? Kit Daniels asked Chase Armstrong, who sat across from her as they lingered over a meal of huevos rancheros in the sunny breakfast nook of her father’s kitchen.

Aren’t I always? the handsome wildlife biologist answered with a question. You can never be too careful in Yellowstone’s Dinosaur Country. But the rexes and other big beasties have gone south for the winter. We should be safe enough.

Biggest baddy I’d expect to see’s a grizzly bear, Will Daniels refilled coffees for the pair and their paleontologist table mate, Dr. David Ogilvey. But bears are still hibernating. Lot of snow on the ground up where we’re going.

I hope to bag a wolf from the new pack that’s been howling up that way, said Chase. And speaking of being careful, you three keep an eye out for trouble too. Wildlife can be full of nasty surprises. Especially wildlife of the dinosaurian kind.

Three? Ogilvey glanced around the table with a quizzical look in eyes magnified by thick wire-rimmed glasses. Kit, and me, and…

His math exercise ended when a pink Vespa putt-putted in between the ranch house and the barn.

And Maddy makes three! Kit said as her friend came in through back door.

Hi everyone! Maddy smiled as they gave her a once-over, noting the inappropriateness of her clothes for field work. The black combat boots were okay, but the hot pink tights and top, and faux fur coat in black to match her dyed hair seemed out of place for wildlife observations in rough country. Nevertheless, the outfit was entirely in keeping with what folks expected from Maddy Meyer.

Chase stood, leaned over the table, and kissed Kit on the lips. See you around dinner time?

Dinner time, Kit affirmed a little breathily—her reaction anytime Chase kissed her.

As he went out the back door he said to Will, I’ll get my dart rifle and radio-collar from my pickup and put them in your Jeep.

I’ll be with you in a minute, the old cattle rancher said. Just as soon as I get these dishes cleared off.

Within a half hour, Will and Chase were driving up the road behind the ranch house that led to the back slopes of Sandstone Mountain, the gorgeous pyramidal peak at the center of Will’s ranch. The mountain glowed red orange in the bright sun of a fine Southern Montana April morning. High up where the Absaroka Range reached heights even greater than Sandstone Mountain, was a ridge road Will knew of. There, he and his father had hunted wolves with bullets, not darts, back in what people now considered the bad old days of wolf eradication with government bounties bankrolling the massacre. Not so, today. This time around he was supporting Chase’s wolf-reintroduction project, which went on despite an alien invasion that reintroduced a lot more than wolves to Yellowstone Country.