The Write Place

“That’s a big one isn’t she?  Right for the sheep scared of nothing and nobody,” said Umberger to the man next to him. He lay prone, his eyes affixed to the scope attached to his light machine gun. The hot sun beatdown on their small squad of five men.  Four were familiar, one was a local sent to show them around the unfamiliar terrain. “Upwind from us, let’s keep her that way.”

“Isn’t nature beautiful Danny boy?” said Jaeger through his binoculars.

“You’re not worried?” Umberger asked.  Their target was a football field away from them, unaware of their presence, a status quo best kept.  Given the nature of the beast, and its reported history, Seargent Umberger was sure the distance was less than ideal.
“When I’m worried, you can worry,”

“Fair enough.  Long as you agree to go first,” Umberger said, now quite familiar with his companions’ demeanor. “They really spit fire huh?”

“Just when they want to.  Chaps, how’s the drone?” asked Jaeger, careful to not move his eyes from their target.  As most animals, this one could move.  Unlike most, it could catch you from this distance.  All five of the men there knew that.  

“Aye aye.  Minigun is online. Just waiting for a good shot.  If you get one first don’t let me stop you,” said chaps.  The former Air Force Combat Controller had joined their team for hunts like this. An enthusiast for aeronautics, he had gained a gift in robotics as well.  Being familiar with the tech, they gave him control of any and all air support.

“I like your odds better so I’ll defer to you. Farmer has been compensated, he’ll be happy to see the hunt went well,” said Leflore, positioned off to their right.  Setting his sights on the beast through the scope of a high caliber rifle .”Looking forward to seeing him hit by some proper ordinance.”

“Ain’t she something Bergey?” Jaeger said.

“I’ll say. T-Rex was my favorite though,” said Umberger. Humor aside, he cocked the Saw M249 wanting to be nothing less than prepared.  He didn’t want to find out firsthand what this creature could do to him.  Others had found out, which brought him to his current perch.

“Yeah Jurassic Park 3 was crap. He totally should have won against the Spinosaurus.  Thing didn’t even breathe fire.  What a joke.”

“Maybe you just don’t appreciate art,” said Leflore from behind his rifle.
“Bad art I don’t appreciate. I pay for accuracy.  Or at least a laugh at something so bad it’s good.  You’d understand that Leflore,”

“I’ve worked with you for years, I understand perfectly,” Leflore said.

“Relieving herself,” Umberger said.  The creature was indeed relieving itself, about fifty yards from the scared flock. “Or pouring lemonade.”

“Nature, so majestic… Shoot her chaps.”

“Way ahead of you,” said Chapman.  The buzzing of a minigun was faint but audible as the Mojave Reaper Drone  unloaded on the monstrosity.  Without a chance to roar it began to totter, the bullets splitting its elongated skull into a million pieces with a setup that didn’t technically exist.  Its massive body went limp in an instant. 

“Hahaha shooty shooty go brrrt,” mused Jaeger.

“Brilliantly satisfying,” said their Australian compatriot.

“Got any seasonings you want on him when you put him on the barbie Baker?”
“Once he goes down.  There it is, “ said Baker.  Headless, the creature began to drop kicking up the dry dust of the Outback with its massive weight.  The flock of sheep  cluttered further away in shock and confusion. “They will run an autopsy.  Then I’ll be happy to have our Yankee guests back for dinner.” 

“Better have bloomin onion. I hear fried foods go well with dragon,” Jaeger said.

“Go well with anything, but no blooming onion. Go to America to get some bloomin bloomin onion,” Baker said amused, picking himself up. “Didn’t realize you could control those in the field.”
“Most can’t.  But as you know we’re not most people,” Chapman said, folding the silver case he had buried himself in.

“I never saw anything like that,” Baker said.  He knocked the dust off of himself before bending over to pick up his rifle.

“And didn’t today either.”
“Of course not, or that monster that wasn’t there. I’ve never seen them dozens of times before either,”

“Spoken like a true know-nothing,” Leflore said.  He helped Umberger stand before switching to a smaller, portable rifle to carry.

“Ain’t we all,” Baker said with a smile.

“Nope. Wink,” said Umberger.

“No movement?” said Leflore.

 “Yup, just like we like to see,” said Jaeger. Putting away his binoculars, Jaeger picked up his radio in turn. “Subject is down.  Calling for cleanup, we’ll wait to meet them and head down.  Any report on your end?”

“Will do.  Aussie’s are pleased with the tracks we’re finding.  With the female down, that just leaves the nest and we’ll be on our way to that soon enough,” said McCready.

“At this point there won’t be any encroaching on their territory,” said Baker.  Jager nodded, knowing their timing was good.

“We’ll be with you after the meat wagon cleans up what’s left.  Mind if we keep something to mount over the fireplace?  Head won’t work though, there’s nothing left of that to work with,” said Jager.

“They’ll take what they need Rudy,” McCready said.

“I’ll ask them, I guess. Could go for some ribs.”

“That is the best part, one is probably as tall as you too.”

“I accept your challenge.  Talk to you in a bit boss.”

“We’re two kilometer’s out.  Don’t wander off,” said a resonating voice over the shared line.

“I wasn’t going to, but now it sounds like a good idea,” Jaeger smirked.

The men finished packing up their weapons before joining the crew of two approaching Cougar MRAPs, flanking a large refrigeration truck.  They would go down together to examine the day’s work.

“Remember, Numquam hic fuimus.”