Day 4 of the Carlo family's day-and-night migration.
The sun rose slowly, casting scorching rays across the verdant earth. Under the shade of the trees, a massive silhouette lifted its head. After carefully scenting the air to confirm the absence of threats, the creature let out a low huff toward those behind it.
Before long, four figures emerged in sequence, looking toward Carlo. At his call, they stepped out from the forest once more, continuing their journey toward the boundless prairie.
…
Day 10 of the Carlo family's day-and-night migration.
In Montana, the number of dinosaur-related casualties surpassed five hundred. The dinosaur black market gradually took center stage as poachers shifted their focus toward high-value targets; dinosaur taxidermy, skeletons, and hides began appearing on major trading platforms.
It wasn't just dinosaur protection organizations taking action; more protest groups flooded the streets, holding placards high, some fighting for the rights of the dinosaurs, others for the safety of humanity.
…
Day 18 of the Carlo family's day-and-night migration.
A black curtain began to shroud the world, adorned with brilliant, shimmering nebulae that added a touch of fantasy to the monotonous sky. Kafka sat perched in a clearing within the woods, head tilted back, the starlight reflected in his glowing yellow pupils.
…
Day 20 of the Carlo family's day-and-night migration.
The Department of Prehistoric Wildlife (D.P.W.) established branches in numerous locations, operating as a public interest organization to protect residents from dinosaur interference and to contain high-threat specimens. Currently, they enjoyed a strong reputation among state residents and had been officially integrated into several state governments.
Darius and Ronnie had lost the trail of the Carlo family. However, the video of them "taming dinosaurs with their bare hands" during the journey had sparked significant debate, causing the percentage of people supporting dinosaur protection to climb by several points.
…
Day 24 of the Carlo family's day-and-night migration.
Beside a highway, Carlo's group discovered an abandoned, overturned SUV. One of the doors was severely deformed, likely the work of a medium-sized herbivore. Driven by an intense curiosity for the unknown, Katyusha stepped forward and attempted to bite the tires; Karl, influenced by her, followed suit and began gnawing on the tires on the other side.
…
Day 28 of the Carlo family's day-and-night migration.
"Everyone! Change of plans!"
The Primeval Official slammed a stack of printed papers onto the table, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
Staff members halted in their tracks, the muscular guy pulled off his headset, and Tiger Lady set down her laptop. They all gathered around the massive log table to see the news their boss had brought.
[Mojave Desert Sanctuary — Dinosaur Ecological Pilot Program Act]
"The Mojave... wait?! Isn't that..."
"Yes, right there in California, not far from the Giganotosaurus family."
The quicker-witted employees immediately recognized the location in the title. The Primeval Official confirmed their suspicion before they could finish, while simultaneously, as if by magic, dividing the document on the table into four identical copies and sliding them to the four leads.
The regulations of the act were numerous and somewhat abstract, but the Official had thoughtfully summarized the key points for the team:
1. The Mojave National Preserve is officially designated as one of the pilot dinosaur sanctuaries.
2. All losses and profits of the Mojave Sanctuary belong to the D.P.W. In exchange, the D.P.W. must oversee all paleobiological and non-paleobiological life within the zone, including but not limited to their physical and mental health.
3. Regarding ecological construction, the Primeval Official is specially invited to take charge. The D.P.W. must provide full cooperation and handle the sanctuary's security to resolutely combat poaching and animal smuggling.
4. ...
"Holy crap! Boss is the GOAT!"
The act went on for pages, covering almost every minute detail. However, some employees couldn't help but start praising their boss's sheer influence.
"Hmm... previously we agreed that America wasn't suitable for the Giganotosaurus family, but the people upstairs don't seem to care that the Earth has a bunch of new species now..."
"Perhaps we can try to have the Giganotosaurus family settle there temporarily. They're reaching their limit with this long-distance travel anyway."
The Primeval Official laid out his view, and no one argued. They had watched every step of the Carlo family's migration; to put it mildly, they currently knew the state of the dinosaurs' health better than Carlo did himself.
For starters, Carlo, who was handling both day and night security, had gone nearly twenty days without sleep.
"Boss, the act says you're responsible for all ecological issues in the Mojave Sanctuary... will that be a problem?"
"It shouldn't be. We have prior experience, and the D.P.W. has already begun constructing artificial oases. Just to be safe, I invited Dr. Grant to come and inspect the site, but for some reason, he refused no matter what I said."
Throughout the review of the act, employees raised their hands with questions, all of which the Primeval Official answered patiently.
"Then Boss... how are we going to get the Giganotosaurus family to move there? You know how they are..."
The muscular guy added the last part in a whisper. He was one of the few who, like the Official, knew just how "unnatural" Carlo's capabilities were.
"Well... we'll use 'dinosaur' methods, of course. Also, I've secured the management rights for the Mojave Sanctuary's surveillance footage. Simply put, all raw footage goes through our hands first."
The muscular guy flipped through the act, and the perpetual sternness on his face softened slightly. Trust the Official to be thorough, securing the rights to the primary data meant the chances of exposing the Giganotosaurus's non-biological powers would be much lower.
…
Whirr-whirr-whirr…
The massive silhouettes of Dreadnoughtus glided through the sky, appearing small against the backdrop of the blue expanse.
Shadows briefly covered Carlo as he lurked among the mountains. He looked up, spotting the Triceratops skull logo on the transport helicopters at the very limit of his vision. Carlo had no intention of investigating, however, and continued leading his family across the heart of America.
"Roar…"
From beyond the mountains, the high-pitched call of a herbivore echoed. It carried a meaning Carlo knew well – it wasn't fear, nor was it a threat... it was a cheer. A welcome?
With a soft huff to the others, Carlo climbed a few steps higher on the rocks to survey the situation.
One look, and he was completely stunned.
What kind of sight was this?
In the middle of the desert, a place usually synonymous with death, green shrubs and cacti stood amidst the white sands. Lush trees rose from the ground like fortress walls surrounding a massive artificial lake. The oasis spread outward from the lake with an aggressive vitality, attempting to assimilate the desert soil.
A herd of Dreadnoughtus welcomed new members; Edmontosaurus and Triceratops grazed together on the tender green leaves by the water; Afrovenators sprinted across the sand, chasing a galloping herd of Struthiomimus.
The shock was no less than the first time they had seen the Great Lakes.
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