[Trade] Unlikely Allies

Lucent did not like the idea of being governed- he was more of a ‘governing’ kind of Utahraptor. That was part of why Themis liked him- his orders hadn’t lead her astray yet and she wasn’t planning on going against them any time soon. That was why when the duo first heard about the encroaching Atlanteans they had started to put their feelers out for possible like-minded connections. After all, Iguanadon were suddenly one of the largest species on the island, only truly rivaled by the Therizinosaurus and the Acrocanthosaurus and maybe an Alberto if they were able to catch the behemoths off-guard. Perhaps that was why when they heard of the newly-established Gang ™ establishing a territory they had reached out despite not being the ally-ing type.
Cathedral had been patrolling the landscape more frequently than usual with the threat of Atlanteans looming. Lots of Cassidy’s gang were content to scrub their bellies and yawn lazily at the threat… but not Cathedral. She was ever-vigilant, as was her job as the only flier currently among the gang, and she was burdened with that knowledge. The Gang was still small with only a talonful of members- most of which weren’t exactly the best company. She wasn’t sure how Cassidy kept the rag tag cretinous bunch together.. But she was thankful for it. Enough so that when word spread around the mine base about two Utahraptors setting up a meeting to jump a scouting party that had established themselves Cathedral was the only one to take them seriously.
The first impressions they had of one another were mutually skeptical when all that seemed to show up to this meeting was Cathedral herself and two scrawny Utahraptors.
“Is it just you?” Lucent had asked his expression unimpressed.
“Be glad it was someone.” Cathedral snarked back as she landed on a nearby tree,”And I wouldn’t count myself as committed just yet. We still don’t know what we’re up against.”
Themis looked up at the perched blue tapejara with the sun blotting out her gaze. She pondered quietly about - if Lucent commanded it - she could leap to the tree and across the branches in time to snare her hooks into the wing membrane of the tapejara. As though sensing her thoughts, Lucent let out a disapproving huff. He knew for the stunt he was planning on pulling off they would need everyone they could get.. And a flier had its uses.
“Here is the agreement-” Lucent spoke,”We get all human artifacts this convoy may be carrying. You can pick whatever you can carry of anything else.”
Cathedral stared down at the pale colored Utahraptor with suspicion in her gaze.. Why was he making such a bizarre demand? What did he find fascinating about human artifacts when she found them so dull and uninteresting? Was he lying to her to get her to agree? She stared for a while, before ultimately coming to a conclusion.
“Deal.”

[...]

The night was dark as a new moon danced behind scattered clouds leaving the already dark night time difficult for the trio.. But at least they were used to it. They weren’t sure what dome life was like but considering the artificial-ness of it all they were pretty sure natural moonlight wasn’t something the band of Atlanteans were used to. It meant that reconnaissance should hopefully be easier.
“Their camp seems situated on the cliffside.” Lucent remarked as he gestured with one of his bare spiked talons,”We don’t know what kind of weaponry they have so it would be best if you don’t get too close.”
Cathedral all but rolled her eyes at the Utahraptor. What did he think this was? Her first time being a scout? Logistics and scouting were practically her main jobs back with the Gang- so it felt a bit infantilizing for the Utahraptor to assume she didn’t know how to do it. Themis caught sight of the frown that seemed to come across Cathedral’s face as she took to the sky. Themis turned towards Lucent once the Tapejara was out of ear shot.
“Are we eating her after this?” Themis asked,”I don’t like her attitude.”
“As long as she continues to prove useful to us we have no reason to eat her.” He remarked,”And as long as she doesn’t try to slight of talon any human artifacts.”
“She doesn’t seem to care about human artifacts at all- her expression was more confused than anything when you mentioned them.”
“Which is good. We wouldn’t want any.. Competition when it comes to studying them.. At least none more than what the Atlanteans already are.”
Cathedral could hear hushed whispers from the two as she flew up- growing up the daughter of tropes meant that she had honed her skills listening.. Although she couldn’t make out what the duo seemed to be discussing, it didn’t sit easy with her that they were so tight knit and clearly skeptical of her. She hadn’t earned the Gang’s trust in a day, but there was something.. Off about these two. The way that Themis was always at the heels and beckoning of Lucent didn’t sit right with her. It gave her more ‘cult’ vibes than anything.. Which just meant that she had to get this mission done quicker so that she could rid herself of these two sketchy characters.
Flying up just above the treeline to prevent being seen Cathedral could see the small clearing of Atlanteans gathered. The camp was quite small and seemed to be a restocking station for.. What looked like seeds? She had heard about their attempts to introduce jungle plants into the environment and take over but they had seemed so far-fetched , especially considering the carnivorous nature these plants seemed to have. Steadily and quietly she settled down on a branch, barely shaking it as she smoothly landed in a hidden spot. The initial rustling subsided with little more than an Oviraptor turning over in his sleep, and from here she could count..
The wait for Themis and Lucent was agonizingly long yet short in actual minutes. Cathedral came back, an almost smirk to her face as the duo perked up.
“What did you see?” Themis was quick to ask the scouting tapejara.
“Three oviraptors and then a round rock thing. I think its what they’re calling a Euoplocephalus. Its my first time seeing one- must be in charge of protecting the Ovis since it was the only one awake.”
Lucent nodded to himself as he began contemplating what he knew about the creatures- they were slow, but had thick osteoderms and hides, with a clubbed tail that could easily break their bodies no doubt.. But they weren’t that much bigger than Lucent and Themis. If the duo were careful, they could surely overpower them.
“How good are you in a fight?” Themis’ voice broke him out of his concentration.
“Nothin’ to sniff at,” Cathedral said puffing out her chest,”As long as I have my bolas I’m a force to be reckon’ with.. Dunno if I’ll be much good against the walking boulder tho.” Cathedral admitted honestly.
“Then I have a plan.” Lucent smirked.

[...]

A long stretch of cloud covered the moon making the moment particularly dark as Lucent and Themis stalked up to the encampment. Being that it was on a cliff edge there was only one real direction to come from which made stalking trickier- but having the barely visible frame of Cathedral high in the sky monitoring like a game of red light green light made it just that little bit easier. Once the Euo was into view that was Cathedral’s que to get into position of her own as she dove down and began to near the cliffside with the intent of hugging it all the way up.
Things would go fast. Just the way she liked it.
Once she rounded the edge of the cliff that was the que for Lucent and Themis to charge.The Euo quickly turned his head to bark a warning to Cathedral and stood up- just enough of a distraction for Lucent and Themis to get in close. Avoiding the swinging tail was easier when he hadn’t quite noticed them yet- as Themis leapt onto the Euo’s back talons sinking in.
Cathedral, meanwhile, was tasked with wrangling the Ovis. The first one was easy- the foolish thing had tried to run at her rather than away- and with a quick swing of her hips in the air and perfect timing the Oviraptor’s ankles met each other and it fell chin-first onto the ground. The other two meanwhile had the common sense to at least try and flee in the event of an ambush. When they split in opposite directions, she was prepared, swinging her hips again sending two bolas out one for each Oviraptor- while one landed its target and tied its legs together, the other seemed to only catch one leg leaving the Oviraptor running to the bush while Cathedral let out a ‘tsk’.
It quickly became apparent that Lucent and Themis had the more difficult of the two tasks taking on the Euo. He was a skilled fighter, and even though he had been surprised he was quick to regain his composure despite the large Utahraptor atop him. Themis dug her claws into the the thick plating of skin on his back. Blood trickled down as she faced backwards so that her body could watch the club. The Euo’s club reared up swinging best it could at the Utahraptor on its back as Lucent circled waiting for his opportunity. One particularly slow swing was enough for Themis to grab the Euo’s base of the tail where the club met the flesh. The Euo screamed and all the muscles pulled to try and free his weapon- but Themis kept a tight grip with her talons and her jaws, refusing to be flung off or to let go. It was the perfect moment for Lucent.
Lucent jumped forward in the Euo’s panic, his teeth lassoing around the crevice of the tank’s neck and shoulders. With all the power he could muster, as well as Themis’ position throwing off the Euo’s center of gravity, the Euo began to tip. All Lucent needed was an inch to get a mile, and with Themis jumping off while holding the club Lucent made quick work. His sickle claw launched forward, catching a hitch in the Euo’s exposed underbelly. The viscera was immense as he jerked and fought- his stomach laid open while the two Utahraptors monitored a short distance away. Lucent watched the Euo expire with an almost serene expression- pleased that his plan for dealing with him had worked. Thermis, meanwhile, was equally serene watching him. It was all a rather graphic and a bit sappy for Cathedral’s taste.
“Well, I wonder what tastes better- Oviraptor or Euocephalus.” Cathedral remarked, dragging the two now fully tied up Oviraptors over to the corpse of their now dead friend.
“You didn’t have to kill him!” One of the Oviraptors remarked,”We’re just doing our jobs- we’re-” Themis was quick to pounce and wrap her talons around his maw, her sickle claw threateningly close to his jugular.
Cathedral didn’t quite flinch at the sight- but something about these two felt wrong and she was beginning to understand why. They didn’t respect the dinosaurs they killed to eat- not like she was taught by her trope parentage- no, these two were just cold hearted killers, weren’t they?
She guessed cold hearted killers had to eat too.. But as the trio settled to rummaging through the camp, a shaking and loud sound was quickly upon them with a speed that surprised both Thermis and Lucent. The Oviraptor who had escaped had brought back up in the form of a large, hulking, and armored Iguanadon.
Before Cathedral could turn to escape, her wings became bound- a net covering her that had been dropped upon her from a lunging Oviraptor. Seeing themselves outmatched, Themis and Lucent were quick to turn tail, but quickly they realized the only place to go was off the side of the nearby cliff..
“The way I see it you have two options.” The Iguanadon spoke as he stepped over the Euocephalus’ body with a twinge of sadness in his eyes,”Die or come with me.”