Robin

A green-tinted fire egg bobbed up and down in sickly blue-green goo. Contained in a dragon-sized observation capsule, it was tucked into the corner of a busy lab. Organization scientists bustled by, all but one: Dr. Robin Webb. He and his wife Rusalka worked together on this project, carefully splicing together the DNA of a Dilophosaurus and Rifter hatchling still in the egg.

Robin knew what they were doing was wrong but he loved biology and all the possibilities that could come from this kind of science. He didn’t want to go so far with his experimentation, only wanting to work with eggs suffering from egg rot or dragons that had already died, but the Organization was the only group willing to fund his experiments. In exchange, he had to sacrifice some of his morals and live under the control of the President.

Rusalka was in the same situation. She and Robin had actually met at an Organization intake meeting, where dragons were prepped for the expectations of the President and given their roles in the organization.

Robin often stopped to look at the egg, marveling at their handiwork, but this time was different. The egg had begun to move in jerking motions, a sign that it was starting its hatching process. The scientist was completely transfixed.

Just before the hatchling could make its first pip and truly break through its shell, Robin hit the button to drain the liquid from the tank, making it safe for the hatchling to take its first breath.

When the hatchling fully emerged, against all protocol, Robin opened the observation capsule. He took the purple and blue dragon into his claws and softly stroked its frills which had already begun to develop. The hatchling opened its eyes, gazing into Robins and taking in his distinctive rosette pattern.

Suddenly, a loud voice came from behind. All heads snapped to the furious spiral storming towards Robin.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?”

It was Dr. Kimiko, head of the Organization’s biological experiments department. She made all of the rules, several of which Robin was obviously breaking at that exact moment.

She began berating Robin as she reached toward the hatchling, intent on removing it from this imbecile. As she grabbed the hatchling, it startled, spraying venom from its mouth and blinding Robin in one eye. The scientist wailed in pain loosening his grasp on the small dragon, allowing Kimiko to successfully take it.

The hatchling struggled to free itself from Kimiko’s grasp scratching her anywhere it could reach. Its claws were highly developed for a dragon of its age. Still, Kimiko carried it off to a location unknown to Robin.

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Several years later, Robin and Rusalka had long since left the Organization. They left in the dead of night, knowing they wouldn’t be allowed to leave alive otherwise.

The pair settled down into a cozy farm life, not too far from the Organization base they were stationed at. They kept to themselves to avoid gaining the Organization’s attention. Still, they stayed near hoping that one day they’d be able to see their hatchling again.