The observing scientists sighed in relief. The audience watching the Time Engineering and Administration’s livestream sighed in collective disappointment. People had nearly convinced themselves the robot would contract a prehistoric virus and become a real velociraptor.
It looked at the cameras, the scientists, and finally at the empty cage. A hand waved it forward. It tiptoed closer. Stopped. Looked over its shoulder. Tilted its head.
The chicken turned and sprinted back home. One scientist hit the safety switch, but the chicken was faster. Both portal and chicken winked out of existence.