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Jurassic Park Dawn of Retribution Stage Four
By JPJunkee+Yvonne
FOURTH STAGE
"Most species in the universe struggle to survive. They struggle as
one group with the dream of evolution. We assume survival for our
race as a given. Perhaps that's why we destroy each other. Then again
perhaps in our chaos we evolve."
-- Ian Malcolm --
Adam Kaje's eyes began to grow heavy as sleep began to take hold.
"Getting tired?" Malcolm asked.
Kaje frowned. The flight had been silent save for the few comments Malcolm had made. He looked at Malcolm and tilted his head to the side, "I was, but now I'm wide awake, thank you."
"Oh, my pleasure," Malcolm said with a smile.
Javier Martinez couldn't help but smile a bit himself.
"So, uh, Dr. Kaje --- that is your name, right?" Malcolm asked. "When you were on Sorna, did you ever see the disease?"
Kaje looked shocked and he turned to Martinez, "How does he know about the disease?"
Martinez shrugged, "I told him. It's no big deal really."
"No big deal? Jeez, does Grant or Degler know about the disease?" Kaje asked.
"No, Señor Kaje, I made sure the information was kept from them until they reached the island," Martinez said in a reassuring tone.
Kaje sighed with relief, "Well, that's good."
Malcolm shook his head, "Why is it so important that Grant doesn't know about the disease? It seems like a lot of fuss for nothing, if you ask me. I mean, yeah Grant hates that island. And I'm sure he's not exactly elated about going back there, but disease or no disease shouldn't affect his views on the island."
"Have you ever read any of Dr. Grant's books?" Kaje asked.
"Yes, some of them. I read the book on his experience on Isla Nublar, as well as his book about his theories on small theropods. Why?"
"Ever read one of his newest books, Era of Extinction?"
"No, I can't say I have," Malcolm said, shaking his head, still not getting the point.
"Well, in that book, Grant explained a theory about how dinosaurs went extinct," Kaje said. "He pointed out the facts that not only did they possibly evolve into birds, but there also had to be some sort of major catastrophe that killed all the dinosaurs. Many believed that it was an asteroid that wiped them all out. But as Grant points out, there have been no craters large enough to have destroyed all life on the planet. What Grant suggested, is that there was a sudden outbreak of a new disease, actually created by nature itself, that used the dinosaur's behavior against themselves, quickly killing them all."
Malcolm nodded, but kept silent.
"In a way, one could look at the disease on the island as a repetition of Grant's theory. But like Martinez probably told you, we're not even certain if it is a disease in the first place."
Malcolm waited for more, but Kaje was done. So Malcolm let out a deep sigh and said, "Honestly, I think your whole view on the fact that Grant's disease is a repetition created by nature . . . I think it's absurd. Uhh, heh, it doesn't work that way. And I don't think Grant would have ever suspected for one moment, that the disease on that island is another extinction coming to pass. It just does not work that way. Okay, let's assume that extinction is decided by nature -- or by a greater power -- if it's decided by that, why would it repeat itself? Dinosaurs were killed off 65 million years ago by something. We don't know what, but something killed them. So, as in human nature, it is our job to dream and conjure up theories to try and prove our own points and show how correct we can be. Let's say for a moment, that Grant's theory is absolutely correct, beyond a shadow of a doubt, dinosaurs were all killed by a major and sudden appearance of an unknown disease.
"Now, that disease kills off everything! Then . . . as time passes, new life forms begin to show up on the face of the earth. Then, dumb man comes along, and decides to tamper with nature and revive animals that have been dead for millions of years. Obviously, this would probably make the nature of the world a bit screwy. I mean, one second these things have been creatures of long forgotten times, and then poof a human being has created a dinosaur. You think nature would actually start extinction all over again, as if saying "Ah ha! You! You're supposed to be dead! BANG!" No it does not work that way. Nature may be repetitive, but not in that way."
Kaje looked dumb founded, "What?"
Malcolm growled, "You're wrong, I'm right. That basically sums it all up, okay?"
Martinez smiled and asked, "So, you are saying that Grant's theory is right, and that it was a disease that killed them all?"
"Oh, hardly. I think the disease theory is a load of bull shit, but that's not what matters. What matters, is that you think so low of Grant, that you think he would have gone berserk had he known about the disease on the island."
"What do you believe was the reason for the extinction of the dinosaurs?" Martinez questioned further.
"Behavior and the lack of adaptation."
Kaje rolled his eyes and looked out the window.
Martinez ignored Kaje and asked Malcolm, "Could you elaborate?"
"Depends, are you interested or bored?"
Martinez smiled, "Whichever you would rather believe, Dr. Malcolm."
"Okay then," Malcolm took a deep breath. "Uh, you see evolution has been going on since the beginning of time. And evolution is partly because of adaptation and behavior. Once the flow of the world is a stable repeating flow, adaptation and behavior slows, and sometimes even comes to a halt. But then, there is a sudden major change in the environment, interrupting the flow. The animals are so used to their repeating life, that evolution has slowed. So, their behavior stalls, and they are not able to, um, to adapt to the new change in the world. Ultimately, you could very well say they all died from insanity."
"Why are we speaking about this?" Kaje interrupted. "When we should be discussing the business on the island?"
"Because I know you value other people's opinions so much," Malcolm said with a broad smile.
"You're almost as arrogant as Grant," Kaje shook his head in disgust.
Malcolm couldn't help but laugh, "I'm the arrogant one you say? Well, maybe so, but Grant isn't arrogant. You are, on the other hand."
"Why is it that everyone feels the need to annoy me? I have better things to do than listen to you ramble on and on."
"You sir, are a genuine ass," Malcolm stated. "Did anyone ever tell you that?"
"What the hell is your problem? We're going to be working together for the next coupl---"
"Ha! You're the kind of person that people work for, not with."
"What? How the hell can you judge me, you've only just met me!"
"I don't see why that matters. Grant says you're a pompous ass of a human being, and that's good enough for me."
"You're friends with Grant?" Kaje asked.
Malcolm shrugged, "More or less. . . . I guess you could say we're friends, but we're definitely not close."
"I used to look up to Grant as my mentor---"
"And then you discovered you had a major ego."
"No. Then I discovered that his beliefs and methods were out of date, and he was really holding me back as my teacher. I tried to point this out to him, and he was enraged. After that, working with him was no longer an option."
"So, you then turned to the Darkside."
Kaje frowned, "No, I moved back to my hometown in Boston, and became the head of paleontology at the museum there. I've advanced past Grant and his knowledge."
"Yes, but Dr. Grant is famous for his views and his theories. And I never heard of you until earlier today. I'd say you haven't quite progressed past Grant yet," Malcolm said.
"Being famous, and being correct are two totally different things, Dr. Malcolm."
"Indeed," Malcolm nodded.
"I am correct. I am correct about Grant. I am correct about Isla Sorna. And I'm willing to bet I'm correct about you," Kaje said.
"Oh? And what is it, that you think about me?"
Kaje smiled, "Perhaps we'll speak about that some other time."
A man tapped Martinez on the shoulder and whispered into his ear. Then Martinez told Malcolm and Kaje, "ETA; ten minutes."
* * *
Leah groaned as the ship moved up and down in the waves of the ocean. They had left the harbor hours ago, and it would still be many more hours until they finally reached Isla Sorna.
Leah sat in the rec-room of one of the ships. In the room four people were playing cards, and beside Leah, McCarney sat reading a crime novel.
Leah took in a deep breath, as the boat dove amongst the waves once more. Then she shook her head and rubbed her palms over her eyes.
McCarney looked up from his book, "Are you okay? You don't look so good."
Leah smiled grimly, "I'm not one for sea travel, I don't think."
"You should get something to drink, help calm your nerves."
Leah nodded. The idea of having something to drink had never occurred to her, but she decided it was probably a good idea. "Where would I find the drinks?"
McCarney nodded his head to one of the doors, "Go through that door, and then go to the first door on the left. There's a mini-bar in there."
Leah smiled, "Thanks." She stood up, went through the door, and then to the first door on the left. In the room there were two back-to-back small bars, four stools, and a cooler on the floor. Leah went to the nearest mini-bar and picked up a large glass, then she looked around for something to put in it. She found nothing, so she went to the cooler and opened it. Inside, she found an assortment of liquor bottles, all covered with ice. Leah moved her hand around in the ice, and pulled out a Zima. She thought about getting a drink for either McCarney or Aaron, but decided against it. She opened the Zima, and poured it into her glass, then moved to the door. She was about to leave the room, when she heard a loud bang, and then some faint voices through the wall behind her.
Curious, Leah set her drink down, and approached the far wall. She put her ear to the wall. She could hear voices, but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Thinking quickly she stood up and went back to the mini bar, and grabbed a second empty glass. Then she returned to the wall, and placed the glass up against it, to help her listen in.
"---this thing was already a risky mission," she could hear one man say in a dry voice. "And then you drag in the girl and her boyfriend, and it becomes all the more risky. I have to tell you, Brock, I don't agree with your reasoning here."
There was a long pause and then another voice, this one more calm than the other, said, "I really don't care if you agree with me or not, Griffin. I'm calling the shots here, meaning I am in total control. If I want the girl and the other one to come with us, then you're just going to have to look the other way and deal with it."
"But why?" Griffin asked. "That's my question. Why bring them? They'll only slow us down. I mean, Brock, listen to me. The boys are edgy, you're new to this whole gang, and you're fucking in charge for crying out loud. And then when you make a choice to bring these two with us, questions about you and the choices you make arise. I mean, everyone thinks we're going to kill some big fat lizards, they don't know what me and Mick know . . . with the girl coming along . . . sooner or later they're going to figure it out."
"Let them figure it out. I hope they do figure it out. If they don't, then they're all rather stupid, if you ask me."
"Brock, I think this was a mistake."
There was another long pause, then, "Everything is a mistake."
"Listen, I'm going to defend you the entire time, but don't make me regret it in the end."
"I think you should stop questioning my authority before there is something to regret," Larson promised.
Leah heard someone coming to her room, so she moved away from the wall and put down the empty glass. Then she picked up her Zima and walked for the door. When she opened it, she saw McCarney standing in the doorway.
"Do you need help with something, Ms. Owens? It took you an awful long time to pour that," McCarney said with a suspicious eye.
Leah stammered for words, "I'm just . . . a little tired. I've been up for a long time, and I've been running around frantically for the last few hours. I guess I'm just kind of moving in slow motion."
She pushed past him and moved back into the rec-room, hoping that he wouldn't stop her.
McCarney stood by the door, and watched her move past. Seconds later, he could hear faint shouting from above-deck and then his radio beeped.
"Mick, there's some trouble, topside. Check it out, okay?" Larson asked over the radio.
"Sure," McCarney answered. Sighing, he left the curious woman alone and left the area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
McCarney stood on the deck of the boat, watching the argument move into yelling. Two of Larson's men were arguing about the herbivorous dinosaurs. At first it was just a friendly disagreement, but now reinforcements were called to deal with the two men.
"What is going on here?" McCarney managed to yell in between the swearing back and forth.
The bigger of the two answered, "He thinks that we should save the plant-eating dinosaurs, since he says they're harmless."
"They are harmless!" The smaller man spat. "Once the island is blown to smithereens, we could sell off some of the nicer dinos."
McCarney laughed, "Jack, that is silly. How would we transport such an animal?"
The small man waved a hand in McCarney's face. "I'm not talking about the big moms and dads, Mick. I'm talking about the infants. We could easily stow away a baby or two on this boat. We could be rich. We could be---"
"We could be arrested you dumb fuck," the larger man interrupted.
This remark enraged the smaller man and McCarney sighed as he watched him jump at the much larger person, hitting him with a barrage of quick and painless punches. The larger man simply grabbed a hold of Jack and threw him to the deck. Pointing at the little man, he shouted, "Lay off, Jack!"
By this time men had swarmed the deck, surrounding the large man, yelling in anticipation of a fight. McCarney wasn't even sure how they all got there so fast.
Jack tried to get up and continue the fight, but McCarney approached him and put a foot on his chest.
There would be no fight today.
"Look. You guys have got to learn to get along. We're here to work as a team. There is no way this plan can be safely executed if some of you are going to be holding grudges against one another."
"He should learn how to respect other people's opinions!" Jack yelled, still sprawled out on the deck.
The larger man countered, "And you should learn to keep your fucking trap shut!"
"Fine," McCarney said, looking at the larger man, "You keep your negative opinions to yourself," he started, and then he pointed toward Jack, "And you stop trying to push your opinions on others who don't give a shit. Okay?"
"Yeah, okay," Jack sighed softly.
The large man just grunted and walked away. McCarney removed his foot from Jack and helped the man to his feet.
"Jack, you really need to learn to pick fights with smaller people."
Jack smiled and rubbed McCarney's bald head, "I've always got you to act as my bodyguard, so it's all cool."
McCarney rolled his eyes and turned, walking away from the uncivilized men. Thinking over what had just happened made him smile. The fact that these very same people that Jack had invited along were disagreeing with him, proved to be ironically comical to McCarney. Jack had been the first man called in for this "job", since McCarney had known the little pain in the ass for several years.
Jack was a lowlife, plain and simple, but Jack was also the lead supply line to others just like him. In order to get a bunch of neanderthal-like men to agree to come to a place such as Isla Sorna, it was promised that this elite few would go down in history as the very people who would end the process of cloning dinosaurs. He knew that Jack had worked for some shady organization, blatantly against the cloning of animals. Sheep and other smaller types of animals had been their focus of late, but the Hammond dinosaur experiment was their prime target. So naturally, it was very easy to talk these people into helping "the cause", especially when Larson had offered to fund the entire expedition.
Unfortunately for these men, "the cause" wasn't what they thought it was. Larson had simply needed spirited people to assist him on this mission, so he had made up "the cause". The actual cause was to simply kill all of the Jurassic Park survivors. The same survivors he blamed for Suzan's untimely death.
It would have been much better to have killed them all in the United States, of course, but the Costa Rican government somehow found out about Larson's plan of revenge, so they had stolen "the victims" and taken them to this God-forsaken island. Granted, it did place a large damper in the plan, but they were able to overcome it well. In one of his more talkative and reminiscing moods, Larson had also told McCarney about Hammond trying to save his ass and the lives of some unimportant scientists, leaving the love of his life, Suzan, to fend for herself. His dreams of living happily ever after had been shattered. McCarney knew that was an unhealthy outlook, but the money he was receiving far outweighed that little detail. He would help Brock Larson in any way he could, right down to putting a bullet in the head of a few faceless scientists. The money was just too good, not to do so.
As he maneuvered between dozens of men, he made his way to the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leah and Aaron were finally left alone for just a few minutes, as McCarney had been needed on the deck. Aaron was leaning up against a weight bench, arms folded, staring at Leah.
"What is it?" He asked, as he watched her shuffle around uneasily, listening by the door.
"Shhh," she said.
He waited about another minute and then, "Leah, what is going on? You've been acting strange since you got back with that drink."
Leah rushed over to him, whispering, "Something really bad is going on with these people."
"What kind of bad things?"
"I don't know yet."
Aaron took a good look at her. He had been her friend for a long time and was accustomed to the different moods she possessed. Right now, she was in a reporter's frame of mind.
"What did you overhear?" He asked.
"Something about bringing us along not being a good idea."
"Who was talking?"
"I'm not sure. One man called the other Brock. That's Larson's name, right?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"The other man was Griffin. And they said something about Mick knowing the plan."
"The guy watching over us? McCarney?"
"Yeah."
"What plan?"
"I don't know. But whatever it is, only those three supposedly---"
The door opened and McCarney stepped into the room.
"We'll be there in about fifteen minutes," he announced.
"Are there problems above deck?" Aaron asked, trying to sound like he knew something about boats. In reality, he didn't know a thing.
"Just a misunderstanding between two of the men. No big deal," he answered.
Leah just stood quietly, trying to read the man's true intentions. She couldn't pick up on anything, so she gave up for now. The guy was good at lying. He was probably a professional criminal of some sort.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need to use the ladies' room."
McCarney moved away from the door and allowed her to leave the rec-room. She had been to the restroom a few times already, so it didn't seem abnormal to McCarney. Once because she really had to use the facilities, once to try to get her cell phone to work, and the third time to possibly vomit, as this type of travel was taking a toll on her stomach.
As she was walking toward the restroom, she heard scuffling above her head. Curious, she stopped and listened for a second, trying to figure out who it was and where it was coming from. Then, as soon as it had started, the noises receded. Still looking up, she frowned and began to walk again.
She ran into something bulky. Or rather . . . someone bulky.
"Oh, sorry," she said, looking up and instantly seeing that the man she had run into was Brock Larson.
"Don't you worry your pretty self about it," he said, grinning at her.
Instantly, she wished that she was anywhere but where she was. When she had first met Larson, he seemed mean and foul-tempered, then he switched to nice and unbelievably sincere. Now, he was acting creepy. She really wasn't liking the way he was looking at her.
"Uh, I was just heading back to the rec-room," she explained.
She turned away from him, but he placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"You weren't just going back to your room," he challenged.
He physically turned her body around until she was facing him again.
"Yes. Yes, I was," she insisted, with a smile that was more frightened in appearance than friendly. The man was much bigger than she was and he was acting very menacing.
"No, I don't think so, Ms. Owens." He continued to stare at her in an uncomfortable way and then he added, "Care if I call you Leah?"
She shallowed hard, her level of fear rising quickly. The way he was staring at her, he wasn't really looking at her at all . . . like he was looking right through her.
"No, please. Leah is fine," she said as calmly as she could muster.
He reached a hand to her hair, startling her. She jumped a little. He obviously noticed.
"I was just admiring your beautiful hair. No need to be nervous . . . Leah."
She hated the way he said her name.
"I really need to get back to my room," she said softly, hoping that she wouldn't cause him to get angry.
"You have beautiful blonde hair," he complimented, ignoring her.
She suddenly felt a stinging in her face, like she was about to cry. She couldn't believe how much this guy was making her sweat from fear. She could feel herself perspiring.
"Uh, thank you."
"You are truly a beautiful woman."
She nodded, trying to think of a way out of the situation before it escalated.
It was too late. Larson stepped closer to her, leaving little space between them.
"I bet you would make a nice companion."
Her fear suddenly turned to anger. She placed her arms between them, in an attempt to push him out of her comfort zone.
Quickly taking offense to that gesture, he placed his hands on her arms and shook her twice. Her spirit of anger was quickly dissolved as she began to fear for her physical safety.
"I don't think you understand," he simply stated.
He abruptly pulled her toward him, almost catching her off balance.
"You are in my world now, Leah. My world. In my world, I am the captain. This is my show, so you'll be a good little lady and play along with whatever I see fit."
"Get your hands off of me," she demanded. It was the loudest she had let her voice get toward him thus far.
He squeezed her shoulders, causing her to wince. Easily, he shook her once again, glaring into her eyes.
"If you don't stop resisting, I'm going to have to resort to something drastic."
"Please, just leave me alone," she pleaded, a tear running down her cheek.
Larson moved his face very close to hers. She could smell alcohol on his breath since his lips were only inches from her own.
"I would very much like to kiss you," he whispered.
She turned her head away. This little gesture sent his rage racing. She looked just like Suzan, his long lost love. The same woman for which all of this was happening now. He longed to see Suzan again . . . just one last time . . . to say his final goodbyes. This woman standing before him was like having the spirit of Suzan standing before him. He wanted nothing more than to be accepted and forgiven for leaving her on that island all of those years ago.
But this woman wasn't exactly like Suzan. He could see that now. This woman was tainted. He had been the only one to overhear the conversation between herself and Madison, back on the docks. He knew that her heart belonged to another man. It looked as though the spirit of Suzan, which was so obviously resting in her soul, also belonged to that very same man.
Alan Grant.
Still holding onto to her very tightly, Brock Larson took her by the chin and moved her face until she was forced to look at him.
The look of madness in his eyes was very unsettling, to say the least. She was sure he was going to kill her. Instead, he pushed her away from him, knocking her into the side of the hallway.
"When we land on this island, I'm going to hunt down Alan Grant and kill him in front of you."
Without allowing her to respond, Larson turned away and marched up the nearby stairs. Leah slumped to the floor, getting ready to lose control of her emotions. Seconds later, she did just that and cried into her hands, trying to be as quiet as possible.
* * *
Grant looked out his window and saw the island growing closer. He sighed slightly, and put his head down. He looked to Ellie and saw the same expression of overwhelming dread on her face, that he was sure he had on his. Strangely, Grant noted, she didn't look frightened. Only angry, or perhaps just tense. He hated to admit it to himself, but he had been away from Ellie too long, and had lost his touch in reading her emotions. It used to be simple. If he saw her frown, he would be able to tell why she was frowning, whether it was sadness, worry, or whatever. But now . . . they had grown distant, and the reading of emotions was now one of the many things that Grant had lost with Ellie.
His mind suddenly drifted to Leah. He was happy with her and yes, life was very good for him, after being alone for so long.
But, one never forgets their true love. The love of their life. That sort of love never dies, it lives on within you forever. Grant knew way back when he and Ellie had separated, that he would never love another like he had loved Ellie. It just wasn't possible. He had never been a believer in soul mates, but with Ellie, he just couldn't help but believe that there was a certain someone for everyone. Ellie and Grant were . . . meant to be.
"What are you thinking about?" Ellie's voice suddenly intruded on his thoughts.
He cleared his throat and straightened up a little bit, "Nothing really. Just random thoughts about life."
"Me, too."
"You okay, Ellie? You've been very quiet."
"I'm about as okay as can be expected, I guess."
Grant was about to say something more, not really having a clue as to what that might be, when Sisqo began to yell in his own language.
After a brief moment where Grant and Ellie just stared, the leader said, "Stop the talking before he gives you brain damage," he translated to Grant.
Grant nodded.
"I don't know how I can make that any clearer," the leader added, "It seems my large friend wants you to remain quiet. Got it?"
"Okay," Grant said softly.
Sisqo relaxed some, somewhat content.
Several minutes went by, where Grant just took turns staring out the window and then staring back at Ellie. Every time he would glance at her, she was already looking at him. He tried to figure out what she could be thinking of. Thoughts of his own, raced through his already overwhelmed mind. Mark was now dead, Ellie was now alone . . . what could this mean for Grant?
Nothing.
He was with Leah. He loved Leah. Besides, going to Ellie after Mark had died would be bad for Grant in more ways than one. He didn't even want to think about how Leah would feel about all of this, and he was relieved that he wouldn't have to think about that for a while, at least.
Grant jumped when something green and brown flashed by his window. He snapped his head to the side to look outside, as another green blur passed by. The blurs were trees. They were over the island now.
This cursed island only complicated things further. But there was really nothing to complicate, was there?
No, not really, Grant decided once he had thought about it for a moment.
He had enough things going on with this island, he didn't have the time to worry about the loves of his past and present. He would have to sort all of his misplaced feelings out later.
He was just thankful Leah was in a safer place than he.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ian Malcolm gasped when another tree raced by the window, narrowly touching the chopper's blades. "Um, we're going a little bit fast, don't you think?"
Sitting across from him, Kaje gave a worried smile, it was obvious he didn't like the dramatic speed they were descending in either.
Malcolm turned to Martinez, but the man was talking in his headset, too busy for Malcolm right now. Looking away from Martinez, he swallowed hard as he felt his pulse quicken, then he dared another glance out the window.
The chopper had cleared the mountains of trees, and was now flying over a lush green valley of vegetation and beauty. All about the great valley, dinosaurs walked around foraging for food. Malcolm spotted a pair of brachiosaurs in the distance, chewing off the tops of trees. And in the shadows of the choppers, a small herd of gallimimus fled. Beside a watering hole, two triceratops drank and trumpeted their calls into the air.
Malcolm saw Kaje staring in awe out the window. Without looking up, Kaje said, "It never gets old does it? Seeing them . . . being natural."
Malcolm frowned but didn't say a thing. He looked back out the window just in time, as the choppers passed over a single stegosaur, eating from a fallen tree. And beside the stegosaur, lay the lifeless bodies of yet another larger stegosaur, and then the small body of a baby stego. From this altitude, Malcolm couldn't be sure, but he was almost certain that he saw no wounds on the dead animals. He sighed and sat back. He didn't want to look any more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grant looked out his window, as the chopper stopped moving forward, and slowly began to descend down to the valley floor. They were going to land, where the valley met the trees. He closed his eyes, as the chopper moved downward still. Then he groaned to himself as he felt it touch the ground.
They were here, back on the island again.
Grant took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, as the door to the chopper slid open, and he was ushered out into the misty early morning air. He ducked his head down as he moved away from the chopper, and walked towards a clear place on the grass.
This couldn't be real. How could he be back here? It just didn't seem possible that he could be back on this island again.
He looked down, and saw a footprint on the ground beside him. He knelt down beside the print and ran his hand over the three-toed imprint. The morning dew was beginning to soak the knee of his pants, so he stood up. He was here all right. He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. Ellie walked up behind him and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He put on a gentle smile and then looked up to see Ian Malcolm storming over to them.
"Uh, enjoy your flight?" Malcolm asked, once he had reached them.
"It was marvelous," Grant muttered looking behind him, as Sisqo unloaded things from the chopper.
"We shouldn't be here," Malcolm stated. "These, uh, maniacs have told me what we've been brought here for, and it isn't promising news. We need to get off this island right now---"
Martinez came walking up to the three scientists and announced with a smile on his face, "The General wishes to speak with you now."
Malcolm rolled his eyes and put his hands in his jacket pockets. Grant and Ellie nodded and followed Martinez. After a moment, Malcolm reluctantly followed as well. Martinez led them to a shady spot where the trees began and the valley ended. There, stood tables and boxes -- some over ten feet high.
"I hope this isn't going to be the place we set up camp," Ellie commented.
Martinez shook his head, "No, not quite. We will be camping in a pre-selected spot in the middle of the jungle, near the volcanic mountain. We're here, preparing the vehicles to haul all of our supplies."
"I didn't see any vehicles on the choppers," Grant said.
"That's because there was none. You see those large green crates?" Martinez said, pointing to five large dark green crates, covered in mesh camouflage. "We dropped those in by parachute two days ago. Luckily, all of the boxes were not disturbed by any of the animals -- all of them, except one." Martinez frowned as he pointed to one crate that had people working on all sides of it, just trying to open the door of the horribly disfigured crate. "Inside each crate, is a military class Hummer, and yet even more supplies."
"You thought ahead," Grant nodded.
"Yes indeed, Dr. Grant." Martinez looked at a table beside a large tree and nodded his head, "There is the General now. Come."
Martinez led the others up to the table, where a stout and muscular man, with a thin mustache and a scar running from beneath his eye, to his lip, was barking orders to three other military officers. The man looked up and saw Martinez approaching, and his demeanor changed to a little bit nicer tone -- but only a little bit.
"Dr. Grant, Dr. Malcolm, Dr. Degler, meet General Aldez," Martinez said.
Aldez put on an obviously fake smile then raised his chin as he spoke to them in surprisingly clear English, "I apologize for you three having to be here. I understand there are probably very few places you wouldn't rather be than this island, and for having the need of your presence on this island, I am deeply sorry. But you are here, and we do need you, so that is that. And I suppose it would be best if I tell you why you are here."
"Oh yes, please do," Malcolm said mockingly, "Because we're all so dying to know."
Grant shot Malcolm a look then turned back to Aldez as the General said, "Isla Sorna may be in grave danger. We have reason to believe a disease has spread across this island, killing the dinosaurs. We -- as a country -- do not want this. We want to preserve the animals. But, we don't even know if this disease is natural. We needed people who have seen the dinosaurs before, to tell us what to look for in their behavior. That is why you are here. Any questions?" Aldez's smile grew wider, and all the more fake in appearance.
"Yeah I've got a question," Ellie said. "How do you think that gives you the goddamned right to kidnap us and take us here? Just to . . . answer your questions? Save your precious animals?"
Aldez frowned, he did not like Ellie's anger and it showed. "You are here, and that is what counts. Now, go over to those men, they will give you gear for your time in the jungle." Then Aldez simply turned and walked away.
Grant looked at Ellie, and smiled as he said, "Nothing like starting off on the wrong foot, eh?"
Ellie shook her head as she followed Grant and Malcolm to the people who were supplying the gear. They all received a small backpack, filled with a compass, a water filled canteen, a pair of pliers, and three Gatorade Energy Bars.
The three slipped on their backpacks then walked back to where they had last seen Martinez. But now, the helpful Sergeant was nowhere to be seen. Grant and the others stood by just watching as everyone ran about, preparing the equipment.
"Dr. Grant!" They heard someone call. "DR. GRANT?!" Grant and the others attempted to find the yelling person, but couldn't see anyone amongst all of the busy people running about.
"Dr. Grant, it's considered polite to answer someone when they call you," said a quiet voice behind them. Grant turned around and saw Adam Kaje standing there, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"What do you want?" Grant asked.
"Simply the attention and knowledge of another paleontologist." Then Kaje smiled and said, "Come look at what I found."
Kaje led them away from the others, and to a small bush.
Kaje walked excitedly up to the bush. But when the tremendous stench swept through the air, the others hesitated. Kaje looked up at them, annoyed.
"What, too afraid to look at a dead animal?"
Grant frowned, and walked to the bush. On the other side, where Kaje was crouching, was the mutilated body of an infant hadrosaur. Grant covered his mouth and nose. The smell coming off the animal was near unbearable. Grant looked at the ghostly white eye, as it stared through him. The creature's skin had once been a bright yellow, but now it was a light brown. A large gash ran along the spine of the animal. Strewn out across the bloody grass, was the mangled viscera. But what really had Grant's attention, was the odd color of the skin, around the wounds. Instead of a yellow or gray, it was a sickly green color. The skin near the wounds was bloated, and the veins from beneath the skin were bulging upwards. Grant looked at the animal's head and noticed that in fact, bile or some sort of substance had risen out of the animal's mouth. The white eyes stared up Grant, he had to look away.
"You see?" Kaje said. "This is the disease we were talking about. Now granted this specimen is dead---"
The stench in the air grew worse as the sweet smell or rotting decay grew heavier in the air. Everyone smelled it.
"This was not caused by any disease," Grant said, as he felt the ground beneath his feet begin to tremble slightly.
Everyone kept silent, as they heard the underbrush breaking under the approaching animals feet.
Then, out of the shadows of the trees, stepped out a carnotaurus. The creature's horned head was staring directly at the four of them. Drool ran down its chin and dripped to the jungle floor as it panted and sized up its prey.
There was a distance of about fifteen meters between them and the carnotaur, and about another twenty meters between them and the soldiers, in the opposite direction.
The carnotaur stepped out, away from the shadows of the trees, the sun light shining on its red and black colored hide. A low, deep growl escaped the animal's mouth as it walked closer to them.
"Um, uh, shouldn't we be running?" Malcolm stuttered.
The carnotaur roared ferociously, its drool flying through the air, then it lowered its boxy head and ran at them.
The humans turned and ran back in the direction of the Costa Rican soldiers. It became obvious they weren't going to make it, the carnotaur was much faster than they were, and it was covering the distance very fast.
Grant was running with Malcolm directly beside him, and Ellie a little bit ahead of all of them. Grant heard a scream behind him, and looked back.
Kaje was sprawling to the ground, he must have tripped on something.
Grant never thought about anything. He turned around and ran back to Kaje. He put a hand on both shoulders, and brought the man to his feet. Together they were about to begin fleeing again, but Grant realized the carnotaur was already upon them.
The large animal stood above them, looking down. The big orange eyes, like flames of pure animal fury, glaring at them.
By now, soldiers had heard the chase, and were running to their aid. Martinez ran as hard as he could, getting in range to shoot the dinosaur.
Grant and Kaje looked up at the carnotaur, with a sense of overwhelming hopelessness. The drool continued to drip from its jaws, as it simply stared down at them.
Martinez flipped the safety off his gun and put the carnotaur in his sights.
The carnotaur breathed deep and brought its head back. Grant closed his eyes, awaiting the inevitable.
There was a loud thud, and then the ground shook.
Grant opened his eyes, to see the carnotaur laying on its side on the ground. The animal was breathing deeply, still alive, but no longer a true threat.
Ian Malcolm walked slowly towards Martinez, who still had his gun pointing at the downed dinosaur. "That was a nice shot," Malcolm said.
Martinez lowered his gun. "I never shot it. No one shot it."
Grant stepped up to the animal's head. The carnotaur's big eyes followed his every step. The big creature was letting out a pained whine with every breath. Grant stood three feet away from the head.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kaje asked. "That thing is still breathing, it could bite your leg off!"
Grant knelt down next to the carnotaur, as the big eyelids began to grow heavy. Grant stretched his hand out, hesitated for a moment, then stroked the animal's snout. The eye looked at his arm, but it made no attempt to move or attack. The big eye closed and the breathing stopped.
Grant stood up and stepped away from the animal, walking towards Ellie.
As he walked past Kaje, the younger doctor said, "You never touch a dinosaur. Do you understand how dangerous what you just did, actually was?"
Grant didn't pay attention. He walked up to Ellie, who as soon as he was close enough, embraced him in a hug.
Malcolm and Martinez walked over to the dead carnotaur.
The beast had blood running from its nostrils and the skin was covered with a glossy sweat-like substance. Malcolm knelt down and looked at the animals drool covered jaws. In the back of the mouth, a white film was seeping out.
"That wasn't natural?" Martinez asked.
Malcolm shook his head, "No."
"The animal had a disease?"
Malcolm looked at the bloody nose. "Yes, most likely."
"Any idea what might have caused it?"
"None whatsoever."
Grant stood by, as soldiers around him took photographs of the newly dead carnotaurus. The carcass of the infant hadrosaur had been attacked by the carnotaurus. The carnotaur had carried the bacteria in its saliva, that was the reason the hadrosaur looked as sickly as it did.
But the carnotaurus, it had something else wrong with it. It had collapsed and died right before his eyes. He had never before seen that happen. The animals were sick -- or at least some of them were -- and Grant was beginning to realize what kind of danger they were actually in.
Soon after taking the photos of the dead carnotaur, everyone began to pile into the Hummers. Grant, Ellie, and Malcolm were forced into separate vehicles. There was a brief heated discussion between Aldez and another soldier of lower rank, but none of them understood any of it.
Then, the Hummer caravan began to move into the deep, dark jungle of Isla Sorna.
Grant looked out his window as he heard the familiar bellow of a brachiosaur in the distance. Then, he closed his eyes, and listened to the cracking underbrush as the vehicles drove through the thick foliage.
Comments are appreciated!
--JPJunkee and Yvonne
7/5/2003 2:52:13 AM
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