Title : The Rusty Cage
Author : Tariq ( formerly Aeris Jade Orion )
Rating : M
Pairing : TB/GM
Timeline : HSM 2, Jurassic Park ( The Novel not the movie )
Summary : Troy is in desperate need of a job. When he gets one he is in way over his head.
Authors note: It's unbeta'd. At the moment I have no beta reader for this genre. So drop me a line if you're interested.
Trust me there is a major difference between the book and movie. They are nothing alike.
Yes, I know I haven't finished the other story yet. A virus ate the newest chapter. I've written it back out two different times, and it hasn't come out write either of them.
Disclaimer : Not mine. All characters belong to Disney, and Jurassic Park ( The Novel ) Michael Crichton.
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Prologue
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" You'll sing with her, and like it. "
Troy couldn't say he was surprised. The teen had seen it coming from the moment he refused to continue sucking up to the Evans family.
His dad, despite what Troy's friends believed, was an abusive bastard. Jack had killed the teens twin brother ten years before.
The teen had tried to tell his mom. To warn her that Jack had married her for her families money. But each time she would ignore him.
She didn't want to know.
" I can't. " He pleaded with his dad. " I can't keep up this charade. "
" Let me make this clear, Troy. " Jack towered over him. " If you're not at the talent show, then you better not be here when I get back. You're out of here, and off the team. "
" Yes, sir. "
He slowly walked toward his bedroom at the back of the house. Troy already knew what his choice was, the same choice he'd been avoiding.
It was time to strike out on his own.
Starting tonight.
" Please, just do what your father says. The Evan's family has a lot of money, and with their connections your future would be set. "
He paused by his mother. The person who had remained in the shadows when Trent had died. The woman that had let herself hide from the abuse heaped onto the two boys.
Troy had never forgiven her for her ignorance. Nor would he ever.
It was an incredible talent she had. Just thirty minutes previously Jack had started hitting Troy right in front of Lucille, and she had simply left the room with a blank expression.
If asked, she would deny seeing anything. She'd truthfully say she knew about no abuse, and then happily go on her way.
" You want me to use Sharpay. To pretend I don't love Gabriella. " Troy snorted in disgust. " I'm not like that. I'll never be like that. "
" Your brother would have. "
His brother. The twin that had been shy and kept himself close to Troy. The sibling Troy had protected from the abuse. The one he'd failed to protect when it had counted.
Every day was haunted by the ghost like images of Trent. The shadows of the day when he watched helplessly as Trent was killed by Jack.
The nights were a constant nightmare. Driving him closer to insanity. Forcing him to relive the death of his anchor over and over.
His fist tightened in a rage, cocking back, and.....
Troy blinked at his right hand. The curled up appendage shaking in blinding anger.
He was going to hit her. He...was...
Bile rose up in his throat.
What had his dad made him into?
He was about to hit a woman. Why? Because she dared insult his dead twin? Or was it the anguish he felt over his failure to protect him?
Troy shoved the surge of emotions back into the corner of his mind. He locked it up tightly, and wrapped chains around it.
Later.... Later he'd let them out, but for the moment, he had to get out of there.
" Go to hell. "
Before Jack had the opportunity to completely convert him, and then he could hopefully get his head on straight.
Before he destroyed himself.
00000
" Coach Bolton called me. "
Troy glared at the manager of the small coffee shop. The old man was another of his dad's supporters. Another person conned by Bolton's nice guy act.
" Forget it. " He growled, marching out of the building.
It had been the same story for the last two days. His father always a step ahead of him.
The bastard had called every place Troy could possibly apply for a job, giving some sob story that meant he wouldn't get hired.
Worse, Jack had emptied Troy's bank account. Leaving the teen with a ten in his wallet, and no place but a broken down truck to sleep.
The seventeen year old couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten anything. Or the last shower he'd had.
" Troy Bolton. "
The speaker had a thick Scottish accent. Dark blue eyes peered at him from a rounded, slightly plump face. A fake sparkle was present making the man seem like a joyful grandfather.
The short beard and slightly messy hair were pure white. Combined with the wrinkles, it made him appear to be in his eighties.
Surprisingly, the man was wearing an all white suit, and a white straw fedora lay crookedly on his head. All made to give the illusion of being off the rack, but was tailor made.
The elderly man was leaning on a black cane. The handle was strangely enough a piece of rounded amber with a mosquito in the center.
" Mr. Troy Bolton. " The stranger began to smile gently. " I hear you're in the market for a job. "
" Yes, sir, Mr.... "
He was disturbed by the man. The fake kindness, the deliberate gentile manner. It was like a sweeter version of his father.
" John Hammond. "
Troy almost backed away at the name. He recognized it instantly. Who wouldn't? The guy was on the top ten list of the richest men in America.
" As I was saying, I'm currently in need of strong capable individuals. You see, I'm building a rather unique park. A sort of cross between a zoo and an amusement park. "
He had a way out.
" I'm not trained to...."
" Training is included. When we get to Costa Rica...."
" Whoa!! Hold it, there's no way! I'm a Senior, and I want to graduate from East High. "
" Already arranged. Your principal was quite helpful once I made a wee donation. "
Well, shit.
" I'm seventeen. I can't leave the country without adult permission. "
" Your father allowed me to adopt you. I will, of course, allow you freedom for the most part. "
He was caught. Well and truly caught. He could trade Jack for a kinder abuser, or he could risk getting dragged in by Jack again.
The job thing was also a major problem. He would never find one here, and he couldn't leave the city to find one.
That left one option.
" Of course you're wondering why I'd go to so much trouble. It's simple. I have no son and am in need of one to continue my legacy. "
" Your daughter...."
" Females aren't reliable. No, no. It must be a son, and you my boy, are that son. "
John Hammond. Owner and founder of InGen. A right bastard if there ever was one.
It was well known that he was greedy, and cared little for who he hurt as long as he made money.
And Gabriella...
He loved her, but his reaction to his mom scared him. He needed time to get himself together.
He couldn't do that in Albuquerque.
" Where do I sign up? "
But he could in Costa Rica.
00000
Troy jumped from one foot to the other waiting for Maria Monetz to come to the door. He needed to talk to the kind woman before he left.
He wouldn't get another opportunity. Hammond, or dad as he was being made to call him, had made it clear that Troy wouldn't be returning for several years.
There would be no apologizing to Gabriella or the others. No way to explain to them about Jack, or keep in contact with them.
So he'd decided to talk to Mrs. Montez before he left. She had been very kind to him and had been a confidant when he needed it.
The soft spoken woman was a mother figure that he was close to. One that he would miss greatly.
It was actually why he had shown up during a time when Gabriella was out. He wanted to explain everything to Mrs. Montez and give her a way to keep in contact with him.
He needed that normality, now more than ever. He also wanted to have someone that would keep him updated on any news, and on how Gabriella was doing.
" Troy? " Maria Montez opened the door. " Gabriella isn't here. "
" We need to talk. "
They stared at each other for a long moment. Both knew the upcoming conversation would be unpleasant, and would change a lot of conceptions.
" Come in. "
He stepped inside, following her into the large kitchen. There would be no flowery words, or half-truths.
Not this time.
" Jack Bolton....."
11111
Chapter One
11111
This was a nightmare.
He'd gone along with Hammond's job thinking it was something exotic. Caring for Tigers, Emus, or Hyenas. Maybe a few weird tasks would be coming his way, but otherwise...
No, freaking bloody Hammond was playing God. The old fool had crossed the ethical line. Messing around with DNA manipulation of the most extreme.
The idiot had actually decided to mess with dinosaurs. He had, rather insanely, hired people to resurrect dinosaurs.
It wasn't science. It was suicide, or homicide.
His stupid plans had already cost numerous people their lives. Hammond's refusal to see the truth had resulted in various workers getting attacked by the reptiles.
Then there was the few dinos that had managed to escape the two islands. It had resulted in deaths on the mainland.
Right at that moment there was a little girl laying in the ICU because of a herd of compys. That wasn't counting all the unreported injuries and deaths.
Troy was very, very tempted to leave. To pack up and go home.
He had a bank account that was overflowing from what he was being paid by InGen. A high school diploma from East High. Along with degrees in paleontology, paleonbotany, and veterinary medicine.
He was, also as of a year ago, a fully trained game warden. Rated second to his boss Robert Muldoon, the head of game at Jurassic Park.
It wasn't like he wanted to be any of those things, but what Hammond wanted, Hammond got. So when Hammond decided to have several people trained to fill in during emergencies, no one argued.
Troy had tried to protest, but it had been pointless. The boss had gone into his poor old man routine and gotten him to cave.
Hammond had then assigned Troy to be assistant game warden most of the time. Punishing him by putting him right in the midst of the dinosaurs.
Oh, Troy was still a substitute for the other workers, but he was also a full time game warden.
Troy had learned to keep his mouth shut after the additional assignment. Best to just suck it up and deal rather than risk a worse job.
Boy, were there worse jobs at the park. Much worse.
No, he stayed in a futile attempt at damage control. He stayed to try and reduce deaths. He stayed because he hoped to be there when the park imploded so that he could destroy the islands, and the madness it caused.
It was stupid. Very stupid.
The FDA was sniffing around. The agency was suspicious. Asking questions of anyone remotely involved with InGen. Gathering evidence from the mainland attacks.
Through all of it Hammond just shrugged it off. Oh, he was aggravated and heavily disappointed, but mostly he ignored it.
Now, Gennaro was getting involved. The lawyer wasn't letting John push his problems aside. The corporate lawyer was demanding accountability.
Hammond's great response?
Bring in outside opinions.
Dr. Alan Grant, the leading expert in the field of paleontology. Dr. Ellie Sattler, paleonbotanist.
Then there was Dr. Ian Malcolm. A mathematician and professor in Texas.
InGen was sending him because the guy had been against the entire project. They wanted him to help get Hammond out of InGen so they could stop the experiment.
They wanted the park shut down.
Hopefully Grant and Sattler would follow Malcolm's recommendation. With all three voting negative, then they could end the madness once and for all.
Hammond's plan consisted of not telling Grant and Sattler, but letting them see for themselves. The idea being they'd forget about safety, ethics, and practicality.
Troy knew it wouldn't work. No matter how obsessed with dino's they were. Once the daze wore off they'd be all over the greedy old man.
It was made much worse, however, by Hammond's grandchildren. He'd flipped his lid inviting Lex and Tim to the island.
Kids and dino's did not mix. Not when all that separated them from sure death was some thin electrical fence. Not when any number of things could go very wrong.
He sighed in frustration, staring at the raptor enclosure.
The pack of velociraptors were just another accident waiting to happen on a long list. They were just the most troublesome.
The critters were ingenious, quick studies, and had a calculating mind that was deadly. They'd already claimed the lives of five people. Most of them during their transfer from Isla Sorna.
The dreaded Site B.
" Hammond, let's go! " Muldoon hollered. " We've got guests and John wants us ready. Just in case. "
Just in case.
There were a lot of those. Fence malfunctions, computer bugs, vehicles breaking down, diseases...
All based around two hundred and thirty eight dinosaurs.
It all amounted to one damned thing.
Just in case.
11111
Troy bent over, running toward the landing helicopter. His messy brown hair partially hidden under a simple fedora.
The twenty-two year old had been told to take over for Ed Regis's for the weekend. Being younger, Hammond hoped that he would reassure the group for the inspection.
It had nothing to do with the fact that he'd been trained as a game warden. Or that he knew where all the emergency bunkers, weapons, and supplies were. Or that he kept a gun strapped to the small of his back. Hidden by the untucked t-shirt he preferred to wear.
Incendiary bullets in gun clips were scattered over his body. One in each boot, some in the various pockets in his khaki cargo shorts.
Anywhere and everywhere he could hide them, he did.
All for his most precious of valuables. The .50 Desert Eagle Magnum Research. A large handcanno.. er handgun. One that would take off the head of most dinos.
Including the raptors.
All under the pretense of keeping the inspectors happy. All because Hammond refused to admit that the island was dangerous. All because he was a stupid old buzzard.
" Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm Troy Hammond. Welcome to Isla Nublar. Please watch your step, and follow me. "
Troy smiled slightly at the strange group. The muscled Gennaro was shooting concerned looks at the thick fog covering the island, and shifting uncomfortably in Tropical wear.
Dr. Malcolm was eccentric as ever. Dressed in all black from his jeans and polo shirt to his running shoes. His curly black hair was off put by the sleek black sunglasses and his tanned skin.
The guy was very relaxed, almost amused by Hammond's act. It was like he didn't believe the old guy had accomplished his goal.
Not that he blamed him.
Grant and Sattler were confused, unamused, and aggravated from being in the air for almost twenty-four hours.
Both were dressed like they were on a dig. Boots, work pants, and hardy but cool shirts. Grant also wore a fedora, while Ellie did without a hat.
He lead them down a long curving path. Taking the hiking trail picked out by John.
" If you'll look to the South you'll notice buildings. They consist of the island resort. The safari lodge, the museum, a sick bay, labs, and gift shop makes up just some of it. "
He moved them through the towering rain forest of the volcanic isla. The massive trees hiding the real gems.
" The island is tropical with weather of an elevated climate. You'll find that the vegetation differs from the mainland, running toward the decidus rather than the classical. "
A sharp gasp came from Grant telling Troy that he'd noticed. A thick, tree like appendage stretched upwards fifty feet into the sky. Dark, curious eyes stared down at them from a long rounded head.
A dinosaur.
" My God. " Ellie gasped.
They had seen, and were starting to understand. In this moment it was the wonderment of a child experiencing a dream come true.
Later the reality would set in. Later they would see the truth. The nightmare inside the wish.
He silently listened to the free laughter of Grant. The laughter of a child, careless, happy.
Gennaro was pale. Hopeful but pale. Malcolm...
" Huh. Not animatronics, I take it? " He asked boredly. " They seem very life like. "
Malcolm was unshaken, unsurprised, and doubtful of the situation.
Good for him.
" Oh, they're real. They should be, shouldn't they? " Hammond chuckled.
A loud trumpeting startled the group. Followed by a second from a hundred yards back, and a third to the far right.
" Welcome to Jurassic Park. " Troy said solemnly.
" What now? " Ellie questioned.
The blonde was already involved with studying the surrounding plants. Extinct and very dangerous. Not that John would hear of it.
" We've scheduled a complete tour of the facilities, and a trip to see the dinosaurs of the park. I'll be joining you for dinner to answer any questions, so if you'll go with my son, Dr. Troy Hammond..." Hammond happily commanded.
Troy snorted under his breathe at being called his son, and started for the nearest building. An unfinished area with a crude sign.
' Jurassic Park. '
22222
Chapter Two
22222
The single story building was the Safari Lodge.
In the original plans the hotel had huge windows, a lot of glass in the ceilings, wood doors and walls. Basically a normal hotel you would encounter on the mainland.
A raptor had escaped the first pen. The female had been average for it's species, not as tall as most, or as heavy. Yet it had torn the original hotel to shreds killing two workers, and several loose dinos.
The plans had been redone.
The walls and doors were metal. Heavy locks, more powerful door handles. The windows were smaller and had security wire in them. Bullet proof, double paned glass were in them.
The single concession John had refused to make were the ceilings. The guy had made them keep the complicated glass pyramids that were intertwined over the roof.
A large pool and outdoor lounge area was in the back. Surrounded by Jurassic plants, chosen by John, it was like a forbidden tropical paradise.
Though the tall electric fence that encircled the area took away from it. Making the fortress like building all the more imposing.
" You'll notice the authentic Jurassic ferns. " He pointed out the highly poisonous plants.
The things were deadly with just a brush of the skin. Extremely toxic to children. Capable of killing an adult within minutes.
But dear old dad had demanded them. Therefore he got them.
He was happy to see the startled recognition in Dr. Sattler. The woman was completely out of her daze and was fully aware of the danger.
Troy just hoped John didn't figure out he'd mentioned the plants on purpose. He really didn't want to end up assigned to feeding the raptors.
" The safari lodge is where you'll be staying for the weekend. You'll find a map of the island in your room, along with a list of the safe areas. Please, remain in the green areas unless you're escorted by an employee. "
Because if they didn't, Troy doubted they'd survive long should yet another accident occur. Because bad things happened when you messed with dinosaurs.
" Is it dangerous? " Gennaro eyed him in hope of answers.
He couldn't give them. Not with John having eyes and ears everywhere on the island.
Instead he settled for the answer the employee's gave to each other.
" It's just in case. "
It was always just in case.
22222
Thirty minutes later Troy escorted the small group to the Visitor Center. It was overly done with mechanics, and a large automated T-Rex stood on the stage the main stairs curved around.
The thing moved, growling every so often. The jaws snarled and snapped in the direction of the stairs, but never coming close to them.
The realistic sized robot was actually the beginning of a large display that ran into the back section of the building. It was incomplete with wires, hooks, and construction platforms all over the place.
There were bones, pictures, and signs partially unpacked. Boxes of pamphlets were stacked behind the metal security desk.
It was all overdone. All false.
Just like Jurassic Park.
He climbed up onto a smaller stage to the far left. Hammond was already sitting at the head of a conference table set up just for the inspection.
The guy was silent letting Gennaro run the meeting. Frankly he was glad. The man was quite obsessive about things.
Troy sat next to John, while the others scattered around the table, leaving Gennaro to stand.
" We're going to be touring the park in just a few moments. By now you've probably figured out that the island is filled with genetically engineered dinosaurs. Our goal is to decide whether the island is safe? Is it safe for tourist? Are the dinosaurs contained? "
They needed to determine that? Was he nuts? Troy could tell him for a fact that the answer to all the questions was a resounding no.
" There is recent events to take into account. A month ago Dr. Grant was asked to identify an unknown reptile. It had attacked a young girl on a secluded beach. "
" I've had the fragment transferred to the labs here, and we'll have a full debriefing by Dr. Grant later on. " Gennaro grimly informed them.
" The Health Depart in Costa Rica has reported an increase in infant deaths caused by lizard bites. It started in January of this year and didn't drop again until March. We will have to go over all the charts to determine the exact cause. " Gennaro finished.
" I can save you the trouble. " Ian leaned back smugly. " Dinosaurs have gotten off the island. "
" My balls they have. " Hammond growled, leaning forward to glare at Ian.
" But they aren't the cause of the fluctuation. "
Everyone glanced from the confused Hammond to the chaos expert. Dr. Malcolm was an expert on chaos because the guy was chaos personified.
" It would take hundreds of dinosaurs to cause the kind of increase you're talking about. No, it's probably a new variation of the flu or a mutated disease. "
" Then why do you say dinosaurs have escaped? " Hammond suspiciously interrogated.
" You claim you're recreating the natural environment from the Jurassic period. It's impossible. The climate alone can't be duplicated. No all you've done is fabricate a fancy zoo in a misguided attempt at keeping them from escaping. "
" And none have. "
" Complete isolation is impossible, and if you think it is possible, then you don't know what the hell you're doing. "
" You arrogant little snot. " Hammond exploded, storming out of the building.
" Well, that went well. " Troy wryly snorted.
" Didn't it? " Ian smirked.
" Is that the helicopter? " Ellie stood.
Troy grimaced, glancing out the nearby window where it could be heard approaching the landing pads. He had no hope of seeing the 'copter through the fog, but he searched for it anyway.
There was one helicopter scheduled to arrive that weekend. One possible reason for it to be there.
" Let's go. " Gennaro took off after Hammond.
One very worrying reason.
22222
" You what?!! " Gennaro erupted. " You invited who?!! Have you lost your mind?!! "
" Calm down. " Hammond waved him off.
" Dad, I have to reiterate that we can't guarantee their safety. " Troy stated for the hundredth time.
" Look lets get something clear, all of you, I'm...."
" No, John. This isn't a Sunday outing. We are here to decide whether to shut you down, and frankly, I don't see how you can avoid it. " Gennaro got into his face.
" You will never stop my dream! " Hammond trembled dropping his act. " This is my island, not yours, and not the investors. "
" Send them back, John! Now!! "
" Too late. " Troy heaved. " The 'copter's already gone. "
He slumped in defeat at the sight of the two kids. Tim Murphy, the eleven year old boy. Along with his younger sister Alexis Murphy.
Tim wore glasses. He was dressed like a boy caught between books and sports.
The running shoes were too new, unscuffed and awkward on him. A simple set of clean unbroken jeans and a t-shirt stood out glaringly.
His sister was several years younger, with blonde hair under a baseball hat, and a Mets baseball jersey. She was a definite tomboy.
" Jesus John, what have you done? " Gennaro pinched the bridge of his nose.
" Relax, the islands perfectly safe. Now, drop it. Their parents are in the middle of a messy divorce. The kids deserve a fun weekend. "
This was not going to end well at all.
33333
Chapter Three
33333
Troy guided the two kids over to the group of explosive adults. There was no point in dragging out the argument when the kids were trapped there.
" Uncle Troy, I have to go. " Lex huffed. " Now! "
" Can you hold it another minute? Just until we do introductions? " He patiently questioned the eight year old.
" Fine, but make it fast. I really have to go. "
Troy made the introductions short so that he could get the two to the Visitor Center. Tim might not have been squirming like his sister but mostly to keep from seeming like a baby.
" Hey, I know you. " Tim shot forward to the bearded Dr. Grant. " I have your book. Lost World Of Dinosaurs. "
" Dad said his mind is nothing but Dinosaurs. " Lex rolled her eyes.
" That makes two of us. " Grant laughed.
" He also says that Dinosaurs are stupid. Tim needs to spend more time outside. "
Troy barely contained his urge to laugh when Tim ducked his head with a rapidly spreading blush. The poor kid was meeting his idol and getting the full sibling treatment.
" I thought you had to go. " Tim hissed at her.
" Ladies prerogative. "
" You're no lady. " Tim narrowed his eyes. " 'Sides you were in a rush. "
" It's my body. "
" Okay, kids. " Troy cut in. " Let's get going so we can start the tour. "
He grabbed Lex's shoulder and dragged her up front with him so that Tim could have a minute with Dr. Grant. Lex could tease him later, after her brother had calmed down some.
That was the best solution with siblings like these. Separate then let them go. It kept fighting to a minimum and their pertinence lasted longer.
" So Lex, did you see the Mets last game? "
33333
Troy waited for the last person to finish using the bathroom. It was already a trying day, and would get worse before it was over.
The entire park staff was in a bad mood lately. The way Hammond kept temporarily resigning them to jobs outside their expertise. People from advertising playing medic. Medics doing electrical. Electrical hunting down escaped animals.
John's idea to have fully trained subs in several fields had been a premonition, but not enough to handle to influx. There was a total of three of them, with dozens of subs needed.
Troy, as one of the subs, was being worked to the bone. He was lucky if he got five hours of sleep a night. Most of which was caught napping here and there.
For the next three days he doubted he'd get that much. Between playing tour guide, having to stay with the kids 24/7, and his normal duties.
What really worried him was the gut feeling that was getting worse by the minute. It was screaming at him to get out of dodge. Now while there was time.
A door slammed shut announcing Ellie's arrival.
" If everyone's ready, why don't we start the tour. " Troy started up the stairs. " We'll begin on the second floor, at the control room. "
He lead them down a series of hallways. They passed dozens of offices for various park positions. They were for everything from general manager to the game warden.
" The park was designed to be run with a minimal staff of twenty in an emergency. In fact, there are exactly twenty running the island at the moment. Everyone else is dealing with business at another location. "
The truth wasn't as relaxing.
Site B. Isla Sorna was being reworked.
The island was developed to engineer the dinosaurs and birth them in captivity. When they reached a certain age, they'd be shipped to Isla Nublar.
It had backfired. The scientists had accidentally introduced a mutated version of the Mad Cow disease to the population.
Of course being the geniuses they were it hadn't occurred to them that the problem might be the sheep extract being used for food. No, 'course not, it had to be the people raising the animals.
So John had all dinosaurs released into the wild on the island. They feed themselves, raised themselves, and had to survive by themselves.
When they were the right age, they'd be recaptured with the help of radio tags on the dinos, and checked for the DX prion. If clean, they'd be shipped out. If not, released.
Most of the staff were at the island trying to keep the chaos from wrecking the Isla. Without much success.
Accidents were happening constantly. The wild dinos were out of control, and with the DX prion in the population some were insane.
Insanity and raptors were a combination that petrified Troy.
It meant the highly intelligent creatures were infected with a level of thought not open to most beings. They were unafraid of being hurt, and willing to do anything for a particular kill.
" To the right, you'll see the park control room. Every system on the island can be controlled from here. "
It was a computer wonderland. A large glass computerized map of the park was spread over the largest wall. The most advanced computers decorated ten desks of various sizes.
The wall of the hallway was large panels of glass allowing people to see in and out easily. The safety wire could be seen webbed between double panes.
" The man with the cigarette is the chief engineer, John Arnold. The game warden, Robert Muldoon, is the other guy. "
He gave a nod to his mentor. The man was looking as ragged as he felt. His normal hat was missing, and a pair of sunglasses hung from his shirt collar.
Troy had no doubt that it was due to a massive hangover. The guy was the best tracker in the world, but also the biggest alcoholic.
" Robert is also known as the White Hunter of Nairobi. " He started walking again. " We'll save the control room for later. Instead why don't we see how dino DNA is extracted. "
They came to a stop by a set of doors labeled Extraction. Like most of the areas in the park it required a security card to enter.
Troy swiped his card, and pushed the doors open.
It was a room out of sci-fi movies. It was lit up with green light. Stereo microscopes dotted the room along with HD video screens.
Yellow stones were everywhere. All meticulously labeled with black numbers. Most were in trays on glass shelves. Others were being used.
" This is Dr. Wu our chief geneticist. He'll explain where our DNA comes from. "
" At least I'll try. It can be rather complicated. " He joked while directing further into the room. " We have two sources for our DNA. "
" The First is Dinosaur bones themselves. If we use the Loy extraction technique, grinding up the bones, we can recover twenty percent of the DNA strands. "
" You use that here? " Grant frowned.
" Only as a backup. It would be insufficient for our work. We prefer a different method with a higher yield. "
" Such as? " Ellie asked.
Wu tossed a yellow stone into the air and caught it. " Amber. Fossilized Tree Sap. "
" Clever. " Ian whistled suitably impressed.
" I don't get it. " Grant peered at the stone.
" Simple. Insects land on trees, the sap flows over them, and traps them. " Wu set the stone aside. " Mostly biting insects. Since they ingest blood, it gets preserved with the bug. "
" Dino blood? " Grant blinked in comprehension. " That might actually work. "
" Not might. Does. We've been using it for five years now. " Wu smiled, slipping the amber under a microscope. " Here, watch."
The doctor slide a needle into a bored hole.
" If this fly has ingested any blood we can extract it and replicate the DNA. Of course until we test the blood we won't know what kind it is. Recent, past, or extinct. "
Troy frowned darkly when Dennis Nedry entered and joined the group. The sloppy fat man was greedy, a hacker, and a moron.
The guy had been after a large pay increase for several years. Yet he had a horrible attitude, yelled at people, and generally made a nuisance of himself.
Even his work, incredible as it was, generally took a long time because of his constant snack breaks. The guy worked in ten minute intervals with five minutes off.
So what was the guy doing on the tour during a snack break?
" I see Dennis is ready to move on. So why don't I show you the next step. "
They went through a set of glass sliding doors. The room was chilled with two six foot by four foot supercomputers. Around them were rows of automated gene sequencers.
" This is where the DNA is mapped. When it's incomplete or there's an error it will include the sequence needed to repair it. "
" Then you work with the entire DNA strand. " Ellie said, reading one of the printouts waiting to be analyzed.
" No, of course not. It's impossible. It took years just to get this far, and we're looking at just the tiny section that identifies the species."
" How do you identify it though? " Alan questioned him.
" We have two procedures. Evolutionary DNA mapping is the first. It's hard, and very time consuming so we don't use it. We usually just use it and see what grows. "
Troy groaned at his friends answer. Despite his comments, Wu was actually against the last option. John on the other hand...
He didn't want to think about all the incidents it had caused. Just growing it had resulted in the lose of a hand, and a rather shady mutation.
" Let's continue. "
The next room was marked Fertilization on a heavy metal door. The security was tighter requiring a key card and security code.
It was set up with more microscopes. The difference was the blue UV light in the back where the poisons were kept. A tank of liquid nitrogen was close to it.
Mostly, embryo's were stored on shelves lining the walls. All wrapped in a tin like foil, and ready for use.
" We have to interrupt the cellular mitosis at precise moments. The poisons will kill a living creature in seconds, so they're perfect for our work. "
" How do you get the embryo? " Grant demanded by a shelf with hands that seemed to raise and lower repeatedly.
" Crocodile ova. " Wu continued onto the Hatchery. " We keep it at a damp 99 degrees. 100% humidity so be prepared. "
" Jurassic climate. " Troy supplied for the his confused niece.
" Don't touch anything. Some eggs will absorb hand oils, ruining them. "
They entered the room and were immediately bombarded with sticky hot temperature. So much so that their clothes became wet instantly.
It was long table after long table. Each was covered with hundreds of eggs rocking gently. Infrared lights were overhead.
" Because reptile eggs contain no water in the yolk we have supply this mist for them to absorb. "
Staff were buzzing around turning each egg by gloved hand. Taking thermal temperatures, keeping watch of the computer read outs, and scanning the video monitors.
Machines attached to the ceiling zoomed from one end of the table to the other. Each one with flexible wands that were flashing and beeping.
" We have a survival rate of .4 percent, but we're working to increase that. "
" And growth rate? "
" Dinosaurs grow extremely fast. It takes two to three years to mature. We've got a full supply of adult animals here. "
Again thanks to his dad's work. The old man had ordered Wu to.. tweak the dinos DNA for rapid growth.
" Let's go to the Nursery. "
The group walked through the far door to the Nursery. The last place Troy wanted to be since it meant dealing with dino infants.
It was an all white room. Bare except for empty incubators and half chewed toys scattered around the floor.
The on-duty nurse was seated on the ground with her back to them. She was obviously involved with a baby.
" What's left, Kelly? " Troy reluctantly asked, side stepping along the wall to get a glance.
It was worse than he thought.
A foot and a half dinosaur cocked it's long lizard like head to peer at him. The yellow body with black tiger stripes telling him exactly what the critter was.
" Just a raptor. "
Just she says. Just a raptor. Just a T-Rex. Just.
" Velociraptor. " Grant grumbled in a low voice.
The raptor approached Troy with it's stiff tail, and tiny forearms. Curious eyes were taking him in since he was new.
" Velociraptor Mongoliensis to be precise. It's just six weeks old. " Wu confirmed for them.
Grant bent down to examine it. Inching forward in hopes of getting to touch it. Unfortunately for Troy the baby leapt into his arms.
It was very light. The tongue licked at his left hand, the friendly critter pausing to bump its head into it to demand he pet it.
" Is it safe? " Gennaro eyed it wearily.
" Friendly too. " Wu assured. " She won't get any teeth until eight weeks. Most of the infants are born without anything, not even egg teeth. "
" What's that? " Lex asked.
" Tiny horns on the tip of their snouts. They don't have them, so once they make the first crack the staff has to help them out. "
" What about in the wild? "
" They can't breed. We always have two backup failsafes. In this case all dinosaurs are sterile. We use radiation. "
" And the second? " Grant inquired.
" All the animals are female. "
" Excuse me. Could you clarify? " Ian grew more and more concerned. " Radiation is imprecise and fraught with difficulty. "
" We are very careful. All reproductive tissue is dead. " Wu argued.
" And them being female? Do you, er, go around lifting up their skirts? How do you know they're all female? "
" While it is hard to tell on some species we make sure by creating them that way. It's easier since we all start out female. The difference is an addition to the DNA in later development. We simply deny them that. "
Troy grunted in surprise as the raptor buried her head in his neck. The playful creature wiggling to get more comfortable in his arms.
" Can I...? " Grant indicated to the infant.
" If it gets her away from me than yes. " Troy shoved it into Alan's hands.
It wasn't that he didn't think it was cute. It was. It was just that he knew what she would grow up into. The kind of calculated hunter she'd be.
In a few months she wouldn't care about who nursed her, or had given her attention. She would start seeing people as prey and nothing else.
It was their nature. He accepted that, he just didn't like it.
A shrill scream brought his attention back to the raptor. Grant was holding it on it's back in the air and examining it, squeezing at the tail firmly.
" Put it down, Doctor. " Kelly climbed to her feet in alarm.
" I'm not hurting her. " He continued on.
" She doesn't like being away from physical contact. Please put her down. "
" Hold on I..."
" Now!! " She snapped firmly.
Troy found himself with an armful of raptor again. The tiny critter was burrowing into his arms, it's heart racing so fast he could feel it with his chest.
Sighing, he stroked the sensitive skin of the snout. " Calm down. You're okay. "
Much to his frustration.
" You have to understand that the first two months are the most fragile. We've lost the majority of our infants to stress. Usually within five minutes of adrenaline surge. " Wu explained.
He tried to put the raptor down but she wasn't buying. The tiny fingers had a tight hold on his shirt and she wasn't letting go.
He hated this. Every time he worked the nursery he had to struggle not to kill off the most viscous animals.
If he hadn't lost someone he cared about to the raptor's he might have felt differently. But he had, and that stayed with him.
Grant inched forward, itching to get another look. The raptor reacted letting a loud hiss.
" We should be moving on. " Troy said, finally prying the raptor off him. " We've scheduled a tour of the animals in their habitats. "
He let the others exit first. He didn't want Grant trying the raptor a third time. Nor did he want to risk Tim or Lex getting close to it.
They remembered. They always did. They always would.
Troy's eyes drifted back to the baby tugging at a rag.
It made them even worse in his mind. Much, much worse.
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