Lies
"People will find out who you truly are. You can pretend, but we both know."
"They might find out…then again, I'm not the one wearing the handcuffs."
A heavy beat of silence and then Dennis Nedry had responded to him:
"For now."
"Only time will tell," Henry Wu repeated the comeback he had wanted to say.
He had come close to saying it that night more than three months ago; but in the end, he slipped back into his reserved and quiet persona, or at least, he tried to. By then it was too late. Everyone had seen his new aggressive attitude. He couldn't hold it in any longer. He couldn't take it back, and when he thought about it, Wu didn't want to. He found his new self to be liberating. In the past months, that humbled and reserved persona had been shed like a snake ridding itself of extra skin, abandoned, never to be touched again.
People would find out who he really was, Nedry had threatened. People found out, but who the hell cares? Wu thought smugly. I'm right here on Isla Nublar and still the chief geneticist for International Genetics and ten times the spy you thought you were. You thought you were the best at outwitting John and everyone in InGen—but I pulled one better. I shocked the life out of them. No one believed you that night in John's bungalow. No one ever saw it coming. You, on the other hand…a cold shrug from Wu…you're locked up. Me? I'm free. Free to do whatever the hell I wish.
These thoughts usually ran through Wu's mind, ever since the entire InGen staff had found out his true alliance. Before that moment, Muldoon had heard only the last words of his conversation with Nedry: "For now." At the time, he didn't know what Nedry had meant. Later on, Muldoon had received an even bigger surprise and nothing had been the same since. Wu was a complete stranger now to everyone on the island. He still saw himself as a genius geneticist, and more importantly, as a tougher man. If they didn't like the new Henry Wu, that was their problem.
"Things change. Lives change. People change," Wu said aloud to himself.
Everything was different now, but it wasn't a bad thing. Things were looking up for him. His world was expanding before him, whereas before, under Hammond's employment, it was tiny and microscopic. It was a welcoming change and Wu had no reservations about showing how thrilled he was to be working for his new employer: Lewis Dodgson of the Biosyn Corporation.
Presently, Wu was in his living quarters at the staff lodge, preparing for his meeting with Dodgson. They had many matters to discuss. For example, the new species that Hammond wanted to clone. The sixteenth species projected seemed like a distant memory to Wu. It was a lifetime ago when Hammond first brought up the idea in a conference meeting and invited feedback from Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm. The project had come to a halt after Hammond's hospitalization. At least with Lew, we can go further with the project, Wu thought. Other topics of discussion included the park's opening date, what role he would play in expanding Biosyn's bioengineering reputation, and how his career would soar—now that he had employed himself under the right company.
He narrowed his eyes as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Wu's eyes were obsidian, black and cold. His skin had a pallid appearance and he tended to ball his hands into tight fists. His outward appearance seemed to reflect his new cold persona. Wu put on his white lab coat that displayed the blue and white InGen logo. Despite his new alliance, he still wore it. It was just a stupid white lab coat with the company's logo. Nothing special. It didn't scream out to the world that he was a brilliant geneticist or that he was the genius behind Jurassic Park who had discovered how to resurrect dinosaurs. If his lab coat did that for him, he would wear it to public events, to malls and stadiums, and to colleges and universities. He would never take it off or part with it. Wu smiled sadly at the impossible wish of his lab coat bringing him the fame he believed he rightfully deserved.
Of course, Harding would say something about it. Usually the quietest one on the park staff, Harding had become vocal about his feelings towards Wu's betrayal. Arnold avoided Wu as if he were infected with a contagious disease. Ellie was still in a state of shock. Malcolm ran his mouth like always. Nothing-is-predictable-everything-is-beyond-our-control-we-exist-in-a-permanent-state-of-chaos mumbo jumbo.
Wu was glad he didn't have to be associated with InGen anymore—especially Muldoon. Muldoon was always silent around him. Wu viewed Muldoon the same way Hammond had viewed him before his accident—he was a chronic complainer and a drunk to top it off. Keep your stupid opinions to yourself. I don't have to hear you bitch about the tyrannosaurs. First raptors, now tyrannosaurs.
Despite his distance from the InGen staff—and the fact that he preferred it this way—Wu didn't see why they made a big deal about his decision. Although they were obviously burned from his betrayal, Wu figured if they saw it through his eyes, then they would understand. Besides, he still helped out on the island. It wasn't in the way the InGen staff preferred, but he was still a part of the team that ran the island. He just wasn't so…friendly anymore.
Wu grinned as he added one last thing. He attached his InGen identification badge to his lab coat. The man smiling in the picture was a different Henry Wu. I had been naïve back then, but not anymore, he thought has he faced himself again in the mirror. He smiled at the cold and hardened version of himself, satisfied with what he saw. The badge was slightly crooked and Wu adjusted it so that it was straight and neat. Now he was ready to begin another day of work on the island. He looked forward to it with a newfound greed that unsettled everyone except himself...and Biosyn.
oOo
The InGen staff was not alone in experiencing shock about Henry Wu's betrayal. In fact, their corporate enemies from Biosyn felt the same way. Of course, no one under Dodgson's command—Raúl Lopez, Sonya Durant, Roland Tembo, and George Lawala—openly expressed their feelings about it, especially not to their leader. If they were for or against the newly hired Wu, they kept it amongst themselves. Even Howard King and George Baselton had little to say about it, even though there were rumors among the Biosyn team that they had known all along about Wu turning against InGen to work for Biosyn. Regardless of who knew or didn't know, they knew for certain that you didn't go against Dodgson. That was strictly out of the question—it wasn't an option. Everyone knew it was foolish (and useless) to outright disagree with anything he said. Dodgson would treat their differing opinions as treason and deserving of execution.
So they said nothing.
They watched Wu acclimate himself to the team and get comfortable as if he had been there from the beginning like Nedry. And Wu was a lot different than Nedry. His background in genetics fascinated Lopez and Dodgson, but boggled Sonya. Lawala and Tembo were indifferent to him. Still, Wu was a welcome and much needed change on the team. He didn't talk a lot—at least, not to them. He mostly spoke with Dodgson. Wu started to speak to them little by little and finally three months after Nedry's and Muldoon's return, they started warming up to him. The first, naturally, was Lopez.
"So you tinker with genetics," Lopez said as Wu sat down across from him in the cafeteria.
"I don't tinker with it. I master it." He glanced at his wristwatch—he was due to meet Dodgson in an hour.
"What made you decide to go into the field?"
"I wanted to do research that I could publish."
"Research that could make you famous?" Lopez asked.
"That's the gist of it. I see no reason to hide it."
"You shouldn't. Most people in the scientific community do research in the hopes that their hard work will pay off in some form. Like seeing your name in a textbook or an Internet journal."
"Or winning the Nobel Prize."
"Some corny stuff like that," Lopez said and noticed Wu's eyes darken. "Hey, don't get angry, just messin'. You joined the right team. I can't thank you enough."
Wu squinted at him. "For what?"
"For this place. I get to work with the real thing now and not just bones. You don't know how much it means to see what you've studied for years come to life in front of your eyes."
"Actually, I do know how much it means."
"I'm just saying that I really appreciate it. As a paleontologist who's studied fossils for so long, it's refreshing to see the real thing come to life." Lopez didn't skip a beat when he mentioned "the real thing". He was well aware of the fact that the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were engineered (since Sonya kept reminding him), making them artificial, even on a small scale. It didn't make a difference—engineered or not, he could study a live dinosaur, and that's what mattered to him. "You've done wonders for this place."
"I know I have."
This time Lopez ignored Wu's snippy tone. "Dodgson's going to help you out."
"He already has." Wu got up with his plate and dumped his leftovers in the garbage. Without saying good-bye, he left the cafeteria to find Dodgson.
Lopez watched him leave, astounded by Wu's abruptness. He thought of Wu and how Dodgson had convinced him to work for Biosyn right under everyone's noses. The team was still adjusting to Wu. Despite his aloofness, Lopez actually liked Wu. His gratitude and respect was sincere. Wu had made his dreams come true—and every paleontologist's and dinosaur enthusiast's dreams for that matter. Now Lopez studied real dinosaurs in the park—whether the InGen staff liked it or not. He has every right to be proud, Lopez thought. Sonya, Lawala, and Tembo entered the cafeteria and joined him.
"What's going on with you guys?" Lopez asked.
"Just the usual," Lawala said. "Guarding our inmates—another words, making sure the InGen staff is doing their jobs."
"Any plans for today?"
"I was going to talk with Dodgson about the tyrannosaurs, but his time is occupied with that fledgling," Tembo grumbled.
Lopez set his fork down. "He's a great addition to the team and he's more useful to us than Dennis ever was. Besides, if it weren't for him, this park wouldn't—"
"Wouldn't exist. We know, Raúl," Sonya said, rolling her eyes. "We hear it all the time from you. Give it a rest."
Lopez stared at her, irritated by her nonchalant attitude. "Of all people, I thought you would understand, Sonya. You know how much this means to me—being able to stroll through those gates and see the dinosaurs."
"Of course, I know. It's all you ever talk about."
"Don't any of you appreciate Dr. Wu's accomplishments? Don't you realize the magnitude?"
"We do, we're just not obsessed with it like you are," Tembo said. "So he cloned them. Now what? I want to hunt a T-Rex—I couldn't care less about genetics."
"I'm not gung ho genetics about either—"
"Yes, you are. You wish you did it," Sonya interrupted. "You're a brown-noser when it comes to Henry."
Lopez ignored her. "It's not my field, but I'll be damned if I'm not amazed at the results of his hard work."
"So stop drooling on the table and get out there in that park." Tembo grinned smugly. "It's ours now and there's not a blasted thing InGen can do about it."
In that assertion, Tembo was correct and everyone on Isla Nublar knew it. The Biosyn team helped themselves into the park and genetics lab—anywhere on the island and whenever they wanted. The InGen team posed no threat—they had been taken over and there was little they could do now. From the moment Dodgson made himself known to the InGen staff, he had made immediate changes. The dinosaurs' diets had been drastically changed and the InGen staff had to work seven days a week. There were no more weekend breaks and if anyone complained, Dodgson would pile on an impossible load of work in addition to their usual tasks.
"Everyday their morale lessens," Tembo said. "It won't be long before InGen's a thing of the past. Biosyn's logo will be plastered everywhere."
Lopez stood up from the table. "You're right. Thank God for little InGen turncoats like Henry—they make it possible, right Roland?"
"Absolutely."
oOo
"Come in," Dodgson said, not looking up from the papers he was skimming through, "and shut the door."
Wu poked his head out to make sure nobody from InGen was nearby. He wanted to meet with Dodgson without them snooping around. Not that they would interrupt. If anyone on the InGen staff even thought about barging in, the Biosyn staff would take care of them. Wu closed the door and took a seat across from Dodgson, who sat behind Hammond's desk in his revolving chair. Dodgson appeared confident as if he, and not Hammond, were the owner of the company and office. Wu recalled many meetings with Hammond in this very room. Instead of feeling guilty, he felt exhilarated. He was off to a brand new start with Biosyn and working with someone who felt as passionately as he did about genetics.
Dodgson stacked the papers into a neat pile and removed his tinted glasses. He set them on the desk next to the stack of papers. "Good afternoon, Henry. Do you prefer to be called Henry or Hank?"
Wu shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me."
"'Hank' it is then. It has a much stronger ring to it, don't you agree?" Dodgson grinned. "Strength is important in all aspects of your life and work. You use it to beat out the competition. If you're strong enough, you can take over the world."
"Agreed."
"Now that we've got that settled, Hank…let me say that I've been looking forward to our meetings with you about your place on the team and what's in store for you now that you've joined Biosyn. But first…how are you getting along with the team?"
Wu thought about that question before he answered. He wasn't best friends with them by any means, but he figured as time went on, he would develop a bond with them. Then again, he wouldn't be shocked if he remained an outsider. Tembo still kept him at a distance as if he were feeling out Wu's true allegiance. Sonya was a flirt, but Wu wasn't fooled by her charm. Despite her good looks, Wu sensed she had a vicious streak. Lawala was quiet and observant. When Wu first saw him, he tried to recall his name. Then he remembered Grant's and Ellie's confrontation with Lawala. Wu had trouble picturing Lawala as someone who would assault them, or anyone for that matter. Lopez acted as if Wu could walk on water. He was the only Biosyn employee who went out of his way to be friendly to Wu.
"It's getting there," Wu finally said. "Raúl and I have a good rapport."
Dodgson nodded. "He really admires your accomplishments, you know? And why shouldn't he? You've done something so monumental, Hank, that it defies words. It's a shame that John wasn't ready to advertise your achievements to the world."
"I know," Wu said darkly. "I'm glad Raúl appreciates it, but I want others to know about it."
"And they will. I promise you everyone will know. You can count on it. What's the sense of working to make a dream come true if you can't show off the results? It's like a chef cooking a delicious soup and instead of selling his recipe so that he can make money; he keeps it in the dark where no one can taste it. Now tell me, does that make sense?"
"It doesn't." Wu shook his head.
Dodgson said nothing. He stared straight ahead, his eyes focused on Wu's lab coat and honed in on Wu's InGen badge.
Wu noticed that Dodgson hadn't responded, and instead, he was stared intensely at his ID badge. Or rather, he was glaring at it. Wu had a strange feeling that Dodgson was going to demand to know why he still wore their corporate enemy's logo. He flustered inwardly, trying to figure out a halfway decent response. I didn't realize I had put it on this morning. Old habits die hard. It's because I still work here. All were lame excuses and Wu knew Dodgson wouldn't fall for any of them. Wu was about to take off the badge and shove it in his lab coat pocket when Dodgson perked up and abruptly changed the topic.
"Did I ever tell you about my vaccine experiment with rabies? I did it in Chile several years ago."
Wu shook his head again, this time in total confusion. He had heard something about it awhile back—an experiment where Chilean peasant farmers had been exposed to an airborne version of the rabies virus. It was dangerous and unethical, but Dodgson spoke about it as if he had accomplished an astonishing feat akin to Wu's success in engineering dinosaurs. "You were responsible for that?" he asked, in half-disgust and half-awe.
"Absolutely. We didn't even warn the people, we just released it to see how it would go," Dodgson nodded, remembering the experiment that was in actuality, criminally negligent. "The virus was encased in a carry-on bag on a commercial flight before we reached Chile. Now imagine if it had gotten out—pure pandemonium!"
"You sound excited." Wu hoped his tone sounded neutral.
"It was very exciting, Hank. Risky business—that's what working for Biosyn is all about. Taking risks, even the most dangerous ones. That's what life is all about. Don't you agree?"
Wu thought for a moment. Before he could answer, Dodgson continued:
"Look at this park, this entire island. It's all one fat risk."
"It is," Wu agreed.
"That's what working for me and working for Biosyn is all about, taking risks."
"Even life-threatening ones?"
"It's not about life-threatening risks. Try not to see it like that. It's about staying on your toes and being ready for anything." Dodgson paused and glanced around the room. "You know, it's dark in this office. Why don't we go for a walk in the park? See how the rest of the staff is doing. How does that sound?"
"Sounds great, I'm up for anything." Wu blinked when he realized he had nearly repeated what Dodgson just said.
Dodgson stood up and walked around the desk. A smug grin was plastered across his face. He held the door open for Wu, who went out first.
"That's the main reason I hired you for Biosyn. If you're up for anything, then you run the chance of reaping success."
oOo
"It's great to be out of that dreary office. I don't know how John Hammond can stand it, but then again, I'm not him," Dodgson said as he strolled down the dirt road.
Hands in his pockets, Wu walked beside him, still wearing his white lab coat and InGen badge. It was a bright and clear day on the island, the perfect day for the maintenance crew to run their errands in the park with Muldoon and Harding. Wu hoped they wouldn't run into them. He preferred to speak to them and anyone from InGen, only when absolutely necessary. Too much tension existed between them now.
"You know, I'm doing most of the talking," Dodgson said. "I'd like to hear more from you."
They stopped in front of the dilophosaur paddock. The dilophosaurs moved in and out of the thick green foliage and hooted at their visitors. Dodgson watched them and then looked at Wu, waiting to hear from him.
"I appreciate the opportunity that's been given to me," Wu said, "and I'm looking for a challenge aside from cloning another species. I've done all that before; I want more than just that. If I'm going to clone, then I want to be known. Bottom-line is InGen ran out of challenges for me which wasn't good because I get bored quickly."
"That's a trait I admire, a mind always at work, figuring things out and thinking problems through. Working for Biosyn, you may do assignments that put everything you have to the test—your talents and abilities. In all the years I've worked for the company; I've never grown bored. Antsy? Yes. Impatient? Many times. But never bored. I thrive on new challenges."
"So do I. When Hammond recruited me—" The rumbling of a nearby vehicle interrupted Wu. He turned around and a wave of annoyance swept over him when he saw who was in the gas-powered jeep.
Robert Muldoon and Gerry Harding. Definitely not the people he wanted to see. They pulled the jeep ten feet away from where Dodgson and Wu stood. Wu opened his mouth to say something, but Dodgson put a hand on his shoulder.
"Let me handle this," he said.
Dodgson walked to the jeep while Wu watched, detached. Harding glanced at him and Muldoon sent a cold glare in his direction. After that night at the raptor pen, Muldoon hadn't spoken a word to Wu. They would run into each other occasionally in the visitor center or staff lodge and an air of friction was always present.
"What are you two doing out here?" Dodgson asked. He turned to Muldoon. "When are you going to check the tyrannosaurs with Roland? They're circling near the fences again."
"That's to be expected," Muldoon said icily.
"You're the game warden of this island. You better do something about it, if you want to keep your damn job. If not, I have someone ready to take your place."
Wu saw Muldoon's hands clench into tight fists at the mention of someone taking his place. He knew who Dodgson referred to: Roland Tembo. When Wu first met the Biosyn team, Tembo had made no effort to hide what he really wanted on Isla Nublar—a chance to hunt down a tyrannosaur in its paddock—and Muldoon's job as game warden of Jurassic Park.
Dodgson spoke to them for several minutes while Wu looked on. Harding stared at Wu the entire time, and Wu made no indication that he saw him. Muldoon talked in a hushed voice. Some of his words sounded slurred. Drinking on the job again, Robert? Wu thought, a smug grin spreading across his face. That's a big no-no in Dodgson's book. Roland's getting closer to snatching your job. I can't wait to see him take it from you.
"I don't give a fuck how you do it," Dodgson was saying. "Get it done before the end of today—and make sure you do your job right!"
Wu loved to see Dodgson put the InGen staff in line. He had no problem expressing his anger and Wu admired that about him. Muldoon turned in Wu's direction briefly and Dodgson snapped his fingers in front of him to get his attention. Muldoon said nothing, but the scowl on his face revealed his intense hatred towards Dodgson. The one-sided conversation continued for a few minutes and then they drove off down the road leaving Wu and Dodgson standing in front of the paddock. Dodgson went back to Wu, shaking his head. He resumed his conversation with Wu as if there had been no interruptions.
"They're doomed to mediocrity," he said watching their jeep drive down the road. "And that's fine, if that's what they want—but who really wants to live life halfway?"
"They do, apparently." Wu glared in jeep's direction. "They don't understand my decision."
"They never will," Dodgson said sympathetically. "In the end, it doesn't matter what they think. Look, you've spent so much time—literally years—wondering what Hammond thought of your efforts and it didn't get you anywhere."
"It didn't, but that's in the past. I prefer to look to the future."
"You have a bright future ahead of you." Dodgson smiled. "That's so cliché." He pointed inside the paddock. The dilophosaurs had gathered together by the jungle river. "Did I ever thank you for those amazing photos you sent me? The team, especially Lopez, was blown away by them."
Wu winked. "You never did, but it's good to know it wasn't a waste."
"Not a waste at all."
oOo
"I value loyalty—as a matter fact, I'm a total stickler for it. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a traitor. When I spend my valuable time and effort into cultivating an individual, I demand loyalty. That might sound selfish to others, but you know what? I learned long ago: fuck what others think. You have to go for the gold and not settle for the silver and bronze in life."
Dodgson leaned across Hammond's table and watched Wu's expression closely. They were in Hammond's office again with the air conditioner on full blast. In Hammond's office they wouldn't be rudely interrupted.
Wu smiled, but it looked more like a sneer. "It's expecting the best from someone and trusting they won't turn and run at the drop of a hat."
"Precisely, Hank! I expect powerful results when I take a person, such as you, under my wings." Dodgson rammed his right clenched fist into his open left palm like a coach demonstrating to his team. "Do you feel that?"
Wu nodded eagerly, following Dodgson's every word.
"Let's take you for example. You were unhappy in life because you settled for the bronze and silver. I hired you and I know exactly what you need to thrive in this competitive field. I plan to utilize all my resources to make you gold. Literally and figuratively."
"You don't want your efforts to be wasted. Squandered."
"Exactly. I promise you, you'll get the fame you deserve. You'll be recognized in scientific journals, be a guest on talk shows, interviewed over the radio, and get featured on international news. You'll be all over the world. From Hong Kong to Egypt to Denmark to Peru—everyone will know who Henry Wu is. Your name will become a household name."
Wu titled his head in thought. Last time he had been promised recognition, it didn't happen. "Dr. Dodgson, I've heard it all before."
The skeptical note in his voice caught Dodgson's attention.
"This isn't an empty promise. I've helped many people in your predicament…ask Howard. Have you spoken to him?"
"I have and I know what you've done to boost his career. I'm talking about me."
Dodgson nodded. "I can get you anything you want, Hank. No sweat. There is just one thing I ask for in return."
Wu studied Dodgson across the table from him. He had a feeling he didn't like what he was about to hear. Something about Dodgson didn't ring a happy tune with him—especially the earlier part about him detesting betrayal. Wu understood why Dodgson felt that way, after all, nobody likes a backstabber. Then again, Dodgson had acquired both Nedry and Wu under his payroll when both men betrayed InGen to jump ship to Biosyn. Wu was well aware of this irony...or perhaps the better word was hypocrisy.
Yet he wanted his name out there.
It wasn't a lot to ask for. He had paid his dues over and over again and now he wanted to see his hard-earned and long overdue reward. Lewis Dodgson promised he'd own the world—he didn't say how he would be able to do this, but by now Wu was going on blind faith. Could he take on whatever tasks that Dodgson expected of him? Yes I can, Wu thought. For a taste of fame, I can—and would do—Anything.
"What is this 'one thing'?" Wu finally asked, breaking the heavy silence.
"I expect one hundred percent loyalty and dedication from you."
He took off his tinted shades, wiped them on his jacket, and slipped them on his face again with ease. When he spoke again, his voice was dangerously low and Wu had to listen carefully to hear him.
"Betrayal…I despise it. I help people, Hank. I take them to places where they want to go and where they've never been before. I spend time and money—both are valuable and irreplaceable—in cultivating individuals who expect better in life, who deserve a lot more reward for the ridiculous amount of work they put in. Individuals who've received the short end of the stick for far too long. You follow me?"
Wu sat back in his chair, his expression neutral.
"And when that person I've helped turns their back on me…the consequences aren't pretty…I'd rather you not experience them firsthand…"
Wu said nothing. Dodgson waited and then opened a drawer. He brought out a paper and held it up for Wu to see. Wu saw Nedry's full name scribbled at the bottom. Before he could finish reading the paper, Dodgson ripped it in half.
"This is or was a binding contract until the person decided to break it. You see, Hank, you can't have a conscience when you work for me, otherwise you'll get weak and want to back out of my employment which I won't tolerate. Ask Dennis, he knows." Dodgson laughed coldly. "Who would've thought the slob had a conscience." He crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it at the wall, and then refocused his attention on Wu. "A little guilt goes a long way with getting on my bad side."
Wu swallowed and opened his mouth to speak, and then immediately closed up again.
"I have an assignment for you to prove your loyalty to me—to Biosyn."
"What do you want me to do?" Wu's voice wavered, although he tried to sound firm.
"You'll see. I need you to act when I tell you to. You don't have time to think things over when you work for me."
Wu's eyebrows rose at Dodgson's change of words. Dodgson used to say "work with me"as opposed to "work for me". They had two entirely different meanings. "With" implied equal status, whereas "for" inferred power over the other. Wu thought he was overanalyzing like Malcolm, but the change was clear enough for him to realize for the first time that he was getting into something he might regret later on.
"You need to think about what I'm saying. I'm dead serious about this, and you can ask the rest of the team if you have questions or doubts." Dodgson paused and then a bright grin lit up his face in complete contrast to the harsh tone in his voice. "I don't think we'll run into that problem with you. You seem to have an open mind about this company. Trust me, Hank, you'll go further than you ever imagined."
oOo
Forty minutes had passed since the time Wu had left Dodgson in Hammond's office. During that time, Dodgson reflected on what they had discussed. Or rather, what Dodgson had discussed since he had dominated the conversation. He even threw in the Chilean experiment just to see how his reaction. Wu was silent, taking everything in.
It was clear to Dodgson that Wu still questioned where he stood now. He hadn't solved his his inner conflict about his decision to leave InGen for Bioysn. Wu still wore his InGen identification badge and lab coat with the company logo. Dodgson didn't want to confront Wu on his ambivalent feelings. It would make Wu want to prove his loyalty to Dodgson and there were other ways for him to do that. On the outside, Wu projected a different image. In front of the Biosyn team, he was aloof, but wanted to fit in. In front of InGen, he expressed scorn towards his former colleagues and rejected them. For those reasons, Dodgson decided it was time they had a heart-to-heart from geneticist-to-geneticist, so that he could draw out where Wu was coming from. As usual, Dodgson was on the mark. He knew it, but he wanted to hear it from Wu's mouth:
Fame.
If I'm going to clone, I want to be known. Henry Wu craved worldwide fame and recognition for his achievements.
Nothing wrong with that, Dodgson thought, but he'll have to pay his dues first before I do anything for him. In a way, he had paid them already. He had turned his back completely on InGen even before they had suspected a thing. Wu had sent him the photos of the dilophosaurs and told Dodgson about the sixteenth species project. It was Wu who had leaked information to the Costa Rican officials about Lawala's accident. He had once told Dodgson over the phone about Hammond's reaction to it. Dodgson had a good laugh that night. Hammond talked as though he owned Isla Nublar. What a joke. If he only knew, Dodgson thought. Your time is up, old man, and I have your former employee, Dennis, to thank for that. Wu had even managed to get Hammond off the island so that the Biosyn team could perform their insane heists. Wu had done a lot for Dodgson—he was the epitome of an employee who went over and beyond.
Dodgson knew exactly how Wu could demonstrate his loyalty. He had brainstormed ideas during their meeting. It would come at Nedry's expense, but so be it. Nedry had to learn the hard way that he couldn't get away with betraying Dodgson. The loyalty speech had spooked Wu. He swallowed it whole, yet, he hadn't voiced anything about it. Still, Dodgson could tell that Wu was ready to fully commit to Biosyn and this pleased him. Wu was a much better and valuable InGen acquisition than Nedry had ever been. I should've hired him first. Wu was an expert in the field of genetics, and he had inside knowledge of how InGen resurrected dinosaurs from the dead using preserved DNA. Yes, Wu was perfect and now that he was aligned with Dodgson, things would definitely look up for Biosyn. And InGen? Dodgson grinned.
Crush the competition.
oOo
Later that evening, Dodgson sent out a memo for a mandatory meeting. King delivered it to everyone. All park staff was required to attend. This included both Biosyn and InGen staff.
"Things are going to change around here," Dodgson said. As if they hadn't already…
He skimmed the audience in the cafeteria. His staff sat at one table together. Wu sat next to Lopez. Both men were talking quietly amongst themselves. Wu actually looked upbeat. Good, Dodgson thought. He's getting better aquatinted with his co-workers. At another table, Malcolm sat with Ellie. Beside them, Muldoon sat between Arnold and Harding. Tim and Lex were somewhere, probably in the staff lodge.
Dodgson didn't care. At least the whiny brats aren't in my face. He had thought of offing Tim and Lex—two less mouths to feed, two less people to worry about on the island. Other times, Dodgson considered getting rid of the entire InGen staff. It would give Biosyn complete control of the island, and they wouldn't have to worry about InGen interfering with their future plans. On the other hand, Dodgson loved rubbing it in InGen's face that he was in control now. It was far more enjoyable to push them to their breaking point, allow his staff to bully the InGen employees, and watch them squabble amongst each other. As long as they continued to fight, Dodgson used it to his advantage.
King passed out the meeting's agenda.
"I'm going to make this quick," Dodgson started. "We run an extraordinary zoo on Isla Nublar and it's important that we make sure our residents stay in tip-top shape. So, in addition to the morning and afternoon drive-through that you two already do," he pointed at Muldoon and Harding, "I'm adding an evening drive-through. Any questions?" There better be none.
"When does this 'change' go into effect?" Muldoon asked.
Dodgson stared at him, anger simmering beneath the surface. Muldoon was intriguing and a tough man to break. I relish a challenge. You're quite the challenge, aren't you Muldoon? He could've asked this aloud, but he had something better planned for him.
"When does this go into effect?" Dodgson repeated his question to make sure he had heard it right.
"That's what I asked. An answer is in order." Muldoon's stabbing glare matched his tone.
Tembo stood up and pointed at him. "For you, an attitude adjustment is in order."
Muldoon glanced in his direction, but didn't answer.
"Tonight," Dodgson said. "As a matter of fact…" he stifled a laugh, "you and Roland can go out there right now." He gestured to the cafeteria doors. "Bye-bye."
oOo
Wu banged on the control room's door. He had left his security card on his dresser in the staff lodge. He had no idea why he forgot it, but they had better let him in. Wu slammed his fist against the door and was surprised when it gave away in front of him. He marched into the control room, refusing to mask his anger.
"Took you long enough," he snapped.
"We were busy," Arnold said, tapping his cigarette into an ashtray.
"How about you stop being busy?"
No one responded. Wu felt his skin grow hot with anger—he felt this way whenever he shared the same space with the InGen staff. He couldn't explain what it was that made him feel this way until now: he had settled when he had taken the job to work for Hammond. Now he was through with settling for second best, and he hated being around people who reminded him of a past that he didn't want to return to.
"Why are you here?" Arnold said quietly.
"Because I work here."
"What do you want?"
"What kind of stupid question is that?"
"I thought you were with Biosyn."
"I am, so what's your point?"
Arnold shook his head, refusing to answer.
"You're a walking contradiction. If you're going to be a traitor to InGen, you might as well go all the way and wear Biosyn's ID badge."
Wu bristled and he knew who had spoken to them. Harding was at it again. Wu strode to the corner of the control room where Harding sat in a swiveling chair by himself apart from everyone.
"Look who grew a mouthpiece over night," Wu sneered. "I'm used to your quiet personality. What would it take to permanently shut you up?"
Harding glared at Wu. "Not a damn thing. Why? Do you plan on calling your beloved Dr. Dodgson on me?"
"You wouldn't want that, trust me."
"It's happened before. Won't be the first time or the last." Harding shrugged.
Wu found himself growing irritated by Harding's nonchalance with each passing second. For some reason, out of everyone on the InGen staff, Harding really got under his skin. Why?
"You should do like Robert," Wu said, pointing at Muldoon, who sat back in his chair, legs propped up on the table and steel flask in his hand. "Keep your mouth shut."
Muldoon sent Wu a sideways glance, maintaining his stony silence. He had come in an hour ago after going through the entire park with Tembo for the thousandth time. It was not an excursion he wanted to repeat again today.
"You're worse than Dennis," Arnold said in a low voice.
Wu turned around. "Say that again, Ray? I didn't hear you the first time." He made sure the ire in his tone was obvious.
"You're worse than Dennis."
"You're wrong—I'm better than him. Know why?"
"Do tell," Harding dared. "Tell us why you're 'better' than him."
"Because none of you expected that mild-mannered Henry was passing secrets to Dodgson the whole time. You were all focused on that stupid slob."
"So that makes you better than him? How so?"
"Shut up, Gerry! You always want answers."
"You said you're a better traitor. Explain yourself and prove your thesis." Harding met Wu's eyes in a silent clash.
Muldoon looked in their direction as he listened.
"I'm the one who told Dodgson about Hammond cloning a sixteenth species. Or that time when Lawala got blinded—I got in touch with Costa Rican officials and exaggerated the whole issue. Bet none of you ever thought of that. John shared a lot with me—he never thought I'd use it against him. I even got Hammond off the island so that the Biosyn team could take a dinosaur—remember those times? The first time I wasn't expecting to come back and see my lab in shambles. I have you to thank for that, Robert."
"So you came here to brag?" Arnold was clearly annoyed. "Is that all?"
"I also came to tell you the funniest thing—I did more for John Hammond than all of you put together!"
"You did a lot, alright," Harding said. "You betrayed him right under his nose."
"I did what I had to do," Wu said. "You would've done the same."
"Who is this guy?" Arnold asked, looking at Muldoon and Harding, and pointing at Wu. "Do we know him?"
"I have no idea who he thinks he is," Harding said to Arnold. He turned to Wu. "That's right, I said 'thinks' because you don't know who you are or what you're doing with Dodgson."
Wu smirked, entertained by their statements. "I thought I'd drop by to enlighten all of you, but I can see you're full of ingratitude."
"I'm bloody thankful for one."
Wu's eyes widened when he heard Muldoon speak. It was the first time he had said a sentence to him since that night by the raptor pen. Wu saw that he wasn't the only one shocked by Muldoon's pronouncement: Arnold and Harding had their attention focused on Muldoon, who got up from his chair so that he stood directly across from Wu in the control room.
"Do me a favor—better yet, do us all a favor. Take your badge off and throw it in the trash. There's no need to pretend unless it make you feel better to see how low you've stooped. You don't work for InGen anymore."
Something in Muldoon's tone made Wu's blood curdle. He touched his InGen badge, refusing to part with it.
"You see that door behind you?" Muldoon pointed behind Wu. Wu turned around and then turned back to glare hatefully at Muldoon. "Walk through it and never back here again. You're no longer a part of us and I don't bloody care if you're still on this island or not. We want no part of a traitor who comes in here to boast about what he's done."
The whole time Muldoon spoke, he had stood up and walked towards Wu, forcing him to back up. Wu walked backwards until he felt the door handle pressing against his lower back.
"And if I don't?"
"I'll make you leave—violently if necessary."
Wu's confident demeanor took a blow and he wilted slightly. "You wouldn't be that stupid to assault me on Biosyn property. I'll get Tembo and the rest of the team to take you down."
"Get him." Muldoon gestured to the door, as if the Biosyn staff stood outside, waiting to pummel him. "Get them all if it makes you feel better. If they beat me down, I'll get right back up and kick you off this bloody island myself."
Wu stared wordless; shocked that Muldoon would threaten him. When he spoke again, his voice unsteady, but still haughty. "It's okay…you're jealous—all of you are! I'm moving up the ladder of success with Biosyn and the rest of you wallow in the mediocrity of InGen."
"Is that some lame lie that Dodgson fed to you?" Arnold asked.
"It's the truth—" Wu pointed at Muldoon. "Robert knows it too." Wu's voice lowered menacingly. "The raptors that you all agreed to have killed that I had a hand in recreating…they're gone…but not forever. All you have to do is look at Robert's face—"
Muldoon smashed his clenched fist across Wu's face, silencing him. Wu wiped his mouth and recoiled at seeing the blood on his lab coat sleeve. He glanced at Harding, who stared right through him, and at Arnold, who calmly smoked his cigarette. Neither man stood up to help him. A steady trail of blood leaked from his lips and his face throbbed painfully. Muldoon snatched his InGen identification badge off his lab coat and threw it down on the floor. Wu stared down at the badge that he had carefully pinned to his lab coat that morning. He was going to grab it from the floor, but Muldoon had already stepped on it and kicked it aside.
"Get. Out. Now." Muldoon pointed at the door.
Wu stared at Muldoon for a long time, their eyes locked in hateful gaze. A low buzzing noise came from the control room's door. He could tell when he wasn't wanted. Wu's fingers closed around the handle and without a word, he left the control room, slamming the door behind him.
Author's Notes: Thank you to MasterShaper for your review that gave me an idea to put in the fic! The song "Lies" by Evanescence, both the original and remix is haunting and beautiful. The line from the remix "somebody tell me what made us all believe you" explains what the InGen staff feels towards Wu. Darthbane2007 asked about Alan Grant coming back--yes, he's definitely coming back! This will happen later in the story. I wanted to keep it a surprise, although I alluded to it in my author's notes. One last thing: now that I'm finished with school (and graduating this Thursday) I'm hoping I'll have more time to post. Thank you for your continued readership!
--Sassy Lil Scorpio