Chapter 10: Mercenaries For Hire


Alan and Ellie were standing in the office of the Henderson Executive Airport, waiting for Hammond to join them. Hammond had assured them that this smaller airport would be a much better place to get the mission underway. It was only about a 10 minute drive from the Vegas strip. Alan had been very quiet, since finding out about Jodie. Ellie was next to him, holding his hand. He found that to be very comforting.

Ian was sitting in one of the many chairs lined up in the office. He was very quiet, too. He couldn't believe it, but he actually felt bad for Alan. He understood, all to well, how it felt to have someone that you care about on an island infested with dinosaurs. His former girlfriend, Sarah, had volunteered to go there, of course, but it still brought up the same feelings.

Ian began to think about Sarah, and just how much he had messed up that relationship. If he had only decided to listen to, at least one thing Sarah would say, they might have had a chance. But Ian's top priority had always been himself. It was a very hard quirk to change. Sarah finally decided that changing Ian would be impossible, so she left him. That had been about four years ago. Ian hadn't had another serious relationship since then. And now, the beautiful Ellie was brought back into his life. He certainly thought that was a blessing, although it seemed to him that she and Grant were getting closer. He did have a certain amount of feelings for Ellie, but he knew it would never go further. It was just a matter of time, maybe only weeks, before Grant would win her back from her abusive husband. He was sure Grant had no clue, though. Grant didn't seem to be all that keen on relationships. Ian figured that Grant would be totally surprised when Ellie would want to rekindle whatever they had. He looked over at them and decided to take a little walk. He got up and walked up to them.

"I'm going to take a quick look around, maybe try to find a vending machine. I'll be right back."

Alan nodded.

Ellie took the opportunity to talk to Alan, while they were alone.

"Alan, you okay?"

"Yeah."

Ellie decided to change the subject.

"Do you know when our luggage was brought to us? I don't remember Hammond making arrangements."

"About 10 minutes ago. You were in the restroom."

"Who brought it?"

"Henry."

"By any chance, did Henry mention if Mark was still up there?"

Alan looked at her.

"He didn't say. You want me to go find Henry?"

"No, that's all right."

Alan took a good look at Ellie. Her face was slightly swollen, where Mark had obviously hit her that morning. Her lip was cracked open, too. He reached up and gently touched her face.

"I'm sorry I've been so hard to handle for the last hour. I was so caught up in my own life problems, I managed to put your problems in the back of my mind."

"I'm just hoping that Mark doesn't follow us here."

"Did you call your kids again?"

"Yes. I talked to them and to my mother. She's going to take them to Florida for a week. The kids are very excited about the vacation. I'm just glad they'll be away from Mark."

Alan smiled.

"What is it?" Ellie asked.

"You warned me about Mark, but I was still shocked about just how big he was. The guy is a mountain."

Ellie managed a smile, too.

"I told you."

"I'm pretty sure that he could kill me," Alan said.

"I know."

Alan laughed.

"Well, at least we're getting very far away from him, although I don't think man-eating dinosaurs are going to be much better."

"I agree," she said.

As Alan and Ellie were talking, Ian came back. He was looking past them.

"Well, it looks like the cavalry has arrived," Ian said, pointing.

Alan and Ellie turned. Henry was walking toward them. There were three very mean looking men walking behind him. When Henry and the three men reached them, Henry made the introductions.

"Doctors Grant, Malcolm, and Sattler . . . this is Craig Parker, Pete Johnson and Tilk."

They were all taken with the name Tilk. Of course, Ian had to say something.

"Tilk? Tilk? What is that? Is that short for something?"

Tilk was the biggest of the three men. He was 6'7" and 270 pounds. He stared at Ian, but didn't say a word. Craig spoke for him.

"Tilk is his name. End of story."

Ian backed off. Tilk may have been the biggest of the three, but the other two men were still taller than Ian.

"Oh, okay, then. My apologies there . . . Tilk."

Tilk took a few steps toward Ian, physically backing him up. Alan cut in.

"Okay, okay. We're all working together here, so let's not get carried away."

Tilk was right next to Alan now, as he had Ian backed up way past Alan and Ellie. Tilk slowly turned his gaze toward Alan. He stared at Alan. Again, he didn't speak. He just stared. Alan felt very intimidated. Twice, in the same day, he felt that his life was being threatened.

"That will be just about enough of that," Hammond said.

Alan and Tilk, along with everyone else, turned to see Hammond in an airport wheel chair. Henry had brought him in. Tilk turned back toward Alan and stared again. Then, he finally went over to Hammond. Alan started to breathe again. Ellie grabbed his hand.

Hammond smiled.

"Okay. I think everything is ready to go. There is a helicopter waiting for you on the tarmac. Private, of course. Private . . . and unknown," Hammond said. Then he added. "Spared no expense."

Alan nodded, and then shook his head. Hammond continued to talk.

"Oh, and these three men have enough fire power to go around. I made sure to pay for extra, for the three of you."

"Thanks," Ian said.

Alan shrugged. Guns were probably not going to be all that much help against the dinosaurs, but they would be useful against the humans. He watched the three mercenaries leave the office and go outside. Henry had helped Hammond get right up next to Alan.

"Alan, I'm not coming along. I would only hold things up, I'm afraid."

"That is completely understandable, John."

Hammond gripped Alan's arm.

"Please, bring them back. Bring them all back."

"I will, John. I will," Alan said.

Alan began to look through his bag, but then stopped when he thought of something to ask Hammond.

"Oh, and John?" He asked, and then he whispered. "I would love to know why on earth you would invite Ian Malcolm."

Hammond started to answer, but Alan stopped him short.

"You can tell me when we get back."

Hammond smiled.

"Very well, then. I wish all of you good luck and a speedy return."

Alan smiled. He quickly dug through his bag and found his lucky hat. He put it on and slung the bag over his shoulder. He picked up his suitcase and began to follow the mercenaries, from a distance.

When Ellie saw him put the hat on, she smiled at him. She knew how important little things like that were to Alan. She had her own little lucky blue pendant that she kept with her at all times. It was something Alan had given her quite a few years ago and she had just always kept it. She had it in her pocket right now. She grabbed her suitcase and followed Alan.

Ian was right behind them. He caught up to Alan and began to laugh. Alan looked at him.

"Nice hat," Ian said.

Alan smiled. He looked at Ian, who was wearing all black, right down to his sunglasses.

"That's a nice little gothic number you're wearing, as well. Do you own anything with color?"

Ian smiled at him.

"Okay, boys, let's stop fighting. I don't want to have to ground both of you," Ellie said.

They continued to make their way to the helicopter.




© 2002 by Yvonne Bartha