14
12 – Looking for Blue
Surprised by the remark, Owen stood still, as statued.
– What did you say, he asks finally ? »
– You perfectly understood me ! It is necessary to find Blue. »
– What are you looking for ? You did not listen to what I told you yesterday ? »
- Yes, of course ! And I know that I wake painful souvenirs. But I have no other choice. I absolutely need it. »
- But we do not even know if it is still alive ! »
- It is exact, but nothing proves that it is dead. Then I want to play this chance completely. »
Owen darkens.
- You know, Nicolas, if things take place badly, no doubt that it will harm our friendship. »
- I am aware of it. But if things go well, I think that it will be strengthened.
« Listen carefully to me, Owen ! If your animal is such as you described it to me, it will be capable of locating the movements of our enemies, without drawing their attention.
« We shall have nothing to do but follow it from a distance with our binoculars »
« If it stops a long moment, it will mean that we reached the battlefield chosen by those of the opposite camp and that we have to put ourselves in position. »
- All this is only speculation ! »
- Maybe ! But between leaving completely the hand to our opponents or giving us a little of initiative, I choose the second solution. And, for it, I need Blue.
« So, in the afternoon, while our reinforcements will get used to their new environment and our guards will capture our medium-sized predators and will feed the giant ones, I will search in the entire park, square meter per square meter.
« I hope you will come with me. »
- And if you find it, how can you be sure that it will agree to cooperate ? »
- My last asset. The one about which I have not spoken yet.
« Seeing that I had a natural propensity to communicate with animals, those who have … "repaired" me implanted me a system which amplifies this capacity.
« Also, if I find your « rapido-thing … » »
- Velociraptor, corrects Owen.
- That is right. Well, if I find it, I could ask it for its help. »
- You will ask it for its help ? »
- Yes ! My system of communication is intuitive. It uses sensations and feelings, not words. Thus, it has not any barrier.
D - 1 - Isla Nublar – 2 : 00 pm
The soldiers embarked on vehicles.
Everyone knows what he has to do.
The heavy doors closed behind them, in a huge noise of bolts, immediately replaced by another announcing the opening of those in front.
The landscape of the park suddenly appears, and vehicles dash : three trucks, transporting each about twenty men.
The fourth, much heavier, takes a team of guards of the reserve and the veterinarian to capture the predators.
At the same time, taking advantage of the moderation of the wind, the heavy helicopter takes off. It carries two carcasses of cattle. Its role is to feed up Tyrannosaurs and Allosaurs. It will decrease the risks of seeing them attacking the people, if they are attracted by the noise of the fights.
Finally, bringing up the rear, a jeep transporting a driver, Owen and Nicolas, accelerates in its turn.
- How do you plan to proceed, asks the American ? »
- In a systematic way. We go right front up to the south end. Then, we go back up by sweeping all the width of the park. »
- And you really believe that you will succeed ? »
- I do not know, but I am ready to go to search even between the legs of the Tyrannosaurs, if it is necessary !
« Without wanting to give us false hopes, I felt certain vibrations which give me to think that your creature is always there.
« But the difficulty will be to find it. If I understood well what you told me, it was disappointed, what would explain its big discretion. We should recreate the broken links.
Owen does not answer.
He is lost in his thoughts, moved by an insane hope. He would so like that his friend is right ! But, on the other hand, his pragmatism tells him that this is only a dream and that his disappointment, at the end, will be terrible.
Very fast, the vehicles are dispersed, each gaining his zone of activity.
After of a small quarter of an hour, the "marines" result in the middle of the big plain, near lakes.
The soldiers go down from the vehicles and group together around the guards of the park.
- What do we do there, my lieutenant, asks Milton, always grumpy ? »
- We are going to get acquainted with the ground and its inhabitants, answers Jefferson. We have, this evening, to feel at ease perfectly in this space and, for it, we must be capable of identifying, at the first glance, the species which surround us, and to adopt immediately the good attitude. »
- All the same, said one of the soldiers to his neighbor, what an absurd idea to have resurrected these awful creatures ! And what an even more useless idea from us to defend them.
- I do not agree with you, answers his counterpart. How many times, being a child, I dreamed in front of books which showed these "awful creatures", as you say, or in front of cartoons on the TV. »
Suddenly, the soldier becomes silent and raises the eyes.
- Look, he tells to his colleague, by pointing something with his finger »
The other "marine" turns and stays open-mouthed.
Behind them, three enormous Brachiosauruses pass casually. The ground vibrates under their steps.
Between the servicemen, the silence is made. All look, fascinated, the slow scrolling of the disproportionate beings.
- You see, resumes the soldier, now I know why I am there : to protect these fabulous animals. They are so amazing ! »
Already, the three huge dinosaurs go away.
In the group, the concern fades away, giving way to wonder.
- Then, sergeant Milton, said a guard, what do you think about that ? »
- I think that these creatures should have stayed where they were. »
- Your grandchildren will not certainly say that, when they will ask you to bring them here. »
The sergeant does not answer. He growls in his corner.
Breaking the spell, Martin Norfolk intervenes :
- Well, sirs ! You go to form six groups of ten people. You will be accompanied each by two of us who will insure your safety and will supply you all the necessary informations.
We shall leave in different directions.
« Indeed, a troop of the size of ours perturbs the animals.
« As you can see it, they went away. Our number worries them.
« By small collectives, we shall be much more discreet and we shall more easily go unnoticed.
« Listen to me, please ! Whatever happens, remain grouped ! Never go alone !
« The danger will not come from herbivores, the behavior of which we shall detail you according to the visit, neither the medium-sized predators, which my colleagues are going to capture, nor big predators because the helicopter that you saw brings them fresh meat, to satisfy them.
« No ! The danger can come from the small predators. Individually, they are not dangerous, especially if we are grouped. On the other hand, they often move in number, what gives them the courage to attack preys much bigger than them, one or two isolated men, for example.
« Above all, do not underestimate them, they are small predators but predators all the same !
« Have you some questions ? »
Lieutenant Jefferson glances on his men.
Noone moves.
- No, he eventually tells, everything is clear. »
- Well, says Martin. Action, then ! Sirs, form your groups of ten. "
It does not take a long time so that the "marines" divide up.
During this time, the work of the team 2 moves forward well.
The first dinosaur to have been captured is the Dilophosaurus.
- Necessarily, said one of the guards, as soon as it hears a noise of engine, it arrives immediately !
« It was enough to wait that it appears. »
The hunting of Herrerasauruses was a little more complicated because they remained hidden in bushes.
Fortunately, geolocation chips have performed well. It was easy to follow them, even without seeing them.
Only the three Dromeosauruses remain free. They are much more in the North, near the former aviary in Pterosaurs.
It is exactly in this zone that are Owen and Nicolas. They visited the essential of the park, for a result always negative.
Both men came out of the vehicle and the Frenchman went a little away.
- Do not go too far, shouts him the American ! According to my device, there are three Dromeosauruses in front of us. »
- What are they, questions the Frenchman ? »
- A kind of Velociraptor, but smaller. A predator which goes hunting in group, as its taller brother. »
- Really, answers Nicolas, who continues to walk far from the jeep ? »
But Owen did not notice it because it turns the back on him.
The time has come for him to take reports of the other groups.
- Hello, team 1 ! Grady is calling. How does it take place at your zone ? »
- Hello, here team 1, Norfolk is calling.
« Very well, mister Grady !
« The soldiers are very reactive. They understand fast and they acclimatize easily to their environment.
« Everything goes well on that side. We are soon going to return. »
- Thank you, team 1, ended !
« Team 2 ? Grady is calling team 2. »
- Hello, here team 2, Winter is listening to. »
- How are your catches ? »
- They are almost ended. Only the three Dromeosauruses are still missing.
« Watch out, they are in your sector ! Do not go out of your vehicle ! »
- We also located them, answers Owen. They are just a little farther. »
This is the moment when he turns around.
Nicolas, slightly inclined forward, his arms outstretched in front of him, faces one of them.
No doubt that the two others are any time going to appear.
As in reply, two small predators take out bushes by sides, the one to the right and the other one to the left of the first one, drawing a kind of pliers.
It is their classic technique of attack.
- Nicolas, return, shouts Owen ! And take out your weapon !
Himself has already his pistol in hand.
But the Frenchman, as statued, does not move.
- It will not be necessary, he eventually says slowly. The fear is not an answer to the fear !
« They are worried, that's all. »
« Obviously, they are not used to being next to the man. »
- As you say ! They are almost never met. They are practically invisible. Without the geolocation, we would have considered them dead for a long time. »
Curiously, the three bipeds calmed down. Their aggressive attitude disappeared.
The man who faces them causes them obviously a problem. They feel waves which they do not understand but which, nevertheless, reassure them.
- We have not made much progress, Owen says. »
- On the contrary, answers Nicolas of a very soft tone, I believe that we touch the purpose ! »
But the American did not hear him.
Resuming his microphone, he calls.
- Team 2, do you receive me ? We are in contact with the Dromeosauruses. Hurry up because they threaten us ! Come to fetch them ! »
- We arrive, answers the voice. By the way, they are all three ? »
- Affirmative, answers Owen. They are there all three. "
- Correction, intervenes Nicolas, all four ! »
The American suspends his radio contact.
- What are you talking about, he says ? We always had only three ! »
- Maybe ! I do not know. But here, there are four dinosaurs. »
- You are not more able to count ? I see only three ? »
- Me too ! But there is the one who goes back up me discreetly by the right, without taking out bushes. In spite of the precautions which it takes, I hear it perfectly.
« It is not as the others. It is a little heavier, thus he must be bigger. »
Then, after a short silence, the Frenchman adds, with a wide smile :
- You see, Owen, I believe that we found the one that we came to look for. »
- No, retorts the American, you think that it could be… ? »
- We soon are going to know. It stopped on my two hours and gets ready to jump up outside the shrubs. »
- How did you know ? »
- I arrive here with new eyes. You explained to me that Blue had to live in a group. Later, you told me that the " dra… ", the " dromo… " finally, the dinosaurs which are in front of me lived in bands and had appreciably the same customs as the "veloci-thing".
« Last indication : I learn that the " dro-something " are discreet and imperceptible. They have everything to please an animal which hides. »
Suddenly, in a noise of boughs violently shaken, the fourth dinosaur arises from the vegetation, the threatening jaws, in front of Nicolas.
- Hello Blue, said the Frenchman. Here you are at last ! »
At the same moment, a noise of engine is listened. It is a heavy vehicle. The team 2 arrives to capture the three Dromeosauruses.
- Get ready, says Owen, while the men come down from the truck. »
- Especially not, answers Nicolas ! No question of wasting everything. »
Without abrupt gesture, he advances on the Velociraptor. This one is threatening. The wide open jaws, it is in position of attack.
The Frenchman extended his left arm in front of him. Centimeter after centimeter, he approaches the snout of Blue.
The animal does not know what to do. It does not manage to determine which attitude it has to adopt. It hesitates. The sensations that it feels disturb its judgment.
After a while, Nicolas's hand touches Blue's nose, then closes slowly and gradually, until it completely blocks the dinosaur's jaws.
Around them, the Dromeosauruses stay calm, because the one who commands them does not try to get free, does not struggle.
Nicolas continues to get closer to the Velociraptor. When he is enough near, he presses his forehead on the one of Blue.
Then, the time seems to stop. Nobody, man or saurian, dares to move. There is only the noise of the assaults of the wind and the rain.
A real osmosis is being born.
The Frenchman communicates with the dinosaur, without pronouncing a word, under an intuitive shape. A reliable pact becomes established slowly.
Little by little, Nicolas releases its muzzle and puts both hands on the animal's cheeks, slowly and affectionately, without removing his forehead.
During this time, the wind doubles violence and shakes strongly the vegetation, whereas the rain becomes intensified.
- It would be better to go home now, Owen says with effort, shaking the silence that covers the scene. »
- You are right, answers the Frenchman. Anyway, the agreement is sealed. We have just found the allies which were missing us. »
- Should we inject an electronic chip in the Velociraptor, asks the veterinarian ? »
- No, answers Nicolas ! The alliance is fragile. It is necessary to avoid any gesture which Blue could take as an attack or a treason. »
- I think that, now that everything is settled, we would do well to leave, says Owen.
« Go ahead, team 2, we follow you. »
Then, taking his walkie-talkie :
- Grady calls team 1 "
- Here, team 1! Norfolk is listening. »
- where are you ? »
- We finished. All the groups are back.
« As the light quickly decreases, we get ready to go home. »
- Nothing particular to indicate ? »
- No, everything passed well. »
- Very good ! See you soon. Ended ! »
Owen returns to the car with the driver. As he enters, he turns to Nicolas.
- We go there, he says ! »
- Not yet, answers the Frenchman. We have something to settle. »
- What is it ? »
- You have to become reconciled with Blue ! It is waiting for you. If you want it to help us, you MUST do it ! »
The American pushes a deep sigh, and slams the door of the vehicle. Then he moves forward in the direction of the animal. He is embarrassed. He does not well know how he is going to do.
When he approaches, the Velociraptor bends forward and opens jaws by pushing an aggressive whistling.
Nicolas puts his hand on its head and "speaks" to it without saying words.
Little by little, the dinosaur calms down.
- Here we are, says the Frenchman, my role is ended. It is from now on between you two that that takes place. It is now your turn to act, Owen ! »
Then he turns heels and goes away.
- Do we leave, says the driver ? »
- In a few minutes ! »
Meanwhile, Owen has advanced in the direction of Blue. He is quite close, now.
What does he tell it ? Nobody will ever know.
But the reconciliation really happens.
- I believe that we are going to be able to bring in, says Nicolas by smiling. »
Owen comes back to them. He is moved and that is visible.
- Well ! What do we wait to leave, he says of a grumpy tone. »
Nobody answers him.
All embark silently and the vehicle dashes.
A little farther in the park, the "marines" grouped together near the vehicles.
- Everybody is there, asks for Norfolk ? »
- No, answers a corporal ! Two men are missing. They went a little farther because one of them has intestinal problems. »
Small shrill cries are suddenly listened in the indicated direction.
- For God's sake, says the old guard ! There is not a moment to be lost ! »
He rushes to a truck of which he opens one of the safes to extract from it five tazers.
- You, you, you and you, he says indicating four guards of the park, take that and come with me ! »
- What happens, asks lieutenant Jefferson ? »
- There is that your guys are in trouble with a band of small carnivores. What you hear now are their cries.
« We are going to get them back before it is too late !
« Go, the guys, let us hurry ! »
The five men go away by running.
Being guided by the sound, they quickly arrive on-the-spot.
Both soldiers are there but they are surrounded with small bipeds which harass them non-stop.
One of the "marines" stands and defends himself as he can with the butt of his weapon.
The second, entangled in its lowered pants, has fallen and undergoes multiple and ceaseless attacks.
Norfolk and the guards advance without hesitating. The tazers quickly calm the enthusiasm of the predators and put them to flight.
- Are you all right, asks the leader of the guards quickly by examining both men ? »
- No problem. We are covered with bites but nothing very serious. Good thing you have arrived ! »
- Let us not stay there ! When we shall have returned to the base, the doctor will take care of you.
« Let's go, now ! »
From their part, Owen and Nicolas are also on the way back.
During a long moment, only the noise of the engine is listened in the vehicle.
The American is lost in its thoughts. He remembers all that he has just lived, him who did not hope anymore.
- I owe you excuses, he eventually says. I did not want to believe that what has just arrived was possible, and I tried to prevent you from trying it.
« You were right ! »
- No problem ! I am happy to have been right … for you, first of all, and for all of us because, now, we can say that we did all which was possible, in the little time which we had, to put the odds in our favor.
« Tomorrow, it will be necessary to play squeezed, but I think that we have good assets.
« For the instant, I suggest taking advantage, even a little, of the present moment. »
All is said. The silence comes back in the jeep.
