Isla Sorna is finally here!
Even after all these years, she could still remember the feeling of arriving in Isla Nublar. The awe, the dull sense of terror being squashed by the excitement of finally seeing a dinosaur. The lush forests, the humid weather. It was all so exciting, so thrilling. The island had its mysteries, its old wounds that few people would see if they actually walked into the dense forests. But it was a comforting place, filled with old relics of a time before. She had felt like a little kid back then, fulfilling her wildest dreams.
Isla Sorna didn't feel like that.
Where Nublar's scars were well hidden, Sorna broadcasted them. The evidence from 1993 was buried on Nublar, and what couldn't be was shut off from the general public. Hell, the only way Maria knew about was because they used the hatchery in the old Visitor Center. But Sorna, she used the incidents from 1997 and 2001 to her advantage.
Boats littered the shores as they cruised past, the rocks still holding the husks. They'd been looking for a safe place to dock for an hour since they arrived, and so far it was proving fruitless. Even if there was an area without destroyed boats, the sonar proved that the rocks littering the floor by the shore was too dangerous to go in. And it wasn't just boats that the island had claimed, as they came around the island, they were greeted by remains of a RV.
"Is that what I think that is?" Eric had asked as they watched it go by.
"Hard to believe everyone made it out of there alive,' Maria said as she looked up ahead. "Ian told me and Kelly about it, apparently rex's like to push things off of cliffs."
"They do enjoy pushing," Eric agreed as he looked down the boat. "How is Ripper fairing?"
"Sea sick," Maria said with a giggle. The poor dino had been heaving into a barrel that she pushed over for him before she left. She really hoped no one looked in there when they left, it would be a nasty sight.
"Does he… know?" Eric asked softly.
Maria sobered immediately. "No," she said with a heavy sigh. "I don't even know where to begin, how do I tell him that he's no longer alone in the world only to turn around and tell him he'll have to kill his sibling." It would crush him, it would crush her.
"I understand," Eric sympathized. "We still have time, maybe we can save the hybrid."
Maria longed for nothing more, but she didn't want hope to cloud her judgement. "Maybe, but we need to be ready for the worst," she said, trying to convince herself more than anything else. "I am glad that Owen is here, he can shut off emotions when it comes to animals and behaviors," she added as she glanced down at the man, currently talking with the captain of the ship as they navigated the waters.
"Speaking of," Eric's tone changed, though she couldn't place the emotion in it. "Is he just a friend or…?"
Maria found herself biting back a smile as she realized what Eric was getting at. Was he jealous? "Just a friend,' she confirmed. "Why do you ask, Mr. Kirby?"
"Ugh, don't call me that," Eric shuddered. "Mr. Kirby was my father," he looked off to the side as he chewed his lip. "And can't I just ask questions?" He threw that out like it would have a lifeline on it.
Maria decided to be merciful and bumped his shoulder with hers, giving him a soft smile. "Yeah, you can ask me anything," she said gently before jumping a foot off deck when Owen let out a whoop.
"We found a clearing!" He called out, causing the whole boat to cheer. "We'll dock just long enough for us to get our things and then the boat will head back to the mainland," he came over to them and leaned against the railing besides Maria as he watched the FBI agents go underdeck to gather their things. "I have the captain's number to call when we're ready for pickup."
"Is that a subtle hint to keep you alive?" Maria asked as she regarded her friend.
"We could just grab your phone now," Eric added, a teasing smile on his face.
Owen threw them both a look as he protectively held his phone in his pocket. "You both are shameless," he said chastising them. "Now I gotta watch my back from everyone in this group."
"Including Blue?" Maria asked.
"Especially Blue, I went down there to check on her and she looked like she was going to personally see my demise for doing this to her," Owen said with a shake of her head. "This is her first boat ride that she's been conscious for, and she hates it."
"So does Ripper," Maria said with a nod. She was glad they had tranqed the dinos on the boat ride to Isla Matanceros. Unfortunately they couldn't this time, they needed the dinos ready to move out as soon as they docked.
"Yeah, I had to switch out the barrel," Owen said with a shudder. "I really hope they guys weren't looking to sell those potatoes."
The boat shuddered as it drew near to shore, the anchor dropping to keep it from floating off as the engine shut off. The captain, some crew members along with Owen and Eric came to help as they gathered the ramp to help them and their boat hating dinosaurs off of the vessel. Maria gathered the mens bookbags along with her own, cradling them to her chest as she tried to stay out of the way. She waited for them to come back before handing them off, she needed to get under deck with Owen so they could lead the assets off safely.
Under deck, they were greeted by Ripper moaning pathetically as Blue paced in her cage. She took notice of them and roared, she wanted out now. Maria threw Owen a look, suddenly relieved that she was merely dealing with a defeated dinosaur rather than a dinosaur that took ever boat rock as a personal offense. Owen sighed before heading to the cage.
"I hear you," he said as Blue began to growl out her grievances. "I understand," he said as she hissed and tapped her sickle claws against the metal flooring. "It's not right,' he agreed as he unlocked the gate and held the clicker at the ready. Blue snorted angrily as she strutted out, pausing by Maria as she slowly led Ripper out of his cage.
The raptor rubbed her snout against the Indo's, rasping softly before going back to her righteous fury. Hisses, growls, even a loud squawk greeted the men up top as the raptor went up the stairwell. She roared at the men, and Maria swore she heard the water splash as if someone jumped. Owen tossed her an amused look as she followed him up, peering over the edge she saw that someone did indeed jump off.
"Jerry, you don't know what's in there, get the hell out," the captain snapped at the man as everyone gave the raptor a wide berth. "Ma'am," he said with a nod to Blue and Maria as they passed him.
Maria let out a soft chuckle as both Blue and Ripper perked up at the sight of solid land. With a cry, Blue went off and sprinted down the ramp and into the brush, Owen calling out to her as he ran off after her. Ripper stayed next to Maria, though his tail no longer dragged against the ground. He paused as they reached the bottom of the ramp, his hands itching at the water. Maria gave him a reassuring smile as she took a few steps in and beckoned him to do the same.
Once Ripper was on solid ground and returning back to his old self, the rest of the group followed. Owen came back with Blue, who perked up now that Ripper didn't look like he was on death's bed. Eric threw the two dinosaurs a sympathetic look as he shouldered his book bag, and both Maria and Ripper appreciated that look. However, when the agents came down the ramp, laughing at the predicament that the dinos had found themselves in… well, Ripper just had to flex his tail at the right time against the ramp knocking two of them into the water.
He let out his huffs as Maria turned her head and giggled. She patted his side and prompted him to move further up on land as the agents got out of the water cursing up a storm. Owen, Eric and Maria all stood together as they let the two dinosaurs wander a few feet off to take in the smells. Eric pulled out his map of the island, brows furrowed as he tried to guess where they were.
"Do you guys have an idea where the facility could be?" He asked Wilson as he joined them.
"No, that was Miss Brennan's job," Wilson said with a nod to the enraged woman. "We're here to apprehend Wu and ensure that the hybrid dies on this island."
"Henry didn't write down anything in his journal!" Maria hissed at the man, angry at both his assumption and his mention of the hybrid. She didn't want Ripper overhearing it before she could tell him. "I even told you that and you said it would be fine, that you would gather your resources!"
"I did," the man said with a shrug as Owen placed a hand on Maria's shoulder to keep her grounded. "We have a list of the dinosaurs nesting grounds and where they're located. Maybe Wu's facility is near the herbivores," he suggested noncommittally.
Maria stared at him in outrage as Eric took the list, she was suddenly glad to have Blue and Ripper here. They offered more protection and security than these three asses did! "How recent is this data?" Eric asked with a raised brow.
"That was taken in 1997," Wilson provided. "We couldn't find another one that was recent."
"1997?!" Eric's voice caught the attention of the roaming dinosaurs as he stared at the man in barely controlled anger. "That was twenty three years ago! Territories change! You couldn't have moved this expedition back so you could get more relevant data?" Now Owen had his other hand on Eric.
"We're on a time limit now, we need Wu apprehended before he can cause more damage," Wilson said as his own agents flanked him. On a human aspect, they were well matched, but they all knew that the dinosaurs had their backs if it came down to a fight.
"You said three months ago that there was no real time limit," Maria pointed out as she crossed her arms.
"Yes, but that was before undocumented dinosaurs began appearing on american soil," Wilson said, trying to placate them. "We had them destroyed, but-"
"You destroyed them?!" Maria took a step forward and was stopped by Owen. "You knew I was there for you to send them my way and you just killed them?!"
"Miss. Brennan, now is not the time to fall into your emotions," an agent from the back snipped. "Let us focus on the task at hand, finding a plan to locate Dr. Wu and his laboratory."
Eric growled lowly as he looked at the list. "This is basically useless," he snapped. "We're on the northern part of the island, we can hope and pray that the tyrannosaurs decided to move on and nothing came in their place."
"InGen's list-"
"That list is garbage too!" Eric exclaimed. "There were several species the last time I was here that wasn't on their precious list! And if Wu is here, there's probably more undocumented dinosaurs roaming. I have absolutely no idea what we're going to face."
"Our research-"
"Was shit, if all you can provide is a two decade old list and your stupid apologies," Eric ran a hand over his face. "It's done, the boat is gone and we can't go back now. So we go forward, I'll lead, and you all better hope I look out for you three," he warned the agents as they sputtered at him. "Maria, Owen, if you all would follow me?"
Maria nodded wordlessly, gesturing to Ripper to come to her. She placed a hand on his shoulder as he walked next to her, Blue alternating between walking next to him and running on ahead. She shook her head as she tried to clear the anger, she was tired of being taken advantage of.
"I'm going to punch them," Owen muttered as they forged on ahead, leaving the three men behind them. They weren't going too far up ahead, but enough distance to make it known they weren't welcomed any longer on this expedition.
"Get in line," Eric muttered darkly as he gripped the map in his hands. "Of all the unprofessional things- why did they think that was sufficient enough?"
"We'll get even later," Maria said as she bit back her anger. She didn't want Ripper hearing it and thinking the agents were free game after all. They still needed them, maybe after they got Wu locked up an… accident could befall them. "Eric, what are we going to do when it comes nightfall? Camping doesn't seem safe," she asked as she glanced up at the sky. It was five when they had finally docked.
"We'll have to climb a tree," Eric said as he too glanced up. "I was lucky enough to have found a secure bunker in my stay, we won't have that up here."
"Wouldn't be the first time I've done that," Owen said as he watched Blue and her antics. So far they dinosaurs were being well behaved, but he doubted that would remain the case for long. Rule of thumb when it comes to an island of dinosaurs, if things start off well then they'll surely plunge into chaos not long after.
Eric slowed enough to walk next to her, a nod towards Ripper in acknowledgement. "Just so you know," he whispered to her, "I don't blame you for not being able to find Wu's lab. I took a look at that journal, no clues, nothing. It was a miracle that you figured this out."
"They should have done more, I expected them to do more," Maria muttered bitterly. "They told me that they had everything under control on their end and to just worry about the stupid journal!" she kicked at a rock in her way and glared when it didn't go very far.
"I know," he said softly as Ripper looked at the rock, offended on Maria's behalf. "This isn't an ideal situation but, hey, there's a silver lining here."
"And what would that be?" Maria asked, not sure if she liked how lighthearted his tone suddenly went.
"We have offerings for any carnivore coming after us," he joked, earning a laugh from both her and Owen who had been shamelessly listening in.
When she saw Henry, she was going to punch him.
The night had been filled with restless sleep. It had been fine at first, she had secured a comfortable spot in between Eric and Owen and leached out their warmth. But very quickly the FBI agents ruined it by complaining about the arrangement and questioning the decision to do this. Ripper and Blue laid out on the bottom of the tree, and would growl every time they were woken up. Finally the three men had gone to sleep, only to leave the other three too irritated to do so.
And now her back hurt, her neck was stiff, and she didn't sleep more than three hours. It was like college all over again!
She resisted the urge to complain as she followed Eric, hands on her back as she tried to crack it as they went. The last thing she wanted was one of the smartasses in the back to make a comment about "women and their emotions". God, she would absolutely lose it on them.
Eric suddenly held an arm out and stopped them, eyes trained on a puddle in front of them. Maria drew near, watching it as well trying to figure out what was wrong. Beside her, Ripper and Blue let out low growls of warning, tensing as a dull thudding sounded.
The puddle began to ripple.
"Tyrannosaur?" Owen breathed, eyes wide as he looked around them.
"No," Eric said as a loud roar came from up ahead. "Bigger."
The group jumped as the thudding came from around them, each one sounding louder than the rest. The trio huddled together, a hand on each other to keep them grounded as Ripper and Blue let out warning shrieks. They were obviously in someone's territory, if not the tyrannosaurs then who?
The answer came when a large carnivore came out of the shadows in front of them. His large steps shaking the ground they stood on as he came close. Red ridges and small spikes went up his large head and led down his back. The mottled green and cream skin blended almost seamlessly against the rich forest behind him. He lowered his head to regard them, red eyes boring into them.
No, this wasn't a tyrannosaur, nor a spinosaurus.
This was a giganotosaurus, and he was not alone.
As his pack came out from behind them, the alpha in front of them reared his head back, teeth flashing in the sunlight that filtered in. He sucked in a breath before letting out a powerful roar that shook their very core. Stumbling back, the rest of the pack let out their own roars of fury at this trespass.
"RUN!" Eric called, grabbing Maria's hand as they all scattered.
She could hear Ripper and Blue's enraged roars as they fled, heart beating in her chest so hard she thought it would break out. She tried to look behind her, but couldn't see anything. But she could hear it. Thunderous footsteps came as they gave chase, and all the while Ripper and Blue were giving their own little fight.
"Ripper!" Maria called as she ducked under a branch. She hoped he'd give up a fight with these giants. Because that was not a fight he'd win, she knew that for a fact. "Ripper, come!" She tried again as Eric pulled her along.
She hoped the man knew where he was going, it would not bode well if they ran from one predator and into another's jaws. She prayed that Owen got out safely, maybe Blue followed him. God she hoped that was the case, she'd die if she lost another baby like this.
She couldn't do it again.
Fear not, Ripper knows how to pick his fights in this story. Next chapter will be in multiple pov's as the gang tries to find their way back to one another.