3. TIMES LONG FORGOTTEN
Tosha Johnson emerged from her Ferrari rent a car and walked up a long driveway to a very beautiful house on a back road in San Francisco, California. She had done some searching with her contacts to find the people that would be watching after Eric Kirby while his parents would be away on their vacation. She found that it was actually one person in California named Karen Bellingham. Tosha hated that she had to take a flight from New York to San Francisco, but she had a job to do and a company to protect.
Tosha walked up to the front door and rang the bell hearing a short jingle from the sound of the bell. If jingles weren't irritating, she didn't know what was. Anything that didn't seem in the least bit gothic Tosha hated. She turned around to look at the scenery around the neighborhood. It seemed like a nice little community with several nice houses, just like the one she was standing at.
In front of her, children were at play. The kids seemed to be playing hide and seek as they ran around looking for places to hide, while another kid stood facing a tree counting with his eyes closed. This didn't seem to affect Tosha all that much though. She usually felt humor only when she was seeing something dark or evil.
Suddenly the door behind her opened with a lovely woman at the age of 46, standing there in a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head.
"Mrs. Karen Bellingham," Tosha asked.
"Actually I divorced John about a year ago," Karen replied. "I'm Dr. Karen Ross once again. What would you like though?"
"You're Karen Ross, formerly of Earth Resources Technology Services," Tosha asked shocked. She couldn't believe that she was standing in front of the woman that had survived the expedition into the Congo back in June of 1979. Tosha had only heard small parts of the story from Charles Munro of what Karen Ross had went through, but she did know for sure that Ross had went to the Lost City of Zinj and survived the killer gray gorillas that had given Zinj Bioengineering a hard time during early construction of the park. However, the beasts stopped bothering them when the Velociraptors came into play. They'd send the raptors after them every time the gorillas came close to the area.
Ross rolled her eyes. "I'm glad that I don't work there anymore. The work was way to stressful. Please, what do you need?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Tosha replied, shaking Ross' hand. "I'm Tosha Johnson of Zinj Bioengineering. I was here to discuss something of importance, but I do believe that there is a more interesting thing that has came to my attention." Tosha smiled as she realized that Dr. Ross would be a great expert to take along on the trip to the Congo.
"Well whatever it is please come in Ms. Johnson," Ross said, moving out of the doorway. "It's a bit too hot out here for me." As Tosha entered, she noticed that the place was a mess, or well at least the living room was. It seemed to be full of all kinds of papers and documents of some importance. On the wall there were pictures of jungles and gorillas.
Ross went into the kitchen and started making a pot of coffee. "Would you like some coffee Ms. Johnson?"
"Sure and please call me Tosha," she replied. "Thanks." Tosha started looking around at the photographs on the walls. There appeared to be several pictures that had been taken in Africa and most of them were familiar scenes to Tosha from her several visits to the Congo. Some of the pictures had people walking around and others with them posing. One of the pictures to the side had a tall man with curly hair crouched down among a small gorilla that looked to Tosha to be female.
She continued to stare into the picture trying to figure out who the guy was, but at the same time the gorilla was making her feel a little uneasy.
"His name was Peter Elliot," Ross said coming up from behind Tosha spooking her. Tosha wasn't one to usually be scared easily. "He's a Primatologist actually. The gorilla beside him was called Amy. She was one of the first gorillas to successfully learn sign language."
"Love interest," Tosha asked still looking at the picture.
"The gorilla or Peter," Ross replied smiling.
"This Dr. Elliot guy," Tosha said.
"No, he and I had nothing in common what-so-ever. God, the expedition alone that we went on put a lot of tension on the two of us, but I do miss him sometimes. He was a nice person."
"You never saw him again?"
"He's just too wrapped up in his work I guess," Ross sighed. She then sat down on the nearby couch just staring. Tosha joined her. "So tell me Ms. Johnson, what is the reason for this visit?"
"I would like to discuss you coming with me to see a grand park," Tosha replied smiling.
"What kind of park could you possibly ask me to come see," Ross asked. She hoped this woman wasn't one of those idiots wanting to see the great gray gorilla. Those damn things gave her so many nightmares that she'd be rich if she got a dime for each one.
Tosha smiled. She assumed that this woman was smart, but wanted to try going at this the stupid way. "Actually I've heard that you've been to the Congo before and I was wondering-"
"I know what you want and I can already tell you that I'm not going for it," Ross said angrily.
"No, that's not it at all," Tosha said. "Have you ever heard of Jurassic Park?"
"Yes, I have heard of it," Ross replied confused wondering as to what that park would have to do with the Congo. "I've heard that it was some sort of nightmare in Costa Rica that caused several deaths during the dates of 1989, 1995, and 1999 if I remember correctly. I memorize a lot of historical dates. I've always been a history wiz. So what does this Jurassic Park have to do with the Congo?"
Tosha smiled and nodded. "I can see that I'm going to have to explain everything to you. Ok, what I have to tell you deals with Jurassic Park in a way. A man named John Hammond and his genetics company InGen started it. They created genetically engineered dinosaurs from fossilized DNA. Afterwards they put these animals on two islands. They were named Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna. Nublar was the showroom for the tourist to see. Sorna however, was larger and was were all of the genetic testing and breeding was done. Later on there was an opening tour and the park proved too dangerous causing several people including Hammond to be killed. That island was destroyed. After that there were two expeditions that ended up on Isla Sorna all thanks to another genetics company called Biosyn. After the second expedition and a little Godzilla action in San Diego, Isla Sorna was finally destroyed. We thought for sure that every one of those animals were gone for good, however we were wrong. The owner of the company that I work for, Zinj Bioengineering went to Sorna right before it was destroyed with a group called Earth First. There he found some interesting plans reviling the fact that Hammond had a third site for Jurassic Park's little secrets. The interesting part is that the site was right where the Lost City of Zinj once was. The animals there were kept inside large restrainment cages in the lab structures underground where they somehow continued to survive after all that time. The owner of Zinj Bioengineering found the site and began construction on a little place called Jurassic Congo. You can take a guess on how we got the name for the company."
"What does all of this have to do with me," Ross asked with shock from hearing all of this information. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why had this John Hammond fellow made a dinosaur facility in the Congo and so near those deadly gray gorillas? She shook her head. He wouldn't have done that after hearing the nightmarish tale that she'd went through. Or had he heard the tale? Perhaps not. However, she did wonder why this facility had been abandoned. She feared that those deadly gray gorillas still existed in the Congo and that if she went it would be her last mistake. The only thing that she really wanted answered though came to her throat and she said it. "Why would you want your park in the Congo near the deadly gray gorillas?"
"The park is a very secret project for one and the animals are to be a surprise to the people of the world," Tosha replied. "We needed the seclusion of where the park is to make it all work out. Plus we were able to build around Site C and move the animals to better locations afterwards."
"How did you keep the people of Africa from figuring all this out," Ross asked.
"We paid the governments very handsomely. We've spared absolutely no expense to make this company and the park succeed. We want to accomplish what John Hammond was unable to do and we're very close to doing it."
"But why would you want me to join this trip?"
"You've been to the Congo before and survived a trip to the Zinj City. You are a great person to have on board. You also know your way around the region that we're going to. There is little walking that has to be done to get to Jurassic Congo, but since you've been there it would be an honor to have you lead us into the park and Zinj Bioengineering is willing to pay you nicely for your contribution to this project."
"What about Peter," Ross asked almost yelling. "He's a Primatologist for crying out loud! He's much better then I am! And besides that I also have to baby sit my sister's son this weekend so they can go on a vacation."
Tosha looked puzzled. What could that Peter Elliot guy possibly give them help in? They needed Karen Ross not only for the fact that she had been to the Congo before, but also because Eric was going on the trip also. "Dr. Ross, we don't need a Primatologist. We need you. You know how to work technical equipment, he doesn't. You are a much better person and you can check out the computer systems and security systems at Jurassic Congo and see how well they're doing. And on top of all that the person that you're baby sitting is coming on the trip also."
"What are you talking about he's coming along," Ross said shocked and almost on the verge of yelling.
"Eric Kirby is coming on the trip," Tosha said matter-of-factly. "We have to have at least one survivor of one of the three Jurassic Park expeditions and he's the only one that we've been able to get to say yes to I believe. We need him and we need you. We don't need Paul or Amanda and they are to not be informed of this trip in the first place."
"Oh believe me, I know how they can mess up things," Ross replied laughing. She'd had several mishaps with her sister and that crazy husband of hers in the past. They were actually the main reason that Ross was asked to leave the U.S. Geological Survey EDC about four years ago. After she'd been taken out of EDC she'd had nothing but problems with her now ex- husband John Bellingham and that of which was the reason for their eventual divorce and her moving to San Francisco to be close to Eric. She really loved her little nephew. She'd grown to despise her sister and stepbrother, but she'd always love Eric.
"Then it's settled," Tosha said. "You'll come with us right?"
Ross pondered on this development silently not knowing what to say. She finally looked up at Tosha and sighed. "Alright, Eric and I will both go."
"You won't regret this Dr. Ross," Tosha replied still smiling. "You've made the right choice." The two got up and walked toward the door. Tosha turned around as she went outside. "I'd like for you to meet me at the San Francisco International Airport in three hours. We're leaving then with everyone else. I'll wait for you at the front of the building. I thank you again for joining the team. See you in three hours."
Dr. Ross watched the woman jump in her car and start off down the street. She could suddenly feel her body trying to fall out from under her, as she felt sick at her stomach. Karen Ross was finally going to face her fears that were in the Congo.
Tosha Johnson emerged from her Ferrari rent a car and walked up a long driveway to a very beautiful house on a back road in San Francisco, California. She had done some searching with her contacts to find the people that would be watching after Eric Kirby while his parents would be away on their vacation. She found that it was actually one person in California named Karen Bellingham. Tosha hated that she had to take a flight from New York to San Francisco, but she had a job to do and a company to protect.
Tosha walked up to the front door and rang the bell hearing a short jingle from the sound of the bell. If jingles weren't irritating, she didn't know what was. Anything that didn't seem in the least bit gothic Tosha hated. She turned around to look at the scenery around the neighborhood. It seemed like a nice little community with several nice houses, just like the one she was standing at.
In front of her, children were at play. The kids seemed to be playing hide and seek as they ran around looking for places to hide, while another kid stood facing a tree counting with his eyes closed. This didn't seem to affect Tosha all that much though. She usually felt humor only when she was seeing something dark or evil.
Suddenly the door behind her opened with a lovely woman at the age of 46, standing there in a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head.
"Mrs. Karen Bellingham," Tosha asked.
"Actually I divorced John about a year ago," Karen replied. "I'm Dr. Karen Ross once again. What would you like though?"
"You're Karen Ross, formerly of Earth Resources Technology Services," Tosha asked shocked. She couldn't believe that she was standing in front of the woman that had survived the expedition into the Congo back in June of 1979. Tosha had only heard small parts of the story from Charles Munro of what Karen Ross had went through, but she did know for sure that Ross had went to the Lost City of Zinj and survived the killer gray gorillas that had given Zinj Bioengineering a hard time during early construction of the park. However, the beasts stopped bothering them when the Velociraptors came into play. They'd send the raptors after them every time the gorillas came close to the area.
Ross rolled her eyes. "I'm glad that I don't work there anymore. The work was way to stressful. Please, what do you need?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Tosha replied, shaking Ross' hand. "I'm Tosha Johnson of Zinj Bioengineering. I was here to discuss something of importance, but I do believe that there is a more interesting thing that has came to my attention." Tosha smiled as she realized that Dr. Ross would be a great expert to take along on the trip to the Congo.
"Well whatever it is please come in Ms. Johnson," Ross said, moving out of the doorway. "It's a bit too hot out here for me." As Tosha entered, she noticed that the place was a mess, or well at least the living room was. It seemed to be full of all kinds of papers and documents of some importance. On the wall there were pictures of jungles and gorillas.
Ross went into the kitchen and started making a pot of coffee. "Would you like some coffee Ms. Johnson?"
"Sure and please call me Tosha," she replied. "Thanks." Tosha started looking around at the photographs on the walls. There appeared to be several pictures that had been taken in Africa and most of them were familiar scenes to Tosha from her several visits to the Congo. Some of the pictures had people walking around and others with them posing. One of the pictures to the side had a tall man with curly hair crouched down among a small gorilla that looked to Tosha to be female.
She continued to stare into the picture trying to figure out who the guy was, but at the same time the gorilla was making her feel a little uneasy.
"His name was Peter Elliot," Ross said coming up from behind Tosha spooking her. Tosha wasn't one to usually be scared easily. "He's a Primatologist actually. The gorilla beside him was called Amy. She was one of the first gorillas to successfully learn sign language."
"Love interest," Tosha asked still looking at the picture.
"The gorilla or Peter," Ross replied smiling.
"This Dr. Elliot guy," Tosha said.
"No, he and I had nothing in common what-so-ever. God, the expedition alone that we went on put a lot of tension on the two of us, but I do miss him sometimes. He was a nice person."
"You never saw him again?"
"He's just too wrapped up in his work I guess," Ross sighed. She then sat down on the nearby couch just staring. Tosha joined her. "So tell me Ms. Johnson, what is the reason for this visit?"
"I would like to discuss you coming with me to see a grand park," Tosha replied smiling.
"What kind of park could you possibly ask me to come see," Ross asked. She hoped this woman wasn't one of those idiots wanting to see the great gray gorilla. Those damn things gave her so many nightmares that she'd be rich if she got a dime for each one.
Tosha smiled. She assumed that this woman was smart, but wanted to try going at this the stupid way. "Actually I've heard that you've been to the Congo before and I was wondering-"
"I know what you want and I can already tell you that I'm not going for it," Ross said angrily.
"No, that's not it at all," Tosha said. "Have you ever heard of Jurassic Park?"
"Yes, I have heard of it," Ross replied confused wondering as to what that park would have to do with the Congo. "I've heard that it was some sort of nightmare in Costa Rica that caused several deaths during the dates of 1989, 1995, and 1999 if I remember correctly. I memorize a lot of historical dates. I've always been a history wiz. So what does this Jurassic Park have to do with the Congo?"
Tosha smiled and nodded. "I can see that I'm going to have to explain everything to you. Ok, what I have to tell you deals with Jurassic Park in a way. A man named John Hammond and his genetics company InGen started it. They created genetically engineered dinosaurs from fossilized DNA. Afterwards they put these animals on two islands. They were named Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna. Nublar was the showroom for the tourist to see. Sorna however, was larger and was were all of the genetic testing and breeding was done. Later on there was an opening tour and the park proved too dangerous causing several people including Hammond to be killed. That island was destroyed. After that there were two expeditions that ended up on Isla Sorna all thanks to another genetics company called Biosyn. After the second expedition and a little Godzilla action in San Diego, Isla Sorna was finally destroyed. We thought for sure that every one of those animals were gone for good, however we were wrong. The owner of the company that I work for, Zinj Bioengineering went to Sorna right before it was destroyed with a group called Earth First. There he found some interesting plans reviling the fact that Hammond had a third site for Jurassic Park's little secrets. The interesting part is that the site was right where the Lost City of Zinj once was. The animals there were kept inside large restrainment cages in the lab structures underground where they somehow continued to survive after all that time. The owner of Zinj Bioengineering found the site and began construction on a little place called Jurassic Congo. You can take a guess on how we got the name for the company."
"What does all of this have to do with me," Ross asked with shock from hearing all of this information. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why had this John Hammond fellow made a dinosaur facility in the Congo and so near those deadly gray gorillas? She shook her head. He wouldn't have done that after hearing the nightmarish tale that she'd went through. Or had he heard the tale? Perhaps not. However, she did wonder why this facility had been abandoned. She feared that those deadly gray gorillas still existed in the Congo and that if she went it would be her last mistake. The only thing that she really wanted answered though came to her throat and she said it. "Why would you want your park in the Congo near the deadly gray gorillas?"
"The park is a very secret project for one and the animals are to be a surprise to the people of the world," Tosha replied. "We needed the seclusion of where the park is to make it all work out. Plus we were able to build around Site C and move the animals to better locations afterwards."
"How did you keep the people of Africa from figuring all this out," Ross asked.
"We paid the governments very handsomely. We've spared absolutely no expense to make this company and the park succeed. We want to accomplish what John Hammond was unable to do and we're very close to doing it."
"But why would you want me to join this trip?"
"You've been to the Congo before and survived a trip to the Zinj City. You are a great person to have on board. You also know your way around the region that we're going to. There is little walking that has to be done to get to Jurassic Congo, but since you've been there it would be an honor to have you lead us into the park and Zinj Bioengineering is willing to pay you nicely for your contribution to this project."
"What about Peter," Ross asked almost yelling. "He's a Primatologist for crying out loud! He's much better then I am! And besides that I also have to baby sit my sister's son this weekend so they can go on a vacation."
Tosha looked puzzled. What could that Peter Elliot guy possibly give them help in? They needed Karen Ross not only for the fact that she had been to the Congo before, but also because Eric was going on the trip also. "Dr. Ross, we don't need a Primatologist. We need you. You know how to work technical equipment, he doesn't. You are a much better person and you can check out the computer systems and security systems at Jurassic Congo and see how well they're doing. And on top of all that the person that you're baby sitting is coming on the trip also."
"What are you talking about he's coming along," Ross said shocked and almost on the verge of yelling.
"Eric Kirby is coming on the trip," Tosha said matter-of-factly. "We have to have at least one survivor of one of the three Jurassic Park expeditions and he's the only one that we've been able to get to say yes to I believe. We need him and we need you. We don't need Paul or Amanda and they are to not be informed of this trip in the first place."
"Oh believe me, I know how they can mess up things," Ross replied laughing. She'd had several mishaps with her sister and that crazy husband of hers in the past. They were actually the main reason that Ross was asked to leave the U.S. Geological Survey EDC about four years ago. After she'd been taken out of EDC she'd had nothing but problems with her now ex- husband John Bellingham and that of which was the reason for their eventual divorce and her moving to San Francisco to be close to Eric. She really loved her little nephew. She'd grown to despise her sister and stepbrother, but she'd always love Eric.
"Then it's settled," Tosha said. "You'll come with us right?"
Ross pondered on this development silently not knowing what to say. She finally looked up at Tosha and sighed. "Alright, Eric and I will both go."
"You won't regret this Dr. Ross," Tosha replied still smiling. "You've made the right choice." The two got up and walked toward the door. Tosha turned around as she went outside. "I'd like for you to meet me at the San Francisco International Airport in three hours. We're leaving then with everyone else. I'll wait for you at the front of the building. I thank you again for joining the team. See you in three hours."
Dr. Ross watched the woman jump in her car and start off down the street. She could suddenly feel her body trying to fall out from under her, as she felt sick at her stomach. Karen Ross was finally going to face her fears that were in the Congo.