Disclaimer: This story is based on the 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic Park: The Lost World' novels by Michael Crichton. It is also based on all three Jurassic Park Movies, so all credits to the rightful owners. I merely created a story.

It was cooling down now, after a long hot day in Kenya. The orange sun was setting over the horizon, while herds of wildebeest grazed through the grasses. Up on his patio sat Jim Bowman, an Englishman in his late thirties, who held a glass of whiskey in his right hand. He gazed out across the Serengeti, past the mass of wildebeest, and past the distant mountains in what could only be described as an unsatisfied stare.

"Are you all right?" questioned Jim's also British friend, David Bren. He was a younger man of about 25 years, with dark hair and a pair of sunglasses he always wore. Bren had been seated next to Jim, admiring the view across the African plains, when he had noticed an almost troubled look on his friend's face.

"Yes, thank you", replied Jim, quickly tearing his face away from its lock on the horizon, and once again having to realize his friend's presence. Jim had a habit of drifting off when deep in thought, but this also meant he became oblivious to everyone around him.

"I'm just a bit tired", said Jim, "I'll be fine once tomorrow is over".

He took one last look at the now darkening horizon and said, "We may as well go in, it's getting dark and we have a big day tomorrow". He got up and walked inside, with David following.

They were both greeted by a huge variety of animal heads, which were attached to the walls of Jim's trophy room. David always looked at the room in astonishment of his friend's achievements. All sorts were there, from the head of a once defiant lion, to the number of antelope horns found throughout various areas of the room. Practically everything was there. Jim smiled at his friend, who always stared eye to eye with the lion, its eyes staring back, and its mane perfectly preserved.

"I can never get over how impressive your hunting abilities are Jim, you must have hunted every species in Africa", said David.

"Perhaps", replied Jim, he began to stare out of the window. David immediately picked up on this.

"There you go again, there certainly is something wrong, tell me", he asked his friend, who he did not want to be upset, but at the same time be annoyed by the same repeated question.

"No, it's just a silly thing", replied Jim, "Don't worry about it".

David asked again, which was one of his traits, to persist until he got what he had wanted.

"Oh okay", Jim gave up, "The truth is that I've recently found hunting to be quite simple, I see an antelope and 'blam', I have that antelope, there is no more challenge to it".

"But what about the lion, surely that wasn't easy", David argued.

"No it wasn't", Jim smiled, "That lion put up quite a fight, but I make a point of never hunting more than one, antelopes are fine, they're abundant, but species like the lion and elephant become scarce, so I hunt one fine specimen and leave it at that".

"I see", said David, understanding his friend's words, "But you must enjoy taking hunting parties out and showing them how to shoot and take home they're own antelope".

"It's a good income David, but at the moment I'm too tired to continue this conversation", Jim stretched, "I'm going to retire to my bed; I suggest you do the same, the group will be arriving early". Jim wandered off towards his bedroom, though David remained for a brief period to contemplate Jim's words. He finally decided that he too would do better after a good nights sleep.

The hunting party arrived early in the morning, at around 5.30 am. The plan was to hunt in the morning and the evening, with a break at midday when it would heat up considerably. Jim had got up at 4.45 am and was already preparing the Land Rover for the day's journey across the African plains, when an American member of the party with short dark hair and obviously still in his twenties approached the vehicle.

"Hi, my name is Stan Pierce, I'm the one you spoke to over the phone when we organised this trip", he said.

"Of course, it's nice to meet you Stan", Jim replied and shook Stan's outstretched hand, "I'm just getting the Land Rover ready, then all that's needed is the hunting equipment which my friend David can fetch". He gestured to David who was cleaning a rifle whilst he was sat on stool, a few yards away. Both he and Stan exchanged greetings, and then they moved onto introducing the three others in the hunting party.

"That's Hans Kessler", said Stan pointing toward a young German man who was sharpening a large hunting knife, "Bruce Thomson", he gestured toward the Australian, "and also Joanna Hawk " Stan finally gestured toward a slender, beautiful blonde, "We're all eager to set off so we're ready when you are", concluded Stan.

Twenty minutes later all six were on a Land Rover, driving through the long grass, though sticking to a preset path so as not to upset the landscape. All were equipped with a rifle each as well as a fair amount of ammunition.

"Isn't the grass lovely", commented Joanna, as she noticed the sun shining against the grass to give a golden effect.

David suddenly realised that the comment had been aimed at him, and suddenly replied as to not sound rude, "Yes, that's the dawn effect". She smiled at his reply, making eye-contact with her blue eyes.

"It hides the trophies though", said Hans smiling with a cheery laugh. Hans however was renowned as being a ruthless hunter, having hunted in the Amazon where he once decapitated an attacking 8 metre long anaconda with the same knife he had been sharpening just before the introduction. That was his trophy knife, which he always kept on him, "Not that I really mind". Hans raised his prized knife to show to everyone.

"As long as I can get something this time", Bruce suddenly spoke up, "I have better luck at fishing", he said with a smile. Despite being a poorer shot compared to the others in the group, Bruce was an excellent fisherman, having hooked several large Marlin in his time.

The Land Rover eventually stopped atop a hill overlooking the plains, which at that moment in time was occupied by gazelles, wildebeest and a solitary stalking cheetah.

Everyone got out and stretched, then admired the view, gazing down onto they're "prey", and at a placid river where the animals drank. Suddenly a crocodile lunged out at a drinking wildebeest and clamped its jaws around the creature's neck. It then dragged the screaming animal down into the water, rolling in an attempt to break its prey's neck. Eventually the whole wildebeest was submerged and drowned, a red tinge occurring in the surrounding water.

"Well, that's nature I'm afraid, it gives and it takes", said Jim, seeming to ignore the incident and loaded his rifle, which was a 303. Scoped, "Shall we make our way down?"

The party made they're way down the hill to get closer to the animals. Bruce commented, "That croc reminded me of back home in Darwin," he shook his head, "Vicious beasts"

"Well I'd like to hunt it, and who needs a gun", laughed Hans, "I guess reptiles are my speciality"

"We all remember your victory in the Amazon Hans, but we came here to hunt gazelles and other land dwellers, isn't that right Jim?" Bruce asked Jim.

"Oh, well whatever really, as long as we don't harm that cheetah", came Jim's reply as he gestured towards the athletic big cat walking away from the intruders, eyeing them cautiously.

"Well I'd like to hunt that big one over there", said Hans, pointing to a large 4 metre long crocodile basking on the river bank, tiny birds feeding on parasites within the creature's open mouth.

"Okay, but they do get a lot bigger, that's just an ordinary croc, nothing too special", Jim replied.

"But that's huge, they can't get much bigger", argued Hans, unwilling to be dissuaded from his plan on hunting the large reptile.

"No it isn't, a big one would be perhaps 6 metres. If you really want to catch a huge croc come down to Australia and hunt the Salties", Bruce added, "One of those bastards once ate half of a swordfish I'd been trying to catch all day, chomped right through as I was hauling it aboard. Of course I was just glad that it didn't eat me", his face broke into a smile and rest of the group replied with their own.

"I think the largest was perhaps around 8 metres!", he continued but was cut off by Stan.

"I've seen bigger" he said bluntly, he was going to continue but then stopped thinking it best not to.

"Rubbish!" replied Bruce, "You haven't seen the size of the one that was terrorizing the inhabitants of Darwin"

"You haven't seen Deinosuchus", said Stan quickly. The others looked at him. It was too late, he had let slip the secret that he had been trying to keep. The others would soon catch on. He may as well explain.

"What?", questioned Bruce, "Did you make that up?"

"No, it was a...15 metre long crocodile...that lived during the Mesozoic Era"

"And you saw this even though it never existed in your life time", commented Bruce, unsure why Stan would try to win an argument with this sort of nonsense.

"That's not strictly true", Stan admitted, "I work for Ingen".

"Then the rumours were true", said an awestruck Jim.

A long period of silence followed. Everyone took time to realise this information, which none of them could have possibly expected.

"So you actually saw it", asked Jim, with an optimistic tone of voice.

"Yes, but...", Jim cut him off.

"But what of the other species", he said with an almost excited tone of voice, "Are there really Tyrannosaurs, are there really Raptors?"

Stan looked uneasy for a few minutes, no doubt remembering the fatalities from the first park and the botched attempt for an amusement park in San Diego. He finally answered though.

"Yes, there are", he said.

Jim was full of excitement now. David hadn't seen this kind of enthusiasm in him for years. The last time Jim was this excited was when he first started hunting over a decade ago. David suddenly knew what his friend was getting at. He spoke first.

"Your not actually thinking of going there, are you?", asked David. His friend looked at him and gave the reply he had been dreading.

"You read my mind my friend, yes, were going to that Island and I will hunt the most impressive creatures that have ever existed, and you, are coming with me".

"No, I think it's a bad idea Jim, we'll be killed!", but David was cut off.

"Rubbish, it'll be a huge expedition, we'll get together a large hunting party, say, do you want to join us, with a contribution of course?", he had turned to the others and asked them the question of a lifetime. How could anyone turn down an opportunity to see real life dinosaurs? The others all agreed, including Joanna who commented, "This is an experience I could never turn down, to even see these creatures will be the most amazing thing ever". This sealed David's fate as he felt a kind of attachment to this young naïve, but beautiful girl, and didn't want her to get hurt. He wanted to protect her.

"Of course, this is only if you can arrange it", Jim turned to Stan, whose expression had now turned to a hopeful smile.

"I'll see what I can do", he said.

A week later the preparations for the trip were made. Two fairly large boats were being loaded down at the docks with all sorts of equipment from jeeps to communications equipment. The voyage to Isla Sorna was not going to be easy though, and there would have to be plenty of stops on the way to refuel and re-supply essentials such as food and water. The total number of people going on the expedition was around 40, with 20 on each boat. The actual journey across the oceans wasn't much looked forward too, as it meant a dangerous trip around the Capes of both Africa and South America to get to Isla Sorna, but this danger was overlooked by everyone as a sacrifice willing to be made. A trip through the Suez and Panama was overlooked as unnecessary and would be an increased risk of inspection. Jim had decided that he would rather not have the authorities discovering their intent of hunting creatures on an island strictly forbidden by the Costa Rican government. A planned rendezvous 16 miles south of Sorna was going to be held between them and Stan to allow them to slip in undetected.

"I want all of this stripped off", ordered Jim, who was referring to the radar mast on the boat which was to lead. Both vessels were old military craft that would have been in use during the late seventies and early eighties. They still retained features such as the radar systems and also a 20mm cannon on the bow, though the latter was removed and added as armament to one of the jeeps. Various other weapons on the boats, such as a number of 50.cal machine guns were also removed to be used by the hunters on their expedition. The boats were chosen because they were originally transport vessels, and had a sufficiently sized space inside the hull to house the required land transportation.

"Well I must say, you must be almost ready to go", said Stan, who had just appeared next to Jim. Jim turned to answer him, "Almost, I'm hoping to start setting off early tomorrow, what time is it?"

"1935 hrs", was the reply.

"Suppose that leaves a few more hours, all the equipment is ready and just over half of it has been loaded already so we look good to go soon", Jim smiled, he was looking forward to the trip that one week ago would have seemed improbable even in his wildest dreams.

"That's good to hear", said Stan, "I must be off now, back to the States, but I will meet with you at the planned location in about 2 weeks or so, so that you can get past the pesky Costa Rican government".

"Sure, I'll look forward to meeting with you".

"Good trip", said Stan, and with that he turned and went.

Two weeks later, 16 nautical miles south of Isla Sorna, Jim met up with Stan, who had been waiting aboard his private yacht. Jim manoeuvred his vessel alongside Stan's. He could see Stan waiting on deck, clad in summer clothing and wearing sunglasses. Jim gave a friendly wave before exiting the cabin and joining Stan to discuss getting onto the island undetected.

Below deck in the cargo hold were a jeep and two Land Rovers. There was more transportation in the other boat, but the second watercraft mainly held the communications and sensor equipment. The lead boat held the weapons, including the weapons expert, Jack Hunt. He and Hans Kessler got on very well.

Jack was sat down amongst all the hunting equipment on the cold steel floor of the boat's hull, at that moment in time he had been cleaning the barrel of his prized 303. Springfield Sniper Rifle, an antique that his father had passed down to him. So he was oblivious to the approaching footsteps of Hans.

"Jack", Hans happily spoke up, "So good to see you". He took a seat down next to his now acknowledging friend.

"Oh hello there Hans, I didn't see you approach", Jack replied in a Californian accent. He originally had lived in the Rockies, where he was brought up, and so had some hunting experience, but had moved down to California when he moved to university.

"I see you have your father's rifle", Hans went on, "I have my father's pistol". He pulled out a Luger, which he displayed with great pride. Jack smiled at the firearm.

"They sure knew how to make them back then", said Jack.

He continued to clean his rifle. Hans understood the sudden silence; he knew his friend was a very quiet soul who once in his element could not be dissuaded by any means. But this quiet against Han's loud nature still didn't stop them from being very close. They had known each other for years; they had gone to the same university.

On the deck of Stan's luxury yacht sat both Stan and Jim. The sun was shining bright and a young red-haired waitress arrived to offer cocktails to both men. She smiled at both before turning to walk away, but before she did so Stan's voice piped up.

"Oh by the way Jim, this here is my niece, Sarah Remington", the young girl smiled at Jim.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for the drink", he said.

"Yes, and you'll be meeting much more of her...", Stan went on to say.

"How do you mean?" cut in Jim, rather puzzled at what had just been said.

"Didn't I tell you, young Sarah here is going with you to the island", he looked at Jim's horrified expression. Meanwhile Sarah had gone below deck to leave the two men to their discussion.

"Your sending your own niece to the most dangerous place on earth?", he suddenly stood up. Stan did likewise.

"Its not the most dangerous place on earth...", he replied.

"I'm sorry but I will not take that young girl to that island"

"I'm afraid I'd have to cancel the whole expedition if you did that Jim, and none of us want that, not after having come so far". Jim had to ponder that. He stared out across the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, feeling the heat of the sun warm his skin, hearing the water clap against the hull of the yacht.

"It's now or never", concluded Stan.

Jim turned and said something that he would regret for the rest of his life, "Okay then, I'll get her aboard the second vessel, and she will arrive with them".

"It's a pleasure doing business with you Mr Bowman", said Stan extending his hand. Jim shook it, but with an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, and then turned back to his boat. A brief blind spot in the Costa Rican radar allowed them a window to slip into the island undetected. This was set to happen again to allow the other boat access.

Jim turned to look at the girl who had once again appeared on the deck.

"See you on the beach", he called.