Author's Note: I am going to be bad and use the same excuse that I always use when I make you guys wait this long. I was extremely busy. Not only has school been very demanding (nothing to you college folk, I'm sure), but from last Wednesday night, I have only had one night free. Church, ice skating championships to go to, friends house to spend the night at, night off, church and spending the night at a friends house, going downtown and watching a movie… and babysitting, and Tuesday night, American Idol started and I got to see all the bad singers! The best part of the show, that is. So, here I am, cramming in a chapter that I know will most likely be crappy, although you lovely reviewers will say it isn't. Hooray! At least I know that you're fine with what I consider crappy chapters, and when I write something good, I will blow your socks off! –laughs evilly-

Replies

T.E.N – Wow, you reviewed fast. Contrary to popular belief, however, Eric could most likely become dumber, as you humbly put it. Stay sweet, dude!
Ophelia Drowning – Yes, well, apparently it is very difficult for me to write chapter stories as well. –laughs-
short and proud – Yes, I am quite amazed that you signed in. Very proud. –claps- Yes, I had the "A23 thing" planned out from the beginning. I've had most of the story planned out from the beginning. I've had the whole thing planned since the end of November. Although I think I might change some of it, as it's pretty pre-teen sounding and not so creative.
crazy4coco986 – Well, I'm glad to hear that my update made your day. It's a huge complement when your story tops all the other good things that happened to a person that day! Lol. Unless you just had a really bad day and my story was the best thing you could find that would give you happiness. Hmm…
sulkdodds – Yes, I quite agree. They do suck. Twenty-three times is quite a lot.
Lauren – And… a month later… I still hadn't updated. How sad.
love-angel-89 – Yes, I'm quite happy that most things we explained, as well. Although there's still a bit mystery awaiting you… -grins-

What Happened Last?

"Now that you know who has hired you, I suppose you would be interested to know why they have hired you. This is actually very simple. If you will look in front of you, you will see that you have a folder with the symbol 'A23' etched on front. This stands for 'Annihilate 23.'

"But why is it called that? That fact is very easily explained. Our soul mission on Isla Sorna is to hike to the center of the island and wait for a helicopter to deliver a box. Inside this box is a highly complex bomb. Not nuclear, as we could not gain permission to use one.

"What we are striving to achieve is to destroy the island all together. Mr. Hammond, the initial creator of the dinosaurs passed away last year and his ancestors have requested the complete annihilation of the islands. We are to begin with Isla Sorna.

"Unfortunately, this will be our twenty-third attempt. Thus, Annihilation 23. It's all quite simple.

"As it is getting late, I suggest you all head back to the hotel and look over the paperwork in your respective folders. You will be leaving tomorrow morning and any questions you have will be answered by either Mr. Knight or myself," J.C. finished. "Goodnight."

Chapter Nine – Animated Butterflies

I could feel the butterflies swarming around my stomach. There was no way there couldn't actually be some sort of flying insect inside of me. I could feel the wings fluttering around, hitting the walls of my stomach and making me queasy. The elevator was going as slowly as it possibly could; I knew it was. Everything was set against me getting to the meeting on time, or even there at all. Maybe this was a good thing, though. Did I really want to get involved with this island? 'Too late, Eric,' I thought to myself. 'You've practically signed the papers. Besides, you guys do this right and you won't have to deal with the islands anymore. Just take deep breaths, and you can make it through this.'

It was then that the elevator doors opened and I found myself on the uppermost level of the hotel. This was where the suites were, and this was where our control room was. It seemed strange to have a control room in a hotel and not some sort of warehouse, but at least it was easy to get to from my room. In any kind of emergency, I could be there to make sure Audrey was all right.

'Oh, crap,' I thought, mentally hitting my forehead as I slowly walked down the hall and attempted to calm my butterfly-full stomach. 'I can't think of her that way,' I scolded myself. 'Remember Lane.' My stomach practically leapt, but I wasn't sure if it was because I had reminded myself of Lane, or because I had reached the suite. I reached out to run my key through the lock, but paused. This was my last chance. My one chance to get away from everything. The island, Knight, the nearness to Lane's death… everything. I could make it all go away if I just turned around and went back to my room, grabbed my things, and took the first plane flight out of here. I already had a million dollars. I could pay for my dad's surgery, pay Tina and Brad back, and finally get a job, any job that I could. I could start over! I could forget about Audrey and keep Lane as the distant memory I had begun to know her as since I had come here.

My hand was already retreating from the door when it opened and Audrey poked her head out. Her green eyes lit up at the sight of me and the already unbearable butterflies gained their second wind; I felt like throwing up. "Hey, Eric!" she said, smiling and flashing her straight white teeth. "We've been waiting for you. Come on, we've gotta get cracking! Are you okay?" she asked, as she opened the door for me to enter. She was wearing a green tank-top and somewhat loose fitting khakis.

"Eric?"

I looked up at Audrey's face.

"Why are you staring at my pants?" she asked, giving me a slightly amused, slightly bewildered look.

"I – um – no reason," I stuttered.

"All right," she laughed. "Come on in. J.C. wants to give his motivational speech!"

I laughed nervously and followed her into an adjoining room. The windows had been covered with heavy black fabric. Dim lamps and computer screens gave the room an eerie glow.

"There you are," said J.C. gruffly. "I thought I told you to be here at six a.m. sharp."

"Isn't it six?" I asked.

"It's six-o-four," he snapped.

I ran my hand through my hair and looked at the faces of those gathered around. "Sorry," I muttered.

"Right, well, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Landon is sick," J.C. exclaimed.

The room hushed. Everyone stared at J.C. in amazement. "So is this it?" Bret asked. "Is our mission scrubbed?"

"No!" snapped J.C. "Not if I can help it. We still have Eric. Everything will be fine."

"Right," I said. "We'll just talk over the radio and I can help you guys out, 24/7. Whenever you need me. If you just-"

"No, Eric, that's not what I meant," said J.C, as though he was explaining something like what paper is used for to a child.

I furrowed my brow. "What-?"

Then I knew. Landon was sick. The only other dinosaur expert was sick and I had to fill his shoes. I had to go to the island!

"Let me see if I've got this straight," I said slowly, trying not to allow myself to panic. "Do you mean to tell me that you expect me to go to the island?"

J.C. just stared at me. I stared right back. He wasn't going to get me to go there without a fight.

"Of course he does," grunted Knight. "We need someone who knows at least a little about dinosaurs to go with us. That someone is obviously you, dumb-"

"Knight," Audrey snapped.

I was breathing shallowly and still glaring at J.C. Neither of us had looked away from each other. I could feel my face reddening in anger. "No," I breathed.

"What?" J.C. whispered back.

"I said no," I snapped. "I'm not going back there. You cannot make me."

"Eric, come on," Audrey tried. "We really need you-"

"Find another bloody dinosaur expert!" I yelled, still looking at J.C. "I'm not going to be your puppet, and I'm not going there because you offered me a ruddy two million dollars."

"Two million?" Knight exclaimed. "J.C., what's going on? How come none of us got offered two million dollars, eh? We're just as good as him! Even better!"

"We will discuss money later, Adam," J.C. snapped. "Eric, I know you don't want to go, but unfortunately… you don't exactly have a choice."

"What do you mean, I don't have a choice?" I snapped. I took a threatening step toward J.C., saw his eyes flit to either side of me, saw him nod, and felt a something hard hit the back of my head. That's all I knew until I woke up in a narrow bed. I sat up quickly and looked around. I had no idea where I was. Standing up, I stumbled and caught myself on the edge of a table. The floor was moving! What was going on? With unsteady steps, I opened a rather small door, ducked through it, and walked down a hall toward where voices were coming from. I entered what looked like some sort of cargo room. The rest of the team were sitting on various crates, having different sorts of conversations, but they all fell silent when I joined them. "What is going on?" I nearly shouted. "Where am I?"

"You, my friend," said Kevin, giving me a cheeky grin, "are on The Unicorn."

"What they heck is The Unicorn?" I snapped.

"It's the boat that is taking us to Isla Sorna," Knight said pleasantly from behind me. "Better get comfortable, mate. I doubt the captain will let you have her bed the rest of the trip."

Author's Note: Dun, dun, dun. Hehe – that was fun! Yes, I know very well that wasn't the longest chapter in the world (usually I'm concerned about making my chapters long, but this time I just wrote it), but oh well! Please review! I love you guys!