The sun arose on a foggy morning in San Diego. As the mist slowly parted over the InGen Waterfront Complex, a large vessel pulled into port. It appeared to be brand new as its crisp edges glistened in the morning light giving it a brilliant aura. The side of the new vessel read SS Venture, an apparent reference to an old black and white film that had helped to inspire the Dinosaur Revivification Project called King Kong, and it was ready to receive the passengers and cargo waiting for it on the docks. The workers all looked battle hardened and ready for a fight and they were going to get one once they reached their destination, an island off the coast of Costa Rica.
Amongst them were Jeff, Serena, Lorne and the final member of the team besides Sheila, a man who said little but when he did it was something that needed to be heard, Chip. They were each assigned to different details of the planned demolition for Jurassic Park in the hopes that one of them would be able to discover the delivery device Nedry had used to try and smuggle the embryos off the island. To this end, they were all equipped with a portable high tech communications device that John had provided them with. It was based on another company's efforts into frequency-hopping spread spectrum radio technology, which they codenamed Project: Bluetooth. It had limited battery life and could only be used sporadically, but it gave them an opportunity to communicate without InGen knowing about it.
And at the same time communicate without Biosyn knowing about it as well. Although they had no proof that InGen's rival company had infiltrated this operation, they strong suspected they had. And so it remained a silent race to see whoever found the shaving cream can first that was full of InGen embryos.
As the teams were boarding the ship, a flashy red Ferrari Testarossa rolled into the dockyards seemingly at odds with the gruff appearances of the workers. The vehicle continued onwards down the dock until its headlights shone on a trio of individuals who were standing in front of a camouflage pained SUV. A moment later the car powered down and Richard Levine emerged with a bag slung over his shoulder and a large cup of coffee in his hands.
"H-hey you guys, wh-what's up?" asked Levine as his words were a little slurred and he stumbled a little bit as he walked towards the trio. Doc Thorne sighed to himself as Levine had clearly been up the night partying and binge drinking over his excitement to be going to Isla Sorna. And from the looks of things he was nursing a large hangover while still being a little bit hammered.
"You know you shouldn't drink and drive," Kelly reminded him pointedly. She knew the damage alcohol could cause to people, it had nearly torn her family apart when she was younger and so she vowed never to touch the stuff. Levine just grumbled a noncommittal reply to that and looked at the vehicle the trio was standing by.
"What's that?" he asked, wanting to move onto other topics than him needing to be a teetotaler. The vehicle was a Mercedes-Benz W463 SUV but it was heavily modified with all sorts of strange equipment attached to it.
"This is a new toy I want to test out on Sorna," Thorne answered. "It's entirely electric and also contains a number of scientific survey devices that can aid teams in the field. I want to see how it holds up and this is as good an opportunity as any to try it."
"Why a Benz, why not the old Explorers you always used to use?" asked Levine blinking his eyes a couple of times behind his thick sunglasses to keep focused and not pass out.
"Because Mercedes asked," asked Thorne bluntly. "If this test pans out and the vehicles can be mass-marketed to scientists, then they've promised me early access to the M-Class W163 when it comes out in '97 that I think will be even just as promising for field work."
"Hooray," said Levine nonplussed before looking at the boat. "Should we board?"
"We kind of have to wait for our liaison with InGen to arrive first," Arby reminded Dr. Levine, knowing fully aware that the Doctor rarely bothered to keep track of the details in favor of the bigger picture.
"Well I'll go find them then," said Levine immediately and trudged off into the mist. The others thought about telling him that they were instructed by the InGen personnel at the gate to meet the representative where they were, and that Levine had been told the same thing only he was apparently too drunk to pay attention. And so they let him go, not wanting to risk having him get annoyed at them in the state he was in.
Instead they stared in discomfort at the heavy weaponry they workers were carrying past them. Besides the workers, pieces of heavy equipment were also rolling by, everything from light utility vehicles equipped with harnesses and other capture devices to large cages and more, all of which were then carried by crane and deposited into the hold of the ship.
And with every piece that went by them, Doc Thorne's disposition grew more and more moody.
"You recognize that stuff?" asked Arby, observant as always. Thorne slowly nodded his head.
"I designed just about everything you see out there," he admitted reluctantly with just a hint of anger in his tone. Arby and Kelly were surprised by that and then looked at the equipment in a new light.
"So they're going on a…safari?" asked Kelly a little unsure since that didn't explain the heavy weapons or the sheer amount of equipment needed.
"No, they're not going on any safari," Thorne disagreed. "I never built those vehicles rather the designs were just bought from me by an unknown party. Judging by that logo I can see on the vehicles, InGen took the designs to the Palo Alto Equipment Corp. of Engineers. They're a private construction firm that primarily contracts out to the military. And they've got a lot of this stuff, more than you'd ever need for a simple time in the bush. So no, they're not going on safari; they're going to war."
Kelly shot a look at Arby, silently asking what he'd gotten her into now by his signing the non-disclosure agreement and her then going along with him. But Arby was now staying silently reflective as he watched the procession board the boat as if he was slowly adding up a number of loose ends to come up with one solid picture of what InGen was up to.
"I-," began Kelly when a new figure emerged from the mist. She was female and had a professional dark business suit on with matching skirt. Hanging by her side was a professional satchel and she also had a rolling suitcase that she was dragging behind her.
"Ah, hello," the woman said with a pleasant smile. "My name is Samantha Brown and I am part of InGen's Board of Directors and it's a pleasure to meet you all finally."
She extended her hand to Thorne and he shook it and was followed by Arby and finally Kelly. Kelly stood in stark contrast to the well manicured and groomed woman as she was again in her Sarah Harding inspired outfit, but Ms. Brown didn't seem to even notice as she was far too concerned about the day's events.
"Have any of you seen Doctor Levine?" she asked, finally noticing his car but not where he was.
SPLASSHHH
The sound of a body falling into the bay answered followed by a string of curses helped to answer that question.
Indigo: Daniela St. Ives was on the docks with the entire team.
"Alright boys and girls, this is the big leagues," she informed them. "The SS Venture is going to be coming through her stock full of InGen contracted personnel and supplies intended to deal with the biological assets on Nublar. Once they've cleaned up the mess, the Anne B. will be pulling through with equipment to take apart everything else. Our job is a big one but this is the same amount of work we would've had if Jurassic Park had taken off so we should be fine. Just keep on your toes through all of this, that's all I ask. Good luck."
The workers nodded and then broke up into their teams to be further briefed by their supervisors. Daniela watched them go before returning to her office and preparing herself for what was to come. Samantha was going to be on that boat and she had requested that Daniela travel with her to Sorna to discuss the future of the three islands. She knew the news would be bad, which is why she had spent the last few days preparing a counterargument for what she expected the news to be. All that remained was her vain hope that Samantha would give her a fair hearing.
Sorna: "You want to explain all this?" Gerry asked as he leaned against one of the metal tables adorning the Clinic. He and his team of veterinary assistants had arrived early that morning to continue cataloging what supplies they had received from Indigo only to find Jake, Henry and the DRT team asleep and several new dinosaur carcasses in the freezers. Jake had summarily dismissed the DRT to return to the Village as they'd be needed as consultants for the Nublar operation and stayed behind with Henry to allay Gerry's fears.
"Its part of the lysine experiment that we're working on," Jake answered simply. "All we need to do now is to perform autopsies for further analysis."
"And the bullets currently lodged in the bodies won't disrupt that analysis?" asked Gerry pointedly. Jake looked to Henry for help with that one.
"Every experiment runs risks," Henry said simply. A phone rang nearby and one of the workers went to answer it.
"So you won't tell me what really happened?" Gerry said bluntly while not happy about their avoidance of his question.
"Sorry, no," said Jake firmly while trying think up something more apologetic to say next. The worker came up and then interrupted them before he got the chance.
"Doctors Wu and Whitacre are needed back at base," the worker stated simply and then retreated from the growing tension in the room.
"Sorry, Gerry, but duty calls," said Henry apologetically and then he and Jake left without another word. The veterinarian watched them go suspiciously but didn't say anything to stop them.
"Sir?" asked one the veterinary assistants after Harding had remained silent for several moments. "Sir, what's on today's agenda with what's going on with Jurassic Park?"
"The same thing as always with our unit," said Gerry disgusted. "Sit and wait. Sit and wait until something goes wrong and we have to clean it up."
He headed into his office and slammed the door behind him. The veterinary assistants looked at each other uncertainly before they went back to their cataloging of supplies.
Pacific Ocean: The SS Venture plowed through the waves as it headed south towards Isla Indigo. The workers were all sequestered down in the hold and were finally being instructed on what their mission was. To say that they were being met with disbelief about the island containing dinosaurs was an understatement. Up top, the same held true for Arby, Kelly, and Thorne as they were out on the deck with Samantha Brown.
"Last time I checked, there are no dinosaurs," said Kelly as if that should be obvious. "I mean, sure, there's been movies and books have humans and dinosaurs living side by side, but c'mon, that dinosaurs have been on an island for sixty-five million years is impossible."
"That's actually not what I'm saying," stated Samantha. "The dinosaurs haven't been alive all these years. Instead, we recreated them using DNA strands we procured."
"Really, how?" asked Arby innately curious. Samantha gave him a light smile.
"I'm afraid that's a trade secret," she informed him. "But the purpose of your inspection won't involve inspecting our gene sequencing facilities. It will be to give a valid assessment of your beliefs of the sustainability of Site B for the long term."
"If I might ask, what happened to Site A?" asked Thorne butting in as he looked at the various vehicles and other heavy equipment lining the deck while below they could hear muffled voices discussing the operations for the island.
"We had an accident," said Samantha trying to choose her words carefully. "As such we need to do some major cleanup and this is it. In the interests of timeliness, we chose to have the inspection begin at the same time we began…liquidation procedures."
Arby and Kelly's eyes bugged out at that as Thorne showed no signs of emotion as he continued to lean with his arms crossed against the modified W463.
"If you need anything more specific, I'd ask that you consult your packets first and then come to me with any questions," Samantha requested before she consulted her watch. "We should be at Indigo in less than an hour where we'll disembark so if you'll excuse me, I have to speak with Mr. Levine in private."
Samantha tipped her head politely at them and then walked off into the ship's tower leaving the trio behind.
"Is she on the level or is this some elaborate hoax?" asked Kelly perplexed.
"No one would go to this length for a hoax, not even Richard," said Thorne dismissively as he again looked at the equipment on the deck. "More importantly, what she said fits with rumors I heard back in the day about InGen's operations out here."
"Like?" asked Arby. Thorne shrugged.
"About five years back or so, I was contacted by an investigator for the Federal Trade Commission who gave me a list of assets InGen was transferring to their Costa Rica offices," Thorne began. "There were supercomputers, gene sequencers, electrified fences; the works. I didn't know what to make of it then and when Richard gave me an updated list of InGen's technological assets just the other day; I didn't know what to make of it now either. But creating dinosaurs would fit the bill."
The two teenagers considered the implications of that.
"And then they had an accident," Kelly shuddered.
"I doubt that, more like corporate sabotage," Arby figured and then saw the questioning glances from Thorne and Kelly. "Well I did some research on InGen on my own and found lists of assets InGen acquired over the years. I'll admit that they were probably still working out the kinks in their system even to this day, but only a full out system failure would result in actions like what's going on with this boat being necessary."
Thorne nodded his head. "Well, kids I have equipment to calibrate with my SUV here before we get to where we're going so you'll just have to entertain yourselves for a little while."
"I could help," Arby offered perking up at the thought of handling technology.
"Oh no, you don't," said Kelly grabbing onto his hand and dragging him away. "You're going to tell me everything you know about InGen and what it is you've once again gotten me into."
"But…but…," protested Arby as Kelly pulled him from sight. Thorne chuckled to himself at their antics before getting into the SUV and toggling the sensor technology onboard. An instant later audio began filtering in from the conversations going on below in the hold and elsewhere around the ship. He then filtered through the conversations until he found what he was looking for.
"Mister Levine, if you're finished complaining, we do have things we need to discuss," began Samantha wherever she was. Thorne instantly pulled out a tape recorder and plugged an audio cable from the recorder to the audio feed and began recording. If there was more to this picture, he needed to know about it. With dinosaurs involved, there were just too many risks involved.
San Diego: John Brown was in his office reading once more through all the data he had collected on InGen and Biosyn. It was all information he'd read a million times before, but he continued going over it in the hopes he'd find some nugget of information he hadn't seen before. But he couldn't find anything eye-opening and so the executive leaned back in his chair and thought about his wayward team now going to Jurassic Park and finding out the truth he couldn't bring himself to tell them.
InGen had really opened Pandora's Box when they'd found a way to recreate dinosaurs and they'd paid dearly for that knowledge. All knowledge came with great risk and John knew that better than most being part of a major pharmaceuticals company. The question always was, was that risk worth the knowledge being gained. InGen clearly hadn't considered the consequences and now that they were cleaning up their mess, he wondered what Peter Ludlow was thinking now about the things his company had done in the search for profits.
John shook his head lightly; he didn't want to be in Ludlow's shoes right now. To avoid thinking about InGen, he opened his desk drawer and began fishing for a pen when he pulled out a piece of paper. It was an image of a rabbit that was created entirely in ASCII using 0s and 1s. John at first couldn't remember where he had found the paper until he recalled being in Dennis Nedry's apartment and randomly finding the paper lodged in a book about Alice and Wonderland.
"Of course, the white rabbit," said John finally making the connection as he flicked the page. He didn't know if the numbers meant anything but he decided he'd give the paper to Cassie when she returned from her mission. Until then, he had regular paperwork to be filling out.
Sorna: Jake and Henry emerged from the garage and walked down the road to the Operations Building. As they did, they passed the programmers who were entering into the automated tour vehicles.
"Hey, Tim, are you ready for today?" asked Henry as they approached the lead programmer who was checking his things for the trip.
"I think so," he said positively. "Just do me a favor and leave Sheila alone while the operation is going on. I'll need her focused on this end to make sure everything goes off without a hitch."
"Okay," said Jake pretending to be glum. "So where's the programmer with the wacky hair?"
"She toned it down last night, unfortunately," Tim informed him. "Anyway, she was on one of the first explorers and it's already on its way back to the airstrip. We're just picking up the stragglers now."
"Nuts," said Jake disappointed. "Oh well; good luck."
"Thanks," said Tim as the final programmer entered into the vehicle and Tim got it in as well and it moved off towards the airstrip. Jake and Henry immediately headed to the Operations Building and were passed by the DRT Team who were fully suited up and also headed for Jurassic Park. After passing them, the duo entered into the building and was directed by the receptionist to Sam's office where they entered and found him on the radio.
"Hey, Ed, they just came in," said Sam to Ed Regis who was onboard the SS Venture and was also in charge of the demolishing of Jurassic Park.
"I thought you weren't going back to that island?" asked Jake jovially.
"It's not like I had a choice," Ed complained. "We all have our orders."
"True," Henry admitted. "So what's up?"
"My understanding is that when the programmers reach the Visitor's Center, most of the remote cameras and motion trackers are no longer in working order. Since your little expedition got further inland than mine's did, I need you two to be on call about what it's like once we head further inland when we reach any gaps," Ed explained.
"We'd be happy to but we didn't see a whole lot," Henry admitted. "Although I'd say right off the bat, that the lodge is a more secure location than the Center."
"Thanks, that's where we were thinking about setting up our base of operations," Ed agreed. "If there's anything else please pass it along."
"We will," Henry promised and then he and Jake left so that Sam and Ed could continue ironing out their collaborative efforts in retaking Jurassic Park. The two scientists exited the building and stood on the stairs for a moment.
"End of an era now that the Park will be no more," Jake commented. Henry nodded his head.
"During the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic gave way to the Jurassic before giving way to the Cretaceous," he told his friend. "Maybe that's what's happening now."
"I just hope we're not entering the Cretaceous then," said Jake wryly. "Because as I recall that ended with the K-T Extinction Event."
Henry chuckled heavily at that as the two headed to go get cleaned up and some breakfast before the day's events began.
Indigo: The SS Venture, her personnel, her crew, and everything else on the island was being searched as the DC-3 plane from Sorna came in for a landing nearby. The technicians were taken back off the plane and then their things were heavily inspected before being allowed onto the boat. As for Doc Thorne, Kelly, Arby, and Richard Levine; after they were searched, Samantha took them to the Indigo's Visitor Center.
"We'll be taken by the plane to Sorna because the Venture will be tied up with our Nublar operation," Samantha explained. Behind them, Doc saw his SUV being brought to the ground.
"Unfortunately Mr. Thorne, your vehicle will have to wait here until our second cargo ship arrives in a week or so to take additional supplies to Nublar and then finally comes to Sorna," Samantha apologized.
"Just so long as you're aware that Mobile Field Systems proprietary technology is present onboard that vehicle," Thorne warned her. "I'm sure you can appreciate the need for privacy when it comes to new technology."
"I give you my assurance on behalf of InGen that only a brief search of your vehicle will be conducted to make sure that it contains no illegal items that are banned from these islands," Samantha assured him, though she deigned to mention what those items might be.
"Very well," Thorne acquiesced as he knew he had no choice in the matter.
"So no dinosaurs on this island?" asked Levine disappointed as he sipped his large fountain drink.
"No, I'm afraid not," answered Samantha diplomatically as they headed up the stairs to the Center. "This island is basically our equivalent of international customs. We briefly experimented with transferring dinosaurs between Sorna to Indigo to Nublar but we abandoned the idea after preliminary testing with the first batch sent to Nublar. Any dinosaurs shipped to Jurassic Park from Site B would be sent direct."
The group entered into the rotunda area where the skeletons of the brachiosaur and tyrannosaur were locked in battle.
"We've prepared a lunchtime meal for you before taking the plane to Sorna. If you'll just go through those double doors over there you should find the dining room on the other side. In the meantime, I have business with the head of this island so I won't be joining you again until we leave in an hour," said Samantha as she tilted her head goodbye and then walked off up the stairs to the second level. The others watched her go before they turned to each other.
"You kids have fun, I'm going for a look around," said Levine immediately and walked off into the building without another word.
"And I'm going to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Thorne replied and headed off after him. Kelly and Arby now looked to each other uncertain what to do next. And then Kelly's stomach rumbled and her mind was made up.
"I bet I can eat more plates of food than you can," she teased to Arby as they entered the dining area.
Upstairs: Samantha entered into Daniela's office where she found the head of Indigo sitting behind the desk with a haggard look on her face from total lack of sleep.
Samantha sat down in the seat on the other side and sighed, knowing fully well the reason for Daniela's appearance. "I'm sorry, Danni, we don't have any choice."
"I know you didn't," Daniela agreed. "But I'm warning you now; the steps you make today will affect us negatively for as long as they're in place. This is the end and it starts now. In less than eighty days those fences will fail and we'll all be dead."
"And I pray it doesn't come to that," Samantha responded in kind. "But in the meantime, here's how it's going to go down when we merge the staff of the two islands onto Sorna…"
Seventy-nine days until total fence collapse.
A/N: I'm going to do a better job of keeping track of how many days are left until the fences fail. Otherwise the numbers won't make any sense regarding date progression. Basically I'd say we're at a period that's approximately three weeks after the Jurassic Park incident. The day of this chapter being a Friday whereas Jurassic Park collapsed on a Saturday night and everyone evacuated on Sunday.