InGen Headquarters, San Diego: Stephanie Sandelder timidly entered into Peter Ludlow's office.
"Ah, Ms. Sandelder, please take a seat," said Ludlow motioning to the chair across from his desk. "Thank you for coming on such short notice and on your day off."
Stephanie nodded her head and sat down apprehensively.
"I was a little curious about what you said to me yesterday," Stephanie had to admit. Ludlow nodded his head.
"Perfectly understandable," he agreed. "But first let me pose a question to you. What is it we do here at InGen? And tell me everything you know, whether through official sources or not. I promise not to punish you for what you know."
Stephanie took a deep breath to try and buy time to collect her thoughts.
"I know that International Genetic Technologies, Inc., InGen Bio-Engineering for short, is a company heavily involved in bio-technology," Stephanie began with what was on all the official bios of the company. "The company first gained notoriety in the late 1970s when the original head of product development, Dr. Norman Atherton, succeeded in breeding a miniaturized adult elephant that was no bigger than a housecat. The company licensed out the necessary patents to do that to a number of interested firms and created a sizeable cash flow," she continued before hesitating as she had now reached a period of history that her knowledge went a little bit beyond official statements.
"Please go on," Ludlow requested, sensing her hesitation.
"But it turns out that cash source was only a temporary one. The genetic modifications used to miniaturize the creature were so unstable that any other creatures made the same way wouldn't live for very long. That plus the passing of Dr. Atherton in early 1981 effectively left InGen up the creek when the interest in the patents dried up," Stephanie pointed out. "The one bright spot was the hiring of Doctors Jake Whitacre and Henry Wu just prior to Atherton's passing. They were able to continue the work he had started and with the hiring of Dr. Gustavius Graves to take over as Head of Production six months after Atherton's death, they spearheaded a new direction for biotechnology that culminated in the completion of a secretive special project in 1984. That special project was then shopped around to a number of investors and attracted big attention in the Asian marketplace. It was this investment that has allowed InGen to continue to present day."
"And do you know what that project was?" Ludlow inquired, pointedly; not even the investors knew the whole story. Stephanie slowly nodded her head.
"They successfully cloned a dinosaur," she stated solemnly. "The Dinosaur Revivification Project."
Ludlow nodded his head, impressed by what she had managed to learn about the whole thing. "But I don't see any dinosaurs here, so where are they?" he asked, looking around the room.
"On the three islands InGen operates near Costa Rica," the receptionist answered, that being common knowledge inside the building, although what was actually on those islands was not. "Islas Nublar, Sorna, and Indigo. Or as they're referred to in company terms, Sites A, B, and C."
"Although Site A is now effectively demolished and Site C never really had any dinosaurs on it. That leaves just Site B with dinosaurs on it," Ludlow filled in on some details Stephanie was probably only vaguely aware of. He chose not to mention InGen's Kenya Facility also having dinosaurs as that was extremely classified and known to only a select few. "But other than that, you're right on the money with all of it."
"So, I answered your question, now you should answer mine," Stephanie reasoned. "Why are you asking me all of this?" she said at a complete loss.
Ludlow regarded her for a few moments as if doing an analysis in his head of how she would handle what he was about to say.
"It's because effective this afternoon, I intend to transfer you to Site B," Ludlow answered, revealing his true purpose for calling her in.
Isla Sorna: Samantha Brown was sitting behind Sam Stone's desk with her head resting on her hand not even bothering to hide her annoyance at Richard Levine who was across from her rattling off a list of demands from a piece of paper in his hands. Earlier, Jack Thorne had asked for the return of his BMW SUV which was still impounded on Indigo. Martin Gutierrez for his part had gone on a brief rant that he felt the island was in no way containing the creatures that lived on it. He then calmed down having said his peace and then said he wanted a tour of the entire beach of the island to prove his theory.
Samantha had politely thanked them both and said she'd look into it and both had been satisfied enough to leave. But once they were gone, Levine had pulled out his list and began reading from it. Samantha had originally tried to respond to some of his ridiculous requests but after he kept motoring through them and not allowing her to respond, she'd given up and diverted her attention between staring at him and then ignoring him while looking out the window.
She saw a truck roll into the village and into the parking garage and wondered what it would take for her to diplomatically get away from this conversation. But as she shot a quick glance towards Levine who was so focused on his list he didn't even notice she'd stopped paying attention, and then back to the road, her eyes brightened at what she saw.
Jake Whitacre and Henry Wu were casually walking down the street towards the Operations Building as various workers came up and expressed their relief that they were alive after their spill on Nublar.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Levine; I hate to cut this short, but I have a prior appointment," Samantha said, immediately getting up. Levine's carefully planned rant sputtered out as he looked at her shocked that she was going to kick him out.
"But-but-," he began as he got up and Samantha physically pushed him from the room.
"You'll have to make an appointment for later," she said, not bothering to put up with his protests.
"I demand to see the genetics labs on this island!" Levine shot back knowing this was his last chance to say what he was really after.
"Sorry, that has nothing to do with the stability of the island," the Board Member said bluntly. The two entered into the hallway and Samantha shut the door behind her and subsequently marched off away from him.
"This isn't over!" shouted Levine after her, not bothering to embarrass himself by chasing after her.
"We'll see," said Samantha doubtful he'd ever change her mind. She then strode so quickly down the hall that the occasional worker in the hallway deliberately stepped to the side to avoid her. After a few moments of walking, she pushed through the lobby and immediately made her way through the glass doors to the outside. As soon as she did, she immediately saw Jake and Henry just down the steps staring up at her. The two scientists and the Board Member regarded each other for several moments before Samantha finally spoke up.
"You boys are going to tell me everything," she said straight to the point. Not bothering for an answer, she turned around and went back into the building as Jake and Henry looked at each other solemnly before following after her.
Further down the steps, Bobbie Carter watched them disappear into the building before heading off down the road. Earlier when Sam Stone had run into her outside of his office, he hadn't realized it wasn't just chance that they'd met. She'd been just outside deliberately listening to his conversation with Samantha Brown hoping to glean some information about what was really going on with the island. It was a fortunate coincidence that when Sam had run into her that Levine and his group had also been approaching and she'd quickly managed to point his direction that way. Otherwise, she'd have had a hard time explaining what she had been up to.
She'd heard bits and pieces of conversation but nothing that made much sense to her. She intended to write it down at the time but she'd forgotten to get a replacement notepad for the one she had lost when the clinic had been attacked by raptors. Looking through her pockets, she managed to find a pencil but was having trouble hunting down a piece of paper to write on while her memories of the conversation were still fresh.
"Looking for this?" asked a voice startling her. Bobbie looked up to see Tom, the worker who'd been right beside her in the clinic at the end, walking up to her. He was heavily bandaged but otherwise mobile and in his outstretched hand was Bobbie's trusty notepad.
"Tom, thank you!" said Bobbie extremely grateful. "Where did you find this?" she said in shock that it had turned up.
"I wish I knew," Tom responded truthfully. "I think the rescue team found it near me and gave it to me thinking it was mine. Once I was mobile again, I knew I had to give it back to you."
Bobbie nodded grateful as she took it back from him. "Sorry, how are you?" she asked, embarrassed her first concern had been for the notepad.
"Still in one piece, can't complain," said Tom lightly. "I should be in tip-top shape in another week or so."
"That's great," said Bobbie nodding her head. "Hey, thanks for all your help back at the clinic."
Tom nodded his head half-heartedly. "It's just too bad we couldn't save everyone."
"I know," said Bobbie solemnly. "But all we can do is go forward and make sure it doesn't happen again. Which I've been meaning to ask you, do you remember anything about what happened when those raptors attacked us in the hall?"
Tom shook his head. "All I remember is a bright flash and then waking up in the hospital. You?"
The same," Bobbie admitted. "But if I remember anything, I'll let you know."
"Thanks," Tom said, grateful before he winced at some pain on his body. "I've got to head back, see you around Dr. Carter."
"It's Bobbie," Roberta reminded him. "But yeah, you too."
Tom hobbled off as Roberta quickly flipped through the notes of her beat up and dirty notepad. Flipping page after page, she read the notes and memories started slowly flooding back to her about the terror she had experienced in that clinic when the raptors had invaded and slaughtered several coworkers.
Flipping to the final handwritten page, she stared at the three hastily written letters that confronted her: E.L.E.
And then memories came rapidly flashing through her mind: the P.A. system warning that E.L.E. had been activated, the raptors momentary confusion, and then their leaping through the air at them. But then another memory came to her that she hadn't recalled before; the lights in the ceiling suddenly flashing on full intensity and then the ceiling exploding outwards with chunks of debris raining down on Tom, her, and the raptors.
Thorne had been right in his analysis of the situation. Now Bobbie could only look around the Village around her trying to figure out what was going on with the island without any idea where to start.
And then an idea for a plan of action occurred to her and she snapped her notebook shut and put it in her pocket. She had a friend to go see on the beach.
InGen Headquarters, San Diego: "I thought you said I wasn't going to be punished for what I knew!" shouted Stephanie immediately, extremely irate at being mislead. Ludlow watched her passively for her to cool down before responding to her concern.
"It's not intended to be," he told her frankly. "What you just proved to me is that you can find out things that you aren't supposed to be aware of. And that's exactly what I need on Sorna right now." He admitted gravely. Stephanie could only stare at him at a total loss.
"What?" she asked, her face mirroring her confusion.
"Right now this company is a period of massive upheaval and change," Ludlow began. "You know some of this already. We had an accident on Isla Nublar and that has no longer made it viable location to display our…products," he continued. "As such, corporate attention has largely turned towards the San Diego Amphitheater and away from Isla Sorna. But therein is the problem because what happens on Sorna in the next two and a half months will impact this company for the rest of its existence. Much more so than whether or not Jurassic Park: San Diego actually launches." Ludlow further pointed out. "Without Site B, we have nothing."
"But don't you get regular reports from Site B?" asked Stephanie. Ludlow nodded his head.
"I do, but they're just words on a page," he responded helplessly. "They don't tell me the whole story of what's really going on. And I get the distinct impression that something is happening on that island that I am not fully aware of. Jake Whitacre and Henry Wu are troublemakers, you admitted that yourself. They have no reason to tell me what they're really up to and they never have since they've been with this company. Sam Stone, while the head of the island and a decent enough man, doesn't really have complete oversight or total knowledge of what's going on with that island and so his reports are lacking in certain areas," Ludlow ruminated. "Daniela St. Ives was someone I thought could start providing insightful views when she was transferred to Site B, but after recent events, I'm no longer so sure.
"Nicolette Stefrassa might also be able to give me a useful report if she wasn't so wrapped up in her work that all she can send me is a list of code violations she's observed," the COO said, narrowly avoiding rolling his eyes. "As for the others, well they're certainly capable of reporting on their departments but not much else. And that's because over the years they've developed their own little community…a family, if you will. For the most part they trust each other although they do have concerns about each other every now and then. But none of them really trust the InGen Board of Directors. Hence my problem…"
"Isolation breeds arrogance and contempt for remote forms of authority," Stephanie commented.
"Exactly," said Ludlow pleased that she had a grasp on the situation. "For the most part the rest of the Board and myself have been willing to overlook this lack of respect for our authority because the workers on that island are very dedicated individuals who enjoy what they do. They perform their jobs and perform them well and we have no problem with that, ordinarily.
"But now certain cost-saving measures are in effect that will end up depriving the workers of doing what they do best. It is my fear that this lack of motivation will further increase their isolation from the rest of the company. And that might continue even after normal working operations are resumed on that island."
"I see," said Stephanie understanding Ludlow's point. "That would be a problem."
"As such, I need someone on Sorna I know I can trust who can uncover the truth of what is going on and report back to me," Ludlow finished, "That person being you."
Stephanie had to mull over that now that Ludlow had laid it all out for her.
"You would be in-effect saving this company from an early grave. And you'd be well compensated for your efforts," the COO pointed out.
"And I'd be perfectly safe?" Stephanie needed to know. After all, she was effectively going to be sent to an island full of bloodthirsty animals who wouldn't hesitate to tear her limb from limb and then devour her afterwards.
"Of course," Ludlow promised. "Granted, yes, the island is running out of fuel reserves to power the perimeter fences and will be placed under lockdown. But in a little under two and a half months, the San Diego installation will open and those profits will go towards expediting fuel to Site B and it will no longer be a problem. And then you'll be transferred back here safe and sound."
Stephanie again had to think that over as Ludlow pushed a piece of paper over to her.
"It's all here in writing and I've already signed it," he informed her. "The rest is up to you."
Stephanie took the document and scanned the entire page, reading every line. She then pulled out her pen and then signed it.
"Good, I knew I could count on you," said Ludlow relieved.
"When do I start?" asked Stephanie curious. Ludlow looked slightly away at that question.
"Due to the lockdown going into effect Monday morning, in order to not raise suspicions you have to be on InGen's DC-3 leaving San Diego International Airport tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m," Ludlow told her. "Now, InGen is perfectly willing to settle all your accounts here while you're gone. So will there be any problems?"
That took the receptionist by surprise but she refused to show any sign of it on her face. "No, no problem."
"Good," said Ludlow glad this was all over with. He took out a packet of papers and slid it across the desk. "This is all the information you will need about the island, your new position, and your reasons for being transferred. You are free to call me while you're on that island but try to do so discreetly."
"Yes sir," said Stephanie refusing to back down now that the ink had dried. "If you'll excuse me, I now have a busy day ahead of me."
"Of course," said Ludlow accommodatingly. "Here, you can take my corporate credit card and return it to me tomorrow since I will also be on your flight. I have to give a speech on the final day of Jurassic Park."
Stephanie nodded her head and took his credit card and headed for the door.
"Thanks again, Stephanie," said Ludlow sincerely. The receptionist nodded her head and then was gone from sight. As soon as she was, a small smile spread across the COOs face before he turned his attention back to his a computer and the speech he had to give regarding InGen's future.
Operations Building, Isla Sorna: Jake Whitacre and Henry Wu were seated opposite Samantha Brown who was resting on top of Sam's desk with her notebook and pencil at the ready. She had shut the doors and the windows to give them some privacy but as a result it had made the room unbearable hot, which did nothing to stop their tensions from rising over what they knew was going to be discussed.
"Okay, spill it because I want to know the truth," she told the two scientists.
"About what?" asked Jake clueless. Samantha gave him an angry look.
"Don't play games with me, Whitacre, I'm not in the mood!" she snapped at him. The male scientist threw up his hands aggravated at being unjustly verbally attacked and just turned his head to stare out the window.
"That's not what he meant," Henry clarified trying to play diplomat. "We're not here to play games this time. We just don't know what it is you're looking to find out about."
Samantha looked at him and also at Jake after he turned his attention back on her. Both of them had the look of sincerity and also being tired of everything that happened over the past few weeks…too tired to try and pull her chain any longer.
"Thank you," the Board Member said, grateful and relieved. "What I want to know right off the bat is who stole the embryos? I know you that you know or at least that you have a pretty good idea. At least if Ludlow's attitude towards the two of you is to be believed."
Jake and Henry turned to look at each other and a silent debate seemed to occur between the two for a few moments before Henry spoke up.
"You don't know? He didn't tell you?" he asked, curious. Samantha shook her head.
"I've asked repeatedly but he's remained quiet on the subject," she mentioned.
"Why am I not surprised?" Jake grumbled under his breath as he rested his head on his hand and stared out the window at the village.
"Was it Biosyn?" asked the Board member. Jake barked at that.
"If it had been them he would've just told you," he muttered under his breath. His tone almost made Samantha say something to him but it was clear he was more upset about the whole situation and not at her.
"Although they were undoubtedly one of the two parties who tried to make a play for the canister on the docks," Henry revealed. "They just weren't the ones who made off with the canister."
"So who then?" asked Samantha with burning curiosity. And at the same time a nagging voice in the back of her head started telling her she wouldn't want to know.
"Well I only know of one other man who works for one other company with the resources to pull it off," Jake remarked. The nagging voice suddenly went quiet as a chill went down Samantha's spine and she immediately sat straight up with a feeling of dread pouring over her.
"Which would be?" she asked in a hushed tone. Jake gave her a look of disappointment that she would be in such denial about the truth.
"You know who," Henry said, forcing her to realize the truth. Samantha's heart dropped in her stomach upon hearing that.
"John…it was John wasn't it?" she said in reference to Pacific Pharmaceuticals Executive, John Brown.
"Yes," said Henry half-way between annoyance at John's actions and sympathy for the situation Samantha was now in.
"Why would he do something like that?" Samantha growled, knowing the two scientists were right.
"Well, Jake and I have known John a long time, but we were hoping you could tell us what you thought," Henry admitted.
"After all, he is your ex-husband," Jake pointed out.
Silence descended on the trio.