To be fair, I add this disclaimer/warning. This is a slow paced book. The dinosaurs don't really come into play until later on. It's slow partially because I wanted to establish the plot (somewhat) and Grant as a character before I plunge him into any action. A lot can change in six years.

Chapter 1

Lydia Hubber sat smoking a cigarette and monitoring a computer screen. She had been on duty for the past ten hours and was ready to leave, but couldn't until Team B returned to the base. Hearing a soft bing from her computer, Lydia grabbed the mouse and began cycling through the satellite images looking for Team B's boat.

"Team B, Team B, this is Alpha Base Ly. Do you read me," Lydia called into the radio as she stared at a grainy image of a small boat surrounded by murky, black water. "Team B, respond. This is Alpha Base Ly. Do you read? Answer me da-"

The radio crackled and a faint moan was heard before a gurgling sound and then the radio went dead. Startled, Lydia rolled her chair to a second monitor, selected the image of the boat, and rotated the image. Not satisfied, she zoomed in on the vessel. She gasped as the image became clearer. She grabbed the telephone receiver on the desk next to her and furiously began to dial a number.

"This is Lydia in control. Get me Monroe. We have an emergency."

Alan Grant sat in his office reading his students' term papers. After returning from Costa Rica, he had spent four years working in the field before "retiring" to teaching full time at University of Montana. Now after two years, he had been offered a job as the palenotology head advisor. He wouldn't have to teach anymore and be able to devote more time to his writing.

"Dr. Grant? I hope I'm not interrupting you, but I was wondering if I could get your opinion on something."

Grant looked up at the student who had addressed him. She was a short, muscle girl with long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Grant tried to remember her who she was.

Seeing the puzzled look on Dr. Grant's face the girl smiled and said, "I'm Sue Turner. I was in three of your classes last semester. I'm graduating next year and wanted your help picking an interning program."

"Oh, yes. Sue Turner. You want my help picking intern programs? You were majoring in Earth Sciences if I remember correctly, but switched to mathematics didn't you? Your advisor doesn't want to work with you? Well, I guess I can help you now," Grant said gratefully as he stacked the term papers and shoved them in his desk, "What programs are you looking at?"

"To begin with, I didn't switch to mathematics, I'm doing a duel major. Secondly, I would have gone to my advisor, but I transferred here two semesters ago and I don't have an advisor here yet and can't get a hold of my old one."

"I didn't mean to offend you. I don't know much about mathematics internships, but I'll try to help."

"I'm not doing a mathematic internship. I wanted to do one in the palenotology field. That's why I came to you. I've narrowed it down to three programs," Sue said as she handed Grant the information on the programs. Grant studied each one before returning them to Sue.

"Well, the first one is with a colleague of mine from an excavation in the Badlands. He's a good man, but somewhat of a celebrity. This would be the hardest program to get into since it is probably the most popular. If you aren't an incredibly prestigious student, you probably will have a difficult time getting into the program. The second program, is with a Canadian excavating team working in Toronto. From what I can tell, they seem to be doing more with archeology than palenotology. I don't know if that's what your interested in, but it's an option. This third one interests me. It's with a biological corporation called BioLife Inc. working with the U.S. government in Costa Rica. It looks like you will just be doing some basic excavation work. Maybe your mathematics could come in handy with this one. I suggest trying this one."

"Thank you so much for you help Dr. Grant. I really appreciate you doing this for me," Sue said as she stood up and walked towards the door.

"Oh, by the way, who was your old counselor?"

"Dr. Ian Malcolm. He went on a research trip about three weeks ago and hasn't been heard from since," she said as she walked out the door.