Okay next chapter! Hope you guys enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Jurassic Park/World. All OCs belong to Macx. If you haven't read Macx's Tainted yet I suggest you give it a shot. It's pretty awesome.
It was raining hail sized drops of rain outside making the old description of 'a dark and stormy night' very appropriate. Owen was in the midst of writing up his latest reports when a ding from the computer helpfully informed him that he was getting a call from Simon Masrani. He raised his eyebrows because as far as he knew everything had been running smoothly for the new year and he could recall no trouble that would warrant a call from Masrani. Neither had he been informed by Claire about anything new.
He felt Blue stir, alerted by his interest even as he accepted the call. He sent reassurance to her but she perked up and ghosted along the bond until she was there with him.
"Owen," said Masrani hen the call connected.
"Masrani," Owen greeted him, "What makes you call at this hour of the night?"
"A proposal," said Masrani, "And one I'm afraid you will not be very happy with but I ask you that you will please hear me out."
Owen frowned internally. Well that was downright weird. Blue agreed. Externally he simply leaned back and canted his head a little.
"Well let's hear it," he said.
"It involves an intern," said Masrani and Owen's face darkened.
"I thought I made my feelings very clear about that," said Owen.
"I assure you that you have," said Masrani. "However this one is different. I picked her myself and she has done well in other areas. She will not be a Mr. Green."
Owen snorted involuntarily.
Masrani smiled and then continued, "Simply put, you are the fastest person to decide if she will do well at Jurassic World. And I trust your judgment."
"You want to use me as a wellness detector?"" asked Owen his eyebrows rising. Blue was both cautious and amused.
"I rather my disappointment swift," said Masrani, "If this one doesn't work out. I have high hopes for her."
Owen tilted his head as he considered. His default answer was no, but Masrani really wanted this intern. As much as Owen didn't care what Masrani thought of him, he did care a little bit because it would be best to keep his employer happy and after the last incident with Mason Green he was sure that they wouldn't send anybody who was a suicidal idiot. Also Blue was interested with how much Masrani was interested with this intern. She wondered if she might be like Owen. Perhaps someone powerful?
If she is powerful, it might be best if she is by the pack first to see if she can stand being on the same island? Blue queried.
It was an interesting idea but Owen was sure that there was more going on.
Blue agreed also.
He rolled the idea around He was curious but not so much as to risk his girls.
"No," he said, to Masrani. "Give her to the T-rex."
Masrani sighed and then said, "Oh she will be. She will still do a circuit of the other enclosures. I was hoping not to do this but perhaps a peace offering?"
"A bribe?" said Owen sharply.
"A peace offering," correct Masrani, "To make up for annoyances."
"I don't take bribes," said Owen feeling a touch of anger.
"But you do take cupcakes for thanks do you not? Consider this a cupcake. A very interesting cupcake."
Owen was about to give a very short no but Blue wanted to know what it was that he would have given them. What it was that he thought would make Owen change his mind. She wanted to know what weapon he had.
It does not hurt to know,she told him.
"Fine what is it?" he half snapped.
"A book," said Masrani, "Recently acquired. It is detailed observations about a raptor pack."
Owen shrugged. You can get that from Sorna. I have my own observations from Sorna."
"Ahha," said Masrani,."Therein lies the interesting part. These raptors weren't in Sorna."
Owen blinked at him and said, "What?"
"Do you remember the poachers?" said Masrani.
"How could I forget?" Owen told him, hoping that this story wasn't going where he thought it might.
"Well three raptor eggs were stolen and then hatched and were sold to the highest bidder. The owner kept them in his basement. They got out during a party that he was hosting. The house was locked down to keep them contained. One of the guests of the party who survived the ordeal wrote the book."
Owen couldn't contain a surge of anger at the story. "Dammit!" he said. How could people be so stupid?
Blue was angry too, at the theft of the eggs. She did not care about the loss of life though she knew Owen did.
"This was recent?" asked Owen.
"Several years ago but the book has only recently come to my hands. This observer was very thorough. I though perhaps you would like it to compare to your girls."
Despite how angry he was at the story, Owen would very much like to read it. It mayn't have been as thorough as Masrani was making it out to be but it would be interesting.
Say yes. Blue told him. If you want it. We can handle ourselves and they will be amusing. We are not weak.
"I don't like the politics behind it," He told her.
She gave him a mental shrug.
You will protect us. We will protect you. She is only one. She cannot harm us. We are pack.
The sentiment was reinforced by the rest of the pack who were all awake by now.
Owen considered.
"Just the one?" he asked Masrani.
"Just the one," Masrani assured him.
"A week," Owen told him.
"A month," Masrani countered but Owen shook his head.
"A week," he said."
"Three weeks," said Masrani.
"Two weeks," said Owen.
Masrani hesitated and then nodded.
"If she does something stupid though, I'm kicking her out," Owen said, "And she doesn't get a second chance.
"Very well," said Masrani, "I will email you the details later." He put his hands together and gave Owen a little bow and the call ended.
Owen sat back in his chair and wondered what he had agreed to.
We will be here. Blue told him. He smiled.
I know he said.
He'd worry about it later. He returned to writing his reports while thunder rolled overhead and the rain poured comfortably down.
R&R please!