Chapter Four

Hunting Party Pt. 1

Or, Into the Tunnels

Three Days Later..

Nick's eyes widened as he read the memo that was sent to all employees, glancing at Sarina and seeing the same surprised expression. "They're relocating everything?! Do they realize how much effort that is? It doesn't matter if they already have the paddocks and attractions already set up, this is ridiculous."

Sarina sighed, nodding. "I know, sweetheart, but this is coming from higher up. And it also says all guests are going to be reimbursed for the day or two it takes to move all of said guests and dinosaurs. Seems like a bit of a win, if you look at it from their perspective."

Nick scowled. "Yeah, I guess you have a point. What do you think, Owen? Claire know anything about this?"

Owen, who was eating a plate of fried chicken, shook his head. "Nope. First she heard of it, too. She didn't even know Mount Sibo was critically active. She thought the tremors the last six weeks were nothing but small scale earthquakes. There are surprisingly many in this area, for an island chain. I hear Sorna experienced a huge quake right after the main incubation labs were put up years ago. But what confuses me is this Site C part. There are five islands here, Las Cinco Muertes and Nublar, which isn't part of that chain- while Sorna is- are Site A and B. But which is C? InGen never had a plan for a C, did they?"

"Not that I found records of," Nick replied. "When the Nublar incident in '93 happened and then San Diego in '97, there were ever only the two islands mentioned. That would mean InGen bought zoning rights to a third island recently. Maybe Wu would know, as slithery as he is."

"I'm gonna go see him. With Claire. I don't have the authority to ask him about this, but Claire is his direct CO, so to speak. And having total control of the labs before we all got here means if anyone knows of another island they were going to use, it would be him. It's not like we can just call Kieran Knight and ask about it."

"That's another thing. I remember Simon Masrani was always here making sure the dinosaurs were well taken care of, but Knight hasn't set foot on this island even once, not even on Opening. It seems fishy to me."

"No conspiracy talk, you two. I was in the forces too, I know where you're both coming from but without solid evidence we can't even look at Kieran Knight with suspicion. So, if you two want to ask Henry about all this, I suggest going to find Claire before she rages on the lab techs. Pregnancy is not good for her attitude right now." Owen nodded and got up from where the three sat in the cafeteria of the Innovation Center, Nick following suit.

But not before giving Sarina a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll let you know if we find anything out. Although that ACU team heading into the tunnels is leaving soon so I'll probably be late for dinner."

Sarina smiled back at him. "You're adorable. Go do what you have to do. I'll still be waiting for you when you're done."

Nick beamed. "Thanks, babe. I don't know what I would do without you these days."

"Lose your head, probably." Sarina joked snarkily as Nick laughed while following Owen out. You better stay safe, you big dummy. She thought as she continued eating her own lunch.

Ten Minutes Later, Wu's Office..

Nick and Owen entered the office with Claire fuming just ahead of them. Henry looked up and smiled. "Ah, Claire. Owen. Nick. How are the Indoraptors?" Nick looked at him confused. He had never heard that name for his raptors.

"They're fine, not breaking any more laws of physics at least. But that's not why we're here. Claire?"

Claire cleared her throat before slamming her hands on Wu's desk, scattering a small stack of papers and making Henry jump back in his chair. "What the fuck is this crap about a Site C?! And don't tell me it was need to know because as head of the labs, and your boss, I have every right to know!"

Henry had to take a breath to calm himself from the obviously furious redhead. "You missed the meeting, actually. I was going to fill you in but I've been busy trying to secure all of our numbers on the animals. In short, InGen and Masrani, of course run now by Kieran Knight, bought Isla Matanceros from the Costa Rican government for two reasons. The first and most obvious is that Mount Sibo is on the precipice of erupting and the estimated damage tells us that Nublar will be sunk from the eruption's force. The second reason is," He reached into a drawer and picked up a zoomed map of Isla Matanceros, the furthermost island in the Las Cinco Muertes island chain. To Nick, it reminded him of a very misshapen crab. "That the expansions we proposed for this park could fit in better. See these two areas here and here?" He pointed to two small channel-like areas along the southern shore. "These would be the aquatic areas. The smaller area for species such as prehistoric dolphins and such. The bigger area for bigger predators. As for our Mosasaur, she will be placed in a spot similar to where she is now, although her tank is now filtered in and out from the surrounding sea. As of three days ago, full construction of every facility, paddock and attraction have finished. Unless the quakes get worse by the end of the week, relocation will begin next week." He lengthily explained.

Claire pursed her lips. "Alright, that seems simple enough. But what about Mount Sibo? When Jurassic World first opened, the timetable for it's eruption wasn't for another fifty years. What happened to change that?"

"I'm no geologist, but it seems that between the Indominus incident and our reopening ceremonies three days ago, something has been digging the tunnels further into Mount Sibo. There are reports that if the digging continues, lava will be flowing through those tunnels within a week. This is why ACU and Mr. Eclipse here," He nodded to Nick. "Are going down there to assess and hopefully capture whatever dinosaur found its way down there."

"So you think it's definitely a dino?" Nick asked. "Is there anything that was missing from a head count when you came to catalog what was still here?"

Henry shook his head. "No. Every animal that was scheduled to hatch then was pronounced destroyed judging by the rotten smell in the hatchery. If something did survive, it probably went into the tunnels through the sewer piping in the lower basement. As to why it hasn't come out and shown itself otherwise, I wouldn't know."

"Great. Blind run. And here I thought I was done with that when I got the vacation here last time." Nick sighed.

"Can't win them all, Nick. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, I believe that's all. Don't forget to fill me in on this kind of news after this relocation."

Wu nodded. "Of course, Claire. Pleasure to see you all." He said as the three went to leave before Nick stopped in the doorway.

"Hey, Henry?" Wu looked at him. "Why didn't we just move to Sorna? I know it's a no-go zone but Sobek should be dead or close to it by now."

Wu's eyes widened at the name. "How do you know that name?"

"I may have a few skills at hacking. Have to say, a genetically-modified Spino? Not the greatest choice for a preserve. My question stands, though. Sorna would have had more than enough room for everything planned and more, and it would still fulfill it's purpose as a biological preserve. InGen does own it."

Henry opened his mouth to speak but closed it again and smirked, wagging a finger towards Nick. "You know, you have a point. But to uproot the natural order that's currently on that island? Government and activists would have a fit. And do not mention old Sobek again. I am the only one, other than you and most likely Sarina knowing you, who even know about him. Not to mention he got soft. Mated with a Tyranno, hasn't went hunting for himself in about six years if I heard reports right."

"Least he got a good time. Grant told me what that bastard put him and the Kirby's through in 2001. Between him and the Indominus, I'd say your goal is to just destroy everything you helped build up, and that's fucked up for a theme park meant to wow people even if it's old news these days."

Wu smirked. "Don't you have an ACU commander to meet with? This creature can't just be allowed to continue digging through Mount Sibo."

"You're right. But I do still want to talk with you further. As a life-long dinosaur fan, You are the lead in knowledge about them these days. Picking your brain is fun for me."

Henry laughed. "Oh get out of here. I could only really tell you so much that isn't classified."

"What's classified? I know about every dino not on the island or Sorna, and the categorically dangerous hybrids you were planning on."

Wu groaned. "Fucking young people. Go, Nick. I am just as curious as you about whatever's in those tunnels."

"Fine, fine. Later, Doc. Don't work yourself into the grave." Nick said, saluting Henry before fully leaving the labs.

ACU Headquarters..

Nick arrived at ACU HQ just as the Commander, Dave Rodriguez, began the briefing to the rest of the squad being tasked with entering the tunnels. "Alright, gentlemen. Something has been living in the tunnels underneath the park. The bosses suspect a rogue dino is squatting and possibly digging further into the island, causing the earthquakes of late. Because of his expertise in tracking, we also have the infamous Raptor Handler Nick Eclipse helping us out. Our orders are to find whatever is in those tunnels and either contain or kill. The lab wants to see if there was something they missed or not so if it is in fact a dinosaur our first priority is to get it back to the lab alive. If the target proves to be too hostile or we are unable to incapacitate it, lethal force is allowed. To me, it doesn't matter because even if we kill it, I will drag the body back to show what it is. The tunnels are expansive and I trust that even Mr. Eclipse here looked at the tunnel blueprints."

Nick nodded. "Memorized every inch-scaled meter. I bet you want us to split up on entry at each fork we come to and look out for any addition to the tunnels." The look on Dave's face showed that was exactly his next words. "Figures. Also, these tunnels are actually sewers, right? Why are we calling them tunnels?"

"Because it grosses everyone out when you call them sewers. Shut that mouth, Eclipse, and know that you are the one who goes into the furthermost tunnel. I trust you remember how to use infrared goggles?"

"Child's play. I use a set to play with the raptors."

Everyone looked at Nick incredulously. "I've already gone over this. Raptors are familial in the sense that I am their father and they question it, sure. Their IQ even as the adolescents they are is borderline genius level. Plus raptors can see in a thermal and infrared mix so using the goggles, is allowing me to see through their eyes. And, one last thing, I don't have a fucking deathwish."

"Alright. Well, we all leave in an hour, you're dismissed for mission prep." Dave held Nick's arm as he was about to leave. "What weapon should I hold for you?"

Nick flashed the Commander a grin. "A SCAR variant. If you have any of those laying around the ACU armory."

"Matter of fact, we do. Got a set of them last month. Alright, go kiss that girl of yours. I know your little luck habits."

"With what me and her went through to get where we are now? Kissing her is the luck." Nick chuckled as left the ACU headquarters to make his way over to the veterinary building.

Ten Minutes Later, Veterinary building..

Nick smiled as he saw Sarina pat the head of Gray's baby Stegosaurus in her treatment room. "This little guy seems better."

Sarina jumped up startled before turning to Nick. "Nick! How many times?" She sighed before giggling. "And she is doing very well, little Sue here. She will be just fine to go back into the petting zoo by tomorrow. Aren't you supposed to be getting ready to go spelunking through the tunnels?" She smirked at him, crossing her arms.

"I have another fifty minutes before the assignment so I figured I'd come see you before I went. You never know what could go wrong."

Sarina gave him a blank look. "Murphy's Law, Nick. And, you'd probably get spat back up if a dino tried eating you. Too stupid. And tough."

"And yet I don't think carnivores really give a damn either way. But, if I find one who does, I'll be sure to let you know."

Sarina laughed before throwing her arms around Nick's neck. "Just be safe and come back to me, alright? Your parents would kill me in blame for you getting yourself killed."

"Nah. My parents love you too much. Plus they want grandkids."

Sarina rolled her eyes. "You really think this is the environment to raise a kid?"

"Nope. But I know we can do it and the raptors would protect them as well."

"Yeah, not like they'll roam free."

"Fair point. But of course I will come back. You have my word, love."

Sarina hugged her boyfriend tightly. "Good. Now go find out what's roaring down there. It really is starting to creep me out."

"You and me both, Rina. Love you." Nick said, turning to leave the veterinary building.

"Love you too." Sarina waved him off as she turned back to the Stegosaurus in front of her. "Alright, now let's get you back to the holding pen until I have to check on you later."

An Hour Later, Lab Sub-Basement..

Nick entered the room last, hearing the door close itself behind him. The room wasn't very big, but he could tell something had stumbled upon it. In one corner of the room, above several storage shelves of differing heights, there was an air duct that looked as if something had torn it open from the inside, leading whatever it was into this room. On the opposite wall was a large sewer tunnel, or at least something very similar. Dave looked at the group. "This is it, men. I'll throw the first flare in, give us a look at our entry point." The room itself was actually lit nicely, but the tunnel entrance was pitch black.

Taking out a signal flare, Dave popped it alight and threw it into the tunnel, only illuminating a small area. Then a roar was heard and a shadow moved over the light of the flare. Seconds later, a long snout filled with jagged razor-sharp teeth was shown along with pupiless white eyes, like a demon's. As the dinosaur stepped out into the light, Nick heard something unexpected from one of the ACU members around him.

An inhuman, girlish scream erupted from the mouth of possibly the biggest guy in the room, his hand clamping over his mouth as he noticed everyone including the dinosaur was looking at him. Dave signaled for the men to aim at the creature and gave them permission to shoot if it charged. With another roar, the unknown dinosaur took a step forward only to be sent back into the tunnel as Nick fired three simultaneous burts of fire from his assault rifle.

When the footfalls of the giant seemed far enough off, Dave took a breath. "Alright, we'll overlook Garth's outburst and follow it in. Stay alert and switch to tranqs, Nick. Live rounds were backup if tranquilizing failed."

"Okay? And my firing on it sent it retreating so we can all stay alive. For now at least." Nick replied snarkily. "Now can we get a move on? I have several childish raptors who need a bedtime story tonight."

"How you handle those balls of insanity is a mystery." Stated one of the other ACU members.

"Because I am also a ball of insanity, or did you not get the memo from last Friday?"

Laughing, Nick took lead of the group, going further ahead than any of the others, switching the ammo in his rifle as he walked. As the tunnel got darker past the boundary of each new flare they threw down, Nick activated the infrared goggles and continued on his way down the tunnels, stopping now and then and listening for a sign of the elusive dinosaur. Then he noticed the tracks, wet prints against the more dry sides of the tunnel. "Gotcha." He muttered under his breath, following the trail the footprints were leading Nick in.

The tunnels seemed to go on forever, and Nick contemplated turning back when he saw that the walls were no longer concrete and smooth, but were now in fact made of dirt and rock and was rough to the touch. "So you are whatever's causing Sibo to blow it's top before schedule. Makes today much easier to do. Any longer, you'll dig enough that the eruption happens tomorrow." He sighed as he leveled his rifle in front of him. "And we can't have you doing that."

The atmosphere underground and outside of the technical sewers made Nick's infrared vision become tricky, patches of earth around him generating enough heat to make the IR vision white out momentarily. He had to wipe his brow, realizing the temperature was much hotter underground and closer to the lava beds than it was back by the labs. "Sweat too much, I'm as good as dead." He stated quietly, remembering hunting tactics of other large predators that used scent as their initial tracking method.

Suddenly, Nick felt the ground shake under him as a large shape began to form in the distance of the Infrared goggles. Cursing, knowing this was the creature he had been sent after, Nick brought his rifle up and aimed directly at the center of the dinosaur's chest. Firing off three successive shots with the tranquilizer ammunition, He heard the creature roar, the sound having a slur to it as the tranqs apparently began working. As he watched the dinosaur slow until it suddenly collapsed, Nick nodded with a smirk. "Well, that wasn't too difficult." He thumbed his walkie on. "Dave? Commander, this is Eclipse. Dino down, ready for extraction."

"Already? Damn, Nick. You really are fast."

"Just bring the hoist. This guy will take a bit to get out of these tunnels."

"Affirmative. You sure you don't want to come with us on the Carnotaur hunt later this week? You'd find it no problem, I'm guessing."

Nick laughed. "Maybe. I've heard what the Carnotaur InGen cooked up can do. It's a much less harmful Indominus, can camouflage. Even tracking it won't be enough." Nick saw the sedated dino move one claw, prompting him to shoot off another tranq.

"Well, if you change your mind you know where to find me." Was all Dave said before the connection cut off again, leaving Nick to wait for the hoist and other equipment to take whatever dinosaur he was looking at back to the labs.

Sometime later, Henry Wu entered the basement and felt his jaw drop at the sight of the mystery dinosaur. "It can't be.. I was told it didn't make it past incubation."

Nick sidled up to the scientist and shook his head. "I'm only surprised a Baryonyx could find a way to live down here. What has it been eating?"

"There's no way to tell until we can get a stool sample. Damn that Hoskins. He must have had something to do with this."

"Hoskins? The InGen guy who hired Owen in the old park?" Wu nodded. "If he did, then it was before he ransacked your lab and got killed by one of the old Raptor Squad."

"Yes. Alright, I'll get this unforeseen variable back to the lab and observation paddock. Thank you for your help with capturing it, Nick. Hopefully Sibo will not erupt as quickly as it seemed without this Baryonyx digging further into its side."

"True that. Alright, I'm going to go check on my raptors. Let me know of any developments." With a wave, Nick hurried himself out of the basement, hoping the Indoraptors weren't being trouble for the rest of the Raptor Forest staff, as well as Blue.

Meanwhile, Raptor Paddock..

Boys! Called Blue through the exercise forest, looking for the mischievous duo that was Ichigo and Naruto. She had lost sight of the two just minutes before and knew the two hybrids would most likely be doing something they shouldn't.

Mama Blue, Mama Blue! I think they went to the grazing clearing. Spoke up little Sakura from her spot just behind her.

Blue let out a short hiss in annoyance at the nickname all the younger raptors in the combined pack had given her when they had first entered the paddock. It had grown on her, but she didn't like feeling older than she really was. Of course they are. Come, Sakura, we'll go get your idiot brothers.

Barking out a small laugh, the smaller pink Indoraptor followed the pack Beta through their forested enclosure in search of her brothers.

Coming upon the clearing, Ichigo and Naruto were, surprisingly, curled up with one another sleeping in the sunlight. Blue shook her muzzle, barking a wake up call for the two young raptors. Instantly, Ichigo's head shot up and looked at Blue. Mama Blue! We weren't doing anything bad!

That may be, but I have been calling for you both for what seems like hours. The handlers are moving us into the transportation crates today. Blue lengthily barked back.

Why are we being moved? Does papa not want us anymore? Asked Sakira sadly.

Blue let out a small laugh. No, my dear. I don't know exactly why, but I heard your papa saying that all the animals on the island were being moved. That includes all of us. Now come Ichigo, Naruto, we have to be in the main paddock area soon.

Ichigo, still groggy, chirped out a yawn. Coming, Mama Blue. He replied as him, Naruto and Sakura followed Blue out of the clearing.

Once back at the main area of the paddock, Blue nudged each of the smaller raptors into one of the two crates. The one they went into was the much bigger one which meant that the adolescents would be in that crate while Blue would have a smaller, but still cozy, crate to herself. The young ones didn't mind, they knew they had to behave if they were being moved, all the hybrids and standard raptors alike. After everyone was safely crated up, the Jurassic World workers there called for a transport team to come and bring the raptors to the island they would soon be calling a more permanent home.

Northern Docks..

The ruined dock area was surprisingly sturdy as the mercenaries unloaded from their ship. They each wore a tactical vest, khaki in material, or something similar. On the right shoulder was a symbol, open jaws of the Smilodon, or the Sabre-toothed Cat, and on each of their earpieces was the name Mantah Corp. In red against the black of the devices. These men were their own hunting party, but these mercs weren't after the kill. No, their mission was to nab as many dinosaurs as they could while the JW workers were evacuating for their boss, taking the pilfered dinos to another island somewhere in the vicinity for their own purposes.

The leader of the mercenaries, Ken Morgan, hummed as the men walked through the jungle, hoping to pick up any straggling dinosaurs in the still-abandoned part of Isla Nublar. This should be a cakewalk. Ain't no way those suits are going to use unnecessary resources to grab whatever assets are still out in this part of the island. Better for them to get rid of the excess with this coming eruption. He looked towards the canopy, where he could see traces of the black plume of smoke emanating from Mt. Sibo's summit. Better yet to us. Soon, Kash and the boss will have all the little test subjects they need. Although why they need the ones from this island is anyone's guess, they most likely have the DNA on record for them to make their own. Ken heard a branch snap to his right, his rifle sights snapping into position as he signaled for his men to stop and assess the area. It was going to be a long couple of days, it seemed.

A/N: Hi everyone! So damn sorry I'm late as hell in a handbasket, but that's life and job changes and no time to really write. I've been sitting on this chapter, most of it at least, for a good year or two, just couldn't find the right direction for the second part of this two-parter. And yes, Camp Cretaceous is amazing and I have to use Mantah for some shenanigans. I'm trying to get back into writing and for that end, I am writing my stories two at a time, my most current Five Nights series fics which are okay I mean I like what I've written lmao and with that I am working on other stories like this, and next is my admittedly failing Danny Phantom story to get an update.. maybe. Might be another one if I manage to figure out the plot of whichever story I decide first lol. But most of my stories aren't abandoned I'm just so sorry it took so long.