SAN JOSE AIRPORT
APRIL 18th, 1993
1247 HOURS
Edward Stone and Jessica Roberts joined the mass exodus from their aircraft. As always, the airport was full of impatient and rude individuals. Stone had noticed a passenger yelling at a flight attendant over a missing bag, and couldn't help but feel sorry for the woman. Jessica had seen worse, in the form of a father publicly dragging his child to the bathroom for a whipping. The sight of that made Jessica happy that she had a kind and loving family. Obviously, not everyone was as lucky.
The duo continued on, carrying their large suitcases behind them. The men working security checkpoints gave them strange looks whenever they passed through, chiefly because of the instruments inside the bags. The two scientists didn't mind though; they could care less if others saw them as nerds or geeks. In the end, who was benefiting humanity more? That question always reassured them. Finally, after a good ten minutes of passports, metal detectors, and gazing eyes, the pair of scientists came to a stop.
"Aright…" Stone said, taking a small index card out of his jacket pocket. "We're supposed to get a ride on a helicopter that's waiting for us at the end of the runway. It says here that some Regis guy is supposed to meet us outside the entrance to the airport. Then we get on the chopper, and it takes us out to Isla Nublar." When he looked back up, he noticed Jessica had already gotten a head start. She was eager, he could tell that much. Stone let out a sigh, and ran to catch back up with Jessica.
"Come on, why so slow?" She joked as she ran. Jessica couldn't wait to get to Isla Nublar, she had been promised something about rare animals. She remembered the phone call, the one that placed her in this great position. It was relatively short for most business calls, but it was enough to catch her interest. She remembered it clearly. It was late at night, around 11:40 PM. She had just finished brushing her teeth, and was about to hop in her bed. As she walked over to do so, the phone rang unexpectedly. The thought about letting it ring, but something told her to answer it. She did just that.
"Hello?" She had said.
"Is this Jessica Roberts?" She stood there for a second. The voice sounded like a man in his 30's or 40's, but she didn't recognize it. Not many people knew about her or her work, how did this person know? Had they met?
"Yes, may I ask who's calling?"
"This is Doctor Henry Wu, I'm with International Genetics, or InGen. We're a genetics company currently based on a small island off Costa Rica. We'd like to offer you a job here." Again, Jessica had been taken aback. A job opening, at a genetics facility of all places? She wasn't one of the leading geneticists, in fact, she was only an intermediate.
"Mister… Wu, is it? Look, I'm not a great geneticist. Barely know anything about that field compared to other people. I'm an animal behavioralist, not a-"
"Ma'am, we're looking for you. You've got qualities we need. You're two things in one, a geneticist and animal behavioralist. We need both of those and you've got 'em. "Jessica was stumped. The least she could do was ask for more info on what kind of stuff she would be doing.
"Can you give me details about what I'd be doing?"
"I'm not at liberty to say everything, but I can list some things for you. You'll be working along some of the most brilliant men and women of the century, studying some of the most advanced creatures this world has ever known. Nobody has ever had an opportunity to study these animals, you'd be first. Also, we'd give you enough money to go back to college and get a degree. The pay rate is quite high." The pros of the offer seemed too good to be true! How could she pass up such an opportunity? Jessica would have to be crazy to let it go. She was quick to respond this time.
"I'd be glad to take up your offer."
"That's good to hear. We'll call soon and set up the business aspect." The man had then gone into the details of how to arrive at Isla Nublar. Now, running through the halls of San Jose airport, her dreams were soon to come true. Stone had finally caught up with Jessica, and the two of them ran quickly (less so in Stone's case) towards the front door. As the two rounded a corner, it came into view. They could see three men standing outside, likely Regis and the other two geneticists. Jessica was going to run right out there, but Stone grabbed onto her arm and stopped her. She looked back at him with a smirk, as the two stood there panting.
"Let's make a nice impression, shall we?" He said, straightening his collar and glasses. She sighed to that. Jessica took a few deep breaths, and stepped slowly out the front doors alongside Stone. The three men before them were chatting, but they one by one turned to face the new arrivals. The first one, which she assumed to be Regis, seemed like your average American. He sported a baseball cap on his head, with a pair of aviator sunglasses and a tropical themed shirt. He was average sized in height, and skinny. He smiled at the two as they stepped out.
"You must be Ed Regis." Stone said, walking up and shaking the man's hand in a friendly manner. Regis nodded, a smile spread across his face.
"And I assume you're Doctor Stone? " He said, getting a simple "yes" in response. His gaze then shifted to Jessica, the smile widening.
"And you must be Jessica Roberts? Pleasure to meet you ma'am." Regis looked at Stone, and then back to Jessica.
"I didn't realize you two were-"
"No, we just met." The two said simultaneously, interrupting Regis. The man chuckled to himself, and turned to introduce the two men behind him. One was a tall, muscular, and goateed man in his 30's, who hailed from some Asian country. The other was American as well, and looked around the same age as Stone. He was about as tall as Regis, though a little chubbier. It still wasn't really noticeable; he seemed rather fit. Regis introduced the Asian man first, Stone and Jessica shaking his hand.
"Doctor Stone, Miss Roberts, this is Mister Kinugami Rosa." Rosa sported a friendly, inviting smile, and Stone took a liking to him immediately.
"What's your field of work?" Stone asked Rosa. The man scratched his goatee with a lovely smile, and released Stone's hand from his grip.
"I'm a neurosurgeon formerly working in Atlanta, as well as a part time paleontologist." The man replied. Stone couldn't help but find it interesting how many fields InGen seemed to be needing. Neurosurgeons, paleontologists, animal behavioralists, and geneticists. What did they need all these people for? Stone had barely finished asking himself the question when Regis introduced the last man.
"Doctor Stone, Miss Roberts, this is-"
"I know who he is." Stone interrupted Regis. The geneticist couldn't believe who stood before him. In the flesh, looking at him with a smile, was his good friend Eli Richmond. Eli had been with him in College and High School; the two of them had basically grown up together. After College, they had pursued different careers. While Stone had gone into genetics, Richmond had pursued a career in computer engineering. What kept them in the same boat, however, was their love for all thing dinosaurs.
"Eddie, you still got that Spino model we built as kids?" Eli asked. He had a heartwarming voice, one that would appeal to children. Eli's personality was a good one, being a very kindhearted person.
"Still got it on my bookshelf." Stone replied with a chuckle. The two hugged as only childhood friends would, letting Regis know that no more introduction was required. The baseball cap-toting man stood impatiently on his toes, waiting for the reunion to end. When it did, he was quick to get things moving.
"Well," he said, "Since everyone seems to know each other now, how's about we get to the helicopter? I'm sure you all would like to meet Doctor Wu." Everyone nodded, and Regis beckoned them to follow him. The American man led them to their helicopter, which Stone found strange. It was solid green, with black claw marks painted in. The edge of a large, circular logo was visible, but the inside was covered up. It seemed to Stone that the company was hiding something. He dismissed the image, and stepped into the helicopter alongside the others. All that now stood between the four comrades and a new future was a 2 hour helicopter flight.
ISLA NUBLAR (LANDING PAD B)
APRIL 18th, 1993
1503 HOURS
Jessica kissed the ground as she stepped out of the helicopter. While she did so, Stone got his first glimpse of Isla Nublar from ground level. It had seemed rather small from the helicopter window when compared to the massive blue expanse surrounding it. Now, up close and personal, the island seemed massive. The helipad was only a dot, surrounded from all sides my mountainous jungle. The natural walls stood like sentinels, guarding the island from invaders. They were covered in dense jungle vegetation, filling Stone's vision up with nothing but green. It was truly an impressive island.
"So," Stone's attention was now directed to Regis, now stepping out of the helicopter as well. "There's a jeep waiting for us, it'll take you to the visitor's center. Henry's waiting for you." The other two scientists now joined Stone, while Jessica gathered her bearings. Regis led them to a jeep, painted with a unique color scheme. The base color was a cream-white, with two red stripes coming at a vertical angle under the windshield and in front of the rear tires. It had a roll cage, painted a dark tan color. Once again, there was an emblem. Unlike the helicopter, however, this emblem was uncovered. For the first time, Stone could see the company he would be working for.
The emblem showed the unmistakable skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, black against a red background. Underneath it were the words "JURASSIC PARK." Only now did the pieces begin to fit together for Stone. The need for geneticists, animal behavioralists, and paleontologists all made sense now. Stone cupped his hands over his face and took a deep breath.
"Oh my God…" Eli came up behind him, and noticed the "aha" moment he was having. He put his hand around Stone's shoulder, causing the stunned geneticist to spin around and face Eli.
"They're making dinosaurs."
"What?" Stone pointed at the emblem on the jeep, and Richmond stared at it for several seconds.
"I still don't get what you're going at." Stone let out a massive sigh.
"Don't you see? They're asking for geneticists, paleontologists, animal behavioralists, and neuroscientists. They're working on a remote island, where nobody can snoop on development. They're making a friggin' dinosaur zoo." A massive smile spread across Richmond's face.
"Ed, this is the greatest job we'll ever have."
"Definitely."
JURASSIC PARK GENETICS LAB
APRIL 18th, 1993
1527 HOURS
Henry Wu sat at his desk in the genetics lab, looking over some very important documents. One was a chart, showing Jurassic Park's dinosaur count over the past two weeks. The numbers were good, except for the fact that a Dilophosaur had died from a strange virus that only the animals could catch. Wu's men were working hard on a solution to the problem, and were almost done with an injection to eradicate it. Everything was going well, and if things continued the way they were, Jurassic Park would open within the next five years.
Wu was startled by a knock on the door. He took his eyes off the paper and looked up to see Muldoon, leaning against the door frame. The man had a frown on his face, as well as a few scratches that seemed new. He was drenched in sweat, and Wu could easily see he was upset. As if to further along this appearance, Muldoon was tapping his foot impatiently on the floor.
"There was another accident." Muldoon said. Wu picked up his pen, and looked down to finish signing memos. Muldoon could easily see that he didn't seem to find it important.
"This stuff happens all the time, Robert. This isn't a petting zoo; it's a park full of dangerous animals." Muldoon grew impatient with Wu. We had never seen firsthand what an "accident" looked like. Only Muldoon knew just how tragic and terrifying these occurrences were.
"Try saying that to the kid's mum." Wu looked back up at Muldoon, showing that he had gotten his attention.
"Kid?"
"He couldn't have been more than twenty, Henry." Wu put his head in his hands, and breathed a long sigh before meeting Muldoon's stare.
"Robert, you have to understand something. These animals are incredibly dangerous. Accidents like this are bound to happen. I'm trusting Arnold's fences to keep us safe, and he hasn't let us down."
"Bollocks! If there is a single weak point in that fence, they'll exploit it. They're smart, cunning little buggers."
"You think too highly of them. They're just animals." Muldoon was taken aback by that statement. Henry could see that the Australian was about to explode, and braced.
"Animals? Do you honestly think that? Henry, you helped create the devils! You've seen that they're intelligent, and yet you refuse to admit that they're unpredictable. Face it, they are. You can contain them, but they'll try to escape. You can try to tame them, but they'll just bite your hand off. Who am I kidding, you wouldn't know. You haven't seen them up close and personal; you haven't seen what they can do." Muldoon took a deep breath. He was about to speak again, when Ed Regis stepped into the doorway.
"I see you've been having a nice discussion." He said, looking at Muldoon. The burly man simply frowned before turning and walking out. Wu slumped back in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks Ed."
"No problem. Hey, your guests are here. I left em' out in the visitor center." Wu's mood suddenly seemed to lighten.
"Ah, I'll go right away and greet them."
"They seem like a friendly bunch." But Wu didn't hear Regis. Nor did he really care, either. He was too busy rushing out the door, anxious to meet the men and women who determined whether or not his little project would succeed or fail.
Author's Note:
Sorry if this chapter was a little bit short; I didn't want to keep going for fear of spoiling the next chapter. Also, these updates might become rarer. School is starting again soon, and my writing time will be knocked back pretty badly. I'm not abandoning this, however. I enjoy writing this, and you can guarantee that I'll continue.