Everything was painfully stiff. His eyes still closed, Owen tried to roll over, but found that he couldn't. The headache pounding through his skull only made things worse. He let out a raspy groan, wishing that he could just go back to sleep until the pain and discomfort subsided.
Despite many protests from his body, his mind was already beginning to wake up, trying to piece together what was going on and why he felt so bad. He remembered the jungle, hunting with the pack. Hoskins.
His eyes shot open as the last things he remembered flooded back into his mind. Groaning deeply, he pushed himself into a seated position. The air was warm and stale around him as he sat up, mentally taking note of his aches and pains.
Someone had left him on the couch in the paddock's outbuilding. Owen sat on the couch for several minutes not wanting to move. His chest and stomach felt the worst. His abdomen felt uncomfortably stiff and any real movement felt like he was getting the wind knocked out of him.
Finally he got to his feet shakily and made his way over to the bathroom. When the light flicked on, his reflection looked normal, with the exception of the exhausted bags under his eyes.
Before he could look himself over any further, he felt his gut rise uncomfortably and it was all he could do to reach the toilet before he wretched over the porcelain bowl.
Feeling a little better, he stood and lifted his shirt in front of the mirror. Two angry red welts sat parallel to each other just above his navel. The puffy redness around them, spread several inches in diameter and it was all tender to his touch. With a slight wince, he lowered his shirt and stepped out of the bathroom. His fists clenching into tight balls.
The first thing he did when he stepped out of the outbuilding was track down the nearest A.C.U. officer. It wasn't hard since a pair was stood just outside the gates to paddock number one. As he approached, the guard on the right stepped forward, raising a hand to Owen's chest.
"Take me to Hoskins." Owen hissed.
The guard's hand dropped and he stepped back with a nod before pulling his radio, opening the channel with a click.
"We've got Mr. Grady here looking for Mr. Hoskins."
Garbled static played through the tiny speakers before a sharp voice responded "Copy that."
With click of affirmation, the radio went silent and the guards escorted Owen to an InGen SUV parked nearby.
The thirty minute ride across the island did little to calm the trainer down. The ride itself was made in silence as Owen sat in the back of the truck replaying exactly what had happened in the clearing and wincing at every bump that set off pain in his sore body. Surprisingly, they passed the park control center and laboratory behind, driving for another five minutes before parking at a small nondescript building only marked with a single InGen logo on the front door.
The A.C.U. officers showed him into the building and left without a word. A secretary greeted him kindly, pointing him to the office he was looking for. With barely a grunt of acknowledgement, Owen marched his way toward his target before throwing the door open with a little more force than he admittedly intended.
"Mr. Grady, take a seat, we were just waiting for you to arrive."
Dr. Wu's voice caused the young man to pause, but only just. Deciding to ignore the geneticist, Owen stormed across the room toward the belligerent man seated across the table.
"What the hell Hoskins! Where the hell do you get off? I was helping your men and you saw fit to taze me?!"
The Larger man stood eyeing the handler dangerously. "Helping my men? You pointed a rifle at them! I would imagine that a decorated sailor like yourself would know better than that!" the man snarled loudly.
Before either party could continue however, Dr. Wu addressed Owen firmly. "Mr. Grady, if you value your job and your animals, then I expect you to sit down so we can discuss this as civilized men."
Owen took a step back and stared at the doctor, processing what he had just said. Finally after a couple seconds, he let his hands unclench and pull out the nearby chair. He settled into the plush seat with a stiff grunt and stared expectantly at the two men sitting before him.
Dr. Wu waited for nearly a full minute before he finally broke his gaze to glance down at the documents laying before him. Clearing his throat slightly he calmly addressed the trainer.
"Mr. Grady. Your work over the past few months has been quite satisfactory and your reports have given much valuable insight into Velociraptor behavior and development. Although the other trainers in this experiment have made significant headway into training their animals, I appreciate the steady thoroughness in your methods.
I am aware that your methods are slower than the others, and you have only just begun to really experiment with the trainability of Velociraptors. Your recent actions however are beginning to worry myself and InGen's board of directors."
Owen opened his mouth to speak but Dr. Wu cut him off.
"Mr. Grady, just listen right now. What I am about to say is important and I need you to understand just the situation that you have gotten yourself into.
Now, you are aware that you have violated numerous policies and regulations during your time on Isla Nublar. Are you not?" Owen nodded quietly. "Policies that have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of any staff or visitors on this island.
I have in front of me, a file containing the incident reports that have been filed regarding your behavior. Discounting minor policy violations, two large breaches of protocol are sitting in the documents before me and I am aware of a third that was not reported. Tell me, Mr. Grady, how many violations does Masrani Global tolerate before terminating their employees?"
"Three?"
"One, Mr. Grady. Only one mistake is needed for any employee to be removed from Jurassic World. This island has an unfortunate history as I'm sure you may have heard. Masrani Global and InGen are working hard to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
Luckily for you, you are an InGen employee. Because of this, Mr. Hoskins has not informed Masrani Global of these violations. Instead, he wisely brought this matter to me for further discussion. We have already settled the matter with InGen's board of directors and now we would like to discuss it with you."
"Wait, Vic kept me from getting fired?" Owen asked, giving a skeptical look to the Head of Security.
"Indeed, in fact if it weren't for both of our appeals, the InGen board of directors would have voted on terminating your employment."
Owen stared at them blankly, the words not quite processing before he finally blurted "Why?"
The large security officer sat up in his seat and ran his hand through his hair. "To put it simply. InGen does not like to lose assets. If you were to be fired, then InGen would lose you, your work, and your raptors. Don't get me wrong, I don't like you. Your actions and methods are unconventional and have repeatedly made my life and the lives of my men more difficult; but even I can see the progress you made during your excursion. None of the other trainers have been able to work with their raptors the way you demonstrated yesterday. If that's not an acceptable answer to you, then consider it my apology for going a touch too far with you yesterday."
Owen nodded stiffly. It was likely the best answer he would get from the large man. "Wait, what happens to the raptors if I'm fired?"
Dr. Wu paused, watching Owen briefly before responding. "The research being done by yourself and the other handlers is a joint effort being managed by both Masrani Global and InGen. The work is serving a dual purpose. Masrani Global is hoping to determine whether or not Velociraptors can be trained for future attractions within Jurassic World.
InGen's purpose is more pure. We are hoping to determine whether or not these animals can be trained and if we can isolate the genes that produce more trainable specimens. We are hoping that the research you provide us will help us make more stable and trainable dinosaurs in the future.
If you are forcibly removed from this experiment then your research will be considered invalid and the assets you were given will be disposed of."
"Wait you would just kill the raptors?"
"We would not, no. Just like your reports, your animals could still be of use to future InGen research without your presence. Masrani Global on the other hand, is uninterested in the continued care of a 'failed' experiment. They have no desire to keep unusable assets. Unfortunately, as the contract stands, InGen owns the process of creating these animals while Masrani Global owns the living creatures themselves."
"They would really just kill one of their animals?"
"It pains me every time I see it, but yes they do if it serves them no purpose. You must understand Mr. Grady, I am just the geneticist; I make these animals according to the late Dr. Hammond's wishes. InGen does have some minor rights to them of course, but Masrani Global is the owner and financial force behind caring for the animals.
This is the real reason I wanted to speak to you Mr. Grady. At my request, InGen's board of directors and their lawyers have drawn up a solution that I believe would be a benefit to both of us.
As the primary handler for your raptors, your position allows you say in the continued care of your animals. In short, your position owns a small amount of stock with Masrani Global regarding the animals you care for. This means that you may request changes in their care, handling, and dispatch. Again, this is only a small amount of control over daily operations, but it is still something.
As Mr. Hoskins stated, InGen does not like to lose assets, especially ones that show promise. This is why we want you to sign over your intentions of care to InGen. The documents that we have prepared will legally declare your desire for the Velociraptors in your care remain with InGen and their employees regardless of the experiment's outcome."
Owen stared at the small stack of papers that Vic had slid to him while Dr. Wu was speaking. The trainer chewed on his lip thoughtfully. "So this will protect my raptors regardless of the final outcome?"
"Nothing is guaranteed, Mr. Grady. Your signature will give InGen legal power to pursue the protection of your animal's lives at experiment's conclusion or your termination. And I can assure you, we have no desire to kill your raptors. I knit their genes together myself and put even more effort into the one you call Blue. I will not let an investment like that go to waste."
As Dr. Wu finished his statement, Owen ran the pen across the paper before him in a scratchy signature. His gut was churning and flipping. He was unsure if it was the unease at how Masrani apparently handled their animals, or if it was an aftershock of the electric goad. He did know one thing though, if it protected his girls, he would do it.
Sliding the papers back across the table he asked the question that was next on his list. "What about me?"
Taking the signed documents, Dr. Wu looked to the young man across the table from him. "In light of your cooperation, I think Mr. Hoskins and I can ensure that these infractions are never reported to Masrani Global. Your excursion into the research zone was authorized by Vic when you noticed something wrong. You returned a little beat up, but having made significant progress in your work."
Vic reached out and slid the file containing Owen's infraction reports across the table and into a small metal trash can that he held in his other hand. Pulling his lighter out of his pocket, he lit the corner of one sheet and set the trashcan next to an open window by the desk.
The three of them watched the manila envelope burn until there was nothing but charred remains.
Dr. Wu was the first to stand "Well if that is all, then I must be getting back to my l-"
"Why me? Why go through all this trouble for me?" Owen asked suddenly. "Why not just get my signature and fire my ass?"
"Did you not hear me earlier? You are an asset Mr. Grady. One that I have invested in quite heavily, or did you think that your raptors patched you up after you were dragged out of your paddock a few months ago. Now I have invested even more into you and your work. So please, don't mess it up."
Having said his piece, Henry Wu stood and walked calmly out of the large office, leaving Owen and Vic sitting at the table. Vic rolled his eyes and slid over to his desk leaving Owen sitting at the table, lost in thought.
"Get out of my office Mr. Grady, I have work to do and unless you want to help my men clean up the herbivore transport rig, then I suggest you go find your father."
"My father?"
"Yes, he checked in at the resort last night."
"Really? Why is he here?"
"Because he's a father, and they generally come looking when the chief of security calls to inform them that their son may be dead. Seriously, he insisted. Go find him and get the hell out of my office."
Sure enough, John Grady was sitting in the lobby of the park's Hilton Resort. As Owen walked through the doors, his father put down the brochure he had been looking at and greeted his son with a tight hug.
A pained cough escaped his lips, but he wrapped his arms around his old man and returned the greeting. His father was the first to speak.
"I'm glad you're okay, son. What the hell happened?"
"It's a long story, dad."
A single graying eyebrow raised at Owen's response "Well, what did you think I came here just to go back home? I may need to leave before the office misses me too much, but I've got some time."
Owen let out a light-hearted groan.
"Look, I'm fine. I'm sorry I made you worry, but I've gotten everything cleared up now."
"Is that why you're walking like you just crawled out of a boxing ring?"
"Dad it's nothing, just got a little beat up on the job, that's all."
"Son, cut the shit. 50,000 volts is a bit more than your standard job hazards."
Owen let out another groan, he wasn't getting away from this. "You know someone on A.C.U. don't you?"
A hearty chuckle escaped the older man's mouth and his hand absently pulled at the short white beard sitting on his face. "Told me that you went down like a sack of potatoes." His face hardened as he fixed a glare on his son. "What the hell were you thinking? Pulling a gun on another person? Were you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Dad, stop. Look, can we talk about this when we're not in public. How about I go grab us a car and we can get a bite to eat. We can talk about this on the way."
"No, I want to see your raptors first. I need to see what's making my son act like a careless fool."
"Dad, I don't think this is a good idea, I'm not even sure that you can go with me."
"Relax, your friend Vic had me sign a small book of agreements the moment I stepped foot on the island. Even got a fancy key card for all the trouble."
xxxxxxxxxx
"So you stepped in front of a firing squad for these animals, and had the balls to raise your weapon right back?" The words slipped coolly from his father's mouth and Owen had to glance over to the passenger seat in order to gauge what his father was thinking.
The older man's face was weathered and his jaw was square set. It gave the man hard features that could intimidate anyone who didn't know him. Owen however could see the faintest line of a smile hiding beneath the gray-white mustache.
The drive to the paddock had consisted mostly of Owen filling his dad in on everything that had happened from the start. John Grady had listened quietly, only interjecting when he needed clarification, but now as they neared paddock number one, Owen could see his father processing everything he had just said.
He looked like he was about to speak, but the SUV rounded the corner, arriving at cliffside paddock. A sharp, long whistle came from his father's lips as he took in the paddock for the first time. Owen felt a slight grin grow on his lips as he parked next to the outbuilding.
The afternoon sun was still high in the sky when the two men stepped out of the car and headed toward the large enclosure. When they finally stepped onto the catwalks, Owen took his comfortable spot leaning on the interior railing and looking in. his father quickly followed suit mirroring his sons posture and looking out into the jungle foliage that concealed the back of the paddock.
With a sharp whistle, Owen hoped to draw his girls out and get a good look at them. He knew Barry would take care of them, but he hadn't seen them since they had been tranquilized. Unsurprisingly, Blue was the first to make her way out of the underbrush. Each foot hit the ground with a heavy thud as she rushed toward the familiar noise. Sliding to a stop, the raptor made eye contact with him, digging her sharp talons into the dirt and giving a welcoming purrl.
He could see a warm recognition in her eyes, and she eagerly began to pace around the clearing, keeping her eyes locked onto him. Glancing away only briefly, she released a series of barks that he knew would draw the other girls into the clearing.
Sure enough, the others followed soon enough. The three raptors ambled into the clearing below them. Echo and Delta acknowledged the humans above them only briefly before quickly getting bored and turning to explore the nearby bushes for any treats. Charlie was the last to arrive making her way over more slowly, taking her time but moving steadily on her feet and not showing much sign on the injury he knew she must still be recovering from.
Now that he could see them, a sense of anxiety that he hadn't noticed seemed to dissolve around him. All four of his girls had cleaned up nicely. Barry and the vets had done impeccable jobs making sure that each cut had been inspected and dealt with accordingly. The cobalt streaks on Blue's back seemed to shine in the afternoon sun. Delta, Echo and Charlie seemed to be cleaned up as well, their colors more distinct against the shredded bark and dirt that made up the flooring of the enclosure. Sparing a quick glance toward his father, he saw a small smile on the older man's face.
He took a step over, checking the nearby bucket for any treats he might give his girls. A smile quickly emerged on his face and he silently thanked Barry for setting up their afternoon training session early. Pulling four half frozen rats from the bucket he gave a sharp click of his tongue and tossed each raptor a treat. Each frozen treat was quickly snatched from the air or off the ground, three raptors emitting excited cheeps that they reserved only for rewards handed out by the trainers. Blue however ignored the treat and even let Echo swoop in and inhale the tasty morsel. Her eyes remained fixed on the trainer stood fifteen feet above her.
Owen turned towards the fixated raptor and when she knew she had gotten his attention, she moved away from him, hugging closely to the wall. After a few paces, she turned and gave him a bark, her tail twitching impatiently.
Rolling his eyes, Owen waved to his dad and muttered a quick promise that he would be right back. Turning, he began to follow the raptor below him. The perimeter check took almost no time at all, but it still left him gripping his gut painfully as his stiff muscles protested at the sudden work.
Blue seemed placated for the time and rejoined the other raptors, taking up a comfortable position lying next to Charlie.
"You imprinted that one?" His father spoke, quietly motioning to Blue.
"Yes sir."
"She's well socialized, acts almost normal around the others."
"Almost?" Owen glanced down at his imprinted girl.
"Yeah, she still checks on you every few seconds, but otherwise, the others seem to accept her readily enough." Sure enough Blue glanced briefly at him before nosing lazily in the dirt.
"Yeah, she fought hard to earn that acceptance. Now she's pack alpha." Owen's voice dropped to a quiet whisper, a creeping sense of failure tinging his voice.
"That upsets you?"
"A little, how am I supposed to successfully train them if I'm not the leader of the pack?"
His father remained quiet for almost a minute as he watched the animals below him. Finally he glanced over to his son. "I don't know much about packs, but I've worked with plenty of raptors throughout my life and I see many bird traits in your animals. I know you know this, it shows in the way that you've trained them so far. But I want to remind you of a few things. Consider it food for thought if nothing else." He leaned back onto the railing, speaking out into the open air.
"We falconers are a proud bunch. We successfully train the best aerial predators in the world, but it's easy to forget that we don't actually train them very much. Everything we put into them is meant to build trust. Despite every effort we make to train a bird of prey, it is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount that they train us. We think that we are leading them, but they lead us more often than not. We may convince them to come to a whistle or chase after a prey item they normally won't hunt, but they in turn train us to beat the bushes, brave the thorns and the briars, and follow them through the toughest terrain in search for game. We protect them and give them all the care we can muster. Sure, they share their catch with us, but everything is on their terms. If they wanted to, they could leave on the next available thermal and there is nothing we could do about it.
Your girls are smarter than our birds, I can see it right now. If they really have let you into their pack, then don't take that for granted, even if you aren't the alpha. All I know about packs is what your mother has said, I never studied them like her, but I do listen when speaks. Packs like this are Not for life. They are relationships like any other familial bond. They require effort and loyalty to make everything run smoothly and if what you are saying is true, then your girls are going to require a more fluid relationship than a simple alpha pairing.
When I'm hunting, my hawk leads me as much as I lead him. Our perspectives are different and the key is to learn when your perspective is right and when it is not. Sometimes you will need to lead and other times you will need to follow. They will train you Owen, but in return, they will let you train them. Be open to it, but know when to put your foot down and assume leadership. Eventually, they will respect your input regardless of your rank in their pack."
Owen's father paused and let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair as he watched the blue streaked raptor get up and duck into the foliage.
"I know they asked you to imprint her Owen, but don't let yourself forget what she is. Remember how tricky imprints can be. The only true thing an imprinted animal receives is another string to pull them one way or the other. We give them our identity and expect them to cope with the world. You've socialized her well, and according to you, it seems that she has bonded with you nicely.
Just don't forget that imprinting is never the same thing as taming. That raptor may look to you for all her support, but she is not yours. She will always belong to her instinct. No matter how you train her, teach her, or socialize her. She will always submit to her instinct above all else.
Her own identity is a small part of herself, a frail line to rely on if you hope to work with her safely. Her pack, her partners, are a safer line, and you are a part of that line now. But the strongest string that will pull on her at every turn will always be her instinct. Be aware of it and Beware of it. If you need her to respond without fail, then you will need to appeal to that alone."
With that, his father finished speaking and the paddock descended back into natural quiet of an afternoon. Father and son watched a pack of raptors lounging below and Owen was left to chew on the words spoken to him.