The rain showered from the ground that night in Patagonia, sounding like small rocks as they hit every solid surface. Claire Dearing stood below the large awning that stood out for at least 20 cubic feet. She stood there, watching the rain fall outside of her team's worksite.
It was not just watching the rain that had held her in place at that moment. It was the many memories that were encased in her mind. They buzzed around in her head like a swarm of flies trapped inside a glass jar. Just so, they were all over the place, trying to find some way out.
She could remember when she started this business. It was over three years ago when she first founded the Dinosaur Protection Group, a mere five months after the fall of Jurassic World. Before all that, she only viewed the Dinosaurs as a means to an end. She barely held any real regard for them, her only concern was of the income she was receiving because of it.
And yet, she still believed there was room for improvement. And to be honest, there was. But in Claire's mind, improvement had one name.
The Indominus Rex.
Now that was one of the more painful memories that were imprinted in her mind. It felt like it was welded onto her brain, stuck there permanently. She wanted to expand the asset lineup and ensure the future of John Hammond's dream.
It was only when things began to unravel that she truly saw the horrors which she had created. When the Indominus got out, the world began to show its true colors to her deluded lifestyle. She could well remember watching an unfortunate Apatosaurus slowly succumb to the injuries which were given to it by the merciless hybrid. Only then did she see that these were living, breathing creatures. Not only that, they were her responsibility. With both Hammond and Masrani dead, the future of the Dinosaurs was now in her hands.
And that was why she was fighting this fight. She wanted to provide these animals a new future to look forward to. Something she had failed to do the first time around. This was a new world after all, so why not?
She then turned from her train of thought and walked past the many work tables. The closest woman began to follow close behind her.
"What's the scope today, Zia?" Claire asked her.
"We've received a report that a family in Texas had a little encounter with a Styracosaurus in their car," Zia answered. "No one was killed, thank god. But the Father was pretty banged up though. He'll be alright. "
"Still," Claire sighed. "We need people to be open to these Dinosaurs. And how can they vouch for them when they're in a cast?'
"Hey uh, Claire?" A man slightly younger than she walked up.
"What is it, Franklin?"
"Uh, you weren't expecting anyone today, were you?' Franklin asked.
"Why?"
"There's some lady here to see you. Sattler, I think was her name."
"Ellie Sattler," Claire repeated. "That's our new receptionist."
"Wait a minute." Zira seemed surprised at the name these two had just mentioned. "Sattler, as in Dr. Sattler from the first park? Didn't she used to be a Paleontologist?"
"Paleobotanist." Franklin corrected. "The study of Prehistoric plants."
"So, she studies dinosaur plants?" Zia questioned sarcastically. "That's exciting."
"Guys," Claire addressed them both. "I think we ought to show our recruit some appreciation. After all, she's had more experience with these animals than us, she even knew Hammond himself."
"You think she could share some of that with us?" Zia asked.
"So long as you say please."
The three of them turned once hearing the new female voice. The blonde headed woman stood in the entrance before them, her hair wet from the rain outside. There was no doubt among them that this was the woman they had heard so much about recently.
~Later~
"At first, when I heard about this Dino-protection group, I wasn't exactly on board with it," Ellie confessed as she sat down with Claire, enjoying the beverages she had poured for them. "But that's when I remembered seeing the first one. The first Dinosaur, I mean."
"Which one was it?" Claire asked.
"Brachiosaurus," Ellie answered. "Long as I can remember, I thought about Dinosaurs as if they were some kind of disease, like something to avoid, you know? After my experience with them, I didn't want to go back. But doesn't everyone think that at first? Isn't that the first stage of grief? What is it?"
"Denial?" Franklin answered.
"Yes! Thank you." Ellie nodded. "You just want to deny anything that has to do with the subject at hand. But somehow, in one form or another, it just… comes back to you."
"I know the feeling." Claire nodded. "So, as I understand it, you want to help us protect them from human endangerment?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes," Ellie stated. "However, it may not be as easy as all that. As you can probably already tell, people at congress may not be up to par with this little venture. And that's why I've reached out to some old friends who also want to help fund your ventures."
"By friends, I assume you're referring to Dr. Grant and Dr. Malcolm," Claire said. "The same Dr. Malcolm who suggested the Dinosaurs be taken out by the volcano?"
"Minds can be changed."
That statement given by Ellie sent several messages personally to Claire's mind. Those five words seemed to be directed to Ellie, perhaps Dr. Grant, and, by extension, herself. It was like she knew what she had been through. At this point, Claire would not have been the least bit surprised if the whole world knew of it.
"Right," Claire said after the pause. "Very well, welcome aboard Dr. Sattler."
Ellie then raised her glass. "Here's to us."
Claire then touched her glass to Ellie's.
"Spare no expense."