A NEW HOPE
5 – Business at Hand
Another day, another meeting and one Simon Masrani wasn't looking too forward to. Not like he enjoyed meetings, anyway, but this one was one he anticipated to go sour really quickly. After an in-depth investigation into Dr. Grant's acclaims of there being illegal creating and breeding of animals on the islands, what Simon found was unsettling. The story was true. A science team led by an unnamed geneticist was authorized to proceed with pre-historic genetic research regarding several reconstructed DNA strands of various extinct animal species. One of those such animals was the Spinosaurus, among others that Simon couldn't immediately say if were or were not recreated. The 'research' occurred without the knowledge of the supervising officials of the Gene Guard Act and a few of the executives within InGen.
The coal color suited billionaire strode into the front glass doors of the InGen headquarters and past the front desk. No need to announce himself or ask for directions. Besides, he was already expected by the vice president of InGen, whom he felt he could trust. This particular individual had been indescribably helpful with the investigation, their knowing the who's who and how to work their way around the other company executives being quite useful. At first, Simon was hesitant to trust the vice president, given the executive board's involvement in seeing to the hiring and hunting down of Veronica. But further inquiry revealed that only a handful of executives that the then interim CEO Jonathon Stevens trusted attended the meeting. Others, including the now vice president of InGen who was then a much junior executive, were left out and told nothing of what the secret meeting what about.
Simon approached a tall, navy blue suited African American man appearing in his mid-forties, a sly smile stretching the corners of his salted goatee. "Mr. Masrani," the man welcomed, outstretching a hand for a friendly shake. His voice was deep to match his broad-shouldered frame.
"Mr. Winston." Simon accepted the extended hand and glanced around for that chance Mr. Stevens was nearby, watching. "Thank you for meeting with me."
"Anything I can do to help, sir." The two men proceeded to an elevator to take them to the upper floors of the building. "I just hope the damage from this can be undone. InGen already has a tarnished name. The fallback of bribing government officials to lie will only thicken the mud on its face."
They stepped into an empty cubicle and the desired floor button was selected. "Once I get to the absolute bottom of this and get all the details and names of those involved, I plan on publicly addressing the situation. There's more than just InGen's already damaged reputation to try and repair."
Mr. Winston nodded his head and watched the elevator floors tick by on a digital display. "How's the girl?"
"Doing good," Simon answered in a more relieved tone of voice. "Dr. Jacobs wants to have her come in next week for some blood testing and has expressed his desire she continue to do so on a quarterly basis."
"I would like to meet her, if I may. I've heard so much about her from survivors' reports of everything that she has done." Mr. Winston gave a sincere smile to the younger man. "I'd like to let her know that not everyone inside these company walls is her enemy."
Simon gave a single nod. "I will see what I can do."
The elevator doors opened to reveal the selected floor. Both men turned a corner and down a hallway that brought them to the office door belonging to Stevens. Neither Simon nor Mr. Winston gave care nor concern to Stevens' secretary trying to stop them from entering the office. Winston opened the door and stood aside, announcing, "You have a visitor, Johnathon."
Stevens, who was standing in front of his office's window wearing a very noticeable irked expression spat, "So I was informed by security at the front desk." Winston smirked as Simon entered the office. Stevens didn't bother putting on the professionalism façade and glowered.
Simon stopped six feet shy of the company president. "I'm sure you know why I'm here, Mr. Stevens."
"Go ahead and fire me but just know this, I did what I did to save this company from further ruin!"
"By bribing people in the American government to lie?! To deny the truth?! In a vain effort to save InGen from further ruin you have only ruined the reputation of a good man as a result!" Simon approached the man a bit more. "No, Mr. Stevens, I will not fire you. Not yet. But I will make an example of you this Tuesday morning during the next board meeting. I would not suggest being late nor absent for it, either. Should you try to leave town, just know there is no where you can go that associates of mine cannot find you. And should you think it a good idea to run your mouth pertaining to certain confidential business within InGen both past, present and future, I will personally see to it my legal team ruins you."
Stevens opened his mouth to respond, but couldn't think of anything to say. He was already in a deep enough hole. Anything else he had to say would worsen his situation. He cut his blue eyes down and snidely grinned. "Yes, sir."
Pet yawned. She could barely keep her eyes open at ten-thirty in the morning. For the past three days, Muldoon had been driving her nuts in finalizing the paddock plans. She dreaded how the weekend would go, seeing how the better part of the past week had been torturous. It got to the point where she didn't care where the dinosaurs were placed. "Put T-Rex here." She pointed to a spot just shy south of the visitor center.
Terrence scratched at his chin. "I thought that's where the Margaritaville was going to go. Or was that the Starbucks?"
The hybrid shrugged. "I don't know and I don't care. T-Rexes need love too. And margaritas...and maybe coffee." She stared lazily at the map. "I know I could use some coffee." Her gaze rolled upwards to Muldoon paying her no attention. "Want some coffee?"
"Sure."
Terrence huffed a laugh. "I wonder how many other Brits drink as much coffee as you? I thought it was sacrilege to drink anything other than tea." Muldoon stopped in his studying the map to glare at the man across the bar. "Hey, I'm just saying. It'd be like Pet actually eating a steak well done."
"Ew," replied the hybrid as she filled up the coffee pot with water. "Are you crazy?"
Terrence shrugged. "Maybe. A little."
Derek came out of the bunk room, wearing only his blue jeans and looked at Pet. "What's this about a dinosaur needing loving?"
Pet hung her head. "You're such a dip shit."
"You're such a tease." He poked her in the side and nudged her over to finish making the coffee. "I keep telling you to try those energy shots. They work a lot better than coffee."
Terrence laughed. "Last time she had one of those, she didn't sleep for almost two days!"
"I know, wasn't it funny? It was like a squirrel on a caffeine overdose!" Derek started measuring out the coffee grounds. "Or you without your Ritalin." Terrence's smile abruptly dropped. Pet smacking Derek on the shoulder caused him to spill half of the coffee grounds on the kitchen countertop. "Look what you made me do!"
Pet snorted. "Serves you right. Your mess so you clean it."
"You made me spill it!" He looked over to Muldoon. "Uncle Rob! Pet made me make a mess!"
"So, clean it," came the older man's impatient tone of voice.
Derek shook his head and went off on a mumbled rant while brushing off the grounds onto the floor. "I'll sweep it up in a minute."
A knock came at Quarantine's door, Pet answering it. It was Cheryl. "Hey. Something I can help you with?"
The brunette shyly smiled and gave a small wave. "Yeah, Billy asked me to come get you."
"Uh...okay. Did he say for what?" Cheryl shook her head, causing her brunette curls to bounce around her shoulders.
"Nope. Just asked if I'd come get you."
Pet gave an uncertain nod. "Okay." She tossed a look over her shoulder. "I'll be right back," and left the trailer. At least it got her away from the torture of helping set up paddock placements.
She followed Cheryl across the dig site and to where the proto-typer was kept. Damn having to show Derek how to operate it. He'd made himself a raptor resonating chamber, too, while she and the others were gone on Paul Kirby's awesome island adventure. Since returning, he would occasionally wake her in the middle of the night with it. At least, that was until she took it and hid it. Leave it to him to go look in her underwear drawer first to try and find it. Too bad for him. The look on Grant's face when he found it in his sock drawer, instead. The memory of made Pet smile.
As usual, Billy was on the proto-typer's computer and pulling up something else for the machine to replicate. Pet sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Does Alan know you're blowing more of his funding making toys?"
Billy answered without looking away from the computer. "Actually, this is for your money bags buddy."
"What..."
Billy nodded. "Yep. As soon as he found out we had one of these, the first thing he asked me to make were some miniature skull models. He wanted a children's education program at the new park where kids could go learn stuff about dinosaurs." He motioned with a side nod of his head to a folding table, off to the side, holding several small skulls roughly six inches in size. Pet could easily recognize a T-Rex, Spinosaur and Velociraptor skull. A closer examination revealed a Stegosaurus and Brachiosaur. "Can you think of anything else I can toss in there?"
Pet shrugged. "A raptor claw? Maybe an actual model of a Stego, but make it larger than six inches."
Billy chuckled. "I can't make things too big. That thing doesn't make anything over twelve inches. All I could afford to rent, at the time, was the cheapest available which also makes the smallest models. That resonating chamber-"
"Which one?" Pet interrupted.
Again, Billy laughed and so did Cheryl. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Uh huh..." The hybrid shook her head. "No offense to you, but why is Mr. Masrani asking us to make this stuff?" She picked up the T-Rex skull model and looked at it. "He has more than enough money to hire a higher end company to replicate better crafted stuff and on a larger scale. So why this shit hole?"
"Excuse me?" It was Grant. He had overheard what the woman said when walking into the tent. "My dig site is not a shit hole."
Pet gave him a playful smile. "I didn't mean it that way, babe. Although this place could use a little pepping up appearance wise. A bunch of these trailers need replacing. That relic of a museum truck, out there, needs a tune up and a new tire on the back right. It's almost bald! The air conditioning doesn't work and-" She stopped, weakly smiling at the unenthused look she was receiving.
Billy snickered. "So basically, a shit hole."
Pet nudged Billy in the back. "I love this shit hole and wouldn't trade it for anything."
Grant shook his head and joined his protégé by the computer. He then felt the hybrid wrap an arm around his and hold his hand. He really wasn't one for public displays of affection, but didn't mind it too much as long as it wasn't over the top. "What's next on the list?"
Pet blanked out what was being said in exchange for listening to something approaching the dig site from the distance. A helicopter. It was probably one of the lake tourist services. In the past two and a half weeks since the whole calling out InGen on their illegal breeding issue, more and more tourist helicopters flew over the dig site. It was starting to bother Pet, since realizing news broadcasters and newspaper reporters were hiring the service to take them over the idea.
But the sound of the aircraft was getting louder. Why was a helicopter flying towards the dig site? Surely, the reporters weren't that determined to- Wait. The hybrid rolled her eyes. "Alright," she began, looking to Grant. "Who called the Money Bags?"
The two scientists and Cheryl looked to the hybrid. "What?"
After a moment of silence, they heard what she was referring to. Billy was curious. "How do you it's him?"
"Who else would fly here in a helicopter? Even as desperate as the flock of vultures known as news reporters are, not even they would chance landing here!"
The four people went outside watched the navy-blue helicopter near closer to the dig site. There was no mistaking the Masrani Global Corporation logo on the side. Pet sighed, Grant questioning. "What does he want, now?"
Simon stepped out of the cool interior of the helicopter and out into the rather warm Montana air. He smiled and gave a friendly wave to the group of excavation residents approaching him. Derek, too, had heard the helicopter and came to investigate. He stopped alongside Pet and planted his hands on his hips. Something about the visiting billionaire didn't look right. Instead of the usual, expensive suit he was wearing a light blue polo shirt, khaki pants and sneakers?!
Even Pet was baffled and wrinkled her brow, tilting her head to the side. When Simon was within ear range of the group, he called to the others. "Good afternoon!" He shook Grant's hand first.
Derek spoke. "Welcome back, Money Bags. What brings you back to our sand box?" Pet gave him a slap on the shoulder for his out spoken nick name of the other. "What?"
Grant decided to be the more professional of the group. "I wasn't expecting you back so soon, Mr. Masrani. To what do we offer for your visit?"
Both Billy and Derek looked to the man oddly. Guess when it came to associating with someone responsible for keeping one's fossil excavation operating, might as well be courteous. The newcomer replied. "I came to speak with you, Dr. Grant." The scientist arched a brow at hearing his name. "And Veronica."
Derek mumbled, "Figures," under his breath. Because the helicopter was still running, though slowing down, he was not heard.
Pet gave the wealthy man an awkward smile. Was she supposed to be flattered or something? Her eyes darted between her equally confused friends and back to the man. "Okay, uh...what can we help you with?"
Simon motioned for the paleontologist and company to follow him, somewhere a bit quieter and favoring of privacy. The man explained. "First things first. As you might remember, Doctor, there were a few assets that escaped Isla Sorna during your extraction from the island."
Derek slimmed his dark eyed gaze. "Assets?"
Grant answered in a questionable way. "You mean the Pteranodons?" Simon nodded. "What about them?"
"I have a specialized team dispatched to try and locate them. Only problem is, where to start." The group stopped shy of Quarantine's door. "I was hoping you would be able to provide some insight to these creatures."
Grant's eyes shifted to Pet's in uncertainty before returning his gaze to the site sponsor. "What is it you're wanting to know?"
"How or where we might possibly find these things. I'm hoping to catch them before there is another San Diego like incident and since you're the best in your field, I knew coming to you for help wouldn't disappoint." Simon's subtle smile appeared more as a silent plea for help.
Grant silently nodded and turned on a heel away from Quarantine and in the direction of the office trailer. Nothing was said between anyone in the trek, volunteer site workers looking up from their workings to observe the passing group. A man on a mission, the senior scientist swung open the door and went into the trailer for an immediate beeline to a book shelf.
Its shelves were covered in dust and some of the spines on the different sized books stained or too, layered in a thin coat of dust. Grant reached for a book, the title on its spine no longer legible from age and use, and began thumbing through the pages. After a few moments, he sat the book down on the bar top and slid it towards Simon. On the pages was a map of North America, but it sectioned off in what appeared to be three main land masses with a large water mass running through the central U.S. and up through Canada.
The scientist began. "Like some of the dinosaurs on the islands, the Pteranodon was a Cretaceous species. Several fossils have been found in Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Now, these regions belonged to what was called the Western Interior Seaway." Grant pointed to the water colored region running through the U.S. and into Canada and continued to share with knowledge.
Simon was absolutely fascinated and listened intently to what was being said. He took mental note of each detail said, hoping it'd provide some assistance in locating the escaped animals.
Even Derek found himself intrigued by what was being said.
Grant continued about his spiel, losing himself in what he was saying. Anytime he could share what he knew to someone, he took advantage of it. Minutes later, he wore a modest smile shy of loudly stating his pride and shrugged. "Hopefully it helps you."
"Absolutely." Simon's voice sounded distant, as though still lost in everything he had just learned. He nodded a smile to the scientist. "Excuse me, a minute, while I relay what you told me to the search team." With that, he politely excused himself and left the trailer.
The rest of the group stayed in the trailer, looking to the other in confusion.
Outside, Simon dialed a number on his cell phone. Several rings later, a man answered. "Hoskins, here. Go."
"Mr. Hoskins. Just the man I was wanting to speak with. I got some information for you that might assist you tracking down the escaped assets."
An olive drab military helicopter flew over a stretch of the Rocky Mountains. Seated in the back of it was a heavy-set man sporting a thick, brown and grey goatee. He nodded into a large black phone at his ear, an arrogant smile on his face. "Gotcha loud and clear, boss man. I'll let you know if we find anything." Vic Hoskins hung up the phone and dropped it on the seat beside him and in between himself and another backseat passenger.
The man seated next to him resembled something of a human brick wall sculpted of muscle with a shaved head and face full of a thick, black beard. He cut his equally black eyes down on the man next to him. "What's the word, Vic?"
"According to Mr. Masrani's source of reliable information, we're to search along what used to be something called the Western Interior Seaway or whatever." The bald man blinked in confusion, Hoskins scoffing and shaking his head. "It's whatever. Some technical lingo...some new word he's learned. Who cares." He waved a hand in the air, rolling his eyes. "But we're to try searching along a list of states and up into Canada."
Another man, a black man wearing a black muscle shit and brown pants, snorted. "Then what?"
Hoskins's face upturned into a sly smile. "We terminate the assets."
The bald man looked off to the side, as though recalling a memory. "I thought the order was to capture the animals and bring them back unharmed."
"It was, but sometimes...shit happens." Hoskins clapped the man on the shoulder. "Wouldn't you agree?" A mutual smile from the bald man answered the question followed by a nod from the black man. "Okay, then. Let's go hunt us down some flying lizards."
Pet's wide, blue green eyes nervously darted between Simon's and Grant's. Her mind was racing. "You're wanting me to go to San Diego..." The billionaire nodded in a nonverbal response. "But, can't Jacobs just meet us at the bunker for this blood work?" The hybrid winced and frowned a bit. "Do I really need to go to the main complex in California?"
"It would be easier, yes," Simon answered. He could see the younger woman was deeply concerned and could understand. "Don't worry, Veronica. As long as InGen remains under my corporation's banner, you are under my protection. I assure you; you are absolutely in no harm."
Derek spoke up next. "So, you just expect her to walk right in through InGen's doors for these blood tests, right?"
Simon shifted his focus to Derek. "That's right."
The younger man shook his head, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against a countertop next to where Pet stood. "I don't like it."
"These blood tests must be done quarterly to ensure Veronica is still in good health."
Pet's eyes fell on Grant, leaning against a nearby wall, and questioned. "Alan?" It took the man a moment to respond as his downward cast gaze flickered upwards to the addressing woman. "What do you think?"
A deeply exhaled breath escaped the paleontologist. "Well," he began, straightening his posture. "I agree with Mr. Masrani. You do need to keep up with routine checkups, for the time being." Both Grant and his sponsor locked gazes, the latter seeing a certain edge of serious to the scientist. "I trust she will be taken care of and given the best care."
The billionaire tried to smile beneath the heat of the stern stare. "Absolutely, Doctor."
Grant lowered his voice to an almost growl. "She will also not be going by herself."
Derek cut in. "Damn right, she won't!" He stood up, wrapping an arm around the woman's shoulders.
Pet gave him a corner eyed stare down. "I guess you're volunteering?"
The man held up a hand to Pet to silence her. "Hush, Pet, adults are talking." A backslap to the gut drew a grumble and flinch from the man. "Brat."
The hybrid shook her head at her good friend and squared her eyes down on Simon. "Fine, whatever. I'll go. But Jacobs is the only person who'll be examining me. I don't trust anyone else."
Derek cut in. "What, you don't trust me?"
"You won't be examining me."
"Says who?" He wiggled his brows, the woman snorting a hiss at him.
"Enough," barked Grant.
Pet drove her hands into her pockets and winced a nod in acceptance, looking to Simon. "When do we leave?"
