The ideas for this chapter started pouring out before I could finish the previous chapter. And they're still coming in troves for the following chapter!

So I got a PM some while ago asking if I had a cast list for the OCs and if so, would I be willing to post it? ... Maybe ... but that's a loooong list...

Also, to answer some readers' burning questions, YES I plan on carrying this story through ALL the Jurassic World movies. I have a number of chapters already written for Jurassic World and a hell of a new OC introduction planned out for JW: FK.


PREPARATIONS

18 - The Pig, the Flare and the T-Rex

This was not good. This was actually quite irritating. While the north dock was in bad condition, the east dock was about as on par with unsalvageable as could be described. An animal transport boat for medium sized species had washed ashore. By the looks of the extent of corrosion on its hull, it most likely happened during the ninety-three hurricane. What made things worse was that it was now lodged between the harbor master building and the perimeter fence's access point. When the storm came rushing over the island, the strong counterclockwise winds tossed everything around that wasn't anchored down. Once Hoskins saw the condition of the east dock, he had no qualms leaving the other two there while he decided he and his team were going to work on securing the north dock.

Muldoon grumbled under an exhaled breath. "What a load of shite."

Pet's sickle claws scratched into the sand covered concrete beneath her feet. Tufts of grass and tropical plant life grew through the cracks, and in between splintered dock planks, giving the place a wild and untamed look. She glanced away from the boat to analyze the condition of the docks behind her. Maybe the piers could be salvaged? Support beams jutted up from the white caps of waves crashing against the boulders that served as wave breaks along the shoreline. What used to be the docks was reduced to splintered planks littering the area.

Yeah, never mind.

Muldoon slung his rifle over his shoulder. "I doubt Mr. Masrani even knows the extent of the damages and what it's going to take to clean up the place before construction can begin." A half rotted board was picked up with a visible rusted nail protruding out of it.

Derek's voice came through on the radio. "The second helicopter just landed. We're headed your way."


Twenty-five minutes later, the second helicopter arrived and touched down where it could at the east dock. Both Muldoon and Pet were appalled to see Dr. Carlyle amongst the others in their entourage getting off the aircraft.

Pet noticed how nervous, but oddly eager, the brunette was. "Dr. Carlyle, what are you doing here? This isn't the safest place to be!"

A French manicured hand waved about in the air. "It'll be fine, Ms. Hammond," she stated in her Brooklyn accent. "It was Mr. Masrani who insisted I come along, and I think that was mostly someone urging him to make that decision."

Blue-green eyes searched her companions' faces. Roland explained. "After he made a phone call to the American Navy, he called Dr. Grant to keep him posted to the change of plans."

"Wait, what?" Pet was jaw dropped. "He called the Navy?! What the hell for? Why? We don't need the military here! Is he afraid we'll need special ops to come save us?"

Terrence cleared his throat. "I think it's mostly to ensure the safety of the civilian contractors when they start working. His idea," he pointed at Muldoon.

Grey eyes stared down the strawberry blonde man. "How in the bloody dazes is calling in the military my idea?"

Pet winced. "I think Simon took your armored tank comment a bit literally." She trudged away towards the dock's fence.

Paul scurried to catch up to her. "You think calling in the military was a bad idea?"

The hybrid side stepped past the bow of the transport boat to get to the fence. "What the fuck was the point of interviewing and hiring the best?" Pet squeezed through two fence cables, albeit with difficulty, and stood up on the other side. "Should've just had the boys and girls in the red, white and blue come in, instead."

Paul frowned. There was no way everyone was going to fit through the fence gaps like her. So far, this trip was turning out to be a bit more rough than he expected, and it just started. "Anyone have any bolt cutters in their packs?"


Hoskins smiled triumphantly to himself. The path was clear in front of him and his team. He snapped his plump fingers and wiggled them expectantly in the air. A moment later, a folded up map filled the emptiness that was his hand. He opened it to reveal the original layout of Jurassic Park. Winding throughout the island were several thin black lines marking the access roads. Bolder black lines were the exterior perimeter fences, orange-brown being separate animal paddocks. But those didn't matter any more. The park's fences had been compromised, allowing the animals to venture where they pleased. There was no telling where what species was, now.

Just as he thought it, one of his team members, the bearded man, asked it. "How are we supposed to find the Rex? Are we going to lure it out or something? Lay a trap and bait it?"

Hoskins kept his attention on the map while responding. "We start with the obvious, Richardson. We go here." He pointed at a north east portion of the island labeled 'Tyrannosaur Paddock'. "This is where it used to be kept. This is where it'll probably be the most familiar...its den. Everywhere else is just its hunting ground. We wait there for it to come back. Once it's had a nice tasty meal of steak-o-saurus it'll want to take a nap. That's when we help tuck it into bed, with a tranquilizer. It seemed to be the routine habit of that big finned son of a bitch so why not this thing, too?"

Another member on his team, a black man, questioned next. "What about the other team?"

Hoskins laughed. "They're not going to be a problem. They'll need to figure out a way out of their situation, first. With that boat blocking their only way out, we'll have that thing tracked and tranqed before they can figure a way out. Now let's head out before we waste anymore time."


One good final heave from Terrence on the rather worn and weathered bolt cutters severed the first fence cable.

Derek smiled proudly to himself. "I actually wasn't expecting the harbor shack to have anything like this in their maintenance locker. Why would they need bolt cutters anyway?"

Pet answered, still standing on the other side of the fence and watching for any dangers. "Because dumb asses were always losing their keys or forgetting the number combos to the damned things. If only John knew how many locks got wasted a week."

Derek scratched the back of his neck. "What are we doing anyway? Besides watching Personality cut through a fence? I thought the purpose of this trip was to secure the docks for the contractors. If we're having to cut our way out then I think that means this side of the fence is pretty safe. Area secured, right?"

Muldoon answered. "Mr. Masrani wants the Rex captured, since it poses the biggest threat. Next, will be going after any other carnivorous animals."


An hour into the walk and Hoskins and his men were passing an area on the map marked 'Herbivore Area 2'. Just a short ways down the road was the once Stegosaur Paddock.

Dupont wiped away the sweat rolling down his face. "Aren't there supposed to be dinosaurs on a dinosaur island? That scarred bastard and raptor girl made this place sound like some kind of death sentence."

The team leader readjusted his grip on his rifle at his chest. "They're over exaggerating. They're letting something that happened almost ten years ago affect their judgement. It's another reason why I left them stuck at the east dock. I don't need their paranoia seeding unnecessary fear in your guys' heads. You're my best men. You're too smart and too good for that shit. If Masrani wants to listen to them, then that's his own damn fault. We can handle this just fine, just like we did those escaped Pteranodons."


The last cable was cut into. There was now a gap in the fencing to allow everyone through. Derek and Paul worked on folding the cables back to keep them from snagging on and injuring someone. One by one the group filtered through the hole until on the same side as Pet. The hybrid examined Carlyle's footwear. Good. She replaced her pumps with sneakers.

Blue-green eyes traced along what could be seen of the access road leading away from the dock. "If we just keep following this, it'll take us to the main road."

"Eventually," Muldoon added. "Following it to the main road will only take us away from the Tyrannosaur Paddock, until the main road itself takes us where we want to go."

Roland checked his Nitro to make sure it was still loaded. While he trusted those accompanying him on this hunting trip, it didn't mean he wasn't still going to double check his rifle and equipment. "So, we take the more direct route, which won't be easiest. It'll be just like Isla Sorna all over again, hmm, Veronica?"

Pet smirked. "Just with less incompetant morons and a little girl to babysit." She looked at Terrence taking a drink from his canteen. "How well do you remember this place from your own little excursion?"

The man swallowed his drink. "I try not to think about it."

"I'm sure it'll come back to you."

"Y'know, thinking about it…" Terrence capped his canteen and returned it to his belt. "This is the second time I've come to this island on behalf of a wealthy InGen executive, accompanied by a team of heavily armed hotheads as we hunt down a specific target." Terrence gawked at the hybrid.

She shrugged. "At least this time, I'm not the target."

Carlyle visually examined her travel companions, armed with some form of weaponry. Most carried rifles, and holstered pistols. Ms. Hammond and herself were the only ones that weren't. Then again, the other woman didn't need anything to defend herself with. She was her own self defense. Well, the most she could be with a busted up ankle and still healing broken bone.

Their journey began with Pet and Muldoon leading the way. It was a long, hot and humid trek along the partially washed out road. A creek now trickled across a section of the missing road, but it wasn't anything that couldn't be crossed.

Terrence held out his hand for Carlyle to take to assist her across. This pleasantly surprised the plus-sized woman. Her cheeks filled with blush. "Why thank you, Dr. Mitchell! You're such a gentleman!"

Derek blinked at the scene. The two continued to hold hands as they negotiated the uneven terrain. Were they together, and he missed the memo? He glanced back to see how Pet was doing with her limp but she seemed to be doing just fine as she passed him by.

Walking in the shade of the overhead canopy of tree growth helped keep the group sheltered from the punishing direct sunlight. It was a relaxing walk joined by birds singing in the trees and the occasional colorful butterfly fluttering past. Then came trudging through the outside of a marshland area. Butterflies were replaced by choking clouds of mosquitoes and gnats.

Pet stopping to get her bearings brought the group to a halt as well. Paul studied the alert and slightly concerned look on the hybrid's face. "Something wrong?"

She sniffed the air, intently listened to the seemingly quiet surroundings and snapped her head to the left. "Do as I say and keep moving. Slowly. If you have any sunglasses or anything to cover your eyes, it's best you put them on."

Everyone looked over at Valerie, wearing a pair of aviator shades. "I'm not sharing, so you fuckers are on your own."

Derek arched a brow at Pet. "Why?"

Muldoon answered for her. "Dilophosaurs. We're right in the middle of what used to be their paddock."

"What's to say they haven't moved on? I mean, if I was able to escape where I had been forced to live I'd be quick to go elsewhere."

Paul followed the direction of Pet's stare. "No, I'd say they're still here." He raised his rifle, though he kept the safety on and his finger alongside the barrel rather than on the trigger. "Best we keep our guard up."

Movement in the brushes five feet from Derek's right made him jump back a little in startle. "So, why the glasses?"

Again, Muldoon answered. "It's to protect your eyes. They spit a paralytic venom that can also cause blindness if it gets in your eyes."

Derek threw his free hand up in the air. "Oh that's just great! Why did we come this way again?"

Pet kept her attention at her left as she continued forward. "Because like hell I'm letting the Bacon Battalion get to Rexy, first. Knowing 'Hog-skins', he'll try to kill her instead of tranquilizing her."


Late afternoon crept up on the island. By Hoskins' calculations, they were coming up on the T-Rex enclosure. The track in the middle of the road was the best thing to go by when following the main tour route. There were other roads that veered off the main one that were used by park personnel for various reasons. Hoskins got tired of looking at the map anytime the road splintered off. Instead, he resorted to using common sense. The track went in front of every animal exhibit. That meant the Rex area.

He was right. Within thirty minutes, they were staring at the soul surviving Ford Explorer of the famed disaster of the original park.

Dupont followed the trail of debris to the ledge and looked over it. "Okay, now what? We're here. Where is this bitch?"

"We go further into its territory to find where it actually resides," Hoskins answered. "Right now it's probably off hunting. When it gets back, we'll be waiting."

The other men nodded in agreement. Richardson cheered. "Let's get us a dinosaur, boys!"

Going down the access ladder to the ground level of the paddock was nerve wracking. The rebar used for steps was rusted and its mounts in the concrete wall were weak. Sure, there was taking the other route but it was steep ground that offered little to no stable footing in descent. Once everyone was on the ground level, they came across a second vehicle upside down beneath a tree.

One of the team members stared wide-eyed at it and looked back up the wall. "What in the hell?"

Hoskins rested his hands on his hips and shifted his weight off one foot to another. "I read the reports on this. Apparently, there was a kid trapped in that thing when it went over."

"What did this?"

The team leader slyly smiled. "What do you think?"

All color washed out of Richardson's face. "You're telling me a fucking dinosaur did this?"

"Surprised? You saw what that Spino did to that plane on Isla Sorna...how it tore it to pieces. This?" Hoskins motioned to the wrecked vehicle. "This is nothing. This was just a plaything." Roaring echoing in the distance stole their attention off the car. "There she is. She's coming home."


The hairs on everyone's arms prickled as a dreadful shiver ran down their spines. Muldoon's grip on his rifle tightened. Terrence's breathing became labored. Roland shouldered his Nitro and listened for the telltale tremors of approaching footsteps. Pet seemed to stop breathing entirely.

Her raptor eyes were squared down and darting about the place. "Don't move," she stated. "It's vision is based on movement." Another blood freezing roar pierced the air. "She's close."

Dr. Carlyle gulped. "How close?"

Roland answered. "Judging by the octave of the roar, I'd say four-hundred meters, give or take a little."

Derek wasn't comforted. "A little being what distance, further or closer?"

Pet smiled at her best friend and legal guardian. "The main road is just over that hill. We're almost to its paddock."

Muldoon nodded. "Seeing how it's a bit of a ways out, it's safe to keep going. For now." He looked at the others, some shaken, some not. Of course, Roland would be the giddy, ready for action one. Dr. Carlyle was the most prominently uneasy of the bunch. "Terrence, stay with Beverly. Derek, keep an eye on Pet."

Pet became vocal in protest. "Wha- No! I can take care of myself!"

Grey eyes stared down at her weaker left ankle, then to her right arm bound to her chest in its sling, then finally to her scowling amber yellow eyes. "Uh huh."

Dr. Carlyle took hold of Pet's left and guided her towards her. "There's nothing wrong with letting the men and Ms. Mills do the dirty work, this time. You should be taking it easy, anyway. So, you just stay with me, okay?"

Pet snarled. "This better not get out to Alan or Billy...or Simon."

Paul managed to keep a straight face. "Wouldn't dream of saying a thing."

Cautiously, the group topped the hill. Valerie took a knee and raised her rifle to peer through its scope. She panned left to right, stopping on a patch of treetops swaying against a strong force. "I have movement." A flock of birds squawked and erupted from the luscious green foliage. "Two-o-clock. Steadily moving."

Those that could, focused their scopes on the rustling trees. Muldoon nodded. "That's her. That's the Rex. We better get moving to catch up with her."

Derek whimpered. "The only time in my life I'll ever be going after the dangerous, flesh eating dinosaur."


Dupont watched ripples dance across the surface of a water filled footprint very near his position. They grew in intensity each time a step was taken until he could feel the ground's vibrations through the soles of his boots. Heavy breathing sounded too close for comfort.

His brownish-black eyes fell on the ruined Explorer, mind a whirl in panic. The rest of the team looked to their left to see the towering, hulking mass of the Tyrannosaur not but twenty feet from their position.

Hoskins was unmoved. A triumphant smile lit up his face. He was in awe, impressed at the magnificent beast. Time seemed to come to a stop as he stared it in its eyes. Powerful jaws lined with terrifying teeth opened to give way to a massive, ear splitting roar.

Approaching the paddock ledge was the second group. Pet slammed her good hand down on the concrete barricade. "Damn it! That fucking pig got here first!"

Terrence set his rifle down and took his backpack off. "Hey Pet...remember that one time in ninety-three?" The hybrid eyeballed him as he unzipped his bag. He reached inside and withdrew a small pack of three flares. Confusion turned to mischievous delight. A single flare was ignited and with a good throw, was tossed downwards towards Hoskins' team's position. "Come and get it," he said to himself.

The distracting, brilliant light of the flare forced the InGen team's attention off the Rex and to the flare.

Hoskins looked at the item, furrowed his brow in confusion and picked it up. "What?" He turned his attention upwards, to the ledge, to see the much despised others watching them. He shouted, holding up the flare. "What do you think you're doing?"

Terrence innocently waved and smiled. "You stupid son of a bitch," he quietly laughed.

Richardson saw something change in the T-Rex's noticeable demeanor. It's head tilted to the side as though suddenly interested in something. "Shit." He shoved his rifle in Dupont's chest, and quickly jerked a tranquilizing gun away from another teammate. "Those assholes set us up!"

The Rex lowered its body to the ground and began to charge the group. One pull of the trigger sent a red feathered dart straight towards the oncoming threat. It striking its target in the throat briefly slowed its stride. Another dart was loaded into the tranquilizer gun in record breaking time and fired off to join the first.

Hoskins planted his rifle's butt into his right shoulder and prepared to fire a shot. He was ordered by Masrani to not injure the animal, but at the present time, he and his men were in danger. It would take the tranquilizers a few minutes to kick in. There was no telling what could happen in those few minutes.

Derek watched the team scatter like ants. "Y'know, that was a pretty dumb thing you just did."

Roland scoffed. "For once, I have to agree with him." He scowled at Terrence. "You should have shot that bloke in the knee, first, to keep him from running. Wounded prey is much easier to catch."

Pet slowly turned her head to stare at her godfather in bewilderment. Even Muldoon was just as taken back. A strained roar followed by a heavy thud hitting the ground had everyone looking back down into the paddock. Laid out and unconscious in the dirt was the drugged Rex.

Enraged, beady eyes were locked onto smirking cool blue ones. Just wait. If that's how things were going to go, he was going to end it. Hoskins was going to make sure of it.


Okay so this chapter went a little OOC... but with all the hate Hoskins comments I see in reviews, I wanted to have a little fun with this chapter.