Author's Note:

Hello! Trying to get back into the swing of things! I have the next chapter nearly ready so hopefully I can pull ahead with an actual chapter buffer and schedule before I post it next week. I have the main plot down but not much past the movie except for a vague idea tbh. I still need to watch Camp Cretaceous season 3. I mentioned a Discord server in the last chapter. I have one that I made for readers to chat. At some point, I may make a server just for this story but it's got to be far more popular before I think making a brand new server is worth it. You can join at /discord . gg/ GqC3S8aVSE. Be sure you select the Dinosquad/Jurassic Park Fanfic Reader Role or else you won't see the special channel I made just for this story.

Chapter 8

The Investors

Five humans walked through a sea of intrigued guests, four keeping pace with a woman in white as she spoke.

"While year-over-year revenue continues to climb, operating costs are higher than ever. Our shareholders have been patient, but let's be honest, no one's impressed by a dinosaur anymore."

Claire Dearing didn't bother looking back at her group, but she just knew at least one of them wasn't too appreciative of the statement. But she had a point to make. She had practiced this pitch, and she'd be damned if an unwelcome addition to her presentation made her fumble.

"Twenty years ago, de-extinction was right up there with magic. These days, kids look at a stegosaurus like an elephant from the city zoo," she said. "That doesn't mean asset development has fallen behind. Our DNA excavators discover new species every year.

The small group slipped through the crowd, entering an area closed off from visitors. They passed by scientists who continued to work, too used to working around the operations people and whoever they were shmoozing for funds that week.

"But consumers want them bigger. Louder. More teeth," Claire said.

The three potential investors exchanged looks while the man in the back looked wholly unimpressed, as he did every time he visited and crossed paths with the Head of Park Operations. Why he insisted on walking with them that day made no sense, but Claire wasn't going to question it too much. He did say he wouldn't be a bother and she should just pretend he wasn't there, after all.

She had a pitch to finish so she kept going. "The good news? Our advances in gene splicing have opened up a whole new frontier. We've learned more from genetics in the past decade than a century of digging up bones."

Claire Dearing led her group, making sure they got an eyeful of the technology while keeping them moving enough that they wouldn't ask too many questions that she wouldn't be able to answer.

Luckily, business people tended not to take too much interest in those kinds of specifics.

Claire led them over to a display and turned around, giving them a welcoming smile. "So, when you say you want to sponsor an attraction, what do you have in mind?

Hal Osterly answered for his team, "We wanna be thrilled." He said it seriously, with very little hesitation.

Claire smiled. "Oh, but don't we all?" Ever the show-woman, she spun the double helix display behind her and stepped forward to the investors, proudly. "May I present you..." and pause for effect. "The Indominus Rex. Our first genetically modified hybrid."

Nailed it.

Drucker looked dubious, and Claire just knew what kind of question was coming next. She stopped being surprised by how little reading was done by those making the money decisions.

The man raised his hand a little as if he was in class. "How did you get two different kinds of dinosaurs to..." he trailed off, not sure how to put it in a professional way. "Y'know..."

The man in the back looked amused, in a sort of patronizing way.

"Oh, Indominus wasn't bred," a voice cut in, injecting himself into the conversation.

Claire had an answer ready. She was a little irritated, but who better to explain it than Wu? She could put up with him stepping on her toes for the moment.

Henry Wu continued with a smile, "She was designed. She will be fifty feet long when fully grown. Bigger than the T. rex." He made eye contact with the fourth man in the back. "Victor, it's great to see you. We weren't expecting you for another week."

Victor Veloci reached past Brand and Osterly to shake Dr. Wu's hand. "As was the plan. However, Simon invited me down and said I might like a peek at the new asset. Ms. Dearing was kind enough to let me tag along today before he arrives. Frankly, she's doing such a wonderful job that I don't see what other convincing these fine people need." That earned him a few chuckles from the other guests.

"If you don't mind me asking, who are you?" Erica Brand asked.

The man had been talking to Ms. Dearing when they arrived and then proceeded to follow them on the tour with no explanation.

"Victor Veloci, ma'am. My apologies for not introducing myself earlier."

"Of Raptordyne?" Osterly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The very same."

"You...uh...really leaned into the dinosaur branding, huh?" Drucker chuckled.

Victor returned the laugh. "I've always been fascinated with dinosaurs, long before John Hammond took extraordinary steps toward making his vision a reality. Velociraptors are my favorite, if you couldn't tell."

They laughed.

Claire gestured at Victor. "Mr. Veloci is one of our largest benefactors for our excavation projects and science divisions."

"Raptordyne has proudly helped develop much of the equipment in this lab," Veloci said.

"Something we're all incredibly grateful for," Claire said as Henry nodded. "If I may?"

Victor politely gestured for her to continue.

"Every time we've unveiled a new asset, attendance has spiked. Global news coverage. Celebrity visitors. Eyes of the world."

Even with the interruptions, the investors looked convinced.

"When will she be ready?"

Henry Wu beamed. "She already is."

"I hope my presence wasn't distracting, Ms. Dearing," Veloci said as they headed out to the main hall of the Innovation Center, showing their passes to security as they went.

Clair mentioned she was meeting her nephews before she needed to head to the control room. Victor wasn't allowed in the control room as just an investor, of course. However, the VIP lounge was on the way, so he offered to walk out with her as the investors headed back to their guest suites with a staff member.

"Oh, not at all. And it's just Claire, sir."

"Of course." He paused. "Verizon Wireless presents: the Indominous Rex…I find it rather…" he made a face. "Unnatural."

"Yes," Claire said. Best just to nod and agree with him.

"Frankly, I'm surprised Raptordyne was not approached to sponsor any new exhibits recently."

The woman looked a little surprised. "Would you be interested? From what I understand, you reached your yearly limit with the excavation in Mongolia. While we need to maintain a diverse portfolio of investors, I'm sure we can arrange something."

"I would love to start such a discussion. I'll have my office evaluate our financials and we can schedule a meeting come…next week?"

"Sounds great." She looked at him. "Before I forget, I hope your private suite is to your liking."

"Of course. It's making me consider moving. I much prefer the weather here to that in Boston." He paused and hummed. "Henry was not able to give me many details. Classified. I understand. I'm just an investor and not privy to those sorts of things. But I'm excited to see your new exhibit. I hope Simon is aware of my appreciation. In the time we've been friends, I've seen extraordinary work done here. He's always been far more open to my involvement than Hammond ever was." He frowned a little. "For that I'm grateful."

Claire chuckled awkwardly, not wanting to open that can of worms. John Hammond's dislike of Victor Veloci and his subsequent barring of Raptordyne from any InGen projects until his death was a source of rumors over the years. But that wasn't any of her business. "I'm sure he's aware." They stopped at the top of the stairs as Clair received a phone call. "Oh. Um, Mr. Veloci—"

"Victor."

"Victor, I'd love to keep talking, but I really need I need to check in on some things before Mr. Masrani arrives…"

"I understand," Victor said with a charming smile. "I will be in the VIP lounge. Simon promised to let me know when he arrived. I suspect he wants to see the Indominus on his own before letting me peek. We have a dinner meeting scheduled for later. You'll be joining us, is that right?"

"I'll have to check with my assistant to be sure, " Claire said quickly. "Have a good day, sir."

They parted ways, Victor walking away toward the lounge, and Claire couldn't help but let out a huff of relief as she headed down the stairs and out of earshot while taking her call.

Author's Note:

Ok maybe a slightly boring (?) chapter but now you know a certain someone is also on the Island. Not every chapter is going to be a play by play of movie events.

Don't forget to join my server if you want to chat and pester me to update. I may do movie nights where we watch Dinosquad episodes and Camp Cretaceous. I'm behind CC so you might get my first reaction to stuff as I "research" for this story.

/discord . gg/ GqC3S8aVSE (take out the spaces)

PS. I love you guys theorizing in the discord if you want, but I still love comments too.