Summary: Victor and Henry catch up.

Chapter 12

Please List All Relevant Previous Experience on Your Resume

Henry Wu handed a cup of amber-colored tea to the other man and gestured for him to sit.

"It's been a while, Dr. Veloci," Henry said politely as he sat in his own chair, safely behind his desk.

At least it made him feel safer. Marginally.

"My fault, I'm afraid," Victor said as he accepted the tea, balancing the warm cup on his knee as he crossed one leg over the other and leaned back. "I've been meaning to catch up with you for years." He unbuttoned his jacket to avoid wrinkles as he settled into the chair.

He eyed the artifacts tastefully decorated around the rather clean office, unconcerned with whatever the other man's reaction would be to that statement. It didn't seem like Wu did an awful lot of work there. It was likely a status symbol and the lack of privacy was a potent reminder to the other scientists that he was more important than them. Perhaps it was only for meetings, a place to bring people into a space where Wu was the dominant one.

Victor looked back at Henry. "It's a shame we could never quite line our schedules up until now. Very unfortunate. One would think we should have crossed paths at least once since Simon and I began our business relationship. It's been five years. Emails and scientific paper exchanges simply aren't enough."

Henry nodded, well aware his heart rate was betraying him. He did his best to regulate it with careful breaths as the man in the maroon suit stared at him comfortably.

Victor smiled. It was the smile of a human at ease as if he was completely unaware of the other man's anxiety. "You've always been off-island when I can take time out of my busy schedule to visit this wonderful place."

Henry nodded, clearing his throat as he forgot to breathe for a moment. "An unfortunate coincidence. I'm glad fortune has aligned our paths for meeting now. A shame it took so long."

"It really is," Victor agreed. "But we're face to face at last. How have you been, Dr. Wu?"

Henry was cautious with his answer. "Good. We've made some incredible strides in genetic research this last decade, as I'm sure your aware. I hear Raptor Dyne has done well, too."

"Not as well as InGen," Victor chuckled as he shook his head. "You know, Simon was quite shocked that I even approached him following John Hammond's death. I heard through sources that Biosyn and Mantah Corp were worried I was offering a merger. Given my amber mining operations, not to mention my sponsorship of so much fossil hunting work, I understood their concerns."

He chuckled. "I must admit, I was more than willing to feed the rumors. I'm afraid I took some amusement in their panic." He tapped a finger on the glass mug and eyed the liquid as it rippled before looking back up. "But you know that giving up the company…" He paused and chuckled again. "That my family founded nearly a hundred years ago just…" He smiled again. "…isn't in my blood."

Henry didn't say a word. He just sipped his tea and nodded.

There was an awkward pause.

"I'm sure you've heard this story already." Victor waved his hand carelessly and leaned back, pushing his hair out of his face.

Henry found his voice. "I have to admit...Doctor, I was just as surprised as many others to hear you were donating so much material and funding."

"I'm an avid fan of dinosaurs in cages."

The words threw Henry off enough that his brain stalled for a moment.

Veloci didn't say a word as the other man tried to wrangle his thoughts.

"Dr. Veloci," Henry said eventually. "I'm…we're all very grateful for access to your amber mines. The genetic material collected from your excavations alone is responsible for a sizable population of our assets. And the engineering and development co-op has done extraordinary work with the equipment. There isn't a more advanced lab in the world." He looked at the other man on the other side of the desk. "However, I am well aware of the agreement between you and Masrani. I'm not at liberty to share any research information pertaining to InGen developmental processes. Raptor Dyne and InGen share computational technology, engineering, and genetic source material." He paused and stared at the other man. "Nothing else."

Veloci waved him off. "Calm yourself, Henry. I'm not here to steal your secrets...Not so obviously at least," he joked.

Henry didn't share his laugh.

"Is it really so hard to believe I wanted to catch up with such an accomplished man as yourself? I am more a scientist than a businessman, Henry. I thought you knew that. The work you've done here is well deserving of the accolades you've earned. I merely wanted to make sure you knew I am thoroughly impressed, as a peer. Genetic research is a small world, even now. It would be foolhardy for me to burn such bridges for the sake of greed. Or pettiness."

"I…apologize," Dr. Wu said. "There have been quite a few concerns about espionage lately. It's always a concern, but with the new assets, I'm afraid I might be…a little paranoid."

Victor nodded. "It's quite a lucky thing I was able to come early then. I heard that you were scheduled for another research trip next week. I would have missed you again. You have a presentation in Munich. Is that right? A few of my researchers are planning to attend. I'll remind them to invite you to lunch."

Henry chuckled and cleared his throat. "I didn't expect you to keep tabs, Dr. Veloci."

Victor smiled again, this one sending chills. "Oh, Henry." He shook his head without breaking his gaze. Or blinking. "I keep tabs on all my former employees."

Henry glanced out of his office through the glass at the scientists and security, who continued to work in a clear line of sight.

Veloci continued as if he didn't notice Wu's rather obvious momentary search for an exit. Or rescue. "So very few leave Raptor Dyne that I make it a point to watch as those to manage it go on to bigger and better things." Victor sent a pointed look out the glass walls to the lab beyond. "I never thought you'd come back to InGen, Henry. Not after the mess I rescued you from." He sounded almost wistful.

Henry had no response. He didn't lift his tea to his lips, worried a shaking hand might betray him. "Dr. Veloci. My time at Raptor Dyne was incredibly educational. Extraordinarily."

"I should expect so."

Henry might have imagined the vibration that he felt in his shoes (and the pit of his stomach). He pressed on. He would not be intimidated in his own lab.

"…And I have never broken my...non-disclosure agreement." He eyed the...man before him and quickly took a sip of his tea to hide how dry his mouth was. He had one piece of leverage.

"Hm," Victor nodded, the smile twisting to something a little more amused. "I am aware. We saw how the world reacted to Dr. Malcolm before San Diego. I'm sure your story would be even harder to believe." He laughed. "You should see the conspiracy theories that already abound. Mr. Zuckerberg and I had a good laugh about it at a conference recently."

Henry did his best to look at the man calmly. Fearlessly. "Dr. Veloci, I can assure you, I never took any research from Raptor Dyne."

"I never said you did, Henry." Veloci smiled wider and tapped a fingernail on his untouched amber-orange cup of tea.

Note: Originally, this chapter was supposed to be after you saw how Aaron and Joanne's situation turned out, but it's so short and extends the cliffhanger just enough that I felt better posting it as an extra this week. The next one is long and so is the one after it. I'll post Chapter 13 Monday or Tuesday, then there MIGHT be two weeks before 14 is ready since there's also a lot involved.

Lol did anyone notice in the last chapter that Joanne sensed the Indominus coming before it rammed into them?