Chapter Seventeen

SOPHIE

…..

Sophie has gotten used to the crowds at Jurassic World. With it being a world-class attraction, the wonder of the Modern Age, it is only expected that people would be flocking to it in great numbers. However as she looks outside right now at the massed number of people at the streets of the resort, it is a surreal sight. With the evacuation order given to the entire island to pull everyone back at the resort, nearly every single guest and worker from the entire island have gathered here at the center of it all. Of course majority of them are not the least happy and obviously annoyed from having their times wasted. The information and assistance desks are being flocked by angry tourists demanding what's going on. Apparently command has not disclosed the issue about the Indominus Rex causing havoc to the different paddocks of dinosaurs and the island management team has not seen it fit yet to tell everyone that there's a walking disaster out loose.

The sound of doors opening rouses Sophie from her thoughts as she stares at the entrance of the Response Facility where more ACU members are starting to arrive. With the death of Hamada and majority of the ACU officers either missing or also dead, the entire unit is lacking command. Thus they are here right at the Response Facility now slowly gathering to find an acceptable officer to follow and also to create a solution to the rather Indominus problem that they have at the moment. She counts at least fifty of the remaining personnel making themselves present at the moment.

As for why she is here. It is where she and Lex have brought Claudia and Yasmina. Private doctors attached to the ACU after all have taken her and the young teen to be checked for any lasting damage from their ordeal. It is also to keep the two away from the crowds. With what happened to them, the last thing that they would need is to be pressed in the crushing crowd outside.

It is nauseating what they have gone through and one that Sophie truly feels for her friend. She knows of course that she and her friends are lookers, and she has always trusted their skills to be able to protect themselves from such incidents, but still to happen to one of them anyway gives her pause. Also the fact that there are saboteurs in the island and not your usual run of the mill kind but ones that are highly trained and heavily equipped only gives Sophie even more trepidation of the perils that they would face in this island.

She has been keeping it silent before they came here, but she has always been keeping her guard up in regards to the dangers and worries that Lex has told her about such places. However she has been mentally preparing herself for dinosaur threats, not human ones. While humans are a familiar opponent, ones which she knows how to fight off due to her background as a soldier before, Sophie has never truly killed anyone yet.

"You're brooding again," the voice of Lex makes Sophie turn to her girlfriend who has wrapped a spare jacket around her waist. The two of them have managed to scavenge a couple of the spare clothes on the ACU laundry which they used to hide the cyclings that they have been simply wearing

"Just thinking about the threats that we have around us at the moment and what happened to Claudia. Is she okay by the way" Sophie asks at Lex.

"Claudia is fine. It is not the first time she has been with someone, so while the trauma is there, she will get over it. She is a big girl and I would cover her expense for any treatment that she would need later. But for now she's sucking it up knowing our situation. The girl on the other hand, Yasmina is in shock. The sooner we can get her out of here, the better,"

"The ferries are not here yet?" asks Sophie.

"They are. My godfather radioed them already. They would be here come evening and they would evacuate those that are wounded and need immediate medical aid," she winces. "Not everyone after all has escaped unscathed on the evacuation back. There are still a lot of missing guests and workers. Paddocks have been breached and many dinosaurs are currently free. It would take a massive rework for the ACU to put them back in their places once this is all over. The legal team will have a hell of a time facing down lawsuits after these though,"

"You don't think this park has fallen yet?" asks Sophie remembering the tales of Lex how the original park fell with the dinosaurs escaping.

"Not yet," she answers with a sigh. "Control is still present here and majority of the operations are still functioning. The guests as such as it is are safe at the moment. I've ordered the gates watched and guarded. ACU members with live ammunition and rangers have been assigned at each of the three gates of the resort. Survivors are still trickling in every now and then, be they staff or survivors,"

Sophie just nods. Simon Massrani is not totally a fool of a billionaire it seems. When he created Jurassic World, he created it with the lessons incorporated from the fallen Jurassic Park. The resort which serves as the command nerve center of the entire park is surrounded by a concrete wall with three main gates at the North, East and West with the South open and a main highway to the docks. In the unlikely event that the park be threatened by escaping dinos like it is being done now, the gates can be guarded and closed. He has also stocked the Response Facility with missile launchers able to take down big dinosaurs. It is in line with the recommendation of one late Robert Muldoon, the game warden of the original Jurassic Park before. They are locked in special cages where only the CEO, board members and the head of the ACU can open them with fingerprint locking. All in all it is a secondary security in the event of the attractions turning out to be threats, like they are right now.

Currently under her purview, Lex has granted access to the members of the ACU stationed at the gates to use such missile launchers. In the event that the Indominus indeed try its luck on making an appearance at either of the three entrances of the resort, not even its thick hide that is impervious to small arms fire would be able to save its ass from being blown to smithereens.

"I thought I would find you two here," the familiar voice of Claudia makes both Lex and Sophie beam as they see their friend approaching them. The beautiful woman is dressed this time in a sweatshirt and jogging pants. She's not wearing her usual risqué outfit which says a lot to her state of mind. Either way both Sophie and Lex understand that after she went through, opting not to show skin is a rational way of thinking in her part.

"Claudia!" Lex half-shouts half-screams as she glomps the other woman in a hug. Sophie chooses to be more conservative by patting her only on the shoulder. She does not miss that small flinch that Claudia does when Lex hugs her.

"I'm glad you are up and about," says Lex pulling away from the hug. "How are you feeling?"

"As well as I can be," shrugs the other woman with a small smile. "Doc says there's nothing wrong with me superficially and they made sure that I won't be pregnant by dosing me with as much contraceptives as possible without poisoning me," she finishes in a small joking tone.

"You should still be in bed," interjects Sophie not convinced the least of her mental health.

"And give me nothing to do but think and reminisce as to what they did to me? No thanks," snorts Claudia. "It's better that I am moving and doing something to keep my mind busy. Besides, it's not as if we are out of the woods yet are we?"

"No, we're not, not yet. Until the boats get here and we start evacuations of the visitors and the non-essential personnel, we cannot start the full clean-up of the island," says Lex. "It would be better if we can get rid of the Indominus though. Godfather has already issued the kill on sight order unto it. If we have reports on its whereabouts, we can give the green light for it to be shot down,"

"I see. I see you are the de-facto command of the ACU though," teases Claudia at Lex who raises an eyebrow at her.

"I am a board member, they are obligated to follow me," she says simply.

Despite herself, Sophie can't help but sniff at her words. "As if those teams of hard-asses would simply follow any kind of pansy without issue. You have more than proven your worth in their eyes, don't put yourself down,"

"Just as she says it," Claudia reinforces making Lex smile at them both.

"Fine, if both of you said it, then at least I will consider some grain of truth in it," she says, the seriousness from her face disappearing a bit.

"If Pauline is here, she would tell you that you are being too serious about it," says Claudia making Sophie wince as Lex's face darkens again as she turns her head to the view outside where the gates are.

Long story short, both of them is worried about their last friend. The group that apprehended the Indominus after all had returned a fortnight and both their hearts seized up when they realize that Pauline was not with the group. For a few moments they thought that the report regarding the casualties of the main ACU team was wrong and Pauline was one of the unfortunate dead ones that didn't manage to survive the encounter. Thankfully the sergeant of the group informed them that she and Athena, had diverted to respond to a call on Herbivore Valley about some lost guests in the Gyrosphere area.

She has not yet returned though and after consulting the Command Center, the response is that the signal of their jeep have stopped at the edge of the paddock of Herbivore valley before not moving there for quite some time. They also have tried hailing them through the radio but no one has been answering so far. Normally Sophie and with Lex in tow might have taken the Huey and scouted the entire area till they found her. The area after all seems awfully close to where the Indominus has made contact with the ACU team. However Command has stated that they have given the coordinates to the manager, Claire and the Raptor Guy, Owen. Apparently the two have snuck off in search for the woman's lost nephews who are also in the area. Thus Lex and Sophie are stuck here until they make a report back. Word from Command is Claire's radio beacon is still active and the two are moving all around the area as they expand their grid search. The reason they haven't moved despite every inch of their bodies wanting to leave is simple after all.

They plan to take down the Indominus once and for all. That is also the reason why the other two helicopters of the Park are present; once word gets out that the Indominus is found, they would do it the American way, by superior air power.

"No word yet from Command about the Indominus?" asks Lex making Sophie shake her head at her girlfriend.

"Not yet I am afraid. With no personnel and no tracker, the only thing that-," Sophie's words however is broken when Shaw calling their names makes the three women turn at the source of the sound who are running their way.

"Command has just called ma'am," he huffs and puffs. "They found the Indominus, South of the Old Building at the old path heading to the Aviary,"

With a turn of her head to Lex, Sophie just nods at her wordlessly before the two of them move. Claudia also follows but a stern look from Lexy makes her pause immediately.

"Stay here,"

"But I-," she starts to protest at Sophie's girlfriend but Lex is having none of it however.

"You are not yet well, stay here. This is our fight. Sophie, come," and with that Lex leaves first. Sophie just gives an apologetic look at a glum looking Claudia before trailing after Lex up top. Already people are finishing the prep time for the two helicopters that would be hunting down the Indominus.

"Are you sure that it would just be the two of you?" asks Shaw as Sophie takes the pilot seat while Lex goes to the back seat with the improvised seismic charges that the ACU have prepared beforehand. They are basically handmade metal rods taped with as much C4 as the ACU members manage to scavenge from the Response Facility.

"Yes," nods Lex as another team also enters the other helicopter. Sophie does not miss that they are packing RPG's on this one.

"Well, good luck to both of you. And please do get rid of this dinosaur so that we things can become normal," answers Shaw closing the door behind him as Sopie puts on the headgear. The same goes for Lex from the back. She then pulls the stick slowly making the Huey rise to the air with the other helicopter at its back. Below she can see the people at the resort pointing and clapping as the two helicopters fly above them.

"Eagle Two this is Eagle One, radio check," the voice of Lex can be heard through the comms.

"Eagle One copy, following your lead," the response from the other helicopter sounds off as they head North at the direction of the bright glass area ahead.

"Eagle Two, Eagle One, this is Eagle Actual. Glad to have you on our side," a very familiar voice sounds making Sophie turn to the side where another blue helicopter joins them manned by three people with a minigun of all things at the side of it. It is the pilot, however that catches her attention.

"Godfather, what are you doing?" asks a very exasperated Lex. "You are the goddamned owner of this park, you shouldn't be here,"

"This is my park and this is my problems goddaughter," sniffs Simon Massrani through the intercom. "What kind of person would I be if I allow my very own goddaughter to clean up my own mess? Besides," his tone turns to his usual light one, "I am very much enjoying the action,"

Sophie winces as she sees Lex swells like a bullfrog in anger. She is ready to close the intercom off to not damage her ears from the explosion that is to come when the radio crackles once again.

"Eagle Two to all stations, I've got eyes on the Indominus. North of Northeast, below the treeline!" the report comes making Sophie turn her head and indeed, there it is, the pale silhouette of the dinosaur running fast as it obviously can hear the helicopters above it. With a wordless command, Sophie angles the helicopter after it with the other two falling in behind.

"Eagle Actual stay low and get ready to use that minigun above. Wait for us to engage and then rain hell on it," radios Lex as their helicopter takes the lead with Eagle Two.

"Roger that Eagles One and Two, Eagle Actual on stand-by," replies Massrani falling a bit low to give his gunner clean shots. At the side of Eagle Two, Sophie espies the gunner loading the RPG launcher with one of its rockets.

"Sophie, get above it so I can drop!" calls out Lex making Sophie move ahead of the other two choppers keeping up with the fast lopes of the dinosaur who is trying to get into the cover of the trees.

"All stations, commencing bombardment! Do not let her get to the jungle," says Le and Sophie sees her through the back mirror immediately dropping two of the seismic charges at once.

The resounding explosions are like the judgment of the gods. Even airborne, Sophie can feel the vibration of the explosions from where she is. Below the angry roar of the Indominus can be heard.

"Target neutralized. I see burns on her sides. Commence attack all stations, she's out in the open!" says Lex as the Indominus below change direction away from the pulverized entrance of the forest to the clear game trail instead where the two other helicopters can see it clearly.

"Good job Eagle One. We are taking it from here," crows the pilot of Eagle Two as his gunner fires his weapon, the RPG missile striking true to the side of the ground of the Indominus making it stumble and fall on its back.

Like birds of prey, Massrani's chopper is immediately on it, the minigun cranking to life as hundreds of rounds are unleashed to the white dinosaur who screeches in pain as wounds riddle its body. For a minute or two, Sophie believes that they have finally done it. Bullet holes cover the Indominus and another RPG shot at its flank takes off a huge chunk of it sending hot geysers of blood everywhere. A seismic charge explodes on its ass removing three feet of tail turning the ground red. The horrible monster would die as it struggles to get up. However as if in some bad dream, the Indominus pulls itself together before making a run for it.

Straight through the crystal and steel dome of the side of the Aviary where it passes through leaving broken glass behind it.

"Oh shit breach! Breach at the aviary!" shouts the pilot of Eagle Two as angry roars can be heard inside followed by more shrieks.

"Sophie get me above the breach in the aviary!"

"Wait, why?"

"Just do it!" shouts Lex galvanizing Sophie to action as she pushes the chopper forward hovering above the hole created by the Indominus. Sophie watches in nervousness as Lex drops all the remaining seismic charges she has at the entrance. Just in time too for the first of the flying dinosaurs to appear from the hole. Apparently being stuck with the Indominus inside and freedom, the flying dinos choose the latter.

The entire aviary shudders as the seismic charges explode into a fiery inferno at the entrance of the breach. The piercing shrieks of dying pterosaurs can be heard as the fire engulfs everything in its path.

"That won't hold them for long," says Lex before reaching out to her intercom again. "This is Eagle One to all birds. Abort mission! Fall back. We need to get back to the resort before the denizens of the Aviary manage to get through that fire,"

"But the Indominus-,"

"-can be handled later. This helicopters won't stand against an aerial battle against that much dinosaurs," says Lex waving to Sophie to start moving.

She doesn't question her girlfriend as she pushes the helicopter back at the direction of the resort of Jurassic World. She sees the two helicopters at the back hesitating a bit before also acquiescing as they turn their rotors after her, gaining fast momentum, and just in time too. Sophie can see that the fires caused by the seismic charges are finally going down and dozens upon dozens of dinosaurs are starting to stream out, quickly gaining on them. It does not take a genius to see that they would be overwhelmed before they can even get anywhere within the walls of Jurassic World. She must not be the only one to make the estimate to for the helicopter of Massrani pauses before turning sidewards as it hovers.

"Eagle Actual, godfather what are you doing?!" demands Lex looking back at the helicopter staying between the escaping two and the dinosaurs.

"I am proud of you Lex, proud of everything that you've ever done. It's all in your hands now. I will tell your grandfather about the woman you've become," says the owner of Jurassic World before the intercom goes off at his side.

"No grandfather! No! No! What are you doing?!" Lex screams through the radio as she turns back at the helicopter who starts spewing with its minigun taking down five of the pterosaurs before the rest of the flock reaches it. Like piranhas they tear through the chopper, even taking one man out, leaving it trailing smoke and fire as it crashes to the ground in an inferno, and Simon Massrani with it.

Their delaying tactic works, at least that's for the majority of the flyers. Lex is bawling at the back for the death of her godfather and Sophie would have spoken to her if not for a giant pterosaur the size of a small plane suddenly diving from above and plucking Eagle Two out of the skies. The screams of its crew can be heard as the giant beak pecked the sides of the Huey, ripping through its internal machinery like tissue making the helicopter cough up fire and smoke in large amounts. Despite its doom however, the gunner at the side manage to fire his RPG at the chest of the Quetzalcoatlus making the giant avian bird scream its death throes as it explodes, bits and pieces of it falling from the sky in a gory rain. The helicopter however spasms as it falls down like a rock from the sky and explodes in a fireball down below.

"INCOMING!" Lex's shout snaps Sophie back to reality and she flinches as a pterosaur crashes through the windshield, its large beak piercing through the front nearly spearing her. As it is she pulls the handgun beneath her seat and shot it through the head. It screams simply despite the bloody hole in its skull making Sophie snarl as she shot it again and again nearly emptying the clip before it pulls away and fells to the side.

Snarls and screams at the back makes her turn to see Lex has pulled out the spare MP5 and is shooting through the pterosaur at the left door trying to bite her. The dinosaur quickly backs away but another pterosaur head pushes itself from the right door, its large beak darting in and seizes one of Lex's legs. It begins pulling her out as she screams and struggles. She would have been pulled out too if not for her managing to grab the seatbelt. As it is, it becomes a tug of war as the pterosaur attempts to pull her out with its giant beak.

Sophie snarls as she sees Lex's leg dripping crimson. The beak of the pterosaur obviously has teeth and is biting through her skin. There's no way in hell she would let this dinosaur bite her girlfriend out however. Only she is allowed to do that. Looking back, she unloads what bullets are remaining inside the clip of her handgun at it making it screech as it lets go and flies away.

Sophie is just ready to congratulate herself for the job well done when Lex looks forward, eyes widening before shouting out: "Sophie look out!"

Sophie just manages to turn too late to see that the helicopter has descended and is crashing straight to the waters of the lagoon. The last thing she sees as the helicopter slams into the frigid cold water is the Mosasaur's tail at the surface.

…

Author's Note:

Another chapter done. So yeah, we are at this space already. Guys please review for your reviews are the song to this writer's heart and my inspiration.