~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 18: Frozen Village ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

/The Helicopter lifted up high above Isla Sorna, as Muldoon stared at the other 3 hunters. They were on their way to one of the most terrifying locations anyone had ever seen, the very heard of terror itself. All the air around them grew chilled with a sickeningly real confidence, and a silhouette played on the horizon. They could see it coming closer, coming into view as they carried the 2 large crates with them on the Recon Helicopter. InGen's troops and marines had gotten to Isla Sorna as fast as possible, realizing another unfortunate team had been caught in the cross hairs. It hadn't taken them more than 2 days to gather the resources necessary, and meet Muldoon as well as Diego at the main helipad.*

/Yet now, they faced a much larger problem. The jungle below them, supposedly belonging to Site C was nearly impossible to view with the naked eye. There was literally nowhere to land, all across the landscape as well. And most importantly of all, there was a strange email they were trying to decode that played back on the monitor as they flew in the massive 100 ft Helicopter to their destination. Muldoon struggled to shake it off, there was something terribly wrong. Something that would leave them unprepared. Even though the Embryos were finally destroyed, the Hunters still held one of the Dimorphodon hatchlings in their inventory. It had been a dangerous mission filled with perils, all the way along. And Diego just wished to relax and watch the viewfinder, so he played back the online recording for a few moments to catch up.*

Recording plays back: "Dr. Johan Tramare: "Progress has increased with that Spinosaurus specimen…Norman Atherton is no longer a problem, as his son Gregory is assisting us to land our troops at the proper locations. The two Volcanoes on the outside of Muerta are no longer a problem as the area has been frozen over in the hazardous cave. (Inhales.) We had a lot of good feedback on our Refueling station, by building new medical transports near the cliffs even though there are no harbors on Isla Muerta, so as to keep tourists away from Site C. Azores Island near Africa now contains a few of our experimental test Silos for the Quetzalcoatlus…the Lab tests were inconclusive, but very brilliant. We think soon that these tests will prove to be very beneficial for our Japanese investors…"

Recording continues: "Johan: "I don't think the primal behaviors of the Mastodons are as much of a problem as Joe Rossiter seems to think. I always did agree our experiment on the Troodons got a little out of hand, but that was Dr. Wu's idea. Nima seems to think that this Island is a tourist destination, (chuckle) I doubt she'd ever say that again after what her step-daughter saw near the Cliffs Observatory….We've tracked 4 Quetzalcoatlus that escaped in the wild on Site C…..None of them were tagged, as you would likely expect. The experiment with the flying Pterosaur was not successful, but after we injected a hybrid pathogen into the Spinosaurus I've seen wonderful results. I'm thinking of telling Dodgson about it, but he better not tell Steingarten or Regis….Since Steingarten doesn't know."

Diego: "Wow….I am speechless hermano…"

Recording continues: Johan: "I've started doing in-depth experiments on the Velociraptors…I think as long as Nima or Steingarten doesn't find out about it, it's fine….Billy and Jack seem to be adjusting well. (Inhales.) I have no idea what that creature was near the cave….Nima thinks its all fun and games when she takes her daughter for vacation near the Islands, I imagine she won't think that anymore the moment they crash somewhere…..I've warned her before, our Research Camp is no joke…."

* Johan: "These animals can't be controlled….I'm starting to believe we're better off gassing them all, turn them into liquid for Dodgson's miracle drugs. Nima made another joke about Disney World, taking her daughter off to go play on the rides. After the incident on Nublar, I've warned Nima before that no ride out there is safe. Our experiment on the Pteranadon was a success…and now that Hammond is dead nothing stands in my way. If Site C continues to expand out, I look forward to more Archaeopteryx being brought to the small Islands in west Africa, right off Azores….Those small peninsulas are no larger than a fleet of ferry boats, maybe 5000 feet across or so…..they'd never suspect a thing in that area, since the Site C project is top secret…. Steingarten tells me it's too dangerous, what does he know? He wasn't there when we raised the herd of hybrid Ankylosaurs…"

Muldoon: (Yawns.) "Diego, enough….Look alive my crew. We are almost there….We're almost ready to touch down on Site C near the Snow covered woodland basin…"

Diego: "Robert, they were doing something a lot worse than Tembo said….they were all experimenting on these Dinosaurs for decades. Can you believe this!? And Nima…she was the one who tried to take the Cryocan back to California isn't she?"

Muldoon: "Of course she is….But you act like we've not been here before. I guarantee whatever is down there, I'll be ready for. Captain! Let the ship down near the cliffs outside the woods…"

Claire: "Wow….This Island from up here looks like a death trap…I count at least two Ice covered Volcanoes and a jagged triangle looking temple structure." (She gasps.)

Claire: "It's no wonder no one has ever been out here…..Almost no one from InGen anyway, since Owen says this Island is top secret and it isn't on any maps on top of that…"

Owen: "Claire, for the last time! We're going to be landing soon….Blue will help us in the woods here. Don't you get it? This crazy Island….of course nobody knows about it, because it's run by Biosyn! I tried to warn you about this…."

Diego: "Well….we can set traps, can't we? Oh shoot, the Helicopter is hitting a snowstorm…Looks like we got a rough landing coming in paco….I think they're going to land in the snow drift!"

Muldoon: "Look out, people, and watch your backs. This Island, nobody's visited it because it is in the restricted zone. I was surprised to see there was any clues to its existence even on Site B…"

Muldoon: "And remember, folks…..this is the most troubling Island we've ever been on. That's why it is called Site C, so don't expect anything but turbulence…..especially until we get to a safety zone."

Helicopter Pilot: "Ok, InGen Harvest team….We are preparing to land. This is the wooded basin inside the frozen tundra on the lovely Isla Muerta. Watch your step team, they call this….Isle of the Dead."

Diego: "Oh, that doesn't sound too good paco….There must be a reason for it being called that."

Muldoon: "Of course there's a bloody reason! It's the worst Island out there, and that's why we want to rescue the crew…Find Dr. Grant if he's alive, and get the hell out of here with the final samples of DX."

Muldoon: "I would love for us to be out of this place as soon as possible…Alright, load up your snow shoes…..Bloody hell, this place is bonkers….." (He aims his laser sight rifle into the massive canopy of trees as they depart from the Helicopter. Something large and ferocious, is stalking them…..but the air is silent as a tomb. Something outside beyond the pattern of rocks on the ridge, is beckoning them out.)

Owen Grady: "Wow, this is it…..This truly is it. This is the Island huh, Muldoon? That's right girl, that's right Blue….this is Site C. We better get moving fast…"

Blue: "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAWWRR! RAAAAAAAAAAAAWRR!" (Just then, Blue hisses at the snow near the enclave of four large rocks. She smells the air in a tirade, convinced something enormous is nearby….stalking them.)

Diego: "Oh don't do it Owen, don't say it right now hermano…..This is not time, nor place….What the hell is that sound – "

*Suddenly, the basin underneath where they are standing as they move Eastward into the Ice covered forest begins to crack. A low roar is heard….Behind the third rock stands a pair of Bi-Pedal monsters more than 15 ft in height, the Nanaqsuarus stalks the 4 of them. Just then, the massive jaws of the creature plunge into the ice below and rip Diego straight up in the air….as Muldoon and Claire begin to run to the Western side, tripping and sliding over each other as they rush inside a giant cave.*

*A massive set of terrifying claws rips apart the Ice….on the west and east side of where Diego is standing, as part of his ankle is ripped right off. They are inside one of the most dangerous obstacles yet. Diego screams in pure terror, as the Nanaqsaurus breaks the Ice wall to pieces and flattens the boulder with its massive terrifying foot. He shoots off 9 rockets into its hulking frame, jolting it back into the basin of the snow covered cliffs. The terrifying second Nanaqsaurus roars in anger, and climbs to the top of a cliff overlooking the snow filled ravine 40 feet ahead. He grips his limp leg and rolls fast down the mountain, trying to slip slide his way to safety while being chased by a massive, terrifying creature.*

Diego: "Aaaggghhhh! Nooooo!" (Diego winces in pain, shooting off eighteen Napalm laced incendiary rounds into the Nanaqsaurus from the western perch he was standing, tearing open part of its leg. The huge jaws of the 25 foot creature, smash the boulder furthest to the right on the East side….causing a giant cave they are inside of to start to fall straight down.)

Doma Nanaqsaurus: "RAAAAAAAAWWRR! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAWWRR!" (The massive Dinosaur flies through the trees, directly towards Muldoon who hides behind the hill. Claire screams in terror, fires off a Bola Snare and then retreats into the East tunnel. She hides behind a large room of abandoned Igloos….each with strange computer panels and an electric motor. The second Nanaqsaurus rushes in out of nowhere, knocking Owen sideways through a tree. Its jaws then race after Diego, chasing him as the man tumbles and falls down a slippery Ice slide that is more than 400 feet in length….as he continues to slide down the giant Icy tundra of horror, the 4 intrepid heroes can't help but feel like they've been here before. Yet the last time they witnessed something this terrifying, was from a long distance away…listening to it on the Radio or watching it on television. Now they were living it…up close.)

Muldoon: "This is bloody well not going to be on any list I've ever heard of…." ((Muldoon yells, as he starts unloading twelve shotgun blasts directly into the back of the second Nanaqsaurus head. It flies across the Ice, knocking the entire Ice shelf off into pieces. As Muldoon struggles to stay on top of it, the other side of the cave collapses….Knocking him more than 25 meters down the slope…keeping him isolated and out of Diego's line of sight. The massive pair of Dinosaurs had split the group up.))

Diego: "Ahghhh….my leg….take this… ((Diego then shoots off more than 9 direct rocket blasts, into the mouth of the Nanaqsaurus…*half the Ice cave falls away, crumbling….as he slips down the Ice slide at over 50 miles per hour….the Nanaqsaurus is literally right behind him….Slashing at his legs, as his left leg suddenly tears open due to the wounds. Finally, Diego ends up at the base of a large Icy structure….more than 100 meters from the Woodland area. The whole place is filled with Ice caves, and two giant…bulbous looking Incan statues. The carvings say something intense…that catches his attention very quickly. It speaks about the ruins…..Muldoon also reads the ancient writings on the upper column.))

*Ancient dialect written on the cavern walls "For those who make it past the Icy gloom, you are bound to discover something worse than a dark mushroom….But if you look upon the Eastern starlit sky, there you will see…The key is the Eye."

Muldoon: "What the bloody hell does that mean…? This is, oh this bloody well shows we are in Site C…"

Owen: "Look out, Muldoon! It's coming back.."

Doma Nanaqsaurus: "RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWR!" (The furious Dinosaur splits the Ice rock in half with its teeth, whipping Muldoon off the cliff into the Icy rocks below. He lands with a heavy thud, dislocating hi shoulder. Diego then sprints into action and fires off 15 incendiary rounds straight at the Dinosaur from the back….destroying its right arm.)

Claire: "I think it means….that statue up North…Right Owen?...Destroy the statue north of here.."

Diego: "I see it, Hermanos! ((Diego then covers his leg with gauze, and aims his massive AK-47 straight at the Statue directly north of the stairs. He fires off 4 shots. Just as the massive Nanaqsaurus head rages in, blowing the Ice wall apart and is about to shut straight over his body….suddenly a massive explosion sets off. The entire Eastern wall of the cave shatters, creating nothing but a massive void where the floor once stood…which drags the first Nanaqsaurus towards the cliff-side's edge….where it roars in anger, as it shuts its massive jaws over Owen's body and then Diego in a violent outburst….dragging Diego over the cliff with it as the Dinosaur's leg begins to crack under….where suddenly, Diego leaps onto the West column with his climbing hook. He lassoes it around the base, and shoves the Nanaqsaurus jaw with his 4 foot rifle right towards the cliff. The huge creature snaps off one of Diego's ankle fragments, and then stumbles straight backwards as it tumbles headlong right off the cliff. It falls more than 400 feet down the Icy ravine, into a cold bed of splintered jagged spikes below. Finally, at last the beast was dead.))

Muldoon: "Geezuz.. That was bloody close, where's the other one!?"

*Suddenly, a giant shape flies across the snow covered ravine and cracks the boulder into three pieces. It is the original Nanaqsaurus, and the Dinosaur is tearing Blue apart in its jaws. Just then Owen reaches down, and begins to unload more than ten napalm shotgun rounds into the beast from the other side of its tail. It finally stumbles back….and Muldoon runs as fast as he can to the walkway above the reptile. He sees the third Incan statue, with the shape of an eye on the Eastern wall. He aims steadily with his iron-sights rifle, and fires with all his strength fifteen direct shots into the eye. Suddenly, a huge beam of energy splits the Ice cavern in half…..as the Nanaqsaurus falls back on its hind legs, and begins to implode from the inside out. A giant stalactite, older than the cave itself finally cracks open…and falls straight down 100 feet directly on top of the Dinosaur's ancient head. It splinters the massive creature's skull in half, killing the Dinosaur once and for all. As it thunders back and falls into the Icy abyss below, one last scream is heard as the stalactite also crushes Diego's leg and snaps his heel by breaking his left ankle in half. The creature had finally fallen at great cost to Owen, Diego and Muldoon.*

Claire: "Good god, I am never….Ever going sledding outdoors again…"

Owen: "Oh why not Claire? You make it sound easy….just slip, then slide."

*Then Muldoon has a chuckle at that. The three of them make their back up the ravine, applying gauze to every part of Diego's leg. They emerge on the outside of the Woodland snow covered clearing. Ten meters ahead is a large cabin, and inside on Floor 1 is a computer terminal. The 4 hunters enter cautiously, looking around to make sure no one else followed. They insert the diskette into the drive.*

Diego: "Wow, this is unbelievable…"

Owen: "What, Diego? What are you on about now…"

Muldoon: "What bloody is it? Another specimen, that's not anything to trifle with….or a map..?"

Diego: "No, nope no such luck. It is much better, hermano."

Claire: "What? Spit it out, c'mon Diego…We need to find Ian…So we can get the hell to the ante chamber and destroy the specimens here."

Diego: "It's a code…..For a new type of Hybrid DNA variant…..Something, not from Biosyn. Like this code….You know, it's linked to the Incan tribes that run the Mayan temple East of here…I'm telling you Hermano, it is a calling card of some kind! This shows us where the Ice water leads, amigo…"

Muldoon: "What the hell do you mean….What is it!? A DNA prototype machine, to create monsters?"

Diego: "No, no no hermano…..This inside here is a signature map….A signature for the Megalodon. They got a giant map here that shows us where to find the Megalodon!"

Owen: "Oh goody, I'm all ears now! ….So we rip through the trees, run into the water and fish?"

Diego: "No, hermano….No….It's not that simple. We have to do in the West Iceshore Ruins north of here….That's 70 miles from the Quetzalcoatlus nest….Right in there, is the passcode we need."

Muldoon: "And since Diego is always correct, that's where we'll find it….The code to enter the Megalodon paddock. Which may be our key to unlocking the secrets of this place…finding Grant and Sattler….and getting the hell out of here."

Claire: "What about Steingarten, though?"

Muldoon: "Who cares about him? They're on their own. Let's get moving, folks. Stay the night. By morning, every bloody reptile 7 clicks west of here will be catching our scent to dine on our corpses."

*Camera pans out on Isla Muerta, and switches to a new part of the canyon walls. The scene moves over to a darkened corridor 80 kilometers from the Woodlands. This is none other than the Eastern end of Uxmal Canyon, and Steingarten has just found his way inside a boiling hot vent of Lava steam. In the middle is a large, Incan bridge…that is more than 400 years old. And across the top above an inscription is written….as Bill stares out with absolute terror, and shoots off a hook shot to the pillar. He is now realizing just what a awful situation he has found himself in./

Steingarten: "There it is….that's the passage to the Eastern Volcanic ruins. And the bridge is out…..There's no way across, except that single file tunnel…."

Steingarten: "Yet the writing….this dialect above the wall says something in the inscription." ((He blows apart the 3 Zar Velociraptors, that attempted to chase him into the carved alcove. Then he aims his rockets and fires 10 consecutive blasts at the Carnotaurus which attempted to kill him, by climbing up the sides of the scaffoldings. He then grabs his husk of an arm, and stares at the ruined bridge.))

*Steingarten reads it: "Those who enter the darkened hall, without proper restraint…Are sure to take the first fall….Except those who approach the east terrace…..Oh so quaint…" He reads it and shudders at the thought, and fires 2 more rockets at the Dilophosaurus' west of the entrance. There is no way out of here, and it is the only way across to get the Quetzalcoatlus nest. He has to do this, he slowly realizes.*

Steingarten: "Alright….There's a statue in the ceiling….Maybe if I shoot that… (Bill aims his large M4 Electric Gun at the structure above the middle platform. It explodes, creating a Statue that juts out of the ceiling. He then aims his gun straight at the Easter Terrace statue, which flips it around in a circle. Just then the entire room flips upside down, and he is able to walk on the bridge. He rushes across past the pool of molten lava and enters the door.)

Steingarten: "Finally….What the hell….Is this?!" (He turns on the terminal. It spins open a logo and begins to announce something. "DANGER: SPECIMEN DF IS OUT OF SYNC….THIS ROOM HAS NO MORE ISOTOPES REMAINING. 10 SECONDS TO SELF-DESTRUCT…."

/A giant whirring sound of generators can be heard in the background. The entire experimental cavern, which is all surrounded by beeping machinery and falling rocks….appears to be opening wide. Giant doors that were once sealed are sliding wide open. And just then, the hot steam vents pour out as large rivers of Lava begin filling the entire chamber.*

The conveyer belt speeds up, bringing large traches of machines in from each direction. 50 miles from here Malcolm was getting ready to hike up to the Helipad and deal with the DX virus. But here, a fair distance away from all civilization….Bill Steingarten was surrounded on all sides. He was floored at how intricate the design of these ruins was, and how many rooms were there dealing with the CRAY. Steingarten knew there was no escape from here, either he would solve the computer's secret….or he would die here before ever seeing the Quetzalcoatlus hunting grounds. Just like Nima told him. Had that been a hallucination too? Very unlikely...but at this point there is no choice. Either keep going, or die.*

*He runs to the other side, and sees he is trapped. This is the worst cavern he's been to. And out of nowhere a group of Gexenic Troodons suddenly run out to surround him. They snap at his legs, trapping him in the East corner with venomous toxins. Where can he go, except up?/

To Be Continued*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ End of Chapter 18 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~