Jurassic Park II: The Lost World (Victoriana)

Chp. 10: A Fight to Regain Sanity

Down on the ground, there was an intense amount of activity around the felled tyrannosaur, which was now completely covered except for its head. An InGen worker was checking the animal's condition as he peered into its big, sightless eyes. Seán McLoughlin gave orders to two more InGen workers, having to raise his voice so he could be heard over the drone of the helicopters overhead.

"Find the infant," the Irishman said. "Roland can show you where the nest is! I want it on the jet with me! I'll take it directly to the infirmary at the complex in San Diego! Move it! We have to be airborne before the female knows we're here!"

Meanwhile, Roland stood a short distance away, not looking quite as triumphant as one might expect. McLoughlin went to him and extended a hand.

"You, no doubt, have saved InGen," Seán expressed with much gratitude. "We lost everything we came after on this trip. But that rex and its infant are going to single-handedly bail us out of chapter eleven."

Roland looked up at the Irishman only for a moment, sending him a tight-lipped smile before his eyes were once again down casted.

"You got your trophy!" Seán exclaimed. "But it's alive, and everyone on the planet's going to line up to see it!"

Seán noticed Roland's solemnity and calmed himself before kneeling before him.

"What's the matter?"

In the entire time they spent on this expedition, this was the first time Seán had seen sadness in the hunter's eyes.

"Ajay..." Roland replied, "...he didn't make it..."

"Oh..." the Irishman said, stunned at the news, "...I'm sorry. I really am."

Roland only nods before getting up and securing his hat on his head.

"Roland," Seán called, "I remember the people who helped me. There's a job for you at the park in San Diego if you want."

"No, thank you," Roland said. "I believe I've spent enough time in the company of death."

He turned and walked away, his head bowed as he walked toward one of the waiting helicopters. Seán watched the man with disappointment and sympathy. He couldn't imagine losing a close companion on an adventure they intended to complete together. The Irishman was so caught up in his thoughts that it took a full-blown shout to get his attention.

"MR. MCLOUGHLIN!" one of the InGen workers shouted. "IT STOPPED BREATHING!"

Seán raced over before the worker showed the two darts stuck in the animal's neck.

"That guy used two darts! This is concentrated Carfentanil! If you give anything more than ten milligrams, you'll kill it!"

"What do we do!?" McLoughlin asked.

"I don't know! I'm not a veterinarian!"

"THE VETERANARIAN IS DEAD, AND THIS THING IS DYING! NOW HOW MUCH!?"

The worker hesitated before giving an unsure answer.

"Five hundred milligrams?"

"Do it!"

The worker smacked open a case filled with bottles of concentrated tranquilizers. He hurriedly filled a syringe with a clear-colored liquid before injecting it into the rex's massive neck. They stepped back in anticipation, not knowing exactly what to expect. For a moment, nothing happened. And then, the massive tarp in front of them raised slowly as the giant animal took a breath. The dirt in front of its nostrils puffed into the air before it resumed its normal breathing.