Close Encounters: New World Order (Six Campers Side Stories)

Vengeance

2 Years after Fallen Kingdom:

Darius P.O.V: Muir Woods, San Francisco, California:

We strolled down the path through the massive redwoods. The scenery, the birds chipping.....it gives a very tranquil feeling. "There's a face I haven't seen in a while." A voice calls out and I see the man that I came to see. "Look at the pot calling the kettle black." I say sarcastically as the both of us chuckle and close the distance. Hugging each other. "How have you been? It's been a few weeks since out last FaceTime call." Ben says to me as I chuckle. "School stuff mostly. How have you been? How's B.U.M.P.S going?" I ask him as we begin walking down the path. "Going really well.....our operations have expanded into Oregon and last reports I got say that Utah is firmly getting underway." He says. I look Ben over, the last time I saw him in person was about 2 years ago after we had saved Bumpy and realised the dinosaurs. He has grown considerably since then, taller and more filled out. He is no means super muscular but more of a lean light build. Small but by no means weak. The work he has been doing for the last 2 years have really helped him, and not just physically.

"How is Utah?" I ask, knowing that the news and Dino trackers have been keeping track of dinosaur movements particularly in Utah. Utah is a hotspot for dinosaurs, especially carnivores. Ben sighs in exasperation. "Utah is a puzzle that is missing a few pieces.....you know what to fill it with but it is really hard when you can't or don't know how. We are trying to teach but after numerous attacks and encounters.....many don't want anything to do with dinosaurs. And some have become radically hateful of them, which I almost don't fault for. We are trying but it's hard." He says and I see the tiredness in his eyes. Ben has told me and the others that Utah is a social, political and prehistoric minefield. Carnivores have set up territories, some extremely close to population zones. People are getting frustrated and tired of all the problems and deaths but Ben is unfazed, he believes that he can manage the damage or at least bring it under some control.

"What about Toro? What have you heard about him?" I ask as we stop at a path stopping point. "Reports say that he is in the wind, we were able to track him but that raging bull can cover his tracks. The Utah Governor has put a bit on his head so we are trying to herd him away or at least catch him and contain him but Toro is as elusive as they come, surprising for an animal his size." He replies as I nod. On the island, Toro was frecious and without fear.....now, he is running, trying to hide. While still frecious, he is obviously learning to keep his head down and stay away from people but the damage has already been done. "What about here? I've heard that you have a quarantine camp near here?" Ben smiles and gestures me to follow.

B.U.M.P.S San Francisco Quarantine Camp:

After catching a train and getting picked up by a B.U.M.P.S transport van, we arrive at the quarantine camp. Ben came up with the idea of leasing land off of select areas from state governors to quarantine injured or threatening species. Some agreed......some didn't. San Francisco and the state of California were more than happy to help. Some dinosaur species were captured and housed here but some like Blue or Toro were just to elusive. Or others like Rexy, who are too big to house and manage. The camp is about 24 acres big and has a permanent staff or about 1000 people, branching into categories of administration, veterinarians, electrician and other tradesmen, with others selected to be Rangers. The staff is growing by the day and the number of animals, even more so. "How many?" I ask Ben as we reach his main tent. "4 species." He says as he pulls out a touch screen table with the four species file. "Triceratops......Stygimoloch.......a Diplodocus and a single Sinoceratops." I say as Ben sighs in sadness. "What's up?" I ask as he widens the Sino file. "This individual was captured about 3 months ago, some of my best trackers were tracking it's herd but unfortunately this individual was the only surviving member." He says sadly as I read the file. "Individual shows signs of emotional depression. Refuses to eat or drink. Loud sad calling throughout the night and when provoked becomes extremely aggressive." I say as I finish the file. "What happened?" I ask. "Nature......bad luck, or both. All I know is that this Sino had been through hell and is the only animal in this camp so fall that is causing a lot of problems for my staff. I still remember the story that Rob told me of this Sino."