Cupertino, California
December 23rd 1997
San Jose International Airport
2:45 pm
It was a beautiful day in San Jose as Robert Tembo slowly made his way onto the black tarmac of the local airport from the Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter. He slowly looked around through the darkened lenses of the gold rimmed
aviators on his nose. Honestly, he hated California, actually in full truth he hated America altogether, not that he had anything against Americans in general, it was just their way of life bothered him to no end. In this place, it was all about how big your house was and how much money you had, and for a boy born and raised in Mombasa that way of thinking was a rather foreign concept, especially knowing his father was old school and it wouldn't fly with him either. Looking ahead Robert saw his ride, a black limo in the distance, he grabbed his black pack and started to trudge towards it. As he approached he reached his hand up and removed the weathered black leather
hat from his head and let it slip behind his back. A man dressed in a full black suit that most likely cost a fortune stepped from the vehicle and greeted Robert. It was almost laughable when Robert and the limo driver stood next to each other, here was the limo driver dressed in a rather fine suit that looked like it cost 100's of dollars. Robert on the other hands was dressed in a pair of old rugged hiking
boots, an old tattered pair of
khaki shorts with canvas belt, a short sleeve dress
shirt, and old Willis & Geiger Hemingway
jacket, a leather wrist
band on one arm and survivalist
watch on the other and of course his trusty hat he never went anywhere without. In short, he was a walking epiphany of someone who did not belong in California, yet another reason he did not like coming to the states or the large cities thereof.
Robert climbed into the limo which was always a huge difference from the usual jeep wrangler he drove around back home and they were off. No sooner had they left the airport did Robert find himself resting in front of the Biosyn main Corporate Building, the whole reason he was in California in the first place lay beyond those large spinning glass doors. Robert exited the Limo and walked towards the building entrance, he caught a couple glances from passerby’s, they too were dressed like they were going to a really expensive funeral, he merely shook his head as he entered the building and was quickly scooted through security and before long he was sitting silently in a plush office chair with a bunch of corporate bigwigs. The room was silent, Robert was being stared at by a good majority of the Executives, more fancy funeral goers, trying to figure out if he was for real or if he had dressed like this on purpose. He supposed perhaps this must have been a black tie affair, but hell would freeze over before that ever happened.
“I think I speak for everyone here when I say Welcome to California Mr. Tembo and even more so thank you coming on such short notice. I know the flight has been long and I am even more so positive you wish to know why we called you here today.”Robert looked at the post balding man of fifty as he stopped talking and looked at him expectantly, was this suppose to be the part where he was going to agree or say something to the same effect? He wasn't really into the whole etiquette standard of meetings, he was a hunter, not a CEO. However, to get things moving he spoke in a deepened lightly accented voice:
“It crossed my mind...”“Good well I will make it quick as I am sure you are a busy man, we need your help on a very sensitive operation. About one week ago we sent a team of scientist to an island isolated from the mainlands on an assignment to bring back samples of local species within the island. Everything was going accordingly but a couple days ago we lost all contact with the team and have been unable to raise them. They are supposed to be arriving back here in two days and thus far we have been unable to ascertain if they have lost radio capabilities or something worse has transpired as this island has some pretty fierce predators on it. We need your help Mr. Tembo, we understand that your one of the best hunters and trackers in the better-known world. We would be willing to pay you a very generous fee if you could go to the island accompanied by a small team to ascertain the fate of our team and if necessary complete their assignment.”Robert looked at the man suspiciously, in the back of his mind he felt like that explanation was rather vague, a lot of beating around the bush kind of talk. This was a bioengineering company, and it was curious as to why a company such as this was collecting a sample from a local indigenous species of animals on an island. Not to mention the fact that they seemed more interested in the samples then they did their own team on the island.
“Tell me what exactly kind of species can be found on this island? I might come from a smaller part of the world but I know when someone is not revealing all the facts. Let's face it, I am a decorated hunter and a tracker unparalleled to most, there has to be an actual reason that you want me on this... expedition. There are hundreds if not thousands of hunters and trackers who could fit the bill just fine from what you have subscribed to me... that is if were talking about normal animals which I am really getting the impression that were not. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.”The older balding man smiled weakly as he looked at the others assembled around the room kind of looking like he just got busted for stealing. In truth, Robert was more curious as to why they wanted him and not his father for this assignment. His dad was still the best of the best in the entire world, it was true Robert was closing in on him, and one day he would be as accomplished as his father but at that moment Robert was second place.
“We can't disclose that information Mr. Tembo, not until you sign a non-disclosure agreement and sign on to help us, you understand?”“Yeah I do, thanks for the trip down I will acquire my own ride back no need to worry about me.”Robert stood up placing the aviators back over his face, he nodded to the others in the room and headed for the door but the balding man quickly came over.
“Ok, ok, ok, as much as I would like to you to agree before we tell you specifics we don't have time to find someone new. We tried your father he declined, we knew you would never agree to come down here if we told you outright but here it is, we need you to go to Isla Sorna and find our missing scientists, I am sure you know what that island is, yes? We need those samples, we need those eggs and time is almost out.”Robert had not heard anything past Isla Sorna, his mind was suddenly revisited by a memory from past seven months ago.
7 months Prior
Mombasa, Kenya
May 27th, 1997
1:00 pm
Robert stood above the grave silently next to his father Roland, both of the men had been standing there for almost a good hour now and neither said a thing. There was nothing to say, neither of the strong headed... stubborn men could bring themselves to accept the facts. Robert bent down, his legs a bit stiff from standing in the same position for so long, he placed his hand upon the gleaming stone in front of him.
“Here Lies Ajay Sidhu
A devout friend and great hunter
may he always find peace in the
plains beyond.”Robert felt the tears form in the edge of his eye's as a lump got caught in his throat, he closed his eye's to try and fight them back but they fell anyway. It wasn't right, it wasn't... Ajay had always been there in his life, every single proud moment of his life his uncle had always been there with him and his father. His body wasn't even here to bury... just a damn empty casket and nothing to help either of them find any kind of closure, nothing but a picture that would fade. All this for what?! So some stupid company could exploit some stupid island full of animals!? An even more so they denied everything! They didn't even have the respect to admit their mistake and the lives wasted because of it! Just an empty grave and weak compensation that brought no comfort! How many people were suffering the same way right now? How many people were finding no comfort at this exact moment... no, it wasn't right none of it was... when Robert felt the strong hand on his shoulder he turned to see his father motioning for him to get up. Robert got back to his feet facing the one man who understands even more than he did of this loss.
“He was a great hunter Robert remember that there is no shame in the animal winning, all true hunters must eventually face a predator that is more skilled than them. One day I and you will find that one predator too and like all great hunters we will face them head on and fight until the end. It is an honorable way to die, the way of the hunter.”“There is no honor in this father! He died because of Ingen and their stupid greed! He deserved to die with glory, with a story that would outlast the ages of this world! But instead, his final fight is nothing more than a pathetic cover story to protect a company that has caused nothing but death! They couldn't even tell us how he died just that he did... and there is nothing left of him that we can even bury!”Robert was furious as he yelled but when his father wrapped in his one of the strongest hugs he had ever felt, he wanted to fight the hug to be mad and angry, but the fight began to leave his body almost instantly. Soon enough he just let his head dip onto his father's shoulder and let himself cry.
“It's okay son just let it all go, it is hard to see the ones you love pass on. There is no shame in crying for the lost, no matter how tough you become, or how great you become, the loss of one you consider family will always bring you sorrow. One day son there will be closure I promise you, but don't let your anger and your sadness destroy who you are because once that happens there is no going back.”Robert's eye's trained on the balding man as he pushed past him placing the weather black hat back on his head exiting through the door, intent to get the hell out of this building and back to Mombasa as soon as possible. He hadn't made it far before the balding man caught up with him putting his hand on Robert's shoulder trying to stop him.
“Please Mr. Tembo we need your help, I know what happened with your father expedition into Isla Sorna and I am sorry for both of your loss.”“Your working with Ingen aren't you? That's the only way you could possibly even know anything about what happened seven months ago. Well, I am going to tell you now that I will not subject myself to that company or yours for that matter. My father rejected your offer and now I understand why, he wants nothing to do with you or Ingen and I don't either so get your hand off me.”Robert shirked his shoulder as the balding man's hand flew off and he walked away silently however the next words stopped him in his tracks.
“We can give you something better than money Mr. Tembo, we can compensate you in a way that will help us both. Mr. Sidhu was a great asset to Ingen and he often spoke about you and Mr. Tembo your father so I know that he meant a lot to you. His death was covered up like the rest I know this, it's how Ingen works to keep itself alive, but I am willing to help you bring closure, willing to break the silence Ingen has set in place, let the world know that he died a hero.”“You don't work for Biosyn do you? You're from Ingen, and that means your working together aren't you? What could you possibly truly offer me that would bring me any kind of closure to my uncle? What do you possibly think you could give me to make me even wanna consider working for you?”Undisclosed Location
California
December 23rd 1997
4:30 pm
“Ah you must be Mr. Tembo, my name is Eddie Carr, you can just call me EJ though I never like the junior part, makes me sound small. Anyways welcome to the garage, as I am sure you're aware I will be fulfilling all your automotive needs on your expedition so let's get started, we have only hours to get to get these vehicles completed and you up to date on the designs.”Robert was thrown off as the rather young enthusiastic engineer greeted him, it was the first time he had meant the young man but he knew the name and not because of anything he had done, but because of something his father had done. Eddie Carr, he had been the one to supply vehicles for the small group Hammond had sent in around the same time his father was hired by Ludlow to lead their expedition. Through some rather unfortunate incidents on the island, their groups merged before the end, actually in the last moments of Eddie's life. Was it really possible that this was that Eddie Carrs son or was he over thinking this?
“So uh EJ your last name is Carr, was your father also an engineer?”
“Oh, you knew my dad?
“No, unfortunately, I never had the pleasure but my dad uh knew about him, said he was a hero.”
“Oh your dad must have known my father in the war, he was an engineer and he often times did contracts with the military, he was on an assignment seven months ago give or take and he was uh killed in an enemy ambush. Said he sacrificed his own life for three others, it wasn't easy but hey not many can say their dads died a hero, uh, I am proud to be his son. But enough about me, we have a lot to cover plus your partner will arriving soon so we need to make time.”Robert became silent as EJ started to ramble on about the make and models of their vehicles they would be using on the expedition. There was no doubt that this wasn't mere coincidence, this was Eddie Carr's son, and like his father, he was an engineer too. Kind of ironic how sons often followed in their father's footsteps, but still he would never have guessed he would meet the son of the man who gave his life in such a heroic but horrible way. He also did not know the actual truth about what happened to his father either, this troubled Robert immensely but he knew better than say anything, it wasn't his business or his right to tell EJ anything other than what he was told, crappy as it felt to know it was nothing more than another cover up.
“Did you say, partner?”
“These models were my dad's original designs but I have taken them one step further and upgraded the components... uh yeah, they told me one more was coming. If I recall her name is Madeline Ward she will be accompanying you and myself on the expedition.”
“you're going too? Why? Aren't you just an engineer?”“Well yeah I am but my father was a man of action always in the field and I want to get some field experience myself so I offered my services not only on the vehicles but to go to the island as well. I thought they would deny my request but apparently, they need all the people they can get so I lucked out.”Robert was about to voice his rejection for EJ's choice to tag along but a sudden yell of the word daddy through him off, a young boy of about nine came running up and slammed into EJ giving him a huge hug. Robert watched as he picked him up effortlessly and spun him in a rather big hug before setting him back on his feet.
“Hey, buddy! I am glad you could come and give your old man a hand in the garage this is Mr. Tembo why don't you say hello. Mr. Tembo this is my son Jimmy.”“Nice to meet you Mr. Temboo.”Robert smiled as the young man mispronounced his name and held out a small hand to him, he bent down enveloping the boy's hand in his shaking it firmly.
“It's nice to meet you, Jimmy, I don't know if it's true or not but from what I hear around here you're the real brains around here in the garage, they say you're the one who came up with all these really cool designs here. Is that true?”Jimmy's eye's lite up with recognition as he quickly nodded his head agreeing completely with the statement.
“Yep they call me JC just like my daddy is called EJ, I know a lot about building things, I helped to build my own go-cart you know.”“You did!? That's pretty impressive, my daddy's a hunter you know and I and he goes all over the world and sees all kind of animals, lions, tigers, bears, even elephants, maybe one day we will be using one of your really cool vehicles on an expedition huh?”JC shook his head excitedly as EJ smiled at him putting his hand on his shoulder.
“Ah well first the master mechanic here needs to go have his lunch, which is in the office, there may be also some cookies hidden in there why don't you go sniff them out while Mr. Tembo and daddy talk business uh?”JC quickly nodded as he started to run for the office intent on finding those cookies for himself, Robert smiled remembering a time when he was that young and carefree, seems all so long ago nowadays. Soon enough after a small tour EJ and Robert were sitting in a small cubicle to the side.
“As you can see the vehicles are highly modified for their original designs and extremely lightweight metal with the ability to withstand a herd of elephants. I would put my babies up against the fiercest predator in the world and stake my career as an engineer that they will hold up. The company also requested that the outside of the vehicle have a mechanism involving an electric charge. My fathers original design had this however it was fairly weak given he didn't have the proper time to get it ready, but not to worry EJ is a mechanical genius, those fortresses on wheels will keep you snug and out of harms way. Now aside from the custom details they are run on solar panels like the original design however I have installed various batteries so you can go longer without sunlight. The designs and functions are all put together for you to look at in this manual, it includes the smaller vehicles, we built two and they are of the same design as the Fleet woods, built in GPS and the works.”“Thats pretty amazing for a couple days work, did you do any designs on satellite phones, I imagine we might need them just in case?”
“Yes I think you will that this design is a lot easier and dependable then the old briefcase phone, unfortunately its power is not as strong given the battery is smaller so keep it off unless your using it. There are charger bases within the RV's and the land cars.”EJ handed a medium sized device to him that looked a lot like a GPS system, Robert looked at admiring the size, he was no mechanical genius in any way but the work was superb. Robert looked up at EJ with a smile that faded slowly.
“EJ I would like to request that you.. don't go to the island when we leave. I know this is coming out of nowhere but I really don't think its a good idea for you to go. The animals on this island... their incredibly dangerous. Iv seen your little boy and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, I am positive him and his momma need you.”“His momma passed away a couple years ago, Im about all he has left.”
“I am sorry I recently lost someone close to me and I know it can be hard, but its more reason to stay out of dangers way. I don't know what they told about what were doing but its not going to be a simple in an out by any means.”“I understand that but I'm doing this for him, truth is this is my specialty and because of the secrets around my fathers death, I can't even use his designs without legal counsel. This is what I want to do and im not making money doing it, then this company approaches and offers me a sum of money to build these vehicles and even more money now that I have offered to go with you. I would be set for life, both of us would be and all I gotta do is come back, compared to losing everything because I have no means so support me or my son how bad can it be?”Robert was about to say something but a sudden honking from outside caught his attention and EJ's as well.
“That I believe is your partner, they are right on time, so shall we go meet them?” 
