'Thinking'
"Speech"
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(3rd POV: Akira)
(Location: Isla Nublar: Jurassic World)
One hundred and twenty miles off the coast of Costa Rica, above the turquoise expanse of the Pacific, the sleek blue Eurocopter EC130, marked with the crisp white lettering "JW001" on its tail, sliced through the humid air. Its rotors whirred steadily, a mechanical symphony against the backdrop of the vast ocean stretching towards the horizon and the verdant outline of Isla Nublar in the distance.
Inside the aircraft, the murmur of conversation competed with the headset static and the rhythmic pulse of the helicopter. Simon Masrani, ever the enthusiast, his dark blue suit looking sharp against the leather seats, gestured out the expansive window at the approaching island. "You know, Akira, flying over this place... it always makes me think I should just get my helicopter license already. Save myself the hassle of waiting for a ride every time I want to pop over." He chuckled, then his tone shifted, becoming genuinely appreciative. "Seriously though, thanks for coming. Really appreciate you agreeing to jump in on this crazy dinosaur project."
Akira, her pale skin a stark contrast to the black and deep purple of her elegant elemental robe, listened intently, the purple fabric shifting subtly as she moved. Black hair, threaded with vibrant purple and shimmering gold highlights, cascaded down her back. Her blue eyes, so dark they almost appeared violet, scanned the landscape below with an unnervingly keen focus, a flicker of something ancient and knowing in their depths as the blue helicopter banked gently, offering a clearer view of a grazing Apatosaurus in a sun-drenched clearing. "The potential of a hybrid dinosaur is indeed... compelling," she replied, her voice a melodic counterpoint in the headset. "And you're right about the license, Simon. Never hurts to have a backup plan."
Turning from the window, where the familiar sights of the park unfolded beneath them – the lush jungle canopy, the winding roads, the occasional glimpse of a massive herbivore – she met his gaze. "So, about this hybrid... you just told Dr. Wu to surprise you?" A faint, almost amused curve touched her lips beneath the purple half-mask that concealed the lower half of her face. "No idea what you're actually hoping for?"
Simon clasped his hands together, a boyish excitement in his eyes. "Yep, told Henry to go wild! Just said... more teeth, you know? Gotta get the wow factor back. The kids treat Rexy like she's a sleepy old dog these days, and even the adults are getting a bit blase." A thoughtful expression crossed his features as the blue helicopter began its descent towards a clearly marked helipad near a cluster of modern buildings. "But hey, this park, Akira, it's not just about making a buck. It's about showing people how tiny we are in the grand scheme of things. A bit of humbling, you know?"
Akira hummed, a low, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate subtly in the headset. The blue EC130 touched down smoothly on the helipad, the spinning rotors gradually slowing to a stop.
They exited the helicopter, the rotor wash still stirring the humid air around them, and instead of heading toward the sleek, glass-encased elevator that led directly to the control center, they walked across a small pedestrian bridge. On the other side, a distinct **white Jeep Gladiator, accented with vibrant blue paint along its sides and hood, and emblazoned with the iconic Jurassic World logo on its doors and "ISLA NUBLAR" spelled out on the hood,** idled patiently. Its engine hummed faintly, a different kind of mechanical beast.
"So, how many times has Dr. Wu attempted to make a hybrid dinosaur?" Akira asked curiously as they settled into the back seats of the vehicle, the driver already pulling away, heading towards the colossal, futuristic structure of the Innovation Center. "Well," Simon paused, a hand stroking his chin. "I believe that this will be the eighth attempt. Henry technically succeeded in the last one, but I said it was too ugly for the park." He answered, a sheepish chuckle escaping him.
Akira raised a brow, a subtle deadpan that conveyed much without a word. 'Humans and their aesthetics,' she thought.
"It was also too aggressive and dangerous for the park," Simon quickly added, seemingly catching the unspoken criticism. "It nearly killed Henry; he was lucky that he had already prepared an anti-venom."
"It was poisonous?" Akira's voice was flat, but her internal gears were turning, cataloging this new information.
Simon moved his hand in a dismissive, 'technically, but not really' gesture. "It had Scorpionfish DNA, so luckily he didn't get his arm chomped off because the venom was in the spines on its tail." The jeep bounced slightly over a road divider, the lush jungle blurring past. Akira nodded slowly, processing the detail, before raising another question.
"Didn't you say that you wanted the hybrid to scare the visitors?" She observed.
Simon nodded yes in response, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Yes. But I don't want it to be a monster."
Akira hummed softly, a sound that held a surprising depth. "Monsters are not born, they are made," she stated, her voice quiet but firm, holding the weight of millennia of observation. "Though I suppose that analogy wouldn't work with the hybrid dinosaur as they are being made. What I mean is, the hybrid won't become a monster, unless it's treated like one. Unless it is *made* to be one by its circumstances." 'A truth humans so often forget,' she mused.
Simon Masrani sighed, a sound of genuine appreciation. "You're right." He turned slightly in his seat, a flicker of renewed hope in his eyes.
The jeep eventually pulled up to the back of the Innovation Center, its glass-and-steel facade gleaming in the tropical sun. The "Staff Only" entrance, a discreet door set into the immense wall, was barely noticeable. "Henry is currently about to start working on a new hybrid. Well, two I should say. Twins." Simon explained, already reaching for his keycard.
"Has he already started the process?" Akira asked thoughtfully, her focus already shifting to the scientific endeavor ahead.
Simon shook his head 'no'. "No. I told him to wait until you arrived," He answered, the enthusiasm returning to his voice. "Well, if you arrived. But, you did and here we are now." Akira chuckled, a soft, pleasant sound, at his childlike excitement as he swiped his keycard, the lock clicking softly, allowing them entry into the cool, climate-controlled interior of the building and towards the lab.
(End)