| Chapter 01: The Man in the Shadows |

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| Arthur Reacher - 3rd Person Pov |

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Arthur Reacher leaned against the railing of the ferry, staring out at the horizon where the sun's rays were just beginning to paint the sky in a muted orange. The ocean stretched endlessly before him, a shimmering expanse of blue-green that never failed to remind him how small everything really was.

Even Jurassic World, with all its grandeur and chaos, was just a speck against nature's vastness.

A soft breeze ruffled his short-cropped brown hair, and he adjusted his cap,— a non-descript beige thing he wore to blend in.

A worker, just like the dozens of others on the boat, not the true architect of this carefully controlled chaos they were sailing toward.

He felt eyes on him, but that wasn't unusual.

He was taller and broader than most of the ferry's occupants, even among the seasoned park employees. It wasn't hard to notice a guy like him.

Arthur shifted his weight, sliding his hands into his pockets, and glanced at the group of students who would become interns in the park, sitting a few feet away. One of them, a young woman with wavy black hair, had been trying to sneak glances at him for the past ten minutes.

He didn't know why she bothered with the subtlety. He wasn't exactly inconspicuous, after all.

When their eyes met, she quickly looked down at her hands, her cheeks flushing red, and Arthur suppressed a smirk.

He'd been in enough situations,— combat, bar fights, undercover operations,— to be more amused than uncomfortable with the attention he usually got.

Still, he wasn't here to make friends. Not today, at least.

And so, Arthur turned back to the horizon as the silhouette of Isla Nublar emerged in the distance. There it was, Jurassic World,— a marvel of modern science, engineering, and all the things that could possibly go wrong.

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| Anne Sutton - 3rd Person Pov |

Anne Sutton hadn't meant to start talking to him. She really hadn't.

One minute, she was watching the ocean, marveling at how the water looked so different here compared to her home in England, and the next minute, her mouth was moving before her brain could catch up.

"So, are you here for the internship program too?" she asked, regretting the words almost immediately.

The man beside her turned his head, his face unreadable, and she felt a sudden pang of embarrassment.

He looked nothing like a student.

Maybe it was the hard-set jawline or the muscles that made his t-shirt cling to his frame like it was a size too small. But now that she had spoken, it felt rude to just run away.

And so Anne tried to recover, flashing what she hoped was a casual smile.

"You,— uh, don't look like most of the other interns." she added quickly, her voice sounding higher than usual.

Great.

This is exactly how you make an idiot of yourself on the first day.

The man, Arthur, gave a small, easy chuckle.

"Yeah, I get that a lot." He didn't say anything more however, leaving Anne to fidget with the strap of her backpack.

His voice had been deep, almost too calm for a man his size. He looked like he could bench-press half the boat, but there was a strange ease about him, like nothing in the world could rattle him.

Or, she thought with a flicker of curiosity, like he didn't really belong here.

"Are you coming to visit the park then?" she asked again, mentally kicking herself for not just shutting up while she had the chance.

Arthur tilted his head toward the island looming closer in the distance. "Something like that." he said vaguely.

There was a twinkle in his eye, and though Anne had no idea why, she found herself smiling back.

As they neared the dock, the boat slowing to a stop, Anne adjusted her backpack and stood with the rest of the students and tourists heading toward the visitor entrance.

She glanced over at the man again, but he was already walking toward a separate exit,— where the park workers disembarked.

"Wait, you're not really…" she trailed off, confused.

Arthur paused just long enough to shoot her a lopsided grin. "A student? I might be a student of life, who knows. But I guess you could call me an intern of sorts."

And with that, he disappeared down the ramp with the workers, leaving Anne standing on the deck, wondering what in the world that meant.

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| Arthur Reacher, The Next Day - 3rd Person Pov |

Arthur navigated through the bustling dock area like a ghost, nodding to a few of the workers but avoiding eye contact with most.

He liked it this way,— flying under the radar.

People saw what they wanted to see. To them, he was just another worker, maybe a new hire, maybe an older hand who didn't talk much. Either way, they never guessed the truth.

That suited him perfectly.

A cart pulled up beside him as he crossed the main service road, and Owen Grady, his old friend and fellow animal handler, leaned out of the driver's seat.

"Arthur." Owen said with a grin, pushing up his sunglasses. "Nice of you to show up on time for once."

Arthur climbed into the passenger seat. "As if I was ever late to something. I've been working since sunrise."

Owen snorted. "Working, huh? You mean 'brooding in secret' again?"

Arthur smirked, but said nothing, gazing out at the various park workers going about their business,— feeding enclosures, checking on the fences, preparing for the day ahead. It was a machine, this place.

Owen steered the cart toward the Raptor Paddock, where his day would begin with the animals he had an unnatural connection to.

Arthur's destination however, was farther up, past the raptor paddock, in the direction of the Giganotosaurus enclosure.

The thought of the massive dinosaur brought a different kind of feeling to Arthur. The Giganotosaurus wasn't just a dinosaur to him,— it was something else.

He had a bond with it, one that had been forged in the months he'd spent working with the creature, understanding it. It wasn't like the bond Owen had with his raptors,— this was deeper, more primal, almost as if the creature could sense who Arthur really was, even if no one else could.

"You checking on the big guy today?" Owen asked, nodding toward the general direction of the Giganotosaurus paddock.

Arthur nodded. "Got a feeling he's a little restless today. So I'll stop by after you get off."

Owen gave him a side-eye. "Restless? Or is that just you projecting?"

Arthur chuckled softly. "Maybe both."

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Arthur stood at the observation deck, staring down at the massive animal below him. The Giganotosaurus was enormous, its scales dark and gleaming in the midday sun.

It moved with a lethargy that belied the sheer power coiled in its muscles, each step sending tremors through the ground beneath.

Arthur folded his arms across his chest, watching as the beast tore into the carcass of a goat that had been lowered into the enclosure.

"Looks like he's in a good mood." came a voice from behind him.

Arthur didn't turn.

He knew it was Claire Dearing before she even spoke. Her clipped tone always had that professional edge, the kind that masked the stress bubbling just below the surface.

"You could say that." Arthur replied. "He's calm now. But I know it won't last."

Claire stepped up beside him, arms crossed.

She glanced at him briefly before returning her gaze to the dinosaur. "You really think that?"

Arthur's lips quirked into a small smile. "You don't?"

Claire stepped closer to the glass then, eyes fixed on the Giganotosaurus, which was finishing its meal with methodical precision.

Arthur could tell she was trying to keep her emotions in check, but her body language betrayed the underlying tension. In her role as the Operations Manager, every decision in the park weighed heavily on her shoulders,— especially when it came to the creatures that could level entire buildings if things went wrong.

"I think we're sitting on a ticking time bomb with him." Claire said softly, breaking the silence.

Arthur shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. He's more complicated than he looks."

"Complicated." Claire turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "That's one way to put it. You think it's smart to keep him here, in an enclosure barely equipped to handle something that size?"

Arthur's eyes flicked from the dinosaur to Claire. "It's not about the size of the cage. It's about the relationship it has with the person who takes care of him."

The way he said it made Claire pause. "The relationship?"

"Yeah." Arthur said, not elaborating. He had no intention of explaining himself,— least of all to Claire. She didn't know the first thing about the bond he had with the Giganotosaurus.

It wasn't something that could be captured in a clipboard's worth of data. This wasn't about management and containment; it was about trust and respect. Something Claire, with her corporate mentality, would never understand.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You know, sometimes I wonder how you got this job."

Arthur chuckled under his breath. "I didn't exactly apply for it."

She gave him a sideways glance, one eyebrow quirked up. "Maserani trusts you. And Owen, somehow. That's a rare trait. But I don't trust things that don't have explanations."

Arthur shot her a smirk, the easygoing one that masked just how much he was hiding. "I think that's why we get along so well."

For a moment, Claire just stared at him, clearly debating whether to push for more information or let it go. After a few seconds, she exhaled, her professional mask sliding back into place.

"Well, let's hope you're right about this one. We don't need any surprises."

Arthur just nodded, knowing full well that surprises were the one thing Jurassic World was never short on. Claire gave the Giganotosaurus one last wary look before turning and walking off, her heels clicking sharply against the metal floor of the observation deck.

As soon as she was gone, Arthur's easygoing expression faded. His eyes narrowed slightly as he returned his gaze to the massive creature below. He had no illusions about what they were dealing with here,— this wasn't a pet, and it wasn't exactly a trained animal.

It was a predator, the top of the food chain, and one wrong move could turn this uneasy peace into a bloodbath.

But for now, there was calm.

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Arthur's day continued in much the same way it always did,— quiet, methodical, blending into the background while observing everything. The workers he passed never spared him more than a quick nod or a friendly greeting, unaware of the fact that the man they worked beside was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

He liked it that way.

After all the noise and chaos of his former life, this quiet power felt right. It was a way to be in control without drawing attention,— something he had perfected during his time as a soldier.

As he moved through the Maintenance Hub, he passed by various employees going about their routines. Some were dealing with equipment malfunctions, others with dinosaur feeding schedules. It was the kind of work that kept the park running smoothly, and though Arthur's job was far from mundane, he respected the rhythm of the day-to-day.

He stopped by Larry, the quirky tech guy who managed all the systems for the park's cameras and enclosures. Larry was glued to his monitors, sipping coffee from a Jurassic World-branded mug.

When Arthur entered, Larry waved without looking up from his screens. "Morning, Arthur. Another day in paradise, huh?"

Arthur smirked. "If by paradise, you mean trying not to get eaten by a 15-ton dinosaur, then yeah."

Larry chuckled. "Hey, don't knock it. Some people would kill for your job."

Arthur didn't doubt that. But most people had no idea what his job really entailed.

After a brief check-in with Zara, Maserani's assistant, who handled all the park's schedules and kept things running smoothly, Arthur finally headed to his last stop before lunch,— the Training Grounds where Owen and the raptors were.

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The first thing Arthur noticed when he approached the raptor paddock was the sound,— the low, rumbling growls and sharp clicks that echoed through the air. The raptors, as always, were restless. Even when they weren't hunting, they had an energy that couldn't be contained.

It reminded Arthur a lot of the men he had served with,— sharp, unpredictable, and always on edge.

Owen was already inside the paddock, working with Blue, his lead raptor. The other three raptors,— Charlie, Delta, and Echo,— stood nearby, watching their trainer with a level of focus that still amazed Arthur, even after all this time.

"Got yourself a real team there, huh?" Arthur called out as he walked up to the observation deck.

Owen didn't turn around, keeping his attention on Blue as he made a subtle hand gesture, coaxing the raptor into a crouching stance. "Yep. Just your average day at the office."

Arthur leaned against the railing, watching as Owen moved with precision, guiding Blue through a series of commands. It was impressive, sure, but Owen was always quick to remind people that this wasn't about control,— it was about mutual respect.

Arthur had the same philosophy with his Giganotosaurus.

"You know." Owen said after a moment, finally glancing back at him, "You should come here and give it a try sometime. Get a feel for the real thing."

Arthur shook his head with a smirk. "I've got my hands full with the big guy. I don't need to add more teeth to the mix."

Owen chuckled. "Suit yourself. But one of these days, you're gonna realize there's more to these animals than just muscle and instinct."

Arthur's gaze drifted to the raptors, watching as they moved in perfect sync with Owen's commands. There was a part of him that already knew that,— had known it ever since he first set foot on the island. But there was also something else, something deeper, that kept him from fully embracing the idea.

The raptors weren't like his Giganotosaurus.

There was a primal connection there that went beyond mere training. It was something neither Owen nor Claire could understand, something Arthur wasn't sure even he understood fully.

But he wasn't ready to explain it to anybody.

Not yet.

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By midday, the sun was high in the sky, and the heat had become almost oppressive.

Arthur made his way to one of the staff break rooms, a small, air-conditioned haven tucked away near the east side of the park. A few other workers were lounging around, chatting over sandwiches and drinks. Arthur grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sat down at one of the empty tables.

Not long after, Owen joined him, tossing a bag of chips onto the table and leaning back in his chair with a sigh.

"So, what's on the menu for you this evening?" Owen asked, ripping open the bag.

Arthur took a sip of his water, shrugging. "Just the usual. Keeping an eye on the big guy, making sure nothing blows up, and having 'fun'."

"Sounds thrilling." Owen grinned. "You know, for someone with such a crazy job, you've got a hell of a way of making it sound boring."

Arthur smirked. "That's 'cause I don't like surprises."

Owen laughed, shaking his head. "Well, I've got news for you, buddy,— this place is nothing but surprises."

They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, the hum of the air conditioning and distant dinosaur calls filling the room. It was strange, Arthur thought, how normal this all seemed now. Just another day at the park, eating lunch with raptor trainers and casually discussing the daily risk of death by prehistoric predators.

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After lunch, Arthur checked his watch. It was time to head back to the labs entrance.

Maserani had asked him to keep an eye on the incoming arrivals, particularly the new interns joining the park's program for the summer.

Normally, Arthur would have passed this off to someone else, but for now, he had nothing better to do,— so why not.

As the batch of student interns were arriving at the labs entrance, Arthur stood off to the side, leaning against a metal railing as he observed them. No one seemed out of the normal, they looked all like students, perhaps some looked like tourists even,— people from all walks of life, excited for their adventure on this park.

And then he saw her. The black-haired girl from the boat.

She neared the entrance with the other interns, her face a mix of excitement and nervousness as she looked around at the bustling activity of the place. Arthur didn't know why, but something about her stood out.

Anne spotted him a moment later, her eyes widening in recognition. She smiled awkwardly and gave a small wave, clearly surprised to see him again.

Arthur, still leaning casually against the railing, gave her a nod in return, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. He didn't wave back,— didn't need to. His casual presence was enough to say, I remember you too.

Anne fumbled for a moment, her bag slipping off her shoulder before she adjusted it.

She glanced toward the other interns, who were being guided by one of the park staff inside, toward their orientation, and then back at Arthur, hesitation flickering across her face. For a second, it looked like she might come over and strike up another awkward conversation, but then she seemed to change her mind, hurrying to catch up with the group.

Arthur watched her disappear into the crowd, his curiosity piqued. There was something about her, some kind of energy, that had caught his attention. But it wasn't his job to figure that out. Not yet, anyway.

He pushed off the railing and made his way toward the staff entrance, his mind already shifting back to his responsibilities. Jurassic World was a big machine, and today, like every day, it was his job to make sure none of the gears slipped.

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As the afternoon stretched on, Arthur found himself back at the Giganotosaurus paddock for the last time of today. There was something about the massive creature that always drew him back everyday, something he couldn't quite explain, even to himself.

The Giganotosaurus was lounging in the far corner of the enclosure, its enormous body half-submerged in a shallow pool of water that had been constructed to simulate its natural habitat. It was a sight that would have terrified most people,— a dinosaur so large and powerful that it seemed to belong to another world entirely. But for Arthur, it was different.

He stood at the edge of the observation deck, his arms folded over his chest as he watched the creature's steady breathing. It was calm today, just like earlier, though Arthur could sense the latent energy beneath its stillness.

He had learned to read the creature's moods, much like a soldier reading the terrain before a mission. Every breath, every twitch of its muscles, was a clue to its state of mind.

There was a strange, almost primal understanding between them. Arthur didn't talk to the Giganotosaurus,— at least, not in any way that a human would talk to an animal. But somehow, they communicated.

Maybe it was the way the creature reacted to his presence, or the way it watched him with those intelligent, predatory eyes. It wasn't affection, not in the way Owen almost seemed to have with blue, the leader of his raptors, but there was something more… respect, perhaps.

An acknowledgment of power.

The Giganotosaurus's head lifted slightly, its nostrils flaring as it caught Arthur's scent on the wind. Arthur stood still, his eyes locked on the dinosaur's massive form. The beast regarded him for a long moment, as if weighing his presence. Then, with a low, rumbling grunt, it settled back into the water.

Arthur exhaled slowly, a small, satisfied smile crossing his lips. There was no need for commands or hand signals. The Giganotosaurus knew who was in charge, and it wasn't the steel fences or the automated feeders.

It was Arthur.

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The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky when Arthur's comm device buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Maserani.

| "Need you at the control center. ASAP."

Arthur sighed, slipping the device back into his pocket. There was always something.

With one last glance at the Giganotosaurus, he turned and headed back toward the main park, his mind already shifting gears.

Maserani wouldn't have called him in unless it was important, and that usually meant something involving InGen.

As he made his way through the park, the usual activity buzzed around him,— families lining up for tours, kids squealing with excitement at the smaller dinosaur exhibits, workers maintaining the various attractions.

It was easy to forget, sometimes, that beneath all the joy and wonder, there was a darker side to Jurassic World. A side that very few people knew about.

InGen had always been a shadow lurking in the background, ever since the days of John Hammond. And while Arthur had taken great lengths to keep them at bay, there was always the risk of them trying to push their own agenda. Genetic research, weaponizing dinosaurs,— things that Hammond had sworn would never happen, but that InGen saw as inevitable profit.

Arthur's thoughts were interrupted when he reached the control center, a massive, multi-story building tucked away behind the park's guest facilities. It was here that Maserani and his team monitored the entire park, from the health of the dinosaurs to the operation of the security systems. And today, something was off.

Inside, Simon Maserani, the park's charismatic and endlessly optimistic false CEO, was pacing near the main control console. His usually easygoing demeanor was strained, a frown pulling at his lips. As soon as he saw Arthur, he waved him over.

"Arthur." Maserani said, his voice low but urgent. "We have a situation."

Arthur's eyes narrowed, his senses immediately on alert. "What kind of situation?"

Maserani handed him a tablet, the screen displaying a series of charts and data feeds.

Arthur scanned the information quickly,— mostly environmental data from the park's northern quadrant, where the less tourist-friendly dinosaurs were kept.

"There's been some unusual activity in the restricted zones." Maserani continued. "We've detected an unauthorized access attempt. Someone's been trying to get into areas they shouldn't be."

Arthur's jaw clenched. It didn't take a genius to guess who might be behind this. InGen had been poking around the park for months, testing the boundaries, trying to see what they could get away with. But this,— this was different. This wasn't a minor infraction. This was someone actively trying to break into sensitive areas.

"Do we know who it is?" Arthur asked, his voice a low rumble.

Maserani shook his head. "Not yet. But I'm guessing it's not one of our regular staff. We're still running diagnostics to figure out exactly where the breach came from."

Arthur stared at the data on the tablet, his mind racing. If InGen was behind this, they were playing a dangerous game. Jurassic World wasn't just a park,— it was a carefully controlled ecosystem, and any interference could lead to disaster. Worse, it could expose Arthur's true role in the park, something he had worked hard to keep under wraps.

"Keep me updated." Arthur said, handing the tablet back to Maserani. "I'll take a look around, see if anything seems out of place."

Maserani nodded, clearly relieved to have Arthur on the case. "Of course, be carefull out there."

Arthur didn't respond. He didn't need to.

Instead, he turned and headed toward the elevator that would take him down to the restricted zones, his mind already working through the possibilities.

Whoever was behind this breach, they had made a mistake. And Arthur Reacher didn't tolerate mistakes.

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