Welcome to Gaia! ::

The sun was already fairly low in the sky by the time Lucas touched down in the helicopter, so when the door opened it let in the heat and humidity of a full day of baking in the sun. However, hands were quickly there to assist him step down, and with his luggage. When those hands were followed to their owner, a rather eccentric individual greeted him with an excited smile.

"Mr. Wickham!" Beamed a tall man, bedecked in mis-matching tropical beachware (garish orange Hawaiin shirt and teal bermuda shorts), and long, unkempt white hair barely restrained by a ponytail holder. "Let me for one say that I'm excited that you could make it! The big boys who own this island have been getting quite anxious about the rumors that the workers keep passing along."

Without bothering to offer, Sabin began to load some of his bags into the back seat of a jeep that was parked nearby.

"My name's Sabin Duvert. I work up at the labs, and I really wish I could help you out with your research. I've always been a big paranormal buff on the side, but the man upstairs said we needed to call a professional."

He barked a laugh and scratched the back of his neck. "Well, just about everything, really. Anything from fantasy books to Bigfoot. But they've got me busy working on other projects. So, for now, I can envy you, Lucas." Once he made sure everything was secure, he opened the door for him and climbed into the driver's seat.

"Well, at least one of them, yes? You came reccomended, or at least so I hear. I think he's called a few people, but you're the first I've had the pleasure to meet personally."

He turned the ignition in the jeep.

"We need to get you one of the island immunization boosters - that's the only real downside to working in the tropics... that and the bugs. But at least we have vaccinations for the diseases. But then, I can give you the keys to your room and if you like, you can get to work right away!"

Sabin nodded. "I haven't met the fellow myself, but someone else arrived just the other day... Romanian fellow apparently - aware of some of the folklore from that particular region of the world: they're ripe with it after all."

He drove much more gently down the dirt paths than usual, excited about the new arrival and their similar interests. After all, there would be plenty of opportunities to give him precisely what he was looking for. Had Sabin been a young man and given this chance, he knew he would have lept at it, just like Lucas.

"We do medical research. Developing cures and antibiotics and the like. Nothing as interesting, unfortunately. As far as rumors, I know that some of the construction workers have spoken about seeing large shapes moving through the jungle - much larger than anything that should be native to the place - growling and snarls. Then... a few weeks ago we started to find the boars. The boars can get pretty big and nasty here. That's what we were telling them at first that they were likely seeing. Ripped to pieces, huge claw or bites marks. And not even completely eaten. They're starting to get scared that they might be in trouble. We've tried to allay their fears, of course.... but you know how that goes."

Sabin smiled, "I'd enjoy that at some point. I'll let you know how to reach me before I let you off to wander the island." THey were soon approaching the big double gates bearing the Feral Labs logo, that swung open upon their arrival.

"The only natural predators on the island in the woods we know about are some small jungle cats - like margarys or the sort. Nothing that could take out a boar. There are a few alligators in the rivers.... but the corspes have been found near the edge of the village, far from the river, on the beach, and of course in the jungle. And gators don't use claws."

Sabin nodded. "Yes, in the illustrious sterile hallways and laboratories. Follow me and I'll take you to the exam room where we keep the vaccines." He parked the jeep in a lot, leading him into a sliding door and into a plush waiting room, complete with couches, out of date magazines, a reception area, and a beautiful bay window that overlooked the jungle and, further out, the ocean.

He hardly paused in the room, however, leading him back through a door into the aformentioned sterile hallway and elevator bay.

"We have an area down the road a couple of miles, the 'village' we call it. Most of the people actually stay down there, as well as the construction crew. We've got you a room in Duplex 57. I can get you a key when we get back to the jeep."

The elevator swung open as the approached and Sabin touched his hand to a panel beside it. Leading Lucas in, Sabin spoke clearly "Floor 8". The doors slid closed and it lurched into movement.

"No problem. Other than that... there's a cafeteria in the center of the village you'll have free access to, a few entertainment facilities - and other necessities: laundry, small clinic - all located in the same complex. Most of the rumors we've heard about the creature or creatures has centralized on the jungle. Then again, the jungle covers most of the island... "

The elevator stopped, the doors opening into a large, technical-looking laboratory room. Sabin led him in and went to one of the cabinets.

"I don't know how wide its range is... but most of the reports of hearing or catching glimpses come from people who are out and about at night near the edge of the village/jungle. So... that is where I'd reccomend that you start."

"To my knowledge, not yet." The gears in Sabin's head was turning as he surveyed the serums in the cabinet. He liked this fellow. How could he not like a fellow paranormal/supernatural enthusiast? His eyes scanned for something that wouldn't be that bad... would be fairly interesting. And he would have given his right arm then and there to have a serum of his own design ready. Unlike Zachary, Sabin was willing to wager that Lucas would appreciate something like a dragon!

Finding that there was a wild canine, a dhole, available, his hand snagged that. Perhaps not a werewolf, but clo-.... Hrmm... Ambrose was due up for one of his injections wasn't he? And tonight was a full moon.... A grin split his face as he turned back to lucas, preparing a needle.

"I heard the Romanian set off into the jungle to look for the source." Might as well give Lucas a challenge. Get him out there. "He might have set up some sort of blind out there, based on the equipment he took with him. Maybe you could find him. Tonight would be a good night to go look - there should be more than enough moonlight to see by."

Now Sabin was getting eager. So many excellent plans coming to fruitition. He loved having a say in the chain of command.