"…And this how a conveyor belt could work. Do you see the efficiency?" Challenger was explaining.

"Challenger," Roxton told him, tired, "you've explained it to me three times. And while I'm a little lost as to how exactly you might set this up, I still don't see this 'super factory – mega industry' idea of your ever happening."

"Roxton," Challenger pleaded, passionate about his vision, "it's…"

Roxton held up a hand, and Challenger knew to stop talking. Roxton grabbed his rifle, preparing himself to fire. He took a few steps forward while holding out a hand – telling Challenger to stay put. Challenger didn't move, but Roxton could see him readying his rifle as well. Roxton tried very hard to hear something, anything, but all was silent. Roxton peered hard into the jungle, but his eyes didn't detect a thing. Still, there was a split second when he heard something, saw a quick blur flash across the corner of his eye.

"Dinosaur?" Challenger asked, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.

Roxton shook his head.

"Apemen?" Challenger tried again.

Roxton shook his head.

"Cannibals?" Challenger wondered, but knowing that this was not cannibal territory.

"No," Roxton said, finally spotting what he was looking for, "that," he said pointing far in the distance.

Challenger strained his eyes, at first he still saw nothing, then he spotted it. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. From a distance it appeared red in color, and Challenger's first thought was something bloody. But as he examined it more thoroughly, he determined that it wasn't blood, it looked more like fur – which meant an animal. This animal walked on all fours and looked gigantic, roughly the size of an elephant. Unlike an elephant it moved very quickly, and whatever it was, it was coming toward them… fast!

At the treehouse, all was quiet and peaceful. Malone was lying back in a chair; quite comfortable and content as he marveled over the brilliant writing contained within his journals. Things had been dull for several days now, and it had been some time before Malone added anything to them.

Marguerite was resting on one of the benches, she had eaten some fruit, listened to some music, and now she was contempt with the thought of just lying down, and taking a nice little nap. The cross breeze from the open walled treehouse blew in, and caressed her body with a cool, refreshing, and tantalizingly restful sensation. This was one of the few things she liked about her life on the plateau; the few times like these. Times when she could just sit back and feel safe, as she was securely nestled in the high trees of the jungle, and reassured by an electric fence surrounding the tree's base. She was in virtually no danger of being attacked, and it was an opportunity for her to let her not so perfect past to drift off with the passing clouds. No worries, no troubles, no past, just peace – an external peace which she longed for to be established internally. But how could she just forget her past mistakes and move on? Roxton would always tell her how the past didn't matter here, how this was a place where they could forget all those old demons, and simply work to stay alive, and work to leave. Simply being an understatement, Marguerite certainly did want to get back to London. She would be rich, and powerful enough to stay one step ahead of all her old enemies. But part of her, maybe only a little part, didn't want to face that world again; didn't want all the strong emotions, the deceptions, the lies, to ever resurface to the forefront of her life. And at a time like this, how could she be happier? She didn't even flinch when she heard the sound of the elevator. She just lay there, in her home, and let her heavy eyelids slide down.

Veronica happily bounced from the elevator, and made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a pear and began to enjoy a nice little snack. Marguerite was no where in sight, which was fine as far as Veronica was concerned. She did, however, notice Malone rather quickly.

"Pulitzer material?" She joked, noticing him reading his journals.

Malone, who was so involved in reading over his writings, did not pick up her intent by hearing the words. Instead, he looked up, smiled proudly, and said, "I think so."

Then he exchanged a look with Veronica, and realized that she was only joking over his modesty. Just like she would joke with Challenger about his hero's welcome when the expedition finally made its way back to London. They shared a laugh, and then Malone started to get re-associated with the reality outside his journals.

"So," he questioned Veronica, "how'd it go?"

"Pretty good," Veronica replied, "I think Marguerite will be happy with the purity of these stones."

"I still can't believe we're celebrating birthdays," Malone said.

"Well," Veronica reminded him, "you have been here for over a year. It's hard to keep track of the exact date, but our birthdays haven't just disappeared."

"I guess you're right," Malone said, "I just wish we had a more accurate way to know when our real birthday's actually were."

"It is hard to believe that Challenger didn't devise a way to keep record of the correct calendar date from the moment you arrived," said Veronica, agreeing with Malone, and finishing her pear.

"Well," said Malone, "in all fairness, he did have a lot of other things on his mind then."

Veronica smiled, "That's true."

"So, did any exciting adventures happen while you were out collecting these?" asked Malone, referring back to the gems.

Veronica smiled again; "You could say that…" she baited.

"Well," encouraged Malone, "why don't you sit down and tell me about it."

Veronica sat down, right on Malone's lap. She put her arms around his neck and smiled as a look of surprise shadowed Malone's face.

A smile found its way to Malone's lips, as he blushed, "That's not exactly what I meant…"

"Oh," said Veronica, "and are you complaining?" She leaned in and gave him a kiss.

"Not at all," said Malone, and then he kissed Veronica.

Then Veronica pulled back, and sat up. "I really should go and sort these gems," she told him, with more than a hint of disappointment in her voice. "You know Marguerite will complain about doing it herself if I don't."

Malone nodded to show that he understood and agreed, then he added, "I don't know though, no matter what we do, will Marguerite ever be completely pleased?"

Veronica laughed, "I suppose she is bound to find something to complain about regardless. But I'm going to make it very difficult for her." And without even thinking she added, "That's what sisters do." Finding her last remark somewhat odd, Veronica added one more thing, "Besides, you've got your journals to fawn over."

"Yes, dear," Malone mused, equally awestruck by Veronica's referring to Marguerite as "sister."

Meanwhile, out in the danger-filled jungle, the red furred animal was blitzing toward Roxton and Challenger.

"What is that thing?" Challenger asked, astonished.

"Does it matter?" said Roxton, refusing to take his eyes off it, "Whatever it is, it's coming this way."

"You're going to shoot it?" Challenger demanded.

"Well, what would you suggest I do," Roxton asked sarcastically, "invite it to the treehouse for tea?"

"But Roxton," Challenger pleaded, undoubtedly wishing to learn more about this creature, which was far easier to do when it was alive, "it may not be hostile!"

Roxton was becoming agitated with Challenger, and this time he turned around to face him.

"Does he look very friendly to you?" Roxton asked, then turned back to gesture to the red animal, which was now right on top of them.

Roxton aimed his rifle, put his finger to the trigger…

"Wait!" Challenger stopped him, not only with words, but also by placing his hand on Roxton's shoulder, "it doesn't look ready to strike to me."

"And what do you know about this creature?" Roxton asked.

"Oh, come John," Challenger began, "look at it as a hunter, do you see the look to kill in its eyes?"

Roxton examined it, "No." Then he confronted Challenger with a deadly earnestness, pointing a finger in his face, "But that can change real quick. And what if it decides run back there and trample us in the process!"

The creature looked down at them, and cocked its head, an expression of curiosity forming on its face. "You have nothing to fear from me," it said. Its voice was smooth and flowed quite nicely; and it didn't screech or growl to resemble any known animal. In fact, it didn't sound like an animal at all when it spoke; it sounded like any other human would.

To Be Continued…