Maddy woke up in the infirmary with no idea how she got there or what had put her in this predicament. The bio bed she was laying on was

off and a privacy screen had been drawn around it. Out in the clinic, she saw her mother conferring with one of the nurses, and from out side

the screen. Maddy could hear and see movement thru the semi transparent drapes. Trying to sit up. She had a sudden rush of vertigo and

laid her head back down on the headrest with a low groan. Elizabeth must have heard. Because she was right there by her bed in an instant.

"Sweet heart. Are you feeling better?" She asked.

"The jury is still out on wether I'm fine Mom. How did I end up here?" Maddy answered.

"You honestly dont remember?" Elizabeth responded.

"You've been out for three days. We were wondering if you were ever going to wake up. Thats the longest you've ever slept."

Maddy tried to sit up again and managed to sit upright with her mothers assistance. Slouching forward with her head in her hands.

She wished her head wasn't swimming. What the hell happened to me? Wheres Mark? She thought.

"Mom. What was I doing when this happened? And Wheres Mark?"

Elizabeth didnt answer. Maddy managed to get her nausea to a managable level and looked at Elizabeth.

"Mom?"

Elizabeth looked away thoughtfully. Not sure how much she wanted to tell her daughter.

keeping her hand on Maddy's shoulder re-assuringly. She didn't answer her straight away.

"Do you know that you're five weeks pregnant?" she asked. "You were so dehydrated I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did out there."

"Out Where? What happened?"

Elizabeth said nothing. She held her daughter, her arms around her shoulders. Concern marring her face.

"We found you out at Marker 17 three days ago. Mark had set a beacon with a note to come quickly. When we got there. We found you in the

rover, out cold. Mark was nowhere around. And there was a lot of footprints around the rover. We got you back to the colony and you'd been

out cold for the last three days. Please Sweetheart. Can you remember anything that happened before you lost consciousness."

Maddy groaned again. Looking down. She suddenly felt a need to throw up. Elizabeth calmly reached over and grabbed a small basin and held

it for Maddy as she retched into it. This time she kept her head down.

At the opening to the privacy screen. Both Jim and Nathaniel watched Maddy try to get her equilibrium back for a few moments. Then nudging

Jim's shoulder. Nathaniel urged Jim out into the lobby.

"I know you probably want to strangle Mark for leaving her there, but its the best he could have done. Led who ever was pursueing them away

from the rover so Maddy could could be safe. Then kept going. We got Guzman following the trail Jim. We'll get him back. Just understand

he didn't abandon her."

Jim sighed as he looked at his friend.

"You think I'm going to kill him. Don't you?"

When Nathaniel nodded. His face grave. Jim went on.

"Until I found out they were being chased, I was ready to. Do we know who it is?"

"Its not Phoenix or Sixers. The boot patterns are totally different. We were able to figure out it was about sixteen souls. Nothing more. I know

its probably too soon, but I want you to go out there. Back track from the where the rover was found and scan back to where they were staying

at the outpost. See if there is anything that we can use to identify our new friends."

Jim was quiet as they walked. Taking in his new assignment.

"We already know part of what they were doing. I dont think you'll strangle him for that. But from what I've been able to figure out. He was

protecting her through out. And still protecting her. So let me at him first so we can find out what happened."

Jim looked at Nathaniel and nodded and they continued from the clinic over to the market. Neither spoke. Considering the implications of another

sentient group in this pre-historic world.

Ordering their meals and taking an early lunch. They continued their meal in silence. Half an hour later. Lunch over and approaching the

Command Center.

Guzmann radioed in and reported, Mark had been found, and he had not gone down lightly. They were also bringing back sixteen very injured

combatants and requested 3 rhinos along with extra soldiers. Guzmann's rover was enroute back to the colony with Mark in a very weakened

state and to have the clinic ready for emergency surgery. The two men shared a look as they continued on. This was not very good at all.

"I'll have Jenkins give the Doc a heads up, Jim. Make sure Maddy's more stable before we give Mark back to her."

Nathaniel was saying to Jim as Dunham and Rhodes met them at the base of the stairs.

"Search team packed and ready to go Sir."

Private Rhodes reported as he saluted.

"Good. Be ready to leave in an hour. Sherrif Shannon is your OIC. He will brief you as soon as you are clear of the colony. And I want no static

that he is a civilian."

Both soldiers assented. Saluted and went about departure prep. Taylor turned to Jim and went on.

"You'll be with six soldiers. I know your not familiar with most things military, but these men will respect you. Find out more about these folks.

You get in a fire fight. No holds barred. Just bring back a survivor or two to interview. Good luck."

Shaking Jims hand. Nathaniel then turned and went up the stairs. Jim headed off to the quarters to pick up his OTG bag and duffel.

Returning. He stowed it in a rover. In short order. He was joined by the team that was accompanying him.

"We'll going out to Marker 17 to investigate an incursion. They are obviously going to be hostile since it seems Corporal Reynold's has caught the

short end of the fight. We get out there. We investigate around the rover that's there. Then see if we can back track the route that Reynold's had

traveled. Theres an entry point some where. So expect hostiles. That's all I have. Are we ready to move out?"

The squad acknowledged. Jim looked up the stairs at Nathaniel who had stopped halfway up to observe the brief.

Nathaniel said "Go ahead and move out Jim. Maddy's in good hands."

Jim nodded. Gestured to the men to load up. A moment later they were out the gate.