Mark

Wondering why you agreed to go on a trip into the desert with a bunch of survival infants is not the most pleasant way to start off the morning. Long since haven given up trying to find a way back to Transall, the worry was not for safety but the lack of respect with which I would have to endure seeing others treat the place that changed my life irrevocably twenty years ago. Finally deciding to agree with the alarm clock that it was time to meet the group at the lab, the secondary location where we test the virus due to legal concerns, I dragged myself out of bed and grabbed my gear to go meet my charges.

Karen

There was a surprising amount of people who showed up, Liz was of course in attendance, Rob the technician, Martha our no nonsense secretary. With Matt, a doctor, and Ben our friend of a friend with out-door experience, rolling up in a Jeep the only one we were waiting on was Mark. Mark showed just as Ben, the new guy, was starting to pull out the short jokes.

"So are you going to be able to keep up with those legs?"

Figuring it was probably my best bet to stave off age jokes too I replied, " As eighteen is legally an adult I believe I am capable of judging that before coming on this trip."

"Ouch, Honey it is best you don't insult the best intern we have ever had especially since I believe that is Mark pulling in now" Liz slung her arm around my shoulder while I turned to watch Mark pulling in. Mark hopped out and slammed the door to his car and started up the drive way to the front stoop with his pack already slung over his shoulder. I stood there and admired his attire in the intervening moments before he arrived, it wasn't often I got to see him out of his rumpled dress casual wear. In cargo pants and a tee-shirt he lost the mussed professor look and that pesky crush flared up again. "Hey, so whose' car are we taking?" Mark got strait to the point as usual. Ben stuck out his hand and said, "Hi I'm Ben. I was recruited to help make sure that nothing goes wrong that can't be handled on this excursion." "Well at least now I know I won't be the only one with experience." Mark said while dropping his pack. Liz turned to stare at him and to the relief of the other curious looks asked, "You have experience outdoors?" in an incredulous tone. Mark looked at the slightly rude blond with a raised eyebrow replied, "Yea, I used to hike and camp around here when I was a kid. I even camped out on my own for a few nights." "Huh, never would have figured you for the outdoors type, Doc" Rob summed up everybody's feelings succinctly. "So whose' car are we taking?" repeated Mark. I helpfully volunteered my information, "I believe we are taking the Jeep and Martha's Honda". Matt who had been quiet until now pointed and said, "Isn't that pack a little light for what we are thinking?". Mark replied "Naw, I got everything I need and then some." "Suit yourself." Matt said with a shrug.

Mark

Their disbelief in me having outdoor experience was comically obvious. Just to see what sort of comments I got I stopped at the trunk of my car and pulled out my old bow and quiver on the way to the Jeep. Climbing in I set my pack on the floor and checked over the bow and quiver for damage from being out of use for so long. Matt settled in the driver's seat and was the first to comment, "What kind of game are you looking for George?". "Maybe dinner ." was my flippant reply. Karen got the seat next to me while Liz claimed shotgun but not without a raised eyebrow and a, "Don't shoot yourself I ain't patching you up." I got no comment out of Karen who was studying the bow instead, "Looks used." she finally commented. "It is. You can touch it if you want" For some reason that got a smirk out of Liz which in turn made Karen flush. Mark started the car and followed Martha onto the highway.

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