Morning. I hate that word. Mark thought as he slowly woke up out of a pleasant sleep. The warm weight on top of him felt comfortable and snug

and he smiled as he realized Maddy had never moved from her perch on top of him. Still having his hands around her, he had automatically began to

caress her. An act that brought an appreciative moan from her. Opening his eyes. He looked around the alcove. Seeing everything wasn't disturbed

and the rover still blocking the entrance, things didn't look too bad. The early morning light seeped around the rover, so he knew it wasn't too long

after sunrise. He didnt stop his visual sweep of their camp as he continued to give His Maddy loving attention. His eyes soon fell on an object just outside

the tent entrance. His eyebrows rose, because he had never left his boots four feet out the front door of the tent. His senses alert, he swept the alcove

again with his eyes looking to see if any other mischief had occurred. Not saying anything to Maddy he gently twisted letting her ease down to the sleeping

bag. Giving her a quick kiss, and saying he had to take a stroll. He got up, throwing on a pair of cargo's grabbing a pulse rifle. He made his way out of the

tent and surveyed the rest of the alcove around the tent. Going over to the rover. He looked in the front seat. Where if a human wanted to get into the

alcove they would have to go in over the front seat. Other than muddy scuff mark across the middle console, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Going

through the front seat to the outside. He stood by the rover and looked outside. In the rocky ground near the rover he spied tracks in what little dirt was

on the ground. Frowning, he looked around. This is not cool. He thought. Looking from where the tracks were, then turning to look into the grotto, he

could see by looking straight through the rover that they had had an unbstructed view right into the tent. Who ever they were. They were pretty stealthy.

So who are those people.

"Maddy, if you come out, you'd better have something on. We might have company."

He called out to Maddy before turning and scouting the area. Scanning the area, he focused his attention further up the slopes looking amonst the boulders.

Not seeing anything. He continued searching. Gradually moving back to the grotto entrance. He made it there just as Maddy came over the seat of the

rover, and landed on her feet. Wearing nothing more than a pair of cargoes and one of Marks shirts. He noticed how relaxed she looked. Turning his

attention back to surveying the surrounding area. Seeing nothing, he went over to Maddy and showed her the tracks. She studied them for a while,

and agreed something wasn't right.

"Mark. The tread pattern isn't right. Not even the Phoenix used boots with that pattern, and they're too narrow."

Looking at Mark, she went on.

"We haven't thought about it much, but there is a possibility we may have others coming from other places. Not just 2149."

Mark simply nodded. His attention going from the bootprints to Maddy and up towards the rock scarp over the grotto and to the sides.

"Lets get some breakfast. If they had wanted to do us harm we'd have been pranked a long while ago."

Mark agreed and together they walked to the rover and squeezed through.

High up the escarpment, the two figures hiding alongside a boulder had watched the two lovers confer and move back into their shelter. Easing back

around the boulder, they settled back into the spot where their camp was.

The slighter one asked.

"Do you think we should meet them? They might be able to help us."

"Its a possibility for still surprising we found another group doing as we have been doing."

Was her companions reply.

"I wonder if they found our gift yet. The one in their boots."

"They will shortly. I hope they appreciate it. We ought to find a more secure camp, we dont know what kind of wild life we've yet to encounter."

The man went on to say.

Both set about readying their packs. They were just finishing when a voice called out from below.

"you can come out now. Theres some pretty nasty stuff out there."

Looking out of their hiding place. They saw the woman standing just outside the cave looking up and around the area. Seeing them as they came

out. She waved and went back into the cave. The two looked at each other. Then started the climb down to the cave. Reaching the bottom in

short order. They found both of their would be hosts leaning against the rover. Reading something on an electronic tablet. Glancing up from their

reading. The male waved them in. They noticed he was very alert. Looking at him then turning and looking outside. They were quizzical about

what he was concentrating on. As they joined the two next to the rover. They heard a faint noise off to the north. It sounded like quite a large

animal. They were curious but didnt say anything. The noise, which now sounded like a screech, gradually grew closer. Followed by a low pitched

multi- tonal hum. Which also seemed to grow closer. Their curiousity was satisfied. When a moment later, two bi-wheeled machines came tearing

around a nest of boulders at the far end of the open area and made straight for the grotto. Behind them came the stuff of nightmares. Mark

gestured to Maddy and the two visitors to get behind the rover. Maddy was like a flash going through the drivers seat over the console and out

the passenger side. The two visitors followed quickly. Mark took up a position to cover the two fleeing cyclists. The large predator had made the

turn and came straight at the cave. Mark sighted in and waited. When the two cyclists were halfway across the open area, lined up for the grotto.

He opened fire. Shooting between the two, the blast kicked up large rocks which richocheted up into the path of the approaching dino. Slightly

deflecting its charge. He kept shooting until the closing bikes were almost on top of him. Ducking aside just as they were about to pass him. He

fired one more burst then withdrew further into the grotto. The two bikers had skidded to a stop almost against the rover. Dismounting, they had

their pistols out to cover Mark if he needed it. Soon as Mark was with them they ducked over the rover and into Mark's camp.

"You sure know how to make an entrance Ben. What did you do. Raid its nest?"

Mark asked as the big man took his helmet off.

When Bens face came into view, he had a big grin on his face.

"Not exactly Mark. But we did get too close."

Noticing the two new comers. He asked a question of his own.

"Who're your guests Mark."

Mark looked at the two in question.

"Mikal and Thea. Warrant Officer Ben Shannon and Corporal Anna Reilley. I take it the Commander wanted a shadow for a short while?"

Mark directed the question to Ben, who nodded.

"We were supposed to turn back this morning after checking to make sure you made the grotto. But..." Jerking his thumb back over

his shoulder at the Carno that was now prowling outside the entrance. "We got distracted."

"He'll be hanging out a while. They are stubborn when they fix their eyes on a bite sized snack."

Anna commented.

"You mean they eat humans?"

Thea asked. Suddenly uncertain.

"Their equal oppurtunity. Its all finger lickin good to them."

Reilley grinned.

Ben couldn't hold back the smile as he took in the sight of Mark and Maddy's nest.

"Well we didn't mean to bring down the house on your honeymoon Mark, but any port in the storm when trouble brews. I'm all for setting in

and visiting a while. In the meantime. I'd like to visit with you two."

He'd directed the last towards Mikal and Thea, who looked at him and nodded, but still a bit shaken at the plus size predator just outside.

Everyone went to the entrance to Marks tent and sat in a circle. Mark had noticed the boots still sitting out in front of the tent, but made

no tempt to move them. Everyone settled comfortably and the wait began for the Carnotaurus to leave.