A silence fills the air in the room. No one wants to be the one to break the calm. Almost as though they are worried it would turn their luck from good to bad. But they know they can't sit there with baited breath forever. 

"So," Apollo says, being the first to break the silence, "where are we now?" 

"You're the genius about all this. Shouldn't you know?" Meg retorts. 

Apollo resists the urge to roll his eyes, knowing she won't see it anyway. "I didn't eve know where we were before. How am I supposed to know where we are now?" 

It's obvious Meg sin't satisfied with this answer. "I thought you knew about this stuff." 

Apollo groans and rolls his eyes. "What don't you understand about the fact that almost all the data from this time was lost?" He takes a breath to try to calm his mind a bit. "Don't you remember that fire and computer virus that happened a few years before we went to college? Most of the older historical and scientific data was lost. Everything we know about the past now is from fragments of recovered data and guesses or theories. And, of course, all he information we gathered from out research trips through the past." 

Meg holds her hands up in surrender. "Alright. I get it." 

"If you two are done." Alex interrupts their bickering. "Do you think maybe we can explore our new surroundings?" 

"Are you sure that's wise?" 

Alex nods. "The only way we can find out anything that can tell us where we are or what type of animals live here is if we investigate." 

No one bothers to try to disagree with him. No one responds at all. They are all slowly getting out of their seats and making their way out of the room. With the thoughts of the unknown racing through all of their heads, together they slowly wander outside. 

The sun is blinding the moment each of them steps outside. They cover their eyes. After each of them has adjusted to the light they take a good look at their surroundings. It becomes immediately obvious they are in a completely different environment than before. 

The forest trees they had previously been surrounded by are no where in sight. The underbrush is missing. The sounds of the wildlife they have grown accustomed to hearing all day are absent. Everything about where they are is different. 

A warm breeze blows through the air. And with it comes the full realization that they are in uncharted territory. In place of the expansive forest is instead a rocky expanse that fades into a vast desert. The sun glints off the sand creating an even brighter light. The air is warm and dry, shifting the sands. Behind them, a little ways in the distance they can see what appears to be trees, maybe a forest. 

"No what?" Meg questions, her tone a bit sharp. "We're in the middle of a desert." 

Apollo rolls his eyes. "Yes, thank you Captain Obvious. We all have eyes." 

meg glares at the medic and opens her mouth to retort. She's cut off before she can get the chance though. "Now we settle in. We know what we need to do now. So let's get to work." Alex takes the lead. 

meg rolls her eyes again. "You mean look for water and test the plants." She gestures around them. "I think that's going to be a bit of an issue because, again, we are in a desert." 

Val suddenly perks up. "I think I can help with that." 

Everyone turns to look at the girl. She ignores the sudden attention and continues on. "Before all this, remember I was working on those portable topographic scanners?" A few of them look confused but Apollo and Alex nod, encouraging her to continue. "I think I can tweak them a little. They won't just map the surrounding area but can scan for certain topographical features and even scan the flora so you'll know what's sage right away." 

Realization and hope fills Alex's eyes. "Do it. Apollo can help you." 

Val nods. Apollo follows the teen back into the ship. "I'll go check on the engine. Maybe we can do another hop to a place with more resources." Meg goes back inside to get to work as well. 

"Great. What about us? What do we do?" Artemis asks her husband. 

Alex takes a good look around them. "We are going to take a look around our new environment. The more information we know about where and when we are the better off we'll be." 

The three of them quietly collect supplies and head out into the unknown. The warm air and gentle wind only seem to add to the atmosphere of uneasy mystery that had settled on them. The barren landscape around them work abandoned. There isn't a trace of any other living thing as far as they can see. Of course, the constantly shifting sands would have something to do with that. 

"Since we're in a desert," Artemis starts, her eyes scanning the area around them. "That means there won't be too many animals, right? Or is there are, they won't be very big." 

Alex glances at his wife. "Not necessarily." He takes a breath before continuing to deliver the news he's sure she doesn't want to hear. "All the animals of this time are perfectly adapted to their environments. There are plenty of animals that have adapted to living in arid environments in our time. Why should now be any different? After all, look at the animals we encountered in the forest." 

Artemis' shoulders sag at the reality of this news. She knows he's right. She was just hoping that, for once, the worst case wasn't even a possibility for them. 

They stop for a break. They pass a canteen of water between them, wiping the sweat from their brows and necks, shielding their eyes from the beating sun. As the calm settles over them and the sun starts to go down a few small shadows start to emerge from the dunes and rocks. And attached to those shadows are small creatures. In their time the animals would be considered bizarre. But in their own time they fit in perfectly. As Alex watches the slowly growing activity he wishes Apollo was with them to identify the creatures for them. So far none of them have shown any interest in the three of them, so he isn't that concerned. 

He looks up towards the sky. The sun is growing lower by the second. His gaze wanders back to the ship. Perhaps it is time to head back. "Let's go. We should be heading back." 

The other two nod and get up, prepared to follow him. He leads them back to the ship, taking note of all the animals that seem to come alive as the sun goes down. They make it back just as the sun begins to disappear in the horizon. 

Artemis and Will split off to go in different directions once they all enter the ship. Alex goes in search of Apollo. Thinking it would be a good idea to get ahead of things this time he plans on having a discussion with the medic on what he may know about this particular environment. 

Entering the room his daughter has made her workspace, Alex looks for Apollo. A quick glance around the room reveals the medic to him. "Apollo," he calls, gaining the attention of both the room's occupants. "Can we talk?" 

The confusion on Apollo's face is clear. He looks at Val who nods, silently telling him she can get by without his help. Apollo turns his attention to his brother-in-law. "yeah. Sure. What's on your mind?" He follows Alex out of the room. 

"What do you know about this area?" 

Apollo looks at his brother-in-law a little startled by the question. "I already said, I don't know anything. Unless we know exactly where we are I can't be sure of anything." 

"What's your best guess then?' Alex insists. 

Apollo thinks for a minute. "Judging by the animals we encountered int eh forest, my best guess would be that was somewhere in the U.S. Where California is today, most likely. Since we went west then we left that would make this Asia. maybe even Mongolia." 

Alex nods in thought. Silently he gestures for the other man to continue. 

Apollo sighs, realizing Alex isn't satisfied yet. "As for as wildlife goes, again this is all a guess, but if we're in Asia or Mongolia like I think then I might have some ideas." He takes a breath and thinks for a moment. "There's quite a few small ceratopsians. The Bagaceratops, Microceratops, Micropachycephalosaurus, and Protoceratops are a few that come to mind. A few pachycephalosaurs like the Goyocephale. Some armored ones too such as the Pinacosaurus. Small theropods like the Boroguava, Khaan, Oviraptor, and of course the Velociraptor come to mind. 

"Of course there's also large dinosaurs. Some large therapies that come to mind are the Gigantoraptor, Tarbosaurus, and the Therizinosaurus. And, of course there are some of the largest sauropods I can remember such as Nemegtosaurus, Opisthocoelicaudra, and Queasitosaurus." 

Alex stares at him blankly. He didn't understand a word of that. But he's glad Apollo at least seems to know what he was talking about. 

Apollo sees his friend's blank expression and sighs. "There's a lot of small ones and a lot of big ones. Some medium sized ones. Most of them shouldn't be more than a nuisance. But we should still keep our guard up." 

Now that Alex understands. He nods. "It's good to have an idea. I don't want us caught off guard again." 

Apollo rolls his eyes. "We could have all the preparation in the world and still be caught off guard. That's not poor planning, that's just life." 

Alex lets out a weary sigh. "I know. But being prepared can still be very useful. It's helped us out of several tight spots in the pst." 

Apollo nods at his friend's words. "Yes, it has. That still doesn't change the fact that you can't prepare for everything. You have to be able to accept that. It'll drive you mad if you don't." 

Alex takes a deep breath, letting out slow. "I know you're right. But I don't think I can." 

Apollo shrugs. "I can't force you. You'll figure it out on your own sooner or later." He watches as his friend shrugs and leaves the room, and the conversation. The medic sighs. As mochas it is in his nature to care for his friends and family, he also knows just how stubborn they all are. 

Apollo sighs. Maybe if he can do some research to get a better sense of were they are and what to expect it will put the others a little more at ease. He sits at his desk and starts going though the records of this era. There's not much for him to go off of, but he does his best. 

Val keeps working on the two portable devices she has been working on since they landed. It's not a difficult job to make the changes she suggested. But as she began working she wouldn't help but wonder if she could make them do more. So she kept tinkering. And tinkering. She kept at it until she was satisfied. But that would take another day at least. So she settles for the work she has done so far and calls it a day. 

Meg spends the rest of the day checking over the engine. She knows ti should've been able to stand up to the simple hop over the landscape. She trusts in her work. SHe's confident in it. But that doesn't stop nerves from taking root in her gut. She checks everything thoroughly. Then she double checks everything. It appears her confidence in her work is well founded. But there's still something nagging at her. Something she can't quite put her finger on. Knowing there is no way for her to figure it out tonight, she leaves the engine room to retire for the night. 

After they returned to the ship Will goes to his room. He's getting more and more frustrated with their situation. He never fully understood why his uncle and his family was so interested in studying the past. As far as remembers, his father didn't have this kind of obsession. he was just a kid when his parents died, but he's certain he doesn't remember them boing this interested in something that could get them killed. Will always thought this activity would get them into trouble sooner or later. And look at them now. Stranded. Low on resources. Ship damaged. They don't have a hope of getting home. The others don't agree with his assessment. They keep trying to work on a solution. But Will earned a long time ago that sometimes there isn't a solution. Sometimes bad things happen. And sometimes you can't do anything about it. Sometimes you lose your parents and hove to go live with his brother who goes on crazy trips in a time machine and gets you stranded in dinosaur times where you can be eaten alive. "Yeah," Will mutters to himself, flopping onto his bed and looking up at the ceiling. "Sometimes life just sucks." 

As soon as the three get back from their little scouting trip Artemis foes straight to the kitchen. This might seem strange for maybe a little stereotypical, but she's not going there to cook. She realizes that, now that they're in a new environment, it would be beneficial to take stock of their supplies. Especially since they don't know when the next time they'll be able to restock will be. She's glad the guys were able to get water and some food before they had to leave to suddenly. They would be in even worse shape if they hadn't. 

She's almost done with taking stock when she feels her husband come up behind her. She doesn't turn to him. She knows he will speak when her's ready. She makes a show of keeping busy, even after she has finished taking stock. 

Alex sighs. He slides his arms around her waist and rests his head on her shoulder. "I spoke with Apollo." 

Artemis hums. "Yeah?" 

She feels him nod against her. Again, she waits for him to continue. "He thinks we could be in Asia. If he's right, then he has some idea of what to expect with the wildlife." He pauses, most likely thinking. "At least we won't be caught off guard this time." 

Artemis hums in agreement. 

Alex sighs again. "What are we doing, Missy?" 

Artemis finally stops what he's doing and turns in his arms. She lifts his head so they can look each other in the eyes. "We are taking care of our family. We are going to face the engine. We are going to get home. And we are going to survive this." She takes a moment to search her husband's eyes before continuing. "I know this isn't what we planned. It was just supposed to be a quick trip to Ancient Rome to see the city in it's prime. But things happen. We're going to get through this. Everyone of us has skills that will help us all get home. We'll get through this. And we'll do it together. But not if you don't keep a clear head." 

Alex's face softens into a smile. He gives her a quick squeeze. "Thank you. You always seem to know just what to say." 

Artemis smiles back at him. Giving a slight shrug she responds. "It's a gift. One of the many reasons why you married me." 

Alex smirks at his wife's sudden playful attitude. "Is that so?" She hums. "One of the many? What are the other reasons?" 

Artemis grins at him. "Shouldn't you know? You married me after all." 

Meg chooses this moment to walk by the kitchen on her way back to her room. She gives an exaggerated scream and covers her eyes at the sight of her two best friends. "Ew! Guys, you have a room for a reason. Come on, in the kitchen of all places? Gross. I thought I was done walking in on you two after college." 

Artemis giggles and Ales rolls his eyes at their friend's childish antics. Alex steps back from his wife and turns towards Meg who is making a show of fake gagging. "Very mature," he mutters to her. She stops and gives him a bit of an evil grin. What did he expect? He offers a hand to his wife, which she accepts. "Come on, love. I think we'd better take this to our room." He leads his wife from the room. 

Meg watches them go. "And please, for all of our sanity, remember to close the door!" She calls after them. Her grin grows into a chuckle when Artemis responds with a playful, yet usually rude hand gesture.