Apollo and Alex decided to take both Mars and Centurion outside to get some exercise. They  are also hoping this could give them the chance to bond. So far they have been unsuccessful at getting the two creatures to bond. 

Alex sighs, holding Mars' leash. "We just have to be patient. It'll happen eventually." 

Apollo nods. "Right. We just have to keep at it." 

The two men fall into a comfortable conversation as they watch the two animals interact. It brings a much needed sense of normalcy to their situation. In fact, if Centurion wasn't so obviously a dinosaur, it would be completely normal. Actually, this is their new normal. And they seem to fall into it comfortably in record time. 

Out of nowhere Centurion's behavior takes a sudden turn. The crested dinosaur suddenly takes it's attention from the dog. Instead, they seem to tense and take up a defensive posture. He lowers his head so his crest is in a defensive position. The dinosaur shuffles until he is standing in front of Alex and staring into the distance. 

Mars makes a few annoyed noises before he also stills. The dog's ears perk up and he turns his head in the same direction the dinosaur is looking. The dog moves until he is standing in front of Apollo in a protective stance. He lets out soft growls and the occasional 'buff'. 

The two adults watch this encounter in growing confusion. Alex gently tugs on Mars' leash. "No, wait!" Apollo holds a hand out towards his friend to stop him. Alex looks to his friend in confusion. "Look at them." They both look at the two animals again. For once both animals seem to be on the same page. And not just that, but they seem to be working together, both of them in protective positions in front of a human. 

"They're protecting us." Apollo observes with awe in his voice. 

Alex looks around, suddenly on high alert. "Yeah. But from what?" 

Almost as if on cue, Mars lets out al order growl and Centurion stomps his front legs. The two men look in the direction both animals have their attention fixated on. A large two legged dinosaur with a large head and beady eyes comes into view. It slows in its movements on seeing the two humans and two animals in front of it. Its eyes sweep over them. Mars growls even more and Centurion continues to stomp his feet, raising and lowering his head a little to show off his crest. A low shuddering sound emits from the dinosaur in front of them. 

"Apollo," Alex mutters, not taking his eyes off the large creature, "any idea what we have here?" 

Apollo's mind races as he tries to think properly. A large part of his mind is still focused on the spectacular discovery of the protective instincts of the dinosaur that has joined the crew. With his focus split he struggles to remember what dinosaur could be the potential threat in front of them. 

"Apollo," Alex hisses. 

Apollo shakes his head to clear his thoughts. "Uh, I don't know. Let me think." 

"Take your time," Alex retorts. 

The creature in front of them starts moving again. Towards them. Nothing in particular is screaming that it waits to attack them. In fact, there was nothing threatening about its behavior at all. But the fact that both Mars and Centurion are still on the defense makes Alex hesitant to let his guard down. "Any time now," Alex mutters. "Can you at least tell us if it's dangerous?" 

"Uh," Apollo thinks, "I think so. I mean, everything here is dangerous." 

"Apollo!" Alex cuts off the other man's rambling. "Now is really not the time." 

"Right." Apollo looks over the creator before them closely. "I'm not sure, but I have a guess. Is that good enough?" 

"A guess is better than nothing. What've you got?" 

Apollo lets out the breath he was holding. "Tarbosaurus. I'm guessing it's a tarbosaurus." 

Alex looks around, his thoughts racing. His gaze falls on the two animals in front of them. "Uh, why don't we try backing away slowly? We can make it back inside the ship if we're careful. It shouldn't be able to follow us inside." He hopes he's right about this. he doesn't want to be responsible for any of them getting hurt. 

Alex looks t him a little unsure. But it's as good a plan as any. Together they begin to slowly make their way back towards the ship. The two animal crew members catch on quickly and back up with the two human adults. None of them take their eyes off the large animal in front of them. it takes some patience and teamwork but they make it back to the ship. The large animal continues to watch them with curiosity. Even though it makes no move to hurt them, its presence alone keeps them all on edge. 

Once they are all back inside the ship the two men sigh in relief. The tension they had been holding  melts from their bodies. Alex looks at his friend. "We have to stop finding ourselves in these situations." 

Apollo lets out a half-hearted laugh. "You say that like we go looking for these situations." Alex looks at him a little offended at first. Then he starts laughing. Apollo joins him. When Alex catches his breath he lets out a sigh. "Just like old time, I guess." Apollo nods in agreement. 

When both men have settled down they turn their attention back to the two animal crew members. "Did you see what they did?" Apollo asks, excitement creeping into this voice. 

Alex nods. "yeah. I'm assuming you know some significance to that." 

Apollo nods eagerly. "Did you see how Centurion acted as a shield for you? They always theorized that ceratopsians would circle up around the young or any other members of the herd that would need a little extra protection." 

Alex nods along. "Like horned herd animals of our time?" 

Apollo nods. "This is amazing! No one has seen this kind of behavior in these animals before." 

"No one has seen any behavior of these animals before," Alex points out. 

"Right," Apollo's excitement fizzles just a little bit. 

Alex ignores this and looks at the two animals in front of them. "Look." Apollo follows his friend's gaze. The two animals aren't fighting. Actually, they are getting along well. If they didn't know better, they would think it was a miracle. 

"Well would you look t that," Apollo mutters. "I guess this was just the catalyst they needed to get along." The two adults share a look. "I'm not going to complain. I didn't think they'd ever get along." 

Alex hums in response. his mind drifts off to two other grew members they never thought would get along. Maybe all they need is a push. 

"What's going on here?" 

Both men turn to see Artemis and meg coming towards them. "It looks like they're getting along pretty well now. Artemis gestures to Mars and Centurion. "I guess spending the day outside worked." 

The two men chuckle nervously at that statement. The two women look at them curiously. "Yeah. it worked like a charm," Apollo fumbles out. 

Meg looks between the two men. "Right. Well I'm taking a break. So I'll take Centurion right now." 

Alex notices how Apollo's expression falls just slightly. He has the urge to test his theory and meddle. But he catches his wife's eye and decided against it. His wife wouldn't appreciate him stirring up more trouble with those particular crew members. Apollo slowly follows after Meg and Centurion, resembling a lost puppy. The sight makes Alex want to laugh. He doesn't laugh out loud though, afraid of breaking whatever spell his fired seems to be under. 

"What really happened outside?" Artemis asks once the others are out of earshot. 

Alex tries to come up with a reasonable response. "Nothing much. They found common ground." 

Artemis examines him a little skeptically for another moment before accepting his answer. She turns her attention to Mars. "You were good for them? Sounds like you were good." Mars barks happily in response and leans into her hand that is petting him. 'he must be feeling better. More comfortable with our situation. He's more energetic than I've seen him in years." 

Alex smiles at the sight. Thoughts of how his family would usually interact with each other fly through his head. An almost overwhelming sense of nostalgia washes over him. His thoughts then turn to ideas to help keep that going for them despite their circumstances. 

"What're you thinking about?" Artemis' voice draws him from his thoughts. 

"Remember when we used to do stuff together, as a family. "Before we got stuck here." Artemis nods, not sure where he is going with this. "I think maybe we should still do that. It could give us some sense of together without the pressure of almost dying." 

Artemis continues to look at him skeptically. "Are you sure> I don't thin having a game night once a week will distract us from being trapped here." 

Alex sighs, his shoulders sag a little. "I know. I just thought, it would be nice to not have to worry so much all the time. I know you feel the same." 

Artemis smiles sadly. "I know. And I understand. But right now we have to think about priorities. And unfortunately, that isn't one of the priorities right now." 

Alec nods. "I know." 

Artemis thinks for a moment before chaining the subject. "Meg thinks we might be able to attempt a time jump soon. The engine is looking better. Nearly done from what I understand." 

Alex's eyes light up at this news. "We might be able to go home soon?" 

Artemis hesitates. "Well, the engine wasn't designed for such a large jump. She thinks maybe she can do some modifications to help it hold together longer. But it won't make it all the way back to the forty-third century. It won't even make it to the fourth century. Then it will have to recharge before attempting another jump. It's going to be a long way home." 

Alex hears the uncertain tone in his wife's voice and starts looking for a positive spin to put on the situation. "Well, the more stops the more chances we have to research. And it working this much is an improvement. Even if it doesn't get us home right away, it'll get us home eventually." 

Artemis almost laughs at his attempt to lighten the mood. "it's so sweet of you to try. But I really don't think this is the time." 

Alex lets out a nervous laugh. "Sorry. Why don't we go check on the other? It's a little too quiet for my liking." 

Artemis laughs. "Yeah, this silence is suspicious. We should check on them. Make sure they haven't killed each other." 

Together they work their way through the ship to track down the other crew members. Mars follows behind them, ever the faithful companion. They find Meg trying to play with Centurion in the main meeting room. Apollo is standing off to the side looking very much like he wants to say something. They decide it's best not to get involved so leave them to their own activities. After all, a little normalcy is a nice break from all the problems right now.