Chapter 40

The AHC deployed. Targeting beams shot out, illuminating several dozen armed men.

That’s a lot of people. Type one to seven plasmas. Assorted body armour… I can— Flames felt himself getting illuminated as well. And orbital satellites… why didn’t I see those… hmm…

What kind of satellites?

The ocular strips focused on one, Bad ones.

How bad?

Flames started venting adrexin as the anxiety filled the neural band.

Oh… “We should get off his head.”

Nyx sensed the trepidation in his voice, her tail whipping back as she looked out at the city, red eyes narrowed to slits as she tried to make out the distant figures.

They approached, more than last time.

“Exosuit?” Nyx suggested.

“Yes…” Can you take out those satellites? “Get mine ready, in the shuttle bay, wait for me there.”

“Which one? The one where we did it while falling from the ceiling or the one where we did it as the police were coming to arrest us?”

“Falling from the sky.” Fawkes said with an affectionate nuzzle.

“From the sky it is. I’ll see you there.” Nyx gave him a quick peck and slithered down a hatch. Oh that flexibility… Right, where was he…

People!

“Sirs!” Fawkes exclaimed.

“Mr. Fawkes!” replied the man. “Your week is up!”

“I see… well… about that…” being a Vorchan, Fawkes couldn’t quite scratch the back of his head meekly, but he was shuffling his feet nervously. “We haven’t found a new place of residence…”

“Aye, well you’re going to have to move, around now.” the man said, beckoning. His men raised their rifles. Fawkes leaned back on his hind legs, growling defensively.

“You are threatening my mate and ship.”

“And you threaten our planet and its people. Leave the ship to us – all three of you do not have to die.” the man retorted.

“Why would I consider trading his life for the two of ours… when it isn’t even worth—” Flames had a high yield round loaded, and was aiming it right at the man Fawkes was talking to. His voice was a whisper as he finished speaking, regretful and guilty, knowing how this would end, “—all of yours.”

The flash and sound appeared right as the perfectly timed round detonated outwards in a forward arc, eliminating the group of men.

Flames immediately had a satellite locked and koveran round loaded.

The world lit up in an effervescent array of colors as the air itself burnt white from the ensuing orbital bombardment.

The man’s stall was ablaze, the fire spreading to the crops. People panicked, some ran to get water, others seemed to be getting weapons.

“Now we’re even!” Red roared.

“Stupid dastardly serpent!” yelled the Vorchan trader.

Men circled around her, rifles drawn. She leaned back on her hind legs, growling defensively. The men’s hands were shaking, but they were obedient.

“Aim!” Rifles cocked. They were old kinetics, using chemicals to fire off their projectiles. “Surrenda’ yaself, eh?”

Red was ready to fight and die here. Lentil was gone, maybe he had never existed. Allonsi had vanished. It could have all been a dream. She readied the flames in her throat, hoping she would at least take a few with her.

“Whoa!” yelled another voice. It was Landlow. Red turned to face him. “This dragon’s mine. Can’t be sold. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“Mr. Armstrong!” said the trader.

“Yvenne, my friend. I apologize again. We have been looking all over the place for her.” The fire from the stall crackled violently. The crops had already been put out, and there were other people gathered around Red and the armed men now. They didn’t seem very happy either.

“Ya dragon’s been causin’ quite the ruckus ya hear?”

“You lied to me!” Red postured. Landlow put a hand on her forearm, keeping her from lunging at the trader.

“A litta’ lie. E’s around but not at the yard, na. Not thaddun.”

“Where is he then?” Red cried desperately.

There was a pause as the man swallowed, nearly coughing up the words, “Bastard escaped. Escaped like ya did! Before we cud even shackle ‘im. Played ‘imself all week ‘e did like some dyin’ pitiful thing and then ‘e bolted like the Nova’s steed.”

Red nearly collapsed at the relief.

“So there was another dragon?” Landlow asked.

“Aye, reddun like ‘er.”

“Where is he!” Red growled.

“Dammit serpent I dunno. If I knew he’da been at the yard with ya. Now Landlow you gunna pay for this damage or am I gonna have to have ma men ‘ere teach ya both a lesson?”

A shot rang out, sending the man’s hat flying. “Whatin’ Nova’s name!”

“I brought a few friends.” Landlow replied. “I think I’ll just mount my dragon now and take my leave of y’all.”

He walked candidly towards Red, and Red awkwardly kneeled down again, not liking this whole ‘being ridden’ thing. But it was preferable to the whole ‘getting gunned down by a hail of bullets’ alternative. He carefully balanced himself on her back, wincing as he nearly lost his package to one of her spikes.

“Onwards, steed.” Landlow said excitedly.

Red lifted off hard, hoping her spikes cut into his groin. “Took you long enough to save me.”

“We had to find you, first. Asked around ‘til we ran into a guy named Press. Told us all about you.” He pulled at one of her horns and hit her sides with his feet. She turned in the direction of the pull, and then bucked hard, nearly knocking him off.

“Where is Hannah?” Red asked.

“She’s over there.” Landlow said, pushing on her horns.

“You keep pushing and kicking and whatever else you’re doing and I swear I’ll eat you.” Red warned.

“Right, sorry. Land there then. You prefer words?”

“I prefer not being ridden like some creature.”

“Aye. Yeah I just got into it that’s all. Some of the people of this planet are a little backwards. They ride you guys like horses.”

“Like that planet… Gaia.” Red said.

“I’ve never been there.”

“It’s a planet where we’re ridden like horses. A very backwards place, but my sister likes it, for some strange reason.”

“It’s not that bad. Isn’t it fun?”

Red landed near Hannah. “Get off me.”

“Red!” Hannah exclaimed. She had a scoped wooden rifle with an iron barrel. “How’d you like that shot? Pretty fine huh?”

“You did that?” Red asked.

“Yep.” she replied smugly, leaning on the rifle with pride.

“It’s got a built-in range detector and fire control system.” Landlow mentioned, stretching his legs. There was a gash in his jeans. “Look what you did.”

“You didn’t ask for permission!” Red exclaimed.

“For what?”

“To ride me!”

“We were surrounded by at least a dozen angry armed men. And I did save your life, didn’t I?”

“Maybe. We need to find Lentil.”

“We will. Where do you think he ran?” Landlow asked.

Red looked around, seeing nothing but grass and the base of the large mountain she had fallen from.

“Maybe he went back up the mountain.” Red replied uncertainly, thinking. “Or to a cave. He likes caves, but all we have here is grassland. Flat grassland. I don’t understand. How does a mountain appear from all this flat grassland?”

“It used to be a volcano.” Landlow explained. “But it hasn’t been active for hundreds of years. And I told you before. Nobody can get up there now that the grey season’s here. We’ll have to wait.”

“How long?” Red asked.

“A week.”

“This isn’t making sense. If you knew the grey season was coming, why did you suggest the mountain?”

“I didn’t know it was coming.” Landlow said.

“What do you mean?”

“The seasons change sometimes. There isn’t always a pattern.”

“They actually change? But the planets… I don’t understand any of this.” Red sighed.

“It was supposed to be the violet season. We usually have red, violet, then blue. But not always. Sometimes it changes.”

“When does it change?” Hannah asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Well when was the last time it changed out of pattern?” Hannah asked.

“Err… actually. Well we were supposed to be in turquoise, then amber. But instead of amber we got the red season. Right when you came…”

That sent a chill down Red’s spine. “So the only time the seasons have changed out of order have been when we first arrived, and now when I tried to get up the mountain?”

Landlow didn’t say anything, trying to remember other moments, “I guess so. But we could just be mistaking co-incidence for providence.”

“Or whoever sent me here is manipulating this world to keep me from finding it.” Red said, turning towards the mountain.

“We’re looking at hundred kilometre per hour gusts up at the peaks, Red.” Landlow warned.

“I don’t care. I’m not letting him win.” Red declared, shooting ahead.

“Wait. Let me get us supplies and equipment.” Landlow suggested, “We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

“From where?” Red asked.

“I have a safe-house a bit aways. Wouldn’t take long to get there if we… err… flew?” Landlow suggested with a smile.

“Oh Nova…” Red sighed, kneeling down. “Fine.”

“What about me?” Hannah asked.

“There’s room for two!” Landlow replied.

“What?!” Red growled.

“Hop on, Hannah.”

Hannah carefully pulled herself up Red’s back, holding one of her longer rear spikes like a handle bar.

“That’s not what those spikes are for…” Red said.

“What are they for then?” Landlow asked.

“Keeping things from getting on my back!” she hissed.

“Well they aren’t doing a very good job of it I reckon’.” Landlow said with a smirk.

Hannah laughed.

“No respect for my wings, either of you.” Red whined, giving herself a running start for takeoff. It took a few very powerful flaps to get them hovering.

“Take us out that way; it’s just an hour or so away.” Landlow said.

“This is… the last time.” Red panted.

“Aye, but it would be great if you helped with carrying the—“

“No.”

“But the gnarbeasts—”

“No.”

Fawkes didn’t completely understand Raumen logic. Their satellites, while having a frighteningly high power level, used gamma lasers, which, to most things was deadly, but to Descendents was extremely ineffective, the Descendent body having evolved a near-perfect resistance to all forms of radiation generations ago. All the Raumens really succeeded in doing was annoy Flames to the point where he stopped asking for permission to open fire on the people attacking him. Tanks and soldiers and little hovering fighter-plane-things disintegrated in plumes of colors and chemicals as Flames fired shot after shot of kinetic round.

Long range sensors warned of tracking orbital starships, but a single railgun slug from those ships would only succeed in doing what these Raumens were apparently trying to avoid: The destruction of this planet.

Three lines of infantry and mechanized troops had fallen back now, always regrouping with the next line to attack. Hours had passed.

Nyx and Fawkes were staring at the battle on the front lines, behind Flames’ electrostatic shield. Flames was feeding it power directly from his gravimetric drive, which, at this point, was useless at anything else, as he couldn’t really fly anywhere.

Neither of them said anything. All they did was share pitiful gazes at each other as they looked onwards at the carnage.

Finally, the lines stopped firing, and Flames stopped in turn, his AHC barrel glowing red. Sound returned to Fawkes and Nyx’s ears, the exosuits having muffled all audio inputs from the tremendous cacophony of cannon fire.

Hail. Flames reported.

“About time.” Fawkes sighed in relief, bringing the transmission into his exosuit’s visor.

“I, General Nebedeen of the First Armoured Battalion, hereby acknowledge your ship’s prowess and request that you unconditionally withdraw from this planet as soon as practicable.”

“If I could I would.” Fawkes replied pithily, and a little cockily.

“We offer a seven day’s cease-fire for you to ready your equipment for departure. Do you accept?”

“Yes.”

“Good day to you.” The transmission cut.

“What did he say?” Nyx asked.

“We got another week!” Fawkes exclaimed.

“Awesome!” They kissed and ran down to the ‘did it while falling from the ceiling’ shuttle bay.

“Fine. I’ll do it for that.” Red said, staring hungrily at the untamed gnarbeast.

“Deal.” Landlow replied, looking away as the hungry Vorchan devoured his newest creature.

They hitched a wagon to Red’s spikes and gave her a quick walkthrough of wagon carrying, “Alright. Now this wagon isn’t dragon-certed, which means you gotta watch your tail. Don’t swish it back and forth or you’ll topple it.”

“But I like swishing…”

“And don’t try to FLY. There’ll be over three thousand pounds of equipment in this wagon, including explosives, so—“

“But I like fly—err explosives?”Red looked back at the restrictive wagon uneasily.

“Ammunition, Red. We’ll need it. As well as some weapons.”

“Right…”

“So no flying, follow my pace, don’t go too fast. Stay on the paths, and please ASK to be unhitched, don’t start biting away at the lines. We only have one replacement pair.”

Red made a show of hiding her incisors, then tugged at the wagon lightly, testing its weight.

“It’s not too bad. I can do this.”

“It’s still empty.”

“Oh right.”

“Hannah, help me load ‘er up.” Landlow ordered.

“Yessir.” Hannah replied, rifle still slung over her shoulder. She seemed to be enjoying herself quite a bit. She had even gotten one of those round hats. It looked to be made of straw and a belt. Who would make a hat out of straw and belts? Was it even waterproof?

They set out within the hour, on their way to the mountain. It would be a long journey, but Landlow hoped that the weather would clear before they reached the more dangerous altitudes.

The trail was amusing, as gnarbeasts and horses alike would whimper whenever they neared her. Being herself, she would then growl at them hungrily. Several wagons had nearly toppled over as the carriers reared back, crying out fearfully in their respective animal tongues.

By nightfall, they were at the base. They had taken a long way around to avoid the town, and were quite successful at keeping a lower profile, which was affirmed by their undisturbed and comfortable sleep. The next morning, Red and the gang continued on, sore but excited.

“I’ve always wanted to be a mountain climber.” Hannah said.

“It’s quite the challenge. Especially Glowing Peak. You won’t find a taller mountain in this quadrant.” Landlow said, “Oh I remember my first climb. It wasn’t a mountain like this, mind you. It was much smaller, but no less intimidating I tell-ya-what.

Red pressed her ears against her head, having preferred Lentil’s company over that of Landlow. The man, while older, did nothing but remind her of Mart second after second. It was a naively hopeful part of her life that she wanted to simultaneously forget and never forget.

“You know I loved him.” Red declared, an hour into their journey up this mountain. Landlow was rambling on about how Mart had been as a little kid, which was too much for Red to handle.

“He was a damned fine kid.” Landlow agreed, watching Red a little uneasily.

“No, not just like that. I wanted him to be my mate – well future mate. I was young… er… at the time. He was so amazing. But he didn’t accept. I thought he would. I was so sure…” Red started telling them about how Mart had saved her life, and all the time they had spent aboard Allonsi, which was a memory that set her on a tangent until nightfall. By the time they were too tired to move on Red’s throat was sore and her eyes were a dark navy blue, having hidden behind a nictitating membrane from all the crying.

“It was for the better, Red.” Landlow said consolingly. “Mart prolly knew that. Na I know he knew that. I knew him. Even as a kid he always looked ahead, thought ahead. It was why he took The Reaper. Not ‘cus he needed it then, but he knew he’d need it some day. Always thinking ahead.”

“Why was it for the better, then?” Red asked him.

“Because… well… while I’m sure serpent romances are very… interesting. What of family? And when the love fades?”

“A family? All those hatchlings? All mother ever does is paperwork now. Checking up on hatchling after hatchling. Your life becomes so boring after you settle down.”

“There’s more to life than the aversion of boredom.” Hannah said.

“Indeed.” Landlow continued, “and I was hinting at the whole, you know. He ain’t a serpent, Red. No matter how badly you wish it so.”

“I told you, hatchlings aren’t a priority.”

“For you, perhaps.”

“Oh.” Red was looking at Landlow intently now, “So you’re saying he wanted children?”

“He played House. He’s the only boy I knew that played House.” Landlow replied.

“So it wasn’t that he didn’t love me… I just couldn’t get him children?” Red asked hopefully.

“Sure… well and that you have claws, spikes, fangs, you know…”

“Specist.” Red muttered, not saying another word.

“When I said the lad wanted some ‘fire’ in his life. I wasn’t referring to the literal form of it!”

“Har-har.” Red growled sarcastically, stopping the wagon. “I’m tired.”

“We’ll rest, then. We’re making good time.” Landlow said, sitting on a rock.

“Unhitch me!” Red demanded.

Landlow slowly got up, stretching his legs. “I don’t mean any ill-will, Red. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“Come on, Red. Raumens and Vorchans do not intermingle. They intermangle at times” Landlow chuckled, “but that’s the extent of their affairs with one another.”

Hannah piped in, “So you don’t believe in the Black Nova having become King of the Vorchan Empire through mateship, then?”

“I believe it, but I don’t think the Black Nova was a Raumen. He could have been a Vorchan, or a hybrid for all we know. Some strange… winged, two legged reptile-mammal.”

“I think he was a Raumen…” Red persisted.

“How would that work, Red?” Landlow asked confrontationally. “Tell me.”

“Well—”

“Because I just can’t see my boy doing it. Nuh-uh, ain’t a chance in the world he would get behind you, and look at your tail, it ain’t happening! You’ve got plates, Red. Layers of defences. We got skin and this tiny muscle we try to procreate with.”

Red looked away, flustered. “Well—” she waited for the interruption, but both of them were looking at her expectantly now. “I can always… hmm…”

“How, Red. What world do you live in where this is possible?” Landlow pried, unhitching one of the lines.

“I just have to—”

“What reality, does it follow the laws of physics?” Landlow continued, unhitching the other line.

Red gave a threatening glare, “Let me finish—”

“Do you reptiles even have physics? Do you know about size? Have you ever taken that into account?”

Freed, Red backed away from him, towards the wall of the mountain.

“It’s impossible, Red!” Landlow spat, following, “And he knew it!”

“It’s not!” Red said, translation delayed from her barely audible whimpers.

“It is im-poss-ible. Get it out of your head.”

“Landlow.” Hannah was interrupting, seeing Red retreat, tears welling in the Vorchan’s eyes again.

“I know it hurts, Red. But it’s reality. Join it with the rest of us.”

Suddenly Red’s expression changed. Her pupils narrowing as she growled defensively. “I’d get on top!” she roared, “And then I—“

“IT WOULDN’T WORK!!” Landlow yelled, spit hitting Red’s eye. It was all it took for her to pounce at him, knocking the man on his back with a thud.

“Like this. I’d get on top like this.” she growled, pinning him with her forearms. “I’m not much longer than you.”

She lowered herself over his chest, “And I can control my posture. I’m not a savage beast.” she said into his ear, an inch away from crushing him. He had his arms around her side. “And my side is smooth. It’s a single plate on both sides, streamlined, a single layer. We aren’t impregnable fortresses.”

“You are to us.” Landlow replied.

“Because your people are afraid. Fearful of what they don’t understand.” Red said with determination, locking eyes with him.

Landlow was quiet, testing the range of motion his arms had under her.

“Tell me how it wouldn’t work. There are millions of orphaned children out there.” Red continued.

“You’re a different species, Red.” Landlow said.

“So there is absolutely no attraction? No excitement at all as you, Raumen, lie there beneath me?”

“No.” Landlow confirmed.

“Then why are you rubbing my tail with your legs?” Red asked.

“I don’t know.”

“And why are your hands clutching my waist?” she continued.

“Well—”

“And it’s twice now you’ve thrust slightly.”

Landlow laughed, “I have not.”

“I felt it!”

“You felt me trying to escape, that’s all you felt, serpent. Now get off me.”

“Not until you admit I’m right.”

“About what?”

“That it’s possible! Admit that it’s possible, and that you feel something!”

“I still don’t think…”

“Just admit it, Landlow, before she rapes you.” Hannah said, trying very hard not to laugh.

“Well… rape is a strong word.” Landlow said thoughtfully, both legs around her tail now.

Red licked his forehead lightly. “I rest my case.” She rolled off him, onto her back, wings spread.

“That position could work too.” Landlow said, dusting himself off. “And would mean I wouldn’t have all that damned dirt in my shoes.”

“It would! Wouldn’t it?” Red said, glad to have won the argument.

“But you do understand where my boy is coming from, don’t you?” Landlow asked.

“What do you suggest I do about it?”

“Well you’ve gotta choose, first off. Can’t have a serpent and a man.”

“Well I’ve got neither at the moment.” Red said, rolling to face him.

He was looking her over differently now. “You do have some feminine traits. The whole profile, for one.”

“Landlow!” Hannah looked like she was about ready to explode with laughter.

“And amazing blue eyes. You sure Mart’s the only Raumen you’re after? I’m only forty-five. I’ve got some energy left in me ya know.”

“Well…” Red said, with a victorious smile. “I just don’t think it’s possible.”

Nyx’s rapturous roar was interrupted by a loud beep. Fawkes had forgotten that the shuttle bay doors even did that if someone tried to open them when they were locked. He had forgotten that they were even locked…

“I’m glad those doors are locked.” Fawkes said, grinning down at Nyx with satisfaction.

She purred back, and set her gaze on the doors. “More of our friends from the city?”

“I don’t think so.”

He had thought they had all left. But here was one of their tenants, standing before him. Fawkes kneeled down slightly so they were level, and reminded him of the notice of eviction.

“We think it’s rubbish.” said the man.

Fawkes recalled the data file on the person. A John Pearson – here with a wife and two children. They had a two-chamber residence on the port side of the ship.

“We?” Fawkes asked.

“At least a dozen of us. We heard of the attack and wish to help defend our homes.”

“I see.” Fawkes said. He hadn’t expected any form of allegiance from the Raumens. He had been planning on evicting them all himself the moment Flames got better. He just really liked lobster and needed the money.

The shuttle bay doors were very wide, but Nyx still felt it necessary to squeeze beside Fawkes as close as she possibly could as she greeted the man, who was taken aback slightly by the two large Vorchans. Nyx didn’t even bother leaning down, towering over both of them.

“How can you help us?” she asked, putting a paw on Fawkes’ head.

“A few of us were reserves for the RDF. The rest of us have some experience with weapons and beems. I’m sure we could assist somehow. We would do anything to keep our homes.” Mr. Pearson was looking down at Fawkes now, whose head was being pressed against the ground by Nyx.

“This ship isn’t going to be static forever. Soon we’ll lift off. You would be leaving this world behind.” Fawkes warned.

“It was why we chose a ship as residence – for that opportunity. Give us the chance to prove ourselves to you, sir.”

“Gather your men, then. We’ll meet in the ship lounge an hour from now.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.” Mr. Pearson saluted and walked off.

“An hour—” Nyx was interrupted by an angry tail-swipe from Fawkes, knocking her feet out from under her. She wasn’t too interested in wrestling, and let Fawkes clamp down on her neck.

“What do you think?” Fawkes asked, eventually falling on top of her.

“I think we have crew. Oh how I missed paperwork.” Nyx said sarcastically, piercing Fawkes with her tail.

“Oh how I missed that.” Fawkes replied sarcastically, beating himself free with his wings. She was too tired to pursue.

“Come back! I only promised two tail-free sessions! Two! That was technically the third!” she called, whipping her tail clean.

“Technically I’m going to sort out the tenant database and get it ready for Mr. Pearson.” Fawkes said, landing by the bay doors and limping his way to the bridge.

“Fine. I’m tired anyways.” Nyx closed her eyes, sprawling herself out on the shuttle bay like a leocat.

“Morning, beautiful.” he said, stroking her ear.

Red groaned at the contact, reaching out with her paws, feeling his soft, peachy face.

“Landlow!” she hissed, standing up quickly.

Landlow laughed. “It’s morning again love. Time to hike before the wind picks up.”

Red stared at the wagon hitches with enough scorn to level a town, “I don’t see why we need all that.”

“You will, when the storm hits. And then you’ll thank me.” Landlow carefully hitched a section of the wagon onto Red’s spikes.

“Not that one, that’s a baby spike. Put it on the adult spike next to it.”

When Red was hitched and ready to tow, they continued upwards. Onwards and onwards, until Red was too tired to go on, and they sat for a while, staring at the clouds.

“Those are unstable, there, eh.” Landlow said, looking up at the peak above them.

“Those tiny ones?” Red asked.

“Aye, cap clouds they’re called. Means we should be gettin’ gales soon.” Landlow walked over to the wagon, opening a panel on the side of the contraption. “Aye, we got ten minutes maybe.”

“Until what?” Red asked.

“’Til the gales hit.” Landlow replied, patting her on the shoulder, “It’s time for you to see why you carried this thing all the way up here. “Hannah, grab that there for me wouldya?”

Hannah walked over to the back of the wagon, lifting a panel.

“And Red, let me unhitch you.”

The wind was starting to pick up, Red could feel it on her wings. “Hurry.” she said.

“Alright, now watch this.” Landlow tapped a few more commands into the panel he was working on.

There was a high pitched whir as the thing seemed to come to life.

“There’s something happening!” Hannah exclaimed, pointing at her panel.

“Just a diagnostic, dear. Nothin’ to worry about.” he looked out at the peaks again. “This’ll be a messy one.”

“Now what?” Red asked.

“That’s it.” Landlow replied with a smile.

“What’s it?” Nothing happened!

“You feel anything?” Landlow asked.

“No.”

“Exactly.”

“Oh…”

“It’s a… whadyu guys call it. A gravi-something? It stops the wind. Damn nifty if I may say so.”

“Where did you get a contraption like this from?” Hannah asked.

“Eh my son bought it years and years ago. Dunno why – he never used it. But s’a good thing I’m a hoarder huh?” Landlow patted Red on the shoulder again, looking at her flanks.

“What are you staring at?” Red asked with a glare.

“Keep your tail in? Eh?” Landlow replied, smacking her left flank.

“Why’s that?” she asked, jumping forward at the contact.

’Cuz the wind’ll rip it off! It’s only got five meters! If that.”

“Oh…” Red stepped closer to the machine, curling in her tail. “I see.”

Landlow laughed, sitting down next to the purring machine.

Hours passed. Red hadn’t noticed the wind pick up at first, but after the first rock blew by, she was getting more and more worried about how powerful this machine was. “What does it run off of?”

“Kovera-something generator.”

“I see…” Red said. “Mart had a … koveran-powered… gravimetric chamber… that he never used… for no reason?”

“Yep!”

“I love Mart…” she swooned, getting some more sleep.

Smash. She awoke to a rock shattering against the force field the machine had put up. “What was that?”

“The worst of it.” Landlow was staring at the console, seeing the readings fade. “We should be fine in a few. Then we can get going again.”

“How much farther do we have to travel?” Hannah asked.

“Can’t say. A few days at the least.” Landlow replied, judging their distance from the peak with his hands.

They started moving upwards the moment the wind cleared, not wasting any of the good weather.

 

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