Path of the Hunters [PART 3]

"I hope we can get them to do it in one trip. The ride from here to there is so long..."

*

"Well, that's a little tricky to explain. See, I am there, but the people there made an image of me, so you can see me here, and vice versa."

She nodded. "Per'aps. But would she be willing to go with a bunch of 'umans she does not know?"

*

"Like... a picture that moves and stuff? Like on TV?"

"If Trip is with them," Nova pointed out. "She just might as well. Also, I'm sure they'll have a friendly hologram to greet them on board, knowing Cross."

*

"It's called a hologram, but yes, like that." Sometimes he forgot how smart Trip was. "Now, there's some human people with guns up here, but they won't hurt you. They helped me; they're here to help you. They'll bring you to where I am."

"True... We will 'ave to ask someone in charge. Damien is still out, I believe, so Katharine is next."

*

He swallowed. "P-promise?"

"Yeah. Where did that moody AI get off to, anyway?"

*

"With my life. Now, hurry. The hole's closing soon."

Her eyes rolled as she looked down at her son. Unable to resist, she nuzzled him and he cooed his appreciation.

*

He nodded and, tails spinning, got out of the hole just before it slid shut.

The ODSTs nodded and gestured towards the waiting pelican.

"How come humans are so tall?" he whispered, scooting behind the hologram.

He chuckled. "Oh, well. No rush, I guess." He walked over to Crescent, took Aurora in his arms. He couldn't help but smile at her cute face. "...I'm not gonna say it. I still got a rep."

Crescent shook her head. "Even as a father, you are still as proud and arrogant as ever."

*

Cross shrugged. "That's just how they're made. Like how we have fur and tails, and they don't." He started to walk back to the ship. "Let's go, Trip."

Aurélie laughed. "Let's see if we can find at least Cross. 'E should know whether or not diverting to Sunny would be possible."

*

He scampered after the echidna, wary of the humans. "Are you gonna go save Mom?" he asked quietly.

"There's a start. Let's take a look around."

*

"Yes, I will. She will be okay. I swear on it." His eyes narrowed, sparking slightly.

The ODSTs followed the two into the pelican, once they were in, the hatch shut and the ship smoothly lifted off the ground and headed off towards the base.

Katherine appeared next to Cross, "Cute kid, anyways, ETA 4 hours."

"Good. Think we can make a quick detour? I wanna try to pick up Sunny, get her out of the hot spot."

"It's gonna take that long?" the fox whispered, burrowing against his seat. Then he blinked. "We're gonna go get Sunny?"

*

The dog managed to stifle a yawn, slightly jealous when she noticed Dart had fallen asleep in her arms. "Oui."

Katherine shrugged, "Ok...we can do that. ETA, 1 hour."

The craft banked and started off towards StarShine.

"Be careful," he warned. "Sunny's extremely dangerous, especially in her weakened state, and none too trusting. No Soldiers, no guns, at all."

*

He chuckled at the dog. "Dart's nice and cozy in your arms. Lucky you. Can't get this one to stop squirmin' for a sec."

"That's why we kept the combat forces a safe distance away. Now, just give me a moment to configure the projector, and we'll just toss it out of the pelican when we get over the place."

"We can trade," she offered, amused. "If she is too much for you to 'andle."

*

Trip's ears twitched. He was confused, but pretty sure that meant Cross was going to get tossed at Sunny. It would calm her down. "Sunny has her phone," he said quietly. "You can call her..."

"And take all the fun away? Y'know I like a challenge." After a quick sniff, he looked down at Aurora, frowned. "Aw, shit..."

*

He smiled at the fox. "Thanks for the tip." He looked back up to Katherine. "Yknow, I think a phone call will be enough heads-up."

Katherine smirked, "And here I wanted to through a holo-projector out of a pelican. I guess this is easier. Make the call, Cross."

Cross nodded, pulling out his phone. "Besides, I don't think she'd respond well to it, especially if it hits her head by accident." He dialed up her number, waited with the phone to his ear.

Katherine laughed, "But it'd be funny as hell!"

"Not if she puts a steel beam through this ship," he said seriously.

"Hmm, got me there."

The dog smiled. "You should 'ave taken the deal, mon coeur. Then again... We don't 'ave any diapers..."

*

Trip frowned, staying quiet.

Down in StarShine, the scent of death making her really queasy, Sunny answered her phone. She was just as Trip had left her, but so much more exhausted. "What?"