Path of the Hunters [PART 3]

"Good news," Cross said right away. "We got Trip. We're on the way back, wanna pick-up?"

*

He sighed. "Hang on. I'm gonna pull a trick I learned from Sunny. It's gonna be tricky, though. I'm not as good with that as she is."

"I got people coming in here every half-hour to kill me. You stupid enough to risk it?"

*

Aurélie lifted a brow. "Am I about to be disgusted?"

"We got men with rifles that shoot bullets they can't phase through. And how much longer do you think you can last, realistically?"

*

"No, nothing like that. I've seen her make glass out of wood, convert metal into cloth, things like that. I'm going to try that, and make diapers from some earthy material."

Her legs, which she'd mostly gotten off the knives in the ground, were on fire and she was having trouble breathing... She was out of meds and it was getting harder and harder to stop them from getting too close...

"Do it, then," she grumbled. "You got Trip safe and sound?"

*

She smiled slightly. "That could prove to be 'ighly useful."

"He's on the plane that's coming to pick you up. Should be there in about half an hour. Can you hold out that long?"

*

"If it works. Crescent, if ya don't mind."

The wolf came to take the girl from Nova's arms again. "Am I going to 'ave to start charging you for this?"

"Ah, shut up."

"Shit." She was grimacing from pain, but her voice was strong. "I can take down one more group of idiots."

*

"Just bet on something. You'll make some money."

"We'll try and step on it."

*

"Aw, come on," Nova complained. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

"Pull it off," Crescent said. "and I'll babysit for a month."

"Make it four months."

"Deal!" The two cousins shook hands.

"I'll give the green light for the battle group overhead her to engage any hostiles. Just tell her that if it flies, it's a friendly, and they won't appreciate any improvised anti-air."

"Sure."

*

"I think you should 'ave bet in favor of 'im managing it, Crescent. Because if this doesn't work, we'll 'ave to 'unt for diapers or Aurora will start to cry. 'E 'as a lot of incentive," Aurélie pointed out.

He nodded. "Look, you got air-cav comin' in to help sweep out the hunters. If it flies, it's on your side."

*

"Even if I lose, I'll get paid for my services."

"Just not as much. I'm nice like that." He cracked his knuckles, took a deep breath, and swiped his hand across the wall. In his hand, now, was a classic-style diaper cloth. "And, presto! One throwback diaper, perfect for newborn babies and up to 18 months, clip included."

"Thanks Cross, those ships are hard enough to repair, let alone replace, especially way out here, so far from home."

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"Please do not use the base as your personal means of making your shit. Use the earth outside that is not integeral to the base's continued life. Thank you." All said in a sarcasticly cheerful manner.

"I got it..."

*

The dog rolled her eyes. "You can replace it, correct? Taking what is there and just expanding. I 'ave seen Sunny do so."

Cross noticed the exhaustion in her voice. "We'll be there as soon as possible."

*

"I already did. Take a look: It's like I didn't even do anything to it."

"Not bad," Crescent said with a smile. "Guess I'll get to know these two quite a bit."

"Have fun."

"Okay, fine."

*

She smiled. "Bonne." Aurora started to make distressed sounds, so she gave the wolf a pointed look. "You still 'ave to change 'er."

"Hang in there." With that, he ended the call, turned to Trip. "Sunny's in trouble. We're going to try and save her, okay?"

*

"I know, I know. You think I could get a damp cloth to work with?"

He nodded, frowning. "Okay..."

*

"There's a bathroom nearby. We were shown earlier when it was just Mani and I."

"The secondary stealth variant above Starshine has medics on it. As soon as she's clear, they can take care of her"

"Can they take off with her?

*

"Well then, lead the way."

"They have been prepped and ready to go the moment the green light to land was given, but your incistance on going there yourselves has delayed this. After all, I did mention the second stealth variant hovering over there several times now..."

Cross stared at the hologram for a moment. "A little reminder would've done nice. That's all I'm saying."

The dog started over, smiling slightly.

"This will be around the fifth time I've said that. Not my fault you weren't paying attention."

"We'll argue about this, later. Just send it in."

*

Nova followed, Aurora back in his hands. "What are you smirkin' about?"

"Mm... 'Ave you ever changed a diaper?"

"I actually did this with Yue a few times, in her younger days. Why do you think I'm so relaxed with this?"