{"id":319,"date":"2021-09-27T11:15:57","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T15:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=319"},"modified":"2023-03-07T18:10:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-07T23:10:17","slug":"chapter-25","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-25\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 025: Enter Night"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 25: Enter Night<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Kasai_2b_md.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-321\" width=\"442\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Kasai_2b_md.png 724w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Kasai_2b_md-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stepped through the portal into a land shrouded in twilight. The sky was mostly overcast, but enough starlight filtered through the clouds so she was able to see the landscape with no difficulty. Ryogin and Amaryllis were a few yards ahead of everyone else. Cerina and Saija were a few paces behind them. Tannin stood in front of Kasai, waving his hands around blindly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin grabbed her hand. \u201cDark here, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasi\u2019s pulse quickened at the contact. \u201cNot really\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat? It\u2019s as dark as midnight.\u201d Cerina moved her hand in front of her face. \u201cI can\u2019t see a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stepped closer to Onin. \u201cIt\u2019s not that dark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, yes, it is.\u201d Tannin waved his hand and prodded his head next to his eye sockets. \u201cEither that, or the shrooms have killed my vision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina stretched out her palm and swung at Tannin but missed him by a foot or so. \u201cStill with the shrooms? Seriously? Come over here so I can smack you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis shook her head to toss her hair over her shoulder and smiled. \u201cIt seems dragon eyes are almost as good as Nekotian eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait\u2014\u201d Tannin took a step forward, stuck his tongue out, and made a face. \u201cYou can really see in this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis nodded and flicked an ear. \u201cYes, I can. Put your tongue back in your head and be careful. There\u2019s a small rock right in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Tannin bent down and looked down at the ground. \u201cI still don\u2019t see a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s there,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Suddenly a long red trail of light rose up into the sky. Kasai shielded her eyes with her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI saw that!\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin gripped Kasai\u2019s hand tighter. \u201cLooks like a ship lifting off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d The sound of Ryogin\u2019s voice startled Onin, and he jumped. \u201cLooks like we missed the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina swore under her breath. Kasai leaned her head on Onin\u2019s shoulder. She hadn\u2019t been looking forward to fighting the Natas, but they couldn\u2019t let him loose to do who knew what kind of evil things to the rest of the galaxy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, what do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked up at the sound of Saija\u2019s voice. Saija, who had been formerly possessed by a Natas, tapped her foot and tossed her long black pony-tail over her shoulder as she glared up at the rapidly departing ship. She of all people knew what cruelties the Natas could inflict on others. Kasai\u2019s eyes drifted to Saija\u2019s missing right leg. She shuddered in sympathy at the thought of what her friend had gone through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin wrapped his arm around Kasai and squeezed her shoulders. \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to generate a servitor so the rest of us can see where we\u2019re going. How about you and Amaryllis scout ahead to see if we can find any information about where that Natas left, and how we can get him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Kasai nodded and spread her wings. \u201cI\u2019ll head off to the right. Amaryllis, do you want to take the left?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Amaryllis hopped up side-saddle style on her staff. \u201cCerina, would you be so kind as to use your sound manipulation gift to let all of us hear each other?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, whatever.\u201d Cerina crossed her arms over her chest. \u201cWhere\u2019s that light, Onin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry. I\u2019m waiting for Kasai and Amaryllis to leave. Don\u2019t want to ruin their night-vision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted in reply. Kasai sighed and turned away. She\u2019d better get going before Cerina whined some more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin grabbed her hand, pulled her close, and kissed the top of her head. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Cerina. Be safe, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Warmth flooded through Kasai at Onin\u2019s touch. She still didn\u2019t understand how he hadn\u2019t been freaked out at the sight of her transforming into a dragon yesterday. Best not to think about that. She squeezed Onin\u2019s hand before she let go and spread her wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A jump and a strong down-stroke got her airborne. Weird. She\u2019d only had these wings for about a day, and she seemed to instinctively know how to use them. A few more strokes left Onin and the others far behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Most of the surface was scraggly and cratered. To her left was a smooth, wide area that looked like something used to be there but had been scooped off the surface. She veered to the right. A pebble-gray field scattered with boulders stretched out before her. Despite a breathable atmosphere, this moon didn\u2019t seem to have much going for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A vast scattering of larger rocks caught her attention. Kasai slowed down and back-winged for a landing to investigate further. Large girders stuck out from smooth, rounded metal pods, all of them cracked open in different areas. This was either a junkyard, or a lot of ships had crashed in the same spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasia walked between a few of the wrecks, trailing her fingers along the broken edges of sheet metal. Blackened char flaked off at her touch. Not a junkyard. A battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHello?\u201d Kasai stood up and looked around. Cerina had said she\u2019d enable them to communicate, but\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes?\u201d Onin\u2019s voice echoed across to her, slightly distorted. \u201cDid you find something, Kasai?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai ducked under another twisted steel beam. \u201cWrecked ships. Quite a few of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019ll be right there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis was the first to arrive. She flew in low, stopped about a yard from Kasai, then hopped off from her staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOoo, spaceships.\u201d Amaryllis rapped on the nearest hull with the top of her staff. \u201cI\u2019m guessing a fairly recent wreck, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh?\u201d Kasai stepped closer and leaned toward the hunk of metal that Amaryllis was inspecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Amaryllis pointed to a blue line that ran across the white hull plating. \u201cThe paint is still smooth and undamaged. This moon has an atmosphere, so if they\u2019d been here long, it\u2019d be chipped or fading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcellent deduction, Amaryllis,\u201d Ryogin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai spun around at the sound of his voice. He and the others were cresting a small rise a half-dozen yards behind her. Onin was right behind him with a servitor floating above them that lit up the entire area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShips?\u201d Tannin\u2019s expression perked up. He ran forward and skidded down the hill. \u201cLike in the Space Pirates game?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The others followed Tannin more slowly down the small hill and circled loosely around Kasai and Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy does that not surprise me that that\u2019s the first thing you think of?\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes and stepped closer to the ship Kasai and Amaryllis were inspecting. \u201cWell, you\u2019re not going anywhere in these.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin strode forward to inspect the nearest wreck. Kasai backed up a pace to give him some room. He rolled up the sleeves on his ever-present white lab coat and tapped the hull in a few places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis wrapped herself around Ryogin\u2019s arm. \u201cDo you think we can fix one of these?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin wrinkled his nose. \u201cNot this one.\u201d He turned to face the group. \u201cAmaryllis and Kasai didn\u2019t see the Natas, so it\u2019s safe to assume that the lift-off trail we saw earlier was him leaving. I propose we search the wreckage to see if there\u2019s a ship we can repair and use to chase him down. Objections?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked over at Onin. He had a slight frown on his face and was staring off into the distance. Was he worried that they all might be stuck here? Kasai reached over and took his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin blinked then smiled at her. \u201cNo objections here, do you think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted. \u201cYeah, like we\u2019re going to be able to fix a frickin\u2019 spaceship!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, I hate to agree with Miss Gloomy here.\u201d Saija shifted her weight to her right crutch. \u201cBut do any of us know how to fix a spaceship?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis smiled and twirled her staff around, stopping it so she held it perpendicular to her body. \u201cOh, you\u2019d be surprised.\u201d She placed her palm flat against the ring on the top of her staff. \u201cArtifice: full up-link.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A glowing white circle formed between her palm and the staff. She removed her hand and pressed her staff up against the wrecked ship. The hull bent and distorted as it slowly disappeared into the glowing circle. Amaryllis stepped forward and more of the ship was swallowed up into her staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm\u2014\u201d Tannin raised his hand. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s just me, but how does vacuuming up a ship with a mini black hole or whatnot help us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis giggled. \u201cI\u2019m not hoovering it, silly. I\u2019m using Ryogin-sama\u2019s artifice gift to convert this wreck into raw materials. We can use those to repair another ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell.\u201d Onin cleared his throat. \u201cEnough standing around. The rest of us should go look for a ship that\u2019s in better shape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin threw Onin a mock salute, then marched off into the debris field. Saija shrugged and hobbled after him on her crutches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin turned to Kasai. \u201cYou want to head over that way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai nodded and followed Onin, still holding his hand. Most of the ships they passed were just twisted hunks of metal. A few were mostly intact, but still had gaping holes scattered throughout the body. Almost all of the ships seemed to be of the same design, which Kasai was able to picture after seeing a few dozen of them. A long tubular body with widened stubby wings at the rear. They looked kinda like a typical fighter from a video game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, what about that one?\u201d Onin pointed to one of the ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stepped closer to look over his shoulder. An irregular oval-shaped ship, larger than the others, lay with its nose partially buried in the dirt. At first glance, most of it appeared to be intact. This vessel was a lot uglier than the others. Instead of a smooth hull, gunmetal gray bumps and protrusions sprouted from all over the ship. It looked almost two stories tall, about as wide, and twice as long. Large cylinders at the rear of the ship resembled engine pods from a hovership or one of those games Tannin was always playing. A large transparent canopy was up top and to the front of the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Onin let go of Kasai\u2019s hand and ran his fingers over the metal side of the ship. \u201cIt\u2019s ugly, but it looks big enough to fit everyone. Volume-wise, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai wandered around to the prow. \u201cIf the rest of it is intact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She kept walking and circled around to the other side of the ship. It was covered with scorch marks, and most of the metal protrusions were mangled, but other than that, it seemed to be in one piece. Even the engine pods seemed undamaged, to the naked eye, at least. The rear of the ship was up in the air and rested on two sturdy landing struts. She ducked underneath and let out a low whistle. There was a person-sized hole that went from the bottom of the ship clear through to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">When she re-joined Onin at the starboard side of the ship, Amaryllis and the others had already made their way over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow\u2019s the other side look?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai slumped her shoulders. \u201cGood, but there\u2019s a hole in the middle that goes clean through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEh.\u201d Tannin waved a hand. \u201cOnly one hole. That\u2019s about fifty less holes than anything else here has got.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina rolled her eyes, and Saija chuckled. Leave it to Tannin to see the bright side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin and Amaryllis ducked under the bottom of the ship. They leaned in close, heads together and studied the hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s not that bad.\u201d Amaryllis said after a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin raised an eyebrow. \u201cExcept the trans-dimensional drive is missing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis flicked an ear and looked back over her shoulder. \u201cHey, Tannin, didn\u2019t you say you and Saija saw a ship like this on the other side of the debris field?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorta.\u201d Tannin kicked at the dirt. \u201cIt looked kinda like this, except the entire front half was missing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGreat!\u201d Amaryllis made her way out from under the ship. \u201cI\u2019ll fly over there and take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She sat down on her staff and flew up and over the wreck behind them. Kasai looked around. There had to be something helpful she could do. Tannin and Cerina were arguing. Saija was seated on a boulder, rubbing her right leg. The occasional spark still spat out from Saija\u2019s shattered prosthetic. Kasai winced. That had to hurt. Ryogin raised his palm and opened an artifice circle. He walked around and absorbed more of the surrounding wreckage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stood facing the ship graveyard, his hand on his chin, and his brow furrowed in apparent thought. Kasai clasped her hands in front of her. Was Onin worried about being stuck here, too? Knowing him, he probably had an alternate plan. Kasai smiled. He was always thinking about how to help others. Sometimes he tried to take it all on himself, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai approached him and rested her hand on his shoulder. \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Onin looked over at her and smiled. \u201cNo. I\u2019m just wondering if Suit-Man did all this in the few moments before we got here, or if all this is from another battle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai frowned. The Natas was certainly capable of causing this much destruction. How many people had died in this attack? She wrapped her arms around herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019ve got to stop him,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Onin turned around. \u201cThe first step is to get this ship working. Want to help me dig out the front end while we\u2019re waiting for Amaryllis?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Kasai squatted down to look at the ship. It was hard to tell how much of it was buried. Hopefully not much. \u201cWhere do we start?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow about at the beginning?\u201d Tannin walked over and leaned up against the ship. \u201cSeriously though, that\u2019s a good question. I could fold my shirt and reinforce it to make a shovel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ve got a better idea.\u201d Onin held out his hand and a servitor emerged, glowing with energy. \u201cI\u2019ll tell this to loosen up dirt around the metal. Kasai, can you use telekinesis to move the dirt away from the ship?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Kasai stood up and brushed her hands off on her pants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A yellow energy tendril snaked down from the servitor into the ground. The servitor hummed and snapped, causing tiny clouds of dirt to puff up all over in front of the ship. Kasai leaned into her gift and imagined an excavator scooping up the dirt and moving it away. A large clump of dirt lifted into the air and floated away from the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They had just finished digging out the front of the ship when Amaryllis flew back over. A servitor of her own trailed along behind her. A large metal object was suspended underneath the servitor, cradled by yellow energy tendrils. Amaryllis landed near the rear of their ship. The servitor gently lowered the hunk of metal to the ground, then Amaryllis re-absorbed the servitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m really excited about finding this drive unit.\u201d Amaryllis patted the side of a person-sized inverted-bell-shaped hunk of metal that had all manner of pipes and wires coming out of it. \u201cThis is the electro-magnetic trans-dimensional drive. It\u2019s what lets us jump to other star systems in days instead of decades. This particular unit is a classic, and one of the most powerful and dependable trans-d drives ever made. It\u2019s an 875, made by Klinger Drive Systems Inc.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow the Natas do you know that?\u201d Cerina frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. \u201cDidn\u2019t you grow up on Gesara like the rest of us? Our spacecraft can\u2019t even leave our solar system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis drew herself up to her full height and thrust her staff out at Cerina. \u201cRyogin-sama has been instructing me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo?\u201d Cerina turned up her nose and leaned forward. \u201cHow does he know anything about that? He\u2019s just as crazy as you are!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis drew her arm back and swung her open palm at Cerina. Kasai ran forward to stop the fight, but Ryogin got there first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAmaryllis!\u201d Ryogin grabbed Amaryllis\u2019 arm mid-swing. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis\u2019 face fell, her cat ears drooped, and she looked down at her feet. \u201cShe was insulting you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina opened her mouth to say something. Tannin and Saija rushed up on either side of her and pulled her away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai wrung her hands. <em>I know Cerina can be\u2026 difficult\u2026 but why can\u2019t everyone get along?<\/em> She glanced back at Amaryllis. Cerina had just insulted Ryogin in front of her. Kasai understood why Amaryllis was mad. <em>Yeah, I\u2019d probably hit Cerina if she attacked Onini in front of me, too.<\/em> Kasai felt her face heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey! Let go of me!\u201d Cerina struggled to pull free of Tannin and Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNope.\u201d Tannin kept walking without releasing Cerina, his face unusually serious. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna go over here a-ways and cool down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry, Ryogin-sama.\u201d Amaryllis\u2019 voice was low. \u201cI should know better. It\u2019s just that we were starting to get along, then she has to be so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai put an arm around Amaryllis\u2019 shoulders. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShe\u2019s probably just a little weirded out.\u201d Onin raised an eyebrow at Ryogin, who kept a steady, neutral expression. \u201cWe\u2019re on an alien planet, and you two do seem to have more knowledge about all this than the rest of us. We\u2019re going to have to sit down and have a conversation about that at some point, but right now we need to catch that Natas. Right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin nodded and clapped Onin on the shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai glanced back and forth between Ryogin and Amaryllis. They did seem to have a lot of information about her dragon form, the Natas, and a bunch of other stuff, and that was worrying. Where did they get it all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rested a hand on Kasai\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWe\u2019re all on the same side. We\u2019ll have time to talk once we get the ship fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled up at Onin. He was right. This wasn\u2019t the time to worry about it, and they couldn\u2019t afford to fight amongst themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2014\u201d Kasai gave Amaryllis shoulders another squeeze then let go and walked around the trans-dimensional drive. \u201cHow do we install this thing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis crouched down then sprang up to the top of the ship. \u201cIf you can telekinetically lift it into the ship, Ryogin-sama and I can use his artifice gift to reconnect it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Kasai concentrated and maneuvered one of the oblong cylindrical engine pods into position at the end of the starboard strut at the rear of the ship. \u201cIs that good?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUp about an inch, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai concentrated as she tapped her gift, imagining the pod sliding up. The engine lifted in sync with her thought. \u201cNow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPerfect. Hold it there, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis disappeared from sight. Kasai heard her scrambling around atop the ship. Ryogin ducked under the ship and lay down on his back facing the hole. He raised his palm and a glowing blue-white artifice circle irised out from a single spot of light. Kasai took a step closer. The circle wasn\u2019t just a glowing white disc. It was composed of lines of geometric shapes, numbers, and a few symbols that Kasai didn\u2019t recognize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat are all the numbers?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin answered without looking away from the ship. \u201cIt\u2019s a mathematical equation. It indicates the source of the raw materials to use, how to convert them, where to put them, and various formulas to specify and control the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Kasai glanced up at the engine pod, which she still held in place, then back to Ryogin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She watched, fascinated, as a stream of white light spiraled up out of the artifice disc and into the ship. For a while, nothing appeared to happen. Then wires, pipes, circuits and hull plating grew out from the sides of the hole until it was filled in. The artifice disc flashed then lensed down to a point of white light and disappeared. Ryogin took a deep breath and crawled out from under the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere. That\u2019s fixed.\u201d He huffed out another breath then trudged to the bow. \u201cNow to get the front landing gear repaired and see what other damage there is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis jumped off the top of the ship and landed at Kasai\u2019s feet. \u201cThanks! Could you lift the front of the ship up, please?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai relaxed and mentally let go of the engine pod. \u201cSure, I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin looked from Kasai to the ship and back. \u201cAre you sure you can manage that safely?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin pulled Kasai into a side-hug. \u201cSure she can. She\u2019s an S-class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai felt her face heat at both Onin\u2019s touch and praise. \u201cWell, that red dragon was heavier, and I tossed him around with no problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Ryogin nodded. \u201cWhenever you\u2019re ready, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai closed her eyes and reached out with her gift. She could almost feel the hull of the ship where it rested in the dirt. The aft section was still supported by the rear landing struts. She imagined a large hydraulic cylinder underneath the front of the ship, then imaged it extending upward to lever the front part into the air. The front of the ship slowly lifted out of the dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cJust a smidge higher, please,\u201d Amaryllis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai bumped the ship up a little more and opened her eyes. Out of the dirt, the ship was a hair over one hundred feet long. She walked around to the front. It was about sixty feet wide at the rear and tapered down to about twenty feet at the front. The whole thing reminded her of a squashed egg, and the mostly transparent canopy on the top looked like someone had jammed a small bus on top of it for good measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere. All done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai glanced under the ship at the sound of Amaryllis\u2019 voice. A new landing strut that matched the pair on the rear of the ship now hung under the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReady for me to put it down?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup. Wait\u2014\u201d Amaryllis ran out from under the ship. \u201cOkay, now I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai lowered the ship to the ground. The strut creaked, and bent a few inches at the joint, but held. \u201cIs that good?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes!\u201d Amaryllis turned and gave Ryogin a high-five. \u201cWe did it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin grinned and grabbed her hand. \u201cYup. Now to see what shape the inside is in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin brushed his palm over the hull. \u201cSo, where\u2019s the door?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShould be this way.\u201d Ryogin led the way back to a spot about three-quarters down from the bow on the starboard side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019ll be easier to find once we get the outer hull plating on.\u201d Amaryllis frowned. \u201cNot to mention it\u2019ll look nicer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait.\u201d Onin raised an eyebrow. \u201cIt\u2019s not supposed to look like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis giggled. \u201cNope. I mean, it can function this way, but there\u2019s supposed to be a smooth outer hull plating over all this. It helps reduce drag for landing and take-off, and provides some protection against blaster fire, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over at Kasai and raised his eyebrows. Kasai shrugged. She didn\u2019t have any more insight into how Amaryllis and Ryogin knew so much about all this, but she trusted her friend. They\u2019d have to have that talk with Amaryllis and Ryogin soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh, here we are.\u201d Ryogin reached into a small recess a quarter of the way down the starboard side of the ship and pushed something. A large rectangular crack appeared, and a ramp lowered down out of the side of the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stepped forward. The inside of the ship was dark. Onin waved the others over then generated two hand-sized servitors and sent them floating inside. He bowed and gestured for Ryogin to lead the way. Kasai followed the others up the ramp and stopped in her tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They stood in a small hallway that headed off to the right and left. The walls of the interior of the ship were covered in wide horizontal panels the color of mother-of-pearl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow.\u201d Kasai blinked at the rainbow wall of shifting colors. \u201cSo, are the aliens who built this ship color-blind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis wrinkled her nose. \u201cYuck. They might be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Someone clambered up the ramp. Kasai turned around. Tannin jerked to a stop when he saw the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">His eyes widened. \u201cWow, did a unicorn throw up in here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Saija made her way up the ramp, slowed by her crutches. \u201cIs he exaggerating aga\u2026\u201d Saija\u2019s voice died off and she gaped at the walls. \u201cWow. Just wow. I don\u2019t\u2026 wow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin turned and leaned out of the ship. \u201cHey Cerina, you might not want to come in. This color scheme might cause you actual physical pain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think Tannin\u2019s right for once.\u201d Onin rubbed the bridge of his nose. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna need paint, sunglasses, or some orange shag carpet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shuddered. The current color scheme was certainly hard on the eyes. She headed down the hallway to the right. Might as well explore the rest of the ship. The others headed off in different directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMake notes on what you find,\u201d Onin called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The right side of the hallway was interspersed with small hatches that looked like they could be used for storage. The left-hand wall was solid. Kasai followed the hallway as it curved around the front of the ship. The walls were buckled slightly in several areas in this section. At the front of the ship there was a neon pink and black leopard print door. Kasai pulled it open. The room beyond was lined with empty curved racks, and the front wall had one large person-sized oval hatch. It was surrounded on either side by several smaller circular hatches. Each of the smaller hatches was about a foot in diameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shrugged. The next door led to a spiral staircase that led up. Presumably to the cockpit. She\u2019d look at that later with the others. For now, Kasai continued down the hallway, which curved back to the rear of the ship. The right side of the port hallway had four doors interspersed along it, about eight feet apart. The left side of the hallway had one door. Kasai peeked into the first room on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A queen-sized bed with an askew mattress was against the far wall. There was a small couch opposite it. Couch cushions were scattered across the room. A double dresser, its drawers ajar, rested against the wall to her left. A door hung askew in its frame on the right wall. It hid a modest shower, sink, and toilet. Clothes and various supplies were tossed everywhere. Presumably thrown about when the ship crashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The next two rooms were similar but had double bunk beds and no couch. The last room on the right side of the hallway was a mirror of the first room. Kasai crossed the hall and opened the door to a large room. She covered her mouth and swallowed. The walls, floor, and ceiling in here were bright chartreuse green. The room almost seemed to glow. A seating area consisting of two couches facing each other, separated by a small coffee table that was bolted to the floor filled the center of the room. A galley was arranged along the far wall, and a long eating table and chairs were off to the left. A large display screen with a jagged crack down the center was mounted to the wall to the right. Bags of white powder that resembled flour and sugar, and assorted canned goods were scattered across the entire room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai made a face. It was going to take a while to clean that mess. She wandered to the back of the ship. The others must have found something back there&#8230; hopefully&#8230; The hallway dead-ended at a large pressure door. A large lighted green button was set into the wall next to the door. Kasai pressed it. The button blinked, then the door hissed and slid open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A vast empty room was beyond the door. It was easily the width of the entire ship. Probably a cargo space. Currently, it was empty. The walls were the same iridescent mother-of-pearl as most of the rest of the vessel. Large hydraulic cylinders the size of her body were on either side to the right of the room. The whole side of the ship probably opened up for loading and unloading. Another pressure door was centered on the starboard wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">This pressure door opened into the hallway. Left led back to the entry hatch and the front of the ship. Kasai turned around and headed to the rear. The hallway ended in another pressure door. This was open, and the rest of her friends stood just inside the doorway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s so hideous.\u201d Tannin looked around. \u201cI just can\u2019t look away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blinked. This had to be the engine room, as the gray metal trans-dimensional drive was mounted in the center. The rest of the room was painted a glowing, neon-pink plaid. Lines of neon pink, blue, yellow, and green intersected and the walls almost seemed to dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina turned and shoved past Kasai to run down the hallway, her hand over her mouth, and her face a sickly shade of green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI warned you!\u201d Tannin yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin elbowed him in the ribs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija stared at the ceiling. \u201cHow\u2019d they even get it this color? The pattern wraps around everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe more important question is why.\u201d Onin shuddered and stepped closer to the trans-dimensional drive. \u201cAnyway, does this thing work?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think so.\u201d Ryogin stood at a neon plaid console and pressed a few neon plaid buttons. \u201cI think the computer is running a diagnostic. It\u2019s hard to see if I\u2019m pressing the right buttons, but we\u2019ve got power, anyway. Looks like this will take about another ten minutes.\u201d He squinted at the console. \u201cOr ten hours. I\u2019m not sure. Even the digital display has a plaid background.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai tapped Tannin and Onin on the arm. \u201cIf it\u2019s going to be a while, the other rooms need some cleaning, if you two want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Onin smiled and took her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin groaned and rolled his eyes but followed them back down the hall. Five hours later, they had the bedrooms and main room tidied up and cleaned using supplies that Saija had found in the back of a cupboard in the galley. Kasai wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and flopped into a chair in the common room. The chairs were surprisingly comfortable for being made out of hard plastic. They even had a round cut-out in the back. Handy to put one\u2019s tail through. It was weird to have a tail now. It didn\u2019t seem to bother her unless she thought about it too much, which she tried not to do. Kasai turned to look at Onin. Despite what he said, Onin had to be at least a little uncomfortable with her having a tail. <em>Only freaks have tails, right? Hmm. Amaryllis has a tail, and no one makes a big deal about it. <\/em>Kasai sighed. <em>Okay, maybe I\u2019m not as out of place as I think I am&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sat next to her, head tilted back and eyes shut. Saija and Cerina were sprawled out on each of the couches. Tannin lay on his back on the floor. Ryogin and Amaryllis were still in the engine room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEither my eyes are getting burned out, or I\u2019m getting used to the green.\u201d Tannin held a hand over his face and blinked one eye as he stared at the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPaint.\u201d Cerina had both her eyes squinted tightly shut. \u201cI\u2019d give anything for some white paint right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFirst priority is to get the ship running.\u201d Onin yawned. \u201cWe can paint while we\u2019re under way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina moaned and slouched down further into the couch. Kasai shut her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She was sore all over from bending down and picking up innumerable stuff from all over the floor of the ship. At least it was clean now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A few moments later the door slid open. Kasai rolled her head to the side. Amaryllis and Ryogin trudged into the common room and plopped down into chairs on the opposite side of the table from Onin and Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOoo!\u201d Amaryllis\u2019 ears perked up. \u201cThe chairs have tail-holes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNice, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis didn\u2019t seem to have any issues with having a tail. But then, she\u2019d had hers for her entire life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Amaryllis nodded. \u201cI have to be careful not to sit on mine when I\u2019m out. Most chairs just aren\u2019t comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow are the engines?\u201d Saija looked over the arm of the couch she was draped across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFine.\u201d Ryogin sighed. \u201cIt is going to be about ten hours before the diagnostic finishes. I\u2019d hoped it\u2019d be sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe did get a bunch of other stuff done in the engine room.\u201d Amaryllis covered a yawn with her hand. \u201cAssuming the bridge is in good shape we should be good to go as soon as the computer is happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s good.\u201d Onin opened his eyes and sat up. \u201cWe\u2019ve got the rest of the ship cleaned up, so we should be able to get some sleep in the meantime. There\u2019s four rooms. How should we divide them up, Ryogin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin cleared his throat and scooted his chair closer to the table. \u201cActually, that\u2019s something I wanted to talk with everyone about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou wanted to talk about room assignments?\u201d Cerina sat up and rolled her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t we have more important things to worry about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, not that.\u201d Ryogin shook his head. \u201cI meant who\u2019s in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou are.\u201d Onin inclined his head at Ryogin. \u201cYou\u2019re older, and you\u2019re a professor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin held up a hand. \u201cI\u2019m only a few years older, and I\u2019m a professor at a university that none of you except Amaryllis even attends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOn top of that, I\u2019m more of a research type, not a leader. The rest of you have a good dynamic going, and I don\u2019t want to ruin that. I\u2019ve watched you work a little. You all seem to look at Onin. I nominate him to captain this ship and lead the mission against the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cWell, I don\u2019t really feel qualified\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai squeezed his arm and smiled up at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, whatever. All in favor of Onin as captain?\u201d Tannin shot his hand into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Saija raised her hand. \u201cYou\u2019ll do great, boss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blushed and raised her hand. After Onin had kissed her after she\u2019d turned into a dragon and back in front of him. She\u2019d follow him anywhere. It was great to see that the others saw at least some of the same qualities in him that she did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, whatever.\u201d Cerina looked at the far wall and avoided eye contact with the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin looked over at Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf Ryogin-sama thinks you\u2019ll do a good job, then so do I.\u201d Amaryllis pressed herself into Ryogin\u2019s arm and nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow.\u201d Onin ducked his head and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked up and around the room. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to say. I don\u2019t really want to be in charge. I think we work better as a team, and I\u2019d like us to keep working that way. But I\u2019d be glad to lead our team if that\u2019s what everyone wants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBlah, blah.\u201d Tannin made talking motions with his hand. \u201cI\u2019m tired. What room do I sleep in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot sure, let\u2019s go find out.\u201d Onin stood and walked out into the hallway. Kasai followed him and the others trailed along behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin pointed to the room closest to the rear of the ship. \u201cI think Ryogin deserves one of the big rooms. Also it\u2019s closest to the engine room. Hopefully he won\u2019t need to be constantly running back there, but\u2014\u201d Onin shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSounds good.\u201d Tannin clapped him on the shoulder. \u201cCaptain gets the other big room, right guys?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy?\u201d Cerina smirked. \u201cSo he can share it with Kasai?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blushed and ducked behind Onin. Not that she\u2019d mind sharing a room with him, but they weren\u2019t <em>that<\/em> close yet\u2026 and she certainly didn\u2019t want to discuss it in front of everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Onin frowned at Cerina. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m old-fashioned, or maybe we\u2019re not ready for that yet. Also, it\u2019s none of your business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s heart sunk and she bit her lip. On the one hand, she wasn\u2019t ready to share a room with Onin. On the other, he\u2019d dismissed that possibility awfully quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin glanced at the door to the other large room, then back to everyone. \u201cFor a variety of reasons, I think we\u2019d better split into boys and girls. So Tannin will share the room with me, and you girls get the other two rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSounds good.\u201d Saija looked over and raised an eyebrow at Cerina. \u201cHow are we splitting up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood question.\u201d Onin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He turned so Ryogin and Tannin were behind him and placed both hands behind his back. \u201cAll four of you please pick a number between one and ten. Two closest get the room next to mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija shrugged. \u201cSounds fair. I\u2019ll go with ten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOne.\u201d Cerina stuck her tongue out at Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFive,\u201d Kasai said. Hopefully she wouldn\u2019t get stuck with Cerina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis pulled her mouth to the side. \u201cUm, four, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGreat. Tannin, how many fingers am I holding up?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted. \u201cBetter ask the professor. Are we sure Tannin can count that high?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHa-ha.\u201d Tannin narrowed his eyes at Cerina. \u201cI can manage, thanks. He\u2019s holding up seven fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai let out a sigh of relief. Amaryllis was easy to get along with, but she\u2019d been looking forward to getting to know Saija better anyway. Kasai shuddered at the memory of sharing a room with Cerina at team building boot camp. Poor Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay then. Good night, everyone. See you tomorrow,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai grabbed her backpack out of the common room and headed to her room. Onin placed a hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes?\u201d Kasai smiled at the softness of his touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m glad you didn\u2019t get stuck with Cerina.\u201d Onin held out his arms and Kasai leaned in for a hug. \u201cI wanted to assign rooms but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai put a finger to his lips. \u201cBut that wouldn\u2019t have been fair. You made the right choice. No one but Cerina can complain now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin chuckled. \u201cCan\u2019t stop her, can we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI hope to win her over sometime, but&#8230;\u201d Kasai let her voice trail off. Cerina would just have to come around on her own. They couldn\u2019t force her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. Well. Goodnight. See you tomorrow.\u201d Onin leaned over and kissed the top of Kasai\u2019s head. Heat flooded her core at his touch. She stared after Onin as he entered the room. She sighed when the door closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>I\u2019d really like to spend more time with him.<\/em> She sighed. <em>Well, to bed for now. <\/em>Tomorrow would be her first time in space. She grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-25\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"302\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-27\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"327\">Next Chapter &gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 25: Enter Night Kasai stepped through the portal into a land shrouded in twilight. The sky was mostly overcast, but enough starlight filtered through&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-319","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=319"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":452,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/319\/revisions\/452"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}