"This is it, we can finally go back!" Clover shouts, jumping in her place.
"Don't get too excited, Clover," Alice says, "we have no idea if it'll actually work."
"Of course it will, Alice, all the preparations went well, we just need to wait for the final adjustments to be made."
"Look, Clover..." Alice started to say.
"Alright, the machine should be ready to go," Kyle said, as they hear a whirring start up.
"Great, bye everybody!" Clover calls, running through the door to the machine.
"Clover, wait!" Alice cries, then adding to those behind her, "We'll be back if it works!"
With the two inside, the machine picks up, spinning and purring and emitting a bright light for just a moment. Then it ends almost as quickly as it started.
The five left behind wait in vain.
Alice and Clover find themselves disoriented on a snowy road, in front of them a sign with an arrow that reads "Sanctuary."
Roland steps into the flashing lights of the familiar bar to see a not-yet-familiar face.
"Moxxi not working today?" he asks, stepping up to the bar. He raises his voice in order to be heard over the music.
"No," Alice replies, "since Clover and I have been here long enough to figure things out, she wanted to spend some time on rebuilding her Underdome."
Wiping down the counter, she asks, "Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm still on duty," Roland states, "I mainly came by to see how you and Clover were holding up."
"We're okay. Still a little shaken up, but adjusting well," Alice smiled.
"Hey, Alice," Clover comes in, running up and taking a seat at the bar. "Oh, hey, Roland."
"How did that delivery to Bloodshot Ramparts go?" Alice turns to her. Roland's eyes widened.
"Pretty good," Clover responds, putting money in the tip jar.
"It's not time to relax quite yet, Clover. There's more deliveries to be made."
"Everyday there's more and more orders," Clover puts her face in her hand. "Where's the next one to?"
"Some race track in the Dust."
"Could I stop by Ellie's on my way back?" she asks, eyes lighting up.
"As long as you make it back to deliver the rest of these orders on time, I don't see why not," Alice answers.
"Great!" Clover grabs the pizza marked "Hodunk" on the counter.
"Wait, Clover," Roland stops her from taking off, "are you sure you don't want someone to go with you? Some of my best men don't even come back from the Dust."
"I've made deliveries there before. Besides," Clover smiles, "doing this helps me get stronger and keep up with my training."
As she runs out of the main entrance, Alice says, "She really has gotten a lot stronger since we came to this place."
Roland turns back to Alice, his face saying business. "Why don't you two join the Crimson Raiders? You're both good in a fight and we could really use you."
"I don't think so," Alice sighs. "We're too busy helping Moxxi with the bar. And, besides..."
"If anyone's got what you need to get back, it's Hyperion. If we take them down, you'll be able to get what you need to go home to Warth."
"It's called 'Earth,'" Alice says, then adding, "I don't know."
"Just promise me you and Clover will think about it, okay?" Roland asks. Alice nods.
"bzzzt~ Come in, Roland." Static comes from his echo locator.
"I've gotta go," Roland says, getting out of his seat. "See you later, Alice."
Alice nods, but Roland doesn't notice, instead saying "What is it, Reeves?" as he rushes out of the bar.
Alice stands there in the lights and the music, arms wrapped around herself, and biting her thumb.