The wagon came to a stop from the middle of the path.
"Woah there, boy," Balu said. "Easy there."
Balu and Tee Gar walked toward the back of the wagon.
"What we are going to do if it doesn't work?"
Balu looked down toward Tee Gar.
"Never think that, Tiager," Balu said. "Never." he placed his hands on the child's shoulder and tightly gripped it. "That is not what the chosen one thinks when so young."
Balu got up to his feet then slid out the upper section of the console then carried it out of the wagon going toward the clearing. There was a tall tree that reached out to the heavens with stumps that lead up to the branches. He tucked the upper two parts of the panel on to the tree branch. He walked down with the long cord keeping a grip on it. He connected it to the front lower console that belonged to the pilot section.
Tee Gar wrapped a long thread around the pongs then returned to the wagon and took out the long tarp and a key.
"He will be fine," Balu told himself. "Perfectly fine." He got up to the front. "Go, old girl!"
The horse picked up speed turning away from the path that Balu had been initially taken then went back the way he went as Tee Gar unrolled the tarp to reveal that it was a colorful dragon kite. Tee Gar tied the tail up with the thread to the kite. He felt along the thin, bendable metal beams that had been gifted to him a long time ago by Lizard. Tee Gar looked up toward the storming sky with determination that belonged to a warrior.
"I will succeed."
Pyunther's boots were coated in mud and the temperature that the weather had fallen down to what was very uncomfortable.
"Stupid boy,"
It was difficult to yank his boots out of the ground.
"Doesn't know when to stay out of extraterrestrial business,"
He nearly tripped and fell to his feet but stopped the fall with a grip on a tree.
"I wouldn't have to do this if Tiager was compliant!"
Pyunther was strolling down the side of the road following the direction that the Sum's had taken.
The path was difficult but easy to follow standing out against the shapes made by the beating rain and running water. Pyunther stopped in his path hearing the familiar singing coming from the distance. He fought against the difficult ground to regain his footing on to wet but shiny grass flailing his arms. Pyunther gained his balance standing in the grass and released a sigh of relief that the struggle was over. Pyunther placed his hands on to his knees leaning forward with his attention fixated on the tall wavering green grass.
It was a mix of green and blue before his eyes.
He resumed walking along the road keeping one hand on his head braving against the wind.
When Balu stopped singing as did the horse halt in its tracks.
"Pyunther!" Balu said. "Fancy seeing you here!"
"Hello, old friend," Pyunther smiled. "Why are you in this weather?"
"Throwing old rock from my farm," Balu said. "Got new rocks stockpiled in the back."
"Strolling," Pyunther said. "The weather is rich for the night."
"You are a very strong old man," Balu said.
"I am," Pyunther said. "You left the young one back at the home all alone?"
"He is very sleepy," Balu said. "And very susceptible to attacking whoever picks him up with a meat cleaver."
"A meat cleaver?" Pyunther exclaimed. "Where?"
"Where you shall not find," Balu said. "Find out for yourself if you dare."
"Believe me, I won't," Pyunther assured.
"Are your granddaughters going to come by for the party?" Balu asked.
"Not this year," Pyunther said. "They are busy."
"Shame," Balu said. "I will have to find someone else to host the harvest party. Go, old girls."
The wagon rode past Pyunther.
"Yes, yes," Pyunther said, bitterly watching Balu go past. "You will."
The door to the room opened when the skeletal crew were operating the bridge. He can still remember feeling them, the presence of the first team he lost, after losing contact. But he didn't feel this team's presence so they had to be alive. Gampu can feel the presence of someone come to his side then lowered his head squeezing his eyes shut in sadness for a short moment. He lifted his head up with non-compromised eyes open.
"Commander Gampu," Gampu turned away from the window with a composed demeanor. "I am here to relieve you of duty. Effectively immediately."
Gampu looked away, thoughtfully, then nodded turning his attention back toward the deputy commander.
"Oraco," Gampu said. "Earth Control." He slowly walked from around the console then turned toward the new acting commander at the gap to the command console. "Just keep a eye out for them for one hour before changing course." his pointed looked past the commander for a moment then back toward the commander. "Will you?"
The newly acting commander pitied upon Gampu.
"I will," the deputy commander said.
"Thank you," Gampu nodded, appreciatively, then walked toward the doorway.
Gampu waved his hand in front of the panel so he turned to look back into academy control.
The door opened then he turned away and walked out of academy control.
The newly acting commander turned away from the door to face the planet.
"Someone else will have to clean up that mess." The deputy commander noted.
Lilly watched the long kite soar into the sky.
The sky was lighter than it had been hours ago when the ride had began and the storm was still raging on.
Tee Gar was standing in the middle of the clearing that stopped at the edge of a cliff looming over the city.
Lilly can see his figure from through the short grass waving from side to side taking on different shapes that their shades made stand out to her eyes. Thunder crashed around the scenery including everything but the key. She struggled to stay in place clinging on to the storm fighting against the terrifying and strong winds by clinging on to the edge of the console. Her legs were dug into the crevice of the tree that was tight and restricting her movements. Lilly was clinging on to the smallest and remaining parts of hope that lingered in her chest. She searched in the lessons that was left in the back of her head taught by the professors.
The motto of the academy in its darkest hours came to mind.
"Dum spiro spero," Lilly said, looking toward the storming night sky. While I breathe, I hope.
Trees fell as lighting struck then Lilly watched a bolt of lighting strike the key.
"It is working!"
Lilly turned the black knob right as the energy traveled from key to string into the compartment.
"We did it!" Lilly cheered. "We did it!" She shook a fist in the air drawing his attention with the shouting and Tee Gar waved back. "You are a genius, Tee Gar!"
Another bolt of lighting struck the key so she flipped up the switches.
"Seeker to Academy Control, seeker to academy control," Lilly repeated,raising her voice against the sound of the wind. "SEEKER TO ACADEMY CONTROL, DO YOU READ ME?"
"Academy control here," came a stranger's voice. "We hear you loud and clear."