Locksmith flopped out of the soil with a groan.
Is. . . Is. . . Is Don part Yucca plant?, Locksmith wondered as his eyes adjusted to the light gray interior of the craft once seeing the mechanic looming over him not as changed as Adler and Will were.
He took a hand up getting to his feet and recognized, through the leaves, that belonged to the tall boy.
"Good morning, Doctor." Robot greeted.
Locksmith had a small wave.
"Ready?" Robot asked.
Locksmith nodded then grinned and pointed toward the machine.
"Prepared." Robot said.
Why does he not change his voice to something that says himself?, Locksmith wondered.
"Likability."
LIKAAABILITTY?
"Yes."
Are we talking through thought?
"Yes."
That is not likable. That is creepy, you bubble headed booby. Locksmith folded his arms. Pick a voice and define who you are. Are you part of a hive mind with a single generic voice or are you a individual who has their own voice?
"Booby."
I thought that, booby!
"Explain."
It means fool. Not just . . . he gestured toward his chest and motioned for breasts. The more attractive parts of humans.
"Unique."
The older man laughed then wheeled the counterpart of B-9 down the corridor coming toward the craft.
Not just unique.
"Elaborate."
Nutrition and arousal. Necesssary but heavily frown upon revealing in the open. Commonly as referred to as a sex object rather than a necessary part of the body.
"Interesting."
The crew went to the bridge with the two wheelchairs staring out the window.
Silence hung in the air of the bridge of the ship as it went further and further toward-
"Home." Scarecrow said.
Home. A single word that meant so much; something that they could reach, but what could not be reached in its whole for another part of the group. For the moment, Locksmith found himself in a moment of envy.
"Huume." it came out as a growl and a grunt from the older man struggling to speak.
It was a dark planet. It wasn't full of life but a almost barren planet if not for the patches of greenery with a blue sphere around the planet that indicated of life flourishing below on the surface. The planet came closer to the view screen as Adler stared in awe.
Robot looked toward the curious man leaning forward in the chair staring out in a almost fascinated way. The kind look that he had seen from the other humans on the planet that Scarecrow had sent the Resolute to years ago to preserve the life of the colonists for the time being.
Robot sensed certain danger down on the planet below for the humans.
One that would end their lives, but his sensors indicated, they could regenerate.
And they accepted the chances that they wouldn't return.
Just to help him and Scarecrow.
It was a comforting thought.
They came to the front door of the craft once the shuttle had passed through levels of the atmosphere and landed th the ground. Adler lifted the large frame that Don aided in helping up Scarecrow to his long spine that dangled from the end of the figure then they went out the door.
"Rrrr?" Locksmith looked upon the tall boy.
Will parted way the branches and leaves then smiled giving a thumbs up.
I'm ready.
They carefully lifted Robot up to his feet then put their hands on his back keeping him balanced on his feet. They went out of the craft stepping foot into the dark and dreary environment that had strange architecture standing tall and floor planning in the ground that stood out around them from place to place. It was as if long ago there used to be a people and buildings that lived among the world. Cables dangled between each tower that stood.
The towers reminded Locksmith of the first planet that he had became stranded on a few years ago with the people that he had grown to care about. It was tall and menacing looming over him. It also felt as if at any moment that a set of unknown species could tackle him and eat him alive once making their unexpected entrance. Robot's feet dragged behind him as they sent him further into the minefield as electricity struck the ground around them.
Don and Adler went to the nearest one - Yet, still far - close by.
All the while Locksmith and Will guided Robot down toward the furthest one that was close by.
Will carried most of the machine's weight as he balanced the alien machine further into the open.
The ground was electrocuted by the strikes by each blown that caused them to pause and standstill.
They resumed their trek then set Robot on the edge of the hole.
"Rrr?" Locksmith growled clawing at the ground.
Will looked down then back toward Robot with widened eyes.
"Rrr!" Will agreed.
They dug, quickly, then yanked the duct tape off.
"Ow." Robot whined.
They plopped Robot in, limbs and all, along where they belonged along his joints.
"Gracias." Robot said.
Will looked on in bemusement toward Locksmith and Locksmith shrugged, I don't know who taught him that, my dear boy.
They peered out watching his blue helmet facing up toward them that was dancing with white lights. Will and Locksmith grinned in unison then the older man beckoned the boy to the ground as the thunder grew louder and louder. They looked on toward the shuttle then dug their hands in to the ground. Locksmith was the first to change first in a matter of seconds and Will followed suit.
Adler looked on toward the distance beneath the hedge branches, halfway to the shuttle, when, in awe.
"DDLR!" Don shouted.
Adler fell to the ground and his fingers fell further into the loose dirt.
Don closed his eyes as the change started and the last strike of thunder consumed the atmosphere sliding the shuttle back and vaporized the plants. Joints regrew, reconnected, and parts became repaired with the healing power. Scarecrow was the first to leap out of his hole with a crash landing to the surface. And Robot followed suit a moment in his primal form. Robot dug into the ground then tore out two roots then bolted for the shuttle cradling the roots in his arms joining the counterpart.
The roots were planted in the bed of soil on each bed that had been left out. Debbie the Bloop paced back and forth looking on toward the soil quite unnerved and acted scared. Debbie the Bloop came to a halt resting in the arms of Robot who sat on a seat. Robot gently stroked the chickens that bobbed back and forth between his legs. Scarecrow carefully lifted the engine from the Resolute to the center of the recharge pad and watched as the others awaken from their slumber.
Scarecrow's helm glowed a gentle red being towered by the golden plated counterpart.
And seamlessly communicated what the humans had relayed to him about the second engine.
The golden plated creature's helm bobbed up then motioned toward a member to pick it up and turned away.
Scarecrow followed on as Robot set the ship up to launch from the planet.
With methane, the craft departed the home world and was followed by the other crafts minutes after going on impulse.