***Sorry for the very late update guys! My carpal tunnel has been brutally painful and things have been sucky on my end here. Anyway, this is the last chapter of Terrestrial. It's a short story, I know, and if it feels a bit rushed, then I'm sorry. Pain only lets you do so much. ^^ So I hope you enjoy it! I made it fluffy and light, so everyone can be happy! ^^ Thanks for reading!

***Warning: Language, humor, fluff

***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter 6: Fly Away

Ludwig sat at the bar in the far corner away from all the others, deep in thought, and worried about Gilbert. He racked his brain trying to think of someone, anyone, that he could ask who may know where these 'others' are kept. And just who, or what, are these 'others'? The only conclusion he could come to is that they are also failed experiments, all kept together like some freak-show zoo. But if they were failed experiments, and they were all still alive, then why would they be kept on the ship? If they served no purpose then why keep them? Sai must have some other dark, cruel reason to keep these 'failed experiments'. But what?

"Something on your mind, buddy?" Asked the bartender. "You look a little down in the dumps."

Ludwig lifted his head and said, "I'm just deep in thought...am I taking up a spot at the bar? I can move."

"Not unless you're going to stop buying?" The man answered with smirk and kept scrubbing a glass mug with a bar towel. "Look kid, I see you here a lot and there is never a smile on your face. Alcohol is a depressant, you know. It doesn't solve problems- just makes them seem less troublesome, am I right?"

Ludwig finished his beer and ordered another. The bartender handed him a full mug and said it was on the house. Ludwig thanked him and said, "I lost a friend on the ship yesterday."

"Lost? That shouldn't be too hard to fix. Just call the main operating chamber, they can track your friend down."

"If only it were that easy." Ludwig sipped the foam from the beer. "I searched everywhere on the ship and I can't find him."

The bartender started cleaning another glass as he thought for a few moments. "You know, there is someone on this ship who may be able to help. He's a mechanic, a slightly poor one, but a mechanic none the less. This guy's crawled everywhere on this ship. I'm sure if you spoke to him or one of his groupies, he may be able to point you to some hidden places."

Ludwig's hopes jumped back to life. "Who is this man? Where can I find him?"

The man sucked his teeth and then let his breath out with a little whistle. "You might not want to get too involved with him, since you're a galactic soldier and all. He's a bit of a troublemaker and a rebel rouser- hell of a nice guy, friendly too. Just a little...eccentric."

"My reputation speaks for itself. I'll be fine. Now where can I find him?"

One steep tip later, Ludwig had a name and a destination. He made his way down to the space pit where they hold, fix, and build smaller spaceships or other mechanical devices the Quasar 575 may need. This would also be a good time to search for an escape ship. Usually he had no reason to come down to the space pit so no one knew him there. To the mechanics, he was just another soldier on patrol, which made his presence much less noticeable.

Sounds of drilling metal filled his ears with the smell of gasoline and oil overloading his senses. He had to dodge one or more waterfalls of sparks and bits of metal raining down like tiny asteroids. He suddenly gained a large amount of respect for space mechanics if this is what they worked and dealt with all day, every day. But he still had to find the mechanic who may be his only chance at rescuing Gilbert so he decided to simply ask one of the workers.

"I'm looking for a man named Alfred! Last name, Jones!" he yelled over the sound of a rotary saw.

"Jones?" The mechanic lifted his protective face shield. "What's he done now?"

"Just checking in." Ludwig answered quickly.

The man pointed to the right. "He's all the way in the back working on a few hunks of junk."

Ludwig thanked him and hurried over to the very end of the space pit where one man sat alone on top of a spaceship hammering away at something or another. He took a moment to look at the strange ship, and strange wasn't even the best word to describe it. It looked to be made from scrap metal, welded together with glue, and painted with graffiti. Of course, he had little knowledge of engineering spaceships so it is possible that this particular one is a...special order? Whatever it was, he needed to concentrate on the person right now and not the ship.

"Excuse me!" He called up to the man. "Are you Alfred Jones?"

"Hey, yeah! That's me!" Called the man with a large, cheerful smile that radiated 'fun' and 'friendly'. He had dark splotches of oil in his wheat-colored hair and wore smudged protective goggles over his blue eyes. His jumpsuit, also covered in oil, did not match the uniform design of the other mechanics for instead of gray, his was dark green. He wore an old-fashioned style bomber jacket with the number 50 on it, also covered in oil and torn in a few places. "What can I do for 'ya?"

Ludwig forced an awkward smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ludwig. Could you come down here? I wish to speak with you."

Alfred lifted the goggles to rest them on his forehead. "Hey, you're a soldier! I didn't do anything, got it? It wasn't me! Whatever happened, it wasn't me this time!"

"I'm not here about anything you've done. I have something to ask you." He took a quick leap back as the crazed mechanic jumped down from the ship. "That was reckless!" he scolded.

"Eh, whatever. So, what do you want to talk about?"

Ludwig looked around to make sure no one else was in ear shot before speaking to Alfred. "I need to know how to get to some...forbidden rooms in the ship."

Alfred leaned in and whispered, "You mean the women's locker room?"

"Yes- wait, what? No!" He glared with a mild sneer. "Other places! Rooms or stations that are under lock and key...those closed to the public. Do you understand?"

Alfred gave a crooked smile. "Ah, I see. You're trying to get me to let you know how I do things around here! Well, you can just turn on your heel and go straight back to your dorm, soldier boy!" He pointed towards the exit. "I'm only a humble ship builder."

Ludwig clicked his tongue with annoyance when Alfred turned his back to him to resume working on the ship. Maybe now was the time to approach the matter of payment for a ship, mainly this ship. Or whatever it was. "Wait, I am in need of a ship- a ship that will get me away from here quickly...like an escape ship."

Alfred turned around to give him a curious look. "An escape ship? Why would you want that?" He narrowed his gaze slightly. "And who told you to come to me?"

"My story is my business." Ludwig said. "I do have a large sum of money and I am willing to buy this ship from you, if it is for sale, and in...working condition?"

Alfred let out a mighty, heroic laugh. "Dude, I got the best ship in this station!" he threw his arm over Ludwig's shoulders. "Don't judge a book by its cover, right? This baby can FLY, and I mean FLY, faster than any of these 'dime a dozen' ships my colleagues make! If you're in trouble and need to get away fast, this fella' will see it done!"

"Good, because in a few days, hopefully, I will be needing it. However, I will not purchase it until you show me how to get around the ship, unnoticed, to closed off areas." He realized that Alfred wasn't answering because he feared being found out. "How can I assure you that I am not working against you? I need your help to find a friend of mine...an alien."

"An alien?" Alfred's brows lifted in surprise. "There's tons of aliens on the Quasar!"

Ludwig shook his head. "This one is different. He was sent to a special area, a secret area, where there are 'others' like him." Perhaps he was saying too much.

"You're looking for the 'failed experiments' room." Alfred suddenly answered, and now it was Ludwig's turn to be surprised. "I've been there before. It's a terrible place, full of monstrous aliens. But why exactly do you want to go there? To find your alien friend? How did they get there?"

"Please, that's not important right now. That is my story and I want to keep it to myself. I will pay extra for this ship if you promise to not ask any more questions!"

"Geez, all right. Cool your jets, bro." He pat Ludwig's chest. "If you don't rat me out, I won't rat you out!"

"Deal. Now show me how to get there."

/

Ludwig was hoping for some secret passageways or hidden elevators that would lead to his destination. He did not, however, think he would end up crawling on his belly through the ventilation system behind a pair of smelly combat boots stained with oil. If the scent from the oil didn't kill him first then the tightness of the vents will. Plus, they had been crawling through the vents for hours, or for what seemed like hours. As an officer and a soldier, it is his duty to arrest Alfred for sneaking around the ship like this, and should the man fail in his promise, Ludwig would do just that.

"Here we are." Alfred said with a sudden stop.

Ludwig's face almost ran into the other's boots. "Are you certain?" He saw an open vent beside Alfred shining with light. Alfred moved further up so that he could crawl to the opening.

Looking through the vent slats, he was surprised to see another habitat chamber, this one very large, and crawling with creatures. The area was a barren wasteland with dead trees, cloudy sky, and rocky ground. Some of the creatures moving around looked like monsters but they were really just failed experiments being kept out of cruelty. Ludwig had to wonder if Sai, in his spare time, came to this place just to watch these creatures crawl around. He noticed to the far side of the chamber there was an observation balcony, meaning that scientists come in here. But seeing all these strange creatures moving around he grew worried for Gilbert because he looked like a human while the rest look like monsters.

"Do you see your friend?" Alfred asked, surprising Ludwig with his skill to completely turn around inside the tight vent.

"No. But this habitat chamber is massive...I'd have to get down there to see, but this is where he would be. He is a failed experiment. To them. Not to me."

Alfred looked through the vent slats as well. "So your friend could be one of these big guys walking around?"

"No, he looks very, very human. It's a long story. But Gilbert looks just like us, he's about your height with a slightly slimmer build. I have to get him out of here...he's-" he blushed and shook his head. "Nothing. I need you to lead me back here once I have what I need to find him."

Alfred grinned. "You like this alien guy, don't you?"

"That is none of your business." Ludwig said firmly. "I have to get him out of this place and off this ship. We need to make it to the rebel ship where he and I can be safe." His eyes slowly widened with how easily he blurted all that out to a stranger. He didn't want to snap Alfred's neck but if he had to to ensure their escape, he would.

"Dude, an epic rescue! Awesome!"

"This is not some sort of game, Alfred."

"I know it's not a game, but I love adventure and danger!"

Ludwig rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It sounds like you want to involve yourself."

"I have enough bad marks against me as it is. Besides, I know how to get the rebel ship!" He grinned at Ludwig's shocked look. "You told me your secret, now I can tell you mine! I'm part of the rebel spy group here on the ship. I learned from the best! I can radio ahead and let him know that we will be coming with an escapee."

"Wait, you want to come with me?"

"You need a ship to get out, don't you? I know how to drive and operate my ship, AND I know how to get there, so duh! Of course I'm coming!" He grinned and laughed. "This is going to be great!"

"Shhh! Keep your voice down!" Ludwig hissed at him through his teeth. "I don't want us to get caught. I'm under suspicion as it is." he looked back through the slats. "There is something else you can help me with. Is your ship large enough to fit six dogs?"

Alfred lifted a brow. "Dogs? You mean from the kennel?"

"Yes. They are all my dogs. I don't want to leave them here where that bastard Sai can do them harm because of what I've done. They are galactic dogs, they are well trained." He looked back at Alfred. "Can you fit them?"

"Sure, that shouldn't be a problem. I can get the dogs while you're getting your friend? That way no one will notice you down there taking them away."

Ludwig nodded. "Good. When you see the kennel keeper, Louis, tell him I sent you and that I have need of the dogs."

"The scientists all go to dinner at the same time- I'll get the dogs then so I won't be noticed. You can hide out with your friend in the pit beneath my ship. No one ever goes there. I need at least one more day to fix a few things before we take off."

"Thank you for your help, Alfred. I will pay you when all of this over."

"Just give to the heroes and our cause." He said with a thumbs up. "We rebels take donations."

"I see. Show me the way back so that we can gather what we need. I will need you to aid in Gilbert's escape from here."

Alfred ruffled the blond hair. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it! I'm a hero, after all! I know I don't look it, but I am! I'll see you both out of here safely, because I'm a hero!"

Ludwig thought that Alfred had some personal issues to sort out but that was a conversation for another day. Now he just had to figure out how to turn around in the tight vent…

/

'This is a terrible place,' Gilbert thought to himself. 'These poor aliens.'

While he explored the barren habitat chamber he met many of the other 'failed experiments' but they were not dangerous at all. The poor things were terrified of him, probably because he looked so much like a human and their first reaction is to shy away. They all had gone through torturous experiences the same as he, maybe some even more so. And they all appeared to be malnourished. For as long as he has been there no food or water or anything has been given. This place is just further torture for these poor creatures.

'If I could I would kill that bastard Sai and eat his inners!' He felt his fangs start to grow. 'To just rip his throat out and watch him bleed for the torture and humiliation these poor aliens had to go through for his gain. Bastard.'

Gilbert heard the sound of peeping coming from somewhere near his feet. It didn't occur to him that one of the creatures here could be small, since so many of them were big. Curious, he got on his hands and knees to sniff the ground, searching for the small peeping creature. It grew louder as he came closer, coming from a hole in the bottom of a tree. He peered inside and could see a small creature hopping around, and peeping.

"Hello there." He smiled. "Hi little guy. Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." He reached his hand inside only to feel something sharp peck it. "Ow!" Gilbert nursed his finger for a second before returning to the hole. "Don't be scared, little guy. I'm nice." Figuring it was still afraid of his human appearance, Gilbert switched to his alien language. Once the creature heard the words it slowly started to come out of its hole.

When Gilbert laid eyes on the tiny creature he felt his smile turn into a wide grin and his insides felt very happy for the creature was adorable! It resembled a bird, at least to the box of information in my brain. The 'bird' was a plump little yellow ball of feathery fluff. It's wings seemed too small for its plump body, which may be the reason it was hopping. And it had four bird feet. On its back were marks and scars, so this creature is also a failed experiment. How could they be so cruel to operate and experiment on a tiny little creature?

Gilbert cupped his hands and laid them down, palms up, on the ground in front of the alien bird. The creature tilted its head left and right as it tried to decide what to do. Gilbert waited patiently. Finally, the bird gave three little hops before it jumped into Gilbert's palms. He grinned as the bird seemed to appear comfortable by the way it fluffed its feathers and further curled into its plumpness, making it look more...plumper, than before.

"You are so cute! What an awesome little guy!" Gilbert brought the bird up to his cheek and they cuddled. "You're so awesome that I'm going to call you, 'Gilbird'! You are Gilbird, and you will be my Gilbird!" Gilbird peeped and flapped his tiny wings with pride. He lept to sit on Gilbert's shoulder. "Ha! I got my own little minion now!"

Gilbird began to chirp a little song that echoed throughout the habitat chamber. Gilbert wondered what the little alien bird was doing. He then noticed movement from all around him as the other creatures started to creep towards them. Gilbert held his breath, wondering if this was all trick to allow the others to eat him, and Gilbird was telling them what to do. Now they were all around him, peeking out from around rocks and trees like frightened animals. They didn't appear ready to eat him.

From behind a rock came a strange alien creature with nine legs, a long tail, and a head in the shape of a mushroom or jellyfish. It crawled from behind the rock, taking many small, cautious steps towards him. Gilbird bounced and chirped again as if cheering the alien on. Gilbert then realized what Gilbird was trying to do. He was attempting to get the other aliens to accept him. So he waited patiently as the alien approached him. The large, jellyfish-like head suddenly nudged his leg and taking a chance, Gilbert reached his hand down to lay it on the alien's back. The alien didn't move away.

Then he was surrounded by many other aliens, all tortured and mutilated in some way, eager to welcome him. Gilbert was pleased to have made friends with them for now he had nothing to fear from these hurt creatures. They were just like him and have suffered at the hands of the same human. When Ludwig comes to save him, he will ask for their freedom as well.

/

When Ludwig and Alfred returned to the habitat chamber they had brought a rope with them. The rope would be to let Ludwig climb down, find Gilbert, and then have Alfred pull them up. From there they would return to the spaceship, hide there for awhile, and then take off once the ship was ready for travel.

Alfred used his multi tool to remove the screws from the vent. It took a bit of maneuvering and some forceful pressure but eventually the grid came off. Ludwig tossed the rope down while Alfred secured it around his waist. Due to the limited amount of space they had to work in, this is the only option. Alfred was certain of his hero's strength, though, and held tight as Ludwig began the slow climb down to the habitat chamber.

Gilbert was getting to know the other aliens when one suddenly let out a warning cry to make all the others run away, except for Gilbird. "What happened?" He wondered out loud. Gilbird peeped and used his chubby wing to point at someone coming down a rope from the vents. "It's Ludwig!" Gilbert gasped.

With tears of hope and his heart filled with joy, Gilbert ran to where Ludwig seemed to be dangling on the rope. "Ludwig!" He called up to him.

"Gilbert! Thank the stars you're alright!" Ludwig managed to look down at him but lost his holding on the rope.

"I'll catch you, Ludwig!" As Ludwig tumbled from the rope, Gilbert reached his arms out to catch the falling man just in time. But Ludwig was too heavy for him when the mass landed in his arms and Gilbert toppled over with his lover's rather bony ass crushing his ribcage. "Caught...you."

Ludwig looked at him. "Are you hurt?"

"I won't be...once you get off me."

"Oh!" he jumped off of Gilbert's chest. "I'm sorry. But quickly, we must hurry! We're escaping!"

"Escaping? But, I can't leave yet." Gilbert stated.

Ludwig looked at him as if he were crazy. "Excuse me?"

"I...I have to help these other creatures." Gilbert said. "They are like me...all suffering. They have no one where as I am lucky to have you. I can't just leave them here to this life! They need rescuing too!"

Ludwig couldn't let this go on so he knelt in front of Gilbert and grabbed the alien's shoulders. "You can't do anything for them while trapped in here. We're going to get you out of here and we will escape to the rebel ship. Once there, we will tell the rebels about these creatures and then we can formulate a plan to rescue them all. But first, we need to get YOU out of here. It may be selfish of me to say this, but I don't care about those other creatures right now. I care only about you. We will come back for them, I promise."

"You promise?"

"I do. I have yet to break a real promise to you. So do you trust me?"

Gilbert thought for a moment and smiled. "Yes! Yes, I do trust you, Ludwig, because I love you! Oh, and Gilbird is coming with us!"

"Who?" Ludwig's eyes crossed as the strange yellow alien bird presented itself. "I...see. Gilbird?"

Gilbert grinned. "Yeah! Just like me! Only he's a bird! And the 'bert' in 'Gilbert' is close to 'bird' and-"

"I get it. We don't have much time. Hurry now. I'll carry yo-" Ludwig watched in pure amazement as Gilbert crawled up the rope like a big lizard with 'Gilbird' flying behind. "Okay then."

His climb was quick, but still not as fast as Gilbert's.

When Gilbert reached the top of the rope he was surprised to see another human looking back at him. This human he had never seen before but they were holding the other end of the rope. Their eyes met and locked for a moment before Gilbert asked who he was.

"I'm Alfred! I've been helping Ludwig rescue you! We're going to get you out of here and to a safe place, okay?" He winked. "I'm a hero, so you don't have to worry about a thing being with me!" Alfred helped the alien crawl into the vent and then looked down at Ludwig, who was nearing the top. "Come on, Ludwig! You can go faster than that!"

Gilbert peeked his head out of the vent too. "Yeah, come on, Ludwig!"

Ludwig only grumbled in mild annoyance as he finally reached the top. "Gilbert, follow behind Alfred, and no one make a sound, including the bird."

Gilbird chirped.

/

Hiding out in the pit underneath Alfred's spaceship was not the best place, nor the most comfortable, to reside in but they had little choice. The spaceship above hid them from other mechanics passing by. Gilbert was amazed at the design of the ship and enjoyed listening to Alfred tinker with it. Gilbird remained with them, perched quietly on Gilbert's shoulder.

Ludwig wasn't having such an easy time, though. His thoughts were plagued with worry and fear of their upcoming escape. He remembered that inside Gilbert's neck was not only a computer but the discipline chip as well. There was a chance that the chip was only used for just that, but what if there is a tracking device inside of it? When he mentioned it to Alfred the man said that his friend on the rebel ship can have it removed, but that wouldn't help them during the escape. If they can track Gilbert then Ludwig would be leading the whole Quasar 575 to the ship of the rebels. More than just their lives would be lost. Now that they were so close to actually carrying out the plan he began to doubt himself. But there is no turning back now. He is in way too deep, and he cares too much for Gilbert to just drop everything and leave. He wanted a life with Gilbert, and if they are to achieve that then they have to take this chance and escape.

There was so much to life that Gilbert is missing out on and Ludwig knows the alien will enjoy it. Gilbert has held on and survived this long, so he will learn to accept their new life together, wherever that may be. They would have to play it by ear and judge for themselves where they should live. If they have to, Ludwig figured they would run with the rebels for protection, or at least until Gilbert is forgotten about. If Sai really had no further use for Gilbert then he shouldn't care about the alien leaving...unless it was out of spite that he would hunt Gilbert down. It seemed there is much more at risk now. However, he does have Alfred on his side and the man, though a little much for him, is surprisingly good at what he does. Alfred is looking at this as a hero's way of saving two people in distress. If that's how Alfred wanted to look at it to get the job done right, who was he to complain?

"Ludwig," Gilbert whispered his name and sat beside him. "Where do we go when the ship is done?"

Ludwig whispered back to him as well. "We're going to a rebel ship. These rebels want to see aliens like you safe, so we are going to their ship. Alfred knows how to get there. And I'm bringing the dogs with me. My dogs."

Gilbert suddenly narrowed his eyes. "So you will take your dogs but not those poor aliens suffering?"

"Does this ship look like it would fit all those massive creatures?" Ludwig questioned with sarcasm that Gilbert didn't seem to catch on to yet. "The dogs I can fit in here. If Sai finds out what I've done he might go after my dogs and purposefully do them harm. They are my dogs and my companions. I cannot bear to see or think about that happening. Alfred will get the dogs before we leave."

Gilbert nodded, understanding why Ludwig was doing things this way. "So...at this ship, this rebel ship, will we have a life together? As mates?"

"Yes." Ludwig answered.

"And we can try to have babies?" Gilbert asked hopefully.

Ludwig looked at him seriously. "You know you can't have children, Gilbert."

"But sometimes miracles can happen!" He grinned. "You never know! I want to have a family with you, Ludwig! It's in my genetic makeup to want to mate and have offspring!"

"And I understand that." He pat the top of Gilbert's hand. "But for now, and maybe for a lot longer, we can't...try for children, not until we are away from Sai and know that we are safe."

Gilbert sighed heavily, crossing his arms with a heavy pout. "You're right, as always." he glanced at him. "But we can still try...just later."

"Yes." Ludwig nodded.

"How will you build my nest?"

"Excuse me?" Ludwig raised both brows. "Build you a nest? Gilbert," he sighed quickly. "We will be living in...well, I hope, a house or an apartment. I can't very well build you a nest to sleep in. You will sleep in a bed."

Gilbert snorted. "But if we have children I want a nest. No, I NEED to nest! I don't want to become a full human, Ludwig, because I am not a human." He had to remind Ludwig of that. "I will still do some things that are true to who I am."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so...unfeeling. But right now we have much greater matters to focus on. We need to get off of this ship first."

Gilbert nodded and looked up at the bottom of the ship. "Are you sure this thing can fly?"

"Alfred says it will go very fast. I think he's building it FOR the rebels."

"Are we simply test subjects for his jet?" Gilbert wondered out loud.

"I'm not sure, but we should try to get some sleep. I'll take the first watch. We'll take turns watching above."

Pleased with the idea of finally getting some sleep, Gilbert laid down on the floor and rest his head in Ludwig's lap. He smiled in content, and even purred a bit when Gilbird settled himself in the crook of his neck. So far, everything had gone according to plan and Gilbert hoped it would stay that way. His mate was so warm with that big, gentle hand gliding across his hair. It was easy to fall asleep quickly.

Ludwig sat in patient silence while Gilbert snored softly into his thigh. He looked up when he heard someone coming down into the pit just as all the lights were turning off. It was Alfred holding a lantern light. Ludwig had to shield his eyes momentarily from the brightness. "What is it?" He asked.

"Everyone's going to bed, so I have to be off." Alfred whispered. "Tomorrow we can take off!" He grinned. "The scientists eat dinner at 8:00 Earth time, so I'll leave a little before then to get your dogs. Oh, and take these." He tossed Ludwig an army sack. "I have two old mechanic suits in there. Put them on before we leave."

"Good thinking. And what would you like Gilbert and I to be doing when you leave to get the dogs?"

"Have the wheels unchained and then be ready to jump in the ship. This all has to be fast. Can you call the dogs to you?"

"Yes, they will come to me when you bring them here."

"Great, then I'll be getting the hatch open for take off and then BAM! Freedom!"

"Alright, thank you for all of this, Alfred."

Alfred gave him a smile. "Don't mention it. It's my duty as a hero of the new world, right?"

Ludwig raised a brow. "A new world?"

"Yeah! Once you join our team it will be awesome to have a former galactic soldier helping us! You can help our people to use weapons and teach them how to properly train and build endurance! That kind of stuff!" His face became serious. "You will help us, won't you?"

There was no chance of him ever being able to return to the galactic army so with tight lips he gave a harsh nod. "Yes, I will help you, just as you are helping me."

Alfred left them with a grin.

Gilbert stirred awake after Alfred left and he sat up with a yawn. "Time to go yet?"

"No, not yet. Tomorrow." Ludwig told him. "Did you get enough sleep?"

"Yeah. How about you? You sleep while I keep watch now?"

Ludwig's eyes were feeling very heavy at the promise of sleep. "Yes. Wake me if you are uncertain about anything."

"Will do! I got Gilbird here with me for extra eyes!"

Gilbird chirped.

Ludwig barely heard them as his eyes fell closed and he drifted off into sleep.

/

Come the afternoon of the next day, Ludwig felt nervous and jumpy while fumbling with the chains on the wheels. Alfred had not returned yet with the dogs and Gilbert, along with Gilbird, were becoming restless. There were too many mechanics around, Ludwig thought, for them to go not unnoticed when the hatch is opened. At this point they had no other option but to continue on with Alfred's plan. Sai would know they have left but with any luck, they would be far enough away from the Quasar 575.

Finally, Ludwig managed to get all the chains off of the wheels. He wiped the sweat from his brow before looking down in the pit at Gilbert. "You need to get in the ship now."

"But I'll be seen!" Gilbert whispered.

Ludwig looked around. "There's no one to the right of us, and the mechanic suit will keep anyone looking by chance take notice of you. But let me get the hatch open first." He found the button under a plastic box. This had to be the one that opens the hatch. Holding his breath, he pressed it; and the hatch opened. "Come on! Inside!"

Gilbert stuffed Gilbird in his uniform and crawled out of the pit on the right side. Not realizing what he was doing, Gilbert used his alien skills to crawl along the ship like a lizard and swiftly entered the cockpit.

Ludwig whipped his head around to see if anyone had taken notice but everyone seemed focused on their own work. 'Phew. That was close.'

"What do I do with these?" Gilbert asked as he held up the seat belts.

"You will put those on to keep you safe. Once this ship takes off you'll be thrown all around if you aren't strapped in safely. Sit down, I'll do it for you." Ludwig climbed inside and showed Gilbert the proper way to sit before locking him securely in the holster seatbelt.

"What about Gilbird?"

Ludwig looked at the strange flying creature. "He'll be fine because he has wings. You may want to hold him for take-off, though." He glanced out at the doorway. "Where is Alfred?" He whispered under his breath.

"Hey! You up there!" Called a voice, another mechanic, from below the ship.

Ludwig gulped but looked down at him from the cockpit, forcing his features to be stern. "What is it?"

The mechanic's face was covered completely black with oil and grease. "Are you the new guy?"

"I...I am."

"Oh, hey Fred! Welcome aboard!"

Ludwig forced a crooked smile. "Hello."

Gilbert was trying not to laugh out loud.

"Hey, just a word of advice, don't be hanging around too much with Jones, okay?"

"He just asked me to look at a few things here. I'll do that for a bit and then I'll be done with him."

The man winked. "Awesome! If you have any questions, just come ask me, Dylan the Kid!"

"Dylan...the...Kid?"

"You got it, man! Fist bumps, bro!" He held out his fist to Ludwig.

Ludwig wasn't sure what to do so he just held out his fist as well, forcing Dylan to jump up and bump their fists. 'What's the point of that?' Ludwig wondered.

"We need to loosen you up, bro! Come by the bar late tonight! A bunch of us always gather after work!"

"Yes, I may just do that."

Gilbert hissed. "You sound too proper! Talk like them!"

"I mean, I'll...sit and have a...cold one with you guys."

Gilbert rolled his eyes.

"Sure, man! Stay cool, new bro!"

"Same to you...cool bro?" Ludwig waved at the man as he walked away. "That was close."

Gilbert just smirked. "You really do need to loosen up."

Ludwig glared at him. "Don't start with me on this. I-" his head snapped back to the doors as he saw Alfred running in with the dogs behind him. "It's Alfred!"

The ship's exit hatch began to slowly open. The mechanics panicked, quickly running away to hide behind the protective office glass so as to not get swept out into space The hatch was slow to open, giving Alfred and the dogs time to reach the ship. Ludwig called to the dogs and they all climbed the ship to eagerly jump inside, tackling Ludwig with kisses.

Alfred jumped inside and closed the ship's hatch, quickly pushing and programing numerous buttons. Soon the ship was full of beeps as it shook violently and lifted off the floor. "We're moving! Strap in, Ludwig! The dogs are on their own!"

Ludwig panted as he crawled from the pile of dogs to sit in the seat beside Gilbert, strapping himself in. Red lights in the warehouse began to flash brightly with a loud siren blaring over the vicious hums of the ship. Alfred gripped both handles and shouted, "HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS!"

The ship took off in a fast, sharp bolt.

"WHOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!" Alfred shouted in victorious rapture.

Ludwig thought he had swallowed his tongue, teeth and lips from the force and speed of the ship.

Gilbert thought he had lost his eyes.

The dogs were whimpering in the far back of the ship as their squashed bodies were pressed against one another in a pile of flattened fur.

"AND…...THEY'REEEEEEEEE OUTTA HEEEEEEERRREEEE!" Alfred hollered again now that they were out of the ship and in the middle of black and stars.

Everyone could rest normally now.

"We actually made it." Ludwig gasped out. "Is everyone alright?" He looked back at the dogs who all were okay, just shaken up.

"I'm okay." Gilbert answered. "And so is Gilbird."

Alfred tapped something on the ship's screen. "We should be getting to the rebel ship soon. I radioed ahead to Arthur last night to be in this area. He should send the coordinates any minute now."

"I wonder why no one has followed us?" Ludwig asked out loud. "Word is out that you escaped at least."

"Yeah, but I'm always doing this kind of stuff. They probably just give up on me and turn the other way."

Gilbert suddenly felt a sharp shooting pain in the back of his neck. He hissed and slapped a hand to the scar where the device inside was sending pain throughout his body. "It hurts!"

Ludwig saw where he was holding. "I knew it! They know we left! Sai is doing this to him!" He turned to Alfred. "Go faster! They may be tracking us through Gilbert!"

"I can't! Not until I get the word from Arthur! My sensors show no signs of ships...wait! Take the gears for me!" Alfred said to Ludwig. "I can get that thing out!"

"You're not a doctor!" Ludwig said but switched seats with Alfred anyway.

"IT HURTS!" Gilbert cried.

Alfred took out his pocket knife. "It's going to hurt, and we'll have to cover it up really fast, so just bear with me. I promise we'll make the pain stop."

"Ludwig!" Gilbert called out to him for reassurance.

"It'll be alright, Gilbert. Just...just relax." He hoped he was right to let Alfred do this.

Alfred closed one eye, lined the blade up with the old stitches, and carefully cut through each one with the tip. The wounds started to bleed but he could see the black box inside. With his glove on, he reached two fingers inside, ignored Gilbert's cry, and pulled the tiny device out covered in blood. He threw it to the floor and stepped on it to shatter the thing into pieces. Next, he used his aviator scarf to wrap around Gilbert's neck to cover the wound, making sure the knot was tied right over the open wound.

"It's out. We're safe."

Gilbert gave a sigh of relief. "Thanks Alfred."

"No problem. Once we get to the ship our doctors will look at you. They may even be able to fix you up a bit."

Gilbert's eyes lit up. "You mean...they can give me back my alien body?"

Alfred took his seat back from Ludwig. "Well, they have done so on other aliens. We've never seen your kind before, at least I don't think so. But let the doctors make that decision. They are alien and human."

Ludwig smiled at Gilbert when he joined him in the seat, now surrounded by dogs. "How do you feel?"

"It hurts, my neck, I mean. But I'm really happy to be away from there." He smiled back. "We'll be someplace safe soon."

"Yes. Yes we will." Ludwig answered.

/

"Sir, are we really going to let them escape? They've destroyed our device!"

Sai sat at his desk and lit a cigarette. He looked at his comrades and smiled patiently. "He'll be back. Once the rebels hear what we have done to Gilbert's planet, they will quickly tell him and then Gilbert will want revenge." He smirked. "That's when we'll be ready for him. So let him run. Let him get a taste of freedom. It's not skin off our backs."

"If you say so, professor."

"He was a failure to me anyway." He sighed. "I guess we should cover our tracks for a bit, though. Execute all the other failed specimens. Right away. We'll say a disease broke out and we had to kill all of them, including Gilbert."

"Yes sir!"

Sai gave a lonely, almost depressed sigh. "I really try too hard. Oh well. THe universe is so big." his frown turned into a smile. "I have all the time in the world to find new specimens to play with!"

/

"Okay guys, we're here." Alfred said to them. "Let me get Arthur on the line." He tapped some buttons. "Arthur? Arthur, it's Alfie. Do you read me? The eagle has landed!"

'I hear you.' Came a static reply. 'Send your coordinates.' Alfred did so. 'Turn the ship to the left and then turn it off. We'll pull you in.'

"Roger! Over and out!"

Gilbert looked out the open windowed hatch to look for signs of the spaceship. When the engine turned off he felt another type of force pulling them along. "Ludwig, I don't see the ship."

"It has a mirror shield around it. You can't see it. It reflects the black and the stars, that's why this force is pulling us in."

"Wow...that's awesome!"

As they continued on there was a white light up ahead growing larger as they approached it. It was the entranceway to the spaceship hatch. Once inside, Gilbert looked all around at the white metal walls. The dogs barked in excitement as they saw something new and all Ludwig could see was safety and relief.

A strange alien creature that looked like a green lizard person greeted them when they all exited the ship. "What's with the dogs?" The alien asked.

"Sir," Ludwig started. "These are my dogs. They are trained galactic space dogs. I could not leave them on that ship where the enemy will torture them to get at me."

The creature gave a nod. "Understood."

"Hey Artie!" Alfred slapped him on the back. "This is Arthur! But you can call him Artie! We can't pronounce his alien name!"

"Are you the leader?" Gilbert asked and pointed to Arthur.

"Pretty much. This is MY ship, the Mistress Equalia. And we're all friends here. So welcome aboard."

Gilbert and Ludwig exchanged smiles, only Gilbert's was a grin.

"You must be tired from all that." Arthur said. "Let me show you to some chambers where you can rest for a bit. Someone will be by to bring you food."

"Thank you for all your help." Ludwig said to Arthur. "What can I do to show you my appreciation?"

Arthur flicked out a snake tongue. "You will be needed to train our rebels to fight the galactic soldiers. You have the skills and the training, so now we want you to pass it on. We'll have some time later to talk more about this, because I want to know as much about the Quasar 575 as you do."

It was a little hard to realize that he would be betraying the oath he took when he became a soldier, but one glance at Gilbert reminded him of why he is doing this. "I will tell you all that I can."

"And there are other alien beings there that need to be rescued!" Gilbert added. "Aliens like me, who have been tortured and maimed!"

Arthur nodded. "We will try to fit that in to our plans, of course. We strive for all equality here, no matter what race or planet they may be from." Arthur looked at Gilbert for a moment. "You've been altered, haven't you?"

Gilbert nodded sadly.

"When you are rested, our doctors will look at you. Maybe, by some chance, you can look a bit like your alien self again, if you wish it?"

"I do! I do very much!" Gilbert answered eagerly.

"It's done, then. I'll let the doctors know. Follow me. I'll show you to your rooms."

Gilbert took Ludwig's hand in his as he and the dogs followed behind Arthur. "Ludwig?" He said the name softly.

"Yes?"

"Thank you, Ludwig." Gilbert said to him with tears in his eyes. "I'm glad I met you and mated with you."

Ludwig could find that he can smile back now that they were safe and out of harms way, at least for now. "I'm glad I met you too. You've shown me a part of myself that I didn't know I had. I never thought I would care for another human being again...and that always made me feel lonely and...well, angry. But now I know I can trust and love and hope again when I met you. So I guess we helped out each other then."

Gilbert jumped up to kiss Ludwig's cheek, and Gilbird kissed the other. "No matter where we go after this, or whatever happens in the days to come, I know we will always be together. I was lonely and you were lonely...now we don't have to be alone anymore."

"We'll get used to it." Ludwig did his best to make it a joke but it was Gilbert that stopped them to share in a deep, passionate kiss.

They were safe now.

The End

Epilogue:

Two weeks have passed since their escape from the Quasar 575 and nothing has happened since. There was no word from Sai or any traces of Quasar police ships searching the galaxy.

Gilbert was taken away from him for four days while the doctors on board attempted some 'reconstruction' surgery. Now he had just received word from Arthur that Gilbert was well and healing, and that he could visit.

So Ludwig went to the hospital wing of the ship and asked to see Gilbert. The nurse brought him to the very end of the hospital where, to his mild surprise, was an artificial hanging nest, this one bigger than the one in the habitat chamber. Ludwig turned to the nurse.

"Is he up there?"

"Yes. He's been very busy." She giggled and then called up to him. "Gilbert! Ludwig's here!"

Ludwig watched as his lover crawled out of the entry hole to cling to the sides of the hanging nest. He was naked, just like the first time they had met. Gilbert once again had his tail and his feet were split open like talons, but bandaged. The skin under his arm wasn't present, though.

"Did you remove his voice box?" Ludwig asked all the while just staring at the beautiful alien smiling back at him.

"No, Gilbert wanted to keep that. We checked it to make sure there was no tracking device of any kind hidden in it. But we also added…" she giggled.

"Added what?" Ludwig watched Gilbert wiggle back into the entrance hole and kick something out of it. The ball of white puff floated down towards him, landing in front of his boots. "What is this?" He picked up the cotton-like substance to examine it.

The nurse giggled again. "You should help him make the nest, you know. You're being mean."

"What? Make...the...nest?" He gulped heavily. "What did you add to him?" 'As if I don't know.'

"Ludwiiiiiiig!" Gilbert cooed from up inside the nest and used the tip of his tail like a beckoning finger to welcome Ludwig inside.

Ludwig slapped a hand to his blushing face. "Oh no…"

The nurse stroked his shoulder. "Come on, don't be shy! You're mates! Go up there and do your thing!" She said proudly.

"Thanks." Ludwig knew he didn't have a choice so he began his climb up the ladder. He could hear Gilbert rattling around inside. "Give me strength…" he whispered.

"Oh, by the way," she called up to him. "We couldn't find the true part...but you don't mind sitting on eggs, right?"

Ludwig's eyes looked as if they would burst out of his head. "WHAT?! ME? SIT ON EGGS? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING- GAH!"

A thick white tail with the strength of iron pulled him inside.

The End