Jason and Veronica were approaching the military base.
- Out of curiosity... She started... If this ship was operational, where would you go?
- To a neighboring planet. You see, initially the colony was supposed to be built there, but it turned out that there are practically no resources, such as metals, there. The whole planet is forests and meadows with animals.
- Aren't you going to an inhabited planet?
- Maybe someday. I've never felt comfortable around people. I like solitude... Although it's nice to talk to someone after such a long break.
They arrived at the place, Weronika went first, when she made sure that her brothers and sisters were not around, she signaled him to come over.
Jason could finally see the ship, it was oblong, black with yellow stripes, which indicated that it was a transport ship. Jason walked around the ship until he found a small panel, opened it revealing a USB plug, took out a tablet and connected it with a cable. In a moment he knew everything.
Left engine repair required.
Power cord repair required
Refueling required.
Undercarriage repair required.
Fortunately, everything was within his modest capabilities.
He started with the simplest things, the chassis turned out to be only loose.
The power cord was only suitable for scrap. In the warehouse after an hour they managed to find a new one.
There was a problem with the fuel. But we managed to fill the fuel tank with what was in the other vehicles.
It's been the hardest. Jason walked to the rear of the ship, only now noticing the problem. The engine was not where it should have been, the engine lay four meters away, destroyed under a pile of scrap metal.
- Shit... He growled angrily as he slammed his fist against the wall, the metal groaning and bending.
Veronika, who had been guarding the entrance so far, approached him.
- Can't we use some other?
- Assuming we can find a new engine somewhere, the installation itself will take a week.
- Any idea where to find one?
He thought for a moment, there were plenty of places, from warehouses to the main passenger ship airport, but he ruled out the latter immediately. The airport was next to the hive. Besides, walking there, in a straight line, without stopping, takes two days.
It is true that Veronika could go there, but even she cannot lift a six-ton engine. And even if she did, how would she explain herself if she bumped into able-bodied members of her own kind along the way?
- You're worried about me? I heard your thoughts. He looked at her
- You saved me from being a host again. I don't want anything to happen to you.
She smiled, leaned over and touched his cheek with her hand, they stared at each other, began to lean in... Something opened the door.
They turned quickly, it was one of the disabled, the tall one with no eye and limping on one leg.
He looked confused at Veronica and then at Jason.
- This is your host? he asked.
- Yes... She replied, stepping between them... Don't you dare hurt him. Tall waved his hand.
- Im dont. We were actually looking for shelter for the night.
The rest of the alien entered the warehouse. One-armed, with a deformed spine, and the size of a child.
- Has the queen banished you? she asked
- Yes, all of them, and those who resisted were killed by praetorians.
Veronica told everything to Jason, who looked at the others with sympathy.
- Do they understand what I'm saying?... Veronica nodded her head... If you help me fix this ship... He pointed to the ship... I'll take you to a planet where you will make a new home.
Tall looked down at him, admittedly they couldn't repair ships, but if they could get a new home, for help, they might try. He nodded.
- Okay... Jason said as he walked to the exit... And now he's following me, he'll show you a place for the night.
The four xenomorphs looked around Jason's house. Once they were settled in, Jason began to explain what they would be needed for.
-Ship is almost operational. But one thing is missing. Engine. This is the part that makes the ships fly. When we find it, we mount it and we'll take off.
Veronica forwarded someone's question.
- They ask why you can't fly with one engine.
- It is possible to fly with one engine, but you are more likely to lose control and crash to the ground.
- They also ask if we will take other disabled.
- How many are there?
- Not counting us, 156 to be exact. There were more, but the praetorians were very efficient at getting rid of us.
- If we find additional modules for transport, then yes.
For the next hour, Jason was showing them what the engines and transport modules looked like. Then they dispersed around the house, looking for a comfortable place to sleep.
- Try not to spoil anything. Jason said before going down to the bunker.
Jason opened a paper map of the city, a rare thing these days, and began marking where the engine might be. Veronica walked over and looked over his shoulder.
- There is a service point closest to the base... He started... The second place is a transport company. If there is no engine there, then there should be transport modules. The last place is an exhibition of space equipment. It is true that those equipment is a bit old, but for a short flight it should be enough.
- Also mark the landmarks... Veronika said... to know, where to go.
- I thought you had good orientation in the area.
- We have... She started... But first need to know the terrain. Or at least have some reference points.
Jason marked the landmarks, then turned to lie down, only to find that Veronica had fallen asleep on his bed.
Jason sighed , laid down carefully next to her and try to sleep. Veronika, probably in her sleep, began to cuddle up to him.
It was a new experience for him, he did have a girlfriend once, but they never got to sleep together. And then the girl betrayed him. this day Jason lost his girlfriend, and the guy, despite the big difference in height, lost his teeth.
He slowly relaxed, and only now began to analyze what had almost happened in the warehouse. Did he want to kiss her? Did she want to do it? Not that she wasn't attractive... In some alien way... But didn't being her host make him her parent? He'll have to ask her...
His weary mind finally drifted away.