A.N.: I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY! I really don't have any excuses. College is brutal, and consumes most of my time and energy. Wow. Another whole chapter wasted on just travelling. Maybe I should try writing for Dragonball, too? Just kidding. Anyway, enjoy!

Axl: "Since that freak GLaDOS isn't here, I'll say the credits. All cannon... what? What's cannon? Isn't that supposed to be a weapon? Never mind... So, all cannon characters are belong to Valve and Capcom. Oh, and two people had been added to the OC list: my Greg buddy, and Ruby Christal, who'd better watch his back, because we're coming! If... if I can land us in one piece..."

Fly me to the Moon...

35 hours had passed. 35 annoying, stressful hours. The metal ball – it turned out he had a name, and it was Wheatley – kept rambling and rambling, and Axl needed all of his short patience not to shoot him down. However, the little British was an important piece in the puzzle, as he once was "working" in the Aperture. (More like destroying it.) The young hunter now was questioning him, and hoped at least a small amount of his yammering could be useful.

"…So, the potato-GLaDOS became the real GLaDOS once more, the Lady shoot a portal to the Moon, and the vacuum sucked me out, with a couple of other cores as well. I actually don't know what happened to them, I'm sure they're fine… At least Space Core must be happy. He would always go like: 'SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!' and stuff. God, now I realise how much I miss him… He was bloody annoying, but… he couldn't help it, he was a bit obsessed with space. I dunno why."

"Hey, hey, hey, let me get this straight!" Axl cut in. "First, you told me you used to be part of Aperture."

"Yes. Even the boss, once."

"Okay. Second, somebody killed the main AI, GLaDOS, many years ago."

"Yes, and it was a human! Isn't it crazy? And it was the very same human I…"

"Stop, stop! Stick to the point! After that, you used to work at several workplaces, but they always kicked you out."

"Can you believe it? Once, on the turret factory line, they sent me away after three hours! Three bloody hours! I should ask to register it as a Guinness Record, as the shortest employment of all time!"

"Cool it, will ya? So, finally, you ended up guarding the sleeping test subjects, and by that time, everyone was pretty much dead."

"Uuuuh, yes. Everyone, except one. The brain damaged lady I talked about. I kinda managed to wake her up, so both of us could escape."

"Why did you want to escape, anyway?"

Wheatley gave him a "look".

"Isn't it obvious?! Everything in that facility was made for kill! Besides, I hoped I would find another place, outside of the Aperture, where, you know, they accept me? Maybe have a wonderful job, a wonderful wife, kids… oh, of course, figuratively speaking. But you get what I mean, right?"

"Right, right… And for doing so, you needed human assistance."

"Well, technically speaking, I'm a ball of metal, so, it's hard to move on my own, except when I'm on my management rail. But the Lady was a great help. We went through several testing areas, catwalks, even through the turret factory… well, there was a tiny mistake, when I dropped myself from the rail, and she didn't catch me, but otherwise, she was doing wonderful. We even dared to enter GLaDOS' lair! I admit I reaaaaaaally didn't want to go in there, I mean, she was so scary, even if she was dead!"

The young hunter related to him very much, but he didn't want to express it right now.

"But then, you managed to revive her. And she almost killed you" he added.

"Pretty much. But, we took her down again, with core transfer. You know, it's like… for example, we'd take your head, sew it off, and replace it with… me. While both of us stay alive, of course. Which isn't likely happen in real life, but…"

"And then?" Axl asked sharply, hoping Wheatley would catch his drift.

Suddenly, the AI became unusually quiet. "…And then…" he mumbled.

Axl could never believe it if he didn't see with his own eyes: a simple construction of metal was making the most genuine remorseful expression he had ever witnessed. At that very moment, his annoyance melted away, and pity took its place. Just what could the little devil do, to regret it this much?

"First it was amazing! Really!" Wheatley continued "I mean, I was the boss, I had everything under my command, and I was so… huge! I was… I was so powerful, more than you can imagine! The feeling was so wonderful I didn't want to leave, ever!"

"In a nutshell, you became power crazy" said Axl in a rather quiet voice as well.

"That body was making me mad! And the worst of it? I didn't even notice, until I was tore out of it! I destroyed everything I had, I hurt my only friend, both physically and mentally, and I… and I almost killed her. I wish I could say sorry, I really do. I know, there's no excuse for me, but… but…"

Axl patted his shell. "There, there. Once we get back, we'll look for her, okay? Now, tell me, how long have you been orbiting in space?"

"It's embarrassing, but I have no idea. Actually, I was hoping if you could tell me…"

"Say the last date you remember."

It turned out Wheatley was out there for at least a hundred years.

Greg whistled. "Who knew Aperture could make such a sturdy stuff! Exposed to high radiation for such a long time, get crashed, and he's still kicking!"

Axl scratched his chin. "Actually, there's a question I wanted to ask: what's the big deal about the radioactivity? I mean, we aren't humans, so we don't get killed by it, don't we?"

Greg – and possibly the whole staff – facepalmed.

"I can't believe you're in space…" he muttered "Listen: true, reploids have a better protection than the human skin. However, our biggest barrier is Earth's magnetic field. Once you're out of it, you'll have to be prepared, 'cause the cosmic radioactivity is so damn high, it will literally short-circuit your brain. The same goes for every piece of electronics. To be frank, I have no idea how our little friend survived it, but what I do know is that you definitely couldn't do the same, not without proper protection."

"Oh, I see…" he muttered, embarrassed.

"And before you ask" Alia added, and Axl flinched. He totally forgot she was still there! "…you do have protection. Remember that grey armor we gave you?"

"Ah that? It totally looks like my own, except it's thicker, and… dark."

"It's because it was made out of lightanium and lead. The life support system isn't as big as in the human EVA* suits, bit still, careful when you go through narrow gaps. Also, for the helmet, we had adjusted a visor. It should filter the sunrays effectively. Just pull it down before you exit your space vehicle, okay?"

"Roger!"

"Speaking of EVA…" Greg added "Get ready, and put your suit on, rookie. 'Cause you'll need to show your driving skills soon."

"WHAT?! It's time already?!" Axl cried out.

"Yep. You have 45 minutes to prepare, both the Lunar Module, and yourself."

"You're joking! That's so soon, I don't even…"

Greg cut him off: "Look, no time to act whiny. If we can't land you on the first try, you'll simply run out time! So PULL YOUR ACT TOGETHER, AND KICK RUBY'S ASS!"

"Y-yes, sir!" stuttered, out of surprise. Who would've known he could speak in such authoritative tone! "I'm on my way!"

Hoooo, boy. Ho, boy. Ho, boy. Ho, boy. Ho, boy, ho, boy, hoboyhoboyhoboyhoboy...

CRASSSH!

"Wheatley!"

"Sorry! Sorry! Uuuuuh, I think I hit a lever here. Don't be alarmed, though. I'm sure it's fine! Nothing important..."

Just then, a syren blared off.

"Wheatley, you...!" Axl yelled throwing his hands up in the air. "Eeehh, lemme see..."

He climbed out of his seat and through the hatch of the lunar module - it was hard to move around with that thick EVA suit - and noticed the metal ball flying around just outside the command module. He caught him quickly, before he could do more damage.

"Hey, I left you in the CM, how did you get out?" The young hunter asked.

"Well, first, I kinda discovered I can actually move in space. I just gotta spin around for longer, and tada! Move. I always screw up the directions, though. I hit the wall a few times, before I could open the door for myself."

"That's pretty much like a gyroscope..." Greg hummed. "Axl, mind doing yourself a favour? Check the CM again. You still have ten minutes. Just... make sure our little friend didn't hit any other switches. Oh, and if you're going to leave him somewhere, tape him down."

"What? Leave me?!"

Axl looked down at him in pity. "Look, Wheatley, I'm going where the bad guys are. Meaning, they will try everything to kill us. I think you will be much more safe if you stay here and not touch anything."

"That isn't much different where I used to live!"

"I still stick to my point."

"And what about you?"

Axl fell in silence, but then, he smirked.

"Yeah, there's a chance I won't come back. But I've been living with this risk for quite a long time. It's something you have to take, when you're a hunter..." ...or an illegal assassin. "I'm doing this for the others. Humans, robots, reploids. They count on us to keep them safe."

The little British looked definitely heartbroken.

"It's also for you Wheatley" Axl continued. " Please, understand..."

"NO, NO, STOP!"

The air froze from the sudden outburst. Axl could only blink at his new friend.

"Look, I... I'm not asking you to stop your mission. Far from it! You're the hero, gotta save the day, and it's just fine! But... I've...I've been in space for one hundred bloody years, and since Space Core left, it was just me and the vacuum. Please... I don't want to lose another friend like this... Seeing them the last time and never again. If I die, I die, I don't care! But I don't want to be left alone again..."

Axl looked over the monitor, where Greg stared back at him, his expression unreadable. Finally, the young hunter came to a decision.

"Maybe it would be better if I take you, Wheatley. So I can make sure you don't screw up anything..."

"REALLY? Really?! You won't leave me?! Oh, thank you, thank you! Seriously! I...I don't even..."

"Okay, just put a lid on it!" Axl cut him off "Now, let me find some duct tape..."

"Don't forget about the CM!" Greg warned.

"I won't, I won't! Thanks momma..."

"WHO YOU CALL MOMMA?!"

"Separating Lunar Module in 3... 2... 1... Now!"

As Axl pressed the button, something crackled. The LM juddered softly, and soon, Axl saw the ASAS-01 passing away, as he looked out from the cockpit window. There was no turning back now.

"Axl, ca...you ..ear u..?"

"Alia? Greg?"

"Co... in!"

"I can hear you, but barely. The singal is really weak."

"Turn the Mo... around gently! No hurrie...!" Greg yelled as if would've helped to clear all the noise.

"Look" Alia said "You wi... be ou... of our radius ...oon. Reme... ...estroy all mi...les, and resc... Ciano. A map is i... your sui... ..ll you have to do i..."

"Yes?"

The line went static.

"Alia?"

...krrshshssrrrshkkkrkrrsssshshsh...

"Damn..." Axl hung his head low "I wish they could tell me..."

Wheatley - who had been taped on his belly like a hyperactive baby kangaroo - peeked up at him in high spirits.

"Hey, don't worry about the radio signal!" he tried to cheer him up "I'm sure it'll return is a couple of hours. The soon as we bypass the Moon."

"That's it, Wheatley" Axl grumbled. "We're going to land on the far side of the Moon!"

Awkward silence.

"Oh. Uh, still, my point does stand, right? We are going to Earth sooner or later, aren't we?"

"Yes, we will. At least, that's the plan. But until then, we have a lot of work to do..."

Including the most feared of them all, the landing. Their little compartment was turning around slowly, barely one degree at a time. The computer calculated the course (thank goodness), however their orbit still wasn't right somehow. They were supposed to land in Crate Lowell, to get a better cover. Space Aperture was located in Mare Orientale, one of the rare plains around here. But if they continue like this, they might fly over the whole surface, and who knows, maybe get tossed out of Moon's gravity field. Might as well fix that...

"Are we there yet?"

Axl's eyes twitched. Seriously?!

"No. And we won't be there within good ten minutes. Now, would you please stay quiet? I need to concentrate."

"Oh."

Axl fired a rocket, and now, the whole LM started turning slowly.

"Uuuuh, Axl? You might not notice in your big concentration, but we are spinning around, like a merry-go-round..."

"It's normal..." he grunted.

The course was finally okay, but the speed wasn't. Sure enough, a warning sign bleeped in his face.

"What was that?"

"We're going a little fast" Axl replied. "Don't worry, I'm on it."

He continued pressing buttons, and the little shpere continued rambling.

"Uh, look, it's not like I don't trust you, but... are you sure you're doing okay? Because I can see a core port over here, just plug me in, and I can help you out. No biggie. Of course if you don't want help, just ignore little me speaking. I'll have no hard feelings..."

"You know what?!" Axl bursted out "Just keep talking! Continue distracting me even more, never mind I'm trying to land us alive! Just continue speaking whatever you want, I don't care!"

Awkward silence.

"Uuuh... um. This is embarrassing, but I have no idea what to say right now" Wheatley admitted.

Axl sighed in relief.

...Until a siren started shrilling. Alarmed, the young hunter looked over the screen, and paled. He forgot how fast they were, and they were mere 20 feet high right now! Not to mention, their position was far from okay for landing, but even if they hit the ground with the landing pads down, they'd still crash with brutal force!

"Operation quick-turn!" Axl yelled, as he mashed buttons franctically. The LM surged, Wheatley screamed, but he managed to stabilise it just in time.

"Retrorockets, full power!"

The sheer force shoved them. Almost like running over a bump while driving on the highway. Will it be enough..?

A camera attached under the module showed them the surface they wanted to land on. Problem is, it was still approaching faster than it should.

"C'mon..." Axl growled

"We're gonna bloody die..." Wheatley whined.

"Come on!"

"USE THE FORCE, AXL!"

CLANG! BAM! CRASSSH!

And then, silence.

Wheatley opened his eye. Looking around he saw the compatment intact (at least what he could sense from his field of view), and Axl breathing. (Wait a second, wasn't he supposed to be a robot? How does he breathe?)

"We... are not dead!" he cheered "Awesome! Fan-freaking-tastic! Hey, Axl, do you hear?!"

"Yes..." he breathed, full of relief. "We're pretty much alive. For now..."

Opening the hatch seemed a bit harder than it was in the simulator. Axl pulled down the golden sunray-filter on his helmet, and squeezed himself out.

Outside was like a rocky desert. Stones, mountains, craters everywhere. And no other soul around. The young hounter almost wanted to shout to hear the echo, but then, he remembered there was absolutely no air on the Moon.

Instead, he went over the LM, to inspect the damages. Much to his surprise it was more or less intact. Two out of three landing pads were broken, and the other one was stuck in the ground. But the fuel tank, the rocket engine, the accumulator, and the other basic life supporting systems were fine. Maybe the little compartment was able to get them back as well - after the pads were fixed, of course.

Axl carressed the machine's side, and noticed a little, copper plate, with the ship's name engraved on it: "CHELL".

"Thanks, CHELL..." he muttered. "You really are a sturdy girl. You saved my butt just now..."

He glanced down to his companion, still taped on his belly. He was looking back at him, twitching. Probably he was actually talking, but didn't realize he can't hear him now. He might need to establish a radio contact with him, but eeehhhh... the silence was a bliss right now.

He bent his knees, and jumped up to get a better wiew. The Moon's gravity let him fly twice as high as on Earth. He hopped over the edge of the crater, and finally, he saw something interesting.

A huge, grayish white building was shimmering in the distance. Around it he noticed several storage places, containers, launching pads with many other space vehicles on them, and even a long, wide runway.

Axl smirked in triumph. "Space Aperture, we're coming at ya..."

*EVA = ExtraVehicular Activity