Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
"Building A Bridge"
Earth B
"I want you to try to empathize with her," Dale said to April as they worked on the jet, both holding tools underneath the craft.
April scoffed, shaking her head. That definitely wouldn't be an easy thing. "I think you want me to sympathize with her."
"She lost her mother, a woman like me."
"That didn't make it right for her to take you away."
"I know it didn't, A, but we all make mistakes."
April fell quiet, considering that.
"Just give her a chance. That's all I ask." Dale rolled aside, then left the room.
April kept drilling. She dodged some oil. This was taking longer than it normally would. It was hard to focus on the craft right now. In only a month, she'd gained two 'sisters.' It seemed the family kept getting bigger and bigger.
After what felt like around ten minutes, she heard somebody walking up to her. A pair of shoes arrived on the floor at her side.
"Hi," Duffy offered.
April paused. She shifted her gaze to the craft again.
"Look," Duffy uttered, quietly, "I know that you think I tried to steal your mom..."
April chose not to respond to that. She felt it was best to maintain her silence. Maybe the girl would just walk away.
"But I didn't know about the twenty years."
April removed a key part of the craft, looking for something to replace it with.
"And hey, it's good that she's back now, right?"
April reached over for the necessary part.
"That won't work," Duffy announced.
She paused again.
"I mean, it will, but it's not for the best. You're building a cruiser that can reach high speed. You want a Slam 24 battery."
April rolled from under the space vehicle. "You know mechanics?"
"I'm a Gordon. I'm not from this world, but I'm one of you." She shrugged a little, making a grin.
April sat up, staring at her. She wiped a bit of dirt from the side of her face.
"Mind if I help?" Duffy asked.
April took a breath. "Sure," she said.
Duffy grabbed a tool, and rolled on the floor, laying by April as she worked at her side.