The dropship did eventually return to the village, but Aaron and I had already returned to the estate long before it did.

Even still, we all hunkered down until the distant sound of its droning engines had faded away completely. The cremators must have completed their assignment. Whether it was to exterminate that creature in the sewer or not I could not be sure. What was important was that the Combine didn't trace us back here, so we were hopeful that meant we were still safe in our refuge.

While we didn't return with much, it was at least enough to refill the pantry a fair amount. Aaron said that we returned with many more supplies this time thanks to his new 'packing partner'. I was glad to have made a positive contribution to this little homestead.

Later that evening, Aaron cooked up some more stew for support. He had used up the last of his headcrab meat for last night's dinner (thank goodness) and used some of the jars of dried meat we found in one of the houses we browsed through and some dusty bags of unopened rice grains.

We sat around the hearth in the same spots we did the night prior, eating in content silence. The broth in the stew did a decent job of rehydrating the dried meat we brought back. Although a bit bland without the saving aid of the spices, it felt better to chew than headcrab.

Aaron had repeated the same routine as he did last night by spoon-feeding Ben first before he would eat. I had been watching the two of them as I ate—specifically Ben. It was a little hard to see him endure this handicapped state for another night, and the weariness in the vortigaunt's eyes was just as clear as it was a full day prior. My mind was already set on what I was meant to do and soon.

Once Ben had had enough, Aaron began to eat from the bowl, which was when I asked my question. "When are we going to the depot?"

Aaron choked a little on his food after I asked. "When?" he repeated, slightly flummoxed as he coughed to clear his throat. "Lassie, you've only been here for more than a day. You sure you wanna storm the fort already?"

"I don't see any reason why not," I said. "I hate seeing Ben like this. I think it's time something to finally do something about that."

Ben remained silent but stared at me with interest. Aaron set his bowl down on the floor and sat forward. "I know, and I'm all in it with you," he said. "I worry that we might not have everything we need to ensure that we have a fighting chance to break in, snatch the gizmo, and break out on top of potential encounters with Combine soldiers. Cremators are one thing, lassie, but those soldiers are designed to be your worst enemy."

"I don't doubt you, Aaron, but I am determined to make a difference while I'm marooned on this planet," I rebutted. "If there is one thing I wish to see happen during this time, it's to see him released from his bonds."

Aaron looked worried in the most compassionate sense, but Ben was the total opposite. A modest but pronounced smile curled its way up the sides of that fanged face of his. He didn't seem to be happy about the fact that I was opting to hurry the plan along for his sake, but for something else that I didn't quite see yet. His mind wasn't as easy to read as Aaron's.

"Of course, it's time," Aaron agreed. "That time has long been overdue, but should we roll up to the depot now without ample supplies to keep us covered—"

"You are overplaying preparedness, Beuford," Ben growled thoughtfully, making me and Aaron turn to hear the reserved vortigaunt's words. "Perhaps we both have overplayed what it will require to acquire the device we desire. The key to both of our wishes may be sitting right across from us…"

Ben had a way of making each of his words sound weighted with meaning. Aaron took a second look at me, still concerned but more considerate before looking back to his housebound companion. "And you are sure about this because…?" he raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"The balance of power we feel is on the precipice of shifting, Beuford," Ben answered vaguely. "To assume otherwise would be willful ignorance to those who can see it and incomprehension to those who cannot. Let us not delay what is inevitable any further. And likewise, she is light and nimble, and you are not. To assume you would perform the tasks better suited for her in infiltrating the Combine's stronghold is not only improbable but amusingly beyond your limits."

I was pretty sure this was Ben's attempt at a joke regarding Aaron's stocky build, and it was enough to get me to smile a little, especially when hearing Aaron's disgruntled thoughts about hearing his friend demean him in this way. "Well, I was going to do whatever it took to get you out of that. Regardless of how clumsy I would be, you're welcome," Aaron frowned with crossed arms, which seemed to make them look even larger.

Ben made a guttural chuff, which I think was meant to be a laugh. Aaron moved passed that harmless jib and looked to me again. He still looked worried about the role I insisted that I take, but maybe some nudging persuasion from our handicapped friend was what he needed to tame his concerns.

"Well, I suppose it isn't my business telling a war veteran when it's time to fight," he said, his old expression softening.

"I am hardly a veteran, Aaron," I rebuked, though flattered he considered what I had done on Sauria to be worthy of that title.

"The point is, is that you've got a fighting spirit that might not like squatting around for long—especially when there are injustices to be corrected. Right?"

"I suppose not," I shrugged. The irony was that wasn't entirely true. I had pined for stability for years. To settle down for at least a little while. I guess my fighting spirit did kick back in again only because it had to. I hoped it would have been enough to help resolve their problems as well as my own.

"Right then," Aaron said, rubbing his calloused hands together. "I guess the time for action is closer than I anticipated. That is, of course, you insist that it is?" he asked, turning to Ben again for clarity.

"I do insist," Ben affirmed steadfastly, all four of his eyes squinting.

"Figured so," Aaron nodded. His thoughts hadn't ceased broadcasting his hesitancy about all of this, though they were for other reasons that involved little of whether or not he could pull this off unscathed. "Well, Krystal, the next train heading for the depot rolls down those tracks around tomorrow at noon. If we wish to get this show on the road, we better get to bed early tonight."