“Seriously, how are you two okay with living on that thing?”
Walking off the ramp of the transport, Yoshi stared back into the ship as he once again stepped foot onto the Lillipa landing pad. Unlike the day they left, the air was much warmer as he shielded his eyes from the sun that peeked over a much more tiny cloud. Following him out of the vessel was Reinhardt as he threw on his sunglasses. Both looking out at the desert landscape they returned to, Reinhardt noticed that there were now several canopies raised in several locations. Not many of the furry creatures roamed among the rocky terrain yet sounds of construction projects continued to ring in the air as it did before they left. Looking back towards Yoshi, he gave a shrug before giving his reply.
“Hey, it may be hollowed out to hold cargo but that doesn’t mean it still can’t be a nice place to live in. It still has some of the original luxuries it came with.”
Now roaming towards the two were several Lillipans who now wore padded shoes to protect their feet from the heated metal platform. Among them was the chieftain, Ruffin, who’s robes were shorter and now looked much like the common tribe member. Walking out as the two men were welcomed back were Kazamir and Ijiraku, who walked closely behind him, wondering out into the arid environment. Giving quick nobs and bows as several Lillipans greeted then, they walked towards the shielded Terenanova that had sat untouched during their vacation off the planet. Taking his gaze off the bright blue protective field, Kazamir began pluck at a holo-screen that now floated in front of his waist.
Without looking at Ijiraku, he gave a soft sigh before saying “It would be best to start setting up while I tell the others to request a campship for this test flight.”
Despite the Dewmen’s refusal to look at her, she gave a quick nod before half glancing back at the group behind them.
“Right” she calmly replied.
With a quick swipe in the air, the holo-screen vanished into several particles. Now finished with his task, the purple suited Dewmen roamed to the other two who have just finished their conversation with Ruffin. The landing pad became barren once more as all the robed people cleared out in several direction, Yoshi smile back at the lavender haired man that looked back at him with his usual unreadable expression.
“Well, the time has come to see the fruits of your labor. It would be best if you two request a campship for the upcoming shakedown.”
“Wait a minute, Kazamir” Yoshi shot back in a shaken tone. “We don’t even know if it will lift off yet. We can’t just request a campship off the bat.”
“While that may be the case, we can’t rule out the possibility that it will fly. Should it lift off, it should then be tested in several methods while it still retains the ability of flight.”
“He has a point, I guess” Reinhardt added as he rubbed his burning red hair. “I don’t think we should but there’s no harm in calling for one either.”
Defeated, cowboy let off a sigh before saying “Fine.” As he twisted his arms together, the red headed Newmen patted his shoulder before walking back up the ramp. Before following after, Yoshi then asked “What will you and Ijiraku be doing in the mean time?”
Calmly glancing at the ship, he then returned his gaze unto Yoshi as he replied “First we will shut off the barrier. Afterwards we will start up the transport and refuel the ship if necessary. Should you two remain occupied, we shall inspect the ship to ensure that everything remains in place during flight.”
“We shouldn’t take that long.” the human replied with a half laugh thrown in afterwards. His chin lowered shortly after as his assured tone quickly shifted into a concerned ones. “Then again, with my track record, I guess it could take more convincing than usual.” Upon looking back up, he noticed the far off Caseal energetically waving to him. Throwing back a much calmer wave, he retreated up into the open ramp. “We’ll try to make it quick.” Yoshi said as the door began to close.
Proven wrong, it took more than half an hour for the two to walk out of the dark gray transport. Racing to the other transport that now gently purred as it waited, the two wore giant grins the whole way. Grouping up with the others who sat patiently in the hold of the much larger vehicle, they stared at the two who chose to sit across from each other.
“Time to hit the skies.” The pointy eared man cheerfully said. “Kaz, I’m going to need you to stay with me. I’m going to fly the other ship alongside Yoshi, in case something happens during the test flight.”
Kazamir nodded in response.
“The camp ship will be here shortly. In the meantime let’s get this piece of work into the air. She’s all yours, Blue.”
With a thumb up in the air, Reinhardt and Kazamir walked off the creaky metal ramp. Walking out into the cries of several natives, they’ve all gather to celebrate their momentous occasion. Should the ship take off, this was a sign that they were capable of aiding the Arks. Good at reverse engineering advanced technology with the knowledge given to them by Ijiraku, they believed they would be able to become mechanics for several vessels and enter a new golden era for their race. The creatures celebrating as best as they could, several objects filled the air as the two men walked back into their original craft. Complementing the objects was uniformed chanting and music played by the community’s best musicians as they all anticipated the launch.
The ramp of the Terenanova slowly closed as Yoshi made his way to the cockpit. Before entering the doorway, a gold arm suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
“Yoshi,” Ijiraku said with a face fill with worry. “What are the rules on additional passengers?”
The teal hair man simply gave her a warm smile as he said “Nothing wrong with another friend. If it’s a Lillipan, I’ll allow it.”
His smile now melting her concerns, they both entered the other room to see a Lillipan jumping in the pilot’s chair. Modified with leather and made with comfort in mind, the furry creature was enjoying the fact that he was on a ship and the comforts of an enormous seat. Upon lifting into the air for the fourth time, he was caught by Yoshi mid-flight. A look of horror drew on its face as it feared what the pilot would do to him. However, fear faded as Yoshi calmly pushed a single orange button on the roof. Like magic, the button summoned a third chair to appear from the floor. Upon fully materializing, the native was placed onto its less comfy but still passable seating.
“Alright mini man, time to let me have my chair back.” Yoshi
Several buttons lit up within the cockpit as the two took their seats. “Mini man” was amazed. The fact that they knew what each one did as they went about their business, made him idolize them. Preforming several checks on the old ship’s restored systems, the engines outside quickly roared and calmed. Several clicks could be heard as landing gear, turrets, consoles and other features were quickly empowered then drained. Going through all basic procedures, Yoshi began to pull on the joy stick in front of him. The cheers grew loud enough to be heard in the cockpit as the ship began to slowly lift in the air. Gently did it rise into the sunlight and into the gentle dusty breeze, the time for it to shine has come. With a slight readjustment to its facing, it flew off into the landscape that welcomed it with open arms. The sand dunes grew wider as the crew flew further out. Yoshi danced in his chair a little as he could no longer contain his excitement. Ijiraku merely smile at him before looking at the dashboard in front of them.
“Your friends are following closely to your left.” She relayed as she patted the glass radar screen. She then opened up a holo-panel that revealed a transport looming behind them. A light by the window flashed at them as all three of them looked at the image. “Judging by the flashing light, I think Reinhardt wants to race.”
“Oh, sure. I see how it is.” Yoshi said with a sarcastic tone. “Race the guy he knows he will decimate. Sure, I’ll race him alright”
“He’s going to give you a head start.” She replied.
His head went lopsided as he glared back at Ijiraku with irritation. Afterwards he refocused his vision on what lie ahead. With a light tug to the brim of his hat, he pushed a lever by his right leg forward. Slow yet surely, the ship began to accelerate with enough speed to induce a feeling of mysterious force pressing him against his chair. The engines flared as it began to push distance between the two vessels. As it worked to move faster, two panels opened above and below each engine. Revealing extra thrusters, they too lit up with a blazing glow to give extra power to their speed. Despite all of the extra thrust it received, the other vessel passively caught up to it. For a few seconds, they level with each other only to be over taken with no chance of catching up. With a grunt of frustration, Yoshi pulled the brim down on his face in defeat as Ijiraku transferred controls to her end. The Lillipan awed as the controls shattered from Yoshi’s legs and regenerated by the more metallic golden pair of Ijiraku’s.
“I don’t see why you’re mad. It was just a test.” She calmly said.
“That’s not the point.” Yoshi shot back. Leaning out of his chair, he lifted the hat so that he could see once more. Glancing at a panel in front of his, he quickly tapped a few buttons that glowed right by it. With a deep breath, he then added “It’s a long story.” As he stared out into environment, a beeping sound interrupted the quite atmosphere as Kazamir’s voice began to ring in the cockpit.
“Structural integrity is fine however you will need to upgrade those engines of yours. Adding onto it did not help you much in the race. The Campship is ready for the deployment test. We will be ready to begin as soon as Reinhardt and I link up with it. You remember how to do this, correct?”
“Yeah, I remember.” Yoshi acknowledged. Lifting from his seat, he then patted the Lillipan’s head as he strolled into the hold. Upon entering, he then knelled down to a panel that sat on the floor of the ship. Pressing a few it’s buttons, the floor began to open revealing empty space and a few spare parts.
“This isn’t it.” Yoshi whispered to himself.
Pressing a single green button the door creaked as it re-sealed itself. With a hop to stand up once again, he then walked up to the seats. Placing both knees on the right bench, he opened a panel just above the frame of the seat.
“This is the air control panel”
Jumping off, he violently rubbed his head while scanning the ship. With a stroke of revelation, he knocked on his head and whispered “Duh.” With haste, he walked back into the cockpit and swung around the doorway with one arm. Now staring at an orange framed panel on the wall, he began to punch in a few of its keys. Upon finishing, he looked back at Ijiraku who silently chatted with the Lillipan in its native language. Waiting for her to finish, he gave her a thumbs up and open a channel to tell the others.
“We’re ready to deploy the Entry Pipe.”
Answering Yoshi was a female voice. “Campship to dusty old relic, we’re ready to begin the operation.”
Yoshi returned to his seat and began to look out for a good place to setup. Upon looking at the top of the rocky hills, he then pointed out and said,
“Alright Ijiraku, take us to that mesa over there. We’ll deploy the pipe on top of it.”
“Heading to the mesa with haste.” Ijiraku replied.
Swooping over the mesa, a bright blue glow slowly dropped from below the T-57. As it gently fell, an orange container with neon blue lights began to emerge from it at a much slower pace. Finally tapping the ground, the orb and the container were barely still combined as it violently opened up to hug the ground. The orb then proceeded to engulf the now dusty area activating the pipe for usage. Making another pass over the pipe, the two pilots look at each other with satisfaction before reopening the channel.
“Entry Pipe deployed. Arks operatives may now begin their mission.” Yoshi relayed.
“Confirmed, Entry Pipe is now synced with the Campship. Stand by for incoming operatives.” The voice replied.
Appearing on the mesa were two Arks members who observed the new environment that engulfed them. A female wave to the ship as it flew by for a third pass. Upon flying away, the two members returned to the pipe which vanished shortly afterwards.
“Terenanova to Campship, objectives are complete. We will now be returning to the fleet. Have a nice day. Campship out.” The voice said before finally ending all communications.
Confused, Yoshi rubbed his chin in wonder.
“That’s it? No combat testing, turret placment, or advanced maneuvering in space? How lame.”
Interrupting the mood was a voice that rung from the back. [“Can I stay with pilot and robot?”] The Lillipan asked.
Giving a chuckle, Yoshi looked over his seat to see the creature jump in the chair it sat on. “You sure no one will miss you?” He asked.
With a sad expression, it replied [“No. Black creatures took my family. There is no one for me to return to.”]
“I’m sorry to hear that. You got a name?”
[“Mereganatrisa of Mereginalzlant”]
“How about Lilliman?” Yoshi quickly said.
“Yoshi!” Ijraku cried in disbelief.
[“I would be honored to be called Lilliman by person of strange aura”]
Recovering from a punch to the shoulder, Yoshi finished the conversation with a smile.
“Welcome aboard.”
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