Niamh stared at Étién for over half an hour as she floated in Ryan’s brain vat.

Ryan’s brain vat didn’t have a scanner, so he didn’t know how well Étién was doing, but the more time passed, the more he felt she would survive. Her heart rate had also returned to normal, which aided in his confidence.

Niamh finally turned away, “I believe my daughter will live. Her injuries are severe, but thanks to this… machine of yours she is recovering from them.”

Mikan looked into the vat, her eyes avoiding Étién’s nakedness, “Yeah, these nanites work wonders.”

Niamh turned back to the vat, “Yes, even though these machines are much too small for even my eyes to see properly, I can see their influence on her healing.”

Ryan wondered what Niamh could see with her eyes and had felt uncomfortable letting her inside Luna. He felt bad feeling so untrustworthy about her, but there was something about her that made him nervous.

Niamh put her hand on the window, “Please notify me when she wakes. I would like the embassy’s healer to look at her and tell her she is no longer allowed to leave the embassy without my permission.”

Mikan turned to Niamh and nodded, “Alright.”

Niamh’s request didn’t surprise Ryan, and he felt it was a natural punishment for doing something so dangerous by herself.

Niamh turned away and went to leave Luna.

Mikan followed her out of respect, but Niamh offered no more conversation until she arrived at the airlock.

Niamh turned to Mikan, “Once again, thank you for saving my daughter.” She turned to the patchwork man’s corpse, “And thank you for putting her attacker to justice. If he is indeed the killer that killed those foraging in the forest, you have saved more than my daughter’s life.” She turned back to the airlock ramp leading to the ground outside, “I would inform the town guard so you can claim your reward and have them dispose of the corpse.”

Mikan nodded, “Okay. Thank you.”

Niamh nodded her head towards Mikan in a show of respect, then left Luna.

Anton stopped next to Mikan as she watched Niamh enter a wormhole she had opened next to Luna, “Did she even look sad?”

Mikan shook her head, “No. Maybe a little concerned, but she didn’t look scared for Étién.”

Anton let out a long sigh, “Poor Étién’s got a mother like that.”

Mikan shrugged, “Maybe she just doesn’t show her emotions?”

Jaren jogged to a stop next to the ramp leading into the airlock, the other cat girls following her “She’s finally gone?”

Mikan nodded, “Yep! You can finish unloading your loot now.”

Jaren nodded and waved the cat girls inside.

Anton turned to Mikan, “So, what now?”

Mikan turned towards the city, “Your blueprints for the dwarves are pretty much done. Why don’t you take them to them?”

Anton shrugged, “Oh yeah! Forgot about that!”

Mikan giggled, “Should have ‘em printed by the time you get to the fabrication room.”

Anton turned and dashed to the ladder leading to the main deck, “Yeah right!”

Mikan turned to Jaren, “I’ll get the repair drones to help you again.”

Jaren smiled and gave Mikan a thumbs up, “Thanks!”

Ryan switched his focus to the Mk. II and found Becky below him in the forest.

He lowered the Mk. II next to Becky, “Niamh left.”

Becky kicked a sapling in a fit of anger, causing it to bounce back and forth, “Where’s that crazy fairy!? I swear I’ll kill her for what she did to Étién.”

Ryan settled the Mk. II onto the ground, “Climb on. Saki’s obsessed with Mikan for some reason, so she’ll come back.”

Becky clenched her fists, “I knew there was something off about Saki, but I didn’t think she’d go that far.”

Ryan felt the same, “It’s almost lunch. We’ve all had a rough morning and you should take a break. Sashae’s playing music for the lunch crowd so that’ll help too, I think.”

Becky nodded, but didn’t look like she wanted to go, “Yeah, you’re right.”

Becky sat on the Mk. II and grabbed the top fairy wings for support.

Ryan lifted the Mk. II off the ground and headed for Shina’s, “Étién’s gonna be fine. Her mom even used her sensor eyes on her and said the nanites were doing a good job.”

Becky smiled sadly, “That’s good to hear. I hope she wakes up soon.”

Ryan hoped so too, “Yeah.”

Becky noticed Anton jump from Luna, and run towards the city, “Where’s he off to in such a hurry?”

“Oh, he’s taking the blueprints to the dwarves.”

Becky scratched her chin, “You know, I still don’t know what he designed for them.”

Ryan laughed, “He wants to keep it a surprise.”

Becky groaned, “Of course he does.” She tapped on the Mk. II’s case, “You know, tell me.”

Ryan shook the Mk. II, “Nope.”

Becky sighed, then laughed, “Fine. A surprise every once in a while isn’t so bad.” She thought for a moment, “Can you let me know when Anton gets back? I have a little project of my own I want him to help me with.”

Ryan noticed Becky’s mood improving once the topic changed away from Étién, and felt happy, “Sure.”

The Mk. II arrived at Shina’s and set down.

Becky hopped off, “Thanks for getting me. I really need some time to cool off.”

Ryan could hear Sashae’s playing coming from inside the restaurant, “I think we all do. Go and enjoy some music. It always helps me.”

Becky nodded and turned towards Shina’s, “Looks busier than normal. Maybe I’ll see if Jaren will let me eat in the back.”

Jaren was still helping unload the treasure from Luna, “Jaren’s still unloading their stuff from Luna. Maybe ask Charlotte?”

Becky turned to a small crowd looking behind Shina’s, “That dragon corpse is getting a lot of attention.”

Ryan had expected a crowd and paid little attention to it when it formed, “Eh, could be worse.”

Becky shrugged and walked inside Shina’s, “I’m going to head into town after this, so you might not see me for a while.”

Ryan lifted the Mk. II into the air, “Cool. Have fun!”

Becky smiled and went inside.

Ryan focused on his own little project.

He’d attached a duplicate scanner like the one used in the science lab to the Mk. I and sent it outside of the half world.

Currently, he had it on standby, as he decided on if he should go through with his plan or not. The plan being that he was going to scan one of the half world’s defense platforms.

He worried the defense platform might activate and attack the drone, so he was approaching it slowly to see if there was a certain distance at which it would activate.

So far he’d gotten much closer than he’d thought he could, and it would only be a few more minutes until it got close enough to scan.

His anticipation grew as the Mk. I drifted closer and closer.

The turret remained inactive.

Ryan powered up the scanner.

He wondered if the act of scanning it would be what triggered its defenses, but he was going to try, anyway. Sure, it’d be a shame to lose a drone, but it was easily replaceable.

Ryan steered the drone towards the place the light that forced the Meatballs to turn visible had come from and began scanning.

Data started transmitting as the scanner started its job.

The turret disappeared, only to reappear a short distance away.

It had used FTL to move away from the drone.

Ryan figured this meant the drone didn’t see the Mk. I as hostile, but didn’t want its tech looked at.

He turned the Mk. I to the half world and wondered if there were any anti-Meatball lights on it. He doubted the whole half world could jump away, though it might use force or some other method to evade the drone.

It didn’t take long for Ryan to realize he would find nothing. The artificial side of the half world was mostly smooth dome. The metal ring that attached the dome to the asteroid had nothing of note on it either, as did the asteroid half.

If he was going to scan the tech he wanted, he was going to have to find a way to get it safely from a defense turret.

It was when the cat girls finished unloading, when Ryan brought the Mk. I back inside.

Jaren sat on the ramp and watched the crowd, while the other cat girls went to take their treasure back.

Mikan moved and sat next to her, “That was pretty fast.”

Jaren didn’t look at Mikan, and continued to watch the crowd, “Wish there was more than black orbs and broken weapons and armor. At least the dragon carcass will be good for something.”

Mikan looked at the partly dismantled corpse, “Oh?”

Jaren leaned back, “Mostly crafting. Gallette, Charlotte, and Eclair already have plans for most of the parts.”

Ryan noted Charlotte carving off a piece of skin from the dragon, “They craft?”

Jaren nodded, “Mhm. Not as good as the dwarves yet, but they’re getting better.”

Ryan wondered what they were going to do with dragon parts, “What are they gonna make?”

Jaren yawned and laid back, her hands behind her head, “The skin is good for armor and bones are good for weapons and armor.”

Made sense to Ryan, “How about the meat?”

Jaren shook her head, “It’s poisonous.”

This actually disappointed Ryan, “Aww… I wanted to try some.”

Jaren shrugged, “Go take a whiff and see if you still want to.”

Ryan felt he’d take Jaren’s word for it, “I’ll pass.”

Jaren scowled, sat up, then yawned again, “Looks like they need my help back at Shina’s. Sashae’s really helped draw in the lunch crowd.”

Mikan flitted into the air, “Mikan’s got nothing better to do. Can I help?”

Jaren looked at Mikan and raised an eyebrow, “No way you’re carrying food, and it’s easy for me and my sisters to take orders since, ya know, telepathy.”

Mikan smiled, “I can do telepathy too. The Mk. I is coming back and I can have it sit in the kitchen.”

Jaren looked amused, “Okay. If ya really want to.” She pursed her lips, “Just a warning, but Shina’s husband Ryo should be back in the next day. He’s kinda… well. A typical jock, if ya know what I mean. Only has kendo, fighting monsters, and Shina on his mind and likes to let you know about it.”

Ryan recalled hearing about Shina being married, “Where’s he been?”

Jaren motioned with her head for Mikan to follow, “Hunting. There’re some giant spiders a few days' walk from here that Shina uses their silk for her sewing, so he makes the trip every few months. Kills a lot of other monsters on the way too and brings their valuable parts back, too.”

Ryan hadn’t even thought about where Shina got the silk for her dresses, “Spider silk, huh?”

Jaren wasn’t wearing her dress at the moment in favor of some higher quality work clothes, “Yep. Not as strong as that nanotube cloth you print, but you might as well be wearing light armor when you have spider silk clothes on. It’s fire and acid resistant too.”

Ryan had a new respect for Shina’s clothes, “I might have to have her make me something.”

Jaren gave Mikan a grin that worried him, “That reminds me. Shina mentioned she’d finished something fairy sized.”

Mikan stopped, “Wait. It’s for Saki or Aoi, right?”

Jaren’s grin got bigger, “A matching set for all three of you, with colors to match your hair.”

Ryan suddenly didn’t want to go to Shina’s. He hadn’t liked the thought of wearing a dress the first time, and that was a simple pull over dress. The thought of him wearing something frilly, like the dresses he’d seen the cat girls wear…

Mikan’s shoulders sagged, but she started moving again, “Eh, it’s not like Mikan’s my real body.”

Jaren let out a light chuckle, “You get used to it.” She paused, “Galette says Shina made Aoi put hers on a little while ago.”

Ryan wondered what Aoi looked like in her dress. He’d only seen her wear simple clothes like Mikan currently wore, as she hated anything too hard to move in.

Jaren started jogging, “Better hurry. Both of us need to change before we can get to work.”

Mikan nodded and picked up speed.

Ryan could already hear Sashae’s familiar music and noticed there were indeed more people than usual sitting inside. He noticed a few regulars, but, aside from an adventurer or two here and there, most of the new patrons were farmers taking a break for lunch.

Jaren ran to the door that led to the back area and held it open for Mikan, “Shina’s busy doing something with Becky, but she left the dress on a hook just inside so you don’t have to look for her.”

Mikan peered in and found the dress. Shina had shaped the dress’s orange skirt like a daisy, with the top made of green silk and embroidered with the shapes of leaves.

Ryan thought it could be worse and grabbed it off the hook as Jaren slipped into a side room.

Ryan found an open door that led into the food pantry, went inside, closed the door, and changed into the dress.

Once changed, he left and went looking for the kitchen.

There he found Aoi in a dress identical to the one Mikan wore, but with a blue skirt.

Aoi was watching Eclair make an omelette and didn’t notice Mikan enter the kitchen.

Eclair noticed, but only glanced at her.

Ryan jumped the Mk. I next to the kitchen window, “Alright. It’s been a while since I worked at a restaurant.” Mikan pointed to the drone hovering next to the window, “I’ll give you the orders through the Wizard’s Eye if that’s okay, Eclair.”

Eclair nodded once, but didn’t look up.

Aoi finally noticed Mikan, “Mikan! Eclair teach Aoi how to cook!”

Mikan smiled, “Good luck! I think you’ll do a great job!”

Aoi gave Mikan a thumbs up, “Yes!”

Mikan returned the thumbs up, then went into the dining area.

Several eyes turned to Mikan, and he heard several people make remarks about their surprise at seeing a fairy.

Mikan looked around and saw Galette carrying some dirty plates towards her and the kitchen. To the left was a makeshift stage where Sashae played an instrument that looked like a guitar and sang a song in her language.

Ryan noticed a group of farmers settled down and went to greet them, “Hi! I’m Mikan, I’ll be your server.” He realized at that moment he hadn’t asked about the lunch menu and focused his attention for a moment to the Mk. I, “Eclair, what’s the lunch menu?”

Eclair groaned at the distraction, “Omelette rice for five copper or bread and cheese for two.”

Ryan quickly thanked Eclair, then repeated the menu to the farmers.

The farmers didn’t respond at first, as they seemed thoroughly interested in how Shina had hired a fairy.

The rest of lunch went like this, even after Jaren joined to help. Some people even came to gawk at Mikan, only to stay and order food.

Thankfully, he only had to help for half an hour or so before the lunch crowd thinned, and left when he noticed Becky leave the back area with Shina, “Where ya goin’?”

Becky turned to Mikan, “You look cute in your dress.”

Becky wore a white Shina tailored blouse and black trousers.

Mikan blushed, “Uh, thanks… You look good too.”

Becky showed off her clothes, “Shina wanted me to wear a dress, but this is more practical.”

Shina waved for Becky to hurry, “Come!”

Becky waved goodbye, “Gotta go! Shina wants to buy some special ingredients for dinner tonight in case Ryo comes home.”

Mikan waved back, “Okay.”

Mikan turned towards the door leading to the back room. He wanted to get changed back into something less… adorable.

Anton returned to Luna about that time, “Ryan! The dwarves loved my blueprints!”

Ryan had thought they would, “How much did they pay you?”

Anton sat on a bench in the airlock and stretched his legs, “Nothin’ but they said they’ll help us repair or upgrade anything else on Luna for free.”

Ryan wondered if they had just gotten ripped off, but it wasn’t like they were short on gold, “Cool.” He remembered Becky wanted to talk to Anton about a project, “Oh, Becky wanted your help with a project. She just left Shina’s so you can catch her if you hurry.”

Anton looked like he wanted to complain, but stood up and found Becky nearing the city gate, “Becky wants my help on a project, huh?”

Ryan had a hunch about what she wanted, “Well, she’s always complaining about Luna’s sensors not being strong enough when we’re working on finding a way home, so…”

Anton thought for a moment before answering, “A telescope? Hmm, not too familiar with ‘em, but I’d bet she is. I bet we can work something out.”

Anton stood up and jogged towards Becky.

Ryan followed with the Mk. I.

Becky noticed Anton shouting her name and turned to him.

Anton stopped next to her, “So ya want ta make a telescope?”

Becky seemed surprised at first, but smiled, “Oh, yeah! Do you know what an interferometer is?”

Anton seemed to know and started asking questions about details.

Ryan didn’t feel like following them shopping, so turned his attention fully back to Mikan.

It had been a while since he’d checked on Étién, so Mikan returned to Luna after changing.

Étién already looked much better. Most of her bruising had faded, and her general complexion looked better. Even the movement of her body made him think she might wake up soon.

Sashae returned to Luna not long after Mikan, and sat in a chair she’d placed in a corner to play music in, “How is she?”

Sashae’s English had improved a lot now that she’d put some effort into her lessons. Not that she was anywhere near fluent, yet.

Mikan fluttered next to Sashae, “She looks better.”

Sashae switched to her language, “I worry about her brain still.”

Mikan nodded sadly, “Me too, but I’m just happy she’s still alive.”

Sashae leaned her guitar against the wall, then leaned back in her chair, “Maybe we can ask the builder of this world? I have seen what another like them can do.”

Ryan wondered when Sashae had met another Builder, then remembered the note asking the crew to save her mentioning something like that, “How did you meet one?”

Sashae looked at her feet and seemed to debate something, “It… A being under another like this Builder took me from my home and it left me with the Dregasi, the ones you found me with. Well, the Dregasi destroyed the ship I came in...”

Ryan had tried so many times to get her to open up about her past with no luck, so the sudden revelation was nice, “Why’d they destroy it and why were you kidnapped?”

Sasha’s gaze became distant, and she stopped talking.

Ryan could imagine Sashae might have some PTSD about being taken from her home.

Sashae picked up her guitar and started playing.

Ryan decided to let Sashae talk to him more about her past when she was ready, and turned Mikan back to Étién.

Deep down Ryan felt that she would wake up soon. He didn’t know why he felt it.