Dynamic Patrol: Gel-Squad (Remastering!)

Chapter 37: Falcon

D1 and Kipp salvaged just about all they could from the Freedom. The fuel took some ingenuity, though; the hover crates left in the hold were designed for hauling solids instead of liquid, but with the help of D1, Kipp swiftly modified them for carrying fuel and used them to bring their spoils back to the valley. Kipp and D1 returned to their cave, and Kipp took the time to converse with D1 while he trailed off to unload all the treasures into his unorganized piles. "So, after talking to you about Russell and Tommy. I feel like I really know them, you know? I can't wait to meet them." D1 was going to respond, but again, upon entering, she spotted that compartment of the cave, which covered something significant with a tarp. The way the thick layer of cloth was draped over it made it appear as if it had wings. The design looked streamlined and robust, even when covered by a tarp. D1 immediately made her way over to pull the tarp off. Now that she was mobile and not on a workbench, she was more than able. She took a corner into her graspers and ripped the cover off, and it uncovered a small ship. She took scans immediately; it was 23 meters long, 13 meters wide, and 5 meters high. It was a small craft, no bigger than a water-based sailing yacht. Certainly more petite than the previous ship they'd occupied.

"What is this?" D1 shouted back toward Kipp, who was still rustling through the loot he claimed from the Freedom. Seeing that D1 was in the forbidden compartment and had uncovered his tarp, he bolted over and stopped her from examining the ship further, "Hey! That's mine! What the hell are you doing going through my stuff?" Kipp yelled, his voice echoing through the cave as he continued, "She isn't ready yet! That's what I needed the parts for!" Kipp stated angrily. "You are more technologically gifted than I previously believed. I have never seen a design like this one before. Where did you acquire the shell for it?" She inquired as she strolled around the small, falcon-shaped craft. "It doesn't matter where I got the shell; just know it's mine now, and the systems are completely custom—designed by yours truly. She's nearly ready to fly with your ship's fuel and impulse engines. I just need a few more things. And you, if you help me, maybe we can get off this rock together and explore the galaxy." D1 looked silently and with a shaking of the head. It was clear she'd declined. Her following lines would be important as this ship was her only chance.

"No, I am not exploring anything until Tommy and Russell are safe. I wish to modify the conditions of our agreement, a joint partnership. A new proposal: for an extended time, you will be a part of our crew and have access to our resources, and Tommy and Russell are your heroes now. Yes? You will be a part of the same organization they were a part of." D1 threw in the Dynamic Patrol to make the offer more interesting, but as a droid, she had absolutely no right to induct people into the Patrol, but Kipp did not need to know that. Kipp rubbed his chin. "Hmm..? Nice try. You're not allowed to do that, plus you told me the DP was done with Omeocoon." That was correct, "True, but they live on in the three of us, with Tommy. He will have the training and experience. He can teach you. From my understanding, an Omeocoon needs some training before fully utilizing their shifting abilities. Given time-- you will be just as 'stretchy' as Tommy. But to do it, I require your ship." Kipp allowed the offer to process, "Okay... Really, you had me at training... I'm easily persuaded." He said, his tail moving excitedly, "Let's do it!" He held out his hand so she could shake it with twig-like graspers. "Let us begin completing the ship at once."

And so they did. D1 and Kipp installed the salvaged components from the Freedom. At the same time, D1 took her time familiarizing herself with the ship, just as she'd done with the Freedom. She entered a shared crew cabin. She knew that Russell would not enjoy this. He wanted his privacy, but this seemed to be right up Tommy's alley. He enjoyed talking, especially at night and during the day. Just... often. The sleeping areas were specially made. The mattresses looked uncomfortable but were also designed for an Omeocoon to rest in a liquid state, as evidenced by the raised frames on each rack. The accommodations did not matter. What mattered was the ship. Saving Tommy and Russell would be easier. Much easier. Now, they'd been on this island for two months altogether. But they would do whatever was required to fix the ship and save their friends.