Of Sentience and Predator

D4: No One is Coming

"I say that confirms that SixSix is alive," Kraab suddenly said, causing Tetrax to look over.

"What happened?" Tetrax asked.

"The coordinates of the Forever Knights castle. It's destroyed," Kraab stated, motioning to the screen. Tetrax came over to Kraab, a blue crystal that seemed almost like liquid in his hand. The Petrosapien bit into the crystal as he looked.

"It does," Tetrax nodded.

There was a beep, then something appeared in the bottom right screen. Kraab touched it with his smaller pincer and the message expanded to be the main focus. The two both read the message, silent.

Kraab eventually said, "A Transylian...?"

-()-

Benwolf tapped on the side of the ruined ship before turning to Viktor. His ears were tilted back as the Loboan asked, "How... How are we going to get home?"

Viktor breathed, lifting an arm and scratching the back of his neck. There was a heavy moment of nothingness before Viktor said, "Right now, I don't know. What I do know is that we need to collect what we can carry, along with Zs'Skayr's ashes and M's... corpse. Once we get to a place we can safely set up, we can contact the Anur System and hopefully we can get back home from there."

"How are you so sure?" Benwolf asked, staring at him. An ear twitched.

"I'm not. At this point, it's all concept," Viktor answered. Benwolf made an odd whine.

"Can we at least see if an alien is planet-bound so they could help or... anything?" Benwolf asked.

Viktor paused for a moment, before walking over to the console. Benwolf's ears flicked. Viktor said, "Collect Zs'Skayr's ashes and put them somewhere safe." Benwolf nodded before doing as he was told.

Viktor placed his hands on the console and began to type.

-()-

The stars hung in the sky through the window, the skies clear otherwise. Asani was curled up on the pillow on the table while Kevin and Gwen were in their respective beds. EightEight was on the couch, her breathing indicating she was sleeping. Psychobos looked at Ben, who was still awake and sitting up on his bed.

"Is something wrong, child?" Psychobos asked, causing Ben to flinch and look towards him. Psychobos frowned. He telepathically repeated, "Is something wrong?"

"Thinking about yesterday," Ben muttered.

"What about yesterday? Compared to everything else I have been told, it was a rather human normal day," Psychobos replied. There was a moment of nothing. "Did something happen yesterday a few years ago?" Ben shook his head. "Then, could you tell me what about yesterday was off putting to you?"

More silence followed.

Psychobos frowned. He was about to say something when Ben answered, "The talk about family."

Psychobos paused. After a few moments, Psychobos telepathed, "Your family. It's not what humans would consider healthy, is it?"

Ben hugged his legs. He suddenly asked, "Can I go with you?"

Psychobos tilted a claw. "I am sorry, you have to be more specific, Ben."

"I don't want to go back to Bellwood. When this is over, can I stay with you?" Ben asked.

Psychobos knew he didn't know much about humans. What he did know was recent due to the Nemetrix's wielder being one. This, however, was a red flag if he ever saw one. In what way was he more of a father than Ben's biological one?

Although, Ben just admitted to his family not being 'healthy'. Psychobos asked, "Are you sure, child? I do not want-"

He never got to finish as Ben cut in, "I'm sure."

Silence followed.

-(...)-

"There," Kraab pointed. Tetrax followed Kraab's claw and saw the ruined ship.

"Should I land?" Tetrax asked.

"Obviously," Kraab replied, voice seemingly joined with an eye roll.

"If this turns into another Sandripper situation, I'm blaming you," Tetrax commented as he controlled the ship.

"This planet doesn't even have species so much like Sandrippers. The closest things are 'snakes' and even then they're tiny noodles," Kraab replied.

"Did that stop those worms?" Tetrax replied as the ship rumbled.

"We both know they were eels," Kraab deadpanned as the ship landed.

"But aren't eels danger noodles?" Tetrax asked, voice displaying pure confusion. Kraab became quiet as Tetrax turned off the ship's engine. The crystalline stood up and moved to the door. Kraab sighed and moved to follow Tetrax.

Tetrax put in a code at a terminal, then the nearby door opened. Kraab went out first and looked towards the ruined ship. It was Anurian in nature and definitely wouldn't get airborne without outside materials. Through the ship's ruined walls, he saw a Transylian and Loboan, waiting. The Transylian saw them and stood, walking out of the ruined ship. On its back was a bag, most likely carrying supplies they couldn't leave behind. The Loboan joined the Transylian, the same deal going on.

Tetrax stood near the door as Kraab walked down the ramp to the duo. The Transylian stopped at the base of the ramp and said, "I am Viktor and this is my friend, Benwolf." The Loboan lifted a paw in a wave.

Kraab nodded. "My name is Kraab. My companion is Tetrax." The crystalline did nothing in addition. Kraab continued, "Is there a reason you have contacted us?"

"If either of you do not mind, we wish to join you until we reach a planet in which myself and Benwolf can be dropped off so we can work towards getting home and properly reviving Lord Zs'Skayr," Viktor answered.

"And what would we get in service?" Kraab asked.

The Transylian took an item that hung off of its bag and clicked something on it. What looked like a layered rusty tube now revealed an energy container with bubbling green energy within it. "This and our help," Viktor answered.

Kraab took the tube and looked at it. After a few moments, he began to scan the tube. Suddenly, Kraab sputtered and clicked, "H-How were you able to get Omnitrix energy?!" Tetrax tilted his head.

"Our original plan was to revive Lord Zs'Skayr with the help of Omnitrix energy," Viktor began.

"And we can see how that went," Benwolf barked, pointing to the ruined ship.

Kraab looked at Tetrax, who shrugged. The cyborg looked back at the duo and replied, "You have a deal."