Starhoppers

23 - Temporal Tribulations

Our convoy marched along the black metal bridge in silence for a long while before the growing tension shattered around us.

"This is ridiculous," Ramsey muttered, a heavy sigh slipping immediately through Ezra's lips in response. "What the hell are we even doing right now?"

"Do you have any better ideas?" Ezra asked, pointing back down the bridge. "I don't suppose you plan to outrun the deer with that leg of yours."

Ramsey shrugged, leaning against Faith for support. "Well, we could've waited. I doubt they would've stayed on that beach forever."

"In case you already forgot, their leader just died, and we killed him. They aren't about to head home anytime soon."

Ramsey scoffed. "No. The Starhopper burned that sentient towel, not us - and in that regard, I'd say we're pretty even."

"Stop it," Ellie spat. "Albright died to save you. Show him some respect."

"I didn't ask him to do that," he said, Faith wincing beside him. "He was a bit bizarre, anyway. I bet you he was just waiting for an excuse to pull a stunt like that."

"You're an asshole," Ellie said. Bit chirped loudly in agreement, the droid sitting now on her shoulder.

Ramsey chuckled as Faith spoke. "Come on, guys. Let's keep our heads on straight. We should be working together, here."

Ezra spoke. "Tell that to your friend. You're the outsiders, not us."

"Hey, don't forget who came to save your sorry asses," Ramsey shouted. "It wasn't the other way around."

"And what good did that bring us?" Ezra replied, gesturing around himself. "We're worse off than we were before."

Ramsey scoffed. "Hell, if we're passing around blame, why not point fingers at this prick?" he said, turning to Tobias. "If I'm remembering correctly, he's the one who got you all in this mess to begin with. Don't blame the ones who came to help you."

Tobias flinched as our eyes turned towards him. "Oh, I have plenty I have to say to him," Ezra nodded. "But that doesn't give you the right to-"

"Ezra!" Lily called out, causing him to jump in surprise. "Enough. All of you. I'm tired of this bickering."

Ramsey opened his mouth to speak. Within an instant, Faith kicked the side of Ramsey's leg. He cried out in pain, glaring at his friend. "What the hell, Faith?"

Lily continued. "Albright is gone - there's nothing we can do to change that. Let's not waste the opportunity he gave us to find a way out of this mess."

I gasped as Serena's projection appeared suddenly above Bit, her voice coming through his speaker. "Bit agrees. Albright did more for us than we deserved. We owe him this much," she said, narrowing her eyes playfully as we turned towards her. "What?"

"Seriously?" Ezra scoffed, a hint of amusement entering his eyes.

She smiled. "I've been talking with Bit - we found no reason not to work together. He's actually pretty sweet, if you take the time to get to know him."

Bit chirped excitedly as Ezra shook his head, letting out an anxious chuckle. "Lily's right. Albright died to get us this far," he sighed, peering back at the beach. "We need to at least try to work together."