The Battle for Earth

Construction

"We are going to help you get back to your friends."

I'll admit it. When they offered us help, I was kinda weary of what might happen. But it turns out they're really good a building stuff. Even starships, surprisingly.

"We're going to need some top-grade aluminum, a box of tools and the Reactor," said Barry.

"How come?" asked Hannah.

"Well, you want to get back to your friends, yes?" asked Arnold.

"Of course," said Demi.

"Then we're going to make some starships for you," said Barry. "Even a couple for us, and four for your friends."

"What?" said Hannah.

"Didn't you know?" said Arnold. "We're coming with you!"

"Oh," said Demi quietly. She never expected that Arnold and Barry would be coming along with them.

"Now, chop-chop!" said Barry. "We've got work to do!"

Hannah and Demi scoured the entire area searching for some aluminum. It wasn't that hard to find. The area was filled with crashed ships, so they had no trouble getting some good parts.

"We're back," said Hannah, lugging a crate filled with aluminum.

"Awesome," said Arnold. "We've replicated some engines from the Reactor to power the ships!"

"Come again?" asked Demi.

"We replicated some engines from the Reactor to power the ships," said Barry slowly. "How did you not understand that?"

"Sorry, English is not my first language," replied Demi.

"All right," continued Arnold. "We need that aluminum to be smelted with this titanium here," he gestured to another box labeled 'Titanium' in bold red letters.

"How do we do that?" asked Hannah.

"With an alloy furnace, of course," said Barry. He pointed at a big metal box.

"Of course, how could I be so stupid," said Hannah, rolling her eyes. She grabbed the box of aluminum, gesturing to Demi with her eyes to bring the titanium.

"Why aluminum and titanium?" asked Hannah.

"It's resistant to heat," replied Barry. "And it would also be strong. We're also going to need some magnalium."

"What's that?" asked Demi.

"A magnesium-aluminum alloy," said Arnold. "Good for the outer coating of the ships."

"You mean we have to go out there again?" cried Hannah.

"Not to worry," Barry chuckled. "We've already got some prepared."

"Oh, thank God," sighed Demi. She did not want to go out there again.

"Got it smelting!" yelled Hannah at the furnace.

"Good. Wait till they both become a liquid and fuse together," said Arnold. "Then turn it off and pull that red lever." He pointed at a lever to the left of the alloy furnace.

"Fused!" cried Hannah. She pulled the red lever.

"Awesome," said Barry. "We've got some templates. Pour the titanium aluminide into them. They will be the ship structures." He set out 8 sets of the frames. "Quickly!" he said.

Hannah jumped straight to work. She put on some Tuff-Hide safety gloves so as to not get burned.

"Demi," called Barry. "You are going to help me assemble the ships."

"Great," said Demi. She ran over to Barry's side.

"Done!" yelled Hannah.

'Coming," said Arnold. He came over with a gravity gun to carry the ship parts. He carried all templates over to Demi and Barry.

"Arnold, you prepare the magnalium sheets?" asked Barry.

"Got it," said Arnold. "Hannah, help me."

Arnold and Hannah set off into the cave.

"Now," said Barry. "This is like a simple puzzle. All parts have to fit together."

"A puzzle?" said Demi. "I'm good at these."

They set off to work, and finally they assembled the ships. Then Arnold and Hannah came back with the magnalium sheets.

"Here," said Arnold.

"Sweet," said Barry. He covered all the ships with the sheets.

"Now what?" asked Hannah and Demi at the same time.

"Time for the engines," the brothers replied in unison.