Trail Maid Rancher: The Untamed Hoops

Golden Explanations

Day 612

It was sunset when Maya and her new workers returned to the Getaway and Maya showed them what to do. She put her parasol into the custom Ranch Exchange and deposited her Targas. Helen did the same, then Sandra. The Exchange then deposited 25 cubes of tofu. "Thanks so much for helping me get all those Targas!" praised Maya. "We're off to a great start. The miracle mix I developed for my own crops is now available in your garden upgrades. Miracle mix prevents fruits and veggies from rotting. And don't worry, I make it with all-natural materials; good, healthy stuff. ...But I didn't always think this way."

"Oh?" asked Sandra. Helen looked a little curious too. Maya then explained.

"I used to run a huge company on Earth that made insta-food: quick, cheap meals made of nothing but chemicals and preservatives. We made billions, but we weren't making real food. Instead, our food engineers worked to design products. It wasn't right...so I came to Azalam to grow my own wholesome food with my own two hands. I wanted to leave my life on Earth behind." Maya then looked like a woman with regret. She then brightened up a little too quick for anyone's taste. "But enough about that, on to more Targas! What we got was enough for today, but if you help me get a bunch more tomorrow, I'll give you the specs for a deluxe upgrade for your gardens! ¡Descansen un poco, chicas! I've got a new recipe here and I need the Targas we've collected to get it just right! Tomorrow, we'll head back into the Untamed Hoops and collect those Targas! I'll reward you with a deluxe upgrade for your gardens if you get me enough, say, 120!"

"All right, we'll see you tomorrow!" answered Sandra. She and Helen went through the teleporter and returned to their Ranch.

"Phew!" breathed Helen. "I have to admit, I thought the Prism Dunes or Parasol Canyon would be hard on one's poor feet!" As they returned to the Main Ranch, a group of Trail Maids crowded around the two Ranchers.

"A GOLD TRAIL MAID?!" yelped Rachel.

"AND SHE GAVE YOU TWO HER ORBAS?!" cried Emma.

"EVERYONE! WAIT A MINUTE!" shouted Helen. The clamor stopped. "Girls, what's so important about that Trail Maid that saved us from the Void-a-belles?"

"Helen, Sandra," explained Wren, "a Gold Trail Maid doesn't just appear willy-nilly! They're practically goddesses for us!"

"A Gold Trail Maid," continued Carmen, "has the power of every single Trail Maid on the planet! Their hive is totally separated from all of ours, even the Void-a-belles'!"

"And they can't be converted into Void-a-belles," supplied Shelby. "Their orbas are, quite literally, a sign that they want to give you respect!"

"Gold Trail Maids only appear," finished Ursula, "when the Void-a-belles are gearing for war!"

"...War?" gulped Sandra.

"I think what happened at the Dunes a year ago," mused Emma, "may have been festering in their hive mind for a long time."

"This isn't good," muttered Ursula. "If they're angry enough to kill off the human race, this planet is doomed."

"Why? You existed before we did," remarked Helen.

"We were once only focused on survival," replied Carmen. "With you humans, we can now thrive. Without you, I think all life on this planet would die off."

"She's right," agreed Shelby. "Humans have been a boon to us. You've helped us in ways we initially thought were impossible. I doubt any of us could have even thought about how to talk to people, much less operate Ranch equipment."

"Well, your brains adapt to new knowledge rather quickly, as well as new experiences," argued Sandra. "I think you can survive without us. The BOB Trio are proof of that."