Hidden in the Depths

Chapter 28

Sleep found him easier this time. No nightmares or dreams, no visions, only blissful quiet as he rested. It was the best sleep he had since the crash, hell since the mission started two years ago. Only at the start of the last vision had he felt more relaxed, when that odd rumbling had started. If he tried hard enough, he could still recall how it felt.

How odd, that his best sleep was after watching their rescue ship get shot down. Before the dream he had struggled to fall asleep, explosions and screams ringing in his ears. But afterwards? Total silence.

It was weird...

When he did wake again, it was dim inside the base, light turned low and the outside of the window almost too dark to see. He couldn't tell if it was early morning or late evening, not that it mattered too much. He turned on his back, blinking sleep out of his eyes before slowly looking around the sleeping area. Pac and Fit were both asleep to his left, the later snoring softly from his spot right beside the Brazilian, who was practically curled up against his chest. Quackity was also in the nest, curled up in the furthest corner like a cat, seemingly asleep as well.

Techno pushed himself up into a sitting position, hiding a yawn behind his hand out of muscle memory alone. With the way the reef outside was lighting up, it was most likely sunset rather than sunrise. There were fewer fish swimming by the window and a soft, steady rumble echoed through the base, showing that Foolish and Roier were settled down somewhere nearby instead of swimming morning patrols. Had he really slept through the whole day? He's usually not a deep sleeper, there is no way the others moving around the base hadn't woken him up at all.

Soft clicking of metal drew his attention from the window over to a different corner of their base. He could spot both Tubbo and Cellbit sitting side by side, their backs turned towards the sleeping area. Screws and plates were scattered about around them, all of them they had gathered from the pod. It helped them create more flexible parts for the prosthetic, as their stash of screws and bolts was pathetically small, especially since the fabricator can't make them. And it's not like they needed it anymore anyways, salvaging parts from the pod was far more useful than just letting it float above.

It seemed like that's what the two were doing now too. Bent over the prosthetic, murmuring to each other as they worked. There was a half empty water bottle as well as leftover bits from fried fish sitting next to them, so he at least knows they have both eaten dinner. He could go back to sleep... but he didn't really feel tired anymore. So, he carefully climbed out of the nest, letting the others keep sleeping, and slowly made his way over to the two.

Cellbit noticed him before he had a chance to speak, giving him a nod before focusing back on his work, sealing the knee joint of the prosthetic properly. The prosthetic itself looked almost complete now, most of the wiring and inner workings hidden by plates currently being welded into place by the repair tool. It looked a lot more finished than when they had returned from the island... they must have worked on it all day. The whole thing was grey-white, which was to be expected considering the materials they had to use. Maybe they can paint it if Pac is bothered by the colour.

Techno just watched for a moment, not sure how to start the conversation. He doesn't really want to disturb them, but he is kind of bored. "And the wires are for when we get home? So he can use it like a normal leg?" Tubbo nodded, still squinting at the plating as he finished welding it in place. They didn't have protective goggles... "It has to be enough for now. It locks at the knee so it won't bend forward, like a real leg. But the rest is gravity. It will take him a while to get used to it, but it's better than nothing." Yes, their options were very limited. This will have to do until they can either get him a professional prosthetic or access to better tools and materials.