“He only started getting better after we met. You took us outside, brought us here and gave him a chance to shine. I think he really likes you. Your presence somehow helps him cope with things he’s trying to suppress.”

“I don’t know about that. But I’m glad he’s doing better.”

“Me too.” Lana glanced up at the large monitor. “How long till we get to the shelter?”

“Right … about … now.” They flew over a hill and the Grand Mall came into view.

Lana stepped toward a console. “All clear. No Warped around. I think.”

“That’s good enough for me.”

The large ship flew toward the shelter’s main gate and touched down gently. Nori flicked her fingers and the thrusters’ holographic controls disappeared from her fingers. The consoles around her vanished, and her chair folded back to the floor.

“Bulco!” she called toward the quarters. “We’re here. Lana and I are taking the ammo to Diamond’s people.”

“Alright!” he shouted back at her.

The two women walked to the brightly lit cargo hold. Nori easily picked up the heavy ammo case, the exoskeleton’s hum barely increased as it supported her.

Lana nervously drew the Zapper from her belt. “I didn’t detect any Warped, but it’s better safe than sorry, right?”

Nori nodded. “Good call.”

She touched the console next to the smaller doorway and it opened. There were no Warped in sight, so they disembarked, Lana took point with her small gun extended.

“Oh, wow,” she said as she turned to look at the freighter. Several crushed cars protruded from the ship’s underside, pressed into thin strips of metal by the overbearing weight of the alien ship.

“Yeah, there wasn’t enough room this close to the shelter,” Nori said. “I aimed for the largest clearing, but I still had to land on a few cars. We should really think of installing proper landing gear on our girl.”

Lana let out a short laugh. “You turned them into car-cakes.”

Nori rolled her eyes. “We can ask Diamond to clear out a landing zone for us for next time. Come on, let’s go.”

The shelter’s heavy steel gate had already opened, revealing the dozens of armed guards behind it.

“You’re back already? And with a cool new ride, I see!” One of the men at the front shouted, motioning the others to lower their weapons.

Nori identified him as Noah, the level two Gunner who was one of those that accompanied her to test Bulco’s new cartridge. She nodded and approached, carrying the ammo crate. “We come bearing gifts. Is Diamond around?”