“We don’t have the room for it,” Bulco said. “Even folded, that thing is bigger than a container.”

Lana frowned. “If I’m reading it right, we don’t need to bring it inside. I think it can sort of plug into the ship’s hull.”

Nori snapped her fingers. “Like the cylindrical container the pirates lifted off the ship when we first found her. Lana, you’re a genius.”

“So … we’re taking it with us?”

“Hell, yes,” Bulco grinned. “I bet we can learn how to operate this thing on Earth. Think about it, our own unending supply of Warped Busters.”

“I’m sold,” Nori said. “And it might be a long shot, but if we can reprogram it to attack the Warped, it could make our assault on them a whole lot easier. Lana, do it.”

“Alright, if you guys are sure …” the Expert said.

She input the command and everyone looked up to the main viewscreen. The giant excavator’s legs unfolded and it started walking toward Unity. It easily scaled the ship’s hull and perched on its top. There was a string of clicking sounds as it locked into place.

“That’s it,” Lana said. “We’re good to go.”

Bulco chuckled. “Visited the moon, drove around a little, and scored some alien equipment. Not bad for a single day of work.”

Nori worked on her controls. “Cargo hold doors are closing ... mounted machinery is secured … activating thrusters ...” The ship started to lift off, angling upward. “Increasing power to thrusters … and … we’re … off.”

The ship shot into space, leaving the shrinking moon far behind.

Nori’s chair melted around her. She stood and looked at her friends with a triumphant grin. “We did it! We’ll arrive at the space station in six hours.”

Bulco yawned loudly. “I’m beat. Healing back from a pancake state is no joke, let me tell you that. I could use some rest.”

Nori nodded. “I think we all could. It’s about four in the morning back on Earth. But I think it’s best if we all take the time to finish leveling up first.”

“You guys go right ahead,” Lana said, causing some more colorful monitors to pop up around her. “I’m going to stick around here for a while and explore what my new Path and implant are capable of.”

Nori smiled as she looked at the enthusiastic younger woman, already deep inside her own world. “I only met her a few days ago, but I honestly don’t know how I ever managed anything without her around.”

Bulco nodded, also looking at the absorbed Expert. “That girl grows on you fast, and she’s got some mad potential. We’d all be dead if it weren’t for her.”

They walked into the quarters and each took to their bed.

Nori gulped some water, offered some to Nathan, who shook his head, then accessed her status.

Level 5 reached (+2 levels)