“Alright, you convinced me,” Bulco crossed his arms. “You kids are smart and resourceful. You have potential. Like, serious, save-the-world kind of potential. I’m down with that. So let’s talk about our objectives.”

“Wait.” Lana frowned. “Are you saying you like … want to join our, err … gang?”

The man chuckled. “Let’s give the G word a rest for now. You three have accomplished more than anyone else I’ve met. With your abilities and my skill, we can do a lot of good, so I’m thinking we should discuss how exactly we’re going to accomplish that.”

“The biggest problem the world faces right now is the Warped,” Nori said. “It’s been six months since the Calamity and they seem to be getting bigger and more aggressive. The snake thing we killed was the first level five I have seen. At this rate, in a few weeks, they’ll be strong enough to punch through the shelter barricades and kill everyone inside. I think we have to figure out how to increase the shelter’s defenses.”

Bulco shook his head. “We got a grounded, barely functioning ship and a limited supply of alien tech. It’s not enough to upgrade every human shelter in the city, let alone the country. If we cannibalize this ship, maybe we can scrape together more weapons like your Disruptor. Then we can form up a hunting party that will sweep through the city and make it safe again.”

Nathan shook his head and looked at Lana expectantly.

Nori wrinkled her forehead.

Lana coughed embarrassedly. “Nathan thinks you’re both thinking too small. We can’t do everything ourselves. Even if we save the city, what about the rest of the world? You know the saying: instead of giving a fish to the hungry …”

“Teach them how to level up and use their Paths to better their lives on their own,” Bulco finished.

Lana looked offended. “I was going to say; ‘give them fishing poles and teach them how to fish’, but yeah, that’s sort of what I was aiming for.”

Bulco raised one eyebrow. “You got all that from a single look?”

Lana shrugged. “We’re like two peas in a pod.”

“And just how does Mr. Pea suggest we go on implementing this plan?”

Nathan made a motion, like a plane lifting off.

“I think I get it,” Nori said. “We can use the ship’s shuttle to fly around. With all other forms of communication and transportation down, getting around quickly is super useful. It's a start.”

Nathan nodded approvingly.

“Before we check out this shuttle of yours,” the large man said with a gleam in his eye, “mind showing me the engine room?”

They led him through to the next door, and Bulco stood, frozen in place, his eyes as wide as saucers as he took in the sight of the alien engine. “Dear god …” he whispered. “It’s beautiful.”