“That’s what I was thinking.  They must be humans, right?  We should try to help them.”

“Can you send a message back?”

“I… I don’t know?” Meg looked thoughtful.  “I don’t remember seeing a way to reply.”

Allistor walked with her back to the kiosk.  “There’s a way to do direct sales.  When I sold the Mustang, some brokers suggested it.  Let’s see if we can find them and help.”

Meg pulled up her holo display when they reached the kiosk.  She found the message, and Allistor pointed out the [reply] button.  She quickly dictated the message.

We have more.  Can do a direct sale to you.  Who are you?  And where are you? Maybe we can help?

The reply came back almost instantly.

Oh, thank god. We’re survivors from a small town about thirty miles outside of Denver.  Half of us are elderly and children.  Haven’t eaten in two days. How much more can you sell us?  Our funds are limited, but we’ll take another twenty pieces if you have them?

Meg had tears in her eyes as she read the message.   She didn’t even look at Allistor before replying.

We have about a hundred more pieces.  The price is one klax.  Total.  I’m Meg. What is your name?

That is very kind of you.  My name is Luther.  I’m sort of the leader of this group.  We figured out how to make a stronghold, and the system chose me.  We’ve been talking about leaving, starting over again somewhere with more food.  But we’re afraid.

Allistor said, “I know, Meg. They’re maybe a day’s drive from us.  If the roads are clear.   We need to call a meeting.”

“You do that,” Meg said as she transferred the remaining vermin meat to Luther.  “I’m going to find them some better food and send it.  You already know my vote.”  She stomped off toward the kitchen as Allistor smiled at her back.

He began calling everyone together.  It wasn’t hard.  Every building in the cavern was within shouting distance.    When they’d all gathered at what he now thought of as the meeting table, he caught them up.

Amanda was the first to vote. “We have to go get them.  They’ve got kids starving.”

Sam held up a hand.  “That’s more than double our number here.  Even if some of them are kids, it sounds like half of them aren’t.  What if the adults are trouble?”

There was silence around the table.  Even Chloe, whose eyes had brightened at the mention of other kids, sat quietly, petting Max who sat next to her.

Ramon was next to speak.  “I have to say, I don’t think I could live with myself if we didn’t at least check it out.  I know it’s a long trip.  Probably dangerous.  But we’ve been talking about growing this place, right?”