Chapter 69

Taking too long. He was taking too damned long to cross the mountains. And all the while, he heard a voice.

You should have taken more upgrades.

He already had two. Which, the voice argued, wasn't enough. Yet he didn't dare use any of the ones in his pack. What if he'd brought the wrong one? Or needed several to help his wife?

He wouldn't take the chance. He just had to survive long enough to return, and then he could get as many upgrades as he liked.

But don't forget to share.

The voice seemed rather insistent on that point. It didn't want him to hoard the wealth. Which was fine with him. He'd gone looking in the jungle for a solution to their planet's crisis. He might have found a way to ensure they didn't become extinct.

However, he would do better with this second chance. Only those Jool deemed truly worthy to continue would get a cog. And since he'd discovered it, he would decide.

Niimmo? Not getting any.