Chapter 3: Farewell
Proving Grounds: Forgotten Planet; Ruins of Rota Island
1821Y 04M23D 1800H
They named the fishing boat, "The Boat" with respect for Smirf's wagon they usually call "The Wagon". It has been three days already since they left, the boat is already halfway done, it will be temporarily powered by Baby's philosophers' stone which is the biggest job there is to make.
Baby arrives at the campfire with an eerie silence amongst the group. Luci facing away and the boys slump around the campfire and Shiro is dead silent somewhere in the shadows.
"¿Qué pasa? Why all the gloomy faces..." Baby asks as she sat down the campfire and took some fish. Menan gave out a deep sigh and look at her. "We have to talk — about the Boss." Baby drop her fish, knowing already where this is going to lead, this will come up sooner or later... but this is too soon for her.
Baby's shoulder drop like there is nothing she could do but listen.
"Baby, we talked and we all agreed... that avatar is empty. The Boss is not there anymore, it has no pulse, no breathing, no activity whatsoever. Just a husk, we all know what that means... he probably died in real and for some reason, System forgot to erase his avatar."
Baby looks up the stars, finding answers amongst them, or hoping there is other than the delusions she has. "Azaleah claims he still is..."
"Of course she will... but we asked, she doesn't know... she just believes he is."
"So, what we do?"
"We can't take him with us, we could lose him in the middle of the ocean, respawn somewhere we couldn't find or worst..."
"I understand that, what about Hermana?"
Luci spoke up. "You know how she is, she will not leave him... no matter the reason."
"So, we will just leave her?" Baby getting frustrated.
"We could take her by force," Acki serious in the matter. Menan stood up and walk around. "I am sure force we will need, So'liel will stop us but I think we can handle her." Luci laugh. "It is not So'liel you should be worried about, its the potty-mouth queen. If that half-pint decided to stop us, it will be the time of our lives."
"How can the potty queen stop us? With Whiteout!?" Menan ridiculing the notion.
"Pendejo, she doesn't need to lift a finger — all she needs to do is control So'liel, but we will win eventually." Baby lazily answered. Menan just gritted his teeth and slump back on the ground. "We can still win. Right!? We can still take her, rather than leave her alone on the beach. I don't think potty mouth will chase after us, and Smirfy will sure get over it."
"That is correct, Azi wouldn't chase after us... she doesn't really care about Hermana but what if, by chance, Capitán did wake up?"
Luci chuckled. "Well, we already know the answer to that." Acki stood up. "Well, whatever the decision on Smirf we can not stay and wait for Mat to wake up... he may never."
"All right, I'll talk to her and convince her to come with us, but I am sure what the outcome will be... but it is better than not trying at all." Luci started to walk away.
Baby took another fish then started to eat. 'This will the start of long nights' she thought to herself.'
. . .
Proving Grounds: Forgotten Planet; Ruins of Rota Island
1821Y 04M26D 1000H
Baby focused on the boat and avoided talking to anyone, not that anyone wants to talk. Everyone still wishing everything will go well once they come back.
The day they need to set sail has arrived.
"Load first water and provisions, then everything we need then we might need." Baby doing last final check. The boys went ahead and load the cargoes while Luci sat by the shade.
They finish before noon and made their sea trial. It was all good, everything is working as it should be.
Now, they set out for the Beach.
. . .
Proving Grounds: Forgotten Planet; Forgotten City, Beach
1821Y 04M26D 2100H
They sent a message on their arrival, so, Smirf made a feast for them.
Smirf was all sparkly about the boat and already making plans on where they will sleep, talking about the adventures they will have — everyone trying really hard to act normal.
They celebrated all night then slept till morning.
. . .
Smirf already packed up and ready to go. "T'is will be a fine adventure, ya should wear somethin' nice summer lookin'." Azaleah flew by. "Cat lets go for a walk." She got puzzled, Azi is a bit unusual but she followed her.
They arrive at the group in panic talking to each other.
"Why are we here Azi?" Azaleah was just silent hovering over waiting for the commotion to seize, soon enough it did as they realize their presence.
Luci steps slowly towards Smirf. "Love, listen..." Smirf started to become agitated, and confusion started to set in a lot of scenarios comes to her mind till— Luci held her tight. "Calm down Love, listen... We want you to come with us, but best we leave the Captain here."
Tears flowed down Smirf's cheeks, everyone looked away. "Why Lucii...?"
"You know why... He can't come with us, and we can't wait."
Smirf started to sob and held Luci back hard, buried her face deep within her bosom. Baby came running and held both of them... tears fell down.
"Go with them, Cat... " Azaleah suddenly interjected in a cold voice. Smirf looked at her. "But Azi..." Azaleah crossed her arms, raise her head in indignation. "Mat will sure be looking for you when he wakes up... you don't need to here, he will come for you — where ever you might be. He keeps his promises."
Smirf wipes off her tears and faced Azaleah. "Ah still want to be the first thin' he sees."