Storm's Passed

"Please forgive Ms. Runerie. She's used to the privilege of having everything accessible to her." Niel tried to console the restless crowd around him. After all, Laira Runerie was on a business trip to make a profitable proposal from her family when they heard that he retired from the clutches of the Green Torch. As such, he was obligated as a host.

"As expected from the Fanick family!" One person from the crowd shouted in cheers. Nevermind about the fright earlier, the people in the facility had witnessed a mech, slowly came to form and then wriggle its way out. Something that they never experienced throughout their lives.

"Niel! You're one of Logria's pride!"

"We will always support your family!"

As the people celebrated, Niel could only awkwardly laugh. His worries had been misplaced. Some individuals in a situation like this had the tendency of being unhinged with the little things. He presumed that a single mech could easily unite these many souls.

Retiring to a corner, Sy had emptied his mind and stayed stationary, controlling his breathing. With the rations running low, they would have to preserve their energy until Mina came back - preferably carrying some good news.

"You!" He heard the naughty voice of the troublemaker. She pointed a finger at him as he turned to her direction, "I want you to become my mechanic!"

Sy let out a short laugh after seeing the determination in her eyes - prompting that she could not be refused. He answered with a weak voice, "When we survive, I'll consider it."

There was a satisfied smile on her face as she rotated on a heel and went to her own spot.

"I didn't retire only to come back here and die.." Niel murmured as he sat a few meters away. He continued narrating his own thoughts, "Well, at least, Mina will survive if the mech won't malfunction. Maybe take with her a few of the women and children when the food runs out."

With all their thoughts clouded as time slowly passed, the last of the food was finally distributed. Each contemplated as they munched on their final sustenance, the madness that would take over when hunger set in.

A complete silence ensued. Its uncomfortable presence unnerved the noisy ones. It was as if everyone was dead - motionless on their seats.

"Maybe the storm's over! We can dig our way out!" One finally snapped. Standing and rousing everyone around him. However, the others were more thoughtful as they didn't bother to move to preserve their strength.

Niel was looking at the ceilings. Even if the storm did died out, they would have to wait for the terraforming engines to clear the sands above them. He could still hear the creakings - as the weight of the sands pressured his little mech facility. He was too drained to explain to the groups that it was futile even if they managed to dug their way out into the surface of the sands. It would be toxic without the atmospheric maintenance of the engines, and they would die from suffocation or radiation.

Their safety relied on the mech facility's life support, and Mina was their only hope.

Emma Losac carried Lily and Chris - placing herself and her children between Niel and Sy. At least, she felt more secure closer to men she knew, and would depend on them for protection when people lost all sense.

"Perhaps.. perhaps you should give them an inspiring speech, Emma. They would be enliven." Niel started to chat in a humorous manner, refering to the oratorical skill of her family.

Emma smiled. She retorted, "Just like you.. I'm retired. I prefer to work behind a desk now."

Unlike the adults, the two juveniles were still energetic. Chris looked at Sy with great admiration, having witness the man do things that others could not. Just like any children, they would look for a figure to follow. In his case, he aspired to become a man like Sy. He turned to his mother and said, "Ma.. can Sy become my father? I don't like Niel."

"What?" Niel chuckled, shuffling uncomfortably on his seat. Sy could only turn his head and gaze at the mischievous child.

Emma was an elite spokesperson during her active years of service. It didn't affect her one bit but she still smiled and in turn, devised something to embarrass the two men. She replied in a teasing tone, "Niel is too old for me. Sy is a few years younger, but he can be your father if he pursue me."

"I'm not old!" Niel protested with great concern. He was only entering his forties this year.

Sy on the other hand, shook his head at the vanity of these people when it came to this particular subject.

Emma was a beautiful woman sporting an eye-catching bright yellow hair with curly ends, cascading down her back. She also had inherent yellow eyes from a certain bloodline. Thin lips, as if designed for a perfect smile used for bewitching people. She wore a traditional dress these days, but Niel could still remember seeing the woman in her younger years with more revealing outfits on the news. All he could say was that her body was very attractive.

Suddenly, the facility began to vibrate, as if an earthquake decided to make itself an addition to their troubles. Many were terrified and started to panic.

However, some of the men who faithfully waited on the crystal storage room began to shout.

"She's back! Mina's here!"

One by one, they stumbled to their feet and slowly made their way to where the location of the cheering men.

Mina had created a new hole on the already damaged storage room. The Mole had lost an arm, its chassis steaming with heat. The men began spraying it with freezing vapor in order to lower its temperature.

Finally, the pilot, herself, opened the cockpit - located at the highest part of the torso, and hurriedly exited. She was covered in her own sweat but still grinning.

As Mina got down, she declared loudly, "Good news everyone! The storm's passed. I got to the surface and received a radio broadcast that the terraforming engine were now on their way to clean the city! We just need to stay put until it's all clear!"

As she spread the heartening news, the men had already began working into opening the storage of the mech. They had to dug out a ton of sands before they found synthetic food packages.

"Niel! Sy!" Mina searched for the two men among the crowd. She swiftly located them within the individuals taking out the critical supply from the storage of the mech, and piling them on a corner.

"Sy! I had trouble retracting the arms when extended. Thankfully, you integrated a dislodge mechanism." She stated. When the man did not reply, she got curious and went closer. It turned out that he and her brother was paying full attention at the label of the synthetic food packages.. their faces passionless.

'Dirt Ball'

"Well.. I got into a synthetic food store and just vacuum all of its content." Mina explained but received no response. "Is there anything wrong?"

"Nooo.." Niel waved a hand, adding, "It's just that this wouldn't be a pleasant experience for the people around here."

"Of all things.. why does it have to be Dirt Balls?" Sy clicked his tongue, frowning at his past experiences.

"Ptuf!" Laira Runerie spat the nutrient pills out of her mouth. Her enthusiasm for having a food earlier completely gone from her face. "What is this? Eeew!"

"This is literally dirt!"

"Cmon, man. Appreciate your food! Ptuf!"

"You weaklings! This is nothing as long as your body do not turn to your own flesh. Ptuf!"

A widespread protest took over. Although, Mina was tough, it took only a matter of time before she snapped and readied herself to go out once more.

Meanwhile, Niel and Sy munched on the nutrient pills without challenge. No look of disgust. Neither happy nor angry. They were hollow. The crowd looked to them with inspiration and began to change their wayward ways.

"How long do you think the terraforming engines would take before they've done their job?" Niel asked her sister while doing a system check on The Mole.

"Two days. Four days if the minor windstorms persist. The engines would have a hard time stabilising themselves." Mina answered. She further assured, "I'll try to surface and listen to any radio transmissions."

"Just don't take any risks." Niel reminded which her sister responded with an effortless salute.

The cities would be riddled with people who needed help. Some might have taken shelter at the top of the highest buildings. Although he doubted that they survived the harsh atmosphere that the storm had brought.

Sy had fabricated a new arm for The Mole. This time, however, armed with new knowledges in Construction-tech, he compressed the hybrid steel and made it twice durable.

"You better take me out on a date after all of this is over." Mina whispered into his ear, before climbing into the cockpit. He scratched his head.

He had no money.