Standard Disclaimer: I do not take credit for the setting, this story is set in the 'They are Smol' universe, written by the one, the only u/tinyprancinghorse https://www.reddit.com/user/Tinyprancinghorse/.

TPH takes many forms and is known by many names. He is like Nyarlathotep, only smaller and cuter and more prancey. TPH also has a Website https://theyaresmol.com/ and a https://www.patreon.com/tinyprancinghorse

-----

Today is a good day. Many days are good days and this one is no exception. Despite the world changing in unimaginable ways seemingly every day, some things simply just never change. Get up, go to work, get paid and head on home. And given that we're on the hayday of summer in late June, I still get to see lots of sunlight on my way back home.

It's a thankless job, getting calls from angry customers, grabbing the details of their problem and sending up to equally annoyed brains that are paid to think, but since the invasion and uplifting, lots of software for computers had to be re-written and made for the entirely new tech available, so that's job security I guess. Even if it is contract work.

Some code has very large demographic support, ready to immediately leap to the next big thing while others... we're stuck with code locked behind companies who have a hard-on for secrecy that tend to want to do things themselves... and Only themselves. And just as some things never change it seems, I get stuck with a service-as-a-service triage job- getting an earful to send to the typewriters about an order for negative 2.147 billion watermelons scheduled for delivery to Jake from State Farm after he only selected 2 new office chairs from Amazon.

While Doom and Minecraft are simply too ubiquitous to remain confined to binary computation for more than a day, other lesser known softwares are, well, not so agile. Our 3rd party shipping platform just has to be special like that. For me though, that's all above my head and I don't have to worry about it. My name is Henry by the way, and all I can assuredly tell you is I've clocked out for the weekend and am enjoying a wonderful ride home. Finally got that new “car,” a place of my own, flew the coop and never felt more free. God bless Momma though, I'll be sure to visit as I can. One welcome change is that shorter workday means a longer play-rest-of-the-day and there's been no shortage of weird stuff to see or do in the post-raptor world.

Momma may have been up and coming in her younger years during the reparation, ya know, the speed-ran stone-age renaissance after the world shat itself, but she's still chipper as can be and ain't no 'born to no infrastructure' gonna get her down. I, for one, will be visiting this weekend. Oh and we'll have to discuss another upcoming vacation. Now space may be exciting and have endless possibility waiting but I have roots here now, and don't think I could imagine up' and leave all this behind. What I can imagine however, is bouncing around on Reach to witness the once unimaginable. After all, that wouldn't even be a twinkle in the eyes of a human engineer if it wasn't for our benevolent new overlords. And speaking of, a good friend or, uh, 'business partner' from many moons past had managed to snag a solid week off and we'll get to catch up again! They've been absolutely instrumental in helping us make semi-regular visits if we can help provide 'business ideas' in exchange. Plum is his name and and I'm sure he'll be more excited to see us, though that's more on account of him being just that cheery as his natural state.

Blue sky, green trees, and a well-aged bungalow after passing enough of said trees. But nonetheless we're here and more than happy to unwind.

---

H: “Hey mum, I'm back! Glad to be free for another few days!”

M: “Hey sweetie, welcome back! Work was same old-same old I take it?”

H: “Yup, you'd think eventually they'd run out of things to break, but they never do.”

M: “Well what are ya going to do? Anyways I'm sooo excited! Tomorrow we are heading back out to Space!”

H: “I know! Have you called Plum yet to look into getting picked up? We fly out tomorrow and I'd much like to get a room closer to where we're staying if possible.”

M: “Good news then; yes Plum knows our expected arrival is roughly 7pm tomorrow. You got your suite case in the car?”

H: “Yep, I'll leave it there for now- I got a spare change of clothes for tonight and won't need to bring it in.”

M: “Sounds good, dinner should be just finishing up, I'll go check on it”

---

For 5 years now Henry and Judy were making trips to Reach More recently, every 6 months for 4 of those years without fail, they would fly up for a week or two and back, no worse for wear. Re-energized and ready to take on the world anew. Ever since the first trip, an absolutely unforgettable trip mind you, these have become a regular mainstay of many calendars. And with the finishing touches on reservations, Plum was ready to once again entertain his guests and in turn, get some much needed insight into the mind of the little-needs-protecting. What first started out as an R&D venture turned oddly enough into a service and sales venture with a permanent shop-in-store floor mainstay due to the initial vacuum of available recreation, and while Plum had every known species as an audience for the services, one market proved particularly difficult to get a read on or entice.

Sure his store was sufficient, capturing regular sales from bretheren alike, but it wasn't aything revolutionary... That is until he'd met with a mother and her son on a recreation trip. While out to lunch, he'd overheard from another table about a text received about 'gift ideas' and obviously just had to ask, anything at all to get an idea or interest at this point. As it turns out his answer was received as after formal greetings, Henry, as Plum came to know, was all but enamored at the idea of a 4 foot long bread loaf pillow. Now many pillows exist on the market and you could easily just go print one, so why this one? Well it's because it looks like a bread loaf obviously. And while the finer details of why its attractive to a little-needs-protecting eludes Plum, and Henry was likewise incapable of generating an answer beyond 'Bread!' The numbers simply didn't lie and humans just don't actually know what they want until they see it! When Plum beheld webstore pages with multiple thousands of highly positive reviews and countless more purchases across many listings, it blew his mind that gave him an idea.

A few trial prints at the fab later and Plum had reached a simple conclusion; regardless of what new technology, toy or process may be released; having a pile of bread pillows by the front entrance caught a lot of eyes and turned a lot of heads. The round sourdoughs with the X pattern on top and the fat baguette were without a doubt the most popular and its not like these items are expensive, difficult to make or, well... essential? But by every holy deity could they move product when presented with a sign marking half a GRC... at least initially. Eventually everyone acquires one either by buy or by print.

It was an absolute blessing when Plum found out Henry and Judy were revisiting the following year. After finding them, they got to know eachother on much more friendly terms, and an unofficial agreement was made; they'd be able to come biannually, courtesy of Plum if it meant hearing about what things happened to catch interest at a given time.

And after much success over the years, Plum was more than ready and giddy with excitement. After all while many of the little-needs-protectings up on Reach were plenty sociable and he had no shortage of local friends, there was a degree of insight you simply couldn't always get compared to boots on the ground, or they would be reluctant to talk about some things. Both stuck out as strange but they are an entirely different species, so who am I to judge.

Either way, the time has come to once again and around this hour tomorrow, and that means Plum gets to enjoy the time off.

---

Having already waited for one hour without picking anyone up, Plum was attracting the attention of one of the local human space-TSA

“You're waiting on Which Flight? That flight you're waiting on... It won't be here for another 4 hours you know! Right?”

|“Of course but I wanted to be absolutely ready for when it does arrived”|

“And part of that is wiggling outside baggage claim enough that the people a floor down can probably hear you?”

|“Oh terribly sorry for being a bother!”|

The port security officer sighed and waved him off “Don't worry about it too much, though standing around that long may give some of the others cause for concern.”

|“Thank you for your understanding! I'll try to not be in the way too much!”|

While this type of behavior would typically arouse suspicion for seedy activity when exhibited by a human, it was unfortunately all too common for a Karnakian and bad things typically didn't come of it. Typically... At least not on purpose.

---

When Henry and Judy arrived, right on time and not a minute too soon, it didn't take long to find that familiar face out in the distance. There, where he always was on every visit, just outside baggage claim stood a very familiar-in-every-way Karnakian bearing the moniker of Plum. The name was simple enough and it didn't take much creativity to find out why he came to be. First-most was that his outer-most feathering was a deep burgundy, while the chest, belly and below-down was more a dijon shade of yellow... Second was the shape; Plum fashioned himself more in the way of being able to weather a snowstorm and it showed so shape and roundness was a contributing factor as well. But, as always, calm, collected and quiet aren't words that describe the average bird and Plum was no exception.

|“Hello! And welcome back! I'm more than happy you could make it! Was the flight enjoyable! I hear you always have that twinkle in your eyes that matches the galaxy around when taking off!”|

J: “Eager aren't we? Did you end up staying the night again?” Judy asked suspiciously, this wouldn't have been the first time.

|“No, I've only spent a paltry 5 hours here this time! Cutting it close don't you think?”|

J: “That's still far too early, you'd make it with time to spare if you'd left 20 minutes before our arrival, you know that right?” Judy sighed

|“And miss out? I think not! Besides, wouldn't want to keep you waiting! Especially if you arrived early!”|

H: “They're never early. Glad to finally be free again, you been enjoying your time while we were gone?” He says as they begin departing

|“Oh you know it!...”| Plum begins to deflate slightly |“Well things could be better, it's definitely slowed down back at the old shop. I guess the tungsten cube wasn't as big a hit but the glow-in-the-dark with rypeness-[bananas] are showing promise.”|

H: “How about the tech sales, any exciting new things coming up over the horizon?”

|“Standard affair with those; drones, computing, VR and play always has its markets and those sell much the same as always. But I could swear my shop is turning more into an obscure novely shop than a hardware supply store. Though on the note of VR, I may need to look into 3d modelling as it seems that's also a major interest. Otherwise, I can't make heads or tail-feather out of the things that you people buy!”|

J: “HA! You and every other out-of-touch [human] marketting executive out there! You see anything that looks like it'd fit right in at your average walmart end-cap Henry?”

H: “Nothing yet that captures my eye. Nah. Though I hear [programming socks] for some reason are selling.”

|“Eh? Not sure what those are, I'll have to do some research! Though I must warn you: I've been told we can't have a repeat of an incident like the inflatable 2-meter bouncy balls accident.”|

H: “What?! I swear they're always trying to ruin all the fun... No, long socks probably won't become statically charged projectiles, nor will they harrass the Dorarizins... I think”

|“Well I can certainly give it a look but for now I'll take your word for it. Ah! Here we are! I'll go ahead and drive us, I'll take you right to your stay to rest, unless you'd rather we go somewhere else!|”

---

Back on Earth, some particularly suspious financial activity on a young bank account has just shined a little brighter. Truth be told it's been ongoing for a while but just now was tipped off to the local tax office. Jumping up from the back-burner, IRS conversations start to ensue:

Investigating agent Alex: “Something isn't quite adding up, there's a lot of cash flow in and out of this account far exceeding any incomes filed with us, and it's wired into direct deposit.”

Director Oscar: “You thinking maybe black market or drugs?”

H: “Black market's a thing, recent travel records report Reach exclusively but we've not been hearing much in terms of drug trafficking from that sector. Black market's a little harder to sniff out though.”

O: “Could also be laundering or tax evasion.”

A: “That's a fair assessment as well. Whatever it is, it's definitely picking up in magnitude and if it's something far more on the dangerous side, it can't really be put off any longer.”

A: “I think this is cause enough for an investigation. Best case scenario looks to be an audit though, there's way too much flow for something to not be up. You're free to begin formal investigation.”

---

H: “Surely we could stop by a desert parlor on the way, I can't imagine one's that far outta the way”

J: “It wasn't all that long ago we had dinner, you're still hungry?”

H: “Always keep room for desert!”

|“Ya know, I could go for a bag of mixed nuts right about now.”|

H: “Lemme quick check what I have to work with here... Uh. Wait a minute that doesn't look right.. Transaction history – I uh... Did you? PLUM! That's Way too much! I can't accept this! The ideas we give you can't possibly have made that kinda money!”

|“Ah I see you noticed! And truth be told you're correct, the items are all pretty low dollar but getting more people in is what's actually valuable! Sure I won't be making much of anything off a quarter-GRC lamp with a [cartoon] head for a light, but it more than makes up for it when they return for quantum PCB kits, or service install projects. And that part, my good friend, I couldn't have had happen without you! So please do accept! You've been more helpful than you can imagine!”|

H: “It feels so wrong though, this amount is unreasonable! I just can't accept it.”

|“I don't suspect you'll have much a choice, the transaction concluded and the funds were wired. Please do think of it as earnings rather than a gift, though my gratidude for your help is immense and that's the least I could do!”|

J: “And just how much did you slide into my son's balance?”

H: “The total comes to... (exasperated sigh) 470,000 and some change in GRC”

J: “HOLY SWEET JESUS! PLUM! You can't be serious!”

|“I can and I am! But you're free to use it as you see fit”|

H: “Well, it's your shop and earnings that did pretty much all the work, so we're going to enjoy it here and now. And you should definitely be a part of the reward for the... oh who am I kidding, you were all of the work, so do tell; you had any ideas on your mind that sounded like fun?”

With a now much wider grin facing the paths in front of him |“If that's how best it should be used, I'm happy to follow along. Now where was it you wanted to visit for snacks again? After that we could try a VR arcade. Simulate a sunset? Whatever it is we want to try!”|

---

With a belly full of nuts and sights set on delight, Plum was more than ready for a night of fun. All except for one thing; adult little-needs-protectings aren't exactly renown in their endurance for staying awake way past bed-time and Henry and Judy were no exceptions. Approaching 9pm local and with a mild case of the Jet syndrome from the day's travel, Judy was ready to hit the hay. Though in all likelihood Henry would be able to stay up a bit later but Judy was in the process of dozing off. It was a good thing home-away-from-home wasn't all that far from the nearest ice cream but you could find tons of fun around every corner on a structure spanning 3d space.

H: “Ah it's been quite some time since I've last had a Sunday but boy does it bring me back”

|“But its still Saturday?”|

H: “Nah mate, that's the name of the snack. Dun know why but that's just how it is.”

|“Ah I see”| Plum glancing down and notices Judy hasn't yet opened the car door, opens it and offers a feathery arm for support.

J: “Ah thank you much, felt a bit stiff there.”

|“The pleasure is all mine! Though will you be needing some help inside?”| Plum mentions with the slightest hint of concern.

J: “I'm not quite that old yet but tell ya what, you offered so sure.” Judy mentions with a wink

|“Ah. Oh!”| Plum blinks, mind stalling for the briefest of moments |“Here, let me help you!”| followed by swooping her up in his arms for the comfiest bridal style of the station this week.

J: “Oh! You weren't joking! Well, I haven't been held like this in probably near 30 years! Guess I'll have to be a bit more careful what I say going forward” she chuckled

|“I... Is everything alright?”| Plum said with a more pronounced hint of concern

J: “Yea, don't worry about it, anyways it sounds like you had a place you wanted to show us so lets get a move-on. I don't have all night to wait.” she said followed by a yawn. All the while Plum is uncontrollably gushing internally at the tiny creature in his feathery arm-cradle, and her ever-increasing lethargic behavior was only serving to make it worse.

After the briefest of walks to the designated Plum zone, they entered and Judy was caringly placed onto a cushion-size pillow in the main-room couch, the whole thing looking sized a bit too large for her taste.

J: “Alrighty I'm awake. And oh thank you darling, you sure know how to treat a lady” Judy said sarcastically

Blushing furiously |“Ah! The pleasure is all mine!”|

Now getting up to move around well within her own power, looking about the 'house' – J: “Giant bean bag you got here, I much prefer a bed though.”

|“Ah I came prepared, I do recall the nesting arrangement standards for little-needs-protectings and set up a small room with everything that looked pretty important, it's the room on the left there”|

J: “That's another living room?”

|“Yes, I got another large living space installed for my size and put up some walling and other stuff to try and make it feel more at home! Is it to your liking?”| Plum asked enthusiastically

J: “You're far too prepared for this... but yes, I see doors on either side, I take it those are 'bedrooms'?”

|“Correct, both should be the same.”|

J: “Well the right way is the correct way so this one is mine, Henry don't you stay up too late; I'd rather not have to wait on you tomorrow.” she said while gesturing to right of the entrance to the smaller 3-room plaza within the full-size room.

|“Eh? They're identical?”|

H: “Don't worry or think too hard about it”

|“Well we got lots of time ahead of us, what do you think sounds like a fun time?”|

H: “Bourbon's always appreciated.” he said jokingly

|“I'll have to look by fab rates”|

H: “It's one of those things that's much better real or fresh”

|“Than instead I'll look into where we may get some”|

H: “Also I've been meaning to ask, how'd you manage to get a house in your house? Like, a normal but legitimate house?”

|“Oh that's easy, it's all basically the size of a main nesting room for me, which I already had as a spare bedroom, so getting it added was nothing out of the ordinary. I actually asked around some and took inspiration from how a few little-needs-protectings would occasionally have what is basically a big, elaborate ecosystems in a room of their home for a more uh 'uncommon pet.' Honestly brilliant design.”|

H: “So then are we like pets to you?” He said with a smirk

|“You know I like you for far more than just moral support!”|

H: “Hey now! Pets are far more than just moral support, they're family!”

|“Maybe you're really not so different then”| Plum went all smug

H: “Oh forget it” Henry went with a pout

---

Local Police officer: “So far our verdict is we're seeing minimal account activity since the deposit, though it's only been 2 days. The preliminary process and primary investigation have concluded and there have definitely been instances of this account receiving foreign funding, though not of this magnitude prior.”

A: “Understood, our agent is gathering more information. There's any number of things we could be dealing with ranging from miss-file if they've not been involved in further illegal activity to whatever else may be going on. Regardless there is, at this point, a not insignificant amount of back-tax. Though if that account stays as-is, that at least would be quickly resolvable in an audit.”

PO: “So first step is we wait for more information. It's my understanding the agent, yourself, is in the confronting stage now for missing dues and if said agent suspects larger illegal activity, we'll present the evidence and try for further action.”

A: “That is correct, no warrant without probable cause so for now, money is the only thing on the table unless he's fidgety.”

*ding

PO: “He's not home currently, we'll try known contacts next and see if we can get a hold of him. Letter was left in the mail but he'd better respond quick.”

---

A: “We're seeing funding moved out of this account, and off-world no less, with no sign of the account holder anywhere planet-side. Relative missing too, last known location is Brainerd Air. Strongly suspected he's ditched out under the radar; we have no travel purchase history for this account on the books.”

O: “We'll run a check and see if a vehicle is there, are you able to request their licensing information?”

A: “Yes I can get that forwarded over to you.”

O: “That's good, I strongly suspect we have a case of some form of avoidance going on here, so far today alone we've had a very large currency flow from this account to multiple other locations for non-itemized purchases. We do have a few print requests though, the items in question there don't speak of immediate additional criminal activity.”

A: “So right now, given what we know, the situation doesn't seem to spark any immediate danger.”

O: “Not entirely correct, there's no proof this person isn't an immediate danger. We can't definitively know yet.”

A: “The activity is still highly suspicious, as soon as a large sum of money enters this account, large portions are vanishing seemingly each hour, the holder is no where to be found–left planet-side even, and to top it off, they left in a way that leaves very little trace of premeditative planning. They're off the books 'almost' entirely.”

O: “Well if not for careless mistakes he'd be long gone, too much adds up for this to be coincidental. I think we've got an amateur Abagnale wanabe. Now the real questions are where did the money come from and what's the motive behind that origin as well as where it's being redistributed to.”

A: “Don't know yet but we'll organize with Reach administration officials as that looks like it's where the money is moving the most. I'll depart to the site at once.”

---

H: “Christ! I didn't know they'd have this type of selection for the Kentucky spicy water up here! Also why'd you bring us to a liquor store?”

|“A day breaker has more time to remember, and more vesper to contemplate.”|

J: “Uh huh, yea, and that means what exactly?”

|“Start early to finish early and you enjoy more you-time. Or translated to now; pick your preferred fermented grape juice or wood-scented detergent early so you can enjoy it to the fullest while you're here.”| Plum said while internally reviewing other details.

Plum, now like many others at this point, has been made quite aware through the grapevine of 'special' details when looking into a certain something called bourbon. Namely that little-needs-protectings are significantly more adorable and amusing with even just a little inebriation, that is provided you don't mind the concerning smell. Really puts the 'warm cuddle' honorific into perspective. Needless to say if the unhealthy habit he was enabling was only temporary, it shouldn't be too bad.

As they walked down the aisles to browse the wares, it was obvious that Judy would be easily satisfied by anything, not particularly interested in any one thing. But Henry, to Plum at least, was an open book. Try as he may to hide it, that sparkly feature that comes standard with all little-needs-protectings doesn't lie, and when his eyes gloss over something of interest, the radiant display shimmered with excitement. The only problems was figuring out what exactly was interesting on the shelves absolutely packed with bottles and shelves hardly come up past half of Plum's height. Plum analyzing with a clinical precision the expression and movements of Henry, trying to follow those tiny beady eyes when the sparkles of soul sight flared up but in vain. There were a few particularly bright flashes but alas, Plum would have little hope of successfully nailing what exactly caused the reaction. That is until they reached the end of the section marked [bourbon] and the end-cap had a more sealed up box. And best of all, the contents inside were well spaced. There were a lot of exotic shiny looking packages in there, but second to the left on the top-most shelf stood an unassuming bottle that wouldn't have looked out of place anywhere else in the store, and the 4 seconds of sparkly, captive audience that bottle held was all the convincing Plum needed. As Henry continued browsing other sections, Plum broke away to borrow a store clerk.

“Hey, need help finding anything?”

|“I found something but I'll need help getting it.”| Plum said trying to keep far quieter than was his norm.

“Absolutely, lead the way.”

|“It's the one in here, top and second to the left”|

“Ah I see, quite the keen eye you have and... uh... interesting taste? I didn't know you could drink whiskey.”

|“I'm hopeful it'll be selected though the choice ultimately isn't mine, but it'll be considered a gift of sorts.”|

“Ah, very lucky fella then. I can get it out and ready but for this kind of item we have to first take it to check-out to hand it over there.”

|“Oh. Oh no that may make this difficult.”|

“Hmm?”

|“Harder to surprise him that way since, unfortunately, he's the cardholder for... well we can get it figured out, still bring it up front and I'll try and do some convincing when we get there”|

“Can do!”

Proceeding to checkout, unassuming bottles of wine and whiskey later before Plum motions for the behind-bottle.

|“Henry, you should get this one”|

H: “What? No! I couldn't possibly, that one is ridiculously expensive!”

“So you don't want it?” The clerk said

H: “That's a piece of history, I couldn't drink that.”

|“Oh?”| Plum said glancing at the bottle |“Wait, how old is it?|

H: “It was aged 18 years before being bottled, but its been bottled back in my great gran' pap's day, 108 years ago.”

Historic? Oh yea, that's like 1000 years accounting for the differences of human-time. Plum mused |“That only means you need to try it more!”|

H: “And spend a tenth of the fun-money budget all on one bottle? Just for myself?”

|“I'd already said consider it yours and I'd like you to get a chance to try something you probably otherwise wouldn't ever get a chance to. I would like for you to try it! Think of it as something for me if you must!”|

H: “For you huh?” Henry said exasperatedly “If you're insistent, and it 'is' your money than fine”

The cashier simply shrugged and scanned the item, 45000GRC – Plum winced at the cost on the till and Henry was right, that isn't an easy price to stomach. But it is a small price to pay. The more they can loosen up, the better off they would be, and in turn, the better off Plum would be.

Many weird laws from planet-side still took effect depending on where you called home. One of which was open container laws. If you couldn't have an open container anywhere in your vehicle save for lock boxes and storage; eg, trunks, (things not accessible by the driver), than an easy work-around for that is just have the little-needs-protectings there too. A massive oversight on the part of the written law and very easy to get around. But if that meant one thing today, Henry and Judy would get to have some personalized cleaning solution in their system if they wish, while they were well on their way to [face some Gs] as it were.

A simple entertainment and one Plum could both get behind and administer with ease. Throw them around '''tight''' maneuvers without complete inertial or gravitational dampening on and let the changes in momentum wash over them. For Plum, hardly a feather would feel swayed but the others would get to experience the joy and happiness of the pile.

---

A: “Who the hell spends 45100GRC at a fine wine and spirits?”

“Someone of taste, but that aside; Sir I can not disclose that information to you, we protect customer confidentiality unless otherwise required by law.”

A: “I'm here on behalf of Internal Revenue regulatory and Investigation board of Minnesota, and I'm here with Reach officials. You had some customers Henry and Judy come in earlier at 11:34 am local and make a non-itemized purchase of 45100GRC. By order of law you are required to disclose the contents of that receipt and your relation to this duo.”

“Very well, let me quick reprint that receipt. And. Ah. Here we go, that was 5 units purchased. 3 of wine and 3 of whiskey; the wines were identical and added up to 20GRC a pop, for the whiskeys one 25GRC and another that was collecting dust on my shelf which was 45000GRC. Ah yes I remember that group. An older lady and younger gentleman accompanied by a Karnakian. It initially sounded like they were interested in the roughly 100GRC order but were pressured by the Karnakian to add the lavish bottle to the purchase.”

A: “And what's your relation to them?”

“They came into my store, placed an order, the transaction was approved at my register, and that's the end of it.”

A: “We'll need your video footage.”

“Very well, you'll have to follow me to my office and we can review it.”

The 20 minutes inside that followed with scrutinizing eyes revealed no unusual physical contact between any 3 of the customers with any of the store staff, and with it, another lead lost.

A: “And with that I ask that you not bother my customers too much. Chase em away and I'll be looking your way for financial damages”

“We both know you'll never go out of business here, have a good day” the agent said with a curt nod and walked out.

---

Ivan: “So you find out anything interesting?”

A: “Our suspects are tagging along side an unnamed Karnakian. Beyond that I have no further leads yet. Thank you for assisting in the matter, I'm hoping not to draw you away from your own internal investigations for too long.”

I: “Appreciated, should we consult their Karnak leadership with a report about one of their kind going rogue and unnamed?”

A: “Not unnamed in that regard, we have no clue who the accomplice is yet beyond a down color profile.”

I: “So the verdict?”

“Accomplice involved in the scheme, whatever that may be, and will be instrumental in their finding. No transportation up here rented by the duo but we have a lead on their actual locomotion. Maybe even their lodging too.”

While scouring the surrounding township area, the investigators received a new notification: “Reach Rentals is showing a card transaction of 12000GRC for an interstellar corvette. Guess we have another immediate visit to make.”

---

A: “Ah a classic maneuver but one we'll be able to immediately foil, they're trying to jump ship out of the system but we'll be able to call to intercept them as soon as they cross the threshold of any transit relay nodes.”

I: “That sounds good, it'll offer minimal interference with the rest of the sanctioned traffic and then we can start asking questions. For now we can wait until they blink back into existence somewhere and the locals can just hold them up.”

A: “And what of the rental agency? Have they been cooperative?”

“Not as much as we would've liked, they've advised they'll grant us the full information we'd like but their rental unit wasn't as equip to track customers so to speak so they won't be able to really grant us anything until the return beacon flairs up on their radar at the end of the rental period.”

---

20,000 miles per hour, 10km above the surface, 20 minute rotation around the moon, toggle-able inertial dampening. This is the life; Plum had no issue remaining as a pilot but Judy wasn't the most well equip to take the full amount on for longer than a short burst. Henry was having a grand old time though and seeing craters the size of cities zip by in seconds was nothing short of astounding. The industrial magnitude of greater vessels and floating cities was also a thing of legends no short time ago.

Eventually the trio began settling down on the maneuver antics to get a much more accurate look in person at the celestial bodies offered by the solar system. Being unobstructed by an atmosphere allowed for very accurate telescoping to more of the major space debris and minor planetary bodies. Seeing translucent ice comets and asteroids glittering from the sunlight up close left them in awe.

Picking back up Plum found another fun physics oddity that was particularly 'effective,' or at least fun to watch. Spinning the corvette in a yaw maneuver decently fast and watching Henry struggle to 'walk' from the front to the back of the small craft through the changing forces, occasionally lose footing and roll back to the end, was about the same level of adorable as watching a newly hatched take their first steps. Except capable of highly coherent conversation and laughing all the while.

H: “Certainly beats 7 flags!”

|“You look like you're going be stuck there for a while, need a hand?”|

H: “Inertia will do the same to you, big man”

|“It would, meant more along the lines of a rope if you think you can make it out of the edge”|

H: “Ya know what, throw me that rope and I'll sure try!”

And with rope in hand, there Plum sat with a stupid grin plastered on his face, he and Judy remained in the relatively calm center-mass where mild dizziness would be the worst of one's worry.

After that concluded, Henry even started a mild hobby he didn't even know he'd have an interest in: a small collection of particularly shiny space rocks and ice. Granted the ices didn't last long when no longer in the 80 some odd kelvin environment it was used to, and turned into overly mineralized water. But minor dabbling in astronomy proved to be fun.

A few more lateral corkscrews for additional Gs later and they had decided some food was in order. If one thing never got old about an orbital space colony, it was the sheer size and vastness that everything had to offer. It was basically a city in the sky, literal buildings and all. Granted, even still, it really didn't take much in the way of time for them to find a place to chow down, though the bustling diner in question wasn't specifically tailor-built for human consumption. It did come ready with accommodations at the very least.

Greeting them was a somewhat young lady Dorarizin {“Hello and welcome! So glad you could join us on this lovely evening! Table for 3, er 2, but with 3 seats?”}

|“Yes that would be lovely. Thank you!”| Plum replied

They were led through the floor to a table for “2” adults with a normal seating arrangement for a Karnakian and a high booth brought over for the other side of the table. By their table sat a large, thickly leaved monstera looking plant, probably originating from further south on Earth than Henry and Judy were used to. Other similar plants could be found scattered around the food court as well as the inner enclave of 'The lush chase.' Between the usual catching of eyes, they noticed a glance away a Jornissian worker could also be seen partially wrapped up a metal support beam for a little extra height to prune the top of one of the taller plants, as it had now grown enough to attempt grabbing the nourishing, hanging ceiling light.

{“We should be able to cater most anything you could ask for by printqueue, though regrettably we do not yet have any full-time little-needs-protecting catering staff, with job postings we're hoping to fix that. By all means if you have any questions, ask away, and you smell very Fresh today! Feeling a particular craving tonight?”}

H: “I uh, Thank you? And I uh, hadn't thought about that yet”

|“I'd like to try a ?Tk'ak'La?bake, with a side of one cheese burger, no toppings, and a sampler of whole, shell-on Alaskan snow crab.”|

Henry blinked, speechless for a second “Wait hold up they have those?”

{“Of course! We've got print schematics for most anything on standard menus, so have at it! Indistinguishable compared to if we'd gone and caught one ourselves!”}

J: “Are you able to do a mild General Tso's Chicken?”

{“Easily, I'll get that started right away. Though the tablet suggests adding 'flair' for more authenticity.”} she said followed by a quick tap on a tablet

H: “Ha! Even the tablet knows you're weak!”

J: “Oh shut up, you.” Judy said with a grin and roll of the eyes “No, I don't much feel like dealing with volcano-ass in the near future, no flair-no spicy, mild will be just fine for me.”

{“Certainly, and for you?”}

H: “I'll try tamales, pork”

{“With the 'authentic flair' included?”}

H: “You know it! Add her's to mine!”

{Excellent, prep has begun and will be with you shortly} she said, hitting an x2 for 'added spicy' and submitting

J: “You're going to be stuck on the toilet hoping for Neptune's sweet kiss, you know that right?”

Meanwhile on the short walk back to the kitchen. - {“I know you 'Said' it'd eventually feel normal but I swear I'll never get over that smell! It's intoxicating; I swear I could coddle each and every one of them that walks in!”}

{So long as you haven't again. And my little sweetie pie, you were respectful at least?} Chef De Cuisine Grotck-of-Alaitucase, Second Son of Alaitucase, chided his young and training cook

{Of course, I know, no hugging and no touching this time. We've been over this.}

{I'm not saying it's forbidden, especially while not at work. So long as they let you, that is. But even still remember, only paws-not claws, handle them like you would thin gold garnish. It would probably actually kill me to see you on the news as the cause of a nasty injury... or a first for worse...}

{Well don't you worry one bit! We have lots of little-needs-protecting visiting so whatever I'm doing must be working, right?}

|“Hey print queue alert got back to us, it is finishing up on all the tiny-chomper eats. The ?Tk'ak'La? will take another 10 or so minutes before it's finished roasting and ready. ETA is not too far off from each other”| One of Grotck's Karnakian specialized chefs called out

{Excellent! Oh what I wouldn't give to have a few little-needs-preparings in my kitchen. They're sentimental like that, if they know someone made it, and they seem to always know, they think it tastes better.} Grotck said

{That makes no sense, the printer is perfect!”}

{I know, but countless blind studies have shown it to be true, even when we account for mixing test groups based on no knowledge of their subject. Also what the heck are those big red bug thing?} Grotck lamented

{Let me take a look. Oh that's a... [Snowcrab], a species found planet-side. Printed out post-steamed and as-is so still quite hot!}

{It's only been steamed? No added seasoning of any kind? Surely they wouldn't be able differentiate one of those!}

{That was actually ordered by a Karnakian}

'Huh.' was all Grotck could think

Meanwhile the young bus girl got the tray of holding ready to be loaded and taken out to the trio.

{“And here you are my good sir, I don't believe I've ever seen one of these before, though it was in the print catalog”} she said, gesturing to the crab

|“A good friend of mine says they're a delicacy of sorts and I always like to try new things!”| Plum said all too enthusiastically

J: “They certainly were never cheap back at home! I'll have to remember that you can get them up here.”

H: “Yea, haven't had me crab legs in a while now, though I can't say I've had that kind whole before.”

{“Lovely! And for you mam; a tray of} 'checks notes' {the [red fruit pepper chicken], quite the exotic smell on this one. At some point I'll have to try it myself!}

J: “Oh don't be so modest, it's hardly anything too special and I'm sure there's no shortage of people happy to share how to make it authentically”

{“That so? And also for you my good man! It smells fine enough but I can also smell something ominous is hiding in there.”}

H: “Quite impressive, with a nose like that I could see you making for a master chef in no time flat”

{“I hope to get there one day, I have an excellent teacher.}

H: “Best of luck and I believe in you!”

{“Many thanks, also the bake is coming out next, I'll go bring that as well. It should be ready in the next few minutes”}

|“Many thanks!|

As Henry and Judy began eating their respective meals, Henry diving into a tamale with gusto and Judy more more petitely forking up a piece of chicken, Plum internally monologued a quick thanks and appreciation for the dishes in front of him. After that, he gingerly picked up the big red crab and bit down into 3 of the legs. This immediately drew a pause from both Henry and Judy, Henry who did a double-take before promptly coughing as the wrong side of his esophagus was acquainted with more-than-playful levels of spicy.

|“What? It's actually really good! I can see why you like it!”|

J: “They certainly are good, but that's usually not how they're eaten.”

|“My friend said extra spice and seasoning doesn't seem to blend well with our taste, so no Old Bay for me, but I think it's fine enough as is without the melted butter. Honestly it's really good even.”| Plum said indignantly

H: “That's not” cough “part of” cough “the issue” he wheezed out “we usually don't eat” cough “the shell.”

This, of course, stalled Plum for a second before he could formulate one of many proper responses to this new revelation. Giving it a quick once-over to see if he's missed anything or is by chance having a prank pulled on him. |“It's ALL shell! What do you mean? How else could you eat it?”|

J: “If you snap the legs in half, it's easy to get just the meat by itself out. It takes some working to get into the shoulders of the body though through all that shell.”

|“Just the... But there's so much shell! And it adds so much to the total texture! That's so much wasted-”|

J: “By all means if that's how you like it I'm not about to stop you” Judy said with a chuckle. “I get it, texture variation is a major part of what makes a food tasty. I'd not turn my nose up on a solid hard-shell taco. But I'll leave you my crab shells next time, alright.” she said with an amused sigh and eye roll.

At this time, the bus girl returned with Plum's additional order, a now size-correct portioned meal that didn't look too dissimilar to a family-sized quiche {How is everything so far?}

H: “Currently dying. But some milk would help” he rasped out. This poor choice of words resulted in the young girl freezing wide-eyed processing what to do in a situation like this while Plum's crest feathers stood on-end and him getting ready to call for emergency medical attention. Henry immediately realizing his mistake continued. “Sorry! Not actually dying but I ate the food wrong and could really use something to drink quick.”

{On it!} was all she managed before she was gone in a blur.

|“So you're going to be fine then? It's not too late for me to alert authorities and get you medical treatment.”| Plum said voice laden with worry

H: “Yea I'll be fine, just ate some food wrong” he said with a cough “It's just also... really spicy!”

J: “I told you that was a mistake but you didn't listen, now did ya”

H: “It's not too spicy, I can still finish this!”

{Here! I've found this and brought it as fast as I could. It would've taken too long to print regular milk but we've got a creamer on standby from the cafe supply}

H: “That'll do” and accepted the 9 minis of coffee creamer shame, opening them and enjoying them for immediate sweet (figuratively and literally) relief “Thank you so much, you're a life saver” he said jokingly, but with a promptly healthier sounding voice.

Both Plum and the bus girl happily deflated in relief. While she'd seen the concept in action for basic medical treatment and performing the Heimlich maneuver, she was by no means fully qualified or certified yet to do so and the risk of breakage? Well she didn't even want to begin worrying about that. Though come to think about it her little-needs-protecting clientele are, after all, the most likely to need that help and an eatery is the most likely spot for that help to be needed at... She'd have to ask her father about helping with CPR enrollment. Once is too many times for something horribly wrong to happen after all, and choking, if she recalls correctly, only takes a handful of precious minutes.

{Very glad to hear that, please do let me know if you need anything further. I'm happy to help wherever possible.}

J: “So then tough guy, how's your tamales and half 'n half” she smirked

H: “Oh shut up, you”

---

|“How long does he usually take in there?”|

J: “Certainly not this long, I tried to warn him but he never listens”

*AH! sounds from further within, followed by retching sounds*

Plum beginning to show concern while Judy just sighs |“Well that part certainly doesn't sound normal”|

J: “It's not normal, it's his punishment for being stupid. He'll be fine eventually.”

|“Should I go check in on him?”|

J: “Nope, don't think that's gonna be a good idea. It's called immediate karma and she's a judicial bitch.”

A muffled 'it burns!' could be heard from inside the public restroom

|“So we'll wait then... How long do you think he'll be?”|

J: “What an excellent question, don't have an answer for it though” she said glancing down at her watch

J: “Afternoon now here, what else you got planned for the day?”

|“Well, we picked up some drinks but the recommendation is we do that back home. I've been hearing from others that [wafflehouse] tray skating is apparently pretty fun”|

J: “Nope, forbidden, not happening. For starters I'm not going near a wafflehouse, secondly that may or may not be illegal. Tough to tell since laws may as well not exist there.”

Henry, croaking from the bathroom: “Sounds like a fun time to me”

J: “Thirdly, you're still stuck in there so you have no say. And speaking of hurry, up already!”

'Work'in on it'

|“Is a [wafflehouse] not just a confectionery restaurant, I know a handful of your eateries have children's play places like slides and the like, is this not that?”|

J: “Oh you're beautifully naive, you got the restaurant part right but that's where the similarities end. Beyond that they get, well, dangerous”

Plum gave her a quizzical look |“A bit odd but ok, not too big a fan of danger myself. I hear beach lounge is also nice”|

J: “They got those up here?” she asked with genuine curiosity and maybe a glimmer of hope

|“Haven't checked, can quick look... Nearest one looks to be, ah, oh. It's a little far away, and I don't think I'll be allowed.”|

J: “Planet side I take it?”

|“Yep, Oh! The 4th day of July's coming up in about 2 days, it's my understanding in a few days there's a holiday among your kind! Talk's been going around the Americans, you happen to be one of which, are looking to celebrate! Though the others were saying they needed a handful of ingredients I don't typically have lying around in bulk. Supposedly something called [M80] is good to stock up on.”|

J: “You're supposed to be the good influence!”

H: 'Go get us some M80s bud, we'll be happy to celebrate!' he called out

J: “Don't. Henry won't be needing to replace fingers this year.”

|“Oh My! So dangerous! What's an [M80] by the way?”|

J: “Do you not do your research when you hear these things?” she said matter of factly.

|“I have not I must admit. I hear conversation in the store and think to myself 'I'll need to remember that later,' and then I remember it later”|

J: “M80s are small explosives, and they tend to get thrown around or irresponsibly used at parties.”

|“Oh I see... Oh! Oh no that's a lot!”|

J: “Eh?”

|“I need to submit a quick anonymous tip, I suspect hundreds or maybe even thousands of these will be floating around unsupervised leading up to the big day”|

H: 'Wow what a party pooper' he shouted/coughed out from the restroom.

J: “You are, quite literally, one to talk”

Just then the sink turned on, heralding the sound of eminent release from the porcelain throne.

J: “Geeze, finally! Do keep away from the spicy for the rest of this trip Mr. double-authentic.”

---

I: “So we've just arrived to the last known point of interest and we're half an hour behind them as it stands, what's the situation?”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

A: “Alright we've got 3 security drones on scout, deployed from the local area nearly as soon as we received a transaction from The Lush Chase, unfortunately it's a restaurant so they've departed the moment the bill was paid but with 3 drones, high fidelity cameras, and them not being able to outrun a cheetah, let alone a drone, it should catch up to them easily.”

I: “And all of this is warranted?”

A: “Eh, partially. The drones are on non-emergency notification delivery.”

I: “No apprehension? Just letting them 'know' they're being pursued for suspicious activity?”

A: “Wasn't warranted for detainment as they don't seem to be exhibiting enough evidence of posing public danger at this time.”

I: “If these people find out they're being chased and the drone is forbidden from detaining, whatever it is they're doing may become substantially harder to snuff.”

A: “I am aware, but with the law of the land, or lack of land, my hands are tied unless they act out.”

I: “And one more thing, if it's been 37 minutes and they were being sought by drones with a near instant response, why haven't they been found yet?”

A: “I suspect they may already be on to us, they can't have gotten far in that amount of time. The window of opportunity would've been 5 minutes tops, they would've been caught in the walkways basically immediately.”

At this moment a notification arrived to agent's and the inspector's mobiles: 'A potential medium level public safety incident is undergoing review, at this time autonomous personnel units responding to non-emergency situations are being transferred to the deployment of Safety Solutions until the incident clears. Clear ETA: July 5th local time 8AM, we apologize for the inconvenience.'

It was at this time, the land-side inspector threw his phone to the ground in frustration, shattering it. All the while the agent stared straight into the notification, deep in thought.

A: “How convenient, we may be dealing with some very clever individuals. We've lost them for now but they'll turn up again. For now we can leave.”

---

H: “Well I suppose we could go watch a movie.”

J: “You want to spend the vacation at a theater? We have those back at home you know.”

|“I have a TV screen at my place and seating fit for all, if you'd like”|

J: “Well that does sound like a better option than a crowded show with overpriced snacks.”

|“But you just ate, you're still hungry?”|

J: “Will be peckish at some point in, shows can run long. What all do they have on air up here?”

|“Quite a lot and we get tons more from you all the time!”|

J: “Hmm... yea we could probably do that, but when we get home tonight”

H: “Hey what if we instead watched something very different? Surely you've got movies of your own, right?” he said gesturing to Plum

|“But of course! I suppose that type of media would be new to you, wouldn't it? What would you want to see?”|

H: “Well, it's your culture, you make that decision” he said with a wink

'Hmm... they're such pure little things, I wouldn't dare try and corrupt them with some of the less, eh, savory. Vicious warlike battles, definitely not, probably don't need a rom-com. Oh I do know what they would need though, may be cliché but I think an Epic kid's tale, a high-budget animated production may wow them. Judy's only in her 50s or so! To say nothing of Henry!'

After mulling it over a bit |“Why yes, you're right, and I think I've made my decision”|

J: “Great! When we get home later tonight and give it a watch”

|“How late were you planning on staying up tonight?”|

J: “Wouldn't be all that lat I imagine, why'd ya ask?”

|“If we didn't head back soon, we'd be up well past midnight”|

J: “How long is the movie?”

|“About 5 hours.”|

J: “Oh... Well I suppose if we want to see it we'd better head back now then”

|“That I can do, lets head back to the [car]”|

---

A: “Well now hold up could that be the perp's shuttle leaving now?”

I: “That's a solid possibility, the pilot in the view fits the bill, a maroon bird with darker yellow accents”

A: “Quick, we need to be in a shuttle pulling them aside stat. If that really is them, it's good to know the specific corvette is a all-person modified red Flys-Royce Revenant.”

---

H: “Wow it's actually really nice up here, they make these things real cushy on the inside”

|“For authenticity sake they love using that mix of [velour] and [leather]. Though they're entirely synthetic on these since those materials aren't exactly easily obtainable. Same quality, maybe even smoother, but significantly more affordable”|

H: “Yea that makes sense, feels real nice and soft though” He said rubbing his hand over the pilot seat velour accents

|“Perhaps, but I'm nicer and softer.”| he said with a cheeky grin

H: “Is that so?” he asked with chortle and eye roll

|“Yep and maybe during the show later tonight I'll let you feel.”| 'Just don't seem too interested and you won't make it weird. Get them interested is all I need to do and they'll do the rest' he thought to himself

H: “Well we'll just have to wait and see then.” he said with a grin, at this time also another ship pulled into the right side field of view of the corvette, catching Plum's eye

|“Wow are they ever close... and wait are they getting closer?”| he said as the ship was pulling further in front and inward and beginning to slow down to cut into their trajectory

|“What? What a jerk! There's endless space in all directions, surely there's enough room to *not* need to be directly in front of me”| he complained out loud, while slowing and pivoting left, the new ship compensated by pivoting in front even more aggressively

|“Absolutely Rude! Grab something and hold on tight, gotta put some space between us and this nutjob.”| he said, tilting downward and quickly picking up speed to pass

---

A: “They're not pulling over!”

I: “I can see that, they're also quite nimble. Not sure if my ship can maintain pace.”

A: “Don't you have any sort of law enforcement indicators you could flash to pull them over with?”

I: “Not on this vehicle, this is just the standard issue non-patrol car. Basically unchanged from what's on the market”

A: “Ugh, so if they escape then that's it?”

I: “For now, but maybe I can still grab their attention”

---

|“The nerve of some people. How you holding up back there? Hello?”| Plum sparing a glance backwards to see Henry was rolled to the back lounge seating area near where Judy was buckled in

J: “Quite the fancy flying you're doing up there, what was all that about?”

|“Don't know to be honest, some crazy person decided to try parking his ship on my view screen”|

H: “Who let New Jersey into space?”

J: “Guess some things never change.”

|“What in the name of everything holy?! Hey sit down and get buckled up back there, our crazy person is back!”|

Following that Henry quickly scuttled to the sofa seating and strapped the buckle in tight. Once the click was heard, Plum bolted out of the way again, changing direction and noticed even still they follow.

|“They're really trying to make me break local speed laws, aren't they”|

J: “I'll call the police, they need to be stopped”

|“Good plan! They just don't let up”|

At this point they were even heading the opposite direction of where they should be going

---

A: “Is there seriously not a way you can broadcast to them to halt?”

I: “If there was I would've done so by now.”

A: “Well turn around and try and catch them!”

---

J: “Hello 911? We're being chased by crazy people!” … “we're within the Reach near zone” … “Yes, outside of the station” … “having to go through evasive maneuvers, these nuts are trying to crash into us!” … “Thank you! And we're stuck near 93-East, in the red thing!” … “You can see us? Perfect, yea absolutely you can see they're doing all sorts of invasive maneuvering, alrighty sounds good!” call-terminated “Good news, dispatch is on the way! Once they get a drone out here, they can lay down some interdiction and get them outta free-flying space. Just keep going the safe speed limit and try not to attract the ire of the drone.”

|“Doing my best to!”| By now the two ships were dancing around each other in space, Plum occasionally having to abruptly speed up to put distance between the other in a breakaway, and the other maintaining a constant speed except when trying to stop in front of Plum.

---

A: “They Will tire eventually and stop”

I: “The sooner, the better”

A: “Oh perfect, the law enforcement is making its way en route now they'll have to stop!”

…

A: “Why aren't they stop-” But alas, the agent was stopped by an abrupt thud, jolting the entire ship to a stop, and knocking the agent off feet.

I: “Who the? We've been stopped!”

A: “Well that's one way to get their attention, wait? Why are they still moving? They're getting away!”

Just then the interdiction drone ship mounted to the side of the inspector's craft and played into the wall

'DO NOT RESIST, you are being apprehended for reckless operation of a space-faring craft!'

A: “We're Internal Revenue and Crime Stoppers! The suspects are getting away! Stop them!” the agent shouted

'DO NOT RESIST, further resistance will incur additional charges!'

I: “I'm a Reach criminal investigator and inspector, my name is Brad Marshal, this vehicle is an asset of Reach law enforcement. Release us so that we may continue our work in keeping you safe.”

'DO NOT RESIST, your claims must be completely verified the Reach department of stellar vehicles and Reach department of law before your release can be negotiated! You are being towed to dock now!'

I: “God, I hate these damned stupid drones and their inability to think. Are you fully autonomous!?”

'YES'

Both Ivan and the agent let out a sigh of defeat.

---

|“The absolute nerve of some people, you can't fathom the satisfaction I had watching the safety drone latch to their side.”|

H: “You can say that again. Jesus, some people are terrible!”

|“[Jesus] you say? At some point I'd like to know more about this one. I've heard that name quite often.”|

H: “Eh? I'm pretty sure the scripture is plenty readily available.”

|“Oh scripture? Is he a deity?”|

H: “In a sense, he's a good. Makes for a good role model.”

|“Well you know I'm going to have to do some more research later now that you mention that.”|

H: “I'm sure you'll have great fun with that”

|“Hmm, what would this [Jesus] do to those jerks from back there?”|

H: “Heh! He'd love them and forgive them of their transgressions”

|“Huh”| Plum went with a contemplating gaze out into the void sky |“Sounds like a very interesting fellow”|

H: “Yep, you're just over 2000 years too late though”

Now that revelation floored Plum |“What!? Only 2000 years ago? If I were only 3 lifetimes younger I could've met a real deity in the flesh?”|

H: “Oh yea, you guys live forever basically, yea that's one way to look at it.”

|“Given how often I hear the name, he's clearly made an impact”|

H: “Him and a few others, you couldn't even imagine the half of it”

|“Do you think he'd like our kind? Like not just us, but the Jornissian and the Dorarizin?”|

H: “He loves all walks of life, welcomes and forgives all. What about you, got a Raptor Jesus floating around out there?”

|“Tons, but multiple tens of thousands of years before my time. Lots of wise leaders seeking answers to unanswerable questions about the universe. Many a sage advice that seems to be universally applicable can be found in our axiom and sutras, but not all of it is so easy for everyone to access or read. Many sects are secretive or exclusive to all but the most devout to their prime-arch”.|

H: “The more things change, the more they really do just stay the same, yea?”

|“Yup, so it would seem”|

---

J: “So what do you got planned for us this lovely evening?”

|“It's a magnificent tale from my people, told many years ago and adapted to the big screen”|

H: “Oh fancy! Alright did you get the popcorn?”

|“Yup its just about done being loaded up, I'll bring it out now. I take it the couch is accommodating just fine?”|

J: “Yep, no issues with the couch”

H: “I suppose we could probably open up some of the bottles and enjoy a sip with.”

J: “Only if Plum's alright with it”

|“Yep that'll be fine, encouraged even. I'll grab a TV dinner tray as well.”|

H: “Always prepared I take it.”

|“Gotta make sure you have the essentials”| Plum said with a smirk

Just then a tremendously loud white-noise-esque of popping emanated from the kitchen, lasting for all of a single second before turning into a steadily dying out stream of pops |“Alright, the pop[corn] is ready. Very creative name you got there.”|

H: “Get's the point across.”

|“Not arguing that point, anyways make room. I brought the goods”| he said, bringing with him a beanbag sized sack of freshly popped corn, 2 bottles of distilled corn, one of wine, and a foldout table with a small, unopened bar kit.

H: “How'd you make that much that fast?”

|“Can't say.”|

Both Henry and Judy looked at him as if he'd suddenly had a 5th eye. |“It's Pop Secret.”| That caused them to both to groan out loud, and very over-exaggeratedly. |“Wouldn't want you to go off pirating corn”| he smirked, sitting down into a ball of smug with Judy on his left, and Henry on his right

J: “Hardy har har! Anyways looks like we're all ready then.”

|“Yep, let the show... Begin!”| Plum said, sending mental commands to the screen to start the show, lights to dim, appliances to enter quiet-mode and tol-size sofa to recline.

A hushed voice opened up: 'The universe has changed. I feel it in the sky. I feel it in the electricity. I see it in the souls. Many that were, are no more. Memories of a time now gone. It began with the knitting of the great crests. 3 were given to the 1st sec, oldest with wisdom abound. 7 to The Flight Forward, innovating and exploring the stars around us. And 9 more to the founding colonies, who above all else, seek order. When crowned; these crests gift the perception and power to guide the Karnakians forward. But the wisdom had failed them, for another was made and flew under their watch. Within the dark of the crescent moon above the first land, another was craft. With the needles of soul, and by the monarch of corruption, twas made to command all under his reign. And into this artifact, he channeled all of his wit, might, and duplicity within...'

H: “Hey wait a minute” Henry interrupted, Plum now pausing the movie with a simple afterthought

|“Something the matter?”|

H: “This intro sounds awfully familiar so far”

|“Oh?!”| Plum startled, |“You've seen it already? I can quick find up another if so.”|

H: “No don't, but I swear to God, how old did you say this story was again?... actually better idea, we'll make a game out of it.”

|“Hmm?”| Plum went, now curious |“And quite old, it predates our contact with the Jornissians and Dorarizins.”|

Henry still glanced at Plum suspiciously, now going for the bottles of 'cheaper' whiskey and opening the bar kit, extracting 3 shot glasses “Each time we recognize a reference, we take a shot” he said, popping the cork and pouring a small glass for the each of them.

Judy taking a brief whistle-wetter before rejecting it “Yea no thank you, I'm not interested. One of you can finish that but I'll stick to water, wine and popcorn thank you very much.”

H: “2 for you then?” he went, offering the glass to Plum. He took them gently, no larger than the tips of one of his claws each, and unceremoniously pouring the contents of one into his maw. |“Wow does that ever taste different from the popped version”| he went before needing to grab a small handful from the sack and munching to compare the differences |“I'll never get over how unusual this grain is either. Like with this way to prepare it. Its so noisy in your mouth but you hardly even notice it there otherwise.”|

H: “Yep, corn's a wonderful think. Cheers!”

|“Cheers”| Plum gestured to him, as they both proceeded to knock the whiskey down.

---

At about the 1.5 hour mark, and with a great many whiskey interruptions having taken place, the similarities were very clearly taking their toll. Judy, who had no such interest in playing drinking games, was still able to pay attention to the movie as the MCs find themselves narrowly escaping the chase of a massive creature in a subterranean complex. All the while the others were feeling the effect. Downing two more shots for Plum and another for Henry, Plum was feeling those pleasant tingles while Henry was failing to maintain his equilibrium while sitting; the result of one and a half bottles of whiskey gone between them.

Judy off to the left letting out a yawn (much to the delight of Plum) before glancing over at the others. “You're looking pretty out of it there boyo, you should probably call it here on the drinks, if for no other reason than to save some for later.”

It took a whole 2 seconds for Henry to register she's said something his way, and he sluggishly turned in reply “No it's-” but before he could finish, the action of turning left was accompanied by a hard left list and he fell face-first onto Plum's belly fluff.

H: “Mmmf, ok yes.” he said, slowly pushing himself back up. Following another few seconds for his thought to catch back up to him while his had was still pushing into the feathers: “Soft.”

|“How soft”| 'Oh this is perfect! And he did all the social legwork all on his own! Splendid! Oh to relive how his soul sparkles flared up as he fell into my feathers!'

H: “Very” he said, grabbing into the fluff some more, mesmerized.

|“Told ya so”| he said with that signature cheeky smug again

J: “You're a mess, you should stop bothering Plum and go to bed.”

|“It's alright, I don't mind”| 'Oh please don't take this away from me, I haven't even taken pictures yet'

J: “He looks like he's about ready to pass out, probably won't remember the movie. Speaking of, since I'm getting a bit tired and he looks absolutely sloshed, do we want to pause and pick back up at another night?”

|“That may be for the best. Though you're welcome to watch something else if you'd like.”|

J: “Nah I think I'll march myself to bed. If he does something stupid, don't be afraid to punish him or something. I trust you'll make an appropriate decision. Well maybe not, whatever you do won't be harsh enough if I have to help clean his bile out of your chest plume” she said with an exhausted, disappointed sigh

|“Worry not, I'll take care of it. Enjoy a wonderful night!”|

With that, Judy walked off to the human section of Plum's living space, and as soon as she closed the door, it was time for Plum's devious idea to unfold. First things first; a little more light will be needed. A simple mental request fixed that. Next up is a drone getting into position and ready for pictures and maybe a little video.

And lastly, it was time for Action: a quick picture taken of a barely lucid and distracted Henry was taken. He was still with right hand taking in the intricacies of the plume fluff while left arm at his side is providing support against the cushion under him to lift him back out of the fluff. And now, with exceedingly gentle precision, Plum began running his talons through Henry's hair and scalp, taking delight in how soft the extra-fine hairs are.

“Ehmmm” emanated from Henry, alongside a bodily shiver and mindful shimmer, causing his left arm propping him up to slip, face again buried within the floof.

|“Comfortable I take it?”|

H: “Mmm Hmm... yea” near total movement stopped and Plum noticed the mellowly glistening Henry was now very pliable, head and arms mostly limp and free-falling into the mass of feathers that was Plum.

All the while Plum was extremely please to be catching and sharing such a perfect moment to the friends and folks back home. Almost immediately he could see replies coming in; some asking what his secret was, others basking in the cute overload.

Plum then ran a sharp-taloned claw down the small Henry's back, eliciting an immediate reaction of clenches and grasping from the otherwise dead-to-the-world now tickled Henry. Staying in the back region, every insignificant action, poke, prod or scritch from Plum was met with an involuntary leaning-in reaction almost begging for more contact. Especially after dragging his claws up from the back to around the neck region. And all of this was caught on both photo and floating camera; all to be shared back to Plum's private social contacts. After all, what could be better than a tiny little warm-cuddle living up to their name at the smallest of touch.

After about another 10 minutes of play, the claw-tracing failed to further elicit a response which could only mean one thing: Henry had finally succumbed to the alcohol induced slumber. And the now-faint light of his mind confirmed it. This meant it was time for Plum to finally bask in the enjoyment and jealousy of the others as they continue failing to get this in their day-to-day lives.

Plum could absolutely feel the warmth of Henry through his plume and into his hand after resting it onto his back along with gentle rubbing; 'Not a single name these people have earned is ill-fitting' he mused.

And with one more mental commend to further recline the seating; now there he lay, back in his couch reclined like a bowl, tail hanging out from the front of the couch and draping onto the floor, cradled by the couch and with Henry now basically fully laying on top of his belly, adjusting to better snuggle into the warmth... and the mess of earlier also surrounding him. With a few more mental commands, a pause was made on drone pictures and the remaining open container was stowed, the tiny bit of popcorn left discarded and a plus size blanket brought over. Thankfully such a thing can easily be replaced or repaired if damaged, so Plum had little reservation with tearing a small hole in the middle of the blanket and then having the drone drape it over the both of them, positioning the hole over Henry's head.

Plum for now was not yet tired enough to call it a night, and what better way to fix that than with some late-night [rabbit hole] digging in the form of random human trivia for what is available knowledge. Nifty fun facts, catching up on some things he remembered he needed to look up, looking into the upcoming holiday. Speaking of, their month of July has already started and soon it will be time to celebrate.

'Well would you look at that, they really do celebrate with controlled explosives. They've been doing so for a very long time now; while the authentic M80s probably aren't a good idea, I may be able to get something hard-light, bright, and noisy enough with the same effect. Some of the stuff they use does make pretty but short-lived patterns. If we do an explosive, it'll probably be best if we take it outside of the space station. I have a feeling this will turn some beaks, but it's high-time I celebrate authentically. Or as close to that as I can get.'

With that further musing, Plum was now satisfied with himself as he mindlessly continued petting Henry. Slowly but surely his sets of eyes closed, first his regular, followed by the soul sight, and once the his lighting turning off to allow the dark warmth to envelope him, he dozed off to sleep as well.

---

Judy awoke to a pleasant morning. The birds were singing, the dogs barking and the snakes slithering. Not that she would know any of this, as none of it could be heard. Nor would she hear any sort of alarm clock. Waking up at one's own pace is always one of life's greatest pleasures, but there was one specific bird not singing whom she was used to hearing. And for that matter the same applies to Henry. Deciding to freshen up, use the restroom, and put on some nice fleece pajama coveralls, she ventured out of her normal size room into the more human specific common area, then upon still finding no signs of life, quietly ventured out into the actual common area that was still dimly lit, finding Plum resting reclined on the couch with a big blanket over him.

'Huh, he must have been up late too' she mused to herself.

Continuing onward to the oversize kitchen she got herself a cup of tea and noticed hanging in on the kitchen wall was a nice watercolor looking artistic rendition of plums propped up on the wall. One cut in half with core and inner colors exposed leaning against a bowl with pile of 4 whole plums. 'I wonder if he went and took an image off the internet or if he had that personally done. Or maybe he even made it himself? I'll have to ask.' Though she got some likely answers when she opened a step ladder to make it up to counter-height; she noticed the bowl in the rendition matched an empty bowl sitting on top of the counter, though this time with a pile of what look sort of like chestnuts in it.

'Well, nothing around smells unappetizing so that means at least Henry didn't go get himself sick... yet... again' she signed with a shake of her head, before sipping her tea,finding a banana to peel and have, followed by a breakfast sausage in the fridge.

'Well its good to know fridges and stove tops are universal constants.' she continued, trying to not make too much noise. Had Plum not been home and it were just Henry wherever he may be hiding, she may have found herself banging cast-irons just a little more than strictly necessary instead, as punishment for acting a fool yesterday, or, earlier this morning.

'This can't be smaller than 20” is this really the smallest pan he has?` she mused looking through the cabinets on the hunt for cookware. Thankfully Plum kept pots and pans in the shelves below the counter top, and conveniently enough next to the stove. After some hoisting of a roughly 1cm thick heavy metal circle and getting it into what looked like position over the flat-top burner, she now encountered the next hurdle.

'There's no buttons. No knobs. Doesn't even look like a touch panel on here.'

All the while the noise slowly began to make Plum stir. First opening soulsight to bask in the calm haze around him, except he could see light dancing in his top and bottom peripheral trying to catch his attention. Tilting his head down he saw a pretty familiar looking nebulous light show that reminded him of the night prior. He opened his primary eyes to see the partial face and head of Henry, the parts that weren't nestled in his feathers or under the blanket.

'Ah adorable, just where I left him. But wait, there was up?'

Tilting his head back up, he could see into the kitchen. More specifically an upside down rendition of the happening in the kitchen, with Judy on a step ladder at the stove contemplating its existence. As much as she also looked absolutely adorable peaking her head and arms over the counter to try her shot at cooking, best probably to lend a talon.

|“Would you like some help with that”| he said in a midly hushed tone

J: “Oh I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. But uh, yea how does it turn on?”

|“Worry not, also I have it mental linked so I can think it on. That being said, the mini drone is linked to the network as well so you could ask it to turn the stove on as well. What were you thinking of making?”|

J: “I found some of the breakfast sausage in the fridge, they looked good.”

|“Ah yes I got it in preparation for your arrival and I'm glad it's appreciated. I was wondering what those were. And I imagine right between low and medium should be fine for temperature?”

J: “Probably, you said the Alexa or Roomba or whatever it is you have can adjust the heat though?”

|“I uh, Yep, ask and you shall receive.”| 'oh they name their objects, I forgot about that quirk about them' he thought to himself, quite tickled

J: “You want me to make you some as well? Doesn't look like Henry's up yet and after last night I'm not sure when that'll be.”

|“I'll give some a try. Thank you for the offer.”|

In the meantime Plum looks back at his handiwork from yesterday on the internet. Enjoying the wonderment shared by others and especially the envy from brothers or sisters. 'Maybe one day they'll get their chance, may as well stoke the fires.' as he quick snapped another top-down captioned “You thought it was over, didn't you? ~Wink”

---

After a few minutes the house began smelling of smoked sausage being fried, and what do you know, meat of many types tend to smell good. If Plum weren't still preoccupied, he'd have loved to take a closer look at the cooking, not that he fancies himself that much of a chef. More into eating food than making it. But as distracting as the new smells were, Plum was quite invested in learning more about summer tradition and the upcoming celebration, and theory-crafting how to safely practice their tradition without being put on a watch list.

J: “Sausage is done, come get.”

|“I uh, can't, yet.”|

J: “Huh? Alright then?” she said confused as she fixed a small plate for Plum and then brought it over, Plum graciously accepting after removing a feathered talon from under the blanketing to accept the plate. Doing so revealed a little bit more of Henry, and Judy could finally see and figure out after coming to deliver sausage why exactly Plum hadn't moved yet.

J: “Oh. My. God. Has he seriously been there this whole time.”

|“I've already said it's fine”|

J, With a loud sigh: “Absolutely not and I'm so sorry he's decided to just crash on you and use you like a bed.” she said as she began climbing back up on the large-for-her reclined couch, now looming as best she could over Plum and Henry, to begin removing the covering over Henry.

H: “Hnng hurts. Not ready to wake yet”

J: “What in the, the blanket doesn't remove, it's just got a... Henry did you tear a hole in Plum's blanket?”

|“No that's been there, that was me.”| 'If it weren't for them both seemingly being upset, this would make for an amusing game to be a bystander of.'

J: “Plum don't you lie to me.”

|“Promise I'm not lying.”|

J with another sigh “I really don't want to believe you, but somehow these cuts conveniently look like something you might've done.”

All the while Henry avoiding the light of day curling himself into a ball, falling further into the blanket, fluff, and under Plum's arm, and ended up buried deep between the mass of feathers coming from Plum's arm and chest.

|“Henry is something the matter, you're acting unusual. Well. More so than you normally do.”|

H: “Head hurt. Bad. Mistakes. Were made.” he wheezed out, mostly muffled by Plum before re-passing out

|“Oh no, why is that?”|

J: “Because last night he had no self control and this is nature's punishment.” she sighed defeated “he'll be fine, when we drink way too much we get what's called a hangover. Lot of pieces involved but gist is we get sick and usually a headache is involved. How bad it is tends to depend on how much was drank.”

|“Oh my. I'll have to be considerate moving forward.”|

J: “Shouldn't be your concern in the first place, he's a big boy and he'll live with it. Judging by the one and a half empty bottles of hard liquor, I'd wager well into the 'too much' realm” she said, going to reclaim the set-aside breakfast and sit down next to Plum

|“I think you're right.”| Plum said, then tried a sample of one whole 6” sausage |“The texture of this is really weird by the way. It's a good bit squishier than I think I'd like.”|

J: “I can probably take one more of those off your hand, I think Henry probably won't be having any though.”

|“If you would be so kind, I'll finish the remaining though, worry not.”|

J: “And thank you for the offer. Again really sorry for Henry's rudeness” she said, then took a sip of tea.

|“If its any consolation, I think I may know a more fitting punishment”|

J: “What did you have in mind?” she said now curious

|“I happened to have taken a good few really cute cuddly pictures with him laying like a newly hatched. I'll text you copies to do as you wish with. But here have a look.”| he said, summoning the images to the big screen

J: “Uh, cute huh? I suppose, cute but in a weird or abnormal sort of way maybe? These will do perfectly though.” she said with a deviously smug aura

|“I hope you don't mind if I may have 'accidentally' shared them with some family. And maybe friends too.”|

J: “Why stop there? You may have had a head-start now, but the ladies back home will never let him live it down!” she said with a twinkle of determination in her eye “So thank you, they're perfect.”

---

After a short few moments of breakfast enjoyment, Judy had went to gather the kitchen ware to begin the cleaning, all the while Plum sat and enjoyed watching as she made liberal usage of the step stool to try and reach, and further clean, the dirtied dishes. And during this process Plum felt movement in the presence below his arm; it was finally time for Henry to return to the realm of the living.

H: “This is every mistake at college all over again.”

|“Ah so you've finally woken up”| Plum said while lifting his arm and the blanketing, exposing Henry to the light of day

H: “What a horrible way to wake up.” he said screwing his eyes shut tight at the sudden increase of light

|“You alright down there?”|

H: “I will be” he said, very slowly adjusting to the light and unfurling from the feathers “eventually”

---

After delaying Plum from getting ready for his day for the first half-hour, and then delaying everyone else for the next hour to finish sobering, showering and freshening up, Henry was finally also about ready for the day, albeit short one breakfast.

|“You sure you don't want some food before we head on out?”| Plum said with some audible concern

H: “At this rate I don't know if I'll even be having lunch.”

|“Are you sure he's alright? That's a very large calorie deficit compared to what I know little-needs-protectings should have. He's also noticeably discolored and generally unhealthy looking”| Plum murmured to Judy

J: “He's generally unhealthy so there's some correlation, but that's part of the alcohol poisoning and he'll get better throughout the day.”

|“It's poisonous?!”|

J: “Yes-but Only if you, well rather, if 'we' drink too much” She had to quickly correct herself after thinking that answer over, otherwise she may have inadvertently proposed house rules that may come back to bite her.

|“Well, if you know he'll be alright I'll take your word for it, though I did still have some plans for today if we wanted to participate.”|

J: “What's on your mind?”

|“I was looking at some of what your kind considers 'seasonal festivities' and wanted to celebrate it the traditional way.”|

J: “Oh boy what did you discover this time?”

|“Well I saw 3 very common themes for the 4th of [July] celebration, and they were [barbecue], swimming, and explosives. Festive, colorful, controlled explosives. I think we can cover all 3 with the correct encouraging.”|

J: “You think you get fireworks and light them safely in the space station?” she asked with great incredulity

|“In? Not in the station but I could probably get and deploy a show in nearby space or on one of the neighboring worlds. The other 2 can be done at the same place. I'd need to look into admission though. I was doing some looking around and found a public pool in one of the big-needs-protecting zones.”|

J: “Oh I see. So tomorrow's taken care of, today was going to be to gather stuff for it?”

|“Precisely! It remains to be seen how easily the controlled explosives can be ordered and delivered but my hope is high that it can be done.”|

J: “All right then. I'm ready to see what kind of miracle you can pull.”

---

After an uneventful trip to the nearest fabrication plant, Plum queued up an order in his name but paid for by the Henry's debit account foundation. Some very simple components, chemicals and containers. All separate containers of material in some cases. In others, pre-configured fireworks. Things that become increasingly more difficult to order around this time year after year.

Some quick assurance and bribing later that it would indeed be used for “““industrial””” purposes only, in space, and not anywhere in or near the Zephyr stations or Reach. Plum was even able to a print off a specifically crafted 50kg mortar infused with strontium, copper, and aluminum. A nice grand finale as is the show tradition. Of course intentions were fairly well known despite what Plum suggested. And while not amused, the print administration allowed it on account of Plum's pristine track record and assurance of safe handling. After all each new event that makes the news over damage only makes life more difficult for everyone. Other miscellaneous requests were a grill, though unfortunately infrared rather than authentic burning charcoal. The classic humble beef patties and pork tubes, and of course who could forget a small tank of helium and a pack of party balloons.

With the print order in the works, and Henry still abstaining from snacks, they departed for a relaxed stroll around their current portion of the station to see what the locals pass for fun while the fabricators chug away at their jobs for the next couple of hours.

---

A: “It took an unreasonably long time for your release approval to be processed.” The planet-side agent said in irritation, finding out slow governing bodies seems to be a universal constant

I: “I understand you are upset but rest assured we will still be able to stop whatever they are planning. And judging by another few thousands of credits worth of transaction history, they're still on-station. Albeit with a large amount of hazardous materials on order.”

A: “And this purchase is where exactly?”

I: “A central fab factory notably close to our lovely detention center.”

A: “Ah perfect, a wonderful complement to our equally lovely stay at your detention center.” The agent sarcastically spat “And given how long ago the purchase was placed, they're likely long gone.”

I: “Not so, my good man. They don't work immediately and the job likely won't finish for another few hours.”

A: “So are you suggesting we sit around here and wait in hope they come back?”

I: “You got a better idea? You're the one so invested in catching them on the pretense of violent criminal activity and fraud.”

A: “Suspected with high probability, and given their most recent purchase history, high cause for alarm.”

I: “And I need to be here with you for what purpose?”

A: “2 reasons: After I finish catching, you will be needed for investigating. Ya know, like your job title. Find out the source of fund flow in your neck of the metal woods. Also you're far more in tune with the station having spent far more time working up here. Your community awareness is invaluable.”

I: “Lets just hurry up and get this over with, this single investigation has been one of the most cumbersome.”

Just then more near-vicinity transactions began coming through.

I: “We have a live feed of them, why not just interject now?”

A: “We still have no drone support, and this may be a psyop to get us to leave post.”

I: “You can't be serious, can you?”

A: “They've added explosives into the equation, a failure to catch them leading to harm or death, and neither of us will ever live it down. We're staying here.”

---

It was an absolute treat shuffling throughout the nearby station, seeing how 'the life' in space, and its day-to-day activity plays out. Some things never seem to change, save for not having the sky overhead and the other factors from having an 'outside.' But as far as life goes: Big shops, small shops, public spaces, travel paths, cathedral scale ceilings and beyond! Mostly normal stuff, up until you're reminded this is a multi-species shared space with the crowd to boot.

H: “It is kinda neat everything they have up here. It really is just a city in all directions. State parks included!”

|“It really is an experience, I think one day you should try it out long-term.”|

H: “I really don't want to give up where I live. The nature around back home is peaceful in a way I don't think this will ever be.” he said gesturing around

|“Lots of different ways to find peace around here, but I'd be inclined to agree.”|

H: “I think I could probably finally begin eating again, if we wanted to quick grab a snack.”

|“Good few restaurants around.”|

H: “Don't need that much; a small, easy snack will do.”

J: “Would any store with the impulse section or a vending machine do you fine?”

H: “Probably, a honey bun or something. That'd be good.”

While stopping by a vending machine in the plaza square and grabbing a cinnamon swirl honey bun, the trio noticed a deflated heap of scales and sadness sitting just outside a retro replica game store, giving off the thousand yard stare with his head resting on the floor. The store itself would be interesting enough to warrent a visit but the pile of python wimpering to the side was tugging just a little too hard at their heartstrings.

Walking up cautiously at first, Henry began: “Hey is something the matter?”

H: “Hey now, chin up. Lets talk about it.”

The Jornissian turned his head slightly to refocus on the subject trying to get his attention and was slightly surprised at first when a human stranger of all things is the one talking, but he remained apathetic.

H: “Nonesense, if nothing else talking about it usually helps.”

The Jornissian looked like he wanted to resist for a moment, before finally letting out a lenghty breath.

H: “Scammed?”

H: “Oh that's never fun. How bad did they get you?”

H: “Surely its not that bad right? I mean you think they could understand that and let you in if you talked to em?”

H: “So the plan is to sit here then?”

This took Henry a bit by surprise, this certainly looked like a fit, agile snake. Depression can be a hell of a drug though.

H: “Hmm, what if we tackle this from a different angle. You said your bank account got siphoned.”

he responded not entirely following

H: “Has your account been resecured? Are you still in control of it?”

he said, continuing to deflate further

H: “Can you pull up your bank account quick?”

At first the snake was suspicious, if only just for a second. It quickly faded as he remembered his situation.

He then took a deep inhale

With a quick few mental commands, he willed a projection from his smart wristwatch to show his banking statement

Henry leaned in, now right next to the Jornissian to take a look at the small holographic display, taking note of a few important details; He pulled out his own phone and banking app to be ready, and copied the routing number from the wrist watch display to his clipboard before moving back to the wristwatch display again.

H: “Can you show me the transaction that wiped you dry?”

With another mental command, the Jornissian willed his sad statement to the screen, showing a transaction of 5837.20GRC paid to an un-named off-shore (station?) account, leaving his balance at exactly 0.

Henry did a small few descrete taps to his phone out of view of the Jornissian and then slid his phone back away into his pocket before continuing: “Yep, that's certainly something. Could you go back a screen again?”

He complied and immediately did a tripletake of what he was seeing.

H: “Hi, my name is Henry. And I made it happen with ~magic~”

Quickly, Henry was pulled into a hug of coil and arm a little bit tighter than he would've preferred.

H: “I was blessed incredibly... I'm just... paying it forward” he wheezed out

|“Aww, that's downright precious.”| he gushed

J: “You can't afford to see people sad, can you?”

H: “I can't afford a lot of things right now. Like moving or free will.” he said as the grip was loosening enough to allow normal breathing again

H: “I've got no idea on any of that, just matched back to you what was lost is all.”

he said before more thouroughly investigating his most recent banking statement he said in utter shock

H: “Like I said, paying it forward.”

H: “Not happening, said it before I'm paying it forward. Plum behind me is the real person to thank here. He thought fit to give us a wackload of money just out of the blue and it sounds like you're more in need of a pinch of it than I am the whole load.”

The Jornissian's gaze shifted to the now bashful Karnakian just a pair of paces away. |“No definitely thank Henry too, he's quite generous with it I must say.”|

H: “Well, if I recall right you said you were going to go win or something back in the arcade, yea?”

The Jornissian winced a little in cringe at it being described so bluntly As he let Henry go and quickly made his leave back into the arcade.

H: “And here I thought I had internet addiction bad.” he said with a chuckle

J: “Oh you got something bad alright.”

---

I: “Another particularly large transaction has been added into the mix. And this one a direct wire transfer into a non-commercial account.”

A: “Pulling another account into the mix? This amature might have gotten somewhere if his account weren't actively being reviewed. Send me the information, I'll extrapolate further detail from there.”

I: “Done, I can't wait for this case to be over. Or dismissed. Or declared not a risk to the public. It's been horrible and stupid the whole way through. Please let this pull up nothing.”

A: After a long drawn out sigh “Why... Why is it... that there's an almost immediately proceeding transaction to a vector infamous for fraud? God damn it!”

I: “No.”

A: “Pain.”

I: “I don't want to investigate anymore.”

A: “Agony, even.”

I: “I'm calling in sick effective immediately. You're on your own.”

A: “That's in malice and you know it. Even though I don't blame you, you can't just walk out on me like that! We've just got even more confirmation it needs stopping.”

I: “I have full faith in you to do so, I'll help stop it once I've gotten over this surprise sickness.”

A: “And when will that be, pray tell?”

After checking his watch, calendar, and available PTO, I: “I'm planning on being better the third of August. See you then.”

---

As the day progressed with walking around the city square, the number or breaks they were needing to take to 'take a breather,' as Judy put it was starting to inconvenience Plum. Given the route around town they were trekking, initially they would have no issue being back before late, but as their pace was getting slower, that outlook was turning more bleak by the minute.

|“Your legs getting tired?”| Plum said to Judy

J: “A bit, I'm not as young as I used to be, and hills or stairs really do a number on me.”

|“Alright, up you go, we do have a destination we have to get back to eventually you know.”|

J: “You are not carrying me bridal style again. Especially not everywhere out in public.”

|“Well you'll have to get up some other way then.”|

J: “We can just arrive there later.”

|“We'll get there in no time flat, we're not arriving tomorrow. Time for uppies. Don't worry I'll help you with it, it'll be fun!”|

J: “Hey! This is not what I had in mind!” she protested as Plum grabbed her and lowered his head so he could mount her on his upper back. There she now sat, arms wrapped around his neck and moving the fluff of feathers in her face. “Please set me down.”

|“Oh believe me I will, Henry if you don't want to end up there too, you'll need to follow allong. We have a destination to get back to.”|

H: “I got my runnin shoes on today, shouldn't be an issue.”

J: “Well fine then. Onwards I guess.. Mush.” she said sarcastically

And as their pace quickened with Plum's greater strides, Henry was finally getting put to work trying to keep up.

H: “Now we're making progress. How much further is it around the block?”

|“At this rate we're probably a good half-hour from the destination.”|

J: “Oh over there's a really pretty dress in that store. We gotta stop, haven't seen something like that back home.”

|“For this, I'll make an exception”|

---

When they got back to the print farm, they noticed a disheavled but very well dressed looking man sitting on the curb just outside, snoozing. Thinking nothing of this, they proceeded inside to collect their wares, now with Henry also on Plum's back.

|“I got the notice about an hour ago that the order was done, sorry to make you wait but we just got back into the area.”|

|“Oh thank you for the advice, I'll have to remember if I ever need something to be sure its done before the last possible day. Not surprised on that in the least.”|

|“Thank you, and you do the same!”| Plum said as he opened the door and departed, doing so jolted the guy back awake who immediately went to stand in their way.

A: “Stop right where you are!”

Plum was a little bit startled and tilted back, much to the inconvenience of his back passengers.

|“Is something the matter? How can I help you sir?”|

A: “You're under arrest effective immediately, do not resist and stay where you're standing.”

H: “Sir gona need you to calm down. You need to be committing an offence to be arrested.”

A: “Shut the hell up and get off the damn bird this instant!”

|“That's quite rude. I don't much like your tone of voice”|

A: “And just who do you think you are, wise guy? I got half a mind to lock you up on accompanying or helping a fugitive.”

|“I'm Plum and I can assure you I have harbored no criminal activity or other nefarious schemes. Now if you'll excuse me I have places to be that don't involve a pushy impersonation of law enforcement.”|

A: “Now hold on just a second I'm a planet-side federal agent and I won't be dismissed by some red-head feather-brained prick who thinks he's above paying his taxes.”

|“Alright I've heard enough, not only do I whole-heart believe you've got the wrong Karnakian on just that description alone, I believe even if you somehow are law enforcement that your conduct is horrendous and you should leave the force.”|

J: “Yea, you tell him Plum.”

With that Plum started to leave, handing back Henry the sack of explosives and carefully stepping around the abrasive little-needs-protecting. As he was leaving, the man pulled out a consealed pistol and levelled it at Plum.

A: “I'm not telling you again, you're all considered a danger and one more step further is an invitation for me to deal with you as such.”

H: “Plum book it, he's got a gun!” he shouted

|“Huh?”| Plum went, turning slightly to catch the man in his peripheral before he both heard a loud bang and felt a spike of pain in his left flank |“OW!”| he exclaimed as he started running away from the manic individual who thought firing at a target laiden with multiple little-needs-protectings and explosives was anywhere in the same universe as acceptable.

|“What a horrible little creature! Hang on tight!”|

J: “I'm calling the police! Keep us moving!”

Henry, for his part, reached into the baggage and grabbed a lighter and some smoke bombs: “I'm giving us cover, he's still running at us but you've got speed on him for sure.” he said as he released 4 multi-color smoke bombs in the middle of a 4-way intersection, putting a wall of clown themed coverage between the parties.

As they were approaching their vehicle, Henry felt his leg get wet and looking down noticed a small stream of purple wetting the pants leg and leaving behind a faint trail as they were moving along.

H: “Plum you're hurt!”

|“I'll be fine. I can treat it once we're back home.”|

H: “He shot you! That cunt had murderous intent!”

|“I know, I'm hoping he spends a good long time-out here. Oh no, I'll make a mess on the driver's seat. Ugh, another problem for another time.”| he said as they came to a stop, quickly getting Henry and Judy off of him and into the car

J: “You sure about skipping the hospital? I know you're a bit bigger than we are but a bullet is still a bullet.”

|“It won't be a severe wound, I'll manage for now. On the way home maybe.”|

J: “That's good, don't put your life in danger.”

|“I'm a long ways to go from dying. We're heading back home now.”|

As they were leaving, Plum noticed out the rear view a vehicle with a familiarly shaped silhouette was hot on their tail. |“He just won't leave us alone, will he?”| he said, starting to get anxious

J: “Oh when are the police going to get here?!” she said, starting to panick

H: “If I remember right, this car has a port to launch our fireworks from, right?”

|“Yes, it has a means for deployment. It's a launch tube under a pull-up hatch right in front of the passenger couch. Why do you ask?”|

H: “I'm going to see if we can shake him, is there a console to aim with?”

|“This is getting dangerous but I'm not sure what else to do. Aim with the broad view window's touch terminal. With him in a space craft he is actually a legitimate danger to himself and us.”|

H: “Got it, loading ordinance!” he proclaimed as he grabbed a handful of lower yield morters. As he blasted off the shells at the incoming agent, they exploded around in a dazzling display of multi-color beauty in multiple places around the target. A few ended hitting the enemy craft and harmlessly bursting on the hull or viewport, severely distorting the normal starburst pattern of their bretherin bursting in the vacuum of space. They continued on repeating this process until the tube was emptied of the pile of morters.

H: “Nothing we're doing is working, he's still following us!”

|“Do you have anything bigger you can throw at him?”|

H: “Yea I see something. Ugh, Mom help me with this one, it's got the heft!” he said as he located the finale morter.

With some collective effort, they loaded the 50kg shell into the launch tube, closed up the hatch and made sure to be more careful with their aim on this one. As the agent's craft was getting closer, Henry could see the whites of the agent's eyes as he tailgated them with manic glee and at that point he hit the release and launched the shell. The target, twinkling as it departed from the rear of their vessel flew true and detonated right into the nose of the agent's vehicle. The explosion was blindingly bright at first before turning into multi-tiered ball and breaking into 3 more projectiles that then exploded in the rough shape of a big red bird in the middle with yellow human shaped stick figures on either side. The first explosion that slammed into the front of the agent's craft sent him off-course and continuing off a tangent from the path Plum was taking. All the while the police drones, attracted to the unsanctioned explosions near the space station, apprehended the rogue craft and began pulling it back into the station. But just as they thought they were in the clear, their craft was also hailed and informed to stop.

“STOP YOUR VEHICLE AND DO NOT RESIST”

Plum replied in radio back to the drones |“Yes sir”| before stopping the craft and the transmission |“Bummer that I was hoping to get home, and to also save that finale surprise for later. I didn't even get to see it.”| he complained as the others gathered around to comfort him.

H: “It was beautiful, quite a sight to behold and it ended up saving our behinds.”

J: “Yea, we can maybe sit through another wait at the printers or light up another some time later. It was a really pretty firework all things considered.”

At that point, another request to hail came in. Plum answered: {“Greetings, that was quite the show you put on”}

|“Thank you officer, are we in any trouble?”|

{“Do you have a Miss Judy on-board with you?”}

J: “Yep I'm here.”

{“Very good, so then yours was the craft that was being chased by a crazed gunman.”}

J: “Yes, also if you have any medical supplies or medical professionals with you, they'd be greatly appreciated. My good friend Plum here was shot and needs help.”

{“Oh dear, we do have a medical drone, do we have your permission to board?”}

|“Be my guest and go right ahead.”|

With that, the big Dorarizin police officer lady boarded along side a medical drone to find exactly what he was expecting and with no hostilities: An injured and bleeding Karnakian with 2 tiny chompers at his side. Definitely not the mix of smells she'd prefer to find in front of her, between the smells of violance and tiny chomper, it's a good thing she'd had extensive training, otherwise all 3 may end up bundled up in a maximum security daycare and coddled till they're completely healthy.

{“Can I have you stand up for a second, I'd recommend grabbing and holding onto this carbon steel ball for a second, the medic will be extracting the bullet as painlessly as it can manage but they're never pleasant to get out”}

|“Thank you officer, I can't say I've ever been shot before. New experiences around the table.”|

{“Yea, and hopefully it'll never be able to happen again. Alright, this will only hurt for a bit”} she said as the drone dug into the bullet wound and extracted the shot within 2 seconds flat. Plum screeched in surprise and pain as he was gripping the high-density ball with all his might till the very end, when the bandaging was starting to be applied. Quick deep breathing slowly settling back down to normal.

|“Wow! That was miserable, I hope to never have to go through that again.”|

H: “You all good there buddy? When we get back we can try some icecream or similar caliber of snack or treat to feel better.”

|“I might... Just... really appreciate that.”| he said, forcing a grin |“Or maybe another hug or cuddle? From a friend?”|

H: “I can work with that.”

{“Aww, that's sweet. And while I can sympathize, I also need an official statement, what happened and why was he chasing you?”}

As they continued and concluded on their discussion, the officer wrote their report and departed, leaving them to continue their journey back home and a statement they'd try and find out what the other guy's problem was.

---

J: “Home sweet home away from home how I missed thee. I went to go look up post-op treatment for abdominal wounds and think you should try and recline if at all possible. We'll take care of you in the meantime.”

|“How sweet of you! It's not soo bad. Oh! Ow. It's a little bad.”|

J: “Not a good idea to turn or gesture to the right like that for now. Here, we can try and help you get settled.”

|“I do have my handy assistant drone on the ready, I shouldn't use you or Henry like an actual load-bearing crutch for risk of hurting you.”|

H: “Oh yea, he can help too.” he said as he noticed the drone was already on its way to act as a walking aid to help Plum in laying down on his couch.

H: “If I do sit with you, I'm thinking right side. Wouldn't want to stain my pants legs any more.”

|“Oh I did do that! I'm so sorry! I'll gather a replacement-”|

H: “Don't worry about that in the slightest. Worst case scenario I have other pants. For now you worry about you and we can do the worrying.” he said as he went to go sit at Plum's right and lean into him again.

|“I... You really are precious.”|

H: “And you really are a big softie. Literally.” he said jokingly

J: “Well, today was quite the exciting day I'll give you that much. But I'm thinking its about time I'd better head to bed, otherwise I'll have no chance at waking up for breakfast tomorrow.”

|“Alrighty see you tomorrow!”| he called after her as she departed into her room

H: “Are you completely sure it doesn't hurt to have me here? I can move, it isn't that big an issue for me to go to my room as well.”

|“At my right side it's not an issue. I couldn't even begin to imagine what that guy's problem was but I'll bet he's going through some hard times. I don't think I'll bother trying to pursue anything further because truth be told I'll be just fine. I'm glad you weren't hit, that could've taken a much worse turn.”|

H: “You could say that again.” he said with a yawn

'Such an adorable little gesture.' |“Yep, you've got me tired as well, heh.”| he said pulling a feathered arm over Henry |“Even though our firework show was ruined, I still can't wait for tomorrow.”|

H: “Oh I'm sure we'll manage, I'll see you then.” he said as he drifted off to slumber

|“I will see you then.”| he finished, before also laying his head back to rest.

---

*Thud thud thud

The both of them on the couch awoke to the sound of door knocking. |“That's strange, I wasn't expecting any mail or visitors.”|

H: “I can get it for you.” he said still with the sleep in his eyes and quite tired.

Upon opening the door, two unsettlingly familiar subjects were on the other side, the officer who took Plum's statement with a very remorseful aura to her, and the crazy person who had chased and shot at them yesterday. Seeing this quickly woke Henry back up to full speed.

H: “Oh uh. Have you brought him here to apologize or something?”

{“No actually I must apologize back to you, I'll need you to come with me. You are under arrest.”} the Dorarizin officer stated

A: “As I'd mentioned before I am an officer as well, and you're being subject to an investigation and further charges of tax evasion, grand-theft auto, resisting arrest, discharging weaponary at an officer, obstruction of justice, and money laundering.”

Henry glanced back at Plum as he felt icy chills start yanking at his stomach. “Plum, I think I'll need your help!”

|“I'm sure there has been numerous mistakes, we'll be happy to sit down and discuss this-”|

{“I'm terribly sorry but I can't allow that to happen here. Henry will be coming with us now and we can sort all of that out at the station. Please come with me.”}

H: “There has been a mistake, we'll get it resolved. Finish getting ready and getting Mom ready and I'll meet you there.” he said as he went to follow closely to the Dorarizin, making sure to keep as much distance as he was allowed from the agent.

H: “Why didn't you just come to find us this way in the first place?”

A: “I suggest you use your right to remain silent, I don't want to hear a single peep from you.”

Henry took the suggestion to heart and complied, allowing the Dorarizin to escourt him into the back of their version of the local cruiser.

---

There Henry sat, contimplating many things while still in his cell. A modest size box of iron bars in a room. More of a symbolic gesture intended specifically for Humans as detaining any of the other alien species in such a box would be akin to holding Henry up with a well made pillow fort. All the while the questions swirled around in his head: When would this be figured out? How would Henry prove his innocense? Why weren't there any snacks available where he was being held? All questions that pose a threat to his wellbeing. After what seemed like it could've easily been an hour, Henry heard shuffling and talking muffled behind the door leading out of his room. Familiar sounding voices. Friendly voices. And after not too long, the door to his room opened up letting in Plum and Judy.

J: “So as it turns out, Plum's 'gifts' of multiple times past put you on a watchlist.”

H: “I figured it'd be more where the money goes than where it comes from that does that.”

J: “It does it faster, you've been on the list for years because Plum's amounts have always been high enough to upset the taxman, which is more or less what officer asshat is.”

H: “I see, so now what? I get audited?”

J: “Yea, you still got a bunch of cash so whatever is owed in backtax shouldn't be a problem. What I'm more worried about is whether or not they'll be able to have other charges stick. There were some pretty steep fines on those heafty alleges from Alex, and he may well fight to keep em sticking.”

|“Between him being an officer out of uniform during the arrest, probable self defence, and him discharging a round into me, I may be able to help with that and scare him off though. I would ideally need to grab a lawyer first.”|

H: “I really appreciate it, you've all come through more than you could know before-”

Henry was interrupted by the entry to his cell opening again with agent Alex stepping in: “What are you both doing here, he's not allowed visitors?”

J: “I'm his own damn mother, what do you mean no visits?”

Alex immediately went on the hostile, unholstering his sidearm again but only moving it towards their general direction: “He's still considered a danger to public safety so for now that means no visitors. Both of you. Out.” he ordered

|“No you've made a big mistake-”|

A: “I've made a mistake? I'll show you what a real mistake looks like if you don't comply”

|“Absolutely not! You've attempted an arrest, conducted multiple counts of reckless driving and public endangerment, negligent firearm practices and have gone even as far as to negligently discharge your firearm into a civilian who had every right to rip your head off in self defense. A right I re-iterate is still perfectly legal for me to do now in accordance with local law. Something you clearly know nothing of.”|

A: “On behalf of the agency that has sent me I enforce the laws of my land-”

|“You enforce nothing here. You have no jurisdiction here. You're even violating detainment laws while here by attempting to prevent visitations without a presented and locally notorized statement allowing you to do so! In fact, because of your negligence, I needed medical care and a therapy session from my business partner Henry, whome you have wrongfully detained on the grounds of charges you entrapped him to committing as a form of self-defense. And lastly; I fully intend to seek reparations for your wholly unsanctioned assault with a deadly weapon from an unmarked forign officer overreaching his bounds!”|

A: “Alright big guy calm down for just a sec.”

|“I shall do no such thing. Put your gun away and I'll see to it with our officer who escourted you here that you'll also be detained until this mess is sorted out.”|

A: “Wait just one second, don't step any further. We'll talk for a little bit and then you'll both leave.” he said, gun grip faultering and lowering as Plum took a step in his direction

|“Oh I'm leaving but only momentarily. I think we'll need an additional officer to do the monitoring. After all, you'll have time to spend thinking about your actions while locked up beside Henry.”| he said as he continued towards the exit

A: “No, stay exactly where you are and that's an order!” he yelled while starting to shake, gun still lowered to the floor to not be pointing directly at anyone.

Plum briefly did a doubletake before scowling in disappointment and continuing on his way.

A: “STOP!” he yelled, and was immediately followed by another bang, startling even himself. He'd had his finger on the trigger, the call of the gun slowly pulling his grip further without him having even noticed until he'd finally bottomed out the trigger and discharged again. At first he staired down in disbelief before looking up, first to a singe mark on the metal floor, then to a wide-eyed Henry sporting an increasing-in-size red stain on his chest.

Plum heard the bang and immediately turned back around, noticing Henry's regular nebula of sparkles faultered and flickered. It took all of that instant to zero in focus on Henry to notice he now had a matching injury on his chest, only in his case as Plum was intimately aware, was far more dangerous to his well being. He stood stock still, mentally stalled before Henry spoke up: “I... *cough* I need help.”

Plum immediately rushed forward, first swiping the gun out of the agent's hands in the blink of an eye, followed by ripping the metal bars open and two-hand picking Henry up bridal style, and then leaving by kicking the entry door out of the way and rushing to the nearest officer, who happened to be the Dorarizin from earlier, who was initially confused before immensely concerned once the metallic smell from the tiny-chomper hit her nose.

|“We need a medic immediately, how fast can we get one here or how close is the nearest hospital”|

{“Med drone is out with another officer on another sweep, about 3 blocks down is an emergency room urgent care. They're smaller than a full medical center but should be able to-”} she didn't get to finish before Plum rushed towards the doorway. In the meantime the agent from earlier managed to exit the room: “Wait, if you take him out now, that's further obstruction of justice!”

{“He's hurt and dying, he needs to go now!”} the officer yelled

Plum didn't bother sticking around, opting instead to leave, sprinting with Henry in-hand. Any door in his path being kicked open due to precious cargo in his arms until finally blasting out from the front door of the police station.

H: “Plum I'm -cough- scared.” he wheezed, noticing specs of blood from his cough on his hand. This was bad, this meant his lung was indeed hit and fluids were seeping into his chest cavity.

|“I'm scared too, but make me a promise that you'll stay with me, and it'll be alright.”| by now Plum full-sprinting had attracted the ire of security drones, but with Henry still in his hands they, they were unable to further apprehend or detain Plum for risk of further injuring Henry.

All the while Plum was booking it to the nearest miniaturized medical center at around 60mph, a speed sure to plow through and evicerate any other humans he might stumble through, had it not been for quickly maneuvering out of every inbound obsticle with quick and exceedingly careful precision. In no time flat, the front door met them and Plum not stopping for the briefest of moments proceeded to kick that door in as well upon seeing no one was immediately behind the glass barrier. |“I need help and its an emergency! My friend is dying!”|

The front patient access specialist came quickly to greet them: “Oh I'm sure it's not that- Oh!” she exclaimed once she saw exactly what, or rather whom Plum was carrying and the now large and deep red stain on his chest. She ran back in through the door behind the waiting area into the larger interconnected cooridor hall and started yelling. “I NEED A NURSE AND DOCTOR OUT FRONT NOW! PUNCTURE WOUND EMERGENCY AND ITS STILL WIDE OPEN” Plum and Henry could hear from behind the door. A short moment later, a group of scrub-wearing staff came to greet them with a wheeled stretcher and had Plum place Henry on it as soon as it left the door. “Alright we need pressure on the wound now. You! What are we dealing with?” A much older lady ordered in Plum's direction. |“Gunshot wound, bullet to the chest”|

“We'll need to get that out, are any of our OR beds free?”

“One open, two total.”

“Perfect, get him there now. What's your name?” she said again gesturing to Plum

|“Please call me Plum”| he said as they moved the roller back behind waiting room door and back into the cooridor

“Follow them. Do you know his blood-type?”

|“Right! I uh-”|

The older nurse cut him off “We'll worry about that later. Nurse Jenny see how quickly we can get a surgeon and CRNA here. Or if we need to, ambulance him to the central medical center.”

“I'm on it.” she called before paging the OR team.

“Very good, I needed that wound dressed 5 minutes ago” she said as she grabbed a knife, gauze, and a towel from under the stretcher. Taking no time to slice through Henry's now very ruined shirt, she then gauzed the wound before placing the towel bundle on top and shoving her elbow over the top of the towel to maximize leverage onto the wound. Henry wailed in agony, coughing a contrasting red mist against the blue fabric of the woman's sleeve and shoulder scrub. “I know it hurts like hell, the bleeding needs to be stopped immediately.”

“We've got a CRNA but the surgeon is still tied up. One medsurg nurse on standby as well.”

“That's something I can work with.” she said as they rolled Henry into another room, Plum standing there dumbfounded as the bustling chaotic activity seemed to still have things under control. That was, until he heard a voice behind him “Follow them! But stay out of their way. You can help by answering questions.”

|“Oh! Right! Yes ma'am.”| he said as he proceeded into the room. As things were happening so fast, he hadn't had the time to process everything before him till just now. First and foremost this is a wholely little-needs-protecting operated medical center so far. It makes sense as this is one of their general public sectors. Second, they were all dressed the same as far as he could tell so chain of command was anyone's guess unless you had the time to spend reading their very small chest-mounted name badge. Lastly, this seemed like a pretty well equip facility for being called 'small.' Plum was once again knocked out of his revere by further questioning.

“Hey are you familiar with any of his friends or relatives? People we could get in touch with?”

|“I can call his mother right now and I'm sure she's already on the way. I'd like to call myself a close friend too if that helps.”|

“It does, once you have her on the line, let her know exactly where we are. Also come and gently grab Henry's hand please.”

Plum complied and walked over, noticing Henry was now gritting his teeth, seething at the pain of still having the pressure still placed on his wound. Plum slowly raised his hand but stopped as Henry in a quick blur went to grab and squeeze one of his talons as an outlet to the pain. At that a point the CRNA, a gentle sounding guy, walked in with a drip bag, some tubing and a needle.

“You're almost out of the worst of it, you're doing great.” the gentleman said, walking up to Henry's side and rubbing an alcohol pad on the arm Henry was using to hold Plum's hand. After the rub he pricked the tubed needle into the arm's vein and fastened the bag to a tall rolling stick.

Henry acknowledged the guy with a grunt

“Alright now in just a little bit I'm going to open the valve and I want you to count to ten for me. By the time you're finished counting, you'll be waking up in a MedSurg bed and will have Plum here and your mother by your side.” he said

|“You'll be fine”| Plum reassured

“Are you ready?”

“Mmm hm. One” he started, on queue the CRNA twisted the tube valve “two three” and Henry felt a cool sensation working up his arm “four” the sensation was almost as if he had a strange cold liquid dripping onto his skin, but flowing against the pull of gravity, a stream up his arm and to his shoulder and pectoral area “five siiiiii-...” and like that from Plum's perspective, Henry's eyes glossed over and lost focus, the tension in his body releasing and he went completely limp.

---

H: “six sev- wait what?” he said as he noticed it'd been like he teleported. The activity around him had vanished in the timeframe he'd taken in counting. As did the bright white operating room ceiling and lights he was getting accustomed to looking at. Replaced instead with a flat ceiling illuminated instead by warmer hued lamps at his bedside tables. The pain was also muted. As he looked back down to the more 'living space' themed room and bedding he now found himself in, he caught sight of some thankfully familiar faces.

J: “You're finally awake, you've been in a coma for 2 years!”

|“But it's only been two hours since they first administered the anesthesia?”| Plum said looking at her incredulously

J: “Oh you're such a killjoy.”

|“Surely him surviving is a joyous event.”|

J: “Yea, never mind. You wouldn't get it.” she said with a smirk

|“Right... Oh by the way, try not to move around too much for now. Your wound is held shut literally by thread and needle.”|

H: “Wha?” he said still coming to terms with what happened “So it's over then? I'm in the clear? I thought I might actually die.”

|“Funny that you mention that. As it turns out, if I had left you in the cell until emergency medical services arrived like that agent was demanding of us, you probably would be dead. He's still at the police station in custody by the way.”|

J: “Also on that note, while you were under, a lot has been happening as far as clearing your name goes. The lovely dog down at the police station snagged the snake you donated to yesterday and he vouched for you from whatever fraud Alex was trying to affiliate you with there. The rental company had full up-to-date documents on the corvette and everything is good there, though they weren't too thrilled to hear about Alex trying to damage it. The spirits store confirmed no underhanded deals were conducted some few days ago. Needless to say a good police dog knows how to sniff out clues. Even if she's bigger than your average gorilla.”

H: “You actually did save my life! For real! I really would be dead without you! And everything is all fixed then? I'm in the clear?” he said with high hopes

J: “Well not quite. Plum's donations both past and present were a tax code violation for where we live. You weren't declared a business asset to Plum or some other nonesense and didn't drop a cent of that towards income tax, so we'll need to cut the vacation short and straighten that up asap.”

H: “Oh...” he said as he deflated back into his bed

|“But that's not for another day. It's still a holiday, it's only noon, and we have the whole day ahead of us. I don't think you'll be going swimming but I got the barbeque supplies and was able to call in another order of the 50kg morter we have yesterday since they had the schematic on file. We'll just need to pick that up on the way back. This time I won't miss it, and I'll be side by side with you, and also not with a shuttle driving through it, ruining the show.”|

H: “Thanks guys, you really know how to make a trip something special. That reminds me, when's the next one.”

|“Well after you get your stuff official so I'm no longer breaking laws in a land I'm not even a part of, it'll have to be more often. I'm thinking 4 months from now?”

J: “And just when were you going to tell me that?” she said still quite amused

|“Sooner or later. Anyways, we got a day left and no time to spare; lets get your after-visit-summary and get on out of here. Judy you're still allowed to ride on my back but Henry gets the front seat.”| he said as he gently went to help him into a wheelchair, and they set off, back to resume their now completely legally sanctioned adventure.