It didn't take Core long to find The Wavering Confession, even though it was mostly covered in leaves. It was tucked away under some bushes, but its bright color made it stand out from the dark greens and browns of the forest.

It was harder to notice the men who walked around its exterior. They wore camouflage and were thinly spread out, like a line of ants. She probably would've missed them if it wasn't for Rick's instructions. As she noticed the tiny men, they noticed her, and she watched in horror as they scurried for protection within the stranded crawler.

"My name is Core! I'm here to help. Please don't be afraid." Core said. She slowly dropped to her knees and placed her forehead on the ground in a calculated attempt to seem humble and nonthreatening. She held her bow until she felt bold enough to sit up and examine the crawler again.

This time, she saw only one man and she spoke to him.

"Rick sent me to help. I was the one who crippled your ship. I am going to restore your systems now."

Core closed her eyes and powered down her camping field, a powerful field of energy she could emit from her body. Like its name suggested, she used it to keep other Kaiju away from her camp.

But upon meeting Rick, she also learned that it had inadvertently stranded The Wavering Confession and its crew.

When Core opened her eyes, the world hadn't changed much at all. The crawler was still lifeless and she was still on her knees, which had been happening a lot.

Her anxiety grew as she watched the crawler, hoping it would do something. She just wanted a comfy camp; she didn't think it would come to this!

Thankfully, the spikes on The Wavering Confesssion's back started moving grotesquely, like a caterpillar trying to scratch its back. Core thought it looked kind of gross, but she was also fascinated by the alien technology. Then she remembered the last and most important of Rick's instructions.

"Rick wants to come back in a KRV, so if you could lend me one I would appreciate it." Core said.

Core noticed movement and saw two KRVs emerge from somewhere behind the crawler. They were colored a bright red and though they were small enough to hold in one hand, Core also knew that they were big enough to hold Rick and his men. This realization both delighted and terrified her.

Although she was tempted to wave at the KRVs' drivers, she stayed still, only daring to stand once the drivers had safely escaped to the safety of The Wavering Confession.

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The KRV at her feet was beautiful, like a jewel, but she didn't give herself permission to admire it. Instead, she picked it up gently and held it to her chest and looked back the way she had come.

...

As Core came upon her camp, her excitement filled to full capacity. Rick was waiting just beyond the trees, and in a moment, she could see him again!

She edged her way to edge of the forest, and looked upon her camp. There was a new message scratched into the dirt, and she read it carefully, determined to carry out its instructions for Rick's sake.

She had already noticed his presence, and could see him standing patiently, crowned by a mane of black hair that trailed down his back. He was staring up at her along with his men, and though his gaze filled her with confidence, she also knew the terrible power of her own body.

She was human but she was also more than human. Her parents had raised her somewhere far away, and back then, she was no taller than Rick. In fact, she was a child who would've looked completely at home riding upon his broad shoulders.

To Core, placing the KRV on the ground was a trifling task, yet as she moved to do so, she slowed every movement in her body until it looked like she was swimming through glass.

And even after the KRV rested on the ground, she still held onto it for a long moment before she let it slip from her fingers.

Once her task was finished, she breathed deeply in satisfaction and sat down, finally giving her body permission to relax.

Core's golden eyes focused on Rick and his men. They boarded the KRV quickly, though Rick was last in line. Core waited expectantly for several minutes, and her face brightened when she heard a man's voice, deep and rich and full of an emotion she thought was amusement.

Though she had never heard Rick's voice, she knew it had to be him.

"Can you hear me?"

"Rick! I can hear you!" "Excellent! How are you doing?"

"Good. How are you doing?"

"I'm excited to talk to you. It's been quite a struggle, hasn't it?"

"Yeah. I can't believe you made a smiling face. It was so funny! I thought I was going crazy."

"Why is that? Smiley faces are universal."

"It's not that! I just haven't seen anyone in a long time. But I knew someone was out there. You were out there, Rick!" Core said. She turned her gaze to the forest though she didn't want to look at anything in particular. "What is your home like?"

"I could describe it, but you will see it soon. I want it to surprise you."

"Hey, are you hungry? I have some dried meat or I could catch a fish."

Rick laughed, a deep and pleasant rumble. "I appreciate the sentiment, but we're well-stocked in here. In fact, my men have already prepared a meal. Would you like to share it with us? In my country, that is how people cement their friendship."

"Sure, I'm well-stocked too." Core patted an array of leather pouches on her waist. Most were bulging.

"We have another custom in my country. Do you know what it is?"

"A trade? My dad and I used to do that."

"We reflect about something good before we eat. It helps us stay grateful and discourages whining. In my case, I'm going to think about your charming cowlick."

"My what?"

"It looks like there is an onion sprout growing from your head. It suits you."

"Awesome!" Core beamed. She knew her hair was a vibrant shade of white thanks to the countless times she'd seen her reflection in streams and rivers, but this was the first time anyone had complimented her on it, and it was Rick!

"Let me know when you're ready. Then close your eyes."