I headed toward the entrance to the drop ship and entered the main room. The lights that hung from the ceiling were brighter than before and the sound of chatter filled the space. Mars and a few miners sat on the floor near the fire, talking quietly. David sat at the table next to Sang, who was white as a ghost, but she was upright and sipping on something. Her eyes flickered at me and she smiled a little, yet her hands trembled around the wooden cup.

I waved and stopped by the table. “Good to see you upright.”

“Glad I put a few stat points in Constitution,” she said softly, steading her hands.

I pulled out her knife and inventory crystal. The knife she took but she pushed the inventory crystal back to me. “Keep it. I’ll make another, once I’m feeling better.”

I shrugged, not arguing. “Well, I’m going to shower and then get some food before helping John.” The inventory crystal I'd give to my father, it'd make a great I survived in the jungle gift. Something to soften his ire.

“I plan on sleeping more once I finish this.” She motioned to the wooden cup. "Hopefully recover some more before we leave."

David frowned. “Sleep will do you some good. I know we didn’t get all of the barbs, so we’ll need to see if any are trying to push out of your leg.”

Sang rolled her eyes and sipped on her cup, looking more like she had before she'd gotten attacked.

I walked toward the location of the showers, but I peeked into the first bunk room to see how many people were inside. It was full, with 6 miners snoring away, yet the second bunk room sat empty with the door wide open. I kept going to the showers. They were blissfully empty, which made sense with who had been sitting in the common room and those sleeping. More hot water for me.

It didn’t take long to get clean, using up all the hot water there was, and then dressed in my spare set of clothing. Feeling completely clean was marvelous. Everything from my feet to my hair was clean, for the first time in days. I used cold water to wash out the shirt and pants, getting them as clean as possible before ringing them out. Back in the common room, I hoped to hang them by the fire to dry before we left. Thankfully, there was space on nearby hooks when I got there.

“I heard you went hunting,” muttered one of the miners I didn’t know.

“Don’t sass Alex, she’s a good one,” interrupted Matt, his eyes narrowed.

I flashed him a smile before replying, “Yeah, Doc is processing my catch outside on those fires.”

"I'll see if he needs help then," said Mars, slowly standing up from the floor. "We need to make sure we’re pulling our weight here.” He glared at the other miners, who all looked sheepish at the remark.

I recognized the metal mage who stayed seated next to Matt while the other miner got up with Mars. “I’m sorry about Heath,” I added using Insight on her.

[Maggie, Metal Mage, Level 17, Predator.]

"Thank you." Her gaze moved past the flames and settled on me. “Each loss hurts less. I worry someday I won’t feel a thing.”

Matt’s hand landed on her shoulder. “Maggie, it’s hard right now, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way. Things are easier at the colony, you’ll see.”

A frown stayed on the older woman’s face.

I jumped in to describe the colony. “There’s more people there, and different types of work. We still have people working on carving out caverns for housing and other building activities. Normally, there are fewer monsters than what I’ve seen outside of the colony. Once the fence is fixed, things will be safer.” I hoped I wasn’t lying to her. Still, the haunted look on her face required some sort of response. “Plus, you’ll be in the daylight,” I added, thinking of the dim tunnels and darkness.

“Daylight will be nice. It will be different," she said nodding, the frown gone.

“I’m going to get some food,” I said, before heading toward the now-empty table. Sang and David had left, but I grabbed an empty bowl and some of the stew from the pot hanging over the fire. The food was meaty, with that same sort of tuber as before. My stomach was already pretty full, but I had to eat something around the others. I took my time taking small spoonfuls until I couldn’t drag it out any longer. Then I wiped out my bowl using a little water and the cloth next to the dirty stack of dishes.

I poked at my clothes which, while a little drier, weren’t done yet, before I headed back outside.

Hawk and Denver were off to one side working on what looked to be armor, while Mars and Doc were managing the fires, with John’s help. Harsh words drifted over from that direction and I decided to stick my nose where it didn't belong by heading that way.

“Alex!” Denver’s voice caused me to pivot toward them instead. He smiled as I approached. “It’s not the prettiest thing I’ve made, but it will help protect you.” He held up a dark leather chest piece with laces. “Arm’s up.”

I stepped forward and raised my arms, while he slid it over my head. Then he started tightening the laces that ran along my sides.

“I can’t believe you finished this already," I said after taking a deep breath, smelling the leather.

“Skills, it's all about the skills,” he muttered, tightening first one side, then the other. “I didn’t want it to be too long on your torso, since Hawk mentioned your focus on speed and flexibility.”

“Yeah, I dodge as much as possible.”

He nodded then knotted both sides. “How does that feel?” he asked, stepping back. His eyes focused on me with a critical look. For a second, he reminded me of my father.

Stolen story; please report.

[You have equipped armor: +3 CON.]

My eyes grew wide at the notification, distracting me from Denver. “This is amazing," I whispered. Getting stat points for armor hadn't even crossed my mind. Though, I should have expected something from the armor itself.

Denver chuckled. “First time wearing armor?”

“Yeah, I hadn’t earned anything from the hunting jerkins made by the leatherworkers at the colony.” I twisted back and forth and stretched over my head. It felt good; not too tight, and I could still move. Yet, I noticed the look that Denver gave Hawk.

“Well, we appreciate those who put in hard work," added Denver.

Hawk stood up from his stump. “We got one more.” He moved toward my right shoulder, holding another piece. “This is a pauldron, it will help protect that shoulder.” It tied to the chest piece near my neck and under my arm. The overlapping straps of leather were flexible and lighter than expected. “If you're gonna take a hit, use the armor to take the hit.”

[You have equipped armor: +1 CON.]

I blinked at the additional stat point and couldn't help but smile. “Thank you both, I appreciate this.” The meat I'd given them from my hunt didn't feel like enough.

“We appreciate the help you’ve given us,” said Hawk. "Everything from helping me take down that flier, to the hunting you’ve done without asking for much more than a shower." He nudged Denver with his elbow.

Denver pulled out a piece of paper from a pocket. “Can you do me a favor and give this to Hellion?”

I took the ragged folded paper with a shrug. “Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Paper was hard to come by these days, so I knew it had to be important.

“Just don’t let Xander see it. It’s for Hellion only.”

“Not a problem, I’ll make sure he gets it.” I tossed it into my inventory crystal. “What’s it about?”

“Just what’s happened here, and thoughts for the future.” Denver frowned and glanced at the fence. “We need to figure out our long-term plan. We can’t live out of the drop ship forever, and while we have water nearby, it isn’t a large water source.” Yet, as he spoke he didn't look back at me, unwilling to meet my eyes.

“I get that." The spring, while a good water source, wasn't that big and required people to gather it each day. "The colony isn’t a bad spot, but you’d need to deal with Xander.”

“I don’t plan on heading to the colony,” replied Denver. A smirk slowly stretched across his face making his blue eyes appear colder. He sat back down on his stump and pulled a different piece of leather toward him.

“The same goes for Jimmy and I,” said Hawk. “We’re thinking longer term than that.”

I felt like I was missing something, but I didn’t ask. This was Dad’s problem, and I didn’t mind passing along the message. Yet, I’d probably peek at the message as soon as the shuttle took off. "Sounds like ya'll have a plan. Hopefully, it works out." I nodded at them both before heading toward John. He marched toward the shuttle with a grim look, and I moved to catch up with him. “What’s up?”

“Mars doesn’t want any of the miners to head to the colony," He practically spit the words out, shaking his head before stomping toward a cargo crate. “I’m not going to say no to anyone who wants a lift to the colony.”

My mind raced as I tried to figure out why. “What’s the point in keeping people here?” Based on Hawk and Denver's plans, this location didn’t seem like a long-term solution.

“More importantly, he wants to keep the crystal they need for the fence here," added John, ignoring my question.

My jaw dropped, then I snorted, staring at the crystal strapped to the cargo crate. “That’s not happening. I helped yank that out of the wall." A rush of anger rose in me and I had to take a deep breath before responding. "He has no claim to it.”

John's head snapped around at the tone in my voice. He looked surprised for a split second.

Mars sauntered toward the shuttle with two miners in tow with a soft smile on his face.

I turned in that direction with a tight smile on my own lips, frantically pushing the anger down. John had asked that I stay out of the politics, but I didn't see a way not to get involved. That crystal was mine.

“Alex…” whispered John as I marched down the ramp of the shuttle toward the three of them.

I stopped at the end, blocking the way. “Can I help you?” I asked, my voice coming out lower than anticipated. My fingers twitched, but I forced my hands to stay relaxed by my side. Going for my knife was the wrong move here.

Mars hesitated with the two miners behind him. I didn’t know either of them. “We're unloading the crystal.”

“Not gonna happen. I yanked that out of the wall with Sang.” I tried to keep my body relaxed, but tension radiated along both of my shoulders as I used Insight on all of them.

[Mars, Level 16, Mining Leadership, Prey.]

[Adin, Level 18, Miner, Prey.]

[Isaac, Level 17, Miner, Prey.]

“It should stay here until we know what the status of the colony is,” said Mars, diplomatically. His eyes flickered behind me, but he wouldn't meet my gaze.

John slowly walked down the ramp until he stood next to me. Hawk and Denver both took note of the situation and stood up near the dropship.

“No. We are taking it to the colony to fix the fence that is currently down.” I kept my voice firm, trying to keep the anger at bay. “You have no claim on it. There are hundreds of people in the colony who depend on a safe fence. Just like I helped fix the fence here at the compound, I will help fix the fence at the colony.”

The two miners glanced at one another.

“We need to let folks know whoever wants a ride to the colony, we will be leaving at sunset," interrupted John as he motioned toward the sky, which showed fading sunlight.

Mars frowned even more, his eyebrows pulling together. “None of the miners are heading to the colony. I am the only one flying over.” His cheeks turned a little red.

This time I took a step forward. “Again, how is this your concern?" I asked, keeping my voice light compared to before. "If people want to head to the colony, they have that choice, and we have plenty of room in the shuttle.” I pointed at the miners near him. "Do either of you want to head toward the colony? I know you'll be welcome to work on the tunnels." I smirked. "It's much safer than the mines were. They haven't had any trouble with monsters, since the rock is solid."

Mars's shoulders raised and both the miners looked at one another. "I hadn't heard about that."

"Yeah, it's what the miners who headed to the colony before are working on. Tunnels and housing within the solid rock."

His face fell at my words as the two miners nodded toward John. "I need to talk to the others about this, so they know." Both took steps back toward the dropship. "Most of the crew is sleeping... we better wake them up."

Hawk stepped closer, along with Denver, toward our gathering near the ramp. “Everything alright over here…?” He glanced between us, and I smiled in response.

“Nothing going on. John’s gonna let everyone know it's time to load up if they want to head to the colony.”

“I think at least half are taking the trip,” added John.

“That’s too many,” growled Mars.

Hawk’s eyebrow raised. “Anyone who wants to leave is free to leave, even encouraged. We don’t have enough supplies to last for everyone here without some substantial changes to how I run things.”

I held back a smirk at what Hawk implied as I motioned for John to go ahead to the drop ship.

He moved past me, along with the two miners.

"I'm still in charge of the miners," growled Mars.

"You were in charge of the mining colony by a vote," replied Hawk. "The mining colony is no more."

Rage covered Mars's face and I resisted putting a hand on my knife. It was his move, but he was prey, and I wasn’t worried.