“Welcome back!” Way Way called as Bert dropped into the tides once more. “I love feeling you inside me!”

“WHAT?” Bert was not ashamed to feel a sense of panic at that moment.

“Sorry, Bell made me promise to say that as soon as you returned!” Way Way explained. “It doesn’t even make sense as I haven’t absorbed you again…”

“What is Bell doing right now?” Bert asked Way Way.

“Standing next to you and laughing.” Way Way said happily.

“Great, please dump a bunch of icy water on her head,” Bert grinned. “What’s she doing now?”

“She is holding out one hand… and now her Ringer has joined her.” Way Way seemed anxious. “Should I absorb you?”

“Nope,” Bert laughed. “She won’t actually hurt me,” He hesitated briefly, “Probably.”

A tense minute passed.

“She has changed her form to being a pixie and flown out of range.” Way Way replied.

“Welp, so much for the local wildlife,” Bert laughed. “While she vents her anger on them, let's keep working on your makeover.”

“Shall I copy the basic design while keeping the interior empty at this stage?” Way Way offered. “It would speed up the process significantly.”

“An excellent idea,” Bert said. “But one change I want to make is to have the roof and top floor of the next two carriages converted for farming. Open the walls up as much as we can.”

“Show me, please.” Way Way asked.

Bert took the design that Way Way was using and applied his dimly remembered knowledge of the idea of vertical farming. Sturdy support beams in the corners and three running up the center line held up the top of the carriage while the floor was converted into a deep tray filled with stones, then gravel, and finally rich soil. The roof itself was converted into a large tray that, if he was being honest, he stole from a massive cooking tray he used to use to make lasagne. He added a spiral staircase between the two, raised sturdy railings along the sides, and called it good.

Good, not perfect.

The bottom would only get light from the sides, meaning that only plants that preferred shade could grow there, but it was good enough. He did spend a minute or two worrying about the wind but decided the Waystation would rarely be moving fast enough for that to be a significant issue.

For the bottom floor of the carriages, Bert made an easy decision and made it onto a living area for Bud, Tim, and the Orcs. It made sense as it was closest to the armory.

As a bonus, it gave them all plenty of room, at least more than they had in the Gatehouse.

Now came the tricky part: coupling. He had seen how train cars were joined, of course, but seeing and understanding were vastly different concepts. Trying to remember the details was almost impossible.

After an uncomfortable amount of time, the Waystation came to his rescue.

“I would suggest the following design,” Way Way said nervously.

Bert looked it over and shook his head.

“It won’t work?” Way Way sounded embarrassed.

“It’ll work,” Bert said happily, “In fact, I think this is probably better than anything we have on earth.” And he meant every word of it.

The basic idea was a ball and socket, at least at its base. Way Way had added a series of reinforcers, a truly elegant impact resistance that acted as a shock absorber while transferring those stresses into tightening the clamp on the ball and socket.

In short, the more stress you added, the stronger it got. It was the kind of design an engineer would put on a poster over their desk to inspire them to do better.

“I think this is the most perfect design I have ever seen,” Bert said to Way Way. “We ever get back to Earth. I can think of a dozen companies that would fall over themselves to get this design.”

“You can sell it if you wish,” Way Way said magnanimously.

“Never,” Bert said with a grin. “This is your design; you get to decide what to do with it.”

He felt the warmth and happiness Way Way felt all around him. It was like being submerged in a warm bath.

With the design of the next two carriages set, they got to work, making them into a reality. It was actually much easier, and Bert felt Way Way helping him along with a boost whenever he flagged.

In no time, he was watching in build mode as the wood paneling covered the two new carriages. Even better, the carriages once built moved into line, joining onto the engine with barely a whisper of impact.

Way Way added walkways, bridges, and more without him even having to ask.

Just like that, the Waystation had started to look like a proper land train.

Deciding he had at least one more carriage in him, Bert moved on to the replacement for the Bear’s Fall.

He immediately added a half-story of extra height to the carriage. It was worth it, plus it made it look grand and extraordinary. Making the first two floors an extra quarter story high made a big difference. The second floor was converted into guest rooms. He used the designs from back on earth, with a more elegant version of the bunks found on train carriages and opulent furnishings. It still allowed for a fair amount of rooms without sacrificing style.

Each one contained a basic bathroom, complete with a shower. All of it would be managed by Way Way, who could supply water without having to worry about silly things like pipes and plumbing. They would also remove any waste and break it down instantly into fertilizer for Scruff’s crops. Crystal windows to watch the world pass only added to the magic.

The ground floor was the restaurant recreated in almost every detail.

Almost, as there was simply nowhere to put the kitchen or brewery. Bert put that problem off for now, turning his attention to the top floor. He used crystal glass to open the walls and roof to light from outside and added a raised dining area, with the rest of the floor dedicated as a dance or meeting area.

He even included a small raised stage.

“I have a suggestion,” Way Way added a new design, which he liked immediately.

Another carriage was created in an exact mirror of this one, doubling the space.

In between the two would go Way Way’s design.

At first look, it was similar to the others that would make up the Bear’s Fall, but only at first. All the details were different.

The ground floor of the new design was a massive entrance hall, complete with access to both carriages of the Bear’s Fall. It was also reinforced, trapped, and, all in all, defended extremely well.

The second floor held the kitchen, brewery, and a pair of rooms for whoever wanted them. The top floor, however, was a work of art.

It shared the crystal roof and walls of the other cars, but the crystal walls were partially frosted. This was where their new rooms were. Everyone had one, even Gavin, if Slothy would let him.

A single wide passage joined all the cars, from end to end, on the second floor. It would let anyone traverse the entire length easily and quickly.

It was sized to allow Slothy to use it if she wanted. Bert suspected she would prefer the farming areas anyway but wanted to make sure she could move if she wanted.

As soon as they had finished the designs, the new carriages started to form. It was exhausting, especially since this was supposed to be one car, but he could not bring himself to care.

This new Bear’s Fall was a thing of beauty. It was elegant, it was practical, and he couldn’t wait to see what everyone thought of it.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Three hours later, he no longer gave a flying fuck what anyone thought of it; he just wanted food and sleep.

A half-hour later, it was done, and so was he. He watched as the new carriages joined onto the Waystation with a sleepy smile.

“See you soon!” Way Way called happily as he rose out of the tides.

He wanted nothing more than a meal and a sleep. It had been a trying few hours work, and he was beat.

That was probably why he had forgotten about pissing Bell off.

He opened his tired eyes, feeling the ache in his entire body, and looked straight into the drooling mandibles of a giant spider.

Bert felt adrenaline hit him in a wave, his hand turning into an axe as he swung wildly at the thing about to bite his face off. Summoning his shield as he rolled away the moment the axe hit.

Bert forced mana into his aching mana channels and spun to face the horror.

He looked at the hacked-off head of the spider as it swung back and forth on the string that had been used to hang it from the ceiling.

Just a head.

No body.

His exhaustion-fuddled brain finally noticed the lack of life in the eyes and the fact that the mouth was propped open with sticks.

Momentarily stunned, it took a second for him to put together what had happened.

Well aware he was overreacting, he did it anyway.

“BEELLLLL!” He roared as he surged towards the door with mana-sped steps.

=============

Wendy was sitting at the Express’ campfire with most of the others when the roar came from within the strange new shell of the Waystation.

She looked up in time to see a pixie blur away into the forest, laughing maniacally.

She watched calmly as her dad erupted from the Waystation, charging off after her into the dark woods.

“Ye gods,” Gavin shuddered. “They’ll no kill each other?”

“Hah!” Scruff laughed. “Give it a few minutes, and they’ll probably be banging again.”

Wendy gagged, still unable to get over her instinctual reaction to her parents… doing that. She had tried to talk to people about it, but they just laughed. So she turned to the oldest member of the crew… Dee.

That had been a mistake. Dee had tried her best to help. The suggestion that she think of it as her parents had a ‘special hug’ had made her unable to even touch another person for days.

It wasn’t just the sex.

It wasn’t.

The problem is that they didn’t just have sex or make love. No, they did that, but that was quiet and sweet. She could even find that acceptable.

The problem was that Bert and Bell… fucked.

It was loud and dirty and made her want to bleach her brain clean of the images.

Sounds of combat erupted in the forest; Wendy watched as Lily cowered when trees exploded, and spells flashed in the dark. Bud hadn’t even looked up from polishing his bow.

Was it weird that they were so used to this?

“So, what you thinking?” Scruff asked. “You look worried.”

“Is this normal?” Wendy asked, “I mean that they fight like this, and we are all so… used to it?”

“They’ve been this way as long as I’ve known them,” Bud said lightly. “They aren’t really fighting or even arguing.”

A loud WHOOMPH sounded behind them.

“Are you sure?” Lily asked hesitantly, “It certainly seems like fighting,” She said as she picked a fragment of the woodchips that were formerly a tree out of her hair.

“I’m sure,” Bud laughed. “It’s not fighting. Never has been.”

“Then what is it?” Wendy asked, honestly wanting the answer.

The sounds in the forest turned to laughter, and then….

“Foreplay,” Bud grinned as Wendy turned green.

“I think it’s kind of cute,” Scruff said. “And hot.”

Wendy hit her, immediately regretting it as she hurt her hand on the farm-earned muscles.

“Yuck,” Wendy said airily, trying to superstitiously massage feeling back into her hand.

Everyone sat in silence for a bit.

Very unsilent silence.

“So, what does everybody think of the new Waystation?” Wendy asked desperately. “Let’s discuss it loudly!”

“An impressive structure, worthy of a proud band of warriors,” Tru’nal said from behind Wendy.

“Fuck!” Wendy jumped out of her skin, “Where did you come from.”

“I was scouting in the trees,” Tru’nal grinned. “I suddenly had less trees to scout, and then-”

“Stop!” Wendy said. “Don’t want to know!”

“Are you sure?” Tru’nal teased her. “Some of what I saw was very impressive.”

“Excellent physical training?” Bud asked jovially.

“I suspect endurance may be involved,” Tru’nal said happily.

“Training!” Wendy said, grasping onto the concept like a drowning victim did to a life raft. “Yes! I like that.” She breathed deeply, relaxing into the warmth of the fire.

It actually helped to think of it as exercise. Fun exercise, but exercise all the same.

“Very squelchy exercise,” Scruff said seriously.

Wendy turned a look of horror onto her girlfriend such, as was normally reserved for abominations.

She pouted as Scruff and everyone else burst into laughter.

Somehow, somewhere, somewhen, she would make her parents pay for this.

A couple of hours later, an even more exhausted-looking Bert stumbled out of the forest and collapsed next to the fire. He was snoring before Bell had even sat down next to everyone, giving them a look that dared even one of them to mention what had happened.

No one did.

“Nice exercise session?” Tru’nal said innocently in the silence.

Bell glared at her for a moment. Wendy winced, but the others seemed to be all innocent smiles.

“Yes, thank you,” Bell said.

“Vigorous exercise is good for you,” Bud added, still cleaning his bow.

Wendy watched Bell slowly relax before nodding and producing a drink.

“Why was it squelchy exercise?” Tim asked Scruff, pulling at her sleeve.

Everyone froze.

“You said it was squelchy!” Tim demanded.

Wendy could swear she saw a bead of sweat on Bud’s shiny skull, which was impossible, right?

“Tim, honey,” Bell called, her voice light. “Who said that?”

Tim looked around at the nervous faces… and immediately pointed at Scruff.

“Really?” Bell turned an appraising eye on Scruff.

“Just teasing Wendy,” Scruff said.

“Oh!” Bell relaxed again. “In that case, go ahead.” She grinned ferally at Wendy, “I shouldn’t interfere in my daughter’s relationship.”

Wendy breathed a sigh of relief.

“Especially her squelchy ones,” Bell said a moment later.

“MOM!” Wendy felt as if she was blushing to her roots as everybody exploded into laughter.

=============

Bert woke a few hours later, still tired but, more than anything, hungry.

Everyone was curled up around the fire, with Wendy sleeping with her head on Scruff’s chest.

Even Bell was asleep, her pixie form resting comfortably on a small pile of leaves someone had gathered for her.

It was nice.

He tried to be quiet as he got himself some food from the Express but found Bud leaning against the fold-out when he returned.

“Hey, Bud.” Bert nodded to him. “Having a good night?”

“I am,” Bud nodded. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you?”

“Of course not,” Bert beamed. “It’s been ages since we had a chance to chat.”

“It certainly has,” Bud admitted. “I might have been avoiding this conversation.”

“What’s wrong?” Bert felt a chill in his bones. Bud was one of his closest friends; if he was thinking of leaving…

“I have hidden something about Tim,” Bud looked embarrassed by the admission. “I was afraid it would be something… bad.”

“I’m always here, Bud,” Bert said. “No matter how busy I am, if you’re worried, I’ll make the time.”

“Thanks,” Bud laughed, “That makes me feel better and much worse for hiding it for so long.”

“I’m a skilled man,” Bert winked. “So, what’s up?”

“Analyze Tim,” Bud said, wincing.

Bert looked over at the little… “Waystation Gnork?” Bert gaped.

“Yes,” Bud nodded.

“That’s great!” Bert said, “How did you manage it?”

“That is the problem,” Bud shook his head. “I didn’t. He did.”

They both looked at the little skeleton sleeping happily by the fire.

“Good for him,” Bert shrugged. “I don’t know how he did it, but good for him.”

“There is more,” Bud admitted. “He has somehow learned magic. I’ve caught him casting fireballs when he thinks no one is around to see him.”

“Bud, you’re frowning,” Bert said carefully.

“Well, it worries me,” Bud said, shaking his head.

“No, Bud,” Bert said again. “You ARE frowning.”

Bud’s hands flew to his normally smooth bone forehead, finding that he was actually frowning.

Bert watched him try smiling, finding his normally immobile skull now stretched and moved almost as much as skin. It was quite something.

“How is this happening?” Bud asked.

“You feel okay?” Bert asked, casting Analyze. It showed nothing new.

“Fine,” Bud frowned again. “But, now that I think about it, I have noticed more sensation in my face.”

“Huh,” Bert shrugged. “Congratulations,” He grinned. “Maybe it’s something about your new body that is just affecting your skull now?”

“That would make sense,” Bud admitted. “The Fleshcrafters did say it would ‘adapt’ over time.”

“Heh,” Bert chuckled. “Good luck hiding those expressions the next time Bell catches you doing something she doesn’t like.”

Bud groaned. “I had not thought of that.”

“So, about Tim,” Bert said slowly. “Tell him you know all of it, and let him know you are proud of him.”

“So you think I should support his new… interest?” Bud asked. “I always planned on him becoming a Captain, like me.”

“Well, kids don’t always follow your plans,” Bert said carefully. “He seems to have an interest in magic. Maybe he’ll be a mage, even a Mage Captain.”

“That’s a good point,” Bud said, deflating, “Still, it makes me nervous. If he doesn’t follow my path, how do I guide him?”

“By being there and by letting him know whatever he does, it’s all going to be okay,” Bert said.

“Thanks,” Bud said happily, his shoulders losing a little of their tension. “How do you always know what to say?”

“Rewards of a misspent youth,” Bert grinned. “I’ve made all the mistakes and know how people helped me. I’m just passing on their help.”

“Well,” Bud said, “Wherever it comes from, I’m glad.”

Bert clapped him on the shoulder and stood, stretching.

Looking at his Waystation under the moonlight gave him a burst of energy.

It was more than he ever dreamed it could be, and he wasn’t even half done.

It was time to finish it.

“I’m gonna go and finish working on the Waystation. Let people know when they wake up, will you?” Bert said over his shoulder to Bud.

Bud just waved and nodded.