The day came quickly signaling its return with the blue sky and sun, letting it shine through the windows of homes cueing the residence that it was time to awaken.
Colton slowly woke up as the sun shined into his room, he turned his head to the left and saw beside him the beauty which he had been entwined with that night, still asleep beside him still holding tight. He looked around the room not wishing to move, it was a tad small in this light but it worked for him. He had never been one to stop and take in beauty, which was ironic at this point, he had always been get from point A to B, solve the problem.
Having no need to look around he then took in his companion, she felt warm beside him, there was a subtle fragrance of strawberry which lingered on her. She slept silently, making only the faintest noises. In the light of the day her gingerish reflected an amber like color, in all she was beautiful. Her eyes soon began to slowly open, fluttering a bit with the sun’s light, quickly pulling up the blanket over their heads and then turned back to Colton.
“Morning already?” she asked.
Colton nodded, “Yeah.”
“Can’t we just stay in bed today?”
“No, we have a few things to do today. We need to see if they’ve done anything with your ship last night.”
“Tyson can do that, let’s just stay here.” she whispered nuzzling into him.
“Tyson still has a way to go before then Ashley.”
“So what, better for him to start early.”
Colton was about to speak but a knock came at his door.
“Colton, you up yet?” Emmet said. “The workers from last night are saying that Mateo was nearly there when they left. Knowing him he’s probably done by now so I suggest you get ready. Kaleb wanted us to leave an hour ago, but I convinced him noon was best, so do hurry up!”. Emmet then walked away with his steps disappearing.
Ashley sighed, “Five more minutes, give me that.”
Colton looked at her, then nodded as they lied there in bliss.
“Time moves too fast when I’m with you.” Ashley said.
“That tends to happen when you’re in the fast lane.”
“You can slow down every once and a while you know.” She responded.
“What do you suppose this could be other than that?”
“Romantic?” she asked kissing him again. “Two hearts connect as one with their beats pronouncing there love to all around and thus they can stay content with love for one other.”
“Well aren’t you poetic.”
“My dad taught it to me before he was asked to leave the station… I suppose he’s gone to.”
“Everyone in this town lost at least one when the reset occurred, most lost entire families. I only lost friends.”
“Orphan, took off in the night when I was eighteen. Took whatever work available to get cash. Learned a lot. Then Kaleb came after the reset and guided me, he’s been my mentor for so long... until these last few months. Wonder what’s gotten in to him.”
“He’s a relic of the past who’s seen more than us all. He’s bound to be stubborn at one point or another.”
“Perhaps, but let’s not try to figure it out now. Come on five minutes is up now.” Colton stated pushing the blanket off of them and slowly got up.
Ashley nodded and moved from the bed to her feet as well. She walked into the main room and picked up her bag and then walked back to Colton’s room and closed the blinds. Taking the subtle signal Colton took what he needed and walked towards the door.
“You could stay and help me.” she asked with a devious look.
He paused a moment, “Perhaps another time,” Colton responded, smirking. He then walked out into the living space and shut the door behind him. He changed into his clothing and went into the cupboard pouring two cups of water. At this time he also placed the wood dishes from last night into a makeshift dumbwaiter which slowly descended to a kitchen where it would be washed.
Ashley exited the room dressed in another set of town clothing. Colton approached, and handed her the cup then went back and drank his.
“What should we tell them?” Ashley asked with minor concern.
“Tell who about what?”
“What should we tell the others, no doubt someone noticed that I wasn’t in my room and my bag is here. I personally don’t want to tell anyone about last night… yet.”
“You embarrassed Ash?” Colton asked teasingly.
“No, just people might think I’m crazy. Like you said last night, sixteen hours and such.”
“Was sixteen hours, now just a little over a day and what happened is you couldn’t sleep so you went for a walk in the town. Then this morning you woke early and came to pay me a visit. Only if they ask of course.”
“I love that you can come up with a plan so quickly.”
They drank their water and had a small breakfast before exiting the room and headed downstairs. Emmett sat at the bottom rubbing his head a bit mumbling to himself.
“Why is it that whenever I come to you I always find you talking? Even when no one is around you mutter to yourself.”
“Perhaps you just can’t appreciate my oral practices.”
“Or you just think that if you haven’t spoken for five minutes you’ll die?” Ashley said sarcastically.
“You know what, I have a question. Not two minutes have gone by and I can already tell somethings different. What did you do differently today?” Emmett asked.
“I actually had a good night’s sleep.” Colton replied quickly
“You slept, well isn’t this an improvement. You listen to this Miss, if we still used proper clocks then this bastard wouldn’t be falling asleep until one in the morning and then he wakes at five. When’d you wake up this time?”
“When you knocked.”
“Well this is profound, I probably woke you at like what ten?”
“Something like that. Where are our guests?”
“I woke them, they’re just taking their time.”
“I see, what were the reports from the workers?”
“Really, I still have ten minutes until I can function sir.” Emmet stated groggily.
“Come on Emmett, get that brain of yours working, let’s go.”
“Fine, um… the hull damage was patched using materials available. Probably wood. Mateo was finishing his big plan for moving the ship, so when we get there it will likely be done, so remember to bring the stick. No giant monsters to report of, Tyson was keeping control of the troops last night so will have to ensure they’re okay as well as him.” He paused for a moment trying to remember something else and it quickly came to him.
“Oh, the scouts, they found something, a green flashy orb thing! Mateo was also going to look at it but it’s hard to say if he did or not. Point is something big may have been found.”
“You know, it’s customary to say the most important information first and then get into the minor details.” Said Colton.
“I’m still in recovery mode and you ambushed me, Give me some time to get right sir.”
“I’ll remember to, now is Julian back down in that makeshift corridor he calls an autopsy lab?”
“Carving up the dead lizard as we speak.”
“Right then, I’m going to check on him. You stay here and finish recovering. Ashley, I’ll let you figure out what you’re going to do.” Colton stated before heading down to the basement.
The makeshift lab was big, and made of stone. There was a strong odour of death, as the doctor was always cutting things up. When it came to medical emergencies the doctor preferred house calls more than anything but if it was really necessary he kept a second room clear just in case. Today the floor was layered with tarps as several doctors stood and watch as Julian began cutting open the monstrous beast.
Colton approached the room, but was stopped by one of the medics who handed him goggles and a face mask. When asked why these were needed, he responded saying it would make the experiences a bit easier. Preferring not to find out the alternative Colton donned his equipment and slowly entered. As he entered, he was hit with the stench of the lab. Even with the face mask it was a strong and potent smell.
He walked around the body of the reptile and approached the doctor as he worked on the throat.
“It appears the monster gains its flame by producing a small flame inside its throat and then releasing a large amount of flammable gas into the chamber. How fascinating is this.”
“You say fascinating I say deadly, but hey tomato, toe-mato.” Colton walked beside the medical officer.
“I say Colton this monster is like all the others. Designed to be hard to kill, heat pockets below the scales, a tough outer layer, a tougher inner layer. It’s nearly impossible for this to exist!”
“Impossible, you really want to use that word?”
“True, however this is something more than just evolution. Even if the planet reset itself, it can’t just skip through an evolutionary process like this. It’s the same with those Ravengers and their metal like frames and the invisibility of the Stalkers, it can’t be, it just can’t.”
“What are you saying doc?”
“Honestly, all these things are not just something from fairy tales. I would bet that they were designed by hand, simulated on computers and now here they are!”
Colton looked at Julian, “Okay, now I know I’m about to sound like a hypocrite, but that is impossible.”
“So is a planetary reset, towns being created in place of cities and of course being given starting gear. Just saying Commander.”
“We all know this. Now is there anything useful we can do with this creature, unlike the Stalker.”
“I don’t know yet, it took us two hours to cut through the beast and see inside.”
“Alright, keep me posted then, we’re heading back to the crash site at noon. We may need you there to help with Mateo.”
“Rest assured, I’ll be there Commander. You let me do my job and I’ll let you do yours now please excuse me.”
Colton nodded and exited the lab handing the protective wear to the medic and taking in the fresh air. He then proceeded out to the barracks where he prepared for the day. He donned his armor, this time a studded leather version and readied his horse. When everything was prepared he once more returned to the Tower.
Today was going to be the day everything changed, he thought to himself as he walked through the doors of the stone tower, standing with pride.
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