It's taken some time, working with Fallen Star and MOTHER both to come up with a way to link the Silent-One's library to the newly reactivated Celestial Empire artificial intelligences. It was generally agreed that doing so would be beneficial in the long term, since information could be relayed through the Expedition radio antennae. The method will, however, involve a certain amount of salvage work and labor.

With his handy new map of Silent Town, Layth is able to locate the storage area that has the spools of fiber-optic cable he needs. Originally for making repairs to the local network of 'lamp post' light relays, it's new purpose will be to bridge the Silent-Ones network to the Orpheus network – something the original Silent-Ones only did for the required communications systems, but not for data.

With Fred busy getting the fuel-pump system in place, Layth is largely on his own – although he does have a modified Silent-Ones communicator so that he can keep in touch with Fallen Star. The device is impressive, although kludged a bit to work with the Expedition radio technology; a foot-wide puck with a surface that looks like a bowl of diamonds, but can somehow project a white-light free-standing hologram.

"I'm heading towards the storage area now," Layth relays into the communicator back to the ship to inform Fred and Fallen-Star of the progress, "No signs of the giant death-bird-things so far." He does check the on board motion sensor of his suit to be sure of that, though.

So far, so good. The Doombeaks are still in the central bio-dome apparently, and anything else that may have gotten loose is too small to show up. The storage facility is just off one of the main streets, looking like a multi-story warehouse. The door lock is mechanical – but then, Layth has a crowbar and strength-multiplying armor.

Layth doesn't force the lock, not yet. Instead he moves in close to examine it, looking for anything that might look like a sensor or switch leading from the door, just in case it is trapped. He doesn't think the material in question was considered extremely valuable, but still, better safe than sorry. "I'm out facing danger and Fred is off … pumping things," the buck mutters to himself, if for nothing else so that he doesn't feel alone.

"Sorry, did you say something?" Mariel replies over the comm channel. The lock looks amazingly primitive – which is to say it looks like a very expensive metal lock from Chronotopia. It takes a key, but there is also a keypad above the lock.

"Just talking to myself," Layth replies into the comm. The buck tries to activate the odd holo-device to see if Fallen-Star would know the combination before he just goes about breaking locks.

The bowl's faceted crystals flicker and pulse, and then a ghostly figure of a cheetah girl appears. "Hello, Gold-Mane," she signs.

"Hello Fallen-Star," Layth signs back, using the opportunity to practice more, "I do not wish to damage things here if it is unnecessary. Would you know the key code for this lock?" Ever since the 'possession', the buck has been feeling … odd about the young Silent-One. Namely a part of him always feels sad when he sees her now, because he fears the day they will part ways when she is laid to rest. Yes, she is already dead, but it does not make it easier.

"My code was 6-6-0-7," the figure signs. "It should still work."

Layth taps in those numbers on the panel. "Hopefully so," the buck then signs. "How are you feeling since the transfer?"

There's a click as the lock disengages, so that the roll-up door can be opened. "I feel a little bit more alive," the cheetah admits.

"I wish I could have known you when you were alive," Layth signs and then has to go 'silent' for the moment while he lifts the rolling door up.

The lights go on inside the storage facility. There are racks and stacks of things, with robotic forklifts and loading arms similar to the Terran storage facility. The spools of cable look big, at least four-feet across and half as deep.

"Of course that would have meant I would have either been your pet or a meal," the buck signs, "Or you would have been a slave. You would look cute in a collar." Layth flashes a grin to the image and then rolls his shoulders. "Those look heavy," he thinks and heads towards them, looking around a bit to see if there are any freely grabbable, or if he'll have to use the machine.

It appears that one of the spools has been used before, since it seems to have slightly less cable. It's mounted so that it can turn, and there's a cutting device that someone has welded into place. Obviously, they were just unspooling what they needed and cutting it right there instead of moving an entire spool. The unused ones next to it still have bindings in place to hold the cable, and are just stacked instead of placed on spindles.

"How much cable did we need?" Layth asks into the comm as he looks between the slightly used one and one of the newer ones.

"Well, the nearest terminal connection is still outside in the engineering zone, so you should be able to reach it with 50 meters of cable," Mariel replies over the comm.

Layth checks one of the full spools to see if it says how much a complete spool contains.

A full one appears to have 2,000 meters of cable. It's odd that he doesn't even have to do an internal translation of the Silent-Ones symbols anymore.

"Your knowledge appears to have transferred well," Layth signs to the hologram. "I can read this as if I grew up as one of you."

"You must have a very hungry brain," Fallen Star signs back.

"Is there any chance we may need a full spool, 2,000 feet, for anything?" Layth asks Mariel over the comm.

"Not immediately, but it is certainly valuable," Mariel notes. "If the Silent-Ones on Abaddon do not want it, we can find uses for it."

"I will try to recover a full spool, then. We can always get more before we leave if we can handle the weight," Layth says over the comm. So, the buck moves to one of the bound spools and tries to cut the binding free to loosen the top spool.

It doesn't take long, and the spool is not as heavy as it might first appear, but is still awkward to manhandle. Of course, once on the floor, it can simply be rolled like a wheel.

For some reason the buck tries to lift the spool down without looking too strained about it. Maybe it is because he is being watched. Once down, he rolls it towards the door.

It's surprising how easily a four-foot-wide wheel will roll. Especially if the initial push is done with power-assisted strength. The spool quickly rolls right out of the warehouse door and into the street.

"Ack," Layth thinks and runs after the escaping spool! Now he's glad no one else is here except the hologram!

It doesn't help that the image of Fallen-Star is grinning and has twitching ears as the Lapi rushes by. He's able to intercept the spool outside though before it can run into anything.

"Oh sure, laugh at me," Layth grumbles at Fallen-Star, "See if I let you link to me again!" Still, he ends that with a grin to hopefully indicate he's just teasing her. "Now I just need to get this to the transport without causing world-ending disaster… "

"Don't forget the connection hardware," Mariel reminds. "There's an optical adapter that will let you connect one end to a lamp-post terminal. You should have the other adapter in your kit already, for connecting to the Orpheus network."

"I'll get the hardware once I secure this evil-escaping spool of glass," Layth claims as he rolls it over, then hefts it into the back of the small transport wagon. As he heads back towards the warehouse, he stops at the hologram of Fallen-Star. "Any possible way to use this equipment to build a better link for you?" he asks in sign, "Of any sort? Even a link to a life collar might be something to make you feel less isolated."

"I don't know," the ancient technician admits. "I am not very experienced with the interface to Terran systems, but Lt. Silver-Spear is."

"Okay. I guess I should ask: Do you want a better link?" Layth signs. "I'll grab extra connectors to try if you are."

"I would not object to one," Fallen Star replies, ears flicking again.

"Extra connectors it is," Layth signs and heads back into the warehouse. This part actually takes him some time as he goes about an exhaustive search for connectors, as well as tools to work with the cable that can be transported. "The more you become her friend, the harder is is going to be," he finds himself thinking as he gathers parts. Yet, he doesn't stop looking. Maybe the thought of her being so isolated hurts more than the thought of losing her. If she must go, at least she should have a chance to feel as a true part of a team before that time comes.

There are whole crates full of data connectors and adapters, as well as cable handling tools. The tools stand out to Layth – they're hand tools, simple cutters and crimpers and wrench-analogs, but they're familiar, aside from being machined. The familiarity makes them seem even more fantastic though for their mass-produced quality and calibration.

Two of each tool is collected and loaded into the transport. As for the connectors, he is far more 'greedy' in that he grabs as much as can be reasonably transported. If for nothing else, than plenty of spares to experiment with. "Is there anything else we will need?" Layth asks over the comm.

"Well, Dr. Zerachiel would like something, but I don't know if it's worth getting," Mariel says, sounding a bit nervous.

"What does he want?" Layth asks.

"Doombeak eggs," the Omega whispers, as if afraid she'll get into trouble for even considering it. "We don't have anything like them in our tissue library."

Layth starts to rub his forehead, only to find it armored. So … he sighs instead. "Where would they be kept?" the buck asks. "If it isn't too risky, I will go look."

"We don't know, that's the problem," Mariel admits. "We know next to nothing about the creatures other than that Silent-Ones really like their flavor."

Layth heads back out to where the hologram is. "Do you know where doombeak eggs are kept?" he signs the question.

"I heard that they had a brood chamber beneath the Temple," Fallen Star signs. "But it may be overgrown now. It wouldn't be safe to search on foot if the birds are loose. Unless you tried using the Titan."

"Using the Titan? I have no idea how to use the Titan," Layth signs. "I … think? Did you know how to? Would I even fit?"

"You have long feet, so should be within parameters," Fallen-Star suggests. "Adjustments can be made for your height, but you have the proper number of digits and the physical strength needed."

"I think you're trying to turn me into a Silent-One," Layth teases then picks up the holo-projector. "I suppose if nothing else it might be worthwhile to recover a Silent-One titan if nothing else… " he says, since his hands are busy.

It takes time to run the cable connection. First, a 'secure' lamp-post has to be found – that is, one that can connect to the Temple Library systems. Then one end of the cable connected, the whole spool rolled out into the Engineering area outside of the Silent-Ones Zone, then the cable cut and spliced into the Orpheus network with the adapter. After all of that… there's still a few minutes just waiting around while computers get to know one another and agree to be friends.

"I thought computers were supposed to be faster thinkers. We became friends faster than these systems are," Layth signs to the holo of Fallen-Star (whom he has left on for the time being so that he's not feeling isolated in a huge ship).

"They can also argue much faster," Fallen-Star replies. "The Imperial minds are trying to talk the Silent-Ones' minds into being friends, via the Orpheus nervous system."

"I got along with the Imperial Computer fine, too," Layth signs and then smiles lightly. "But, I do suppose I get along well with most species. At least here no one knows what to make of me. I'm sure I looked incredibly strange to you when you awoke."

"I thought I was in the underworld," Fallen-Star admits. A light flashes on the nearby terminal, and text appears indicating a good link.

"I didn't realize I looked like a demon. What did you think I was?" Layth signs. The buck then wanks over to the nearby terminal and peers at it. He actually tries to access a Silent-One library record from ehre.

"I didn't know, but Tasha looked more demonic, and I thought the ghosts of the Fenris crew had come to take me to Hell." The terminal takes awhile to get through to the library, but Layth does manage to get a list of recipe book titles.

"You did not deserve to go to Hell," Layth signs back. The buck then nods, looking pleased. "The link appears good," he signs.

"Do you want to hunt for eggs still?" Fallen-Star signs.

Layth thinks for a couple minutes, then nods. "May as well. As I noted, recovering a titan may be worth the trip, even if nothing is found," the buck signs.

It takes a few minutes to cover the distance back through Silent Town to the giant, ornate doors of the bio-dome. Nothing appears to be waiting to pounce on anyone coming through the smaller inset personnel doors though.

Off in the distance, across the jungle, the Titan Maintenance Building looms, and the road cut through to the Temple looks clear, for now.

"Maybe we could make a titan your new body," Layth signs to the hologram that rides next to him on the wagon. Even with the road clear, though, the buck frowns. "How well do the doombeaks hear?" he asks Fallen-Star.

"Very well," the hologram signs back, and Layth can hear the monsters calling out somewhere in the jungle. The domed ceiling of the chamber plays havoc with trying to locate direction though.

"Pity, I was hoping I could drive slow and they wouldn't hear us," Layth signs and sighs. Since they'll hear well, the buck goes fast instead, hoping to reach the dome before the doombeaks come after the truck.

The wagon hits the tiled border of the temple, where Layth has to make a tight turn to hit the next section of road that heads for the maintenance building. And while the noises get louder, and the motion sensors ping sporadically, the Lapi still manages to get to the building entry before anything tries to bite his head off.

"That thing is ridiculously huge," Layth signs one-handed as he brings the cart to a halt before the giant machine and looks up, up, and up some more. "Does this model have a name?"

"That is the Reaper, the personal Titan of Commander Bathed-in-Gold," Fallen-Star notes. "It may be too much to try and operate though. There should be some service models, however. They are only fifteen-feet tall."

"I would like to try to move the larger one first anyway. If nothing else, as a gift to the Silent-Ones on Abaddon when we return. If possible, it should be given to them in your name," Layth signs to the hologram as he gets out. The buck continues to look up the great machine, looking for the access panels.

"It will be a challenge," Fallen-Star admits. "Overriding the identity lock should be easy, but the cockpit will need to be reconfigured for your body. Do you really want to bring it back?"

"I want to try," Layth signs to the hologram. "Trying and failing is better than not trying at all. If it ends up too difficult, then I will try for a service model."

The way up is via an open-cage elevator, then over a catwalk to the chest. A panel in the armor hides a heavy lever. "Pull it out, then turn half a turn counter clockwise, then push it back in and stand back," Fallen-Star instructs.

"I wish I could pat your shoulder or hug you," Layth admits in sign, then does as instructed. He takes a hold of the lever and pulls it out firmly and slowly. Once it is out, he tries to turn it counter-clockwise half a turn, then push it back in. If it works, well, the buck is prepared to move back quickly.

There's a hiss of compressed air, as the chest of the Titan unfolds like a flower to reveal the pilot station. This is in the form of a chair that seems little more than a framework, surrounded by levers and handles and pedals, joysticks and panels of buttons on movable armatures. It looks more like a torture device than a cockpit.

"That looks extremely uncomfortable," Layth has to admit in sign to his virtual companion. He carries her projector close, then sets her down so that he can lean in and examine the framework.

There are a lot of adjustment points, both in the frame and in the safety harness. There's even a metal tube for a Silent-One's tail to slip into where it won't get crushed by any moving machinery. And there's a lot of stuff that moves in there – as if the pilot was expected to monitor the status of the machine by looking at how the gears meshed. Compared to even the cockpit of the Terran's big truck, the thing looked primitive and hand made. But then, that's probably the point – High status pilots were driving works of art, after all.

"Well, I'll give it a try," Layth signs, but looks extremely uncertain about the whole thing. The buck gingerly steps out and into the cockpit and settles his butt down on the frame. First things first, he realizes, which is to adjust the frame to fit him and the controls to be within range. This is perhaps one of the few times Layth actually looks worried.

The tools for making the adjustments are actually strapped to nearby support beams – along with tools that are probably for making repairs or adjustments to other systems as well. "It does look daunting," Fallen-Star signs. "But I'm sure you only need to worry about the basic movement systems."

"Why did your kind prefer this over … well, what Tasha's find has, a direct interface?" Layth asks in sign as he works on adjusting the armatures so that it holds his body reasonably comfortably. The buck has to laugh again and comment, "I do feel like I'm becoming one of you."

"Pride," Fallen-Star claims. "Anyone could operate an automated machine. But something like this, which could be passed down through generations, required real skill."

"I would feel more comfortable if you were piloting this over me," Layth admits after he finally gets the harness and seat framework from giving him a rather uncomfortable pain in the posterior. "Why was this left behind if it was important to a family?"

"I don't think there was any way to transport it during the evacuation," Fallen-Star signs. "It is too big, and it would require leaving people behind to have fit it onto one of the escape ships."

"Then returning it to his family, if it still exists, may go well towards helping an alliance," Layth signs and resumes the adjustments. Now he's bringing the controls to be within his proper reach.

Once things are better in reach, the functions become clearer. Two armatures strap directly to the forearms, providing gripping handles and several switch-festooned mini-panels within reach of his fingers (and the panels follow a five-column grid, including a little joystick for the thumb). The legs have special armatures as well, with articulated heels and some control pedals operated by the toes as well.

"I … think this thing just follows my movements," Layth says to the hologram since his hands are occupied for the moment. "Which … makes this a little simpler. I'll need to open the bay doors before I try to move it, though. You said this was also identity locked?"

"I assumed it would be," Fallen-Star admits, and her image is replaced with a series of flashes. Something in the cockpit flashes back, and the barrage of light becomes something more focused as the two systems tighten to learn where the other is. Finally the cheetah reappears, and signs, "I think it will work now. The power system controls should be under your left hand." Of course, it would help if the buttons and switches were labeled. There isn't even a standard Silent-Ones display device – the control panels have symbols that flip and spin into place behind little windows, of all things.

Layth looks for a place to mount Fallen-Star's hologram system inside the cockpit before he'll attempt to turn the thing on, much less move the thing even a few feet.

It looks like the most convenient place… is in his lap. There's no telling how cramped the cockpit will be when the chest is closed back up.

"And hm," Layth muses as his fingers tap. "Well, if we are to get some eggs, maybe we should just use a service suit … and save this for last when heading back to the ship. What do you think? Collecting eggs in this think will be … problematic."

"Yes, these big ones are not very delicate at picking things up," Fallen-Star agrees.

So … Layth spends several minutes unhooking himself from the frame and then slides out of the machine-beast. As he picks up the holo-projector, he asks, "Would you get in trouble for helping me get this machine running? Since, well, I am not of the People."

"I'm dead. How can I possibly get into trouble?" Fallen-Star notes with a smirk and an ear flick.

"I don't like thinking of you that way," Layth admits as they descend from the beast and look for something … smaller and more 'egg-safe'.

There are several closed bays behind the giant Titan. Each one reveals a different sort of service suit, but a few are all-purpose sorts that just resemble bulky humanoids. One has a glass cockpit and a seat inside, which takes up most of the chest, while the other is a fully enclosed suit. Both of them are nearly three times as tall as Layth though.

"I … think I'll go with a full enclosure. I have this vision of a beak coming through the glass," Layth tells his hologram companion. So, he goes to the fully enclosed one and searches for how to open it.

The release mechanism is similar to the one for the Reaper – a lever that turns and moves in and out. The chest on this one folds straight up, revealing something a little more comfortable looking and simple: a padded backrest, safety harness, and holes for placing the arms and legs.

Layth slides himself into the harness, slips his legs into the holes, and secures himself. Next, Fallen-Star's projector is set down right into his lap. Lastly, he slips his arms into the arm holes. "Okay, how do I power this device up?" he asks the rather close-looking hologram.

"For this model, I think you need to bring your arms forward," the hologram signs, and then shows a particular gesture with her arms.

"Here goes," Layth says and his muscles tense up as he tries to draw his arms forward.

It takes strength, but Layth has it. The arms move, and this triggers the chest piece to come back down and various motors to activate. With the gloves, Layth can even wiggle the suit's fingers, but it's a bit awkward to make other movements, since he can't actually bend his elbows or knees very far – doing so starts the forearms and legs moving, until he straightens his arm to make them stop. Aside from the fingers and wrist motions, he doesn't control the arms exactly as he would his own.

"This is designed to work with your weird feet," Layth remarks to Fallen-Star, looking a bit amused. For now he just tries to walk about a bit and move the arms without breaking something, just to get a feel of how to move the machine. He's certain he looks like an idiot from an outside observer. "I'm just glad your tails don't enter into it, or I would be in trouble."

The walking part at least seems fairly automatic, with the feet controlling the direction and the legs the speed, while knees really only come into play for stepping up or down. He also finds that if he rotates his wrists certain ways first, he can control the speed of reaction for the arms to switch from big movements to delicate ones.

"Did you ever pilot one of these?" the buck asks Fallen-star as he continues the practice. One thing about Layth … he's careful in general. He isn't going to stop practicing till he has a general understanding of how the suit works, so that he can walk properly and manage to pick stuff up. The spare parts in the bay are great practice for this.

"I only serviced them," Fallen-Star signs, twice, since Layth has to look down past his chest to see her. Luckily there's some space to move, and the 'helmet' of the suit is basically a transparent bubble. His head doesn't reach up quite high enough inside though, so he has to stretch to really get a clear view of things nearby.

"Because they didn't consider you worthy?" Layth asks. The buck is now piloting the suit towards the hangar doors to see if he can manage to open them while in the armor.

"I was a technician, and far too small," Fallen-Star notes. "I fit into tiny spaces to work on the Minds of Light well though."

"Thank you," Layth says, a rather odd reply to Fallen-Star's explanation.

The hangar doors are broken into multiple sections, and there's one that's big enough for Layth's suit to get through. It only takes a moment to find the proper symbols on the control panel.

Layth taps out the opening sequence on the control panel to open the door. It is still rather jarring that he can easily ready the symbols now.

The jungle spreads out not far away, although the tree-tops are a lot closer now. And as luck would have it, there's a giant, deadly looking bird creature staring at him from the tree-line.

"I hope this suit can hold up to those things … or I am in trouble," Layth remarks as he heads out into the jungle in a whir of servos and hydraulics. "Time to find that nest… "

"Just try not to get knocked over," Fallen-Star suggests. The suit is not quiet as it moves, and the big bird hisses and backs away from it further into the trees.

Layth continues forward, though he does keep an eye on that creature. "Perhaps if you appear strong and unconcerned, they will assume I am a bigger threat to them than they are to me," he thinks. "Do they nest in caves?" he asks.

"That would be their favorite," Fallen-Star replies, proving that she is, in fact, female since 'yes' would have required a single gesture and taken a tiny fraction of the time.

"Looking for such, then," Layth remarks as he heads towards the temple, keeping an eye out for what could be a passage to an underground chamber.

Certain directions seem to agitate the Doombeak that seems to be tagging along, as if building up the nerve to challenge the armored intruder.

Layth hmms. He starts focusing on heading in the direction that most agitates the creature as he approaches the central temple. It is most likely to be aggressive near the nest. The buck, though, has so slow down a little so that he can look between where he is headed and the great bird-creature pursuing him.

Something bumps into the left side of the suit while Layth is watching the Doombeak on his right. It's a smaller Doombeak. One of several.

Layth tries to swing his left arm out to knock the Doombeaks away, as well as hopefully frighten them. "I think we must be close," he says.

The younger birds scatter, although one does manage to jump up and ride the arm around for a moment before leaping off and crowing its dominance over the others. The adult is also making lots of noises, and bobbing its head angrily. It's almost like watching a flightless Creen putting on a display.

Layth turns the suit to try and face the Doombeak. He watches it for a minute, then tries to manipulate the suit to bob right back at the creature in a hopefully similar way.

This involves a fifteen-foot-tall robotic suit jumping up and down and flapping its arms, which will scare away most creatures with at least a brain-stem. The adult backs away in a panic, while the chicks return and start hopping up and down and flapping their little wings. Little copycats!

"Ah dignity, alas I knew you well," Layth mutters before laughing, since he can imagine how stupid he looks right now. "I bet that is not a tactic used by your best hunters," he remarks to Fallen-Star. He eyes the adult for another minute, then resumes his march for the nest.

Now instead of one adult, Layth has three chicks following him. But he can see the slope of the Temple now, and a big space full of undergrowth but curiously devoid of trees.

"I hope they don't see me as 'mama'," Layth remarks after a glance back to the chicks. "That looks to be the spot," the buck then notes and nods towards the bar spot. "Onwards!"

The undergrowth hides a rather large opening, where it's been sheered away by powerful beaks. Beyond it is a sloped ramp heading down into a very dark space.

Layth looks to see if there are any light controls on the suit. "Does this thing have lights?" he asks.

"Of course. Can you bark?" Fallen-Star signs.

"Bark? I can try," Layth says. His brow actually furrows a bit as he concentrates on trying to find what Fallen-Star taught him and hopes one of them is the barking sound her kind makes so that he can try to mimic it.

The bark is surprisingly accurate! Spotlights turn on, not just shining forward but mounted on the arms of the suit as well. The tunnel ahead is full of debris and bones, but isn't so steep or low that it would prove difficult to navigate.

Layth looks momentarily smug from the rather impressive bark. His nose even wiggles. "Did your kind ever, well, speak like we do and decide to stop? Or were you always non-verbal?" the buck asks as he eases the suit into the passage now.

"I don't think we ever had a spoken language," Fallen-Star signs. "Just barks and chirps."

"When you do it … it is cute," Layth notes. His attention is mostly on footing now since it could get treacherous at any time.

The slope levels out quickly, and Layth passes an ancient barred gate which has been torn from its hinges. Beyond is an open space filled with debris. Whatever other animals are out there that the Doombeaks hunt, they have big ribs, from the looks of things. There are also a few raised nesting mounds. The chicks are still running around making a racket.

"Get a couple eggs and get out fast," Layth tells himself as he heads towards the nearest nest. He doesn't want to meet any more full Doombeaks or what they hunt.

The eggs are big, over a foot across, but there are four of them in the nest, so odds are good of finding at least one viable one, depending on how many Layth takes.

Layth tries to pick up two, hoping at least one of them will be viable. If it isn't, it still has tissue the doctor wants, the buck thinks.

The fingers are gentle enough (or else the eggs are very durable), and nothing terrible happens. The chicks are still hopping around but aren't attacking or trying to steal the eggs.

Layth decides two is enough, as he doesn't want to decimate the new generation. The buck turns and heads towards the exit now, going as quickly as he can safely. "Have you ever eaten one of these?" he asks Fallen-Star.

"Only the nobility and the priesthood could eat Doombeaks," Fallen-Star notes, although it's difficult to pay attention to her while jogging through the jungle. The adult hasn't reappeared yet, and with the Temple to one side it isn't hard to find the way back to the road leading to the maintenance hangar.

Layth now just focuses on making his way back to the hangar in one piece and with the eggs intact. He decides he'll radio in that he has the eggs once they're secured.

There are some piercing cries behind him, but his destination is right up ahead, so long as he can operate the door without dropping an egg.

Layth is even willing to set down an egg if he feels safe enough to do so when he reaches the door. "Hopefully I am not now being hunted," the buck mutters.

"They may assume you are a predator," Fallen-Star signs. So far the jungle hasn't exploded in a fury of beaks and feathers, at least, once Layth reaches the building.

Once Layth reaches the hangar door he carefully sets down one of the eggs so he can operate the hangar door controls freely. "The only predator in here is you," the buck notes with an amused smile.

The door opens, and Layth gets inside with both eggs. The door is closed and secure before anything can rush inside though.

"Whew, that went better than I expected," Layth says in skeek. The buck is curious if Fallen-Star learned anything from him when she was linked. He carries the two eggs over to their transport wagon and carefully sets them in the back.

"Is the suit broken?" Fallen-Star signs. "A lot of squeaky noises just came over the link."

"No … I was hoping you learned from me," Layth admits, "That was Skeek." The buck carefully pilots the suit back to its bay and goes through the process to shut it down. "Well, I think it is time to take those eggs back. Then I'll drive back out here with help and try to pilot out the Reaper. That way we don't have to leave any vehicles behind. I'm also going to get Mariel and Nora to start working on a better link for you."

"You know, talking to dead people is frowned upon by the Silent-Ones," Fallen-Star relates. "Mediums and witches can be thrown in prison."

"You're only mostly dead," Layth claims as he climbs out of the suit and collects the projector. "I haven't given up yet on finding a way to make you mostly alive. I don't give up easily, not on people I care about," he adds and heads towards the wagon, "And impossible is just a word that means 'hasn't been done yet'." He hops into the transport and sets her projector in the seat next to him. "Next stop, Belle!"