"There are a few things we can add, but a lot of things are still not available until we scan objects or acquire blueprint schematics." They had huddled together around Pac, sharing the freshly caught and cooked fish as they looked at all the options the habitat builder provides for them. An empty room makes for a depressing base of operation, after all. And an uncomfortable one. Techno really had hoped for some beds, but sadly there weren't any available.

Currently, it was mostly Fit and Tubbo scrolling through the list of possible structures while the other three just watched and gave occasional opinions. The screen was too small to get a proper view for everyone. So far it has mostly been structural base components, like hallways and rooms, hatches and tools. "We can get a radio and a fabricator down here, so technically we don't even need to keep the pod close. It can just drift off after we take the signal beacon and our stuff."

The pod certainly won't be missed. Cellbit and Pac hated it anyways and the others saw no real use in it anymore. It's not like it can fly anywhere, it's only use being the radio. Once they moved that down here, there is no value in it anymore. "I'm pretty sure this thing has a deconstruct option... so we can get the materials of the fabricator and then rebuild it in here." Techno hummed, biting off another piece of fried fish. "I'd rather try that when we have the materials to build one ourselves. Just in case that doesn't work and we're stuck without a fabricator."

Being stuck without one would be horrible, having grown so used to using it for cooking and filtering water. And getting useful tools and materials. Living without it would cause so much trouble.

"Speaking about the fabricator, did you manage to figure out how we can make more masks and equipment for Pac?" "Right! That's what I forgot to do!" Fit pushed himself up and wandered over to where they had all their diving equipment stashed in one corner. One by one, he scanned all the items, waiting for the system to create blueprints and material lists. Tubbo, who had the PDA, quickly scrolled through the new list of items. "Oh that doesn't look too hard. Mostly titanium and quartz, some silicone we can make from kelp vines... We should be able to make a new set of equipment for Pac in no time."

"After he heals," Cellbit added, playing with the empty water bottle he had just finished. "Of course, he won't go outside until his wounds have healed over and he has regained a little balance." Fit and Cellbit, despite knowing each other for only a little while, have quickly bonded over the fact that they were protective over Pac. Maybe a bit overprotective at certain points, but he was currently heavily injured and recovering from the blood-loss and trauma of losing a limb.

Which brings them to another point of discussion.

"I think one of our next steps should be checking out the ship. See if we find any important machines or resources we can take." Techno sighs, slumping forward a little. He hated the idea, ever since Fit first brought it up. He was just getting comfortable around here, familiar with the fish and creatures and even their big leviathan friends outside. The ship was a long way away, bringing a new environment and new creatures. Possibly even more massive ones like Foolish.

Or the entire area by the crash site is one big wasteland. It was probably demolished and poisoned by the ship when it landed, not to mention all the animals that have been killed. What if radiation from the core is leaking into the water? They have no protection against that, it could kill them in minutes. Or the ship explodes while they are inside it. There were still fires raging and melting away at the structure.

"Techno, I can see your brain melting. What kind of doom scenario are you thinking about now?" Tubbo nudged his shoulder, putting the PDA down. The older just huffed, not meeting his eyes. Instead, he stared out through the singular window they had. The water was starting to grow darker, showing that nighttime was approaching. "The different ways the ship can kill us." Tubbo groaned, rolling his eyes so hard he got worried they might get stuck. "Of course, you always think about everything that could go wrong."

"I know you love bringing up your creature friends, but that's not what I am worried about. The ship is still on fire, still able to just explode some more, possibly leaking radiation or toxic gasses or something that could kill us. Having Foolish and..." "Roier." "... Roier with us will only help with the travel distance and possibly hostile creatures. Nothing else."

That did get the others to quietly think about those exact dangers. Just because they now have these massive creatures protecting them does not mean they are invincible. Quite the opposite actually. They are still the foreign species struggling to survive in this new and strange environment, moments away from dying to a disease or a predator. And that is something they can't afford to just forget.

They can't allow themselves to go on some power high when they were still at the full mercy of this planet.

"But... the ship can get us a lot of useful things. That doesn't change. It might be worth the risk, if we prepare enough and take precautions. All the machinery we can get, the vehicles... maybe even a few prosthetic blueprints or even a still functioning one. For Pac's leg. We sure as hell won't be able to construct something like Fit's arm by ourselves." Tubbo sat up straighter, something close to determination in his eyes. "And I have the passcodes to the doors with all the blueprints and stuff! If they still work. And my dad's room, my workshop, the vehicle launch bay..."

It was tempting, it really was...

Techno looks at the PDA, remembering the environmental scan he has gotten hours after the crash, added to now with the scans of coral and plants. They could use that. "How about we just... scout it out? Get an idea on what the crash site looks like. We'll take the scanner and see if we pick up anything toxic or dangerous before getting too close. I have done environment scans before, they do work. We'll take this slow and safe and we will leave as soon as it gets dangerous. Especially you."

Tubbo rolled his eyes at that, but he was used to the protectiveness by now. But the plan was alright, it will get them one step closer to possibly leaving this planet, or at least make surviving a lot easier. "I'm okay with that, but you're still an idiot."

With a plan set for the next day and everyone having a full stomach, the group slowly settled down in their new base. Despite having all this space now, they did stay close together during the night. Just a bit more comfortably spread out, not forced to squeeze shoulder to shoulder anymore. Not that it was stopping certain people from still seeking out comfort through touch. It was honestly kind of scary how quick Fit and Pac seem to grow close, despite barely talking without almost the whole group being present.

Even now, they were pressed shoulder to shoulder, with Techno's almost fully dry jacket serving as a pillow for Pac. Maybe they're bonding over missing a limb. No one can fully understand the pain and phantom aches unless they also lost a body part.

After a bit of fiddling on the main touch screen by the door, Techno managed to dim the lights down to a comfortable level to sleep with, but still bright enough to chase away the fears when glancing at the darkness beyond the window. Maybe adding that window was a terrible idea after all... or at least get some blinds or something so its closed off at night.

Now there was nothing blocking off the endless void outside. Every now and again a glowing spot would zip by, groups of fish dancing like a swarm of fireflies. It was mesmerizing, the display of glowing spots and softly swaying plants emitting their faint light. And while the darkness can be scary, it can also be beautiful.

Techno stepped closer to the window, the weak light inside their base allowing him to see the outside better, although still acting like a mirror when further away. He tried to ignore his own reflection, ignore the dark circles under his eyes, the absolute mess his hair was without his hair-tie now, ignore the old scars on his face that spark unwanted memories.

Instead, he stepped closer to the glass until he can comfortably see the world outside. He tried to get a look at the creatures, see if they were still there and what they were doing. After Tubbo had successfully sent Foolish home last time, he had half expected the creatures to return to their home, wherever that was.

But as it turns out, they decided to stay around.

In the middle of soft glowing corals and plants, occasionally further illuminated by the fish swimming around them, lay the two creatures. Foolish seemed to be asleep, or at least dozing off, eyes closed and fins relaxed on the sand. Some of the shiny metals he decorated himself with reflected the weak light and gave the illusion that he was glittering. Like his scales were made of gold.

Roier was awake, his blue eyes glowing in the darkness, adding to the soft light surrounding the two creatures. He was playing with some of the glowing plants, occasionally plucking a strand or bead off to tangle it in his parent's hair, making the black strands look like the night sky dotted with stars.

Occasionally he would snap his teeth or lazily swish his claws at passing fish when they got too close to his masterpiece, especially ones that wanted to snack on the plants entangled in his father's hair.

The whole scene looked incredibly domestic and homey... and so human. So familiar. So painfully familiar...

Techno turned away from the window and walked back over to where the others were peacefully snoring, ignoring the aching in his chest, blinking away the tears at the corner of his eyes. He laid down next to Tubbo, who was curled up into a small ball with his head pillowed on his arm. He looked so small... so young... far too young to be here.

He swallowed around the lump in his throat and just stared at the ceiling, trying to calm his nerves.

Tries to shove the feelings and the memories into the furthest corner of his mind and lock them away.

Tries to ignore the painful longing in his chest.

Just tries to sleep.