The noise, which they have deemed must be some sort of weird alarm, did not stop for several moments, the deep note resonating out over the endless waters. If you'd look close enough, you could see ripples in the water going away from the island. After a brief moment of shock and confusion, the humans all began to move. Well... almost everyone at least.

Half the group was already climbing on the leviathans' backs, not really wanting to find out where the sound was coming from. Whatever it was, it can't be good news. Cellbit helped pulling Pac onto Foolish's back, leaving Fit and Techno in the water for now, who helped push him up. Tubbo was also on Foolish's back, holding on tightly to the black hair. Quackity however was just staring into the direction of the noise, eyes wide. "Oi Newbie! Get on, we have to leave!" Fit went to try and grab him, pulling him along a little before he stopped. His gaze followed Quackity's, spotting something peaking over the trees. "What...?"

"It's the building... it never did this before..." Foolish raised his head when seeing Quackity point at the weird construction, effectively raising the people who had already climbed on high enough to see it easier. A massive structure of dark metal rose high into the sky, green lights flashing all over the surface. The alarm was coming from the same direction as the building. It would have been hard to spot in the darkness of night, but the red planet in the sky was just behind it, making the outline very clear. It also made the structure look even more menacing.

"What is that thing...?" Tubbo tried climbing a little higher on Foolish's head to get a better view, swaying dangerously when the leviathan moved his head again. "I don't care and I don't want to find out. Let's just go home." Cellbit hated the look of it, knowing that going there would only cause more trouble. Especially with Pac here, who still had no real prosthetic.

Down in the water, Techno stepped closer to Quackity, grabbing his shoulder. "You said it's a building. You went there?" Their newest member just nodded, finally able to tear his eyes away from the sight. "The Captain and I... we found it during our exploration of the island." "Did you go inside?" He shook his head no, nervously fidgeting with the sleeve of his suit. "There is a forcefield shielding the door, we couldn't figure out how to go in. It required some weird key we didn't have. Our scan of the lock said it's like super advanced alien technology, so we thought it could have some long range communication we may be able to figure out. Never found out if there is any though."

"Let me get this straight." Fit crossed his arms, tapping the fingers of his metal prosthetic on his biceps. "You found an alien structure on an alien planet and your first instinct is going inside? With no weapons? Nothing to defend yourself with? Not knowing if any alive, massive alien creatures could be inside that building? And if you go inside, touch random buttons and see what happens? I'm honestly surprised you survived this long."

Quackity tried to sputter some sort of excuse, but got interrupted by Roier using his hand to splash them with water. "Hey! It's not my fault they keep asking questions!" The leviathan rumbled, almost exactly like his parent does, lowering his head as he glanced towards the building. It has gotten eerily quiet, the noise having stopped after the latest interval and not started up again. The silence was... creepy.

Fit tugged at Quackity's arm more gently, trying to pull him towards Roier. "He wants to leave, and so do I. So get on, we'll be home before the sun rises." Their newest member still looked uneasy as he was pulled closer towards the massive creature, squirming under the gaze of glowing blue eyes. Techno, however, did not move. Now he was staring towards the building, trying to sort out his thoughts as he processed what Quackity had told him.

This is the first semblance of a lead they had gotten in a while, outside of the broadcast. Every other thing that had given them hope was ripped away from them, they didn't even know if there was a rescue pod coming for them. The nearest gate was far away from this planet, and it could take months before the emergency signal of the Q.S.M.P reaches the nearest outpost. If there was a faster, more advanced communication inside that building...

This could be a stupid fucking idea but... maybe... Fuck. It was dark, they had no lights, this place was massive, just about everything here could kill them. And if they had a single thread of hope... just a single bit... "I think we should figure out how to get inside that building," Techno said, turning towards his friends. The shock and confusion on their faces was expected.

"Excuse me?" Fit demanded, "You want to enter that thing? After everything I just told him? How did you survive this long?" Mostly by luck would be the most honest answer in this case. His pod being intact was luck, his safe landing spot was luck, Fit finding him, the leviathans being friendly... all of it was luck. But now? Now luck can't help. Now they had to act themselves. There was a chance to speed up the process of going home, and he will take it. Anything to return to his family.

"I might- ...We might get to go home. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Oddly enough, Tubbo looked like he wanted to protest that point immediately, but he kept his mouth shut and looked away from the pair. The subject of home will be difficult for a long while after today. But Techno was determined. At least... he thinks he is. "Please. Hiding has gotten us so little, please, can we try this?" Techno asked, almost begged. When was the last time he begged someone for something? Fuck... he missed the air of home, he missed the way that he could sleep soundly at night with no worries of something going wrong in their base. He missed his family, his siblings.

Uncomfortable glances were shared around the group, and they all ended up looking at him. Why were they staring at him like this? Maybe speaking was the wrong thing to do, this time. Maybe they did not care as much as he did, and just maybe... some of them wanted to stay. Tubbo's frown and twitching hands were a good indicator of that. Techno even expected him to be okay with the idea of staying on this planet... but he wasn't. He wants to go home. Does no one else want to leave? "I mean-" Why was nobody talking? Why was it only him?

All of their faces, all of these souls and their lives; he helped. He could have sworn he helped them at least once, both on the ship and out here. He helped them whenever he could... and now when he wants to do something... was it because it's dark? It being nighttime shouldn't be an excuse. They've went out in darkness before. Fit had talked him into swimming at night to find Tubbo's pod. They had risked traveling through darkness to investigate Cellbit's and Pac's pod, since it was so far away from theirs.

But the night sky was less of a blanket today, as it usually was. The darkness was hiding unknown creatures in the forest on this island. Techno understood that he was suggesting an incredibly stupid option, but... "I want to go home," his voice cracked, little lines cutting his own heart. A look behind the façade, behind the wall he had built. A look at a man who has been slowly losing his mind through grief and hopelessness and fear, especially after the weird dream that had him question his sanity. "I'm tired and confused- And for some reason I've been in charge lately despite never asking for it. So can we please try looking for answers? If this can help us get home..."

It was a selfish act, perhaps. Tubbo had just found out that his father was dead. And they surely were all tired and needed rest to process today's events. He wasn't the only one, so why did it feel like he was alone on this? Why does it feel like no one cared?

If he had learned anything while stranded here, it was that he could be... that he is useful. In the way a tool was useful, to get something done and to wait for yet another thing to help with. Useful in a way he hasn't felt stuck in his garden, his role by far viewed as not as important. When they fell apart after finding Quackity, when Tubbo turned to rage, he tried keeping it together. He did keep it together, mostly. Took charge and led the group to what he thought was the best way to survive further.

A small thought passed him, that maybe they were less used to him like this than he was. Emotional episodes were nothing new to him, questioning his feelings and his decisions. Feeling hopeless and useless. But they weren't. They had never really seen him this worked up, he mostly kept to himself when everything became too much. It wasn't fair that he was putting them through this. It wasn't fair that he was forcing them into something none of them want to do. So, breathe. More determined this time, "I think we should go. It could help us. And if you guys don't want to... then I will go on my own and you can wait here."

There was a moment of tense silence. Then... "I'm sorry? You're tired? Look around, we all are! But throwing ourselves into the first thing we find hasn't worked a single time, and that alarm was so loud! That could have been anything! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Tubbo's words were like lava on cold ice, ruining them both. Sure, the kid was dealing with so much right now and was probably still mad from their earlier fight. But at least a little understanding would have been nice. But it seemed like everyone agreed with the teen, as no one objected to his statement.

So, a choice was made. A stupid one for sure, but it was his choice. "Then wait for me. If you care at all, wait for me here and if I'm not back then-" Did he matter, to them? He had hoped he does. Considered them family, for a little while. His eyes met other, wary eyes. "Then don't come looking for me. Go back to the base, because if I don't come back, I'm probably dead and you were right."

Was it wrong to throw those words at him after their fight? Demand that he does not try and rescue him, leave him for dead like he asked him to do earlier? Maybe. And maybe he felt a little bad. But he had made his decision, and he will stick with it. So, onto land he climbed, and started walking without looking back. Straight towards the building, pushing his way past the strange fauna around him, knife clutched in his hand.

It might have been dramatic, or stupid, or any descriptor you could use to call that little outburst. They were not supposed to see that, no. He was just a part in a machine, a tool in a box. He wasn't supposed to leave that order, that security you have when being part of a team. But here he was, walking away, being alone for the first time in weeks. Three days. Three days he had been by himself before Fit found him. After that he hasn't been alone again. Not like this at least.

There was some arguing between the crew that he couldn't make out, too far away already. He had hoped they would stay quiet, not attract attention to themselves with all that shouting. Maybe even go back underwater together with the leviathans. He had heard that single cry, that single call Foolish made when walking away, telling him to come back. The same call that had pulled them back to the beach after finding out the Captain is dead. It hurt to ignore it. Maybe this could be training... Foolish will no doubt make that same call when they get on a ship and leave.

What he didn't quite expect were the few pairs of footsteps following him quickly. Had he not expected it? Why? Wouldn't it make sense at least one person would try and stop him? Why... had he hoped they wouldn't care? They were coming closer... but he could hear at least two of them were absent. That hurt, just a little.

The voice that spoke first was so familiar... so teasing yet annoyed. "You're a dumbass, and I will murder you if we survive this." A warm hand was placed on his shoulder for a moment, squeezing for just a second before sliding off. Familiar, grounding... Maybe he needed that, a quiet smile slipping on his face, and he could think clearly again. "At least we'd be even then, with my own threat to kill you after you made me swim at night." Fit snorted, bumping their shoulders together. Even if he hated the idea, he got Techno's back. He would walk with confidence towards their goal. Just keep going.

In the end he discovered that Tubbo and Pac had stayed with the leviathans, Pac because of his leg and Tubbo because he didn't want to go back on the island. At least that's what they told him. He was pretty sure Tubbo just hated him right now. It was surprising that both Cellbit and Fit came along though, as he expected at least one of them to stay with Pac. Even with the leviathans providing safety, at least one of them usually stays with the Brazilian.

He wanted to thank them, he really did. There was nothing stopping him from saying two little words. But that was already a lot, and he wasn't sure how much more he could take of having his heart on a platter. He had already been emotional enough to the point where he had just turned and walked away. They don't need to see more of him like this... he has to keep it together. For them.

When they were weaving their way between trees, he almost said it...

The sound of the flora around them made the group walk closely together, occasionally bumping into each other or tripping over unseen obstacles. Once more a familiar, patient hand landed on his shoulder when he almost tripped, keeping him stable until he caught himself. He looked up into the eyes of his dear friend. He should say something. "I- th-" he stopped whatever he was going to say, the words getting stuck in his throat.

His friend noticed, glancing at him with a worried expression that he could barely make out in the dim light. "Are you okay?" Fit asked, the concern clear in his voice. Techno just pats away the dirt that got kicked up, nodding his head. "Better than ever," he gritted out, trying his best to give a convincing smile. For a second it looked like his friend would call him out on the lie, but then decided against it and instead focused on moving forward.

"Okay, we're almost there," he was told, a little hurt sounding. He'll focus on that later, after the explored the structure. Soon they might have answers, and that calling of home would be satiated. His heart knew the way, and every time he turned away from the direction his home was in, it would sink. Almost like drowning. Like he was guided by something to go the right way. It was both creepy and... reassuring? Why was it reassuring? Why does it feel... right?

Between the plant life of this planet, and the little sounds of small creatures running around, he almost didn't realize when they could see it, green lights flickering over the dark surface. He was too distracted, thoughts switching from his hopes of home to this weird feeling and the strange dream to the conversations with Tubbo he has had so far. Why couldn't Tubbo just understand, for once? They wouldn't achieve anything if they sit still and ignore every possible way that could speed up their rescue. And staying here is not an option, at least not for him.

Soon enough they cleared the treeline, noticing they were once again on a beach. The massive structure before them extended out into the water, a tower like structure at the side of a more cube shaped building reaching high into the sky. That area was on top of a massive plateau, which judging by the size and lighting was part of the building itself and most likely also contained rooms and long corridors. Exploring this will take hours, if not a whole day.

"I think I see the forcefield you mentioned Quackity." Cellbit pointed over to where a large glimmering spot was visible, perfectly aligned with the ground. It was big enough to be some sort of doorway, or at least it seemed big enough. Quackity confirmed the suspicion with a nod. "That's it. The lock is right beside it, on a podium that opens up once you get close." Well, that should be the best place to start.

The way to the door was lined with infrequent little pillars that gave off a soft, blue glow. It helped them see enough to not trip over the obstacles scattered around on the beach. There were large wires- or maybe tubes?- going in and out of the sand, made from the same material as the structure and the pillars emitting light. At least it looked the same, with the colour and intricate carvings in the material. "Everything is made from metal..." Fit poked at one of those 'lamps' with his spear, causing an audible little 'clink'.

"Well, metal looks a little nicer than concrete. Most of our stuff is made out of metal too." Techno gently kicked against the metal cable sticking out of the ground, noting how it did not move an inch from it's position. Cellbit noticed it as well, kneeling down to touch it. "I mean... It's difficult to lay out and connect parts if cables are this stiff, but once everything is in place it won't go anywhere. Could be on purpose." They had to agree there. Their cables can easily start breaking because of how easy they move around. Fit's arm was the best example for that.

"Maybe their world is made of metal, who knows? I don't think these guys are from this planet, it looks too out of place. Like the robots from that old movie you forced me to watch." Fit gave Techno a confused look, before realization flashed across his face. "You did not just compare these cable things to Transformers. How dare you." The other just snickered at how offended his friend looked. Cellbit shook his head as he got up, not understanding how they could argue about a movie in situations like this. He stepped on top of the cable, curious if it was stable enough to withstand pressure. It barely moved under his weight, only making a slight squeaking noise when he first put his weight on it.

"See?! It even sounds like the beeping yellow one!"

"You take that back!"

The Brazilian just sighed as he let the two bicker, instead turning to the fourth person of their current group. Quackity, who had kept his distance for the most part, quietly inspected the lock next to the forcefield. It opened up when he stepped closer, revealing the outline of an object that should be placed inside. The centre held a glowing purple symbol which, in theory, most likely would be on the key as well. "And you haven't found anything similar looking while exploring the island?" Quackity just shook his head no. So unless they randomly come across it sticking out of the sand, the chances of going inside are almost zero.

Cellbit looked around, eyeing the structure before him. The carvings are pretty deep... that might work. "Are you two done?! If so, we can start looking for the key!" Both Techno and Fit stared at him, having long since stopped bickering and instead had inspected the lamp to see how it was creating light. They joined the other two by the still locked door, waiting for an explanation on what the brunette had in mind. "Quackity, did you ever climb on the platform? Or did you and the Captain just walk around it?"

His eyes widen as he looked up at the edge of the wall, realizing what Cellbit was suggesting. "No, we never explored the top of it." That settled it, their first search location will be the top of the platform. No one objected to it, deeming it the most useful place to start since Quackity already explored most of the surrounding area near the door. Fit offered to give them all a little boost so they could get good footing, he'll be able to pull himself up with his arms just fine. Like Cellbit had predicted, the grooves in the metal were deep enough to wedge their feet inside and hold on to, allowing them to successfully climb to the top.

As expected, the top was mostly flat. The metal was a lot smoother, in some places reflecting the light of the red planet and the stars. There weren't a lot of lights present, leaving the area in front of them mostly indistinguishable from anything important that could be laying on the metal. Techno pulled a slightly panting Quackity up onto the platform as Cellbit slowly walked around with his eyes on the floor, trying to spot anything interesting.

Fit gripped his spear a little tighter, tapping the ground in front of him for a second before starting to walk. They were starting to spread out, more or less, still staying relatively close as they made their way across the area. The oldest was a little unsure how safe it was being so exposed, having no way to find cover quickly should a creature find them. "Are you sure we will find something useful up here? If anything maybe a second locked door, but without a key it won't really be-" "Hey I found something!"

Cellbit knelt down to touch the object he found. It was a slab of metal he had accidentally kicked, quickly noticing how it slid across the flat platform. It didn't shock him or caused any other feeling as he poked at it, so he deemed it safe enough to pick up. When he turned it around, a bright purple symbol greeted him. "I think this could be the key! The symbol matches!"

The group gathered around him, all trying to catch a glimpse at the tablet. Quackity stared at the Brazilian, blinking a few times before he managed to gather his thoughts. "It was up here the whole time?" Techno patted his shoulder. "You clearing the area on the ground helped us figure out that looking up here might be a good option. So... worth it?" The younger did not look convinced in the slightest.

Now with a possible key secured, they walked back to the edge and, much slower, made their way back down to the ground. Since Cellbit found it, he got the honour of trying out if the key would fit. The podium opened up once more when he stepped closer, revealing the matching purple symbol. After a quick glance at his friends, he started lowering the tablet into the lock. Before he could let go, it practically got ripped out of his hand by a sudden force, slamming it into the lock.

All four humans jumped back as the podium closed and lowered itself into the floor, completely disappearing from view. The green forcefield flickered for a moment before fully shutting down, granting access to the interior of the massive structure.

"Sooooo... we're doing it?" Quackity glanced at his three new friends, noting how they looked a lot more determined than he felt. Techno ended up to be the one responding to the question. "Absolutely. Don't you want to find out what's inside?" "I mean, yes. I spent a lot of time with the Captain trying to get in here. It's just... a little scary." Fit placed a hand on his shoulder, giving his best attempt at a motivating grin. "We got your back, you'll be fine." He slowly nodded, hands shaking a little around the knife Pac had given him, since he wouldn't need it if he stayed with the leviathans.

So, with a last glance towards each other, they entered the building.