Eleanor sat outside their shack, mending socks by the light from the hole that led to the tree-filled level below. It felt like spring now, and a warm breeze rose upward, carrying bird coos and chirps.

In the distance, Minnie strolled toward the shack, singing a pirate song, heading home after a meeting in the slightly relocated tent city.

Eleanor kept mending socks until Minnie reached her. “So, any news from town?”

Minnie sat down on a three-legged chair with a stack of bricks replacing the fourth leg. “Nobody agrees on anything. Rich keeps claiming that Zeek's flyer belongs to all of us now. I can't get anyone to go exploring this level to find more water. The only volunteer is that chap who wants to go to the center of the planet, and at least we all agree that the flyer shouldn't go to him.” She shook her head. “We finally just drew straws, and Rich and Hilda won. So they're taking the flyer down a level, to scientifically explore the trees. I asked them to get my gun back if they meet Captain Blodger there, and Charlie invited Perse to stay with us while her parents are gone.”

Eleanor pretended to mope. “She'll eat all of our chocolates.”

Minnie laughed, and looked less frustrated about the meeting. “I'll give the Sergeant another note for Scurvy Zeek, saying Captain Blodger needs more chocolates and wine immediately.”

Eleanor smirked. “How long do you think Zeek will keep sending things?”

“Until he gets arrested for stealing them, I suppose. It serves him right, for threatening to kill Charlie.”  Minnie shrugged. “Oh, and speaking of the Sergeant, his dog is now the father of puppies, with a dog that fled the city on Spider Night. Jeanne said we could have a puppy, when they're a little older.”

Eleanor set a finished sock in her basket. “We'll have to build a fence around our little pit. But I would like a puppy, if you and Charlie want one.”

Minnie nodded. “I like dogs. We'll ask Charlie when he gets home.”

Eleanor said, “He'll be home late again, if Perse was in town for the meeting.” Charlie spent his days in the former prison factory, which had been converted recently to a university. He was taking astrophysics lessons from Mr. Thowulle, and was hoping to become a diplomat to beings from other planets. He often spent time with friends in the city after school.

Minnie said, “It should probably be Charlie's puppy, more than ours. After Rich and Hilda get back, I think Charlie should stay with Perse, and we should go exploring ourselves, on foot if they won't give us the flyer.”

Eleanor stood up, and carried her mending basket. “And you have no plans to steal the flyer?”

“Of course not. I'm retired, love. I keep telling you that.” She stood too. “And if I ever come out of retirement, it will have to be for a prize far larger than a little flyer.”

Eleanor looked at her, wondering if she was serious. “You would leave me to go back to piracy?”

Minnie grinned. “Of course not. I'll only go back to piracy if you come too.”

Eleanor shook her head and went into the shack. Minnie followed her, and their talk shifted from piracy to planning for the safety of their expected new puppy.

The End