( TATB) Ch 23: Plans To Return

(VU)

I stood at the edge of the village, staring out at the spot where the Brob—Skylar—had disappeared just moments ago, taking Victor with her. The faint tremors from her footsteps were still echoing through the ground, barely perceptible now. I didn't know much about Victor—just bits and pieces I'd picked up from our brief interactions. He seemed like a good enough young man, though. A little reserved, maybe, but thoughtful. Brave, too, if he'd volunteered to be the representative for this place.

I sighed and turned back toward the village—or what we were calling a village, anyway. It wasn't much yet, just a scattering of small structures, a handful of cobbled-together paths, and a lot of open space. But I couldn't deny the potential here. With the resources Skylar was providing, it could grow into something incredible. A real home.

It was tempting to stay. I'd been here long enough to start feeling the pull of that promise—a fresh start, a chance to build something new. But I couldn't shake the thought of the colony I'd left behind.

I wasn't the only one wrestling with that feeling. I'd seen it in Nemu and Sawyer, too. They'd gotten comfortable here, made friends with some of the locals—Holly, Conner, and Nate, mostly. It was the kind of easy camaraderie that could make you forget, just for a moment, that you had responsibilities waiting for you elsewhere.

As for me, I'd found myself drawn to Gabriel and his son, Sydney. They had this energy about them, this drive to keep improving, to keep building. Sydney especially—his ideas were always a little wild, a little ambitious, but there was something infectious about his excitement.

I sighed again, shaking off the thought. This was a good place, no doubt about it. But I had a duty to the colony. I couldn't forget that.

I made my way to where Nemu and Sawyer were standing with Meara. She was busy working on some new clothes, cutting and sewing pieces of fabric that Skylar had dropped off earlier. The Brob had been thoughtful about it, as always—bringing materials that were soft, durable, and easy for us to work with. Meara had taken to the task with her usual focus, her hands moving quickly and precisely.

"Nemu, Sawyer," I said, stepping up to them. "We need to talk."

They both turned to me, curious.

"What's up?" Sawyer asked.

I hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "We need to get ready to leave. It's time to go back to the colony."

Their faces fell.

"Vu..." Nemu started, but her voice trailed off.

"I know," I said, holding up a hand. "I know this place feels like home. I know you've made friends here. But we have families back at the colony. People who are counting on us."

Sawyer scratched the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. "It's just... it's been nice here, you know? It's hard to think about leaving."

"I get that," I said, my voice softening. "Believe me, I do. But we have a responsibility to the people we left behind. They need us."

Nemu and Sawyer exchanged a glance. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then, slowly, they both nodded.

"You're right," Nemu said quietly.

"We'll get ready," Sawyer added.

"Good," I said, giving them a small smile. "Thank you."

As we spoke, the ground beneath us began to tremble. I froze for a moment, my instincts kicking in. But the tremors were controlled, gentle even. They weren't the kind of earth-shaking, heart-stopping quakes I'd felt when other Brobs were nearby.

Skylar was back.

I turned to see her towering form approaching the village, her movements deliberate and careful. She bent down, lowering a small container to the outskirts of the village. I knew immediately that Victor was inside.

A few moments later, the container tipped slightly, and Victor emerged, walking cautiously onto the ground. He looked around, his eyes scanning the village before landing on me.

"We'll be leaving tonight," he said, his voice low but firm. "It's better that way. Less risk of her noticing."

I nodded. "Makes sense."

Victor glanced over his shoulder at Skylar, who was now sitting near the edge of the village, her enormous frame dwarfing everything around her. She was smiling, her gaze sweeping over the tiny structures and the people moving about. Every now and then, she spoke, her voice gentle and warm as she greeted a few of the villagers.

I couldn't help but watch her for a moment, my thoughts swirling. She really was different from any other Brob I'd encountered. Most of them barely even noticed us. To them, we were insects, pests to be ignored or crushed. But Skylar... she looked at us like we were people. Like we mattered.

"Skylar," I murmured to myself, committing her name to memory.

I stood there for a while, just watching her interact with the villagers. She laughed softly at something one of them said, her expression lighting up with genuine delight. It was strange, seeing a Brob smile like that. Strange, but not unpleasant.

When I finally turned away, I felt a pang of something I couldn't quite name. I would miss this place.