Chapter 24

I stand near the technicians as they try to connect the cables to the generator. I don't understand the thing, so I hope they know what they are doing, which they probably do.

"Boss, Are you ready? We checked the inside of the spaceship, it's not tilted too much, so we should be fine to go inside. The damage when it crashed is mainly on the surface. This is a sturdy spaceship. There's also damage to the engine, which doesn't seem to have been caused by the crash. It looks like it is from laser beams."

I glance at Melzul, who is busy kicking a tiny piece of rock on the floor from side to side. I say, "As long as there's a chance the system will work. I hope the uzains can contact somewhere other than the uzain planet."

Melzul flinches and looks up from the ground. "Sure it can. We just have to press the right button. I'll go with you."

Looks like he is still worried that the other uzains will come after him.

I take a breath, looking into the tilted spaceship. It's dark inside and...

One of the technicians gathers his toolbox. "I'll go with you. And I suppose Melzul will want to come with us."

"Here, a torch." The other technician hands me one, so I take it and switch it on, pointing at the inside of the spaceship. The mechanic says, "The lights inside may still work, but if we don't have to use that, don't. It'll be smarter to keep the power for the communication system."

I nod. "We'll try our best."

Melzul pats my shoulder. "Focus on the positive and the possibilities."

Maybe that's how he had the courage to flee his planet for safety when any other being may have just accepted their fate.

I nod. "I'll try my best."

Melzul takes the lead into the spaceship. I light the torch, paving the way for the three of us. "Mel, I should go in first."

"I can see."

I don't think he is lying. Maybe uzain have eyes that can do that.

We walk down the tilted corridor, and it doesn't take long before we arrive at the head of the spaceship, where the driving dashboard lies.

The dashboard is strangely intact, probably because Melzul tried to pull up the head of the spaceship as it crashed. The glass is broken, which is probably from the crash and how the spaceship tore a path through the forest. Some of the branches or even trees may have shattered the glass.

The spaceship tilts to the side, which I believe is where Acea and the others pulled Melzul from. That night was a bit too dark for me to see clearly, and I wasn't standing at the side where the rescue took place.

Melzul asks, "So... I can start the spaceship like before, right?"

The technician nods. "Yes, it should work. We already linked it with the generator."

I take a breath as Melzul moves his finger to the button. This is going to be the first step to even more potential heart attacks. I clench a fist, trying to...

Focus on the positive, yes...

So this is going to work.

Probably.

No, it's certainly going to work.

Melzul presses the button and the dashboard lights up.

Is it working?

Melzul grins. "Here we go." He taps on the dashboard and presses the buttons. "We can contact whoever, right? Maybe some traders."

"Yes, as long as you don't get a bunch of bandits here."

He gives a nervous chuckle. "Sure."

I was going to tell him to call back home, which I know the coordinates. But... No one has ever picked up when I tried on my end. If there's only one chance to make the call, I'm going to bet somewhere else.

There's a beep from the dashboard. He says, "Here we go. Hopefully, someone will pick up our call."

I ask, "Does it mean the communication system is functioning?"

Melzul rubs his horns. "Look, I press the buttons and the dashboard says processing, so I guess it is working. We'll know for sure when someone picks up the message request."

"Is that set to send to nearby spaceships?"

"For now, it's within this galaxy, not sure if spreading too wide is a good idea."

I suppose he's not wrong. I take a step closer, almost sticking my nose onto the dashboard. There are pieces of broken glass on the screen of the dashboard, which...

Melzul could have died from the crash, but he didn't and he is here with me. That's such a miracle on its own. And he is here with me, wanting me as his mate.

There's another beep. I almost jump when there is sound coming from the speaker. There are buzzes and white noises, but... Is that someone? Or is that just the void?

My heart hammers in my chest, so much so it could jump out of my throat. I take a breath, trying to calm myself while chanting to make myself think about the positive.

Is it really possible to will things my way?

"Hello?"

There's a beep from the dashboard followed by some more white noise and a ruffling sound. Does this mean it is working? Did someone catch our outreach?

Melzul clears his voice. "Hello? Is someone there?"

My heart hammers in my chest. What if nothing matters, even though we fought the monsters, spent the day here, didn't do work as we should, and...

Focus on the positive...

I chant for myself to stop imagining things. But my palms are still sweating. I hate this, but there's nothing for me to do to make it better.

The brief seconds drag on and the suspense kills me. If the communication is from somewhere far away, there's a chance it will lag a few seconds, but...

There's a muffled noise from the speaker. "Who are you? I hope you aren't bandits."

The three of us in the spaceship stare at each other for a second. Someone's on the other side and they'll be able to help us.

I say, "We need help. This is Sehmi. We are a remote and undeveloped planet. We're a new settlement that lost contact with our home planet." I give them the coordinates. "Hopefully, you can assist us in connecting with our home."

The other end of the speaker falls into silence again. Are they thinking about it? Evaluating whether it's worth the detour to come here? Wondering whether we're hiding something?

Or... Maybe the connection isn't working and I'm just talking to myself. With this half-put-together spaceship, the connection can cut off without a warning or a notification.

The muffled voice comes again. "We're en route. We got you."

I jump and hug Melzul, who's standing right next to me. "Yes! Please! Thank you!"

Melzul hugs me so tightly that I choke, but I don't care.

"We did it!" Melzul grins and pats my back. "I've told you... Oh, right." he presses the button to end the communication before we'll make it weird for those unknown, but nice beings on the other end of the speaker. "Here, we made it!"

There's a low thud behind me. I flinch at my spot.

Is that a beast?

The technician takes another step away. "Um... Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt. It's a bit too dark here."

"Oh..." Melzul puts me down and high-fives the technician. "Thanks a ton. We managed."

The technician grins. "We did. It's amazing. Hopefully, they'll get here soon."

I nod. "Yes, finally. Maybe it's not that bad for a dumbass like Melzul to crash on the planet."

The technician chuckles while Melzul rolls his eyes.

I head to the exit with the torch once again. "Let's tell everyone."

Part of me is still worried, but...

Maybe I should trust that something's finally working.