2. Dark Spaces

Turana grabbed the hammock and with the help of the Aduitor was able to hang it pretty high near the roof of the ship, she enjoyed being able to rest in something softer than just a roll out mattress on the floor, also the height would give her some privacy

Emmett agrees. "Yeah, they ain't worth trustin', 'specially if we think they're the ones causing all the trouble. That last gate'll be the one, most likely. I think you're right, smashin' the damn thing might be our best bet. But how do we do that and then escape? Might be hard to get back to the ship with the door all busted up."

Emmett shrugs. "I can't replicate a man, not like my mother could, but that ain't stopped me from stickin' a few." He bumps his robot-leg-polearm to accentuate his point. "I don't know any other way to make sure Cooperstown don't get hit again. If smashin' up a portal is what it takes, that's what I'll do."

"Good to know about your mum… but.. not a clue what you’re on about. You really want to smash this thing when we’ve no clue whether there’s a credible threat to the town you seem eager to move on from? Pffft."

"If we find out that behind this last gate there's some monster or other doin' somethin' that might threaten the town? Yeah, I'll smash the heck out of that portal. What's the worst that happens? It explodes and kills me? If it saves the life of someone in Cooperstown, I'd call it worth it. And yeah, we're leavin' that place, but it don't mean I don't care what happens to it. The people there deserve their shot at a peaceful life, after all."

"And a peaceful life they’ve had- for the most part. Some dire threat coming in from beyond the portals is just as likely as a beast wandering in here from the wasteland… there are no guarantees. Cooperstown has been fine with the portals as is for years… before we go smashing things up let’s at least establish whether or not there’s a threat."

"Oh, o'course, no doubt. No need to wreck things blindly like some drunkard. We've got work to do before we take any kinda action. Speakin' o' which, y'all ready to take care of it? We need to deliver this last load and then get to work."

"Ahh… we’ll. Speaking of the drink… Would it perhaps be possible to spend a night cutting loose before we carry on? It seems selfish but I’td be nice to tie one on and spend a night of revelry, hopefully ending up in the arms of another. But… I’ll rally if youse want to keep working."

Emmett sits up and takes notice. "Now you're talkin', my language! But hold up, you been holdin' out in us, Lyle? Got some of that hooch you were slingin', back before this all got weird?"

"Of course. Only gets better with age." Lyle passes the jug around.
"What say we check out that last portal? Or should we report back to Cooper?"

Emmett takes a large swig off the jug and coughs, but tries to hide it like he's clearing his throat. "Damn, forgot how strong that was. I wouldn't call it smooth, but it'll get the job done." He passes it over to Jaz or Turana, whoever puts their hand out first. "Adiutor, can we pour some of this somewhere for you? Maybe some fuel port or other?" He laughs at his own joke before becoming thoughtful. "Wait, what do you even need to run? You've ain't never talked about needin' glowing stones or mice with wheels or rotten apples or anythin'."
Emmett waves away the idea of returning to Cooper. "I wouldn't worry much 'bout ole Coop. He'll keep. I'd say we just drop this load of junk back at the first stumpy rock and poke around that last portal. O'course, I ain't in charge or nothin', I wanna know what you folk want."

Turana had remained silent as she heard the conversation between Lyle and Emmet thinking that it could also be said that destroying the portal also protected the Craadians.. after all .. none of them would have fallen victim to the quintpods if they would have stayed away from the place, she was resting her face on her fist as she thought of that when suddenly her eyes iluminated as she was offered a Drink, which she accepted and enjoyed "AHHH TASTY! THANK YOU! now im ready to go check that place!"

Feeling no pain and in good spirits, Lyle blurts out"Yes! Let’s go check the place! That place!" He’s not really sure which place but he’s all for it.

Is the plan to get drunk then jump through the portal into the asteroid mine that only one of you explored?