Maybe, a call

"Twenty packets of high-school sludge." I slid the last packet into the container. The lid closed with a click.

"You'll eat it, and you'll love it!"

"That's what the lunch lady said."

"I know." Cheeseburger laughed. "Put it with the rest of the others. We have plenty more to go."

"Really thought I'd be done with this once I left high school." My knees buckled as I stacked the container on top of the others. I congratulated myself for wearing gloves. The smell of cafeteria food brought back many bad memories. Having my hands reek of it until I could shower would put me in a bad mood.

Thud-thud.

"Feel free to go home if you want. You've been at it for over six hours by now."

"We don't have a lot of time left." That, and my conscience wouldn't allow me to sit at home. I knew the wise decision would be to rest. My nervousness wouldn't allow me to.

Asbestos burst to life after Cymmand gave the all-clear. As I suspected, several food scavengers had returned to the wreckage. The hauls were smaller than before but not insignificant. Mihr and Tartys arrived on time. A legion of engineers and scavengers now swarmed the mechs as they were prepared for the upcoming battle. Some rumors said the engineers were worried about Tartys. Nothing official was said, so I believed they had it handled.

Cymmand had not forgotten about Nova during all the commotion. She and her team had launched the probe and the anti-matter mine shortly before Raifin's destruction. The probe was faster and made contact with Valoel a few hours later. Nova didn't slow or step outside to retrieve his care package. It was worrying, but the probe didn't report anything strange. It continued its flight after its fly-by with Valoel, where it scanned parts of the demonic army. It didn't learn a lot before its destruction. The demonic army had gained on Valoel. Its size didn't change. The anti-matter mine would hopefully help in that regard.

I sent Cymmand a message to ask about the estimated timelines. It took her a couple of minutes to respond. While she stressed that she could only take a guess, internal estimations suggested Nova would arrive during the night. The demonic army would come four hours after that.

Not wanting to stay at home, Mira and I volunteered to assist with the food sorting in the Kaif dome. Mira and Father Alcor heavily suggested, almost ordered, that I rest to prepare for the upcoming battle. I refused. Doing so for a full day while knowing what was at stake would drive me insane. We argued until Mira suggested the food sorting lines as an alternative. Kaif's southern vault was very close to home, and the work wouldn't be too taxing. Father Alcor accepted with a compromise. I would return home by late evening to rest. Mira would do so as well. I secretly wondered whether it was to keep me company or to ensure I kept to the deal.

Thankfully, thinking about the stress of the upcoming battle could wait another hour. It would have been better if the pulse cannons were idle as well. Their barrage had been continuous for the past two hours.

Thud-thud.

"Okay." I smiled at Cheeseburger upon returning to my station. "What's next? More sludge?"

"You know it." He gestured at a mountain of lunch packets. "Gotta pack them all up."

"It would be so sad if these all disappeared under mysterious circumstances."

"It would be sadder if we all started eating each other before the rescue ships arrived." He winked. "I gotta ask. What's your problem with high school? I assume it's more than just the food."

"Just... didn't like it."

"Why?"

I made a show of looking into the distance. "Lovely weather we're having. Not too cold, not too warm. Maybe we'll see a meteor shower if we're lucky."

"Alright, alright." Cheeseburger held his hands in mock surrender. My stomach churned when I saw something orange drip from his index finger.

Please, Lord. Please let there be enough food so we don't have to resort to... that...

Thud-thud.

"I can't say my high-school years were as bad.’’ Cheeseburger said as he returned his attention to his pile. “Did I ever tell you about my sweetheart?"

"I'm more surprised to find out you dated."

"Is there something you're trying to say to me?"

"Only that you wear the bachelor life like a glove." I grinned. "No, you haven't. Tell me about her."

"Beautiful girl. Eyes as bright as the Milky Way stars and as big as her... as the domes on Asbestos." I raised an eyebrow at the sudden change of words. "Light red hair that nipped at her hips and the biggest bucktoothed smile. Smart as a library, mind you. Most people thought otherwise. I think it might have been the teeth. I didn't care. I was young, round, and in love."

"So what happened?"

"I scrounged up the courage to ask her on a date, and she said yes. We have been together since then. We did holographic escape rooms, fancy dinners, and visited some off-world museums, but they weren't really for me. Even did a little something-something when her parents weren't over." Cheeseburger winked slyly.

"I'm guessing it didn't work out?"

"You'd guess wrong. Her smarts won her a scholarship on Earth. The distance makes it difficult, but we still chat regularly. We'd meet up off-world a few times, usually at Amiantos or some other place halfway between here and there. She didn't know, but I was saving to visit her on Earth. That was before the first dome fell, and all traffic stopped. I sent her a text before Raifin fell. No idea whether she got it."

Thud-thud.

"I hope she received it. But why didn't you mention her before?"

Cheeseburger turned his head slightly away. "Just be how I am. Keep what's precious close to my heart."

"Then we better ensure we have enough food, don't we? Can't have you all scrawny when you see her again."

"Aye!" Cheeseburger exclaimed with a smile.

I grinned at the sight. I've seen many people fall into despair in the last few months. I came close on a few occasions myself. The thought of reuniting with this girl must be what keeps Cheeseburger going. "I have to ask. Does she know why you're called Cheeseburger?"

"I'm saving that for our wedding night."

I laughed at the image. "I'm guessing that doesn't mean you'll tell me?"

Cheeseburger slowly raised his head and squinted his eyes. "Lovely weather we're having. Not too cold, not too warm. Maybe we'll see a meteor shower if we're lucky."

Thud-thud.

"Alright, I won't pry."

A flash in the heavens cut off any other jokes I wanted to make.

"What was that?" Cheeseburger asked.

"I'm guessing the anti-matter mine."

My tablet started to scream its shrill alarm. I recognized the sound instantly. There was only one type of alarm that made such a horrifying noise.

Vega. Get to Cerviel. NOW!!