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The Waystation Ch.79
🕑 Added 2023-10-13 09:23:18 +0000 UTCChapter 79
Overhaul III
“Hello!” Way Way said excitedly when Bert dropped into its mana tides again.
“Hi, Way Way,” Bert smiled. “Ready to build some more carriages?”
“Of course,” The voice sounded distracted.
“What’s wrong?” Bert asked.
“You plan to complete the change today,” Way Way hesitated. “I will miss talking to you.”
“No, you won’t,” Bert grinned. “I’ll drop in to say hi every day if I can.”
“I would like that,” Way Way said.
“Plus, you can use the consoles to talk to everyone else as well.” Bert said, “You’ll be sick of talking to us before too long.”
“No, I won't!” Way Way said happily. “Shall we get started then?”
Bert didn’t need to answer; a simple thought brought up build mode again.
Staring at the basic carriage momentarily, Bert thought about what to build next.
Deciding to get the farm stuff done before he woke up wrapped in razor vines, a hint he was sure Scruff would be on board with, Bert started with the farms.
The first carriage was simple, with three tiers of growing levels. It was basic but effective.
A single spiral staircase was added, as well as an elevating platform Way Way would move to help transport heavy goods and plants between levels. It was equivalent to the area that she had before, not including the two forward carriages.
So, of course, he added a second Carriage. This time, the entire bottom level was a storage area for Scruff’s little horrors currently residing in the giant shed. The second level was half a planting area and half a living space. The top tier was a growing space with a difference. It was designed for slothy, complete with a windbreak made of crystal.
A living area was made for her, lower and more comfortable than the others, with a massive area for Slothy and a smaller area for Gavin.
They built those carriages quickly, as they were simpler than the others. Adding the single large crystal-encased tunnel that would connect the carriages to the main pathway took a little longer.
It was something he wouldn’t compromise on. They needed a secure path along the entire length, or it would simply be too difficult to defend.
He was kind of hoping the plants would help with that in the same way they did with Trailor One. Those plants on most carriages would ensure that nothing messing with the Waystation would last long.
The next carriage in line was an easy one. A massive storage bay on the top and bottom levels, with smaller ones off the central passage in the middle level.
They could always add another storage carriage if needed, but this rebuild was consuming the vast majority of their resources.
The final touch was two completely empty carriages, their floors bare except for the main passage.
The purpose was simple. They could be used as emergency storage or converted to anything the Waystation needed. For now, the top layer was a growing level, like most of the other cars.
Wincing, Bert remembered the Express.
He quickly converted the rear carriage’s bottom two floors into a garage, with both sides able to drop down to make excellent ramps.
“I’m too tired if I’m forgetting the Express,” Bert muttered to himself.
“It could have followed along under its own power,” Way Way said in commiseration.
“Tell my daughter to walk along behind.” Bert winced.
“You have completed an amazing job, assuming you did it over a month. To do it this fast is borderline crazy.” Way Way said soothingly. “It is not surprising things started to get forgotten. Like a way for people to get on board.”
Bert groaned.
“I have already added sliding gangways at each carriage and a wide one for the main entrance to the Bear’s Fall.” Way Way laughed.
“You’re a lifesaver,” Bert smiled. “I’m going to get some sleep; then it’s time for the big unveiling!”
“Come back soon!” Way Way said cheerfully as Bert rose out of the tides.
This time, Bert didn’t even make it out of the chair before he fell asleep.
============
“Wake up!” Bell called in increasingly irritated tones.
Bert struggled up from sleep, actually feeling a lot better.
“Morning, sweetie,” He grinned at her irritated face, loving the way her cheeks flushed slightly despite her clear irritation.
“At last,” She slid onto his lap, “Way Way won’t let anyone on board until you wake up, and the villagers are getting restless.”
“Okay,” Bert laughed. “I’ll go let them in.” He winked. “And I have a surprise for you.”
“I can’t exactly call it a surprise anymore, but I’ll take it.” She giggled as she shifted on his lap.
“That too, but I meant a different surprise.” He grinned.
It took a while for them to get around to actually leaving the bridge, but he certainly felt better for the experience.
Instead of jumping down like he had before, Bert found a long walkway that slid out of the space between floors. A small railing popped up as it dropped down to ground level.
It was almost like the gangplank from a ship, and he massively approved.
Giving the Waystation a congratulatory pat, he trotted down with Bell sitting on his shoulder in pixie form.
She was apparently ‘done walking like a base animal’ for a while.
The collected group was one short...
“Where is Scruff?” Bert asked as he hopped the last few feet onto the ground.
“Up here!” Scruff waived from the top of the first carriage. “I’m getting some plants settled.”
“There is a bigger-” Bert started to say.
“She already filled it,” Wendy rolled her eyes. “And the things are in their storage bay.” She looked put out.
“What’s wrong with that?” Bert asked.
“She won’t let me on board!” Wendy snapped. “She lifted Slothy up with her vines, but me… I am just stuck down here.”
“You remember you’re a pixie, right?” Bert asked in confusion.
Wendy got a stunned look on her face while Scruff and Bell roared with laughter.
“Daddy,” Wendy said sweetly, “Can you make me a hammer like Mom’s?”
“Hey!” Scruff called down. “Don’t do that!”
“Honey,” Bell said with quiet glee. “You don’t need one. You have that suit of yours.”
“Yeah! I do.” Wendy said, fires burning in her eyes.
“Eh, I’ve got a lot of plants,” Scruff shrugged, going back to bedding down the plants. “I’ll be fine.”
“You’re no fun!” Wendy snapped.
“You don’t mean that,” Scruff called down.
“Soo…” Bert interrupted, “Shall we do the tour?”
“Yes!” Bell insisted. “I don’t do delayed gratification.”
“And don’t we all know it,” Wendy muttered.
“I DO have that hammer,” Bell said.
“Sorry, Mum,” Wendy rolled her eyes.
Starting with the engine, Bert led the group through the entire landtrain. It was all worth it as he saw them stare around in wonder or beam happily at their new accommodations.
The Orcs took their proximity to the Engine as a great honor. They were slapping each other on the back and grinning hugely even while they looked around the rest of the carriages.
The grand crystal top floor of the front carriage had them all stunned. They had seen it from the outside, but it was different even than he had expected. The crystal made it warm and magnified the beauty of even these barren surroundings.
They were even more astonished with their new rooms. Lily almost fainted when she saw hers between both Wendy's and Bud’s rooms.
“How come Bud has two rooms?” Wendy asked.
“Scruff has a room here and the cottage,” Bert pointed out. “Just in case we all need to be close or just want to be.”
Lily paused in front of the last room, seeing the name on the door.
“You even made a room for…” She looked tearful, “But she rejected us.”
“And if she changes her mind,” Bert said, “She’ll find a room waiting for her, always.”
“Thank you,” Lily said quietly.
“No worries,” Bert smiled, “Come on all, I have a surprise for Bell.”
He led them through the rear carriage of the Bear’s fall and up to the door to the top level. A sign above it read ‘Gallery,’ in ornate script.
Pushing open the door, he led them in, enjoying their gasps at the sketches that adorned the many panels around the room.
Bell stared around, seeing the light playing over the sketches done by woman long dead.
A small panel in bronze sat all on its own. It contained the story of that woman from Earth. The one who was lost to bad luck.
He had promised they would remember, and now, he felt like he was finally keeping that promise.
“You can lock the door to whoever you want,” Bert whispered to Bell, “But now you can open this to anyone you choose to.”
“Thank you,” Bell said, happy tears falling. “We’ll have to get more stuff as well!”
“Naturally,” Bert said, “Whatever you choose, we keep here.”
Bell grinned through the rest of the tour.
Scruff was back on the farming carriages when they got there, walking contentedly between the rows, her green mana pouring into the plants as they bedded down.
Their last stop on the path was to see Slothy’s new home. She was laying on her back in the patch of grass Way Way had already grown for her outside her cavelike home.
“Och, Beastie,” Gavin fussed, “You’ve messed yer fur up again!” He took out a brush and began smoothing it down as Slothy contentedly snuffled at the air. “I’ll be forever running back and forth to check on ye!”
“I did add a space for you here if you prefer?” Bert nodded towards the cave.
The Dwarf hurried in, emerging again in a few moments.
“Grand, I’ll just stay here, aye?” He asked.
“Whatever you like,” Bert said.
“It’ll save me running back and forth, is all,” Gavin said.
“A great plan,” Bert said.
Gavin nodded, returning to brushing the giant sloth bear as it snored.
In all, everybody seemed to be thrilled with the changes.
“What about the Express?” Wendy asked. “Do I just drive along behind?”
“Nope.” Bert grinned and asked Way Way to drop the ramp closest to the Express.
Wendy squealed with delight, driving the express into its new home with a grin.
“You can decorate that as you like,” Bert said. “It’s your space.”
“Thanks!” Wendy said, hurrying off to get started.
He felt guilty all over again, seeing how happy she was.
It was humbling to realize how many people he had to think about now.
The funny thing was he used to be a bit of a loner.
==============
Sitting on the bridge of the Waystation Land Train was an incredible experience. Everyone was sitting at a console or in one of the main seats as they started to roll forward for the first time.
Getting ready had simply not been necessary. Everything was already on board, and they had no idea what awaited them in the tunnel, so they couldn’t plan ahead.
They still took a day to rest and settle in before starting out.
In no time at all, they would hopefully be exploring a new continent with new people and new adventures.
So, a day was nothing.
Still, Bert was glad to be getting underway.
The giant light crystals lit up as they slipped into the darkness of the tunnel.
The golden light revealed smooth walls with no sign of any damage or decay.
The floor itself was made of the same silvery rock.
Analyzing it had no effect, but Bell was pretty sure it was magically merged with sky metal to increase their strength.
Treads grinding against the hardened stone echoed around them as they descended deeper and deeper into the ground. Long loops led them down and down. It was lucky they had designed this to take a large amount of traffic, or even the redesigned Waystation wouldn’t have fit.
Luckily, Way Way was able to navigate the occasional tight turn through all of the turnings.
Many hours after they entered the spiral, the ground finally leveled out. Bert could not even imagine the depth they had descended. He forgot all about it as the Waystation rolled into a massive underground chamber.
The lights glinted off distant walls, and an even more distant roof shimmered with glints of reflected light, making it seem like a starry sky stretched above them.
I can feel magical receivers beneath the floor; should I feed mana into them?
The writing scrolled across the consoles in the bridge, and Bert nodded, asking Way Way to do it carefully.
It was unlikely to be trapped after all; major traffic through here made it too likely that someone would accidentally set it off. He still felt himself holding his breath as the Waystation started to feed its mana to the chamber.
Slowly, light started to flow across the walls, and recessed light crystals of incredible size started to shine.
“It’s… “ Bell gaped.
Bert didn’t need her to say it. No one did.
“Well, now we know who made this place,” Bert grinned at the knotwork shining along the walls and floor. “And why Karl suggested we head this way.”
I have sensed a much larger formation ahead.
I think it is the gate. Shall I begin charging it?
“Do it!” Bell said excitedly. Bert closed his half-open mouth, feeling slightly aggrieved at not being the one to give the command.
The feeling vanished as he watched Bell’s eyes shining in the reflected light. Her face was lit up in joy.
No way he would begrudge her that.
The silence in the Bridge built as they all waited with baited breath.
Finally, it happened.
A spot of light appeared in the darkness at the far end of the area. No lights had lit there, and he was starting to understand why. The point of light began to grow, spinning in place until lines were flung out. They grabbed onto the edges of a massive stone arch, the lines flexing as the spot snagged.
A second later, a tearing sound ripped through the cavern, and the space between the lines pulled back.
And just like that, they were looking at a new continent.
The gate was obviously not buried on that side. Bright light and clear skies greeted them.
In the distance, far above and miles from the gate, a zeppelin moved lazily across the sky with what looked like a tall ship hanging from it.
“Well?” Bell asked, her eyes on the distant horizon, “What are we waiting for?”
“We want to make sure it’s stable,” Bert said. “We don’t want any of Way Way to be left behind.
“Didn’t we leave in the evening?” Wendy asked, pointing to a sun hanging high in the sky. “How far away is this place.”
“It’s like a whole new world!” Bud said excitedly.
And that was all it took for Bert’s strained patience to snap.
“Let’s go!” He grinned as the Waystation eased forward, his anxiety forgotten.
As the Waystation neared the breach, he expected something to happen, like a lightspeed or tunnel of magic type of thing.
Instead, it simply rolled through as if there was no distance at all.
Bell wound her fingers between his, grinning as wide as he was, as the Waystation moved through the arch, a whole new adventure starting.
