While Lana didn't catch what planet they were on, she knew this place was going to be more pricey than the Crows. This was a tier-1 shelter which none of them had ever seen before. The walls were high and the buildings were made of permanent materials. Lower tiers used earth because earth users were so common. It didn't take a price in materials to build, often they didn't even have furniture. Earth houses tended to have furniture made out of rock as it was easy for them to make. Most factions set up for very little because the living conditions were uncomfortable. Of course cushions and mattresses were purchased but the structure was not. This place looked amazing but Lana still liked her home much better. This place was busy. It seemed more market than community.
After filling out some papers about the purpose of their visit and paying a docking fee, they were given options of where they could spend the night. They wanted to stay together so Lana opted to pay the fees for a suite that would fit them all. They had food delivered to their room and soon were fast asleep. Lana slept halfway into the next day because she was up for so long. They had to pay for an additional night both for the room and the docking fees. She didn't care. She paid extra as well for unlimited room service. She took advantage of being able to eat and replenish as well as bring some of the food along with her. They still needed to get Dilly.
The next morning, they checked out of their room before the sun was up and headed out, back to Graylash territory. They got through the transfer portal pretty quick considering the wait going the other way. Lana called Dilly to let her know they were on the way and be ready. With not having permission, she was going to enter in stealth mode and steal her away.
Dilly had a whole bunch of equipment so she had 5 trunks to carry. Shalt parked right behind her building and they made sure the ship was cloaked. They didn't like using it like this because there was still a shimmer which was why they always left the Crows at night but she needed to get her friend out of there and didn't want to wait. Heading around the corner to enter the building, the trio ran into Quinn, Linda and Alex. Quinn asked why she was there and she told him. She said she needed to get out of there quickly, before her ship was spotted because she was stealing Dilly away. Quinn shook his head but told her to be quick.
In the apartment, Shalt grabbed two trunks and each of the others grabbed one. Lana was given the lightest one but Caser still held an end with his tentacles. They got the trunks stowed and they suddenly heard explosions and saw ships firing at civilians. People were screaming and she saw Graylash people running into action.
"Shalt, get her started! Rene, guard the door with your bow! Dilly dear, buckle in."
Lana and Caser jumped off the ship with intent to save as many as they could. She saw crying children with their mothers and she pointed to the opening soon the ship's seats were all full but she still kept pulling people in. This was a modification by Logan, she trusted it.
She saw three Sunshields come around the corner and they threw fireballs her direction.
"Vinewall, Vinewall, Vinewall!" Suddenly a thick Qi-infused wall was in front of her. A lone member of the Graylash team she saw was still alive and he was wounded. She instructed Caser to go get him. She saw a mother and a child running toward her. Caser got the Graylash person to the ship and ran to get the child as she fell. Lana grabbed the mother and pushed her into the ship. It was standing room only. As the door closed, Graylash put the last of his energy into a massive lighting bolt that killed a few Sunshields but more were coming around the corner. Lana put up more vine walls as the door was closing.
"GO!"
People were screaming and crying. Lana touched her choker and used the skill it had for the first time: AMPLIFY
"Shut up! Sit your butts on the floor. They can hear you. If you want to live, be silent!"
A few children cried into the shirts of their parents but everyone complied. Caser held onto Lana. Shalt grabbed her and buckled her into his seat. Rene was piloting the ship. They felt explosions outside their ship until they were in the outer atmosphere of the planet. Lana's heart was in her throat.
She pulled out her mask and left a message. "Quinn. I'm hoping you got out. I wanted to let you know I took survivors on board. I just got a text from Logan that my system is ready and I need to go pick it up. I'll meet you back at the Crow's base."
Lana unbuckled herself and stood in front of everyone. She turned to Rene, "take us out of stealth mode." She showed Rene the message, "take us to this planet."
Rene nodded and got to business.
Lana returned her gaze to the new people. "I know you have just been through hell but I need to give you a choice. We are going to a Bree planet to pick up some equipment for my new faction and family. Your options will be either get off there and go where you want to or stay on board and join my faction. My planet can be dangerous but my shelter is relatively safe." Lana looked over her shoulder at the console. "You have about 5 hours to decided. If you have questions for me, now is the time."
They asked the usual like who she was. She gave her name, explained she created a family and a faction. She was looking for people who could be loyal to her that she could teach her ability to and work for her as well.
They asked what her shelter was like and she said "unfinished" with a chuckle. They didn't have apartments, everyone would have a house which was inside a tree. Many didn't think that was very secure. At the same time, they saw her vines hold back three Sunshields. In her own reflection, she was thankful she found that dusty old book. Qi was responsible for her survival in many instances. It truly was a powerful asset.
Lana got out her bag and offered some snacks she got from the hotel and started passing them out to the children. "Where's mommy and daddy?"
Lana was taken aback since she was sitting with a young lady. "What does she mean, are you not her mother?"
"I'm the babysitter. Her parents run a stall in the market. That was the first place hit."
Lana's eyes teared up. "Are you okay with taking care of her?"
"I have no money or assets. No place to go."
Lana nodded then looked at the others. "How many have a place they would like to go if only they had passage?"
Three people raised their hands. She nodded.
"How many are planning to go somewhere and have passage?" They were now on approach. Only 15 people raised their hands. It looked like they were three full teams of seasoned travelers. She would still have people not in seats after she dropped these people off but she couldn't rescue them then abandon them.
"Miss Plantwell, What am I to tell Graylash? We were supposed to die defending the Eagles."
"Tell them a friend of the Cursed Child refused to leave you behind."
He was shocked, "you know the Cursed Child?"
Lana nodded, "he was on the planet. I don't know yet if he got out but he's a friend for a reason. Live to fight another day. Do you have passage?"
He nodded with tears in his eyes. "Thank you."
Lana smiled, "of course. I value life."
They could feel the landing before Rene even said they were there. Lana needed to walk off the ship with them to pay for the passage three. This meant Caser and Shalt would be getting off as well. It was refreshing being in a place where none batted an eye about a beast getting off a space ship.
Like the earth station, this place was also a shopping mall. Lana went to a clothing store and started buying all kinds of stuff. Those people stepped off that planet with only what they were carrying. If she was taking them on, they were now her responsibility. She ended up having to rent three carts to carry everything back to the ship. When she told her passengers what was in the bags, they were shocked. The trio then went to buy some food for everyone and return the carts.
It was then time to go see Logan.