After their farewell, the two stepped out of the house, braving the storm once more as they headed back toward their ship.
Rolina turned back to look at her old home through the curtain of yellow-orange dust. Behind the window, her mother's face appeared—until the ship's rear hatch slid shut, cutting off their view of each other. The vessel lifted from the ground, ready to leave this place behind. Rolina's eyes lingered on the metal door as it slowly sealed her mother from sight.
"..." Rolina clenched her fingers tightly into her palm.
"Rolina, come here a sec!" Sam's voice rang out from the cockpit.
She walked through the central hall into the control room, where Sam sat gripping something tightly in his hand. He extended his arm from behind the chair, his reflection in the front window showing him casually picking his nose. As Rolina approached, he opened his palm to reveal a wriggling octopus tentacle trapped inside a ball.
"Oh, sheesh! Wrong one—this one, this one!" He dug into his other pocket and pulled out the blue ball. "Ta-da!"
"…You… how'd you get this?" Rolina reached for it. "Sam…"
"I bought it. Thought it looked nice. Why?" Sam raised his brows.
"You're joking. This looks exactly like… Sam, you took it, didn't you?"
"Kick it and see. Then you'll know whose it is." With that, Sam launched the ship skyward.
Rolina tossed the ball against the ceiling. From tennis-ball size, it expanded into a sphere large enough for both hands. As the ship broke through the atmosphere, she slipped off her magnetic boots and leapt, kicking the ball straight into Sam's face in zero gravity.
Thud! "Ow! Shit! My nose~~"
"Hahaha! That's what thieves get!" The ball bounced off, smacking Fuzzy's tail. The creature flicked its tail, sending the ball ricocheting back into Sam's head.
Whack!
"Argh! You damn mutt~~! Oh, you wanna play? Fine!" Sam slammed a lever, and Rolina felt the ship accelerate violently.
"Whoa! Whoa, Sam! What are you doing~"
"Wanna see a star? I'll show you." He pointed at a mysterious red button. Rolina raised her hands in alarm. "Sam, don't you dare—"
Beep! His finger pressed it. "Alright, time to blast off! Buckle up—"
Boom! The rear thrusters erupted in blue flame, propelling the ship at insane speed. Rolina slammed against the ceiling like she'd been glued there. Fuzzy dug its claws into the floor, leaving long scratches.
"Holy shit~ Wooo~~!" Sam howled.
"Sam~~~ shut it down~~~!" Rolina screamed, just as a glowing gem drifted past the cockpit. She lunged, snatching it into her arms, her body spinning back into the central hall.
"Fast as hell~~" Sam gaped, exhilarated.
Kaboom! An explosion rattled the rear of the ship, and the Big Flow Shark began slowing down. "Huh?" Sam scratched his head. "Guess the boiler blew…"
"You wrecked the ship, you idiot!" Rolina's voice thundered from behind. Sam spun his chair, trying to explain.
"I-I can explain… it happened because—whoa~!" Before he could finish, Rolina's foot smashed into his face, leaving him seeing nothing but moons and stars.
Bam!!