She was just getting ready to continue when there was a knock at the door. "Well, there is a negative. We can't see who it is and someone just walked up with no notice."
Dobin reached over and hit the open button. Standing at the door was Leo. He walked over to Lana and said, "We need to talk about that" and pointed to her chest. The reaction around the room was mixed with Dobin speaking up. "They just get that big sometimes, sir."
There were smirks around the table. There would have been laughter had not Leo been so serious. Only Kattie and Vorden knew what was under her shirt. It was getting time to make him a new bottle anyway.
She pulled the little baby out from her bra and, cradling him in her hands, showed him to Leo. She explained how she found him. She then continued imploringly, "I pieced it together. The plants said a boy with dark curly hair killed a snail thing which made a loud sound. This then woke that beast that killed his classmates which apparently you ultimately killed because you fit the description and were in the area." While he was blind and it would have no effect, she still looked him in the eyes, "Could you do it, Leo? Could you take an innocent life whose only crime was to be born at the wrong time in the wrong spot? He would have died if I had left him behind! He deserves the chance to live, to be loved!" She had tears welling up in her eyes. While Leo couldn't see her facial expression, he could see her emotions.
She then turned to the others, "Quinn is NOT to know his actions resulted in the death of his classmates. He has enough burden. Don't put this on him as well!"
He thought about everything she said and relented, "I want you to promise me if that thing becomes a danger to humanity, you will kill it."
"Deal" then right after there was a "meow". That got a giggle out of Kattie who was reminding Sven that Caser was a friend, not a tasty snack.
Leo nodded then looked around. "Where exactly are we?"
She smiled, "I'm in the employ of the Green Family to test field kitchens since I like cooking outside so much. I have even done commercials for them. This is their luxury model that is not on the market yet. We've been in here about 30 minutes and I already have some suggestions to make it better."
"You sure know how to keep yourself busy, don't you?"
"Yes sir, while the Greens and I are in different fields, it's still science."
"Are those strawberries on that table?"
Lana chuckled and offered the bowl so he could grab a few then he headed out the door. "I intend to speak to your teacher about allowing you to walk around an orange-portal planet by yourself. That was too risky." He then turned and walked away. Dobin closed the door behind him.
About 15 minutes later, Leo was standing in front of Nis looking very unhappy. "Explain to me why you allowed a student to wander around an orange-portal planet by herself!"
Nis explained everything that happened that day. How Lana not only helped her class but saved them as well. That she needed to leave if she were to save more lives. Leo then contacted Fay to request a score change for one Lana Plantwell from the assessment to match that of the other group.
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Back in the field kitchen, Lana was explaining what Duff explained to her about Pucket's plans for her. Vorden had told Sil to listen up because he had a feeling Sil was going to need to provide some influence here. He was already in potential trouble for going against Quinn. If Lana gets caught and ends up in the dungeon with Peter, there was no way he could control Sil. Normally he would make sure Sil didn't hear such a thing. But the idea of going against both of them in the same day and Sil finding out terrified him.
"What do you guys suggest we do?"
Vorden was the first to respond, "Lock you and Kattie up in my room while us boys take care of this."
"Cute dream. Next."
Dobin, "I agree with Vorden."
"Dobin, do you even fully understand what's going on here? We need to END this which means spring the trap and flip the switch in a way which gains us the evidence we need to end Duke. Pucket is just the tool here. And if I'm going to be frank, didn't I hear that Duke is after you as well, Vorden? This has to work tomorrow."
Vorden offered, "Logan provided us with communication devices when we saved Peter and Erin from Truedream. Maybe he could again and we could try to protect you that way?"
"The biggest problem is that we don't know exactly what he has planned. Duff is just supposed to get me in the park tomorrow night."
"Then we just need to be ready for anything," Almin responded.
"Don't worry," Alto said, "We won't let him hurt you."
She nodded "I think for right now, you guys should go get some rest. I want to test this place out a bit more. Duff, here is a new book. Alto, can you add water in the bathroom? I want to test the sink and shower since the toilet has been so expertly tested already…"
"Oh, Kattie. Did you want to watch me make his food really quick before you go? Guys, please wait for her. I don't want her walking by herself."
Lana to Katie, "I should have thought of this before I cleaned the kitchen…"
Kattie smiled softly, "You have a lot on your mind."
Lana then heated the stove up and followed the directions. She added the ingredients at the times specified by Kattie's father and soon a big batch was made. She filled a few jars that Alto had gotten out of her store room. She placed them in the little refrigerator to cool.
She turned to Kattie, "did I do well?"
Kattie laughed, "Do you ever make a mistake?"
Lana laughed, "all the time!"
The five then left her and Vorden alone to test the other features.
Sil swapped out as soon as Vorden closed the door behind her friends. "Can I feed Caser?"
Lana smiled, "Of course but he stays in my bra." She took off the uniform then the under shirt giving Sil easy access to feed Caser. He set her on the counter, moved in closer and held the baby's filled bottle. Caser ate with gusto. Lana's bra got wetter by the second as milk leaked from the bottle and his mouth then Caser latched on tighter. He seemed to get the hang of it. Kattie's father did warn her this could be a problem at first because they could tell the difference between a bottle and a nipple from their mother. Caser started purring and put a paw on either side of the bottle and started making biscuits, kneading the sides of the bottle. Sil took off her boots and socks while her feet were dangling.
Once he was done eating, Lana then gently used a towel from her bag to rub the wetness and his tummy just a bit to see if there was a burp that needed to come up. Sil relieved her of the burden of her wet bra and put it in her bag. The baby was asleep in moments. She left him wrapped in the towel in the top of the bag with it open so he would feel safe.
Sil grabbed her by the hand and headed toward the shower that he would gladly test out with her.