331 Group 2 at the Midlands (1/2)

”Alani!” Isabella was half-crying when they found her at the bakery.

Heads turned the moment the locals heard that cry. ”Alani? That's the name that thunder was calling for?!”

Alani half-blushed, half-grimaced and turned to look at the ceiling with an innocent whistle. ”I don't know these people…”

But alas, she could not escape. Jamie jumped on her, grabbed her up and squeezed her so tight she thought she would pop. ”I thought you were done for!”

”We came looking for you. Even before the storm properly ended, we were already descending.” Siti told Alani.

”I told you to leave me behind!” Alani protested weakly.

”We had a vote. Your proposal was outvoted five to one.” Gary informed her.

[Six.] Ember added.

[Seven.] Crimson voiced.

[Eight.] Lunar wagged her tail.

[Nine!] Flare joined in.

[And ten.] Grandpa Reef added, just for good measure.

Alani looked at her friends around her, five humans and five Wilds, none of whom would let her be left behind and suddenly felt like crying. ”But… but what about the mission?”

”Flip the mission! We might be back late. So what? What's he going to do, fire us?” Gary snorted.

There was a bit of laughter, then a whole lot of cookies, and since they were going to be late anyway, they figured they may as well take a short little break at La Vive and sample a few more foods while they were at it…

For once, not even Isabelle complained about the budget.

***

[Ember says Isabelle asked if you're sure about it.] Chirpy privately told Mindy.

[Yes, I'm sure. Let them have some fun for a bit. I'll cover the bills.] Mindy chuckled. [Just don't tell Remian. Oh, and get me a few snacks while you're there.]

[Isabella agrees.]

***

Remian, meanwhile, thought about it for a bit. [Did Isabella mention where this 'external funding' is coming from?]

[She absolutely refuses to disclose.] Carrie replied.

”Huh.” Remian mused, thinking about some kind old grannie at La Vive generously buying a group of children ice-creams. ”Well, it should be fine so long as they're not being bribed to do things I wouldn't approve of. In fact, doing an odd job here and there to increase their resources isn't a bad idea. If they could do side missions to earn enough to outright buy the machine, it would actually be an acceptable solution to the budget problem. At the end of the day, the training is meant to build high tech spacecraft on limited resources. Developing their own resources for extra funding should help. Look at George, Tim and Mindy. They all developed their own resources already. Asking them to do something like procure such a machine would be a snap for them given their current assets. There's no reason Group 2 can't do the same.”

Carrie sent it along to the group word for word.

Remian spoke no more of the matter.