like this.”
“At least the capsule fell into the hole,” Meea quipped, finally noticing the end result of the mishap. “The hard part’s over now.”
Shartha finally cracked a smile. “Yeah. And no-one got any digits crushed, either, so that’s another thing to be thankful for.”
“That’s the spirit!” Matakh assured his friend, clapping the cheetah on his good shoulder. “The girls and I will bury the capsule, and then we’ll get going. Do you need us to give you guys a ride?”
“Nah,” Timirza said. “Shartha and I came over on our Razor-Blades. We can just ride those back, since they don’t require hands to use.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Meea said.
Burying the capsule went even faster than digging the hole, even with Shartha unable to help. Once the capsule was completely covered, stones were layered for extra protection, before the rest of the dirt was mounded overtop. Shartha tried his best to help, but he quickly realized that using a shovel with just one hand was next to impossible, though he did manage to carry a few stones over.
“Well,” Matakh said breathlessly as he deposited one last shovelful of dirt, “I think that should do it.”
“I agree,” Meea replied. “Nothing’s going to be digging that up anytime soon.” She smiled at her brother. “You made a good call in suggesting we use the capsule. I just wish we didn’t have to use it at all.”
“I know, Mee,” Matakh said sadly. “But at least this way we can save those things most important to us.”
“Well,” Timirza broke in, “we shouldn’t stay around for much longer. Shartha and I need to get back to the shelter. You two are coming with us, right?”
“We are,” Meea agreed. “Give us a second to get our bikes out and powered up, we’ll meet you out front.”
The two lion siblings ran to the garage, which was still relatively intact, skirting their parents’ cars as they headed for the rear. To their relief, their hover-bikes were still nestled securely in their power sockets, and when activated slid free without any trouble. The engines hummed softly to life, suspending the bikes several inches above the ground. A quick diagnostic showed all systems green, and the two lions strapped on their helmets and quickly climbed aboard. The thrumming of the repulsors intensified with their weight, but quickly evened out again as they settled, the siblings carefully steering their way between the cars. Just as they cleared the door, Timirza and Shartha zipped over on their hover-boards. Timirza gave them a jaunty wave, while Shartha settled for a pleased smile.
“Race you!” Timirza called to Meea, before taking off on her board.
“You’re on!” Meea yelled after her, gunning the engine on her bike and flying off in pursuit.
Shartha chuckled and shook his head. “They never slow down, do they?” he joked, waving his good hand to clear the dust from his face.
Matakh laughed along with his friend. “It sure seems that way. Shall we join them, or do you just want to take it slow?”
“Definitely the latter,” Shartha replied. “The shelter’s in the old Thornpeal Building. This way.” With that, the two friends drifted off after their sisters, unsure of what lay ahead of them.
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