Throughout the ruins of the base, laughter and merriment could be heard for the first time in nearly a century. As the sun began to slip over the horizon, a nervousness set into the partygoers, to be outside of the burrows after dark was to risk death. To that, their Human host laughed and disappeared for a short while after promising he had a solution.


    The Human returned with another cart, this one stacked with rolls of strange rope. The hunters watched as the Human and Delvik spoke in that strange, grunty language. With a nod, Delvik began directing the Hunters to grab an end of the rope and carry it up into the metal beams overhead, until all the rope was stretched across the area above their heads. Delvik stood by the Human, wearing a grin as the Human connected the end of the ropes to a strange box.


    That night, another first in nearly a century occurred, artificial light shone brightly from a building with purpose. Thomas laughed and raised his beer up in a cheers as the party continued, and a drone silently passed far overhead, recording everything its mechanical eye saw.


    Thomas was having the time of his life, he had always enjoyed a good party, especially if it involved barbecue and beer. This was so much more though, he thought as he was showing a group of Delviks people how to use the grills and watching them experiment with different combinations. Already he had made over dozen trips into the shelter to get more items, like the LED rope lights now hanging from the ceiling.


    He was also learning so much about his new neighbors. He had sat and spoken with both Delvik and Anzis, and introduced them both to his favorite rum while asking and answering questions. Delvik had made it clear that getting Anzis to have a favorable opinion of Thomas would make interacting with their people, the Rakus, much easier.


    Thomas felt that they were making good progress on that front. Anzis seemed to be enjoying himself, judging from the number of empty plates and bottles in front of him at the table. Sweeping his eyes over the gathering he spotted a table running low and after tapping his new helpers on the shoulders to get their attention, filled a new tray and carried it over and replaced the empty with it to a chorus of chittering cheers.


    Item number one, he thought to himself, gotta figure out how to make a translator so I can communicate easier. It was the only downside to the day, other than the battle against deadly creatures that wanted to eat them of course. Thomas was having a blast though, it brought back good memories from college and from after he started working at the base. Going out to the beach or the state park and grilling up delicious food.


    As the moon climbed higher into the sky, the party inevitably began to wind down. Many of the Rakus were passed out at the tables, having fallen prey to the food coma that follows such heavy food, or from indulging a bit much on the beer. Thomas smiled as he moved about, clearing trash from the tables and suppressing a laugh at sight of the Rakus living up to their ancestor species moniker.


    Delvik and Anzis stood on a section of the roof, looking out over the ruins. “So, your Human sure lived up to his promise” Anzis said with a glance back to his hunting party, most of which was passed out on the tables or floor. He shook his head and looked to the scout, “What is it that you are looking to get from this?”, he continued, “I will vouch for the Human not being a threat, but what is your goal here Delvik?”


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The armored scout turned from watching Thomas move about, cleaning up the messes and looked Anzis in the eyes with a serious expression, “Do you remember, about three winters ago when the wasting cough swept through our burrow?”. He continued after seeing Anzis nod, “It took two of my siblings, and so many others it nearly destroyed the tribe. If Thomas had been here then, I am certain we could have cured or even prevented it.”


    The two lapsed into silence, remembering the past and considering the future.


    “The Matrons will not be pleased, nor as easily convinced as I was,” Anzis said softly, breaking the silence.


    Delvik nodded in understanding, “I know, but I owe it to the ones we have lost, the ones we lose every year, to at least try,” he said somberly, “I have seen Human settlements suffer similar sickness and come out of it with less loss than we do, I believe Thomas will be the key to us being able to do the same, and so much more.”


    The two stood in silence once more, listening to the sounds of the night broken only by the snoring of the passed out hunters below. They tried to maintain the somber air that such a heavy conversation brings, fought to keep their faces straight, but ultimately failed. They both looked down to the slumbering hunters, normally proud and mighty, now sprawled out on all surfaces, snoring loudly enough and with enough variation to almost be considered music.


    Chuckling at the sight, the two descended to the main floor. Thomas immediately conscripted them to help cleanup, and quickly the trash and waste bits of food were bagged up and placed inside the entry to the shelter. They moved sleepily protesting figures, laying them out in the center of the room and covering them with old army blankets. Finally, once all the work was done, the three retired to a round table to relax. “I will say,” Thomas said with a smile as he shuffled some cards, “your people know how to enjoy a good party”.


    Both Delvik and Anzis laughed at that, “They ate more food than most do all year” Anzis stated, “and in morning, they learn a valuable lesson why they need… um, self control.”


    Thomas’s smile faltered at that statement, “Are your people really that hard pressed for food,” he asked while looking around, “we can make more for you to take back with you”.


    The two Rakus looked at each other, and then Delvik spoke “Thomas, tomorrow I will be going back with Anzis and hunters. I need to speak with the Matrons, about you and all this” he said, waving a paw as if to encompass everything here.


    Delvik held up a paw when Thomas tried to speak, “No, you cannot come with me. You stay here, safe in your burrow and do Human things. I will return when done, and with luck, we can help my people," and he continued as Thomas began to frown, "I will respect the things you do not want known my friend, but I must do this".


    Thomas continued to frown, but he saw the look in Delviks eyes, his mind had been made up and it would be a waste to argue. With a sigh, “I wish you the best of luck my friend, anything I can do to help, just let me know” he said, and began dealing out the cards to the two across from him to their mild confusion.


    That night a third first occurred, and a Human tried teaching two mutant raccoons how to play poker, and regretted it as they turned out to be naturals. They played until sleep began to over take them as well.


    Anzis nodded to his hunters who drew the short straws and had to maintain a security watch, before bedding down himself.


    Delvik and Thomas retreated into the shelter, sealing the door behind them before retiring to their respective rooms.


    When Thomas awoke, Delvik was gone and his suit of armor sat on its mannequin.