CHAPTER XXXIV

DRAT agents arrive in the sarcophagi room, to collect the soldiers that are kept in stasis there. The Non-Humans in the room with them, help to keep the soldiers as bay, until they can be restrained, and carried out of the room.

As soon as everyone is gone, Kyle and Kirsten can appear as themselves, as Delphine and Nanook are let out of their sarcophagi, able to move again, and hug the two kids, as they are as delighted as everyone else that they are still alive.
They tell the story about how they have prepared themselves in case somebody managed to murder them, as did indeed happen. Ranging from using technology and artifacts that they have picked up over the years, to friends they made in an as-of-yet undiscovered dimension, built their own ship, which is capable of traveling across the land, the sea (above and below), the air, and space. They even devised a few cover stories, to keep up the appearance of still being dead. Such as, as everyone was able to hear during the battle, the fact that the Vanman they saw was a SUIT project that was confiscated (or stolen), and adjusted to the needs of Kyle and Kirsten. And thanks to the designs that they confiscated with the suit, they were able to eliminate weak spots that the SUITs deliberately built into this new Vanman. They also talk about how they built their own memory guns to erase the memories of those who worked on it, to prevent them from ever repeating the project. On top of it all, they admit that in order to make sure that even their friends believed them to be gone, they could not immediately let them know the truth, that they had to keep themselves hidden.
Once the whole story is told, the kids wait for their friends to give a response.
All simply stare at them, speechless from hearing the whole story.
Kyle sighs. "Look, we're sorry we didn't let you know sooner. We were afraid that if we let you know too soon, we'd be putting you in danger. And today... well, you saw what was happening out there."
"Having been there to arrest that man, I can't say I blame you," Wells replies. "You did the right thing in keeping it a secret."
"Did we?" Kirsten asks. "It's because we kept it a secret, that our own friends stopped trusting us. Thought we were somehow connected to the Poser!"
"That part is... on me," Datagirl says. "I was looking for a reason, some way, in which our enemies could've known we were hiding here. I... I was afraid of what might happen if I didn't do that soon, and... started to... I don't know how to put it..."
"Started to act human?" Kyle asks.
"I guess," Datagirl replies.
"It doesn't matter," Moleg says. "You're still alive. It's the best news I heard in a while!"
"I agree," Drak-Cat says. "Don't you think, Allimrac?"
She sighs. "All right, so I missed you too. But don't think I'll make a habit out of it."
The two kids chuckle between themselves.
"But here's what I don't get," Mirana starts. "If you have guns with which you could erase their memories, why didn't you simply do that to this Poser?"
"What good what that've done?" Kyle asks. "The others would still remember what he told them. The whole City would remember what they were doing, but he would act like he doesn't remember."
"Which the DRATs would've seen as you people trying to pull some kind of mindgame on them, and make them fight harder," Kirsten adds. "So yeah, we had no choice, but to lie to him."
"Since he doesn't believe the truth if it stares him in the face, that should work," Xonk says.
"While we're talking about this," Kyle says, "I hope you'll keep helping us to make others believe that our Turtle and Wolf disguises are just people you created, to replace us."
"Don't worry about that," Drak-Cat says. "We'll keep your secret."
"But what if people ask us for details?" Allimrac asks. "Like how they're made."
"I'm sure we can think of something," Moleg answers.
"This makes me wonder..." Kirsten says. "Can we still play Vigil City? What if the DRATs know who we are in the game? And see we're still here?"
"I can always tell people that I looked for your characters in the game, and gave them lives of their own," Datagirl answers. "Just like what happened to me."
Kyle chuckles. "Now we know what to tell the DRATs, if they find us."
Kirsten nods, smiling with him.
"So what'll happen to all the agents you arrested?" Kayla asks.
"They'll be tried as war criminals," Wells says. "If all goes well, they'll never bother you again."
"Until you send new agents over here," Allimrac grumbles.
"Don't worry about that," Wells assures her. "After everything that happened today, I'm sure other commanders will agree with me, and declare this City as a no-man's land. And when we do, that means we'll have no business being here."
Several of the Non-Humans raise their heads at this.
"You mean... this City will be ours, and ours alone?" Drak-Cat asks.
"That's exactly what I mean," Wells confirms.
Several Non-Humans cheer at that.
"Don't be too hasty," Datagirl says. "If the SUITs, or even the DRATs, no longer have any jurisdiction, that means there's no need for a representative like me. Soon enough, people will realize that, and will fight for who gets to become leader."
"Not only that," Dumas says. "If the City becomes a no-man's land, there will be nobody to help out, should others come here and attack us."
"We can help," Kyle replies.
"That's nice of you," Dumas says. "But what if it's not enough?"
"Or what if you die?" Roma questions. "Permanently this time?"
"Or for some other reason can't help," Nemo suggests as a possibility.
"We should talk to Venus," Moleg suggests. "She tried having the whole City fight back. Maybe we can help her as much as she can help us."
"Are you sure about that?" Dumas asks. "Sometimes, the ones that try to rally up a crowd, have some underlying anger issues."
"I'm sure you can help her out with that," Nemo replies.
"Hey!" Nanook speaks up. "We can guard the island, and keep intruders away!"
"We'll need to have a house that's closer to the entry, then," Delphine remarks.
"You can always build a rashomon," Kirsten suggests. "Like they did in Japan."
"A what?" Allimrac asks.
"It's a sort of gate into a city," Kirsten explains. "But it's also partly a house, so the people guarding the gate can live in it."
"That's a good idea," Kyle agrees. "Maybe you can have other people live in that rashomon, too, so you two won't be the only ones guarding it."
"Doesn't sound too bad," Delphine says. "Of course, that means our own home will be empty, then."
"In that case, I'll have a place to live in," Mirana says.
Xonk frowns. "A place to live in?"
Mirana raises a brow at him. "What? Am I not allowed one?"
"That's not what I meant," Xonk says. "You offered to be my assistant. To wear my exoskeleton, test my machines, and more. I suppose I assumed that you were going to stay with us, for efficiency."
Mirana snorts. "Anyone who offers me a place to stay, usually has other things in mind."
"Like what?" Xonk asks.
She groans at that. "How long have been on Earth again?"
"Sounds to me like you two could learn a lot from each other," Dumas remarks.
"Oh, nice(!)" Allimrac states.
"Come, now," Moleg says. "You saw how good she was with that machine. We could use someone like her."
"I'm sure she has other talents as well," Drak-Cat says.
"We could always use another member to our group," Datagirl says. "But we can't, and won't, force you to join against your will."
Mirana pauses for thoughts. "Well, you are the first real friend I ever made, Xonk. How could I leave you?"
He smiles at her. "Wise decision."
Kyle raises his hands, and does a silent count.
Kirsten notices this. "What are you doing?"
"Just counting how many people are part of the Unstoppables now," Kyle says. "Counting Mirana, that makes seven."
"You can join too, if you want," Datagirl says. "After everything you've done, you practically already are."
"If you do, I already have an assignment for you," Xonk says.
"If you're talking about repairing the ceiling, the Van is already helping Mechsapien," Kyle replies.
Xonk shakes his head. "I'm talking about the Moon."
Kyle and Kirsten exchange a frown.
"Didn't you say you wanted to get there by yourself?" Kirsten asks. "Without our help?"
"I did," Xonk says. "Because I didn't want the SUITs to discover what I'm looking for. But now that you have a whole warship at your disposal, you can use that to keep them at a distance."
"Are you saying you want us to take you to the Moon?" Kyle asks.
"If it's not too much trouble," Xonk says.
"Maybe you should take us all with you," Datagirl suggests.
"All of us?" Allimrac questions.
"Of course," Datagirl replies. "We haven't seen each other in a while. This would give us all the time we need to catch up."
"And see more of the world around us," Moleg agrees.
"It'll be like that time that Drakman built his own space shuttle," Drak-Cat states, with a dreamy tone in his voice.
"Can I join, too?" Shelly asks.
"No, you can't!" Roma responds.
"Come on, Mom," she whines. "You said you wanted me to see the world. If I go to the Moon, I can see it all at once!"
"But it's too dangerous!" Roma says. "And besides, what good would you do up there?"
"Space is wide open," Datagirl shivers as she even thinks of those words. "I could use someone to help me forget my fears."
"See?" Shelly points.
Roma turns to Nemo. "What do you think?"
Nemo waits a few seconds, before answering. "As a parent, it is our job to keep our children safe."
"That's right," Roma agrees.
"And since our friends have proven time and again that they are capable of keeping us safe, I would say she cannot be in safer hands than them," Nemo continues.
"Please..." Shelly begs.
Roma still hesitates. "All right."
She cheers at that.
"Eight guests," Kyle chuckles. "The Gallivanter's never had that many guests."
"We never had any guests, period," Kirsten remarks.
Kyle looks at D.T, who appears to be staring at Sage. Whatever was discussed among them, D.T. pushes the cart with Sage in it forward, bringing him closer to the kids.
"You wanna come along, too?" Kirsten asks.
Knowing that he probably wants others to hear what he has to say, Kyle raises his watch, from which the voice of Sage can be heard. "I was just thinking that as soon as the Unstoppables leave the City, chaos might ensue."
"He's right," Wells agrees. "This Venus person you mentioned, you better talk to her as fast as possible."
"So we should," Datagirl responds. "Moleg, since you brought her up, can you look for her?"
"I'll try," he replies. "But I'll need help."
"We've met her, too," Kyle says. "We can help look for her."
"Then do so," Datagirl says. "When you find her, bring her to our apartment."
"We will," Kirsten replies.
"Drak-Cat, Allimrac," Datagirl says. "You better look for the Geos and the Gregor Knights. We'll have some things to discuss with them as well."
"I just remembered," Xonk says. "Mechsapien has rebuilt those Astrobirds, but hasn't found a job for them to do. Maybe we can use them."
"Since he's already working on fixing the ceiling," Nanook thinks out loud, "maybe he can use them to guard that?"
"Excellent idea!" Delphine cheers. "They can also guard that signal blocker while there."
"Good thinking," Datagirl compliments them. "Xonk, you and Mirana go see him, and ask him to join us. We'll discuss it with him then."
"Looks like you're already getting organized," Wells says. "Guess my job's done here."
"By the way," Datagirl says. "Is Lin Wei-Xiong still here?"
Wells frowns. "I think so. Why?"
"I was thinking that he could quit his job with the DRATs, and join us," Datagirl says. "He was once a resident here, before the SUITs came along."
"I'll talk to him about it," Wells replies.
"Do you need us for anything?" Nemo asks.
"Maybe more than you think," Datagirl says. "Can the three of you join us at our place?"
"Of course," Roma answers.
"I'll join too," Dumas says. "Just in case."
"Talk about a full house," Kirsten quips.
"At least they haven't asked the Fire Troop, the Gliders, or Scout Shark to join," Kyle remarks.
Datagirl pulls out her red scarf, which Doyle then wraps around her eyes, before guiding her out.
"Speaking of our new friends," Kirsten responds, "can't we ask them to help find Venus?"
Kyle nods. "I'm sure our friends here would like that."
The two watch, as the others leave the room.
"Now, with the Van helping to restore the ceiling, we can't ride around the City ourselves," Kyle reminds Kirsten.
She smiles. "We can always just go for a walk. By the time we made it at their apartment, everyone would already have arrived."
Kyle nods, while changing into the Turtle. "A good... idea..."
Changing into the Wolf herself, she takes his hand, and they leave the sarcophagi room together.

Walking hand-in-hand, while the others search the City, the Turtle and the Wolf head toward the well-known apartment complex.
"This reminds me," Kirsten says in the microphone in her helmet. "Because of everything, I couldn't bring it up before, but... did you see what Anaïs did to the Van before she left?"
"Yes," Kyle answers the same way. "The Van did show us that after he and Anaïs kissed, she said they should get married. Still, to see them actually act that way, in front of us, with our own eyes..."
"Yeah, it was weird," Kirsten says. "When do you think they'll do it?"
"She said when all of this is over," Kyle answers. "Which could be a while."
"How do you think they'll do it?" Kirsten asks. "Will the Vanman wear a suit, and Anaïs wear a white dress? Or, since the Vanman is already white, will she wear a black dress? And where will the wedding even happen? Think people will like it if it happens here? In this City?"
Kyle laughs. "What makes you so excited over a wedding all of a sudden?"
"I've never been to one," Kirsten answers. "This would be my first!"
Kyle sighs. "I have."
"Really?" she questions. "What's it like?"
"Horrible," Kyle says.
She frowns at that.
"Don't get me wrong," Kyle says. "If you're in love, and want to swear to be loyal forever to that someone, I get it. I get why people want to get married. But do WE, those who don't get married, have to be there? Do WE have to spend the whole day with these people? Eating their dinner? Where they give you caviar, instead of pizza? Have a dance party, when I'm too tired to do anything? And do these parties have to last 'till late at night? Do I have to spend a whole day, and night, with people I don't know, or don't like? Just sitting there? Doing nothing? Just because two others get married?"
She giggles. "Well, maybe this won't be so bad, then."
"Not so bad?"
"Yeah," Kirsten acknowledges. "When the Van and Anaïs get married, you'll actually be at a wedding with people you do like. Anaïs wouldn't force us to eat something we hate. And the party... well, even if you're not having fun, you and I can make our own fun. Maybe it won't be so horrible, then."
"I hope so," Kyle responds.
"And if we like how it was done here, we could..." Kirsten begins, but does not finish.
Kyle makes his Turtle head turn his head to her.
"What?" he asks. "We could what?"
Kirsten does some quick thinking before she answers. "Just... Nemo and Roma never got married. Maybe they'll want to some day. Maybe Datagirl and Doyle would, too. Or some of our other friends. Wouldn't you want to be there when they get married?"
Kyle thinks for a few seconds. "Then I guess you're right. Their wedding could be a form of practice. For all of us."
Kirsten lets out a relieved sigh, as he appears to have bought her story there.