Early in the morning

[cowgoesmoo]

[ Just before dawn, anyone monitoring the low-band station that Rem's transmitter is usually set to might hear the following short message from a child who is clearly trying not to panic. ]

Blades, this is Feathers-home, Feathers-home calling Blades, what's your twenty? Where are you!?

[ There's a pause of about a minute, then the message repeats three more times, and finally the transmission ends with: ]

If anyone out there knows who this is and you see my brother, tell me right away!

Comments

[nurturing]

I know... I know.

[ She sees that tremble and it breaks her heart. ]

I was really hoping the trackers would help if someone was relocated like this. I'm sorry, honey. We'll find another way.

[ Rem hugs him to her side, putting down the data pad so she has two arms to work with. ]

He's going to be okay, Vash. He's just a little boy, people aren't going to recognize him.

[cowgoesmoo]

[ He's not a baby, but he's still going to cling to Rem like if he holds her tight enough it'll make Nai appear. ]

I told him I'd look after him. That we'd stay together.

[ How's he supposed to keep his word when things like this can happen? ]

We're supposed to stay together!

[nurturing]

You're such a good brother, Vash. Sometimes unexpected things just happen.

[ Especially in this reality-bending mess. ]

He understands that, and you haven't broken any promises.

[cowgoesmoo]

I don't care about that!

[ His promise was to himself anyway! It's not about the promise, it's... ]

I just don't want him to get hurt.

[nurturing]

I know, honey. We'll keep by the radio and see if he answers, okay? Then we can figure out more.

[ Rem hands him the data pad with the tracker saying it has lost connection due to distance. She'll have to increase that somehow, but the planet didn't have any satellites as far as she could tell. ]

I'll get us breakfast.

[cowgoesmoo]

[ It may someday, now that the Earth ships are here. For now though, that Searching For Signal message is about the most depressing thing Vash can think of.

Yeah, he'll hang on to it. Thanks Rem. He'll be at the radio until Nai is back, so some food would be great. ]

Okay. Thanks. [ And, just a moment later, before she can leave: ] I love you.

[ Just in case she disappears too. ]

[nurturing]

I love you too, Vash.

[ Rem walks off to make them breakfast and hide her own panic in there. ]