This is part eighteen of a series of images followed by stories that follow Warren, a human. and Alice, a Tordenchi. As they both survive during the Rynar's invasion of earth.

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Click here to go to the OMAM folder! And see all parts!

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There is now a dedicated Twitter for Of Mice And Men! I Will post on it each time there is a story update, so you all don't have to miss it!~

https://twitter.com/of_omam  Twitter

Story idea base on a universe created by  Hetzer
His story Integration was our first look into UTO, and I still say it's one of my favorite stories I've ever read! You best read it too~

The artwork was done by the amazing  Jadan
His work has been making OMAM possible!

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"Hello? Anybody home...?"

Pippy was quiet, his eyes for once not glaring at me. Focused instead on the small building, specifically on the odd red 'vehicle'? I suppose the roads were there for a reason...

I bent down as we approached, ears alert for any sounds inside the building. A tense minute of nothingness followed before my eyes dropped. Having brought my hand lower to the ground, I noticed that Pippy had taken hold of my pinky! Using it as a support as he looked onto the building itself... Heh... Cute!~

He craned awkwardly to look up at the giant tower atop the building. Soon my attention followed, focusing on the red blinking light at the top. While it would be a large tower for him, it was just slightly shorter than I would be standing.

When my eyes shifted back down, I spotted Pippy watching me. While he grimaced when I looked at him, he gestured to the building with a finger. His intent was pretty obvious, but I paused for a second as realization hit me.

The first proper translation, 'this' or 'that,' would be a jab out with a finger? I guess it's better than trying to wrap my head around his language... Just thinking about it makes my head spin...

Shimmying closer to the building, I held my breath while carefully putting my hand between the entrances beams. It felt like a child's dollhouse, yet ten times more likely to fall apart at a brush...

Pippy raised his thumb at me and slowly shifted off my hand. Despite his show of, dare I say, gratitude. I could tell he was glad to be on solid ground again. Leaning on the walls, even in pain, he preferred that over my hand. Sliding my hand back, I exhaled slowly, shuddering for a moment.

My attention finally refocused on the building itself. A soft sprawl of white was growing. Snow? Not all biospheres are the same, but they are similar enough to have the same elements! I smiled before hovering my hand over to a mound of snow. Imprinting my hand on it while my smile grew.

"Just like back with the family..."

I squeaked out softly before sitting back. I felt my smile wane slightly as that thought crossed my mind. They had been notified that I was repositioned here, but I haven't spoken to them since I worked on that ice mining station...

I miss them...

A tinge of guilt ran through me, and soon I found myself looking for a way to take my mind off it before my eyes watered... I was safe, and I will see them soon after this is all over... Same with Pippy! Maybe I can meet his family too! With a full translator, hear his side of the wacky adventures of Alice and Pippy..!

My lip quivered as I half-laughed, finding that the only thing to take my attention was the odd vehicle. I shimmied over to it, scraping against the ground partly as I let my leg rest.

I wanted to poke and prod at it, like a child with their new toy... But I was afraid I'd somehow break the machine... Did it go forwards? It seems to use a rubber-based open sphere to keep traction!

A part of me wanted to take it apart and do my best to reassemble it. Even idly feeling my toolbelt as I thought. Yet it then hit me... If Pippy doesn't like my hand, this could be a way for him to continue without having to! Alice, Pippy, and the great machine!

I giggled before hearing a soft cough from the building. Pippy wobbled as he stood in the doorway, his eyes warily looking me over as I sat near the vehicle. Gesturing to the car, he began speaking... Even cracking a smile, letting himself calm down...

I hurried back over to the building as he gestured his open hand to himself. Figuring what he meant, I brought my hand back over, terrified of breaking something as I rested it on the floor before him. Pippy paused for a moment, his eyes locked to my palm before giving a drawn-out sigh.

Turning his eyes to me, I felt a slight sense of fear. He idly waved my hand away, making a motion again.

Now focusing on precisely what he was doing. He gestured to his leg, then acted as if he was grabbing something in the air next to his hip... What..?

Unsure of what he meant, I tilted my head to show my confusion. Now frustrated, Pippy glanced back into the building. His attention shifted back out and up to the tower. I felt a laugh come on before shaking my head.

"I'm an engineer Pippy... But not THAT good..."

Despite that, I noticed that while the antenna was up. Something seemed to be missing. It took me a moment to realize that there was a broken wire at the very top, and on the floor, there was what seemed to be a secondary piece. A large metal pole with a good few yards of wire on the tip caught my eye... A pole! We are safe if any Rynar comes around! Heh...

Pippy waved his hand dismissively again before gesturing into the cabin. He spoke something softly before motioning around to the open space. I could gather what he was saying only from his tired expression. Even I was exhausted...

"Guess... I'll sleep outside then..."

I squeaked softly, and Pippy closed the door to the cabin... Leaving me to my thoughts.