"Get out of those stuffy robes. We're getting out of here."
No Significant Harassment clearly had issues living up to his name. Maybe it was spite, or more likely he just found the concept funny. Either way, the bold man helping them hunt down Five Pebbles was smart, as much as he liked to dismiss the fact. This cycle, No Significant Harassment had decided to do something stupid, and drag them along. What were they supposed to do? Say no, and give Sig a reason to stop hunting for Pebbles?
No. So here they stood, being handed a flight mask, and ushered into a changing space. Suns put on the black suit, more form fitting than they appreciated. They like their flowing robes, and their mask. At least this kept their mask from being damaged in the absolute chaos that was going to occur shortly. The whole ensemble was too warm to be walking around the city in, but wasn't the point to be above the city? Void below, Sig better know what he's getting them into.
Their walking mask under their arm, Suns emerges from the booth, finding Sig in a vibrant purple jumpsuit, similar to the one they put on. Through the large eyepieces, Suns could see his stupid grin. They could just about hear his thoughts. 'Finally,' Sig must be thinking, 'I've got that stuck-up bastard to do something interesting for once.' In reality, he bumps his shoulder against theirs, glancing up. "Ready to go on a scouting mission?"
"If it will get me back on the ground faster, then yes," they state flatly.
"Sure thing Captain! Or am I the captain here?" he quips, turning on his heels to exit the room.
They follow in turn, taking in the sights of the hangar. "It would not be wise to put me in charge of this little expedition."
That gets Sig laughing, cackling as he slides the door open to the main hangar. "You're such a nerd, I wouldn't trust you in a million cycles with a vulture." Suns can just imagine the smell of a place so full of these large beasts. They are suddenly much more grateful for the flight mask. "Now, the day one of these things need some weirdo software install, I'll call ya. Until then-" Sig pats the mask of a large reddish-pink vulture- "Leave it to me."
"Yes, yes- isn't this the vulture you named after that Iterator to the north?"
"I sent them a message pearl at one point! Ceaseless Hunting agreed that this vulture looks like them!" Sig defends, as if they haven't had this conversation dozens of times before.
Suns shook their head, but they are smiling. "Imagine being a entity so vast, and yet getting asked your opinion on vultures, of all things."
"Whatever Sunshine, let's get moving. We have a pile of small stones to look for."
Suns does not appreciate the name calling, but they move anyways. They are strapped on, feet in stirrups, waist clipped to a harness running across the back of Hunter. Their mask is connected to a hose supplying fresh air, and they are settled in for the ride. No Significant Harassment rattles off a checklist, while he mumbled to himself the whole time.
Suns knows Iterators. They know all the tricks, how to create something smarter than they could ever hope to be. Seven Red Suns does not understand Sig. Secondary school dropout turned bio-engineering genius. This enigma ran away from his own city, for the Void's sake. He reinvented the way specimens are developed, and then flies vultures for fun. He's unstoppable, and damn it all, very good at being irritating. It would be so easy to lump him in as a person who doesn't care. Someone who is against the core values of their whole civilization, but he isn't.
He's Sig.
And here, and now, he leads Hunter out to the launch zone, radio crackling with local communications. Sig received confirmation of clear skies, and threw himself on top, in front of Suns. "All ready?" he called back.
"Have been since you strapped me in here," they respond.
"Yeah yeah, we're movin." With a flick of his wrist, the whole world shifts as steam hissed behind and around Suns. Up they rise, into cooler air, rapidly gaining altitude and speed. They have to get far enough to clear the can before lowering to a height for scouting, and Sig insisted on using thermals created by the workings of their home. It's dizzying, rising so quickly.
As they move, Suns looked out across the landscape. They have quite a while until the rain makes scouting impossible, so they have the chance to cover a lot of ground.
Suddenly, they pitch downwards, plummeting. Suns screamed out in shock, and gripped the harness with their bound hands. Past the sound of the wind they can hear their pilot cackle, clearly enjoying himself more than any reasonable person should. The wind battered their masks, whistled past, whipped what few straps were lose back and forth in the dive. They were practically weightless, while the ground rapidly approached.
Hunter snapped upwards, pulling multiple Gs in the orientation shift. Void- their vision had started to darken at the edges in that maneuver. Of course, No Significant Harassment hollered with joy. Suns swore under their breath, starting to settle into the calmer portion of their flight.
"Having fun yet Suns?" Sig called back, now that the sound of the wind has lessened.
"I enjoy generated weightlessness, not... that," they grumbled.
"Fine, fine," he waves a hand, but his voice dropped in energy. "You got a plan to find him?"
Right. "Yeah, I have a few ideas, but we should at least start with a sweep of the area near the can."
Hunter turns under Sig's guidance, slow and steady. "You're not the only one concerned about him."
Now that was unexpected. "He looked up to me. You saw the mural. I not only doomed Moon, but Pebbles as well. He trusted me. Now he won't respond to any attempts at communication."
It takes a minute for Sig to respond. "I think he's scared. Scared, and humiliated. Unparalleled Innocence finding void fluid in that house did not help anyone. I bet he has a radio, and kept an ear to the news. I would bet he heard when the news broke."
Suns had to process. How selfish of them to think they were the only person still concerned for Pebbles' well-being? They've barely spoken to anyone, trying to repair what they set in motion, and here's Sig, willing to spend time away from helping Moon to help them hunt for Pebbles. "I think you're right," they admit.
"Good." He sounded bolder again. "We still have clear skies, so keep looking."
"On it, Captain."