We jumped from island to island for a few weeks. Then an tourist told Larry about a place called "Sazan Island" that was isolated and barred from anyone without a military identification. Without any other options, we headed there immediately. It was a fast trip, and I noticed it indeed lived up to its description of an strategic location. You couldn't enter Albania from the southwest without passing it. And I could also tell one big thing, the Mist was concealing an base within the island. As we entered, I felt like a huge bubble was around it and getting in was a bit of a chill.
Once we landed, I immediately realized what the base was. "Guys, we're standing on an creation of Vulcan. The entire island is a machine." Everyone looked around, even Lucy couldn't feel what I felt. "The island is vibrating. And the vibration is like a clock ticking. If I can feel it, how can you guys not?" just saying that I realized what it meant. I was getting stronger. Almost unnaturally strong if I could feel the Mist and these vibrations. "Either way, we'll head to the main installation, from there we'll check out the rest of the island. At least we don't have to build a home." This family wasn't something I wanted to give up, and I needed them focused on something else or things could get complicated.
"Guys, look!" Omoro was pointing at the sky. We saw a huge ship shooting across the sky at an insane speed. Within seconds, it was gone. "That was odd. Omoro, how did you know?" Her face was a mirror of how I felt. All we needed was for Bill to get the same ability upgrade and we wouldn't be safe for long. Shaking my head, "Nevermind, guys, let's go."
As we arrived, we noticed that the island was like the top of a can. Everything below us was exactly as I thought. The entire island was an immense automaton. Each camera showed a separate place in need of repair, but that had to mean we were safe. Then Loretta and Skylar found a console. Each of them pressed a button, and we all lurched. "Moving Northeast" a computerized voice said. "Aerial capabilities activated" it continued. "Target location, 50km due Northeast." "Someone stop it! We need to stay in this spot! If we head back, Gaia will be able to get to us!" Sadly, we were already over the nearest town. This would be a nice story for the Mist to think up once we found it. "Skylar! Loretta! What did you press?" We were seconds from the destination. "We pressed a few buttons, but we can't press them again!" Loretta screamed. "Lucy!" I screamed. "Get us in hover mode at least!" That's when I remembered, she had a bad history with automatons. She was frozen in fear. "Omoro, help Lucy focus! Put a small flame in front of her eyes. Make sure she gets us into hover mode and away from the ground." Omoro did as best she could to light her fire, but with the wind it was difficult to even start it up. "Guys. We're almost at ground level," Beverly said. My last choice was going to take a lot of work. "Skylar! You and me are going outside!" I yelled over the wind. "You want us to die?!" Skylar shrieked. "No! We're going to push this ship back up on impact. Beverly, you and Bill come, too." The four of us ran outside and readied ourselves. "Beverly, make a ramp out of the ground. Bill, you hold onto me and Skylar. Skylar change the winds. And I will help launch us." A look of terror came over the girls, but Bill smiled. "We're going to use the giant island as a skateboard? That is your idea?" Beverly yelled. "It's either that or crash," Bill said, "Now start the ramp so the others can do their part." Beverly held her hands out and a slope grew up from below the island. "Skylar, aim us at the center. I'll focus on the launch." The winds changed from downward to a sharp current on both sides. Apparently Skylar had a lot more training since this was very controlled. "I'm not doing anything," Skylar said, "This is someone else helping us. Maybe my dad is helping us." Her expression was part hopeful and part joyful. Now, I had a few seconds to time the launch. And with it, our lives were in the balance. Once we hit near the edge, I screamed and we flew back up. Thankfully, the aerial mode wasn't turned off.
"Disaster averted, welcome to Sazan Island," the computerized voice chimed. Below us, several mortal men took pictures. "Aliens! Albania has them!" I heard as we kept going. Loretta was screaming at the men. "Well, the Mist won't need much work," I said with a laugh. "Sazan Island returning to location of rest," the island chimed. "Well, Loretta, Skylar, did you two learn anything about pressing buttons?" I turned to the girls. Sheepishly, they looked down. "It's ok, this could have been worse. Just don't do it again," I said. "Guys! I can read the controls!" Jeremy yelled, "They're in Greek!" As we landed once again, I decided this was the best place to be after all. "Everyone we're home! Larry! You still have that stolen camera?" Smiling, he pulled it out. "Turn your sword into a selfie stick, and then we'll take a picture," I told him. Amidst all the chaos, we found our home. And despite looking like we had just been through a hurricane, the picture was perfect.