She pulled out a rather large metallic rectangle. Just like the others, this had a button on top. She followed the arrow for up and placed it in the middle of the area Blaine created and pressed the button. There was an immediate response, and the thing seemed to keep growing and growing. They had to scurry away as they watched in awe. The end result was a domed structure with a door.
Lana tentatively pressed the button to open the door, which was also a fingerprint sensor, afraid she was going to break something. Inside was a kitchen in the middle, hexagon-shaped, like the super kitchen, with a rectangular table for 6 in the middle. Lana explained the shelter was built by Paul.
Around the outside of the interior, on one side, there were five cots. All were metallic. There were drawers under the back half to put clothing, like the feet would be pointing to the wall, over the drawer. The front half had an empty space for stowing gear. She could hear whistling behind her but was too stunned to turn around and see who it was.
The cabinets in the kitchen went to the top of the dome which was 7-foot tall. The edges where the cots met the wall were only 3 feet tall. At the end of the cabinets on the right-hand side was a control panel. The list of options was heating, cooling, music, lighting which had 3 options, an open button for the door, and a help feature which had an automated option for walking a person through how to operate all the functions of this "Model 118 Luxury-deluxe Field Kitchen."
There was a video screen on the back side of the cabinets, on the left side with a couch for 5 opposite it. This thing was rated to negative 140 degrees. But heat only went to 120. Still, that was a lot of planets this thing could be taken to.
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Dobin Plantwell 35%]
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Kattie Beastiary 15%]
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Chekof Starskiy 40%]
Before getting too far in, "Blaine, why did you want me to set this up?"
"There's a blizzard coming. I wanted us safe before it hit since we didn't know how long it would take to set up."
Lana nodded with a smile.
Unlike with the other kitchen models, this one required her to grow food outside. It didn't hatter in their current predicament, however. There was twice as much cabinet storage as the super model because it went up so high. Theoretically this kitchen could hold a week's worth of supplies for an extended hunting mission, if this was used as a base of operations. The boys made sure to try all the buttons on the control panel. Many times. Lana and Kattie discussed cooking while admiring the interior while trying not to get irritated at the boys for constantly changing the lighting.
They managed to get nice music on then kept changing it. Lana had stepped in with a wooden spoon, smacking every hand on or going for the controls. She then chose something soft and soothing. While the rest of the boys played with the controls, Duff decided to walk around their temporary home. Behind the back of the cabinets, he discovered a miniature bathroom the width of the cabinets, about 5 feet but only 4 feet deep.
This toilet didn't use water. Instructions were posted in the wall as a form of engraving. Do your duty then clip the top down. Press the button. He had a small urge to go so, out of curiosity, he did. He closed the lid and put the little clips down. When pressed the button, the green light on the wall burned amber. An audible click then a loud whoosh sound like a rush of hot air was heard. A few moments later, the light returned to green and it made another click sound. The bowl was sparkling clean and dry.
The other boys heard the noise and came to investigate. There was now a line outside the bathroom of boys taking turns playing with the toilet while the girls cooked. They were unable to try the sink or shower until Alto filled the tank with water. He didn't understand that fact yet.
The toilet lid functioned as a seat while showering. The shower head was a large rain version hung from the ceiling. The sink was between the toilet and the shower. Under the "flush' button was a "dry" button. The tank Alto needed to fill was under the sink. They decided to go sit at the table or the couch. There were eleven people in a space built for five, so it was a little… confined.
About 5 minutes later, dinner was ready, choice-cooked steaks and several sides to go with it. The group praised Paul's for being a genius and Lana, Kattie, and Rene, for the delicious meal. Lana sat on the counter, six ate at the table and four on the couch.
Once everyone's stomach meter reached the filled line, dishes were placed in the sink. Alto filled the tank after being shown where it was. He marveled at how much bigger it was compared to the other models. Lana pressed the clean button, which was in the same location as the other two models. The same mechanical arms extended from the bottom of the cabinets and steamed everything just as with the other two models.
Lana was contemplating revealing Kent's existence when there was a knock at the door. "Well, we can't see who it is. We'll need to let Paul know that's a negative. Someone can walk up with no notice."
Dobin pressed open button, ready to use his ability. Outside the door was Paul and his team. Snow was currently falling slowly.
"Paul! Come in quickly! Enjoy the warmth! However, this place is rated for 5 while we are now numbered," she counted the new additions, "16."
Paul nodded. Instead of introducing his party, he went to the control panel. He removed a crystal, replacing it with a clearer one, obviously a higher grade. A whole army of oomlauts and a whole bunch of metal sheets appeared from nowhere. The shelter grew bigger round them. Everyone watched in awe as 5 more beds and a whole new bathroom built themselves. The new bathroom just had a toilet and sink. The water storage expanded and moved so all three areas that needed it had easy access. Alto's job was to keep the tank from going dry.
Some would still need to sleep on the floor but Lana already had a plan. She took both foam chairs out of her bracelet and placed them in the living room. She then pulled out her pillows and blankets she had in her room in her tree.
"Blaine and I will sleep on the couch," she stated.
Paul added exterior cameras then was satisfied with his improvements, "sorry to invite ourselves in like this. I wondered why you set it up until it started snowing. This is my team."
The first person he pointed to was large with a 7 on his watch, "This is Jessy. He can be a crass but he means well."
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Dobin Plantwell 45%]
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Kattie Beastiary 25%]
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Chekof Starskiy 50%]
Next, he pointed to a boy with shoulder-length sandy-colored hair. He looked like he was 13 years old. "This is Sean. He's pretty good with ice." Lana noticed he had a 4.
"Marie here is able to phase through things which can be very helpful and increases her survivability." She had a 3 on her watch.
The last person was holding a bunch of bags and Lana saw a zero on his watch. She was so shocked, she almost missed Paul saying his name was Sam. "He's pretty good at martial arts and is far stronger than he looks."
"Paul, have you not been buying your team ability books?"
Sam was the one who spoke up. "He offered but we wanted to earn them. The crystals get sold and the credits divided. We save up and buy our own."
Lana nodded, "I see. I have been holding an ability book waiting for the right person. I think it would be perfect for a martial artist. Are you interested?"
"Let's finish introductions then we can discuss it."
Lana nodded and introduced her team. Blaine then introduced himself and his team. Paul made sure everyone in there knew Dobin and Lana were his brother and sister.
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Dobin Plantwell 55%]
As soon as introductions were done, Jessy immediately started ordering people to cook him a meal. Paul put him in his place then informed him the shelter belonged to Lana. Nothing happened in there without her permission. Paul heard a ding that was only in his mind.
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Dobin Plantwell 65%]
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Kattie Beastiary 35%]
[Quest updated: Progress toward friendship: Chekof Starskiy 60%]
Jessy looked at her and licked his lips.
"You're welcome to sleep in the blizzard if you want to act like an animal," Lana growled at Jessy.
Blaine wrapped his arms around her, possessively.
"Jessy, I will tell you now. I have a hundred ways to hurt you. You will treat everyone here with respect or I will teach you a lesson you won't forget," Lana said to him with a glare.
He smirked and went to claim his bed.
"Kattie, I need to discuss some things with Sam. Do you think you can make up a pot of stew and some rolls? I'm thinking food that can sit out for a while and people can eat as they want."
She nodded and Rene and Almin followed her into the kitchen.
To the rest of her team, "give the beds to our guests. Duff, you can have the bed Blaine would be using. Everyone else sleep in the living room."