It was a sunny morning in Tall Timbers Park, children playing, squirrels running and birds singing, when suddenly the peace was interrupted by a little girl running at full speed carrying a green backpack on her tricycle with alien prints.

She finally stopped at the playground by the woods, took off her helmet and goggles, and began to speak.

-Hello, I'm Ruby Loud, the youngest in my family, and you're probably wondering "Ruby, where are you going so fast?" Well, let me tell you that I'm on a search and rescue mission, from a space shuttle... to scale... don't look at me like that, it's a very nice model... and expensive... and I'll be in trouble if I don't get it back by this afternoon, but luckily I'm not alone on this mission.

At that moment two girls of the same age and enthusiasm as Ruby appeared.

-Are you talking to yourself again?" Said one of the girls from the top of the slide as she took off her headphones and put away her video game console -you know I worry when you do that.

-Of course not Bri- Ruby replied as she put away her pocket recorder -I'm just updating my binnacle.

-Wow, the forest is even bigger than I imagined- said the other girl from the swings -in a place like this anyone could get lost, slip, hit, fall, roll down the hill towards a waterfall full of stones and break all the bones no chance of them hearing him scream... good thing I brought extra bandages- I finish with an adorable smile.

-Awww, thanks Demi, you're always so attentive and cautious- Ruby replied admiring her friend's foresight.

-So, the mission is to find your toy stuck in one of these trees?- Bri said standing next to Ruby and looking at the tops of the trees.

-Yes, how did you manage to get here from your garden?- Demi questioned as she looked at the horizon in the direction of Ruby's house.

-Do you at least know where to look?- Bri concluded.

-Of course Bri- Ruby answered as she took a book out of her pocket -according to the "Space Traveler's Guide" the first thing is to recognize the terrain, and as you can see in this map- she unfold a map saved in the book -already I have marked the area where it could have fallen- she said while showing them a huge red circle over the forest area and both girls look at her worriedly.

-Surely it will look smaller from below- Demi said trying to hide her concern with a smile.

-Even so, it's a lot of ground for three girls, even with my dron it will take hours- said Bri worried.

-I know, and that's why I asked for reinforcements.

-Reinforcements?- both girls asked in unison.

-GREETINGS!- a voice shouted behind them.

Hearing that greeting, both girls screamed in fright, and stood behind Ruby.

Before them they saw a girl her age, tanned skin and red hair, dressed in a yellow sweater and wearing big glasses.

-Asil, you're here- Ruby said as she approaches to hug her- she was beginning to think that you were lost.

-Asil doesn't understand, why Asil help Ruby?- she ​​said worried.

-Because you are 50% responsible for losing the rocket, and because our parents will punish us both if they find out that we flew it without her supervision or her permission," she replied without letting go of her guilty smile.

-Asil regretted saying Asil knows fuel recipe.

-But you did it and now you have to help- Asil looks at her with doubts -Don't worry, with our combined knowledge and instincts we will find him in a heartbeat- she tells him full of optimism.

-Huh? Ruby, don't you want to introduce us to your friend?- Bri said intrigued by her friend's apparent friendship with the new girl.

-Oh, I'm so sorry- exclaims Ruby realizing the mistake -girls, I present to you my cousin Asil, the daughter of my aunt Lisa, and Asil they are my friends Bri and Demi.

Asil nervously hid behind Ruby, but she still stepped forward to say hello.

-Hi, I'm Demeter Deviller, but everyone calls me Demi," she said as she held out her hand happily.

-And I'm Brittany Takahashi, but you can call me Bri, it's shorter- she also said, stretching out her hand.

Asil didn't answer right away, and cautiously approached them, and she began to sniff them as she circled around them, in the end she took both of their hands and shook them tightly as she introduced herself.

-My Asil Loud, Asil 4 years old, Asil from Alaska, Asil happy meet- she said before releasing them.

Both girls were overwhelmed by Asil's strength and way of speaking, and with a nervous smile, they asked Ruby to speak in private, so Ruby gave Asil the map to start familiarizing herself with the terrain, while she She was talking to her friends behind a tree.

-Ruby, is your cousin okay?- Bri was the first to ask.

-Yes, because he didn't seem to be very "sociable"- continued Demi with a worried tone.

-Of course, it's just that she studies at home, that's why she feels nervous when talking to new people, but at least she didn't catch them in an impromptu trap- she laughs, but her friends just looked at her confused -your must have been there to understand the joke.

-And do you think it's a good idea to bring her with us?- Demi asked.

-Yeah, you know how our excursions usually end, usually with us glued to something- added Bri.

-And that's why I brought her here- Ruby replied -she's an expert tracker, and if anyone can help us find my space shuttle in the middle of the wild, it's her, do your trust me?- she ends wint puppy eyes.

-Ok- Bri responds resignedly -but let's not lose sight of her, we don't know what awaits us in there.

And so they finished their meeting and returned to Asil.

-Very well cousin, are you ready to complete this mission in the wild land- Ruby shouted excitedly as two children on bicycles passed by her.

-Asil ready- she said as she handed the map back to her.

-What is this?- Ruby asked when she saw that her cousin had scratched the map with crayons and drawn several numbers, lines and doodles, which reduced the circle to a smaller one.

-Asil measure seeing, calculate speed, triangulate direction, extrapolate trajectory, Asil think, shuttle fall there- she says pointing to the small circle on the map.

-Thanks Asil, this will help a lot- Ruby said proudly and showing off to her cousin -well girls, we have a map, compass, supplies, tools and we have to get back before lunchtime, now the team is moving, start the operation "Recover the space shuttle before my father finds out I lost it and they punish us and then think of a shorter name for- take a breath -this operation".

-Maybe we should think about the names before we shout them- Bri said worriedly.

-I like it- Demi replied smiling.

And so the four girls entered the forest of Tall Timbers Park hoping to complete their rescue mission.

At first, neither Bri nor Demi knew what to make of Asil, and along the way they began to notice some strange habits, such as her strength, her ability to climb, her apparently developed senses, her tendency to move quadrupedally, and her liking for some insects that she caught, ate and shared with them, Demi gladly accepted them, but Bri still thought it was unusual that Asil liked them too.

After a while, Demi and Asil seemed to hit it off, and even started chatting.

-And that's how I discovered that "inflammable" means that it can burn.

-Asil understand, same thing happen Asil.

-I know, the system tries to confuse us.

Asil seemed to have gained Demi's trust, but Bri, still intrigued, began to interrogate her with a touch screen that she took out of her backpack, Asil answered in an almost mechanical way, which only intrigued Bri more, until her tablet turned off with smoke and sparks, frustrating her even more.

-Alright, according to the map, the shuttle should be around here somewhere- Ruby said excitedly -we will search by groups, Bri, use your drone to check the treetops."

-Well, that would be a problem, apparently my tablet was broken...

Bri interrupted her sentence in the middle of it when she realized that Asil had taken the tablet from her hands, and had opened it to manipulate the mechanism of it.

-What are you doing! You're going to break it!- she yelled, annoyed, while her friends held her.

-Didn't you say she was already broken?- Demi asked, earning an irritated look from Bri.

-Ready, machine not broken- Asil said returning the tablet to Bri.

She turned it on and saw that it worked even better than before.

-Wow, how come you?... well, thanks- she said intrigued and embarrassed -well, let's start with the exploration.

And so, while Ruby and Demi began searching the ground and surroundings, Bri began searching the treetops with her little tablet-controlled drone, and next to her was Asil staring at the screen just as intently.

-So?- Bri said breaking the silence and thinking about her words -where did you learn to repair tablets?

-Asil not know- Asil answered, intriguing Bri -Mom smart, mom builds machines, mom teach Asil.

-Right, Ruby said you studied at home- Bri concluded -is it fun?

-Mom teach lot, Asil learning well, but Asil not know many people, grandparents and aunt being good to Asil, Asil happy.

As they talked, Asil watched in awe as Bri maneuvered her drone through the tree branches.

-Bri good with drone- exclaimed Asil enthusiastically.

-Thanks- she replied flattered and nervous, I'm good with technological things, although most people think it's something strange.

-Asil no, Asil think, Bri amazing.

-Thanks- answered Bri, now with more confidence -believe it or not, I built my drone myself, in fact it is easier than you think.

And so, both girls continued chatting, and exchanging knowledge and advice about how to assemble and build drones and other machines, all while looking for Ruby's toy, until she and Demi returned covered in leaves and branches.

-Wow, this place is like a vegetable labyrinth- Ruby said as she brushed off the leaves, -I'm glad Demi brought extra bandages or we would have gotten lost."

-First aid really helps prevent tragedies- Demi said as she re-wrapped her bandages with a smile on her face.

-Yes, but we still didn't find the shuttle, did you guys have better luck?- she ask the girls of the tablet.

-Not yet, but according to Asil's calculations this is the last quadrant, so they have to be here- answered Bri without taking her eyes off the tablet.

The three girls huddled together to watch the screen, expecting to be able to see the toy at any moment, when suddenly the drone fell to the ground, scaring the girls.

-Bri, what happened? Did you crash?- Ruby questioned in an alarmed tone.

-No, I didn't crash- Bri affirmed -something must have hit my drone, there is something in the forest- Bri sees how the camera shows that her drone was moving at ground level -and it steals our toys!

And with that cry, the girls ran towards the direction of the drone, ready to take on anything, but what they found was... a little squirrel with Bri's drone in its mouth.

Seeing this, the girls stood still for a moment, until Bri lunged at the squirrel to release her drone, Ruby and Demi did the same, and Asil was the one who went the furthest by chasing her through the branches of the trees.

The squirrel managed to escape but left the drone stuck between two branches.

-Clumsy rodent, he probably broke it- Bri said annoyed.

-Yes, but at least we got it back- Ruby replied trying to comfort her friend -Can you lower the drone, Asil?!

Asil nodded, took the small drone from the branches and started to go down, but as she went down she stopped on some branches.

-Asil find something!- she yelled from above as she began to stir the branches and leaves, and she came down with a bundle in her sweater.

When she hit the ground she handed her drone back to Bri, and from under her sweater she pulled out her cousin's space shuttle.

-Asil, you found it!- she shouted excitedly as she takes her toy and gives her cousin a hug -mission accomplished her crew.

-Asil happy, but, Asil find more- she said as she shook her sweater and dropped different toys.

-Wow, where did all this come from?- Bri asked.

-Cars, dolls, rattles, trains- Demi said as she checked -and lots of...nuts?

Suddenly Asil stands in front of the girls in a defensive position, growling and baring his teeth against some bushes.

-What's wrong Asil?- Ruby asked scared.

-Be surrounded- answered Asil without lowering her guard.

The four girls began to look carefully at their surroundings, as they put themselves on guard expecting to see anything, when suddenly they saw a small squirrel come out of the bushes.

Everyone, except Asil, breathed a sigh of relief, they even tried to give him nuts, but Asil was still on guard, as they watched as hundreds of squirrels began to come out of all the bushes and perch on all the branches of the trees around them.

-That explains the nuts- Bri said nervously.

-That's why the toys in the park are lost- Ruby deduces -these little ones take everything that is smaller than a donut and bring it here for the winter.

-Easy friends- Demi tried to talk to the squirrels -we only come for our things, we already have them and we're leaving...

Demi couldn't finish her sentence when they suddenly started getting riddled with thousands of nuts and acorns.

Being outnumbered, the four girls began to run and scream, trying to escape through the trees and rocks, until finally they could take cover behind a sign.

-What's wrong with these squirrels?- Ruby yelled, trying to catch her breath.

-It's the rodent uprising- Demi replied -we had our chance as a species.

-What? No, they're just a bunch of crazy squirrels- Bri argued with annoyance -they should warn us about this.

-Asil read- Asil said as she pointed to the sign they were hiding behind.

"Squirrel Sanctuary; No passing; trespassers will be attacked."

-They should put this on the edge of the forest- answered Bri irritated after reading.

-I think this used to be the shore- Ruby says as she points to an abandoned dump next to a worn, weedy trail -attention crew, we're under attack in abandoned territory, but I have a plan to get us out of here alive, Demi, take your bandages and follow me, to that dump, meanwhile, Bri and Asil distract the squirrels, we need 5 minutes.

-We'll give you 6, captain- answered Bri while Asil nodded.

-Ok, operation "Attack the crazy squirrels that are attacking us with nuts to build an escape route and then come up with a shorter name for- take a breath -this operation", in action.

-For my mini drone!- Bri shouted before walking out from behind the sign accompanied by Asil's battle cry.

Both girls grabbed as many nuts as they can off the ground, and started throwing them at all the squirrels they could see, their aim was excellent and they managed to keep them at bay while Demi and Ruby ran to the dumpster to get anything that could be useful to them to escape.

After four minutes, Ruby called for the girls to stop shooting and run behind the sign.

And when they met with her friends they saw amazed how they built an improvised broken canoe joined by bandages and the ruby ​​rocket tied to the back.

-Is this your escape plan?- Bri questioned without much confidence.

-this will hold, trust me, my brothers did something similar at Christmas- Ruby replied, full of confidence.

-I'm not sure, maybe we should...- her words were interrupted by the squirrel nuts -forget it, get on the broken canoe.

The girls got into the canoe as fast as they could, while the squirrels got closer and closer.

-They're getting closer- Demi said nervous -Whatever you're going to do Ruby, do it now.

The girls became increasingly nervous as Ruby used to power up the rocket, finally the squirrels surrounded them and were about to mow them down, until Asil pushed aside her cousin to hit the rocket with all her might, starting the chemical reaction of fuel, blowing them out of the way.

The girls advance at full speed along the abandoned path while their cries of excitement and fear filled the forest, until finally the little fuel of the toy ran out, taking them to the edge of the forest marked by a wall of bushes that they ended up destroying.

When their makeshift vehicle finally came to a stop it collapsed under the weight of a leaf, and soon after, the girls broke the silence with nervous laughter and excitement, but when the squirrels held onto the broken wall of bushes, the girls got up again, ready to run, and Asil ready to fight, but the squirrels just looked at them and nodded, Asil did the same, and the squirrels went back to the forest.

Not knowing what to think, the three girls looked at Asil waiting for an answer.

-Squirrels see us fight, squirrels see us build, squirrels respect.

None of the three girls fully understood the meaning of those words, but they were so relieved to be out of the forest that they didn't ask anything either.

With the shuttle recovered, the four returned to the playground, happy to have accomplished their mission, the rocket was heavily dented and scratched, but Ruby assured that she had already restored her toys from the worst crashes, and she just needed paint, glue, and a lot of duct tape so no one would notice, and they continued to talk like that all the way.

When they finally got to the playground, Ruby, Demi and Bri continued talking about the adventure, and how they would celebrate the victory by going to a Flippies booth, and as they watched them start to board their tricycles, Asil started walking the other way, ready to go home when her cousin's voice stopped her.

-Asil, where are you going?

-Asil complete mission, Asil not useful, Asil returns home.

-What? Don't even dream of it, now you're our friend, and you're going to celebrate with us- Demi said insistently and with a smile.

-Yes, you were very helpful, no we would have succeeded without you, you won't get rid of us so easily- added Bri happily.

-You see, now you're part of this crew- Ruby said smiling -also... she said we must agree on our history, we can't reveal all the details of our missions, hehe.

In the end, Asil got on Ruby's tricycle, and they all went to drink Flippies together, laughing and playing for the rest of the day, until it was time to eat and they all went home, happy to have made new friends, sad though for knowing that it would be a long time before they could all be together again or so they thought.

The next day at school, Ruby, Demi and Bri were completely surprised to see the arrival of a new student, they brought Asil, who had been enrolled in school and would now be in the same class as them; Later during recess, they asked Asil about her sudden enrollment, to which Asil could only reply that her mother did not have a license as an educator, that they had been angry with her and that to solve it they had to enroll her in school as soon as possible.

Again, neither Bri nor Demi understood what she was trying to tell them, but they were happy to know that now their new friend would attend school with them; for her part, Ruby was worried because she did not know if Asil could hide the secret of her origin among so many people, but seeing Asil so happy becoming friends with her friends, she could only think of doing everything possible to protect her, after all, she was now a new member of her strange crew.