On the other hand, I was just poking around Higgs Village again when it occurred to me that Higgs could have made for a great "Companion Village." Six houses for the six humanoid companions. A doghouse (Gabe's) for Rex, and I suppose ED-E could just scoot around the fountain area. I think that would be nice. Go see them when you want, pick up whoever you want, do some MT hunting, dismiss them back to the village, then head home (assuming The Sink is your home).