. . . a million forgotten Earthly things swept through him at once.

Flash stared into the mirror, comforted by a familiar face. Holly Gram anticipated his questions and answered them before he even asked.

I’ve taken you back in time she said. Flash suddenly understood what had happened between Jupiter and Mars. the time warp explained the period he couldn’t account for.

The year is 1961 Holly Gram continued.

143 years… Flash mumbled.

The space program is in its infancy, and needs your help

Flash listened carefully to everything she said. His mind flashed back to what he could recall of the history of America’s early ventures into space. The Russians had already put a man into a single orbit, and the U.S. Navy commander Alan B. Shepard was launched on a 15-minute sub-orbital flight into space.

Your work here is almost done. Hollygram said from the other side of the mirror.

My work? Flash gasped. I haven’t done anything at all.

But you have she continued. Right now someone is inspecting your ship. Flash thought of the TNI, still parked in the street out front. What he learns tonight will complete his knowledge and allow man to land on the moon.

So that’s it? Flash questioned, feeling that the experience seemed overblown. You brought me back in time for nothing? You could have just brought him the operations manual!

I do have one more task for you to perform here Hollygram spoke, reassuringly. At that, there came another knock at the door, and Bertha spoke.

It’s getting light she said. We should move your ship before the sun rises. Besides, there is someone I want you to meet.

Flash made his way back through the house as though he were walking through a dream. He stepped out onto the grass, which sparkled like stars with dew. He heard a distant train and a million forgotten Earthly things swept through him at once. Details. Subtle, insignificant things that were absent in space.

Flash greeted Fin Martin and offered to explain the controls on the TNI. The two men talked a bit before Flash said I was just going to move it out of the way he added, would you like to take a little ride?

Bertha just stood blinking as Flash and Fin entered the ship.

The hatch closed and the ship slowly rose up from the street and hovered for a moment just above the streetlights. As Bertha watched, the ship moved silently and came down softly behind her garage.

MEANWHILE…

Crystal Weightless was becoming more and more restless. She obsessed over the Nebula X until she decided to find her again.

Checking the directory under exterminators, she found the listing once again for P. J. Raygun.

There was no answer on Raygun’s frequency. Crystal’s heart sank. She felt as though she would never see the Nebula X again. As she stood there feeling discouraged, there was a click, a tone and then a voice.

May I help you?”

I’m looking for P. J. Raygun Crystal responded

This is his message service came the voice. Raygun is away for a while.

Do you know where he went? Crystal asked.

I can not give out that information, but I would be happy to take a message for him

I have to find him. It’s very important! Crystal pleaded.

Maybe it was the desperation in her voice… Maybe the operator didn’t want to be bothered with taking a message… but for some reason, the voice on the radio stated Mr. Raygun has gone to Earth

Thank you! Crystal blurted excitedly and disconnected.

How can I get to Earth? she wondered. Celeste!

Celeste was one of Crystal’s friends at the school, and she had her own space ship.