Sly Wormhole fought Krate to the ground and held his sabre close to his neck. Krate’s eyes closed in acceptance of his fate. He could see it all clearly in his mind. Wormhole would kill him on this remote outcropping of red rock. It seemed so pointless… His life so anticlimactic, but it was now over, and that was that. He said nothing, just waited for the beam to slice into his neck. At least there would be no blood. Sabre wounds never bled.

Ash helplessly looked on in silence, not daring to provoke Wormhole now that Krate’s life was on the line. Then he spoke. I give up.

Even Wormhole was taken aback by this. Lander beaten? Wormhole switched his sabre off and faced Lander glibly. What? Wormhole asked in disbelief.

There is nothing I can do now. If you kill Azimuth, I will never get off this planet. There is no one here to help me. We have to sleep sometime.

No, Ash! Krate whispered hoarsely. Don’t let him win!

Your friend is wise Wormhole addressed Krate. I’ll kill you anyway… eventually.

Ash Lander scooped a cup of water from a pool nearby and raised it to his lips.

Oh no you don’t, Lander, the winner takes the spoils, give that drink to me.

MEANWHILE…

Hurry, Crystal, I want to see this thing. Gravity said. Are you crazy? Crystal asked in reply, but she entered her code anyway. The door slid open and the girls peered in from the corridor.

The droid stood exactly as Crystal had left it. When the door opened, Nebula X re-activated and greeted her as before. You have returned.

Gravity stepped into Crystal’s chamber and stared at the droid. It’s beautiful! Gravity remarked. Does it have communications?

I don’t know! Crystal squealed, Let’s just get it out of here!

Do you have broadcast capabilities? Gravity asked the droid. Nebula X only stared, and did not acknowledge her question. So she tried again. Do you have the ability to send messages? There was still no response. Crystal watched impatiently, and stepped into the room. Are you asleep again? she asked sarcastically. I am not asleep again, Crystal Weightless the droid answered. The twins looked at each other for a moment and then Gravity spoke. It has imprinted on you, Crystal.

It will only respond to you

MEANWHILE…

Flash Meridian prepared to re-enter the kryo-tube. The incoming messages had ceased and he was feeling discouraged. He looked out at the stars and felt a deep longing. An emptiness within, mirroring his view from the ship. At least there was light out there. The stars burned brightly in the distance.

He thought again of his childhood on that Michigan farm, and how he used to make wishes on the stars before going to sleep.

I wish I could talk to somebody he said, and then felt silly for having said it aloud. Then he switched the radio off and lay down in the tube to sleep.