Ash Lander, Krate Azimuth and Dock Galaxy woke to a beautiful Martian morning. Dock packed up his belongings while Krate and Ash breakfasted leisurely and contemplated their work on this mission with all it’s setbacks and accomplishments.

That’s about it Dock finally chimed in except for Wormhole. I’ll stow him aboard just before liftoff. Dock flipped his computer open and input his flight plan while munching a breakfast tablet.

MEANWHILE…

Flash awoke to an alarm siren that signaled the outermost asteroids in the belt. He was amazed to find that he had passed Jupiter while he slept and that nothing had been in his path before this. Radar showed a few tiny bleeps, the nearest of which was approximately 500 miles off to his left. close enough to be aware of, but there was no cause for alarm.

MEANWHILE…

Raygun led Snowpants into his home and revealed the Nebula X, which sat, exactly as ever, starting blankly at nothing in particular. You’ve got to be kidding Snowpants stated, at a complete loss for other words. I know Raygun responded, picking up the copy of the manual. It imprinted on someone else, and now I can’t get it to respond. There’s nothing in this information about reformatting it to a new owner.

Snowpants approached Nebula X and peered into its eyes. A soft, mechanical buzz accompanied the dilation of one pupil as the X unit looked for its master.

I’m having such deja-vu right now Snowpants said, a little creeped out by the droid. Try rebuilding the protocol card he suggested, as he opened a panel and entered a sequence of keys. Suddenly the droid became animated and her dormant eyes seemed alive.

I thought you’d never seen an X unit before – how did you do that – and without even looking at the manual?

Don’t ask me. I have no idea Snowpants insisted. It’s like I knew her in a dream or in a different life

MEANWHILE…

Dock was ready to leave Mars. All that was left to do was to load Wormhole and enter the ship himself. Employing Azimuth and Lander to lift Sly, he leaned over to grab him by the shoulders.

Wormhole’s body suddenly blazed with light and vanished. He was gone. All that was left was a pair of Nomicon restraint cuffs and a smoldering hole in the ground where for nearly a week, Wormhole had lain.

Who’s out there? Raygun called from inside his hovel. He held his gun ready to fire if need be. The alien presence in the vicinity of S-120 had been growing and becoming more of a nuisance. Wherever the Nebula X went, she brought anxiety. Beautiful as she was, she was also powerful and uncooperative.

Hearing no reply to his question, Raygun darted outside and crouched among the boulders that surrounded his home. As he watched, a figure appeared, meandering casually through the maze of rock and space debris Raygun had collected.

MEANWHILE…

Who are you? Flash asked the face, not yet sure whether she was real or whether she could hear him. My name is HollyGram she answered.

But… Flash faltered …who ARE you?.

I am the one who has watched over you. You are my charge. When you were in danger, I guided you. When you were alone, I accompanied you. When you were weary, I brought rest. When you were happy, I celebrated.

Flash wasn’t sure what to think of all this. Were you here in the TNI before? Flash asked.

I have always been here she replied.

You put my ship on course. You brought me safely around Pluto… What about when I first went off course?

You needed the journey she said simply.

And have I been where I needed to go? he asked.

I can’t tell you that. But I will be with you wherever you go.

That is a comfort

MEANWHILE…

Dock Galaxy quickly gathered the information he needed from the Martian samples. Alpha Control instructed him to return to Earth expeditiously with Wormhole and the data.

Though Wormhole was still unconscious and hadn’t eaten anything for several days, his vital signs were normal. In fact, he seemed to be strengthening.

I’ll take all of this stuff… Dock motioned to his supplies, computer and Major Wormhole back to Earth with me, leaving tomorrow morning.

Krate and Ash were anxious to return home as well, and were happy to hear that their work on Mars was done. We’d better hit the hay early they all agreed.

MEANWHILE…

Raygun pointed his gun at the figure and demanded Who are you?

Yo, Raygun! came the response. It was Sgt. Snowpants, a former soldier who now made a living any way he could… repairing equipment, hauling freight – also known as smuggling, or as a bounty hunter.

Hey Snowpants! he called out. What do you know about deprogramming X units?

X units?! I’ve never even seen one. Latest thing I’ve got is a 300-M! The two men laughed at the thought of their archaic equipment. Beggars can’t be choosers, eh Snowpants? P.J. asked rhetorically. You got that right. So what’s this about an X?

Raygun thought for a moment before letting Sgt. Snowpants in on his newly acquired Nebula X. What have I got to lose? C’mon in and take a look at my latest little project.

From dreams of bliss

shall men awake one day

but not to weep:

The dream remains.

They only break

the mirror of the sleep

Crystal’s mood didn’t brighten with the absence of the droid. The difference was more one of paranoia turning to sadness. Finally, Gravity confronted her about this.

What’s the matter with you, Crys? We got rid of the droid easily enough!

I know, Grav she replied. I just feel kind of sad now that she’s gone.

Crystal wiped a tear from her cheek and continued She seemed sweet, in a way. And no one has ever treated me like I was special before. Heck, Grav, most people call me by your name! Or worse yet, they refer to me as Gravity’s sister.

I get that too, Crys Gravity countered. You can understand that, can’t you?

Yeah, I guess… Crystal whispered, choked up with emotion. I hope she’s OK.

Remember, Crystal, it’s only a machine!

MEANWHILE…

P. J. Raygun secretly researched the programming of the X units to find a reversal of the imprinting process. If I can only get this thing to communicate with me, I’ll have it made, he muttered while leafing through a facsimile of the owner’s manual.

Little lady, he directed at the droid, how do I crack your code?

Suddenly, Raygun heard a noise outside and sprang to his window to check it out.

MEANWHILE…

Dock Galaxy kicked Wormhole lightly with no response. What’s wrong with him? Galaxy asked as he reached for his radio.

He had a little too much to drink, Krate said.

Dock nodded, pretending to understand, and informed Alpha Control of Wormhole’s presence on Mars.

Yup, that’d explain the missing ship, too, he said into the handset. I don’t envy him the welcome he’ll receive when he gets home, he said to the other two. Let me just fit him with something a little more secure.

With that, Dock cut the ropes that bound Wormhole and replaced them with restraints that Nomicon provided their employees for use in such situations. Dementia and unprovoked tirades often resulted from extended journeys in space. They usually passed quickly or responded well to calming drugs. Wormhole was a completely different case!

Krate and Ash breathed a sigh of relief with this latest situation resolved. Dock calmly and systematically returned to setting up camp.

MEANWHILE…

Flash calculated his current path and compared it to the route to Earth.

What – ?! He ran the numbers again. There was no mistake. The paths were identical. Leaving the computer, he floated forward to the ship’s controls. Blinking in disbelief, Flash stared into the electro-luminescent globe. There, superimposed on the controls where his own reflection should have been, was the face he had seen in his dream. As he stared, the visage spoke. Flash Meridian.

Am I dreaming? he asked out loud. Nothing else around him looked or felt like a dream.

Only insofar as your life is a dream, it said.

It was that very same evening when Crystal, Gravity and Nebula X met P. J. Raygun at the secondary airlock of the school, being careful not to be seen by anyone else. Gravity instructed Crystal who instructed Nebula X Go with Mr. Raygun.

As you wish, Nebula X replied, and was compelled to do as she requested.

As P. J. and the droid flew away, Crystal watched sadly and waved goodbye.

MEANWHILE…

Flash still had time to conduct experiments before he had to worry too much about asteroids. His first order of business remained contacting Alpha Control. These efforts were in vain, however his spirit was lifted by his dream. The glow and warmth seemed to linger now in his waking hours. The memory of the sweet figure in the light made his time in the TNI more bearable. Not that he didn’t enjoy his life. He treasured the opportunity he had to see things most people never saw. It’s just that space is very big.

MEANWHILE…

Lander and Azimuth walked back into their camp, followed by the Nomicon space rover.

This looks excellent Galaxy said, as he climbed out and scanned the valley. He proceeded to set up camp methodically. Ash Lander interrupted him by saying I really think you ought to take a look at this…

Just a sec… Dock said as he pulled a box from the back of the rover. Whacha got? He asked.

Come and see

Lander and Azimuth led him to where wormhole lay, still unconscious.

MEANWHILE…

P. J. Raygun sped toward his home on asteroid S-120. It was a wild, untamed place, frequented by seedy characters, most likely up to no good. P. J. knew two things: He was in possession of a very valuable piece of equipment, and it was hot.

So what do you do with a stolen droid? You certainly don’t dismantle it for parts. The most frustrating thing was that it refused to communicate with him. He pleaded with the droid to respond until he lost his patience and barked Respond, you infernal machine! P. J. stamped his feet and shouted while the droid gazed calmly, vacantly ahead.

We all need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity. – Malcolm X

Flash seemed to float in a sea of light, accepting this experience without fear, and without questioning it, just floating and noticing the sensation in his body. All the while, there was a sound… not an audible sound, but more like a vibration. He felt secure, embraced in a womb of nurturing calmness. The figure that moved in the light became distinct, and Flash realized that the countenance was the source of the light. Without a word being spoken, Flash and the figure in the light conversed in silence.

Flash went back in his mind to his trip around Pluto. I was there. the voice comforted. He went back the moment the TNI first went off course, firing him too far out into the solar system. I was there, came the voice again. Flash went further back to the farm where he was a child. I watched you grow.

In this manner, Flash gradually returned to the moment of his conception. I remember, the voice said.

MEANWHILE…

Lander spoke to the man in white. We can’t be too careful about who we meet here. The man laughed. Who did you expect?

I know you are Lander and Azimuth, your faces are in every newspaper and on every magazine cover on Earth. I see that I am not so recognizable to you. My name is Dock. Dock Galaxy. I work for Nomicon. Dock pointed out the Nomicon logo on his uniform. I thought you were expecting me.

What about Major Wormhole? Krate asked.

We would never send Wormhole on an assignment like this – or any other. He is facing court martial for high treason, but is at large. No one can find him. The sly devil.

Krate and Ash looked at one another, realizing at last what was happening. We have something back at our camp that will interest you, Ash stated as Dock released the latches on the cargo bay door. I’ll look at the samples once I get situated at camp, he said as he drove a Nomicon Space Rover out onto the rocky terrain.

That’s not what I had in mind Lander returned, to which Dock Galaxy responded Don’t worry, this baby will climb anything. I’ve got so much equipment in here, there’s no room for passengers though, sorry, but I’ll follow you.

In four hour shifts, Krate and Ash made it through the night. They bound Wormhole securely hand and foot, in case he should wake. Col. Lander checked his vitals from time to time, having no idea the amount of sedative he had consumed.

Two days passed thusly, with Wormhole unconscious, and the other two keeping their round-the-clock vigil. Late in the second day, Krate noticed something in the sky – a meteorite? A comet? It looks like a ship Ash said, remembering the arrival of Wormhole’s craft a few days earlier.

The men watched over the following hour and soon it was clear that another ship was descending toward them.

MEANWHILE…

Flash fell asleep, still wishing for communication. He had come to cherish his time sleeping. He never knew where his dreams would take him, or who he might meet there, but they always took him somewhere other than where he was. His dreams took him to places the TNI could not.

Flash found himself engulfed in bright light. A white ball of energy. He could see it with his eyes, but more importantly, he felt it surrounding him, filling him. He breathed it in and it tingled from his toes to the top of his head. He inhaled light and exhaled darkness until all he felt was light. Far from the cold darkness of space, he basked in this glow.

Something was moving, indiscernable within the halo, and as he watched it, it slowly began to take form.

Flash Meridian came a voice – a large, comforting voice, a rich, echoing voice. When it spoke his name, it spoke his entire being. All that Flash was, was summed up in that voice. Flash realized that he did not hear the voice with his ears, yet it spoke to him. From within… his entire being reverberated with that powerful, loving voice.

Even as he realized this, the movement formed hands, a face, and it touched his cheek softly. Soft as the petal of a flower. Fragrant and fresh.

MEANWHILE…

Droids? the face on the screen asked. Lady, I’m an exterminator, not a junk yard.

It’s not junk Gravity replied. She then explained the situation as Crystal stood nervously by, glancing at the Nebula X’s face for any sign of understanding.

What kind of joke is this? Raygun asked. I could work my entire life and never afford a state-of-the-art unit like that. No one exterminates them!

OK, OK! Raygun answered, but I’ll treat this as a salvage run.

OK Gravity said, but please hurry.

MEANWHILE…

Ash and Krate made their way to where the ship came down. It was even closer to their camp than Wormhole’s. As the two approached it, they drew their guns, wanting no more unpleasant surprises. This was a larger cargo ship. The door opened, and Ash and Krate approached it tentatively. A lone man in white disembarked and approached Azimuth and Lander.

Some welcome he said, glancing at the guns.

I wish I could talk to somebody.

Talk to it, Crystal. Gravity said. Suddenly Crystal was at a loss for words, she was clearly uncomfortable around the droid.

Do you have communications? Crystal asked, remembering her sister’s earlier question. Nebula X raised her hand to Crystal and a microphone extended from her finger. At the same time, a video screen opened on the droid’s chest and the screen flickered on. Um… Crystal said into the droid’s finger. she glanced at Gravity, then back at the droid. My sister wants to make a call.

As you wish. said the droid.

Gravity stepped up to the droid and said Directory. A list appeared on the screen. Exterminators. A list of names. She chose one at random.

MEANWHILE…

Wormhole drank the water. Ash looked at Krate, and Krate only smiled. Lander had not given up after all! It was a trick!

In a matter of seconds, Wormhole fell in a heap on the ground, completely sedated. That was a large dose, Ash said, it may kill him

He may wish it had, Krate replied.

The men took turns sleeping so one could keep an eye on Wormhole.

MEANWHILE…

Flash noticed a bright star in the view from the tube. He hadn’t noticed it before. It was so bright he wondered what it could be. Next time I’m on the computer, he thought, I’ll crunch it’s numbers. The heavens are so vast, and seeing them from a different vantage point can be disorienting. Flash was sure this was a major star, familiar to even amateur star-gazers back on Earth. As Flash’s eyes began to close, he said again I wish I could talk to somebody. For the time being, this was Flash’s wishing star.

MEANWHILE…

The girls were connected to an extermination service via an untapped private frequency. P. J. Raygun came the crackling voice as the picture faded in. Within seconds, the picture and sound were crystal clear.

We need help Gravity said into the Nebula X’s finger.

I guess that’s why you called, P. J. replied.

Yeah… Gravity stammered… Do you remove droids?

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.

Crystal burst into the galley panting. The other girls just kept eating. They were used to Crystal’s dramatic late entrances to meals.

Grav, she whispered desperately, Come outside with me! Gravity rolled her eyes at the invitation, and gruffly announced Hello! I’m eating.

Crystal had no time to explain. She pushed Gravity’s dinner tray away from her and said Grav, I need you NOW” motioning toward the exit door.

Since you’re not going to let me eat, I might as well cooperate…

MEANWHILE…

Back on Mars, Sly Wormhole and Ash Lander dueled while Krate Azimuth punched codes into the radio. What good will it do? he wondered. They won’t be able to help us anyway.

Then he remembered he had his own saber in his duffle.

Wormhole and Lander were evenly matched. Both men fought deftly and employed sophisticated maneuvers, each surprising the other. Both men began to doubt their own abilities. Ash looked worried.

Wormhole stumbled. Krate saw his opportunity, grabbed up his saber and took Ash Lander’s place in the conflict. Wormhole was strong, driven by his rage. He fought like a madman, but Krate held his own against the monster.

MEANWHILE…

Flash Meridian passed through Saturn’s vacant orbital path, heading toward the sun – more or less. Over the past months of warp travel, he had spent the majority of his time sleeping in a cryo-tube. Because of this, he was well rested to navigate the asteriod field which would be his next expected event in space. Besides making his progress calculations on the computer, he was now in sporadic contact with Earth… At least he was receiving messages. As far as he could tell, his messages were not being received on the other end. Two way communication with Alpha Control is what he needed. His ship was slightly off-course, and he needed to rectify this situation. Firing his right booster rockets might correct his path, or it might send him hurtling uncontrolled in a different direction at this speed. So he continued to send radio signals, video feeds and computer messages, hoping they would be received.

Come in, Alpha Control…

Come in, Alpha Control…

At least it gave him something to do. But when Flash was in the tube, his dreams became more and more vivid until he began to feel that his space journey was the dream, and his experiences while sleeping were his true and real life.

MEANWHILE…

Crystal told Gravity that the Nebula X was in her chamber. Her body trembled as she explained to her sister. Gravity was concerned, but being level-headed and practical, she quickly devised a plan… Call an exterminator.

How? Crystal begged, almost sobbing by this time. The communication lines are all tapped. I’ll be found out for sure. Everyone would hear if I sent out a blanket request by radio!

An idea flashed across Gravity’s mind so that Crystal could see it in her face. What? Grav!

Tell me! What?

Gravity was already hurrying down the corridor, Crystal in tow. We’re going to your Chamber.

But the droid is in there! And the lines are tapped, and I’m scared. The girls arrived at Crystal’s door. Open it. Gravity commanded.

Crystal’s jaw dropped, and the hairs on her neck stood on end. No way… she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. This is not happening to me But it clearly was. How did you find me? she addressed the droid.

Your prints were left on the box, Crystal Weightless. Crystal backed out of the doorway and braced herself against the corridor wall. The droid knew her name. She was good at getting herself into binds, but she always turned to the same person to get her out. Gravity she thought out loud. Hitting the red button by the door, she hid the Nebula X from view and raced wide eyed to the galley where the other girls had already started eating.

MEANWHILE…

Tension continued to build at the Lander camp on Mars. What few comments Wormhole made were laced with innuendo. Ash’s anger grew until he could no longer contain it. The sun was setting when Ash finally turned to Wormhole and said You’ll never get away with this, Sly.

I already have, you fool! came his scathing reply. With those words, Wormhole rose to his feet and reached for his saber. Instinctively, Lander did the same.

Don’t do this, please! Ash tried to reason. Wormhole only chuckled and removed the safety bolt from the butt of his weapon. A blaze of green energy, a contained beam, shot from the handle, illuminating the campsite which had quickly grown dark. The blinding flash of light burned into Ash and Krate’s eyes, and Sly Wormhole stood, powerful, with his own huge black shadow spilling over the valley behind him like ink.

Ash activated his saber as well, intending only to call Wormhole’s bluff, but both men knew that Wormhole was capable of killing without remorse.

Why are you doing this? Ash asked, but Wormhole only came back with a hideous laugh.

MEANWHILE…

Flash keyed his coordinates into the computer. Uranus sparkled off behind the TNI, but Saturn’s orbit placed it on the other side of the sun, and only empty space lay between him and Jupiter’s path. the screen flickered and Flash adjusted the communications disc toward the Earth.

His gamble at Pluto had paid off by sending him only a few degrees off from his desired course. Still, with the distance he had to travel, those few degrees would place him millions of miles from his target.

The screen went white and then scrolled text from top to bottom. Not his own calculations or database, but transmissions from home! I’m here! he shouted. I’m alive!