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.