Episode 20: A New Leaf

Earth hung like a glimmering blue ornament against a backdrop of spangled infinity

In short order, P. J. Raygun’s house and grounds were cleaned and organized by Nebula X. Raygun soon realized that household chores were not where the droid would be the most beneficial, however.

MEANWHILE…

Crystal Weightless’ life had become a bland string of uneventful days. She found security enclosed in the school where her fear held her captive. Gravity tried to encourage her sister, but her efforts were to no avail. Her only ventures outside the confines of the school were by way of her radio. She sat in her chamber listening for signals from space.

The static and occasional beeps formed a language crystal understood. Mentally, she traveled out there, seeing, in her mind’s eye, the ships she heard. Rocket liners, fighters, small ships, cargo pods, each had their own unique fingerprint signals.

MEANWHILE…

Ash Lander and Krate Azimuth radioed ahead to Earth, advising them of their current status. Krate glanced out to see Deimos, casting its tiny shadow on Mars’ equator, and then turned his gaze away, symbolically leaving his panic behind. He felt as though he had quietly, calmly turned over a new leaf.

MEANWHILE…

Flash also underwent subtle changes as his inner life was slowly stripped away and systematically rebuilt – or at least organized and redefined. His preparation for re-entering Earth felt like a rebirth. He knew his time in the womb was coming to a close, and the time had come to apprise earth of his imminent return.