It just floated there, giggling as if to taunt him.

Celeste was intrigued by Crystal’s confession. The other man… she repeated to herself. Crystal, are you saying what I think you’re saying? Crystal’s face turned a bit red, and Celeste knew she was on to something.

So that’s it! That’s why you’re so desperate to get to Earth. Celeste was rather envious of Crystal and the exciting life she led. This was the first real adventure Celeste had ever had.

MEANWHILE…

As P. J. Raygun stared at the glowing object, he realized that it was now very close to his ship.

The body, for that was clearly what it was, hovered right in front of the craft. P. J. didn’t know what to think of this, and just sat dumbfounded, still staring. Then the creature spoke.

Don’t do it. the voice advised. P. J. said nothing. The creature looked like nothing more than a child.

When it giggled, P. J. felt at ease and said Now you just git along little honey. Ol’ P. J.’s got a date.
It didn’t move. It just floated there, giggling as if to taunt him.

P. J. began to get impatient, and said in a stern voice Now I said you get out of my way! I don’t have time for this shenanigans! With an angry glare, he waved his hand in front of his face, signaling the creature to move away. The creature only raised it’s hand and said again Don’t do it!

When the creature raised it’s hand to P. J., he froze still in his seat, unable to move. At the same time, his evil deeds played themselves back on his radar screen like a movie, and P. J. knew that he was dealing with a powerful force. All the hidden things were brought to light. All his sneaky dealings, all the people he had cheated or hurt cried out for vengeance, and P. J.’s heart was filled with dread.

P. J. looked like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and glanced nervously at Nebula X. She showed no indication of seeing the childlike apparition suspended there in front of them.

Earth has enough problems without you adding to them.

Who are you, and how do you know my business? P. J. asked.

It doesn’t really matter, but my name is K-D. She said, still giggling. Your business is my business.

After P. J. watched the shady events of his life played out before him, his fear turned to remorse. The images were burned into his mind and P. J. buried his face in his hands, but could not erase them.

What should I do now? P. J. pleaded, still hiding his eyes. There was no answer. Raising his head, he saw that K-D was gone. He looked again at Nebula X and said Turn the ship around – let’s head back home.

---

PJ Raygun just sat there, dazed. He was remorseful for things he had done, and for what he had planned to do. It wasn’t too late. He instructed Nebula X to turn his ship in a sweeping arc that took him back the way he had come, and not toward the Earth. He didn’t know who the rightful owner of the robot was. He had no bill of lading, no paperwork at all. He turned to the droid, who sat with perfect posture in the pilot’s seat.

“Miss,” he said to the droid, “what was your intended destination?”

She spoke in a mechanical tone, stating the coordinates of her intended recipient. She altered their course. His heart felt light. This was a new sensation for him, and he was grateful to the powerful being that had intervened on his behalf.

The ship flew itself, and PJ asked Nebula X to play some music. He expected to hear a recording from her archives, but instead, she sang. Her voice rang like a bell. She brought the same precision to her songs as she had displayed when navigating the asteroids. Her pitch and rhythm were perfect. Beyond the exactness of her performance, she brought a surprising emotional feature to her songs. Raygun was swept away by the music in his already devastated state.

Yes, he was devastated by seeing his own flaws, yet he was happy for the first time in his life. He was going to make things right. He would return the stolen property and turn himself in. He didn’t see any other option. He radioed ahead and confessed the whole story.

Nebula X was oblivious to human emotions, and just sang as she was requested to.

PJ felt the music enough for both of them. The mysterious little being hadn’t made him feel bad. He made himself feel bad. He was grateful for her interception.

When they finally arrived at the headquarters for the entertainment conglomerate, he was not met as a criminal, but as a hero. He hadn’t stolen the droid. He only returned it.

Nebula X followed his order without question.