You’re in outer space?

Krate Azimuth glanced out the porthole toward Earth and noticed that something was wrong. The ship’s grappling arm was in the wrong position, and appeared to be caught on the external ladder.

Ash! Check the grappling arm Krate called out. This malfunction was potentially serious.

Ash went to the computer and attempted to manipulate the robotic arm. it didn’t budge. The two men assessed the situation visually and determined that a space walk was necessary. Col. Lander outranked Azimuth, so it would be his call as to who would be going outside. Rather than pull rank on his friend, however, Lander decided to draw straws. The job fell to Lander.

He suited up and entered the air-lock while Krate monitored his oxygen and other conditions in the suit. While Krate kept visual tabs on Ash, the men communicated over their radios.

From his new perspective outside the ship, Ash quickly spotted and corrected the problem.

Raising the radio to his mouth to report the repair, it slipped from his grip and drifted away. Instinctively, Lander reached for his transmitter and in so doing, lost his grip on the ladder.

Ash Lander was floating free in space.

MEANWHILE…

Crystal Weightless may have been somewhat cloistered in her chamber, but she was not cut off from the universe. Crystal was aware of all the local ships and received signals from deep space as well. Even faint static which would be overlooked by the casual listener, held messages for Crystal who, throughout her life had sought information… about who she was, where she came from. At times, she imagined the transmissions she heard originated from Nebula X. As the weeks passed, Crystal’s paranoia subsided and her desire to explore returned. What harm could it do to cautiously look around? She needed to get out of the school.

MEANWHILE…

Flash talked to the voice on his radio.

This is Flash Meridian he repeated

OK, Flash. Where are you?

Flash was relieved that his signal was finally being received and verified. This was the first human voice he had heard other than his own since long before Pluto.

I can just now make out the moon Flash answered. I’m under a million miles from Earth now.

After a pause, the voice came back. OK… you mean you’re in outer space?

10-4 Flash said, and proceeded to give his coordinates. Trans-Neptunian Interloper 87 23113170

I read you loud and clear

Krate and Ash sped anxiously back to Earth and the stability of home.

During those next weeks, Ash often lay awake in his bunk thinking about the events that had transpired to bring him here. His friend Krate Azimuth was a good man, and seemed very different than he had at the beginning of the voyage. There was a confidence – an inner strength that Ash now saw in him. A strength that comes from great suffering. Ash knew that Krate blamed himself for what had happened on Callisto, though it was all the doing of Wormhole.

Ash thought of the space girl often. Her face was still etched clearly in his mind. He thought of Flash Meridian. Lander blamed himself for their failure to save Flash. Whether sleeping or awake, Ash often saw, in his mind’s eye, Flash’s ship, sailing forever into unknown space beyond our galaxy.

Godspeed, Flash Meridian he often thought, or even said quietly as he gazed out the porthole on his ship.

MEANWHILE…

Flash Meridian continued to attempt to contact Earth with no reception. There had to be something wrong with his equipment. The computer picked up nothing at all from Earth. The radio was useless. It was as if Earth were uninhabited. Flash, in a desperate attempt, began pushing every button on his handset and flipping every lever, in an attempt to pick up something… anything.

After a few moments of this, Flash did hear something. It was a voice. It was from Earth.

Come in, Alpha Control!

Come in, Alpha Control!

Flash nearly shouted into the radio. Then he realized he was on a short wave band.

Short wave bands haven’t been used for decades he muttered and continued to make himself known.

Do you read me?

This is Flash Meridian! He called

I read you loud and clear came the voice.

MEANWHILE…

P. J. Raygun began devising a scheme to make the Nebula X profitable to him. He had actually convinced himself by this time, that this was his rightful property. Though he wasn’t completely above stealing, he saw the X unit as his chance to make an honest living. There would be no convincing the other residents of S-120 that he had come upon the droid honestly, so he tried to keep his windfall a secret.

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.

Switching his radio and computer back on, his voice was strong as he called Come in, Alpha Control… Come in, Alpha Control… This is Flash Meridian

He now had a visual fix on Earth, which hung like a glimmering blue ornament, dangling against a backdrop of spangled infinity.

Come in, Alpha Control…

Come in, Alpha Control…

He switched to another frequency, broadcast again and waited for a reply.

His signal was strong. A test of his radio checked out. His communications disc was aimed correctly at Cape Canaveral.

Come in Alpha Control…

There was no response.

Flash missed many things on Earth. People, his family, food, music, art…

P. J. Raygun approached Nebula X and said Clean my house. He said it partly to be funny, and partly to check whether the droid would respond to him or not.

Nebula X quickly began organizing the jumble of wires and electrical components heaped on the table before a vacuum tube extended from her left thumb and cleaned all the components of dust and other foreign particles. Raygun and Snowpants watched her until the hovel was spotless and every item was labeled.

Whoa! Snowpants said, You owe me!

Yeah Raygun responded in awe. Thanks. What should I have her do now?

Yard work? Snowpants suggested.

MEANWHILE…

Ash, Krate and Dock wasted no time in leaving Mars. Dock was the first to lift off. Nomicon would have to decide their next course of action considering the Wormhole situation.

As Ash and Krate’s ship finally escaped Mars’ pull, they looked back on the red planet with mixed feelings. A sense of unfinished business over-rode even their excitement about going home.

Mars, the god of war, seemed angry and menacing, accompanied by its moons, fear and panic. Ash and Krate now had a face to attach to the god. Wormhole.

MEANWHILE…

Waking, Flash too, looked out over Mars’ rusted face, his first terrestriall sight in ages. Though he still had far to travel, Mars seemed the gateway to Earth.

The sun was now bright and hurt his unaccustomed eyes, so long had he hibernated in the outer reaches of the sun’s kingdom.

With his radio and computer still off, Flash continued to converse with Holly Gram. Together they walked through Flash’s memories – at times scampering through sundrenched fields, at other times strolling hand in hand down starlit streets or darkened corridors.

With her companionship and guidance, Flash seemed to make sense of his life. The important things formed his foundation while the rest crumbled away, cast off as the refuse it was. Among those things discarded were expectation, judgement, anxiety, fear and the political church. Among those things retained were love, acceptance, tolerance and peace.

Flash tried to come to terms with the incredible distance he had traveled since last entering the kryo-tube. According to these numbers, the speed he must have achieved was… well… impossible. The numbers had to be wrong. That was the only explanation. The blips he saw on the radar screen were not the outermost asteroids, but the innermost. The reddish object growing in front of him was Mars… Mars!

MEANWHILE…

Dock, Ash and Krate were dumbfounded, staring at the empty hole in the ground. What the – ?! Dock gasped. All color drained from the faces of Azimuth and Lander. Krate vomited the breakfast he had just eaten. This was too much to take in. As the three men stared, their entire world seemed to crash down around them. From the hole, they heard again that hideous laugh.

Aaaaaaaagh! Ash bellowed in utter despair

MEANWHILE…

Flash tried to find an explanation for his current coordinates. Even if the speed had been possible, there is no way he could have made it through the asteroid belt without evasive action. Then he remembered… HollyGram! Her words came back to him… When you were in danger, I guided you.

With that, Flash switched off his radar, his radio and computer, putting his life in the protective hands of his guardian angel. A sense of peace filled him while all the questions and fears fell away into nothingness.

The constellations Flash now saw fell from her gown, showering his dreams with diamonds.

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.