December 19.

            "Positive," said Steelwill.  He pressed a button to boost a sensor of some kind.  He frowned at the results.  "I don't understand this," said Steelwill.  "There should be some signal!"

            Steelheart said, "Unbelievable!  It took the Romulans several years to perfect their cloaking device so that no signal could be emitted, and Ludwig does it in a matter of months."  Captain N nodded.  The alarms beeped four more pairs of times.  "I don't believe this.  They're making fools out of us.  We've got to make better sensors."

            Some reading reached Steelwill's panel.  "Steelheart, they're back!"  They looked out the window.  The brain-shaped world of Metroid melted into view, a vessel decloaking.  Metroid neared Bedlama.

            "Unbelievable!" said Steelheart.  "That is both a planet and a battle-cruiser."

            Quicksilver reported, "Their weapons systems are inactive, Commander."

            "Very good," said Steelheart.  "I see no reason to start a fight.  Kevin, Lion-O, Mario, Perry, and Darkwing, please come with me.  Anyone else who cares to join me, join me.  I'm going over to Metroid."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            In the control room of Metroid, Ludwig said, "This is the site of the first track which Steelheart chose."

            "At least they didn't attack," said MotherBrain.

            "I knew they wouldn't," said Ludwig.  "I was merely testing their intentions.  Let's wait until the N-Team gets here."  Steelheart, Lion-O, Mario, Kevin, Perry Mason, Darkwing Duck, and some other members of the Extended N-Team (to include the Wilytwins) warped into the control room of Metroid.

            "We're here, Ludwig," said Steelheart.  Steelheart flashed on her visor.  "Commander Steelheart to Governor Zander; please respond.  This is an audio transmission."

            "This is Governor Zander of Bedlama City, Commander Steelheart," responded Zander.  "The track is ready to be materialised.  Over."

            "Okay, Governor," said Steelheart.  "We're ready for it.  Over."

            "We shall activate it, then.  Over and out," responded Zander.  Steelheart then flashed off her visor.

            "It should materialise," said Steelheart, "any moment now."

            "Eggplant Wizard," said Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa, "put it on visual."

            "Yes, Prince Ludwig," said Eggplant Wizard.  The viewscreen showed Bedlama.  A large elliptical race-track encircling Dolare, Automata, the Penal Planet, and Brim*Star, both sides connected in Bedlama, materialised, everything but pavement.

            "Okay, looking good," said Ludwig.  "Well, Steelheart?"

            "Okay," said Steelheart.

            "It appears," said Ludwig, "that this track is designed for aerial vehicles.  Am I correct in that assumption?"

            "You are, indeed," said Steelheart.  "In fact, all the tracks are designed for aerial vehicles."

            "Great!" replied Ludwig.  "How many tracks have you chosen?"

            "Six."

            "Good, good.  Well, we are going to get nothing done by just sitting here above Bedlama, though.  Let's call this the 'Limbo Track' and move on to your next choice."

            "Sounds good to me."  Metroid warped off to the site of the next track.

            * * *

            Meeting Room, Hawkhaven.

            Later, at Hawkhaven, in a meeting hall, the N-Team leaders and first officers were conferring.  The Thunder Kittens were also in the room.  "Now," said Steelheart, "I must judge the driving of the other seventy members of this group."

            "First," said Kevin, "we must rule out those unable to drive."

            "Oh, of course!" said Steelheart.  "Let's go at this individually.  According to the rules, I am the only one in the entire N-Team who is not allowed drive.  Kidd can use his Space Racer.  Lion-O?"

            "Well," said Lion-O, "the Snarfs, because they are too short and would not be able to reach the necessary equipment; and, I dare say it, Lynx-O, because he can't see.  Now, Tygra, please tell me what you think.  One cannot race well without eyesight.  I doubt that even the Braille Board would help Lynx-O in this case."

            Tygra, Lion-O's first officer, replied, "True, Lion-O, with all due respect.  I have the same conclusion."

            "Very well," said Lion-O.  "I think that's it."

            "Excuse us," said Wilykit.  Wilykat and I wouldn't feel comfortable driving in a race.  I mean, we've only piloted Thunder Cat vehicles, and even then over a small area each time we piloted."

            "All right, guys," Lion-O said.  "You're out if you feel you should be.  Mario?"

            "Well, let's see," said Mario.  "I think no one in my team would be incapacitated. . . except, maybe, Toad.  He's a little short, and we have no special vehicles for him.  What about you, Kevin?"

            "I think everyone from my team would be qualified," said Kevin.  "They are all of proper age and, probably, height.  Except that Wright said that Roll's systems aren't quite up to par yet.  He said she shouldn't drive in this race.  Your team, Perry?"

            "Well," said Mason, "I think we're all qualified, including Lieutenant Tragg.  How about your team, Darkwing?"

            "Hmm!" said Darkwing.  "A bunch.  Gosalyn, - she's too young - Neptunia, - she's a fish - Stegmutt, - he's too huge to drive, Morganna, - she doesn't know how - GizmoDuck - he has that huge metal suit.  I guess that it would be they who would be unable to drive.  Of course, Launchpad crashes so much, and I drive the Rat Catcher all of the time, but I think he and I are all right.  Er, how about your team, Scrooge?"

            Scrooge said, "Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby are the ones.  I have to check to see whether Mrs. Crackshell can drive, but I think she can."

            Quicksilver, Steelheart's first officer, had made notes of the people mentioned.  "Steelheart, the Thunder Kittens, Snarf, Snarfer, Lynx-O, Toad, Roll, Gosalyn, Neptunia, Stegmutt, Morganna, GizmoDuck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webbigail.  That's it?"

            "I believe," said Darkwing, "that they were the mentioned ones."

            "Let's try driving without them for a while," said Prince Ludwig von(Spike)Koopa, Mario's first officer, "and see what we can do."

            "Good idea," said Steelheart.  "Let's get out on the 'Limbo Track' and do the evaluations."