Batcave, Batman's Earth, 'Unexplored' Area, VideoLand.

"This place is awesome!" said Kevin, looking around.  Robin had just given him the wake-up-gas.

            "Glad you like it," said Batman.  "What is that device you're wearing on your chest?"

            Pointing to his communicator, Kevin asked, "This?"

            "Yes."

            "It is a communicator.  Naturally, it is used. . ."

            The communicator beeped, and Steelheart's voice asked, "Commander Steelheart to Captain N.  Come in, please."

            Batman nodded.  Kevin tapped it and said, "Captain N here, Commander.  Go ahead."

            "Okay," said Steelheart.  "Tell me what is going on."

            Kevin said, "One moment, please."

            "Okay."  The communicator deactivated.

            Batman said, "Would you like us to move away?"

            "Yes, please," said Kevin pleasantly.

            "Okay.  Come where Robin and I have gone when you're finished."

            "Yes, sir."  Batman and Robin went toward another area.  Kevin re-tapped his communicator.  "Okay, Steelheart.  What do you want to know?"

            "Where are you?" Steelheart asked.  "I know the planet on which you're standing; Lana reported to us that you stayed behind."

            "It would appear," said Kevin quietly, "that the world on which Batman exists is real, too.  That is where I am.  As soon as Lana had beamed back to the Palace, I saw that Batman was chasing Joker, so I threw a cramp in Joker's plans, and that clown is going to rot in Arkham."

            "Nice going, Kevin."

            "Anyway, I have made the acquaintance of both Batman and Robin.  After I allowed them to sleep-gas me, they brought me here, to their Batcave.  They just woke me up."

            "Perfect," said Steelheart.  "Got the disc with the information on N-Team members and enemies?"

            "Yeah."

            "Show them it.  Investigate.  Do you understand?"

            "Yes, I understand," said Kevin.  "Anything else?"

            "Yes; be careful," said Steelheart.  "Steelheart out."  The communicator beeped.  Kevin goes toward Batman and Robin.

            "Finished?" asked Batman.

            Kevin said, "Yes, I have."

            "Good.  Now, maybe we can get the demands of our curiosity straightened out.  Where are you from?"

            Kevin suddenly realised how unbelievable this story might be.  But, what the heck?  "A place - an interstellar kingdom - called VideoLand."

            Batman and Robin believed him.  After all, Superman had come from Krypton, and the Wondertwins from another planet whose name they could not remember right off the top of their heads.  Batman said, "We believe you.  Tell us about it."

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

            "That's that," said Steelheart, leaning against a presently unused terminal.  "Hawkhaven."

            Will Riker said, "Sure is impressive."

            "Yes," said Picard, impressed.  "This appears more complex than a Federation space station."

            "Glad you like it," said Steelheart.  She tapped her communicator.  "Wilykat, where are you?"

            "Still in the hangar, with Wilykit," said Wilykat.  "Why?"

            "Come up here, please, young Thunder Cat."

            "Okay.  Especially since you said please.  Should I bring Wilykit?"

            "If you wouldn't mind."

            "Well, I do," Wilykat said in a manner that indicated he did not really mean it, "but I'll bring her anyway.  Wilykat out."  The communicator beeped.

            "One day," Steelheart muttered to herself, "that kitten's mouth is going to say the wrong thing to the wrong person and get relieved of all its teeth."

            "For some distinct reason," said Wesley, having overheard, "I get the impression that certain people don't like the Thunder Kittens."

            "Wilykat is a smarty-mouth," said Steelheart.  "His intentions are good, but he just can't resist smart-aleck remarks.  He's lucky he doesn't say the wrong thing to the wrong person.  Actually, he's pretty smart, because he doesn't say the wrong thing to the wrong person, unlike another member of our team.  The Thunder Kittens can handle a lot of situations.  Boy, can they handle a lot of situations.  I am just about certain that nothing can stop them when they're working together.  They are extremely formidable.  Naturally, they individually have more than twice Steelwill's and my combined strength. . . I think much more.  And they are intensely cunning, too.  However, they do have one weakness."

            "Oh?" asked Wesley.  "And. . ."  The elevator door opened, revealing the Thunder Kittens, arguing about something.  No one decided to interrupt, as it would prove futile.  "Is this it?" he whispered.

            "-Sigh.-  Yes, Wesley."

            "I didn't know what that guy would do, Wilykit!" said Wilykat.

            Wilykit said, "Of course not.  You should have listened to Lion-O say that there was no such thing as invisible oil.  But did you?  No.  You had to stick your nose out the door!"

            "At least I didn't keep my curiosity tied up in chains like you seemed to do!"

            "Oh, really.  If I had done that, I would have been lured into that con-man's clutches just like you were.  As it turned out, I wound up doing several things which resulted in saving you."

            "Please.  You don't need to rub it in any further."

            "I just want you to think about it, okay?  While you were having fun, I was worried to death!  I'm darned glad we got to you before the Luna-tacks did away with you."

            "Oh, what did you do there?"

            "First thing I did was notice you in that Captain Bragg's blasted circus train.  I had no earthly idea that you had been hypnotised.  I just thought he had kidnapped you.

            "Next thing, at a place where the train had apparently landed, Lion-O and I looked around, and I noticed a wanted poster. . . with Luna and Amok pasted on the front."

            "Oops!  I had been wondering where that thing had gotten to."

            "Ahem!  Next thing, we were in the ThunderClaw, and I picked up the frequency of the circus train.  It helped save your life that I could fly because Aluro tried to mesmerise Lion-O.  It was my flying by, getting Lion-O's attention, and interrupting the flow of Aluro's will that helped our lord stop Aluro."

            "And what did you do when the train started heading down, huh?"

            "I couldn't do anything.  The train descended too quickly for the lighter ThunderClaw to follow."

            "Oh?  So you blame me for the whole fiasco?"

            "Not too hasty.  You did, as I told Lion-O in defending you, help in capturing all the Mutants and all the Luna-tacks.  Of course, Mumm-ra did get them back half a year later, but. . ."  She sighed and stopped.  "Now, as to why we were called up here."  She turned to Steelheart.  "Please excuse us, Steelheart.  Now, what is it?"

            "You two come with me," said Steelheart.  "Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Counsellor Troi, and Cadet Crusher, make yourselves at home."

            Picard replied, "Thank you, Commander Steelheart."

            "And, Captain, I want us to be friends.  In situations such as this, we can drop the rank; you can just call me Steelheart."

            "Certainly, Steelheart.  You may call me Picard."

            "Certainly, Picard."  Steelheart and the Kittens went to Steelheart's office, where Wilykat leapt into the couch before Wilykit had a chance. . . something Wilykit did not appreciate in the slightest.  Still, she found herself content to sit in the chair across from Steelheart's desk as Steelheart sat in her own.

            "Okay, Thunder Kittens," said Steelheart.  "How went everything?"

            "Fine," began Wilykat as Wilykit motioned to him.  "Nice people, basically.  Slightly stuffy captain, though."

            "That's Picard's type," said Steelheart.  "His type is also not naturally comfortable around children."  She looked at both of them.  "Or those who appear to be children."

            "I understand," said Wilykat.

            Wilykit said, "I liked it.  Lt. Worf didn't scare me a bit."

            "Oh?" asked Steelheart.  "You weren't startled when you saw his face?"

            "I just saw it was physically different, that's all.  And I learned that it was just different because he was a Klingon, not a human or a Betazoid."  She switched topics.  "Speaking of which, Counsellor Troi is rather nice."

            "I agree," said Wilykat.  "I can see why she chose her profession.  Her comforting voice with its soothing intonations. . ."  He intentionally didn't finish.  He was a boy, and he might give these two ladies wrong ideas.

            Steelheart said, "That is a good reason for a career like hers, plus her ability to understand.  That one thing is the most important one a counsellor can have."

            Wilykit added, "Plus her empathy."

            "Yes," said Steelheart.  "Plus her empathy.  Something has come to my attention, Wilykit."

            "What?" asked Wilykit.

            Steelheart began, "This 'something' is that you have fallen in love with. . ."

            Blushing and angry, Wilykit got up very quickly while hitting Steelheart's desk once very hard and screamed, "THAT ISN'T ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS, MY DEAR STEELHEART!!!"  She calmed down.  "Sorry.  I. . . were you about to say that I have fallen in love with Wesley Crusher?"

            "Yes," said Steelheart.

            "I thought so," said Wilykit, sitting back down.  "I'm sorry I reacted like that.  I just. . ."  She turned to her brother.  "Did you tell her?"

            "No," said Wilykat.  "Picard found out.  He mentioned it."  Wilykit sighed.

            "And I am not about to yell at a starship captain," she said.

            Steelheart said, "Well, I was wondering if you'd like to remain being the N-Team's diplomatic representatives on the Enterprise."  She smiled.  "I can tell you like him."

            Wilykit was already halfway in dream-land, dreaming about Wesley, when Steelheart directly addressed her.  "Ma'am?"

            "Yes, you have fallen in love.  I said that I could tell that you like him.  I see that look in your eyes.  Damn it, Wilykit.  I was hoping to send you as a diplomatic liaison, but you're no good if you've just fallen in love.  Just like a human, you can just click off like that."  Between 'like' and 'that,' Steelheart snapped her fingers.

            "Tell you what," said Wilykat.  "I can do the diplomatic stuff.  'Kit, you can spend your time with your new boyfriend."

            "Don't be silly," she said, her brother being the only one able to keep her out of her dreams for Wesley.  "I'll do my share of the diplomatic stuff."

            " 'Kit," said Wilykat, "I want to help.  Let me take over the diplomatic position so you and Wesley can be together."  Wilykit found it an all too tempting offer.  "Please?  I'm doing this to make you happy."

            "Okay," she said.  "You're sure you can handle the diplomatic stuff?"

            "Sure.  I suggest you look up the book first, before you do anything with him, though.  Human males are less aggressive than Thunderian Wilykat females."

            "Okay.  I have to get it."

            Just as Wilykit started getting up to leave, Wilykat said, "Ah, ah, ah, not so fast."  Wilykit turned to him.  "I installed the book in the computer under the program 'The Thunderian Wilykat Race.' "  Wilykit smiled at him.

            "Thank you," she said.

            "Seriously, 'Kit, be careful.  Humans' bone and muscle structures are also weaker than those of Thunderians.  You might literally crack him up really easily if you get carried away."  Wilykit nodded.

            "Steelheart," said Wilykit, "I'm going to talk to Tygra first."

            Steelheart said, "Okay.  Go ahead.  I have to talk to your brother, anyway."  Wilykit left.  "Wilykat, not that I don't have the greatest confidence in you, which I assure you that I do, but I must be sure that you realise the potential magnitude of your situation."

            Very seriously, Wilykat said, "Yes, Steelheart.  I do."

            "Good," said Steelheart.  "Try to remain objective.  If carried the wrong way, a diplomatic mission can turn into a big fiasco.  I know these people are similar to us, but be careful."

            "I understand."  Very serious.  This time, Steelheart could not have imagined anyone being more serious about this situation than Wilykat.  Yes, it was way too easy to underestimate this person; she was glad she had not underestimated him.  He deserved a wonderful girlfriend. . . but not right now.

            "That, too, is good."  She got up.  "Try not to let that which is happening between Wesley Crusher and your sister disrupt you from your mission.  Yes, you should be concerned; that is only natural.  Just control it."

            "Understood perfectly, Steelheart."

            "Very good, Wilykat.  I'm glad I can depend on you.  Come with me, please."  Wilykat got up and followed Steelheart out to the Command Centre, where the Enterprise Away-Team's members were patiently waiting.  The Silver Hawks were at their terminals.  "Captain Picard, I am pleased to tell you that Wilykat will be acting as our diplomatic liaison."

            "I am pleased to hear that," said Picard in earnest.  "He is rather polite."

            "Something," said Wesley, "which Wilykit might not confirm in the least."

            Wilykat asked, "What did my sister tell you about me, Wesley?"

            "Suffice it to say," said Wesley, "that she described you as being, at times, a smarty-mouth."

            Wilykat sighed.  "The indignity that one sibling can place upon the other can be tremendous.  Did she describe me in any other ways?"

            "Well," said Wesley, "she indicated that, at times, you might forget your head if it weren't attached."

            Wilykat shook his head.  "I have a bone to pick with that young lady," said Wilykat.  "Steelwill, did you ever have to go through this?"

            Steelwill turned in his seat to face them.  "No," he said.  "I was usually the issuer of such remarks."

            "Well, at least you're being honest about it!" said Steelheart.  "I 'forgot' my calculator so much when we were in high school."

            Steelwill began, "As I recall,. . ."

            "Okay," said Steelheart.  "Enough, Will.  I remember you always forgot your shoulder-pads."

            Steelwill got up and went to her.  "Okay, Steelheart!  So I accidentally used to leave them at home."

            "Not as replaceable as a calculator, as the pads were specifically your size."

            "Okay.  Let's drop it, please."

            "Okay, Will.  Consider it on the floor."

            "I hate bad puns!" Steelwill said as he went back to his station.

            Picard said, "He's not as bad as my older brother, Robert, was to me."

            "Oh. . . the bigger the age difference, the bigger the headache!" said Steelheart, holding her head for emphasis.  "Yeah, tell me about it.  I had three older non-twin brothers, and they were worse than Will."

            Steelwill turned back around.  "Yeah, Steelheart.  You never showed 'em who was boss, either.  Always had to have 'Little Will' around whenever you were around them."

            "Please," said Steelheart.  "I wasn't afraid of them for a minute.  Just cautious.  They took constant pleasure in making me as angry as you-know-where.  Since Will and I were younger than the three of them, they made a big deal about treating us as inferiors.  Of course, they had to do it to Will less than to me, because I was the female."  She looked at Picard.  "Being the only girl with three brothers older than you are and one brother three seconds younger than you is not always a fun thing.  And it wasn't my fault that I kept not having my calculator in math class."  She looked at Steelwill angrily.  "Unlike you may think!"

            "I never felt inferior around them," said Steelwill.

            "Well, certainly.  That's because they wouldn't do anything insulting to you!"

            "Was it hard growing up?" asked Picard.

            "Yes, but I got a lot out of it.  First thing:  if you think you can't do something, you can't.  I thought I couldn't get those brothers of mine in line, so I couldn't.  It's always a matter of attitude.  I haven't seen them in a couple of years."  She smiled at an idea.  "Will's and my week-long leave, if I'm correct, comes up in six weeks."  Her smile got more wicked.  "Ooh, I've got it!  I'll get those three back really good!"

            "How?" asked Steelwill, curious.

            "I'm not telling," said Steelheart.  "And don't try reading my mind.  I have it blocked off to everything but very strong telepathic broadcast."

            "Yes," said Steelwill.  "I recall that our brothers were also so smug because we couldn't shield our minds when they had learned how to harness their telepathic powers."

            "Oh, yes," said Steelheart.  "Read my mind like a book.  That way, they always knew where I put my darned calculator."  Smiling, she shook her head.  "But they're going to get it.  I know it."  She looked at Troi.  "Telepathy became a common trait for my family centuries ago."

            "I see," said Troi.

            "Well," said Picard, "maybe we should be going."

            "Okay," said Steelheart.  She went over to him and shook his hand.  "Good luck, Captain Picard."

            "We shall see you later, I hope, Commander Steelheart," said Picard.  Riker, Troi, Wesley, Wilykat, and he got into a group.

            "When Wilykit returns," said Wilykat, "I would like you to ask her to transport to my co-ordinates."

            "Certainly," said Steelheart.  Picard tapped his communicator.

            "Picard to Transporter Room 1," said Picard.  "Prepare to beam up five."

            After a few seconds, an officer replied, "Ready for beam-up."

            "Energise."  In a second, the five shimmered and disappeared.

            * * *

            Control Room, Cat's Lair, third-Earth.

            "Oh, really?" asked Tygra, faking being surprised but not succeeding.

            "Yes," said Wilykit, pretending not to notice the 'fake'-part in Tygra's fake surprise.  "I love him.  I can tell he likes me by merely observing his naturally human male reaction."

            Tygra said, "I am sure you are more than aware that Thunderians are naturally physically superior to humans and, probably, Klingons."

            "Got it," said Wilykit.  "Wilykat transferred the book on the Wilykat Race to the N-Team computer."  She indicated the portable terminal she had.

            "Good," said Tygra.  "Now, Wilykit, the nature of your gender and race is more aggressive in lovemaking matters than the nature of human males.  Go along at Wesley's pace.  I've asked Cheetara's opinion, and she says that Wesley is not nearly so aggressive as other human males his age.  In fact, she thinks that Wesley is just a little more aggressive than Thunderian males.  She has devised a list of aggressiveness, and, from most to least, she has placed it in this order:  Thunderian females, human males, human females, and Thunderian males.  That is a general order.  On another token, she has devised an aggressiveness list for the Thunderian races.  Most to least for female and least to most for male, that is:  Wilykat Race, Cheetah Race, Tiger Race, Lion Race, Jaguar Race, Panther Race, Puma Race, and Lynx Race."

            Wilykit absorbed this information like a sponge would absorb water.  "Got it," she said.

            " 'Kit," said Tygra, "you are of the most aggressive on that list.  Read up on. . . let's see.  I think. . . let me see that terminal."  Wilykit handed the portable terminal to Tygra.  Tygra opened it so that he could see the screen and the keys.  He activated it.  "What did Wilykat call it?"

            "He said, 'The Thunderian Wilykat Race.' "

            "Computer," he said, "table of contents of 'The Thunderian Wilykat Race,' please."  The screen of the computer showed the table of contents.  "Ah!  Here we go.  Chapters 7 to 9."  He became reluctant for a moment.  "You should read up on Chapters 7 to 9 before doing much else with Wesley.  At least skim over them."  He turned off the terminal and folded the screen back over the keys.  "Got it?"

            "Yes, sir," said Wilykit.  "Why did you hesitate?"  Tygra handed her the terminal.

            With a nervous laugh, Tygra replied, "Well, 'Kit, it isn't the sort of material a parent would normally have her or his child read.  I still have a hard time getting over the fact that you are no longer a kid. . . in age.  Get me?"

            "Yes," she said.  "See you later, Tygra."

            "See you, 'Kit," said Tygra.  Wilykit left.  "How quickly they grow up.  It feels like I just adopted them, and look at them now.  Their brains sure don't wait for the rest of their bodies to catch up in maturity."  He thought about it some more.  Then, he got up and got out some plans from his file cabinet.  He tapped his communicator.  "Panthro, this is Tygra.  I'm ready to continue designing that prototype."

            "Got it," said Panthro.  "I'll be right there."

            * * *

            Ten-Forward, Deck 10, Enterprise.

            "So," Beverly asked Wilykat, "what do you think of the relationship that's sprouting?"  Wilykat turned to her.

            "Well, Doc," he said, "I'm not sure.  I certainly like Wesley, but . . . I don't know.  Thunderians are more powerfully built than humans. . . no offence intended, of course.  I have warned Wilykit not to be too rough."

            "Oh?" asked the doctor.  "How do Thunderians make love. . . or am I wrong in asking you?"

            "I've passively studied the subject," said Wilykat.  " 'Passively' meaning that I've only read about it.  It would seem that Thunderians do it similarly to humans at most times, but Thunderians, because of some dominant brain area, can control theirs more than humans can."  He sighed.  "Cheetara is incredibly quick and incredibly telepathic.  She recently became the psychologist among us, having studied the subject a lot on Thundera before we exodused.  She told me that there are three main modes of activity for a Thunderian:  the dormant mode, the conscious mode, and the hypnotised mode.  The conscious mode is divided into two discernible parts:  the love-making part and the part for all other functions.  The two parts of the conscious mode can be done in simultaneity; it can even go to half-and-half.  The former part can never take more attention than the latter.  Only as much or less.

            "As I have studied it, humans do not have that kind of control."

            "Right," said Beverly.  "Once a young couple really gets into it, love-making cannot be interrupted easily."

            "What is the general attitude of humans toward love-making activities which reach the conceivable end?"

            "Oh, you mean sexual intercourse?"

            "Yes.  I apologise, but the scientifically proper name for it, especially the shortened form, makes it sound so darned dirty to my ears."

            "Sorry.  You'll have to consult with those who made that name."

            "Unfortunately, those people are long gone.  I just don't like the word.  I don't know why, but something about it is extremely repulsive to me."

            "Hm.  Well, humans' attitudes on that subject vary.  Some just do the physical part for the pleasure."

            "You mean they - ugh - . . ."  He tried not to make the sound of the italicised words repulsive to him as he spoke them.  "have sex without any emotional attachment?"

            "Well, there has to be some form of emotional attachment.  However, to some people, in fact, - myself being one of them - the thought of consciously having sex with more than one person. . ."

            "Humans consciously have sex with more than one person?" demanded Wilykat, controlling his volume in inverse proportion to his tone.  "That is the most vulgar thing I have ever heard in my life!"

            "Like I was trying to say," said Beverly, "the thought of sex with more than one person is repugnant to some people, including me."

            Wilykat whispered, "The mere thought of voluntary extramarital, extrafamilial relations of that sort would never cross a normal Thunderian's mind!  When one partner dies, sure, the other is allowed to marry and mate with a new partner, but what you're talking about!"

            Beverly said, "Well, Wesley shares my belief.  Will Riker doesn't in entirety.  Some old Earth cultures allowed a man to have more than one wife."  Wilykat's jaw dropped.

            "More than one wife?  I cannot fathom that!  How?"

            "You'll have to ask those that make it that way," said Beverly.  "A lot of humans and members of other races wouldn't give sex with more than one person a second thought."  Wilykat was clearly repulsed.

            "Assure me that Wesley hasn't had sex with anyone yet," begged Wilykat.

            "Well, of course he hasn't," said Beverly.  "During early adolescence, he grew up with my constant telling him that physical love was terribly wrong if simply done for the physical pleasure.  He grew up believing that having sex was definitely nothing to be taken lightly.  He understands that, without the emotion binding one to the person with whom one has that physical relationship, the physical love, in the long run, will mean nothing.  I believe and he believes that emotional love should bind the persons together first, then the physical love.  It should be shared with only that one person.

            "Here is why I made that policy of mine to begin with.  I fell in love with a person, and our relationship lasted about ten days.  Luckily, we did not have sex then.  My response when I met Jack, who was my husband, was not nearly so sexually oriented, but our relationship had much more meaning to it.  And Wesley came out of that relationship."  Wilykat smiled.

            "I see," he said.  "So, it is possible to fall in love because of physical attributes?"

            "Yes," said Beverly.  "A lot of times, that kind of relationship simply occurs in the physical sense or connects incompatible people or doesn't work out."

            "You don't think that that's what Wesley and Wilykit have, do you?"  She looked at him.

            "No," said Beverly.  "Certainly not.  Counsellor Troi told me that their emotional foundations were laid in their first visit.  According to her, the emotional bond is very, very strong.  Stronger than what she and Riker eventually felt.  She said that they became Imzadi because their emotions touched one another.  Riker had never felt that way before.  The major factor in their separating was Lwaxana Troi, Deanna Troi's mother, who is always so darned concerned at first with Betazoid tradition.  Anyway, when Riker left Betazed, he and Troi never met again until being posted on the Enterprise.  Things never went back to the way they had been.

            "I think that Jack's and my relationship was about to become as strong as that between Troi and Riker when Jack died.  I almost felt like blaming Picard for it, because he led the mission on which my husband was killed.  It was the same way with Wes, because he felt Picard somehow responsible.  However, that feeling passed as he got to know the man."

            "To answer your question," said Wilykat, "yes, I do like it. . . the relationship that is growing."  Guinan arrived with their drinks.

            "Thank you, Guinan," said Beverly as Guinan gave the two their drinks.

            "Enjoy," said Guinan.

            Wilykat held up his glass.  "To Wesley's and Wilykit's relationship."

            "Here, here," said Beverly.

            * * *

            Holodeck 2, Deck 11.

            Watching her getting her exercise was dizzying.  First of all, she flexed every muscle in her body.  A human certainly would have given up long ago; either that, or the activity would have worn the human out.  Next thing, she was high above the ground in the trees.  There was no denying that he was irresistibly attracted to Wilykit.  This was why he had come in the first place.

            Finally, Wilykit slid down a tree and went up to Wesley.  She had only just begun to breathe more heavily. . . something which would tell someone something about Thunderian strength and composition.  "I'm done," she said.

            "You are some young lady, Wilykit," said Wesley.  "You are certainly stronger than humans."

            Wilykit said, "I am of a species stronger than humans.  Probably stronger than Klingons, too."

            "Yeah," said Wesley.  "Hungry?"

            "A little."