Romulan High Council, Romulus.

Commander Torreth stood before the Prætor {práy-eh-tor} of the Romulan Empire, Lord Darok, in a rather formal conversation.  At this point, the Prætor began discussion of the mission.  ". . .so, Commander Torreth, because of the skill with which you have handled your previous missions, you have been selected for this one.  Your skill in your previous missions was the single reason your ship was upgraded to D'Kazanak Class in the first place."  He handed a padd to Torreth.  "This is your mission.  I regret not being able to personally discuss the specifications with you, but I have selected a new admiral to help you."  He pressed a key on his armrest.  "Please send him in."

            "Yes, sir," replied a voice over the comm-system.  When the door opened, Torreth did not look toward it to see who had entered.  The person who entered came to stand at her right.

            "Admiral Tomalak," announced the Prætor.  Tomalak, the person who came in, performed the Romulan salute. . . tapping the left side of the chest with his left fist three times.  Most Romulans were left-handed.  "You are assigned to work with Commander Torreth.  If she has need, explain the mission in further detail."

            "Yes, sir," said Tomalak.

            Externally, Torreth retained a neutral expression, but, internally, she was extremely repulsed.  She hated this man.  He had sought to destroy the Federation flagship on two occasions, both with bad intent.  He had proven honourable in that he eventually chose the correct path in both instances, however.  She replied, "I am honoured, my lord."

            "You may proceed, then," said the Prætor.  "As the humans would say, good luck."  Torreth and Tomalak decided correctly that this was the time to leave.  They did so formally, Torreth allowing Tomalak passage, as he had greater rank.  The two proceeded to the transporter room.

            "Transporter operator," said Commander Torreth, "transport us to Transporter Room 1 of the Kazara."

            "Yes, sir," said the person operating the transporter.  When Torreth and Tomalak stepped on the transporter platform, he had finished entering the co-ordinates.  "Ready for transport."

            "Energise," ordered Torreth.  The transporter operator energised the transporter, and Torreth and Tomalak were transported to Transporter Room 1 of the Imperial Romulan Warbird Kazara.  From there, they proceeded directly to the Bridge of the ship.  "Pilot," ordered Torreth, upon reaching the Bridge, "set course."  She referred to the padd the Prætor had just given her.  "Bearing 197 mark 36, warp 10.  Engage."

            "Yes, sir," said the pilot.  The entire crew on the Bridge was glad that this ship had been integrated with new, higher warp capability. . . as much as warp 24.9.

            "I introduce Admiral Tomalak."

            "Thank you, Commander," said Tomalak.

            "Sub-Commander Narak, show our guest around the ship."  A courtesy that commanders could give those of higher rank. . . to get them out of their hair for a while.

            "With pleasure, Commander," said Narak, bowing.  "This way, please, Admiral."  While Narak began escorting Tomalak on a tour of the ship, Torreth entered the conference room, which also served as her office.  She looked out the window just in time to see Romulus flash out of view as the ship entered warp.

            "Well," she said, "I had better start with this mission plan."  She set the padd in front of the chair at the head of the desk and sat in that chair.  She began reading the padd.  After a few minutes, she pressed a comm-key.  "Pilot," she ordered, "as soon as we cross into the Neutral Zone, activate the cloaking device."

            "Yes, sir," replied the pilot.

            "Also," added Torreth, "change our bearing from Romulus to 180 mark 43 and the speed to warp 24.5."

            "Yes, sir," the pilot added.  Torreth released the comm-key and continued reading the mission-plan.  She was half-shocked by the idea of entering Federation territory, as such might be interpreted as an act of aggression, but they would be out without a scratch if they could not be caught.  Plus, with the exception of certain types of detection, they were invisible to everything while cloaked.  Still, she was very worried for the safety of the ship and the 'sanctity' of the Romulan Empire.  Another war might kill her homeland.

            * * *

            Batcave, Batman's Earth.

            ". . .so," said Batman, "that's what did in Aquaman.  Now, the only ones left are Robin, the Wondertwins, Superman, and I.  Frankly, the separation has worked out for our own good."

            "Yeah," said Robin.  "That evil league, whatever it called itself, has disbanded.  Fortunately, Batman has captured most of them."

            "Except for Lex Luthor," said Batman.  "And he's in Superman's territory."

            "Hm," said Kevin.  "Thank you for telling me all of this."

            "Small repayment for stopping the Joker and for telling us about your team, Kevin."

            "Where are the Wondertwins now?"

            "They decided to return home for the time being.  I. . ."  The computer blasted an alarm.  "What's that?"  He activated certain functions.  He read the readout.  "Na₂KrO₃!  In other words, sodium kryptonite!"  Kevin gasped.  "We prefer to simply call it Kryptonite."

            "Yeah, I know," said Kevin.  "As I've heard, that stuff's lethal to Superman."

            "Exactly," said Batman, working quickly.  "Where are they?"  Soon, the computer came up with 'Metropolis.'  "Blast.  We're too far away."

            "No, we aren't," said Kevin.  He pointed to his communicator.  "This is my receiver and transmitter for the N-Team Communication System.  It controls our transporter system, which works on the molecular level."

            "We haven't much choice," said Batman.  "Let's use it."

            Kevin tapped his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter," said Kevin, "transport three to the site of sodium kryptonite discharge on this planet."  Kevin, Batman, and Robin were transported to a tunnel under Metropolis.

            "Wow!" said Batman.

            "Yeah," said Kevin.  "I'm facing the right way pointing to the Kryptonite."  They ran in that direction, and they wound up behind a wall which hid them from a chamber.  They looked into the chamber, and they saw that Two-Face had Superman.  Kevin examined the place with his tricorder.  "Wow!  This whole room is made of Kryptonite!"

            "Oh, no!" said Robin.

            In the room, Superman was weakly sitting in a chair.  Two-Face was standing next to him, his coin in his hand.  The right side of his face was quite attractive, but the left was white and misshapen.  The right side of his head had neat black hair, the left disorderly white.  The difference between hands was similar to that between the faces.  Similarly, the two sides of clothing were a study in contradictions.  The good and evil sides of his nature were at constant war, and the evil side kept getting the edge.  "Heh, heh, heh!" laughed Two-Face.  "The man of steel has been melted.  And the result:  a person weaker than a newborn baby.  Heh, heh, heh!  Ol' Lex couldn't stop you, blue-boy, but Two-Face?  Ha!  Two faces are better than one, I always say.  Now, good heads, you go free.  Bad heads, I get to destroy you."  He flipped his coin.  It landed in his hand with the scarred head up.  "Heh, heh!  Say your prayers, man of mud!"  He went to a chair to get a shotgun.  "So long, Superman!  Heh, heh, heh!"  A laser blast shot the gun out of his hands.  "What?"  Batman, Robin, and Kevin appeared.

            "We just thought we'd show you what happens to naughty villains like you, Two-Face," said Kevin, his Zapper in his right hand.  "I am Captain N, leader of the N-Team."

            "Batman?  Robin?  Another hero?  Aah!" screamed Two-Face.

            "You'll be doing double-time, Two-Face," said Batman.

            Two-Face said, "That's what you think, Bats-in-belfry-man!"  He snatched his gun, took quick aim, and shot the man of steel in the heart with a steel bullet.  Ordinarily, this wouldn't faze Superman, but Superman was extremely weak when exposed to Kryptonite.  The wound was fatal and irreversible.  "Ha, ha!  Say howdy to the guy up there twice for me, Superman!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            Batman reacted emotionally.  "Why, you!" exclaimed he.  He hurled himself at Two-Face and entered into a fight with him.

            Kevin and Robin surveyed Superman.  "Oh, no!  He's too weak," said Kevin, examining Superman with his tricorder.  "It is definite that he won't survive."  Batman thrust Two-Face into the wall.  He snapped his bat-like handcuffs onto the double-faced villain.

            "How is he?" asked Batman.

            "He is going to die," said Kevin with resigned hope.  "His life signs are draining rapidly."  Robin called the police.  Soon, just as the police arrived, Superman died.

            "The man of steel fell into my trap easily," said Two-Face.  "He couldn't have expected that I would have taken the precaution of coating this room with Kryptonite."  The police carried Two-Face away.  The chief surveyed Superman.

            "There went the greatest hero this city has ever seen," said the chief.  "I'm going to arrange a memorial service.  Batman?"

            Batman nodded.  "Robin and I will definitely be there," said Batman.

            "Good.  Are any others of your former group still living?"

            "Yes.  The Wondertwins, Robin, and I are the only ones who have not been done in yet."

            "I see.  If you can, invite the Wondertwins."

            "I shall.  See you later."  The chief left.  "Kevin?"

            "Back to the Batcave?" asked Kevin.

            "Yes, please."  Kevin tapped his communicator.

            "N-Team Transporter, transport three to the Batcave on this world."  He, Batman, and Robin were transported there.  As soon as they had returned, Batman got onto a communicator, and Kevin called Steelheart to explain the grave matters.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            The leaders of most of the teams were assembled in the control room:  Mon*Star, Mumm-ra, Luna, S-s-slithe, King Bowser, and Queen MotherBrain.  Steelbeak was there for the Fearsome Ten to listen in.  Ludwig said, "Okay, guys.  Make this a full-scale attack.  I want you to blow the hell out of the Enterprise.  MotherBrain, you will take Metroid.  I will take command of the Warbird.  Mon*Star, your Mob is to use its limos to block the Enterprise.  Mumm-ra, I want you to attack the Enterprise on the inside.  Luna and S-s-slithe, your teams will work together.  The Luna-tacks will get to the Enterprise in Sky Tomb.  From it, the Mutants will launch in their flying vehicles to attack the Enterprise.  With the combined firepower of the Warbird, Metroid, three space-limos, two sky-cutters, one nose-diver, and Sky Tomb - and Mumm-ra on the inside - the Enterprise will face an undefeatable opposition."

            "Brilliant, yes-s-s?" asked S-s-slithe.  "Vultureman is helping Aluro to install your masking devic-s-se on Sky Tomb."

            "Excellent, my dear Reptilian," said Ludwig.  "They will be greatly overmatched.  Even if they separate, the Saucer-Section cannot get away, because Sky Tomb can follow."

            "Hee, hee, hee!" said Mon*Star, his Star*Eye flashing.  "It is an extremely brilliant master-plan.  Not only shall we do away with the crew of the Enterprise, but we shall also put an end to those meddling Thunder Kittens!"

            "What about the Fearsome Five?" asked Steelbeak.

            "That's Mumm-ra's department," said Ludwig.  "He is to get them out."

            "And if we should find a Romulan Warbird decloaking within half a light-year?" asked MotherBrain.

            "I seriously doubt that," said Ludwig.  "The Romulans probably still don't have the technology to get out here quickly enough.  Still, it is a valid point.  The Romulans might be eager to establish diplomatic relations with the Federation.  Should any vessel appear, I want it fended off."

            "Right," said the others.

            "Thank you," said Ludwig.  "This meeting is adjourned."  Mon*Star, Luna, S-s-slithe, and Mumm-ra left to prepare themselves; Steelbeak left to inform the rest of the Fearsome Ten.  "MotherBrain, will Metroid be ready shortly?"

            "Yes, Ludwig," said MotherBrain.  "Hardware says he's finished repairing the masking device of the Warbird."

            "Good, MotherBrain.  When will the Warbird be ready?"

            "In about half an hour."

            "Good.  Inform me when it is ready, please."

            "Yes, son."  Ludwig left.  "He is a great leader, Bowser, my dear."

            "A fine commander," said Bowser.  "This battle will prove that we are superior to Starfleet's puny technology."

            "And to any other force in the galaxy stupid enough to stand against us."

            * * *

            Thunder Kittens' Quarters, Deck 13, Enterprise.

            It was about 22.00.  Night duty had just started.  The ship had slowed to warp 20 to conserve fuel.  Though still dressed, Wilykit was in bed, and she was reviewing the chapter to which Wilykat had referred her.  To say the least, she certainly found it informative.  The section reviewed certain behavioural patterns, including activities occurring between the male and female.  It explained that, traditionally, even in a simple date involving merely a meal and a short kiss or two with a partner, Thunderians went naked.  She felt she would have offended her customs had she not reminded herself that humans hardly ever went into public while naked.  She would have to program a holodeck program in which she and Wesley could safely follow Thunderian traditions.  She could also teach him the abundant self-control that Thunderians had.  On Thundera, she had never given a second thought to being naked, but she couldn't follow that custom on a human starship.  Humans had some natural desire to be attracted immensely to nakedness or were distracted by it, while Thunderians learned from an early age to accept nudity as normal.  She got an idea and checked her chronometer.  She wrote a note for Wilykat and left.

            * * *

            Dr. Crusher's Quarters, Deck 7.

            She went to the deck on which were Beverly and Wesley Crusher's quarters.  She signalled, and Wesley answered.  "Good evening," said Wesley.

            "Same to you," said Wilykit.  "Mind if we do something according to Thunderian custom for a while?"

            "I don't mind, unless it's physically brutal."  Wilykit was amused.

            "No," she said.  "The great majority of Thunderian customs are not physically brutal.  We shall have to do it in the holodeck, though."

            Wesley said, "Fine.  Let's go."  They left for the turbolift.

            "What about your mom?"

            "She's finishing up in Sickbay.  She doesn't concern herself with where I am.  I am legally independent.  Of course, if she got concerned, she could call me if anything were wrong."

            "I see."  They enter the turbolift.  "Deck eleven."

            * * *

            Holodeck 3, Deck 11.

            "Run program 'Thundera 1,' " ordered Wilykit.

            "Program 'Thundera 1' begun," replied the computer.  "You may enter when ready."  The hatchway doors opened.  Wilykit indicated to Wesley that he was to precede.  They stepped into. . . into. . .

            "This place is beautiful!" Wesley exclaimed.  "Is this really from Old Thundera?"  They entered far enough for the doors to close and the archway to disappear.

            "Yes," replied Wilykit.  "This is a place to which Tygra took Wilykat and me often.  The entire surface of Old Thundera prior to the seismic changes resulting in its explosion is in files at Cat's Lair.  The cameras observing the area picked up the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings of everything."

            "This is beautiful!!  What is this place called?"  The aurorae performed in the sky were intensely beautiful and of all colours.  It reflected the sheer magnificence of the plant life in the area.

            "It's called 'the Light-Dancing Place,' " answered Wilykit.  "The gases in the upper atmosphere interfered with the gases sent by the star about which Old Thundera orbited, causing this spectacular display.  Thundera's being in a trojan orbit with Thunderius helped produce the aurorae.  Thundera held many other natural beauties, many more exhilarating than this one."  She turned to him.  "Wesley, it is a Thunderian tradition that, in any situation in which a male and a female went out together, the male and female would be. . . well, they wouldn't wear any clothes."

            "No clothing?  But. . . but what about the external organs?"

            "Thunderians have a natural body part which hides them," said Wilykit.

            "Humans don't."

            "Anyway, no clothes means no clothes.  There was no specific mention about the state of the visibility of the external reproductive organs."  She raised her voice.  "Computer, give me a computer terminal."  She held out her hand, and a computer terminal formed in it.  "Thank you."  She turned it on and requested Part 2 of Chapter 9 of the book concerning the Wilykat Race.  She showed the very explanation of the custom to Wesley, who read it.

            "Well, I'll be," said Wesley.  "Wasn't it illegal to show certain stuff?"

            "No," replied Wilykit.  "It was allowed.  You don't have anything to fear from me.  I won't even touch you unless you let me."

            "Okay," said Wesley.  He pointed to a tree.  "I'll. . . I'll remove my clothing behind there.  You can do yours while I'm doing mine, okay?"

            "Really, Wesley.  I've never heard anyone being so self-conscious."

            "Well, it may be common among Thunderians, but not humans."

            "So I gathered.  Your world wasn't hot enough to warrant hardly any clothing or none whatsoever.  The reason the reproductive-organ-hiding-part was added was because our world got so hot that we couldn't wear clothing comfortably.  Also, males found their parts a slight impedance to moving quickly."

            "I understand.  I'll be right back."  He went behind the tree.  Wilykit, amused, removed her pellet-belt.

            "Humans," she said to herself quietly.  "Why are they so concerned?"  Once she had removed her clothing, she chunked it over to her pellet-belt.  "It is not as if being naked makes one have to make love or something like that."

            Behind the tree, Wesley, undressing, said, "How can Thunderians or anyone maintain control while they're naked?  This seems ridiculous."  In a few minutes, he had nothing on.  Hair only covered his head.  Some over his body, but mostly on his head.  He was extremely nervous.  "Well, here I go."  He stepped around the tree to Wilykit, who had her reproductive-organ-hiding-part extended to cover her reproductive organs.  She just looked at him naturally.  He knew he had some expression on his face.  He felt extremely embarrassed.

            "You don't need to feel embarrassed," said Wilykit gently.  "There is nothing to be ashamed about.  You are quite attractive, in fact."

            "I know.  I just wasn't naked before anybody when I came to know such things."

            "You weren't clothed when you were born," said Wilykit.  "Thunderians believe that whatever you wear is okay, as long as it has no offensive language."

            "Well, for the most part, humans believe that one should not be naked in public.  I guess that that made my slight embarrassment natural."

            "Earth is not so hot as Old Thundera was.  I turned down the temperature here to room temperature."  She sighed.  "But why should it matter whether or not one wears anything?"

            "Wilykit, humans are usually only naked when they take a shower, sleep, or have sex."

            "Hm.  Traditionally, Thunderians are usually only clothed when in battle or when it gets extremely cold.  It was different when we went to third-Earth because we knew we would need protective clothing against the forces there.  Thus, that which we wear."

            "Still, for most of you, it is not much."

            "We don't need much.  Wearing anything bulky might slightly compromise our range of motion.  Besides, Thunderians are more durable against heat and cold than humans.

            "Thunderians, used to not wearing anything, don't have second thoughts about not wearing anything.  They expect it, as it is natural.  Thunderian self-control is extremely strong, and we can keep all physical urges concerning physical attraction out of our activities.  I'm sorry if humans do not have that kind of control."

            "We can keep ourselves from doing such things," said Wesley, "but it can be very hard."

            "What we have experienced with each other would conform entirely to bonding in thoughts and emotions," said Wilykit.  "A Thunderian can do that with only a few types of people:  siblings close in age, natural parents, a handful of close friends, and the person with whom he or she really falls in love."  Wesley looked at her strangely.  "Yes, Wesley.  The person.  There is just something in Thunderians which brings a person to another in true love.  I think I felt our bonding going on somehow.  I just feel that we're right for one another."

            "A human and a Thunderian," said Wesley, smiling.  "I hate to bring this up, but, when I entered Starfleet Academy, I set my priorities.  I told myself not to let anything come between me and graduating near the top of my class."

            "I have extreme confidence that you will be able to do that," said Wilykit.  "I like that, Wesley.  I can wait."

            Wesley smiled again.  "Thank you for understanding."

            "Well, it wouldn't be much good if I wouldn't let you reach your potential.  It is another Thunderian belief that one should be allowed to reach one's potential."

            "Don't Thunderians fall in love like humans?"

            "To a certain degree.  However, it is more physical than, really, anything else.  And it hardly occurs that both fall in love with each other.  Just more of a one-way deal.  Well, soon the young person in love realises that the extent is not very far, and, well, it dissipates.  That which you humans used to call and that which we Thunderians do call 'puppy-love.'  However, what exists between you and me, I believe, is not just simply that.  I think it goes much deeper.  And Thunderians in puppy-love would not even feel able to say that.  And Thunderians cannot mentally mistake puppy-love for real love like humans do so often."

            "I see.  Is that why we. . ."

            "No.  I wanted to show you some Thunderian customs.  This is probably the most different one from what you do."

            A comm-signal sounded.  Beverly Crusher's voice asked, "Doctor Crusher to Wesley Crusher.  Respond, please."

            "Great," whispered Wesley.  He raised his voice and asked, "Wesley here.  What is it, Mom?"

            "Just making sure you're all right," said Beverly.

            "And why would I not be?"

            "Well, Wilykat told me that Thunderians are far more powerful than humans."

            "So?"

            "So, Wes, although I am sure that Wilykit would not intentionally harm you, she might do it by accident.  And I'd hate to have to fix you."

            " 'To fix' in what sense?"

            "In the sense of repairing.  What are you up to?"

            "Wilykit and I decided to visit Thundera on the holodeck."

            "Wilykit, would you mind it if I ran the same program on a nearby holodeck and saw the place?"

            Wilykit replied, "No, Doctor.  I would not.  I might suggest, though, that you take along Wilykat.  He knows the area as well as I."

            "Thank you," replied Beverly.  "Dr. Crusher out."  The comm-line snapped shut.

            "Mothers," said Wesley.  "They can be such darned annoying people."

            "She's just looking out for your safety, Wesley," said Wilykit.  "Though I, myself, have not undergone puberty yet."

            "You haven't undergone puberty?  How come you're so attracted to me, then?"

            She looked at him.  "That stems back to what I was telling you earlier.  Generally speaking, Thunderian puppy-love can only happen after puberty has been undergone."

            "Hm.  I see.  Well, when is that period for you?"

            "I am almost upon it, and Thunderian males and females mature at a much more similar rate than human males and females do.  In fact, twins arrive at the first stages at about the same time.  Unlike in you humans, the change temporarily yet drastically effects the Thunderian female's attitude.  There are three occurrences.  In all three, the female is physically compelled to perform certain physical acts on the first male she sees, preferably the one with whom she shares our kind of relationship.  The last occurrence signals sexual maturity, and. . . uh, oh.  Wesley, you will need to get some of my sleep-capsules.  In all three occurrences, the only thing that will stop the female from trying to make love is putting her to sleep or holding her until the condition passes.  You will definitely not be able to do the latter.  Of course, if you want to make love with me,. . . but, then, you would have to do something to keep your sperm from leaving your body."

            "Fine," said Wesley.  "I can get something to stop the sperm.  Give me a moment."

            Just as he was about to call for the arch, Wilykit, smiling, asked, "Aren't you forgetting something?"  Wesley looked at himself.

            "I forgot!" he exclaimed.  He could not have thought it possible; he was human.  Wilykit almost laughed.  "It isn't funny."

            "See, Wes?  Humans can do it.  I'll go," said Wilykit.

            Wesley countered, "No, I will go.  My sperm, my responsibility."  He put on his uniform.  When he was finished, he looked as though he had not taken it off.  "See you in a few minutes, 'Kit," he said.

            "See you then," replied Wilykit.  Wesley left.

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Pyramid, third-Earth.

            The ancient being who was called Mumm-ra watched this episode in the vile waters of his cauldron.  "Hee, hee!" said Mumm-ra.  "A perfect opportunity!  That Thunder Kitten is not expecting anything.  Hee, hee!"  He spread his arms.  "Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living, to Prince Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa.  Do you copy?"  Smoke rose from the waters.  Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa's image appeared in it.

            "Yes, I do," replied Ludwig's voice, the image moving its mouth in the correct pattern.  "Have you decided when you will go?"

            "Right now," said Mumm-ra.

            Ludwig said, "Excellent.  Everyone else is ready.  I have just checked the readings."

            "Very well.  I shall transform and be on my way.  I shall have the nearly perfect opportunity to neutralise Wilykit."

            "Very good!"

            "And I shall not forget about the Fearsome Five, either."

            "Excellent, also.  Carry on."  The pool in the cauldron turned back to its normal, evilly purple colour.  Mumm-ra spread his arms once more.

            He chanted, "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form to Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living!"  Just before 'of Evil,' the four man-beast statues had come to life, they had gone over to Mumm-ra, they had joined their right hands over him, and they had commenced to charge him with malevolent energies.  At 'decayed form,' winds had begun to blow back Mumm-ra's cloak.  By the end, he had grown into a larger, more powerful being, with no bandages whatsoever.  Instead, his chest had an emblem of a snake with heads which were at both ends of the body and which were facing each other, while some of its body was in the form of a loop.  Mumm-ra had a cape instead of a heavier cloak.  He called, "Ma-mutt!"  A decrepit, foul mutt of a dog awoke aside Mumm-ra's sarcophagus and went over to his master.  He was the same unearthly blue-grey as Mumm-ra.  "Good doggie.  We're going cat-hunting again!  Heh, heh, heh!"  The atrocious dog hassled and wagged his tail with excitement at the thought.  "So, let us be on our way, shall we?  Hee, hee, hee!"  He snapped his fingers, and the two had disappeared from the room.

            * * *

            Sky Tomb, Dark Side, third-Earth.

            "You are sure this crate is ready.  Yes-s-s?" said S-s-slithe to Luna.

            "Yes, I am," said Luna.  "Isn't it, Aluro?"

            Aluro, manipulating several pieces of equipment, said, "Yes, it is, Luna."  He activated a switch.  "Now ready for lift-off!"

            "Take-off!" ordered Luna.  Aluro pressed a switch.  The Sky Tomb's thrusters activated, and Sky Tomb was pushed mightily into the sky.

            "We have lift-off," announced Aluro.  "At hyper 200, we shall intercept the Enterprise in an hour."

            "Hm.  Initiate the speed of hyper 242 once we're clear of the system, Aluro.  Ludwig just called and told me that Mumm-ra has just gone."

            "Very well.  Hold onto your butts!"  Once they are clear of the solar system, Aluro hit a switch.  The Sky Tomb thrust all the way to Brim*Star!  "At present location," said Aluro, "we will reach the Enterprise in ten minutes."

            "Excellent."  A beep was heard.  "What is that?"

            "The Mob's limos," said Aluro.  "They have just exited Brim*Star and established our same speed.  They're calling us."

            "Respond."  Aluro hit another key.  Mon*Star, transformed, appeared on the screen.  "Good day, Mon*Star."

            "It certainly is," said Mon*Star.  "Not only will the Brain-Team destroy the Starship Enterprise, but it will eliminate two particularly pesky Thunder Cats as well!"

            * * *

            Ludwig's Warbird.

            The massive ship had just gotten underway.  "Send a message to all of our vessels going to intercept the Enterprise," Ludwig told Bowser.  "Tell them to cloak."

            "Yes," said Bowser.  He opened a channel.  "Attention:  all Brain-Team vessels, this is King Bowser Koopa, on the Warbird.  Ludwig has issued a new order:  to cloak."

            "Tell them, also," added Ludwig, "to decloak only on the Warbird's command."

            "He also commands that you decloak only on this ship's command," said Bowser.  Ludwig nodded.  "That is all for now.  Warbird out."  He hit the same key.  On his panel, certain spots changed colour.  "The vessels have all cloaked, son."

            "Excellent."  A new blip appeared on Bowser's screen.

            "Uh, what's that?" asked Bowser.  He checked it.  "Ludwig, it is a cloaked ship.  It has this one's configuration, but it is much smaller."

            "Those bloody Romulans," interjected Ludwig.  "Remind me which vessels are used for this battle plan."

            "This one, Metroid, the Limbo Limo, the Road*Star, the Zoomer, Sky Tomb, the two Sky-Cutters, and the Nose-Diver."

            "Damn," whispered Ludwig.  He raised his voice.  "Identify that Romulan ship.  Tie in the universal translator if you must."

            Bowser worked.  "Hm," said Bowser.  "Its ID appears to say, 'Kazara.' "

            "Well, well!  The one we saw earlier.  Well, the Romulans certainly had the gall to travel through Federation territory.  Keep track of it.  Let me know if it gets too close.  If it does, we shall need plenty of opportunity to blast it out of the battle."

            "Yes."

            * * *

            Holodeck 3, Deck 11, Enterprise.

            Wilykit was still waiting for Wesley to come back.  She was being patient.  She was actually leaning against a tree, half-asleep.  It was very late.  If she had been alert, she would have been ready.  As it was, she was still able to handle it.

            She was startled by the sound of a magical entrance; she was alert in no time.  "Well, well!" she heard Mumm-ra's voice exclaim.  "What have we here?"  Wilykit turned and saw him to her right.  "An itty bitty Thunder Kitty!  Hee, hee, hee!"

            "I'm not so little as you say, mummy!" retorted Wilykit.  She dodged Mumm-ra's blasts of evil energy.  "You'll have to do better than that to stop me, Mumm-ra!"

            "You will run out of energy before I do, Wilykit," replied Mumm-ra.  "You don't have that Sword of Omens, so you won't be able to stop me!  Ha, ha, ha!"  Wilykit dodged his blasts again.

            "Wilykit to security!" exclaimed Wilykit, evading Mumm-ra's blasts.  "Mumm-ra has just come to Holodeck 3.  He poses an extreme danger on the inside of this ship."

            "That's right, Thunder Kitten!  Hee, hee, hee!" said Mumm-ra.  The Red-Alert alarm sounded.  "What is that?"

            The computer said, "All decks:  Red-Alert.  There is an intruder aboard.  All decks:  Red-Alert.  There is an intruder aboard."

            "Surprise," said Wilykit.

            "You won't get out of here without a hit, Wilykit!  I guarantee it!"  The holodeck doors opened, and Wesley ran in.

            Upon entrance, Wesley exclaimed, "What the. . . oh, my God!"

            "I am Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living," replied the being.  He indicated Ma-mutt.  "And this is my dear dog, Ma-mutt.  Ma-mutt, sic 'im!"

            "No!" exclaimed Wilykit.  "You evil rat!"

            "How complimentary you are, my dear," said Mumm-ra.  Wilykit continued to dodge Mumm-ra's blasts.  In the meantime, Wesley beat it before the mutt could sic him.  "Where did he go?"

            "This is not real," said Wilykit, now in a high tree.  "This is a combination of certain things too scientifically complex for idiots like you to understand."

            "Why, you!"  He proceeded to blast at Wilykit again, but Wilykit again promptly evaded all of Mumm-ra's futile attempts.

            The holodeck doors opened once more.  In came Worf and Wilykat.  "You!" exclaimed Wilykat.  "What in the world are you doing here?"

            "What do you think, Thunder Brat?" demanded Mumm-ra.  "I have come to get your. . ."

            "Hey, you miserable mummy!" exclaimed Wilykit's voice.  "I have something to show you!"

            "What?" demanded Mumm-ra, whirling around.  He saw an image of his own hideous self.  "What?  Yaah!!!"  This image transformed him back to his pre-transformation, mummified state.  "Oh, oh!"

            "Oh, oh, is right, Mumm-ra," said Wilykit.  "See, Lieutenant Worf, here, takes extreme pleasure in - how shall I say it? - dealing with intruders."  Mumm-ra turned to Worf, who began to bear his teeth.

            "Well, the species of microbrains!" said Mumm-ra.  "You simply must hear what Ludwig says Q has said about you."

            "Do you know Q?" demanded Worf.

            "Ludwig does," said Mumm-ra.  "Chiefly because Q was what kept the Brain-Team from entering your zone.  Ma-mutt, sic them!"  Ma-mutt growled.  Wilykat returned this growl with greater authority and dominance.  This scared Ma-mutt into retreating behind Mumm-ra's back.  "You cowardly mutt!  Sic them!"  Ma-mutt only whined.

            "We're going to the brig," said Worf, drawing his phaser and keeping it trained on Mumm-ra.  He led Mumm-ra and Ma-mutt out of there.  The holodeck doors closed, leaving the Thunder Kittens alone.

            "Nice timing, Wilykat," said Wilykit.  "Just right for me to bring up the image of Mumm-ra."  She raised her voice.  "Computer, erase image of Mumm-ra from the holodeck."  The image of Mumm-ra disappeared.

            "Wilykit," said Wilykat, concerned, "Hawkhaven's sensors just detected Sky Tomb near Brim*Star.  Just as all three limos came out of Brim*Star and joined it, the four vessels cloaked.  They are headed for the Enterprise.

            "Also, the Palace of Power detected the Warbird and Metroid, both also cloaked, heading this way."

            "Looks like a full-scale attack," remarked Wilykit.  "Then, Mumm-ra was just a distraction."

            "Right!  Get dressed, and meet the senior staff and me in the Observation Lounge."

            "Okay, bro."  Wilykat left.  "Darn."  Just as she began to redress herself, Wesley came back in.

            "Wilykat told the whole senior staff and me about the Brain-Team's vessels coming," said Wesley.  "I understand if you have to leave."  Wilykit easily got on her clothing quickly.  She strapped on her pellet-belt.

            "You know the worst part about this?" she said.  "It's that I came to spend time with you, but, whenever an emergency crops up, I must respond.  It is part of the rules we Thunder Cats have sworn to obey. . . to render aid to those in need of it, unless the person in need flat-out refuses."

            "I understand perfectly, Wilykit.  I appreciate your dedication.  Many would deem it inspiring."

            "Thank you, Wesley.  I must go now to talk with Wilykat.  See you later.  You should get some sleep."  She kissed him on the cheek.  She smiled pleasantly and left.  Wesley finally concluded that she was right about their love after all, he saved and deactivated the program, and he left the holodeck.

            * * *

            Observation Lounge, Deck 1.

            "Hi!" greeted Wilykat as Wilykit entered.

            "Good evening!" replied Wilykit.

            "Did Wesley understand?"

            "Yes, he understood well."

            "Very well.  You see that we have not yet begun."

            Wilykit looked around.  There was no one, save the two of them, present.  "I see."

            "Now, my sister, we must prepare for the Brain-Team's attack."

            "What are we going to do?"  Wilykat decided to utterly blow her mind.  He had studied Spanish while Wilykit was off doing other things, and he had gotten extremely far already. . . one trait of their race's intelligence.

            In Spanish, he said perfectly, "Well, you and I will prepare a report of the tactical advantages of the Brain-Team compared to those of the Enterprise.  Afterwards, we will give it to the senior officers of the Enterprise.  Do you understand?"  He waited to see what effect this had on Wilykit.

            Wilykit was surprised.  "Certainly I understand," she replied in English.  "But. . . but. . ."

            "I decided," explained Wilykat, "to study a little Spanish."

            "A little?  You use the future, and you say it's just a little?"

            Wilykat assumed a more smug attitude.  "Aren't you the jealous one!"

            Wilykit's surprise surfaced even more by changing her expression.  She certainly was jealous.  She had no right to say anything, though.  She had not even looked in the Spanish program.  She was really very proud of him.  However, she could not tell. . . yes, she could and should tell him.  And she would tell him.  "I'm proud of you, Wilykat," she told him.  "Very good."

            "Thank you," said Wilykat.  "The easiest thing about learning about tense usage is that it's basically the same thing as French.  Main difference is that, a lot of the time, you can leave out the subject pronoun and be understood.  And learning to stress properly is important.  If. . ."

            "We can talk of this another time," interrupted Wilykit.  "I like discussing it, but we have something more important to do."

            "You're certainly right.  Thank you."  He turned on the computer monitor.  "By linking this computer to the one on Hawkhaven, I have been able to penetrate the Brain-Team's cloaking devices."  Seven red blips and one white one appear on the screen.  "Wait a darned minute!  That one wasn't there a few minutes ago!"  They examined its trajectory.  "Well, I'll be a tiger's uncle!  That. . ."  Wilykit audibly displayed her thought that it was amusing by laughing.  "What is so funny?"

            "What you said!" said Wilykit, breaking off her laughter.  "You said 'a tiger's uncle.' "

            Wilykat thought. . . their adoptive relationship with Tygra. . . "Oh, I get it."  He turned back to the screen.  "Like I had been trying to say before I was so rudely interrupted,. . ."  Wilykit appeared a little nervous.  ". . .that starship is Romulan!"

            "What?!?" Wilykit exclaimed.  She looked at the screen.  She could hardly believe her eyes or her ears.  "How can it be Romulan?  That is Federation space, not Romulan!"

            "I don't like this," said Wilykat.  "It's a very bad situation.  The Romulans are in our space.  We don't know what they will do."

            "You are right," said Wilykit.  "Can their speed be detected?"

            Wilykat performed some calculation.  "Yes!  They are going at warp 25."

            "They. . . oh, oh!"  The door opened.  Picard, Data, Riker, Worf, and LaForge entered.  "Good evening, everyone."

            "Hmph," said LaForge, his uniform appearing to have just been thrown on, his hair messed up, and his VISOR not even on exactly right.  "I just hope this was worth getting me up."  The five took their places at the table.

            "I think it was, Commander," said Wilykit while Wilykat was finishing up.  "It would appear that we interrupted your dormancy."

            "You might say that," said LaForge, irritated at being up right now at all.  He had not slept well last night, and he was trying to make up for it.

            "We apologise," Wilykit said.  "However, the situation demanded it."

            "Okay," said Wilykat, examining readouts on the screen.  "There are eight vessels on this screen.  The seven red blips are cloaked vessels; the one white one is the uncloaked vessel, this one."  He pointed at a cluster of four red blips, moving quickly toward the Enterprise.  "These four are Sky Tomb, the Zoomer, the Road*Star, and the Limbo Limo.  The latter three are small, holding three to four passengers.  Anyway, these four are moving faster than we, and they will reach us in about a fourth of an hour."  He pointed at two other blips, heading toward the Enterprise from the other direction.  "These are the Warbird and Metroid.  They will reach us in about five minutes later.  And this is the most surprising of all."  He pointed to the blip near the area where the Thunderian Galactic Area joined the Federation.  The blip was moving further into the Thunderian Galactic Area.  "This is a Romulan Warbird.  That baby's doing warp 25."

            LaForge let out a low whistle.  "Whoa!" he exclaimed.  "I thought that the Romulans could only go at about warp 9 point something."  This was worth getting up for.

            "The class-size indicates what you would call the D'Kazanak class," said Wilykit.

            "Bigger and deadlier than the regular D'Deridex things," said Riker.  "I guess their most recent one has such powerful warp capability.  The cloaking device is more powerful."

            "Hm," said Wilykat.  "Well, the cloaking device has been Ludwig's top experiment for a full year.  He has just improved the cloak on that ship so well that Steelwill, Tygra, and Steelheart had to improve the main detector grid originating from Hawkhaven.  That main detector grid is what is used by all of the N-Team bases in the galaxy.  I connected the Enterprise to it so that cloaked vessels can be detected.  The required access codes are unbeknownst to Ludwig.  However, he has his own detection grid."

            "I see," said Picard.  "So, now, connected to that Hawkhaven detection grid, the Enterprise can detect ships behind their cloaks?"

            Wilykat replied, "Yes, Captain."

            Wilykit held up her hand and said, "Wait a moment!  Something's coming!"

            "From where?" demanded Picard urgently.

            "Oh, that," said Wilykat.  "She meant that an idea was coming to her mind."

            "I see."

            Wilykit smiled.  "Hmm, hmm!" she said delightedly.  "Captain Picard, I have an idea which will shake up Ludwig really well!"

            "What is it?" asked Picard, intrigued.

            "Your holodeck," said Wilykit.  "It will be instrumental in this plot."