Ten-Forward on the Enterprise.

After leaving the Thunder Kittens' guest quarters, Wilykat, Wilykit, and Wesley came to Ten-Forward so that the Kittens could have breakfast.  According to the rules of their game, the Thunder Kittens had had to pick specific places where they would not attempt to 'get' the other.  One of these places for Wilykit was Ten-Forward, and one of these places for Wilykat was Main Engineering.  They had stressed most bluntly that they would not disrupt the Main Bridge, the Observation Lounge, or Picard's Main Ready-Room with their tricks.  That, they knew, might make Captain Picard most unhappy.  They had also a mental list of set rules, most of which they could almost always overstep or bend without breaking when they played this game.  The one that they would never dream of breaking or bending would be the one about permanently physically, emotionally, or mentally harming the other.  They would emotionally explode even if they bruised each other; they loved each other so much.

            In Ten-Forward, Wesley was mainly interested in listening to the Thunder Kittens' conversation, so he did not interrupt.  It was interesting.  Several times, he saw that they were tender to one another.  Once, he was convinced that one would hit the other.  Always, he saw that they refrained from any form of physical violence.  At times, one would stroke the other softly to reinforce what they were saying.  All-in-all, it was a vast technicolour of topics and moods.  The two managed to combine eating and talking perfectly.

            "Wesley," Wilykit said finally, "you haven't said a single word."

            "I didn't want to interrupt," said Wesley.

            Wilykat said, "I get the feeling that you aren't so much the social type."

            "Not always," admitted Wesley.

            Wilykit said, "Hm.  I respect one who takes his studies seriously, but it would seem to me that you take them too seriously, if one can do that."

            "You're probably right, 'Kit.  However, we poor dumb humans don't have the same information-absorbing quality you Thunderians have."

            "Don't describe your species with those two adjectives," Wilykat said tenderly.  "We Thunderians don't think any less of you simply because of your limitations."

            "Wilykat," said Wilykit, eyeing Wilykat's half-finished food (consisting of eggs and a pancake covered in syrup), "if this were not Ten-Forward, I'd thrust that plate food-first onto your chest."  Wilykat smiled.

            "Too bad it's my turn," said Wilykat.  Wesley had his own trick prepared, and it would give both of them kittens - if you'll pardon the expression - when he performed it.

            "You guys have no earthly idea what I am going to do," said Wesley.

            "Watch it, Wes," said Wilykat.  "You get in on this, and we'll have the permission to do this stuff to you."

            He grinned.  "That's what I expect."  A comm-circuit opened.

            "Dr. Beverly Crusher to Cadet Wesley Crusher," called Dr. Crusher's voice.  "Come in, Wesley."

            Wesley sighed, tapped his communicator, and patiently said, "Yes, Mom?"

            "Would you mind coming down to Sickbay?  I want to run a test on you."

            "Okay.  On my way."  He tapped his communicator.  "Mothers!"

            "Go ahead," said Wilykit.  Wesley went.  "I wonder why he gave up so easily."

            "Probably couldn't talk Doc out of it."  Wilykit smiled.

            "I wish we were somewhere else," she said.  "I can't resist doing something to you."

            "Nor can I resist doing something to you," said Wilykat.  "But you cannot do anything to me when we are here, and I cannot do anything to you because you haven't yet done anything to me."

            Wilykit smiled, amused.  She then began to get a bad feeling.  "Something's wrong."

            Wilykat agreed.  "Yeah.  But what?"

            "I don't know.  I just feel that something is amiss.  Stay here, brother.  I'm going to check the brig."

            "Why?"

            "To make sure those fiendish six haven't escaped."  She left Ten-Forward.  Wilykat was concerned.

            * * *

            Control Room of Metroid.

            "So," said Ludwig to MotherBrain, "I intend to transform into him.  As him, I should be able to gain the trust of those overcautious Thunder Kittens."

            "Brilliant scheme," remarked MotherBrain.

            "When I give the signal," said Ludwig, "set course 245 mark 97 and go at warp 20 for twenty minutes.  Orbit the nearest class-M planet and await further instructions."

            "Right, my dastardly, brilliant son."

            "Those Thunder Kittens have seen nothing yet!  Ha, ha, ha!  See you later, my dear MotherBrain."

            "Have fun!" she said.  She opened a warp.  Ludwig entered it, and he warped to Brim*Star, where Mon*Star's Mob lived.  He arrived on the entry port, where Melodia was waiting.

            "Good day, Your Majesty," greeted Melodia.

            "Hello, Melodia," said Ludwig.  "Lead on."  Melodia lead him to the control room, where Mon*Star was waiting patiently.

            "Ah, hello, Ludwig," greeted Mon*Star.  "We are ready, sir."

            "Very well."

            Mo-Lec-U-Lar entered.  "This is my most powerful one," said Mo, handing a Molecular Transformation Ring to Ludwig.  "Be careful not to waver your concentration when using it."

            "Thank you," said Ludwig.  He placed the ring around his right fist and put his fists together.  He transformed molecularly into a perfect replica of Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise!  "Ha, ha, ha!  As Captain Picard, I can order the Enterprise."

            "Hardware," announced Mon*Star, "is ready to perform the switch.  I'll be ready.  Mo-Lec-U-Lar, be ready to transform into Commander Riker when Ludwig sends the signal."

            "Hee, hee, hee!  Sure thing, Planet Master!" said Mo.

            "MotherBrain is ready at her end," said Ludwig.

            "Very well," said Mon*Star.  He turned abruptly to Yes-Man, his slithering assistant constantly in agreement.  "Yes-Man, prepare the Transformation Chamber!"

            "Ooh, prepare the Transformation Chamber!  Oh, certainly, boss!"  He moved over to the grotesque device in the central complex as Mon*Star ascended the steps to his seat.  The high platform had claws which, when properly aligned by Yes-Man, could direct the rays of the Moon*Star to Mon*Star.  The Moon*Star was that which fuelled Mon*Star's super-energy.  It was what transformed him into a metal-plated monstrosity.  As Yes-Man worked the controls, rockets tilted Brim*Star so that the Star*Crater would lower so that the Moon*Star's rays could shine in and hit the antennae at the top of Brim*Star Fortress.  These antennae transferred the malevolent energies to Mon*Star, whom they fuelled.  Mon*Star began chanting his transformation phrase.

            "Moon*Star of Limbo," he said, "give me the might, the muscle, the menace of Mon*Star!"  By the end, he was completely covered in metallic armour, his elbows having jets which propelled him through sky and space and which blasted lasers.  His Star*Eye, except for its star-like shape itself, was congruous with the other.  He had spikes pointing out of the armour on his head.  He leapt off the platform to Ludwig.  "We're all ready, Prince."

            Hardware entered.  "That we are!  Hmm, hmm!  I have the transporter rigged up perfectly."

            "Hee, hee!" laughed Mon*Star.  "Once the real Jean-Luc Picard materialises, encase him in your music, Melodia."

            "Right-o, Planet Master!" said Melodia, preparing her Sound Smasher, the fiendish keyboard which shot red music lasers at the slightest note.  The type of melody she played determined the destructive capabilities of the laser.  "Ready!"  Yes-Man activated something.

            "I'm ready to go," replied Ludwig in Picard's voice.

            Yes-Man observed a read-out.  "Hee, hee, hee!" he laughed.  "Picard's in his Ready-Room.  No one else is there.  Yes!  He is reading something.  Yes, yes, yes!"

            "Now, Mo, before the condition changes!" ordered Mon*Star.  Mo-Lec-U-Lar operated certain controls.  Ludwig's Picard disappeared.  The real Jean-Luc Picard appeared in his place, standing, and with a cup of Earl Grey in his hand.

            "What the hell?" demanded Picard.  Melodia did as ordered.  She wrapped the captain up in her music.  The coffee mug was dropped on the floor.  "Hey!  What the hell is going on?"

            "I'll tell you what the hell is going on," said Mon*Star.  "I am Mon*Star, the Planet Master!  Hee, hee, hee!  Ludwig has a little plan.  He has decided to take your place.  When the time is right, Mo-Lec-U-Lar will take Riker's!  Hee, hee, hee!"

            "Oh, yes," said Picard angrily.  "You are the Mob about which the Thunder Kittens warned us."

            "That is right, my dear captain!  When we're through, the entire galaxy will be the Koopulan Empire!  Hee, hee, hee!"

            * * *

            Main Ready-Room, Deck 1, Enterprise.

            Ludwig arrived as his transformed self.  Picard.  Good.  The status-bars indicated normal.  Excellent.  Best of all, he thought, Worf had not called yet.  He took the time to see what Picard was reading.  The original French version of The Three Musketeers.  Personally, Ludwig would have preferred something by Shakespeare, but he did not complain.  This novel was in its original, unedited, French form.  Good, he thought.  He loved the precise, older, more elegant language structures in the earlier centuries that have long since passed with time.  His pet peeve was that the subjunctive forms were almost totally neglected these days, even in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.  Doubt, uncertainty, desire. . . all, he knew, were properties of the subjunctive.  Probably the only ones who might agree with him would be Kevin, the Steeltwins, and the Thunder Kittens, and he hated them like hell.  He recognised the page to which the book was turned.  Ludwig continued where Picard had left off, being decent enough to mark Picard's place in case the plan would be unsuccessful.

            * * *

            Sickbay, Deck 12.

            Dr. Crusher finished examining her son.  She input the information into Wesley's permanent medical record.  "Well, Wes," said Beverly, "I believe I see now."

            "What do you see?" asked Wesley.

            "The cause of what happened to me and Wilykat," said Beverly.  "It was caused when you were at the climax of what you were doing with Wilykit.  At that moment, her brain emitted telepathic waves to you and to Wilykat, and your brain, in turn, emitted telepathic waves to me.  That telepathically connected the brains of the four of us.  So far, it has had no detrimental effect on either you or me."

            Wesley said, "Mom, the Kittens feel that something is amiss."

            "Yes," said Beverly.  "That is why I am so concerned.  Did you see anything in the way they acted?"

            "No.  Their conversation was very vast.  Once, I thought they were going to hit each other."

            "Hm.  Would you know why?"

            "I'm not sure, Mom.  They love each other.  They are so similar, though they can act so different.  Have you noticed anything in their genetic patterns that might suggest anything?"

            "Thunderian biology is very similar to our own, with a few small genetic differences which make them so much more powerful than we.  They are humanlike and slightly catlike in appearance, due to certain genetic material.  The feline DNA sequences make them I-don't-know-how-many times more agile than we.  Their cellular biology makes their organs all much stronger than ours.  All-in-all, they are the most cellularly and molecularly complex organisms I have ever encountered.  That goes for any species.  The Wilykat Race seems to be the most advanced race of the Thunderian species; I think that they may be a synthesis of all the other races."

            "Hm."  He smirked.  "Are Thunderians and humans biologically compatible?"

            "Definitely.  They have the same chromosome-count.  They have the same X and Y chromosome differences.  Personally, I think that Wilykat could down Lieutenant Worf easily.  However, their muscle strength is not yet quite fully advanced.  That occurs around twenty-eight years of age."

            "Very soon," said Wesley, "they will be twenty-eight.  In less than half a year."

            "Hm.  Their muscle structures require much less exercise than ours do.  They are strong.  They can control their strength mentally so that they do not exhibit too much force.  They require much less nutrition than we do; on the other token, they can eat much, much more stuff than we and not get fat.  They can go much, much, much longer without an oxygen source than we.  All-in-all, they are superior to humans in all areas, especially physical strength and prowess.  They can almost absorb information by reading it.  They could probably rival Data."

            "Very interesting," said Wesley.  "So, why should Wilykit be interested in me?"

            "Thunderians also are not condescending of inferior races, a quality of true superiority.  They are more interested in us than any other culture has been, I think.  They are very outgoing, very gentle to other races.  They help the best that they can.  They have good policies.  Their physiology could make them blend in to most other humanoid races.  For instance, have you noticed the way their faces are shaped?  That could easily be human or Romulan.  They can merely cut the hair and dye it another colour to play a Romulan role.  Very few prosthetics would be needed for facial alteration.

            "And, Wesley, this is one culturally enlightened race.  The Thunder Kittens, I am certain, are identical twins.  Do not argue with me; this only works with the Wilykat Race."  She pressed a button on her monitor.  A uterus was shown, and an egg cell approached the wall.  "After some studying, I discovered this.  It is the only thing that explains the Thunder Kittens' similarities.  Thunderians are the only humanoid species capable of consciously controlling the sexual chromosome on the sperm.  If fraternal twins are really desired, two egg cells could appear in the Fallopian tubes, and the desired gender is given by the sperm.  Possibly two females, one male and one female, or two males.  That occurs if fraternal twins are wanted.  Also possible are identical twins.  For most Thunderian races, only two males or two females can be given."  The egg cell separated into two beings.  "As you know, this is how identical twins are formed.  The Wilykat Race is unique in that the gender of each of the identical twins can be controlled, as a special sexual chromosome is placed into the sperm for this purpose.  When the sperm unites with the egg cell, the first division will produce two bodies.  It could very well be two females, two males, or one male and one female.  It all depends on the desires of the parents.  I have noticed that most Thunderian offspring in history have been identical twins.  When I studied the Thunder Kittens' cell structures, they were similar, except for extremely minor differences.  The same goes for brainwave patterns.  If the parents want identical, different-gendered twins, they have to deal with the unity that binds the two together.  Physically, they are separate.  However, they are afraid to leave one another.  They are highly emotionally dependent on one another.  I think there is some telepathy involved in intelligence, to keep them equal there on the things they study together.

            "Here is a hypothetical case.  They both study for their math quiz, but one doesn't do so well or so much in studying.  So, the mind of one gives the other the information.  Let's see. . . we can say Wilykat was having the devil trying to do his calculus.  If she were extremely good in it, Wilykit's brain would send him the information and the ability.  It would get into his brain very quickly.  However, let's say Wilykat studies Spanish.  Wilykit does not study it.  Unless Wilykat can consciously telepathically send the information to Wilykit or begin teaching Spanish to her, or unless Wilykit consciously reads the information from her brother, his mind won't give her the information.  Also, during telepathic contact not centred on that, those 'gaps' can be filled.  Do you see what I'm getting at?"

            "I do, Mother," said Wesley.  "Very complex.  However, I am certain that Wilykit won't begin calling you 'Doc' just because Wilykat does it."

            "Not that linked," agreed Beverly.  "They still have enough differences.  Their arguments are intended to strengthen their bond with each other.  Psychologically, because of some strange physical trait, they must stay together.  So, their minds make them.  In case one does anything to hurt the other, the hurter is overwhelmed with such guilt at what he or she did.  He or she could not rest before comforting the other.  That makes the bond stronger and stronger.  Honestly, even though she loves you intensely, she would kill you if you tried to hurt Wilykat."

            "Well, Mom, I definitely had no intention of trying to hurt either of them.  They're too cute. . . like real kittens.  Also, they have deep feelings."  Beverly smiled.

            "I'm proud for you, Wes," said Beverly.  "Mentally, the four of us are now joined.  We are attached to the same telepathic network.  I've compared that to the telepathic bond enjoyed by the Steeltwins, and I believe ours to be as strong as that one, perhaps more."

            "According to the Kittens, those two are strongly bonded, also," said Wesley.

            "They are, I believe.  However, the Steeltwins don't have so much trouble working apart as the Kittens."

            "Well, Mom, I'd better get back to Ten-Forward and see the Thunder Kittens before they begin to get worried."

            "All right.  See you later."  They waved good-bye, and Wesley left Sickbay.  "And don't do anything foolish.  I'm certain that doing anything which might be detrimental one would produce great mental strain on the other."

            * * *

            Ten-Forward, Deck 10.

            Wilykat was still sitting there, watching the stars go by.  It was pretty.  Still, he couldn't get his mind off of the disturbing feeling he was having.  He looked expectantly at the doors to see if Wilykit had returned, but she had not.  Wilykat was extremely concerned.  One set of doors parted, and Wesley came in.  Wilykat motioned to Wesley, who came to the table.  Once at the table, Wesley sat in the seat he had formerly occupied.  "Where's 'Kit?" asked Wesley.

            "Checking on the Fearsome Five and Mumm-ra," said Wilykat.  "Something's wrong, Wesley, and you can sense our sensation of that."

            "I admit it.  Mom can, too."

            "I'm sure she explained everything to you.  Wes, my sister. . ."

            "The security guards won't let a thing harm a single hair on her head.  Worf runs an extremely efficient security system on this ship."

            "I'm glad to hear that.  However, 'Kit left a few minutes ago, and I'm worried.  What happened?  She was just going to check and re-. . ."  The doors parted once more.  Wilykit came in, walking quickly toward the table.  ". . .-turn."  Whispering, he said to himself, "Thank Jaga!"  When she had reached the table, Wilykit sat in her seat.

            "The brig's all right," said Wilykit.  "However, I still have this uneasy feeling."  She turned to Wesley.  "How did it go?  Did the telepathy cause anything detrimental?"

            "No," said Wesley.  "Just caused some surprise."

            "Sorry about my rudeness, Wes.  I'm just over-excited because of this feeling I have."

            "Don't worry about it, 'Kit.  I can tolerate it.  Now that I think about it, I realise that something is not quite right."  He looked at the stars out the viewport.  "Something.  I do not know what that something is.  I guess the feeling's mutual."  He smiled, though it was not an amused smile.  "I wonder if something's wrong."

            Wilykat asked, "Why not talk to Lieutenant Worf or Captain Picard about it?"  Wesley looked at him.

            "Not a bad idea," said Wesley.  "Let's go."  The three left Ten-Forward and went to the nearest turbolift.  After entering, Wesley ordered, "Main Bridge."

            * * *

            Batcave, Batman's Earth.

            "I have sent the message to the Wondertwins on Exor," said Batman, "and they said they would come nearly immediately."  Kevin understood.  Batman had told Kevin that the Wondertwins - Zan and Jayna - were around Kevin's age.  They had a natural gift:  if they touched one another and ordered that their powers activate, they could transform into many different things. . . Zan into something involving weather and/or water, and Jayna into an animal.  Robin had told Kevin that he had had and still had a crush (not the smashing kind) on Jayna when the Wondertwins had come to Earth, and it had hardly changed as time went on.  Kevin also knew about the Wondertwins - and, in fact, the whole Justice League - as they had been part of a television show he had seen.  Kevin had a bad feeling.  He decided to check a tracking device he had on his belt.  "What is that?"

            "It's a tracking device," said Kevin.  He opened it and checked something.  "Darn!  The Warbird is coming!"

            "What is the Warbird?"

            "A super space-battle-cruiser invented by my enemies.  And this says that they are cloaked!  Invisible to conventional forms of detection."

            "Hm," said Batman.  "How soon would they arrive?"

            "A few minutes.  Darn.  That Ludwig is so stinky."

            "Who. . . oh, I remember," said Robin.  "This Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa you told us about.  Not a pleasant guy."

            "Right.  Batman, can you examine space with your monitor?"

            "Do you have exact co-ordinates?" asked Batman.

            "Yes.  About 2935 La 273 Lo 379 Wi."  Batman entered these co-ordinates.  A section of space appeared on the screen.  "Ah. . . aha!  A visual distortion!"

            "I see it," said Batman.  "Are you sure it's not larger than a battle cruiser?"

            "It is intensely enormous.  I think it's larger than Europe."  Batman checked.

            "It certainly is," said Batman.  "The Wondertwins' abilities permit them to get over here in an extremely short amount of time."

            "Do they know where this place is?"

            "Yes."  A device beeped.  Batman checked it.  "In fact, they're entering the atmosphere now.  They're coming directly here."  He pressed a button.  "There.  Oh, and, by the way, I told them about you, Kevin."  Kevin nodded in approval.  A falcon arrived, carrying a bucket in which was some water.  The falcon touched its right foot to the water and got onto the floor.  The water leapt out of the bucket and right onto the floor opposite the falcon.  The falcon and the water had begun to glow with energy when they had physically contacted each other.

            Seemingly from the falcon and the water came two voices. . . from the falcon that of a female, from the water that of a male.  They both at the same time said, "Wondertwin powers, de-activate!"  The falcon glowed and turned into a form of a human female, except the ears were pointy like Vulcans'.  The water glowed and turned into the form of a human male, with the same exception as that of the female.  When the light faded, the skin of each of the two of them was very similar in colour to that of a white human.  They both wore violet outfits, with dark-purple belts, boots, and collars.  They each had an upside-down triangular-shaped insignia across the middle of their chests, the young lady's with a 'J,' the young man's with a 'Z.'  Kevin noted that the young lady was very pretty, but he also knew that he already had someone that he knew.  He would not blame Lana for being spontaneously infatuated with the young man, either.

            The young lady stepped to Batman and said, "We came as quickly as possible, Batman."

            "Thank you, Jayna," said Batman.  "Before we continue, Wondertwins, I would like to introduce Kevin."  He indicated Kevin.  "Kevin, may I introduce Zan. . ." - indicating Zan, the male - ". . .and Jayna,. . ." - he indicated Jayna, the female - ". . .the Wondertwins."

            Kevin shook hands with Zan and said, "Pleased to meet you."

            "Likewise," replied Zan.

            "Kevin," said Batman, "can you keep a secret?"

            Kevin held up his right hand as if he were pledging something, and he said, "Cross my heart and hope to die."

            "Very good," said Batman.  He paused as if contemplating whether he should tell Kevin this.  His instinct was to trust Kevin.  "This Batcave rests underneath the Wayne Manor in Gotham City.  My real-life name is Bruce Wayne,. . ." - indicating Robin - ". . .his is Dick Grayson."

            "I see," said Kevin, giving no indication that he had already known that.  "I gave my word that I would not tell anyone, and I will not."

            "Thank you," said Batman.  "Now, Wondertwins, it was Two-Face's dirty coin that did the trick against Superman."

            "That guy whose coin is judge, jury, and executioner?" asked Zan.  "He's one four-star wacko."

            For Kevin, Batman said, "He was Harvey Dent, former district attorney of Gotham City.  He was hot on the trail of a known scum-bag, Rupert Thorne.  He is now in prison.  Dent was after Thorne and certain files.  In the end, Dent wound up being blasted, and the left half of his face was ultimately made into what it is now, producing Two-Face."  He showed Two-Face on the screen.  The left side of his face was intensely deformed; the left side of his suit was black.  The right side of his face was human-like, the right side of his suit white.  "His good side and his bad side are now shown.  His worst weapon is his coin."  A coin appeared on the screen.  It was rotating slowly.  It was two-headed, and Two-Face had used an implement to scar one side of the coin.  "The good head of the coin, the one without the scar, is used to say yes to good decisions and no to evil decisions.  The scarred side is used to say yes to evil decisions and no to good decisions."

            "All a game of chance," interjected Jayna.

            "Yes," said Batman.  "Anyway, Two-Face is going to be tried for Superman's murder.  Two-Face had tricked Superman into coming to him.  The room where Superman was captured was coated with Kryptonite.  I wish we could have arrived earlier.  As it was, it was thanks to the transporter system that Kevin uses that we were even able to get to where Two-Face was and to apprehend him.  The first thing Kevin did, though, was to help us in capturing the Joker."

            "I suppose," said Zan, "that Two-Face flipped that coin of his and wound up on the bad-side to confirm his decision in killing Superman?"

            "Exactly," said Batman.  Something on Kevin began to beep.  "Yes, Kevin?"

            Kevin took his tricorder.  "Uh, oh!" he said.  "Quickly!  Please focus the screen on co-ordinates 2935 La 278 Lo 9.2 Wi."  Batman did so.

            "I don't see. . . um."  The centre of the dark space shimmered.  It faded into view.  The Warbird!  "Ah, is that the Warbird you told me about, Kevin?"

            "Yes," said Kevin.  "That it is.  Mind if I call my commander?"

            "Please do."

            Kevin hit his communicator.  "Kevin to Cmdr. Steelheart," he said.  "There's a bit of a problem out here."

            * * *

            Main Ready-Room, Deck 1, Enterprise.

            "Have a seat," said Ludwig's Picard to the Kittens and Wesley as they entered the Ready-Room.  Wilykit was permitted the seat across from the desk.  Wilykat and Wesley took standing positions behind her.  "How may I help you three?"

            "Sir," said Wilykit, "we feel something strange going on.  Ah. . . I'm not certain what is happening, but something just feels strange."

            "And," added Wilykat, "when a Thunderian gets a strange feeling, there is most undoubtedly something going on."

            "I see," said Ludwig's Picard.  Ludwig was beginning to get nervous slightly.  Could it be that the Thunder Kittens knew of his plot?  He could not know for sure.  "Well, I'll tell Worf to keep an eye on everything."

            "Thank you," said Wilykit.

            "No problem," said Ludwig's Picard.  He was eager to get rid of these three A.S.A.P.  "You are dismissed."  The three left.  Ludwig activated a secret communicator.  In his own voice, he softly said, "Ludwig to MotherBrain.  Do you copy?"

            "I do," replied MotherBrain.  "We've decloaked above the planet and are orbiting it as ordered."

            "Good," said Ludwig.  "At my order, you are to transport all in a three-metre radius of Kevin's communicator onto the Warbird.  Do you understand?"

            "I understand," replied MotherBrain.

            "Be extremely careful!" said Ludwig.  "You know what's on that world, don't you?"

            "Yes.  That's the world with the Justice League."

            "Yes.  I've been tracing the events.  All but Batman, Robin, and the Wondertwins have been mortally done in by the evil forces on that world, and those four are bright and intelligent.  Make sure that the Wondertwins do not have the opportunity to touch each other if you beam them up with Kevin!"

            "Understood," said MotherBrain.  "I'll wait for the signal.  MotherBrain out."

            * * *

            Main Bridge.

            "There was just a small communication between Picard and someone else," Worf told the Kittens and Wesley.

            "Who was on the other end?" asked Wilykit.

            Worf pressed a few keys.  "Ludwig's Warbird."  Something else came in on the station.  "And he did not use Captain Picard's voice at all. . . he used Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa's!"

            "Ludwig von. . . we need no more!" said Wilykit.  "Come, 'Kat!"  She and Wilykat marched back to the Ready-Room door and beeped it.

            "Come," called Picard's voice.  The door opened.  Inside, Picard was looking out the viewport.  "Oh!  You again.  Come on in, Thunder Kittens."  Wilykit approached him cautiously as Wilykat kept the door open.  "What is it?"  Wilykit glanced unobtrusively at the shadow. . . that of Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa!  Wilykit grabbed him and tossed him out.  "Hey!"  Ludwig's Picard stumbled out of the Ready-Room and fell on the floor.

            "Security to Bridge!" barked Worf.

            "Hold it!" shouted Data at Ops.  He got up and hoisted Picard's body off the floor.  Very clearly shown was the shadow of Prince Baron Ludwig 'Kooky' von(Bowser)Koopa.  He grabbed the fake captain's hands and thrust them together.  Picard's body broke up into huge molecules, which turned back into Ludwig.  Ludwig turned angrily to the Kittens.

            "Boy, do I hate you two!" shouted Ludwig.  He hastily removed his communicator.  "Ten minutes, MotherBrain!  Do it in exactly ten minutes!" he shouted into it.  Wilykat grabbed the communicator.  "Too late, Thunder Twerp!  MotherBrain is in the Warbird, and she is going to abduct Kevin and anyone else near him on that planet to which we sent him!"

            "Your magic?" asked Wilykit.

            "Thanks to the two of you," said Ludwig, fighting to keep his tone and volume under control, "I no longer have any personal magic!  I wasted it blaming King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard for letting you do what you do!"  A turbolift's doors opened.  Some security officers emerged.

            "At ease," ordered Riker.  The officers ceased their advance.  Q flashed onto the Bridge.  "Q!"

            "Q!" exclaimed Ludwig.  "Why, you goddamned little. . .!"

            "Shut up!" ordered Wilykit.

            "Yes," said Q.  "Please, Ludwig.  Do the galaxy a favour, for crying out loud."

            "I'd rather do you some harm, son of a poop!" shouted Ludwig.  "How dare you let the Thunder Kittens do this ultimate indignity to me!"

            "Oh, right," said Q.  "Do you expect me to try to stop members of the most morally- and most otherwise-advanced species in the universe?  Hmph!  I don't think so.  No form I can take on could be physically superior to them."

            "If you were really the omnipotent being you would like to seem," said Ludwig, "you would have seen what dirty, foul, utterly obscene thing Wilykit and Wesley Crusher did!"  Wilykit, growling, approached him.  "Uh, oh.  Ah. . ."

            "At least they had the necessary relationship," said Q.  "But, guys, the Mob has your Captain Picard.  I shall bring him here."  He snapped his fingers.  Picard appeared in his seat.

            Picard looked around in amazement.  He began, "What the. . ."

            �Bonjour, mon capitaine {Bawⁿh-zhúr, mawⁿh kah-pé-tehn} [French] (Good day, my captain),� said Q.  "How are you?"

            "Q!" exclaimed Picard.  "Get off. . ."

            "Not too hasty now, Picard," said Q.  "Not before I explain what happened.  You humans are so dense. . . a drawback unhad by most Thunderians.  Look.  Ludwig got this hot idea that he would come here and take your place, Captain.  He also planned that Mo-Lec-U-Lar come and take Riker's place.  MotherBrain was to go to a planet to which the second-in-command of the N-Team, Captain N, had been transported by the Brain-Team.  MotherBrain was to go in the Warbird.  She was to grab Captain N.  Also, part of the plan was that most of the Mob go to work jointly with the Plundarrian-Team to get certain Treasures of Thundera.  Also, you probably know about the coming Romulan Warbird.  I was glad to be able to bring back Picard.

            "And now, if you will excuse me, I must depart.  Until we meet again, Captain."  He waved good-bye and left in a flash of light.

            "I absolutely despise that Q!" said Ludwig.

            "Worf," ordered Picard, "have Prince Ludwig, here, taken to the brig."  He grabbed the Molecular Transformation Ring.  "Data, I would like an analysis on this ring."

            "Aye, sir," said Data.  He took the ring and proceeded to a lab as the security officers escorted Ludwig out.

            "Well," said Picard, "I would appreciate knowing what went on."

            "Ludwig never stepped a foot out of the Ready-Room until the Kittens and I arrived on the Bridge," reported Wesley.  "We went in there and talked for a few minutes, thinking that it was really you.  We left and went to Worf.  We discovered a transmission to the Warbird made by Ludwig in his own voice to MotherBrain, I would believe.  Anyway, the Kittens tossed Ludwig out, Ludwig still in your form.  Data smacked Ludwig's hands together and transformed him back into Ludwig.  Then, Q appeared.  Ludwig seemed to hate him worse than we.  Anyway, Q brought you back, and that's that."

            "I see," said Picard.  "I'm sure Mon*Star will be angry."  Picard turned to the Kittens.  "Has Ludwig any powers?"

            "Yes," answered Wilykat, "but he has completely run out.  It takes a direct recharge from his own sceptre to power him back up.  He doesn't have it.  Ah, I wonder where the Warbird of Ludwig is."

            "Show it," ordered Picard.  Worf and the person who had replaced Data at Ops operated the viewscreen controls.  Ludwig's Warbird was shown orbiting an extremely Earth-like planet.  The Kittens took a close look at the co-ordinates.

            "Hm," said Wilykit.  "That is where that warp sent Captain N."

            "Sir," reported Ensign Ro, "we will arrive at Darkwing's Earth in ten minutes."

            "Very well," said Picard.  "Our next stop is there.  Let's enter orbit around it inside twenty minutes."

            "Aye, sir."

            Something on Tactical beeped.  "Sir," said Worf, "Hawkhaven is calling us. . . it is urgent."

            "Very well," said Picard.  "Reply visually."  The screen changed to a view of Steelheart's worried face.  "Hello, Commander.  Something amiss?"

            "Very," said Steelheart.  "I would confer with the Thunder Kittens privately, if you don't mind."

            "No problem," said Picard.  "Thunder Kittens, you may confer with her in the Observation Lounge."

            "Thank you, sir," said Wilykat.  He and Wilykit went into the Observation Lounge.  Steelheart's image disappeared from the screen, leaving the starfield.

            * * *

            Observation Lounge.

            "Kits," said Steelheart, "we have urgent news.  I'm sending you a report about what Kevin's been doing on that Earth.  However, Ludwig's Warbird recently arrived there."

            "We know," said Wilykit.  "Ludwig appeared recently, disguised as Picard.  He was stopped and placed in the brig.  Ludwig told us that MotherBrain was to do something to Kevin. . . like abduction."

            "Hm," said Steelheart grimly.  Something on her desk flashed.  "Well, the report is there."

            "Ah!" said Wilykit hastily.  "Ma'am, excuse me, but this is important.  Ludwig hastily called MotherBrain and said, 'Precisely ten minutes.'  That was about five minutes ago.  I believe that it may have been a transport order."

            "Damn!" exclaimed Steelheart.  "Thanks!"  She tapped a button on her desk.  "Will, Bluegrass, Quick, and Kidd, I need you now!"  She tapped the button again.  "Anything else?"

            "Yeah," said Wilykat.  "The Mob and the Plundarrian-Team may attempt to steal the Treasures of Thundera, and, now, there's a Romulan Warbird about which to worry."

            "Darn.  Well, I'll get back to you.  Steelheart out."  The screen went blank.  The Kittens looked at each other.  They had just disrupted Steelheart's already busy day.

            * * *

            Steelheart's Office, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

            "And you want us to go out there?" asked Quicksilver.

            Steelheart said, "Right.  You four.  Now, move.  There are only three minutes left."

            Quicksilver and the other three Silver Hawks saluted her.  "Aye, ma'am!"  The four left, leaving Steelheart to her paperwork.  The other in the office, Stargazer, stayed behind.

            "Such a hurry," said Stargazer.  "I wonder what that devil Ludwig is up to, Steelheart.  Or, should I say, what that devil MotherBrain is up to?"  Steelheart nodded in an agreeing manner.