July 12.

            "Why won't you let him be absent, also?"

            " 'Kit, as he's the only one other than Wesley telepathically connected to you, only he can tell us if you get into trouble."

            "No, he isn't," said Wesley.  "My mom is included in the telepathic network; she could take Wilykat's place."  Steelheart reviewed this in her head.

            "Okay," said Steelheart.  "And?"

            "And," added Wesley, "since she is one of the senior staff, she must be at the dinner."

            "Okay.  'Kit," said Steelheart, "go see if Dr. Crusher will keep a telepathic 'eye' on you guys.  If she will, I shall release your brother from having to be present at the dinner."

            "Yes, ma'am," said Wilykit.  "Good-bye."

            "Good-bye," replied Steelheart.  Wesley and Wilykit went out through the manual door.  However, the two stopped halfway between the two doors.

            "Thank you for helping me stand up for my brother, Wes," said Wilykit.

            "No problem," said Wesley.  " 'Kit, if your brother has something you don't have. . . have you seen the way he looks when he's upset?"

            "Yes.  So?"

            "Well, he just looks so. . . so cute.  He also looks so helpless and endearing.  That visual impression did say he couldn't get out of being at that dinner, not by himself, but, maybe with some help from my friend Wesley Crusher,. . ."  Wilykit burst out with laughter.  "What?"

            "You actually fell for that cute li'l rascal!" said Wilykit.  "I can't blame you, though, and not just because you're human.  It seems that only Tygra, Steelheart, and I - myself most especially - can resist that little joker. . . well, Tygra only to a certain degree.  It's the same with Steelheart.  However, he has to be pretty darned desperate for me to fall for him.  I think it's just natural, you know.  I think Thunderian males are, generally, cuter to some extent than females."

            "Hm," said Wesley.  "Seriously, now, without your utilising any nonsense in the description, what can you say about him and about how you feel about him?"

            "I love him, Wes," said Wilykit.  "I love that brother of mine more than I could ever say.  I put him ahead of everything and everyone else that's important to me,. . ."  She looked softly into his eyes.  ". . .including a young man named Wesley Crusher."

            "I respect that, 'Kit.  I really do.  I admit that, at least at this point in time, my potential career in Starfleet is very important to me."

            "As it should be."  She sighed.  "Just keep it that way."

            "Don't worry about me, 'Kit.  Anyway, time's flying."  Nodding, Wilykit tapped her communicator.

            "Time," she said.

            The computer replied, "It is presently 21.35."

            "Twenty-five until ten post meridiem," said Wilykit.  "N-Team Transporter, transport two to Darkwing's Tower."  She and Wesley were transported there.

            * * *

            Meanwhile, in the Command Centre, Kevin had about finished showing that area to his four new friends.  ". . .and the Warp-Shield surrounds Hawkhaven to protect it from enemy attacks."

            "I see," said Batman.  He found this place all very impressive.  The Batcave had some of his Earth's most advanced technology, to be sure, but this place made that stuff look like something out of the Old Stone Age.  The Wondertwins, also, were impressed.  Exorian technology was not quite so advanced as this.  Robin was darned-well-impressed by this stuff. . . more impressed than the others.

            "This place is incredible," said Robin.  "Our present level of technology is not nearly so advanced as this."

            Kevin said, "Batman and Zan, I would like to speak to you for a moment, if you please."

            "Certainly," replied Batman.  He, Zan, and Kevin went to a less-'populated' area of the Command Centre.  "What is it, Kevin?"

            "Steelheart plans the dinner to take place like so," said Kevin.  "She wants two representatives from all four parties - your group, the Starship Enterprise, the Warbird Kazara, and the N-Team - to sit together at a large table in the centre of the main dining room of the restaurant and to discuss certain things over dinner.  Do you two wish to be the ones to represent your group?"

            "We'll have to discuss that with Robin and Jayna," said Batman.

            "Go ahead," said Kevin.  Batman and Zan went to do so.

            * * *

            Bridge, Ludwig's Warbird, in orbit around Cardassia.

            "They're calling back," said Bowser.

            "Excellent," said Ludwig.  "Respond."  A Cardassian government official and the Cardassian to whom they had earlier spoken appeared on the screen.  "Good day."

            "As to you," replied the Cardassian to whom they had not spoken.  "I am High Councillor Be Sek, head of the Central Cardassian Council, the legislative body of the whole Cardassian Union."

            "I am Prince Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa, ruler of the Kingdom of the Evil Koopas.  I am certain that you are aware that we wish to assist you."

            "Yes," said Be Sek.  "And, on behalf of the Cardassian Union, I accept your offer."

            "We are prepared to sign a full treaty of alliance.  I give you the technology capable of conquering the Romulans, the Federation, and the Klingons, not to mention the various nations they govern and/or protect."

            "Very well.  Could you transport down to discuss terms?"

            "Certainly.  Please send us the co-ordinates down to which to transport."  Something beeped at Roy's station.

            "There they are," said Be Sek.

            "We receive them," added Roy.

            "We shall transport down there soon," said Ludwig.  Be Sek nodded.  "Ludwig out."  The screen reverted to its former image of the upper-rightmost eighth of Cardassia along with the blackness of space.  "Roy, Dad, come with me.  Bring along hidden disruptors, just in case those Cardassian twerps are attempting to deceive us.  I sense no deception in their children's-book minds, but one never can be too careful."  As Roy retrieved three disruptors from a concealed department, Ludwig continued, "Larry, you'll be in command of the Warbird until I return.  At the first sign of trouble from the Cardassians, bring the three of us back, and cloak the ship."

            Larry said, "Yes, sir!"  Roy handed a disruptor to Ludwig and one to Bowser, both of whom concealed the disruptors in hidden holsters, as did Roy with his.  Ludwig, Bowser, and Roy left for the transporter room.  "Mouser, tie weapons and offboard communications to your station."

            "Yes, sir," said Mouser at the science station.  He did as ordered.  "Done, Prince Larry."

            "Good.  Now, study super-Thundrainium, or diThundrainium monoheliide, and see what we can do with it."

            "Yes, sir."

            * * *

            Darkwing Tower, Darkwing's Earth.

            Wilykat was pacing in an adjacent room.  Wilykit and Wesley were in there with him.  Finally, Wilykat asked, "Why stick out your precious necks for me?  I could have asked Steelheart myself."

            " 'Kat, we care about you," said Wilykit.  "I also consider myself to be your best friend.  Friends help each other."

            "-Sigh.-  Well, thank you.  I did probably need your help."

            "Want me to ask Mom to do so?" asked Wesley.  "To take your place?"

            "Wes,. . ." began Wilykat, but then stopped.  This would probably go smoothly, and it was not his place to lecture Wesley where Beverly Crusher was concerned.  At least Wesley knew how to deal with a mother.  He also stopped because Wilykit was all but glaring at him.  "Wes, I would appreciate that very much."  Wesley tapped his communicator.

            "Enterprise, this is Cadet Crusher," said Wesley.  "Please beam one up."  Wesley was beamed up.  Wilykat turned to Wilykit.

            "How could you let Wes do this?" asked Wilykat.  "Thunderians are supposed to help inferior races, not vice-versa."

            "Is that to say that we should reject any help indiscriminately from such races or species?" retorted Wilykit.  "Human intellectual capacity is comparable to Thunderian.  They may be physically and physiologically more fragile than we, but their intelligence is 85% of ours.  When you compare that to Klingons and the Ferengi, along with other races, that is rather high."

            " 'Kit, their physical strength doesn't allow for much punishment.  Except in intelligence, they would not have the slightest chance in H against a Thunderian."

            "Their intelligence and the strength they do have makes them powerful allies," said Wilykit.

            "Yeah, I guess so," said Wilykat.  "But what if some villain uses telepathy against Dr. Crusher?  Her mind might be - forgive the unintended pun - crushed."

            "Mine will go first!" said Wilykit.

            " 'Kit, end of discussion, please," begged Wilykat.  Wilykit nodded.  "Thank you."

            * * *

            Dr. Crusher's Quarters, Deck 7, Enterprise.

            "All right," said Beverly.  "I'll do that."

            Wesley warned, "Be careful, Mom.  Think about it a little.  Telepathic contact can be very risky for us humans."

            "Very well," said Beverly.  "I shall be very cautious.  Have fun, Wes."

            "I'll try, Mom," said Wesley.  "Thank you."  He left.

            * * *

            Main Bridge.

            "Sir," said Data, "I have completed my analysis on the Molecular Transformation Ring."  He, along with each senior officer, was ready.  All had their dress clothing on.

            Worf checked a strange reading.  "Sir," he said, "I am detecting an unusual distortion in the space-time continuum.  It is highly localised yet moving very quickly."

            "Where is it going?" asked Picard.

            "Toward us!" expelled Worf after a moment.

            "Ensign Ro," began Picard, "evasive. . ."  Suddenly, the Bridge tremored.  Just in front of a turbolift opened a warp, which Data analysed with his tricorder.

            "This is a synthetic, highly regular spatial distortion, referred to by the people of this part of the galaxy as a warp zone," said Data.  "It seems to have originated from Metroid's present position little over an hour ago."

            "Analyse further," said Picard.  Suddenly, someone in a late-23rd-Century Starfleet admiral's uniform came through the warp as if having been tossed.  "Mr. Data!"  Data examined the person with his tricorder.

            "This person is identified by the tricorder as Admiral James Tiberius Kirk," said Data.  "He disappeared near the end of the 23rd Century and was believed to have been killed, possibly by a vaporiser."  Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo came out of the warp.

            "And we made Kirkie disappear at the request of our dear MotherBrain!" said Hippo.  " 'Course, Eggie, here, had to make the warp come here instead of staying at Metroid!"

            "Hey!" said Eggplant Wizard.  He smacked the button on an armband worn by Hippo, who was transported all the way (?) to SR388.  Eggplant then smacked the button on a similar armband worn by him, and he, too, was transported to Metroid.

            "Sir," said Data, "the exact year in which James Kirk disappeared was 2294."

            "His condition?" asked Picard.

            "Simply unconscious, knocked out by King Hippo.  He is uninjured."  His tricorder beeped.  "In fact, he is now regaining consciousness."  Kirk moved, rolling onto his back and sitting up.

            "What. . . what happened?" he asked, still rather out of it.  Data easily helped Kirk up.

            "Do not worry, Admiral," said Data.  "You will be fine."

            Kirk said, "Thank you."  Data led him to the Tactical arch.  He let Kirk lean against the arch and regain his balance and the rest of his consciousness.  "Where and when am I?"

            Picard answered, "Both accurate questions.  You are on the U.S.S. Enterprise, registry NCC-1701-D, in the year A.D. 2371 in the twelfth day in the month of July."  Kirk turned to him.  "You disappeared 77 years ago in A.D. 2294. . . assuming, of course, that you are Admiral James T. Kirk."

            "I am," said Kirk.  "Those two who brought me here attacked me at my home.  They identified themselves as King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard.  The former smacked me while the latter was opening a temporal distortion."  As he indicated the warp, it closed.  "Was that it?"

            "Yes," said Picard.  "You did come through that distortion and were followed by the two in question.  You should know most immediately that the Federation and the Klingons now share a peace treaty and an alliance, thanks most of all to Ambassador Spock in the original negotiations you saved.  We also seem to be on the verge of such an alliance with the Romulan Empire."

            "I see.  And who are you?"

            "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard, commanding officer of the Enterprise NCC-1701-D."  He indicated Riker.  "Commander William T. Riker, first officer."  He indicated Data.  "Lt. Cmdr. Data, science officer, only android in Starfleet.  As logical, if not more so, than Spock."  Indicated Troi.  "Ship's Counsellor Deanna Troi, a Betazoid."  Worf.  "And Lieutenant Worf, chief of security.  First Klingon to serve in Starfleet."

            "I see," said Kirk.  "Just out of curiosity, how advanced are the Romulans and the Klingons with that cloaking device?"

            "Very," said Picard.  "Several years ago, this Enterprise made first direct contact with the Romulans in over fifty years.  Their cloaking device completely shields them from our sensors.  Until they decloak, we don't know they're there.  Occasionally, there is a slight flaw, but we usually don't know the Romulans are there."

            "Sir," said Worf, "Romulan Warbird decloaking."  He checked.  "It is the Kazara."

            "The Romulan Warbird is an advancement on the Romulan Bird-of-Prey," said Picard.  "Worf, put the Kazara on-screen."  Dark space spotted with stars appeared on the screen.  In the middle of the screen decloaked the enormous IWB Kazara.  "CMO, chief engineer, and Cadet Crusher, report to the Main Bridge, please."  Suddenly, a blast from nowhere and in a direction opposite the Kazara smacked the Enterprise, and another hit the Kazara.  "Worf, report!"

            "Sir, I am puzzled," said Worf.  "That shot came from nowhere."  The hailing signal sounded.  "The Romulans."

            "Respond, on-screen!"  He hurried to between the two forward stations.

            Torreth appeared on the screen.  "Enterprise, are you all right?"

            "Minimal damage, thanks to our shields," said Worf.

            "Not much damage, thank you," said Picard.  "And you?"

            "Not much, thank you," said Torreth.  "That had to be that SR388.  Its signal became discrepant after we had left.  I think that it 'threw a cloak-shadow' again."

            "I see."  A slight glance at Troi.  Troi's expression told him that again Torreth was not lying.  "Worf?"

            "SR388's signal in VideoLand is dissipating," said Worf.  "Patakh!  It's re-establishing off our starboard bow as Metroid. . ."

            "On-screen!" interrupted Picard.  Another section of space appeared.  Metroid, fading into view in the centre, fired again and smacked the Enterprise and the Kazara.  "Red-Alert!"  The sirens sounded as the alert-indicators flashed red.  "Battle-stations!  Ready phasers!"  Data returned to Ops as the Crushers and LaForge arrived on the Bridge in the aft turbolift.  "Number One, explain the situation to them."

            "Aye, sir," said Riker.  Picard took the centre seat as Riker went to explain the situation about Kirk to them.

            "Worf, fire all phasers at Metroid," said Picard.  "Disable their shields."

            "Aye, sir," said Worf.  As the Enterprise began to shoot at Metroid with phasers, so did the Kazara with disruptors.  This dual-barrage was neutralised by radiation from a defence mechanism on Metroid.  "They have a defensive jammer that neutralises phasers and disruptors.  I am increasing phaser power and changing frequency."

            "When you've finished," said Picard, "fire!"  This phaser blast shot through Metroid's neutralisers and smacked its shields.

            "Their shields have lost some power," said Worf.  "The Romulans are doing what we just did."  The Kazara smacked Metroid's shields with a powerful disruptor blast.  "Metroid's shields have failed.  They are turning away and recloaking."

            "Keep us ready, Lieutenant," said Picard.  "Keep the shields up and the weapons ready.  Stand down to Yellow-Alert."

            "Aye," said Worf.  The alert-indicators turned yellow.  "The Romulans are calling again."

            "Respond."  Torreth, rather agitated, appeared on the screen.

            "Darn it, Captain Picard!" said Torreth.  "They must be stopped!  Our sensors say that they cannot fire while simply cloaked.  However, if they throw their image and heat and such like they do while cloaked, they can appear to be in one place while actually being in another.  We call it sight-cloaking.  They can fire on something where they actually are.  The worst part is that, at the place to which they throw their illusion, there is indeed a disturbance but that one cannot find where Metroid really is.  We also cannot transport with shields up."

            "A dilemma," said Picard.  "Except that the N-Team's transporter can transport through shields."

            "In that case, we should ask them to transport us down."

            "A good idea, Commander."  He turned to Worf and nodded slightly.

            Hitting a button, Worf said, "Mute."

            "Counsellor?"

            "She is understandably upset," said Troi.  "I sense no deception at all from her, but she is angry.  That anger is directed toward MotherBrain."

            "I see.  That's good."

            "A Romulan, being sincere?" asked Kirk.

            "Yes, Admiral, a Romulan being sincere.  Not very common until now."

            "I guess I should change Admiral Kirk's medical record," said Beverly.  "He isn't dead."

            "Very well," said Picard.  "Get to it, Doctor."

            "Yes, sir."  She left.

            "Captain," said Wesley.  Picard turned to him.  "I sense. . . I sense that the Thunder Kittens, concerned, are going to beam aboard in a moment.  To here, the Bridge."

            "Very well," said Picard.  "Commander Data, escort Admiral Kirk to the Observation Lounge and tell him the extent of what has been going on these 77 years over which he's been warped."

            "Aye, sir," said Data.  He got up and went over to Admiral Kirk.  "Admiral, this way, if you please."

            "Thank you, Commander and Captain," said Kirk.  Data led him to the door to the Observation Lounge.

            "Audio on," said Picard.  Worf de-muted.  "Commander, how soon do you think we should beam down?"

            "In a few minutes," said Torreth.  "And our 'passengers' over here?"

            "Ah, yes.  We'll communicate with the N-Team as soon as possible."

            "Thank you, Captain.  Torreth out."  The screen reverted to an image of the symbol of the Romulan Empire.

            "When are the Wilytwins coming?" asked Picard.

            "Right. . . now!" said Wesley.  Wilykit and 'Kat beamed onto the Bridge in front of the aft turbolift as soon as the last sound was uttered from his mouth.

            "Captain Picard," said Wilykat, going to Picard, "are you all right up here?"

            "We are," said Picard.  "As are the Romulans.  Metroid rather took us by surprise."

            "In fact, as a human might say," said Worf, "they came damned near to blowing our heads off!"

            "That they did," said Riker.  "If we had not had our shields up, they might have destroyed us."

            "The Romulans mentioned the Silver Hawks," said Picard.

            "We can take care of that," said Wilykat.  He tapped his communicator.  "Steelheart, the Romulans have shown up."

            "I know," replied Steelheart's voice.  "That MotherBrain's perfected the sight-cloaking device.  Now, that dirty witch can appear to be in one place while actually being in another. . . and, in that other place, she can rain hell on anyone there.  Fortunately, her damned cloaking device can only keep her cloaked in the other place for so long, and the projection can only last that long.  Also, the projection is a bit distorted.  We can detect her while she's cloaked, and we can definitely detect the projection while she's sight-cloaked.  You can notch up the detection field and find out whether the Metroid you detect uncloaked is a projection or the real thing.  If it's a projection, all N-Team structures, principal and otherwise, should be set on Red-1.  Do you think so?"

            "You're right," said Wilykat.  "What about the Silver Hawks on board the Kazara?"

            "Go over there, and have them transported to the Palace of Power Hospital," said Steelheart.

            "I'll do so immediately," said Wilykat.  "I think the two vessels will keep their shields up.  They'll need access to our transporter to go down."

            "You have them transported down," said Steelheart.  "I trust the Romulans, but don't let them have control of our transporter."

            "Right.  What about the Enterprise?"

            "Sorry, but the same restriction for them, just to be fair."

            "Okay.  Wilykat out."  He tapped his communicator.  "Captain, I would like you to tell the Romulans I'm beaming aboard, please."

            "Certainly.  Worf, open a channel to the Kazara."  Worf did so.  "Commander Torreth, this is Captain Picard from the Enterprise."  Torreth again appeared on the screen.

            "Yes, Captain?" said Torreth.

            "Wilykat from the N-Team would like to beam aboard your ship and. . . what else, Wilykat?"

            "I shall have the Silver Hawks on board beamed to where they can undergo the necessary treatment," said Wilykat.

            "Very well," said Torreth.  "You may beam directly to the Bridge as soon as possible."

            "Thank you."

            "Enterprise out," said Picard.  Worf hit a button, and the Kazara's outside appeared on the screen.

            "The Kazara is entering into orbit around Darkwing's Earth," said Worf.

            "Very well," said Picard.

            "I'm going," said Wilykat.  He turned to Wilykit.  "Alone.  You said we could live without working together every second."

            "Fine," said Wilykit.  "As long as you and I sense that they aren't going to do anything to you."

            "Need a phaser?" asked Worf.

            "No," said Wilykat.  "Thank you, though."  He tapped his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport one to the Bridge of the Kazara."  He was transported there.  Wilykit suddenly turned to Wesley.

            "Wesley," she said so that only he could hear.  "Your thoughts are entirely disruptive."

            "I. . . wha-. . . sorry, Wilykit," said Wesley.  "I can't help it."

            "I have to forgive you, anyway," said Wilykit.  "You're human.  Besides, no one can resist thinking of such things, especially not. . . well.  It's a mental weakness.  Oh, darn it, just get off the topic, Wilykit."  She sighed.  "I hate being so darned condescending."

            " 'Kit, come with me," said Wesley.  They stepped into the aft turbolift, of which the door closed when they entered.  "Wilykit, no one is perfect.  You cannot help being condescending.  Humans can't help thinking about. . . such things."

            "I know," said Wilykit.  "I just hate that."  She raised her voice by a little.  "Deck 11."  The turbolift began to move.  "I hate to be condescending toward humans; yet, I am."

            "Well, 'Kit, I understand," said Wesley.  "I know how some people had a need to feel superior.  In the 20th Century, Adolf Hitler brought hope to Germany with his Nazi political party.  Germany had had a humiliating and smothering defeat in World War I, which was won by the Allies and in which the Allies cast all of the blame onto Germany in the Treaty of Versailles.  Certain others had also been cause of the war, even some of the Allies.  Anyway, Germany had been the European nation to suffer the most in the Great Depression of the late 1920's to early '30's.  Hitler had a dream of annihilating all of those races who were not purely white Saxon Christians or purely white German Christians, eliminating those whom he considered not to be members of his super-race.  He had a particularly awful hate against Jews, members of Judaism, a religion that came along before Christianity and from which Christianity stemmed.  He dreamed of establishing the Third German Empire, which he believed would last 1 000 years.  It was established out of most of Continental Europe, yet it only lasted 12 of those years, as he lost the Second World War, during which he exterminated millions of Jews in the Holocaust, probably the most terrible event in human history preceding the Romulan Wars.

            "I am basically saying that it's all right to be condescending, just as long as you aren't mean about it.  Right?"  Wilykit smiled.

            "Right," she said.  "Thank you, Wes, for your support."

            "That's something friends are for, my dear Wilykit.  Do you know that the day after tomorrow will be my twenty-second birthday?"

            "Thanks to you, I now do," said Wilykit, still smiling.  Wesley almost blushed, and she could sense it.  "I didn't mean to embarrass you, Wes."

            "It was not you, my dear.  It was my fault, and. . . oh, forget it."  Wilykit almost laughed.  "I bet you didn't know, either, that I have learned a bit of Latin and some German, did you?"

            "Not really.  How much Latin do you know?"

            "Oh, just some.  Enough to have passed it at the Academy."  Wilykit suppressed another laugh.  "I should have signed up for German, to which I transferred after my first year.  I actually preferred it over Latin, although it may be slightly harsher in pronunciation.  German's closer to English, and, therefore, it's easier for me to learn than Latin."  Wilykit nodded.  The turbolift door opened.  "Your stop.  Do you mind if I accompany you?"

            "I was hoping that you would," said Wilykit.

            "Then, let's go." said Wesley.  They left the turbolift and began to walk down the hallway.  "Where are we going?"

            "Holodeck 3," said Wilykit.  "After we leave the dinner, I think we should go to Hyrule.  I think I should at least show you what it looks like.  Plus, your German skills might help."

            "Hm," said Wesley.  "That's possible.  Data did tell me that its most-spoken language is German."

            "A chiefly bilingual society," said Wilykit.  "It had to do with the language understood by the king."

            "Hm.  Is Hyrule an absolute monarchy?"

            "I believe so, ruled by the king, queen, prince, or princess in charge of it.  However, Princess Zelda has a council of representatives from chief areas of the kingdom.  The monarch of the Kingdom of Hyrule governs the Empire of Hyrule, which encompasses the entire Planet of Hyrule."

            "I see.  You're acquainted with Link and Princess Zelda, correct?"

            "Yes, I am.  I do intend to introduce you to as many N-Team members as I can."

            "Great!"  They turned right at a corner and found Holodeck 3.  It was unoccupied.  "I assume that you have the necessary information already input into the Enterprise computer systems for this to be painless."

            "I hope so.  I've transferred all N-Team records to this ship's computer, and I have no reason not to believe that they include Hyrulian records."  She held down a button on the computer control panel.  "Computer, I am assuming that you have Hyrulian records on file?"

            "That is correct," said the computer.  Wilykit's ears discerned uncomfortably that the voice used for the computer was very similar to Lwaxana Troi's voice.

            "Can you run a program involving only the inanimate and plant-life features of the Kingdom of Hyrule, beginning with Lake Hylia?"

            "Yes."

            "Very well.  Run it, please."  She released the key.  The door opened.

            "Enter when ready," said the computer.  And the two entered, Wilykit describing things to Wesley as they went.