"Yes, I mind.  Dream of being with someone else.  I'm busy."

            "Malcolm Frink, is any other girl in this school in love with you?"

            "Not really.  Why are you attracted to me?"

            "You're smart.  You're cute."

            This snared Malcolm.  "You really think so?"

            "Yes, especially when you wear black."

            "Well, ah, thank you.  I'm sorry for being so rude, Sandra.  Please have a seat."  Sandra pulled out a chair and sat down across from Malcolm.

            "I know you have a powerful computer setup, Malcolm."

            "Yes, I think I do."

            "I do, too.  I have a five-terabyte hard drive, a super Pentium processor with 1000 megahertz, and a gigabyte of RAM."

            "Hm.  Interesting.  What peripheral hardware do you have?"

            "Scanner, two monitors, digitiser, laser printer.  My parents spoil me."

            "So do mine."

            "I hope you're not faking attraction, Malcolm."

            "I'm not.  Have you heard I like to draw?"

            "Yes, I've heard.  My computer is programmed to speak and to understand spoken language, including slang."

            "That's amazing.  Can you tell it to open files and programs?"

            "Indeed I can.  I taught myself how to program when I was in elementary school, and I recently discovered how to vocalise my computer."

            "I think that's great.  May I see it?"

            "Certainly.  Let's go."  Sandra and Malcolm got up and left.

            "Look!" Syd exclaimed.  "She's hooked him!"

            Jennifer said, "Some surprise.  He's been hooked onto me for so long."

            "Well," said Sam, "shall we go to the basement?"

            "Sure!  You coming, Yoli?"

            "Certainly," said Yolanda.  The five departed for Sam's basement.

            * * *

            Malcolm felt like a creep.  He loved Sandra.  However, he knew he would have to break off the relationship before it got anywhere.  He hated to do it, but he felt an even more pressing urge to get even with the Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad.  And now that he knew what devices to ask for from his parents, it would be easier.  His parents were naïve.  If it were a computer device, they would get it for him.  It was not their fault that he was what he was.

            At his computer, he completed a new mega-bacterium monster using an original equation, derivative equation, and four antiderivative equations. . . same as before.  Using the derivative of the derivative, however, he created the curves so that the weaknesses of the design were not easily reached.  Kilokahn arrived.  "Hello, Malcolm.  I see you have been busy."

            "Yes, with a new bacterium."

            "Is all not well?"

            "I'm fine, thank you."

            "You have more computer memory!  Good.  That is what went wrong earlier, as you obviously know."

            "I figured.  There wasn't enough to handle that many monsters and variables at one time."  He had his new bacterium scanned into the computer from the sheet on which it had been drawn.  He included the six equations so that the computer could correct the errors caused by his hand in drawing the monster.  "This bacterium is a language-mixer.  Send him into the U.N.'s translation system.  There, he will mix up the languages. . . parlez-vous {pahr-láy-vú} for habla usted {ahb-lah ús-táyth}, such in the like."

            "Ah!  International confusion!  I love the idea!"

            "We'll trash Servo this time, my digital pal!"  Kilokahn gave the bacterium life and sent it into the digital world.

            * * *

            Sandra's invention would give her the power to control the digital world if it worked.  She hooked its control cable to the back of her computer and plugged in its power cord.  She then did the necessary for the device to make her able to convert herself into digital energy and matter!

            When she had finished, she went to her computer.  "Computer, are there any disturbances in the digital world?"

            "Yes," her computer replied.  "A monster exists interfering with operations in the United Nations centre."

            "Oh, really.  Can you pinpoint the origin of the monster?"

            "In the digital world, the origin is a computer at exactly 2.45 nanometres at 5.06 radians.  Since you can come in, you should see for yourself who it is that created the monster."

            Sandra turned herself into digital energy and entered the digital world through her monitor.  She then took herself to the place that her PC had told her.  She was on the other side of someone else's monitor. . . Malcolm's!  She could see his other screen, too.

            Malcolm asked, "Is the mega-bacterium successfully trashing the U.N.'s computers?"

            "Yes!" replied the being on the other screen.  "We shall be victorious!"

            "Yes, Kilokahn, we shall," said Malcolm.  "Servo, your end. . ."

            "Wait, Malcolm!  I sense a digital being in your other monitor."  Malcolm looked.

            "Wha-. . . Sandra!  How'd you get there?"

            "I'll explain, Malcolm," said Sandra.  "I just finished constructing a device that makes its user able to enter and control the digital world.  It's much more powerful than the Kilokahn program, too."  Malcolm was impressed.

            "I see!  Ah, what is the basis of your interest in the digital world?"

            "I wish to conquer it.  You could be my partner, Malcolm."

            "I could?"

            "Yes.  I noticed you had a monster wreaking havoc in the U.N. computers."

            "That's true."  Sandra exited the digital world through Malcolm's monitor.  "That's why you came?"

            "It drew my attention.  Shall I grant you this ability?"

            "How does it work?"

            "All that you do is stick five pads from the device on your body - head, arms, and legs - and the device, whose control program is backed up a million times on my computer disks, uses electricity to alter the way your nervous system works.  You function the same way in the human world, but when you enter the digital world, the nervous impulses turn your body into a digital signal that can enter or exit the digital world through a monitor or an outlet."

            "Sounds fascinating.  I'll do it!"

            "Come to my house.  I'll be waiting!"  Sandra left into the digital world.  Malcolm quickly departed for Sandra's house.  Kilokahn supervised the bacterium.

            * * *

            Syd was one happy young lady.  She had just finished creating a general formula for describing the monsters based upon the calculus design.  She also had a formula for the six equations.

            Sam and Jennifer were preparing to leave for their date.  "So, Jen, shall we go?" Sam asked.

            Syd cried, "Sam, wait!  A great disturbance exists in the U.N. computer system!"

            "Find it fast, Syd."

            "I'm trying.  Uh, oh.  This is bad.  This isn't your father's old mega-virus monster."

            Kilokahn appeared in the secondary monitor.  "My dear Malcolm calls it a mega-bacterium monster, Sydney-meat-thing."

            "Bug off, Kilokahn."

            "You'll never win!  Malcolm and Sandra now can enter the digital world themselves.  Go ahead; send in that weakling Servo program!  Heh, heh, heh!  Heh, heh, heh!  Shocking."  Kilokahn disappeared.

            "I'm going in," Sam said.  "Ready, Syd?"

            "Someone's going in with you," said Syd.  "I see something new in the Servo program, and I'm trying it.  Who'll go with him?"

            Jennifer spoke up first.  "I shall!"

            "Shoot," said Tanker.

            "Okay," said Syd.  "We're ready, Sam and Jennifer."

            Sam had just strapped on his electric guitar.  "I'm gone!"  As he struck the power-chord on his guitar, he, Syd, Jennifer, and Tanker exclaimed, "Let's samuraise, guys!"

            "Go, team Samurai; go!" Jennifer exclaimed as the digitising effect began.  Sam and she were taken into the computer.  As usual, Servo appeared, but he was larger.  Also, his red had shifted to blue.

            "This is the new MegaServo program," said Syd.  "I examined its specs when I found it.  It's much more powerful than the normal Servo program.  I'm going to see what the vehicles do with this program."

            "Okay, Syd," MegaServo said, the voice a blend of Sam's and Jennifer's.  "We're off!"  MegaServo took off into the digital world.

            * * *

            No sooner had Malcolm Frink and Sandra Velaztra returned to Malcolm's home than Kilokahn announced, "Malcolm!  The Servo program has been altered!"

            "Show me," said Malcolm.  MegaServo appeared on the secondary monitor.  "He's blue instead of red!  Sky blue.  Hm.  Sandra, I have a nasty idea.  Let's watch from inside the digital world."

            "So you can see his attack pattern close-up?" Sandra asked.

            "And so we can surprise him.  Nastily."

            * * *

            With knowledge from the general calculus formulas that Sydney's brilliance had derived, MegaServo made quick work of the bacterium and blew it away with concentrated grid-power.  He repaired the translation control tower before any trouble had started between any countries.  Just as he was ready to leave, however, he was confronted by Malcolm and Sandra.

            "Leaving so soon, Servo?" Malcolm asked.

            "I am now MegaServo.  Sam and Jennifer comprise me, Malcolm.  Sandra, why have you joined him?"

            Sandra said, "I began with the desire to take the digital world.  Now, I shall share my rewards with Malcolm.  Let's see. . . I believe it's half of my worldly goods!"

            "Don't tell us you're marrying that dork!"

            "And why shouldn't we both be happy?"

            "Good-bye, Sam and Jennifer!" Malcolm said.  "Have a nice trip!  Ha, ha, ha!"  Malcolm and Sandra grabbed MegaServo by the arms and flung him out of Earth 20 362's digital world!  Little suspected they that MegaServo was now in the subspace grid of the Milky Way Galaxy!

            * * *

            "We can follow them if we leave immediately," said Syd.  "The Drago program can be used to simulate Tracto with the MegaServo program."

            "Well, then, let's go!" Yoli said.  "They are accelerating, and I understand my differentiation!"

            "Ready!"  Syd got up and stood to the left of Tanker, who was to the left of Yolanda.  Jumping up once and punching upward with her fist, Sydney cried, "Pump up the power!"

            "Let's kick some giga-butt!" Tanker exclaimed, smacking his drumsticks together.

            "Er, uh. . . death to glitches!" Yoli proclaimed.  The three were transported into the computer.  Sydney landed in Borr, Tanker in Drago, Yolanda in Vitor.  Syd led the other two after Sam and Jennifer. . . and not a second too soon.

            * * *

            Malcolm and Sandra returned to Malcolm's lair.  "The Servo program has been hurled off this planet!" Kilokahn exclaimed.  "This is most pleasing!"

            Sandra exclaimed, "Whoopie!  Time for global conquest by computer!"

            "Yes!" said Malcolm.  "I shall design the monsters, my dear.  You regulate them."

            "Great plan, Malcolm.  Let's get working, my love.  Kilo, communicate some crazy threat across the globe."

            "Consider it done!" Kilokahn said.

            * * *

            Casa di Tygra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy.

            The Wilytwins arrived in the living room just as the Tygra- and Cerebra-twins were entering.  "Oh, hello, Wilykit and Wilykat," said Chatonne.

            "Hello, all," Wilykit said.  "Chatonne, Gatinha, I know that it's our first officer, not I, who is supposed to rule on plans that may help to overthrow our emperor, but I can hear them.  I know one of you two has a plan.  Would you mind telling me of it?"

            Gatinha said, "Well, I'm not perfectly certain that it would work.  Our emperor really gets into what he's conducting.  He could become oblivious to telepathic activities."

            "Beethoven suggested a similar tactic," Wilykit said.  "I could sneak in and rip out the seed that gives him his powers."

            "Exactly.  However, someone would have to make sure that he didn't notice you."

            "I could do it," said Wilykat.

            Cerebrantonio held up the registration chip.  "Wilykit, I've recently finished filling out this form you gave me."

            "So I see.  I'll see if all's in order."  Wilykit came over to him; he handed her the chip.  "Thank you."  She went to the computer on the table in the middle of the large room and plugged the chip into it.  She called up the completed form.  "Very good.  Oh, this is great.  Wilykat, find Panthro."

            "But I. . ."

            " 'Kat, please."

            "Oh, all right.  If you will excuse me."  Wilykat left the room.

            Chatonne asked, "What was that about?"

            "Wilykat wants to be the one to initiate you four," explained Wilykit.  "Panthro has a lot more experience with the task."

            "We already have our insignia, Gatinha and I."

            "Yes, but you still must undergo the formal initiation with a Thunder Cat other than the leader. . . me.  It won't take too long if Panthro does it."

            "You say it doesn't take long if Panthro does it?"

            "No.  He's carefully learned how to do the bare minimum necessary for initiation.  He initiated Wilykat and me.  So, have you come for any reason other than giving me your form?"

            Antonio said, "Gatinha and Chatonne offered to let us come and avail ourselves of Virtual King's Quest.  Guillaume and I have no holocomputer, you see."

            "Ah.  Why's that?"

            "Until now, we haven't seriously considered it.  Our parents were thinking about it when they. . . you know."

            "Yes.  I'm very sorry that happened."

            "That's quite all right."

            "Have the Tygra-twins also informed you about Beethoven?"

            "They did on the walk back here.  Wilykit, what will happen if that application. . . well, if it bounces?"

            Wilykit smiled reassuringly.  "Don't worry about that, Antonio.  I see that my father had good reason to grant you the rights of legal adults.  Your scholastic record is excellent from the start.  It looks nearly impeccable, and you got enough scholarship money to pay for your entire way through the Thunderian university system."  Her smile changed, indicating that she was about to joke.  "I can't believe this grade in kindergarten napping, though."

            "We wanted to read or do something constructive rather than waste our time sleeping," said Antonio.

            Chatonne said, "That's how Gatinha and I were."

            " 'Kat and I, too," said Wilykit.  "You know my cousins had not the luxury.  The Astutus-twins had adult responsibilities from birth, just about."

            "I know," Guillaume said.  "They told us about it in the advanced classes we had with them.  The Wilykats still hold a lot of respect for the Astutus-twins."

            "As they should," said Wilykit.  "Gatito and Gatita had the smarts to have the ship continue to follow the flagship. . . and to use suspension."

            "Well, you should know that we almost weren't the best students in Spanish.  It was nearly Kevin, your first officer."

            "Kevin Keene?  Captain N?"

            "Exactly."

            "He taught French to Wilykat and me."

            "I believe it.  Kevin was in almost all the same classes that we were.  In three, he and we were the only ones."

            "Hm.  Kevin never told me he attended our kingdom's greatest university."

            "Better look at the records, then.  He has a talent for breaking 'em like eggs."  Wilykit did so.  She was highly amazed.

            "How in the world!  I know I should not be racially biased, especially not where Kevin is concerned, but I never expected a human to do better than most Thunderians in a Thunderian educational environment!"

            "Wilykit, are you planning to enter the university?" asked Chatonne.

            "It's something that Wilykat and I plan to do together.  We'll prove our ability to excel academically."

            "No one's beaten one person's record," Gatinha said.  "Evil Ludwig von Koopa's."

            "I know.  Not yet.  We plan to enter in the May trimester.  We'll not break the age record, but the class record should be another story."

            "Of course, I'll give you some hints if you want them," said Antonio.

            "We would appreciate them, Antonio.  Thank you."

            "If you want someone who broke records, check out the leader of our orchestra," said Chatonne.  "He is Jean-Luc Picard's son."

            "Really?  I know he's Picard's son."

            "Yes," Gatinha said.  "Jean-Léonard {zhahⁿh-láy-ó-nahr} Picard.  He almost beat Ludwig's record, but he was born an hour too late. . . and that put him on the next date."

            "I see."

            "In number of courses and in G.P.A., we exceeded him, as did Kevin," said Antonio.  "However, young Master Picard is one of the greatest violinists in the empire, probably the greatest among those violinists who do not write music professionally, who compose the vast majority of violinists."

            "That's why we insisted that he be the first person considered for solo parts," Chatonne said.  "One of the greatest pianists alive is Link.  He can look at a work and then play it almost perfectly most of the time."

            "I've heard that Gatinha is also a pretty good pianist," said Antonio.

            Gatinha said, "Well, I think it's unseemly to boast, but many have said that I play the instrument very well."

            "She certainly does," said Chatonne.  "She can even play my pieces as I want them played."

            "Could you demonstrate?" Wilykit asked.  She indicated the beautiful, white grand piano dominating the eastern portion of the living room.  (This was the end opposite the door from the main hall.)

            "Oh, I suppose," Gatinha said, all too modestly.  Just to turn the tables a little, she added, "The second movement of my sister's Second Violin-and-Violoncello Sonata."  Her sister was a better violinist than Jean-Léonard Picard.

            Chatonne said, "Very well, Gatinha.  But I'm getting you for this."  Gatinha smiled as Chatonne left.  Chatonne returned with a very beautiful violin and its bow.  The stain of the wood was between light and dark brown.

            "Tune-up time," said Gatinha, sitting at the piano.  Chatonne nodded in agreement.  She held the violin in playing position.  Gatinha played an A, the note to which the second-highest violin string was to be tuned, and Chatonne tuned that string; from that she tuned the other strings appropriately.  Gatinha got up and took the master copy of Chatonne's Second Violin-and-Violoncello Sonata out of the piano bench and opened to the second movement.

            "Most of these require a violoncellist," said Chatonne.

            "That's right," said Gatinha.  "However, this particular part doesn't."

            "I remember."  The two examined the movement.  "Ooh.  I wonder how long it's been since I played this last.  I forgot I used all these irrational notes."

            "What are irrational notes?" Wilykit asked.

            "Most of the time, fractional note durations are based upon negative integer powers of two," explained Gatinha.  "Whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and so on.  There are also tuplet notes.  Well, to put greater versatility in the length of notes, I created irregular notes.  Normal notes are made the normal way. . . open ellipse for a whole note, open ellipse with a flagpole for a half note, a closed ellipse with a flagpole for a quarter note, the same thing and one hook on the pole for an eighth note, the same thing with another hook for a sixteenth note, and so on.  However, I created a way to show shorthand a note with an irregular length.  A substitute for the half note would be a whole note with the number 1/2 beside it.  A substitute for a quarter note would be a whole note with the number 1/4 beside it, and so on.  A proper replacement for a three-fourths note, which is a half-note with a dot attached to it would be a whole note with number 3/4 beside it.  Well, an irrational note would be one with an irrational fraction beside it, such as square-root fractions.  The fraction beside a note can never exceed the ratio of the number of beats in a measure to the type of note that will have one beat.  For example, a 3/4 measure means that there will be three beats per measure and that each beat will be a quarter note."

            "Why do beats irregularly like that?" Wilykit asked.

            "Why find the roots of a function such as y = x� + 2?" Gatinha asked.  "For that, you need irrational and imaginary numbers.  Of course, it's pointless to use imaginary or, for that matter, negative numbers in musical notation, but a note can last any positive amount of time, even an irrational amount such as the square root of three seconds.  We know the performer will have to estimate, and that's a good excuse to make a note duration very expressive."

            Guillaume said, "This shows that there is a definite relationship between math and music.  Of course, that notation knocks the socks off trying to represent a note of irregular pitch."

            "That's rather pointless," Chatonne said.  "Instruments are designed by the standards that humans set in Beethoven's era.  The keyboard-type instrument is still the type that most closely imitates the way the musical scale denotes pitch.  Altering rhythm notation slightly is one thing.  Changing pitch notation would be disastrous for anything but unfretted stringed instruments.  Besides, traditional major-minor music is still by far the norm."

            "I hope you don't consider me conceited or anything," said Antonio, "but. . ."

            "You play the violoncello, don't you?" asked Wilykit.

            "Yes, Wilykit."

            "I'm sorry.  Stuff just leaks into my mind.  I never learned to block it out."

            "That's all right."

            "Would you be willing to play something with us?" asked Gatinha.  The way she asked it made it so irresistible.

            Antonio said, "Sure.  Of course, I have to run home and get my 'cello.  However, it might be good to show me the piece you want to play.  I've practised irrational notes a lot with our computer's carefully-tuned ear until my ear has become just as attuned to it."

            "I see.  Well, then.  A good piece would be the movement of Chatonne's Third Violin-and-Violoncello Sonata marked Quick, lively, and with brilliance."

            "Oh, gosh," said Chatonne.  "With its metronome setting, it's harder than what you originally chose.  I haven't played these sonatas in a long time, Gatinha.  I have to practise the third before we play."

            "Okay.  I could use some practice myself."  Gatinha put the copy of Chatonne's Second Violin-and-Violoncello Sonata back in the piano bench and extracted three copies of Chatonne's Third Violin-and-Violoncello Sonata in a-flat minor.  She put one on the piano, gave one to her sister, and went over to Antonio.  "Page thirty.  Quick, lively, and with brilliance is the fourth movement."

            "Okay," said Antonio.  "Thank you."

            "You're welcome."  She felt the urge to kiss him but restrained herself.  "Guillaume, do you play any musical instruments?"

            Guillaume responded, "In fact, I do.  I know how to play four woodwinds:  the piccolo, the flute, the oboe, and the clarinet.  I've started on the bassoon."

            "I see," said Chatonne.  "You may notice that accompaniment from the oboe is optional."

            Antonio opened the book to page thirty.  Guillaume looked and said, "Ah, yes.  I see."  The ringer to the front door sounded.

            "Come in," said Wilykit.  Beethoven entered the main hallway from outside and entered the living room.  "Hello, Beethoven."

            Beethoven said, "Hello, all.  This is urgent, Wilykit.  That Ludwig is completely out of his bloody mind, though I suspect you are already most aware of that fact.  He hates the Thunderians with a passion because they do not suffer under his rule like other cultures do.  So, he's been warping two Thunderians to the unknown galaxy at some small frequency since your N-Team began trying to make things right."

            "Hold on," Wilykit said.  "Please excuse me for interrupting, but I want to understand this.  You are telling me that Ludwig began a heinous activity in 2990.  The activity involves periodically sending two Thunderians to the unknown galaxy that 'ate' the Romulan ships that attempted to explore it centuries ago."

            "Exactly.  The pairs of people that he sent have never been seen in these parts since."

            "I see.  Just how periodically?"

            "One pair a year."

            "Yes.  That makes sense.  Five pairs of people are missing."

            "Make it six.  He just told me.  I met him in the music hall in the city.  He said that he had just made the parents of the Farfâla {fahr-fa-lah}-twins 'go bye-bye,' to use his verb structure."

            "Oh, holy Jaga!" cried Antonio.

            Guillaume exclaimed, "Those two girls are our cousins!  Just wait 'til that lizard meets me!"

            "Cool it, Cerebraguillaume Farfâla!" Antonio ordered, temporarily descending from his tenor range to the baritone to emit a low note.  Wilykit appreciated the effect this had on Guillaume.

            Beethoven asked, "You are the Cerebra-twins, yes?"

            "Yes, sir, Beethoven," said Antonio, back in his tenor range.  "I am Antonio; my brother is Guillaume."

            "Good to meet you.  He told me he sent your parents in '93."

            "Makes sense to me.  Why did he send the Farfâla-twins' parents?"

            "He'd just spoken with his brother Larry, who was at the Palace of Power.  Larry told him of what had just happened in Hyrule concerning Guillaume, and Ludwig calmly snapped his fingers and explained the situation to me just as calmly.  Subsequently, I packed my things and left."

            "Nice going," Antonio said to Guillaume without emotion.  He would not show his temper.

            "Antonio, I didn't mean to lose my head!" Guillaume said.  "I'm sorry!"

            "That's okay, Guillaume.  I just want you to be more careful in the future, all right?  I don't know what he'll do if you lose it like that again."

            Beethoven continued, "Oh, but it gets worse.  He plans to send not only two people but half of the Thunderian population next time, and he led me to believe that he won't be selective then, save that it will be all the older members of all twin-pairs."

            "When will it be?" Wilykit asked.

            "During his speech that he'll hold after the concert tomorrow.  Oh, and he just prepared a fourth symphony.  It's very short, but it's every bit as good as his third.  Surprising, seeing as how it's completely original.  My Tenth Symphony in b minor is ready, too.  I feel that the orchestra deserves its status."

            "May we hear it?" asked Chatonne.  "Your Tenth Symphony?"

            "Yes, certainly."

            "Ah, Guillaume and I must go to our cousins' home," Antonio said.  "We must make sure they're all right."

            "May we come along?" Chatonne asked.

            "Certainly.  In fact, I think you two should come along."

            "Could we drive you to make it faster?"

            "Sure!  Thanks.  Our cars are back at home.  Actually, we've got four; we were eighteen when our parents were zapped away, and we had our own cars and driving licences by them."

            Beethoven said, "My symphony can wait.  The situation takes priority."

            Wilykit added, "Panthro can wait 'til you get back."

            "All right," said Chatonne.  "We're off.  Bye!"  The Tygra- and Cerebra-twins left for the garage.

            Wilykit said, "Well, Beethoven, what are you going to do?"

            "I am going to take advantage of my hearing and splendid recording technology," said Beethoven.  "I now get to listen to music easily instead of having to attend concerts just to hear orchestral works."

            "That's good.  I have some computer records to sort through.  I'll be down here if you need any assistance."

            "Very well.  See you later."  Beethoven left the living room and went upstairs.

            Wilykit's records had told her that the Cerebra and Farfâla families were the most highly respected below the Wily and Astutus families among the members of the Wilykat Race.  She was the most powerful member of her race, then came Wilykat.  He could take care of himself; he just did not like to.  He was used to Wilykit handling everything.  However, she was confident that, if she were sent to that galaxy and Wilykit were not, he could and would get his act together and deal with it.  She knew that he was just like her; neither of them liked being serious too much.  She knew him well; he would be a leader if he needed to.

            * * *

            The Imperial Palace, Plundarr, Galaxy of Leos, Q-niverse.

            S-s-slithe and Luna still inhabited the Imperial Palace of Plundarr.  It was more out of the loyalty of the Plundarrian common people than anything else.  "The shame of this-s-s!" said S-s-slithe.  "It is abominable that thos-s-se wretched Thunderians-s-s have been granted dominion over us-s-s Plundarrians."

            "Ooh, yes," Luna said.  "Had we not fallen into civil war again, that would not have happened!"

            "At least it wasn't racial this time!  The c-s-sivilians admired us as they were supposed to.  It was the cursèd military to whom the fault belongs, the disobedient offspring of those unmarried!"

            "The traitorous fools.  They ruined the Plundarrian Empire, which the Thunderians have kindly repaired as living conditions go.  Have you seen Mumm-ra?"

            "Not yet, but I hope the live Egyptian cadaver gets here s-s-soon.  He has-s-s been observing Ludwig's-s-s actions."

            In his powerful form, Mumm-ra appeared in the room.  "Good day, my cohorts in deviltry," greeted Mumm-ra.  The evil comrades were on friendlier terms now than they had been a millennium ago.  "I have interesting news.  I assume that you know that Ludwig van Beethoven has been resurrected by our leader."

            "Yes-s-s.  Word has reached every inhabited area of the universe.  Yes-s-s?"

            "Well, I spied on Emperor Ludwig and Ludwig van Beethoven just now.  Seems our emperor is most devious.  He just informed van Beethoven that he had sent six pairs of Thunderians to the unknown galaxy.  My report shall bear the finer details.  The important thing, however - and, by the ancients, it's absolutely astounding - is that Ludwig von Koopa plans to send half of the inhabitants of the Thunderian Kingdom there tomorrow during his post-concert speech!"

            Luna was astonished.  "Half the population of the Thunderian Kingdom!  Zounds!"

            "Of course, I sensed no intention of his doing that to your people."

            S-s-slithe liked this idea.  "Not bad.  Mumm-ra, you might persuade him to s-s-send one Wilytwin deliberately."

            "That is unnecessary, my dear S-s-slithe.  He already plans to do so.  Are you at all familiar with Tygra's offspring and the Cerebra-twins?"

            "Ooh, yes!  Chatonne and Gatinha, and Antonio and Guillaume.  Thos-s-se four are reputed to be as obnoxious-when-necessary as Wilykat and Wilykit."

            "They shall soon be initiated into Thunder-Cat-dom by Panthro.  I was thinking. . . we could give them some. . . some excitement, I believe!"

            "Good idea, Mumm-ra.  I shall s-s-summon Jackalman, Monkian, and Vultureman.  It shall be just like old times!  Yes-s-s?"

            "I shall rally Aluro, Tug-mug, Chilla, and Red-eye," Luna said.  "To the Thunderians' downfall!"

            * * *

            Casa di Farfâla, Tighra, D.F., New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            The Tygra- and Cerebra-twins pulled into the driveway of the home of Farfâla, which was separated from the main residential district.  When Antonio knocked at the front door, a young lady ten years younger than he answered.  Her appearance was quite similar to his, except that she was a little shorter.  "Hello, Natalia {nah-tah-lyah}," Antonio greeted.

            "Hi, Antonio," said Natalia.  "Do you know where our parents are?  They just. . . disappeared a few minutes ago!"

            "It's really bad, my dear.  Where's Leonarda {láy-ó-nahr-dah}?"

            "She's trying to find our parents with the computer.  Who's come with you and Guillaume?"

            "A couple of new friends of ours.  This is Tygrachatonne, and this is Tygragatinha, her younger twin.  Tygra-twins, this is Farfâla-natalia {fahr-fa-lah-nah-tah-lyah}, the older of the Farfâla-twins."

            "Good to meet you," Natalia said, shaking hands with Chatonne, then Gatinha.

            Chatonne said, "Likewise."

            "Good afternoon, Guillaume," said Natalia to Guillaume.

            "Hi, Natalia," Guillaume said.

            "Come in, all."  The Tygra- and Cerebra-twins entered.  Natalia closed the front door and led them into the living room.  "Please be seated."

            While everyone else was sitting, Guillaume asked, "Mind if I bring in Leonarda?"

            "Go ahead, cousin," said Natalia.  "She's in the computer room."

            "All right.  I'll be back in a moment."  Guillaume left.

            "So, Antonio, where are Mom and Dad?"

            "They've been transported to that unknown galaxy."  Natalia's eyes widened.

            "By what means?"

            "By our despicable emperor's evil powers."

            "What?  Oh, no!  Are you. . . are you going to try to do something to save them?"

            "I'll try.  I sense your fear.  I wish I could assure you that all will be well, but. . ."

            "I know," Natalia said maturely.  She looked at the Tygra-twins.  "Unless I'm mistaken, you're the Tygra-twins as in the daughters of the former Lord per tempo of the Thunder Cats and as in the kingdom's foremost mathematicians and most famous musicians."

            "We are the same," said Chatonne.

            "How did you encounter my dear cousins?"

            Antonio said, "I'll explain it.  Guillaume and I were visiting the Kakariko Village on Hyrule this morning.  We were drawn to a commotion; an imperial official was evicting a penniless Hyrulian family.  Well, you know how short Guillaume's fuse is."

            "That twit cousin of mine rushed in."

            "Yes.  And for his assault, he got carted off to the Palace of Power."

            "Oh, God!  And what was your action?  Was it decisive as usual?"

            "I admit that I had none.  All I did was find a secluded bench and cry confusedly.  That lasted a couple of minutes until the Tygra-twins located me."

            "Aw.  Should've called me, Antonio."

            "I'm sorry; I didn't think of it.  Anyway, Chatonne and Gatinha found me.  I told them what was wrong, and they took my case to the Wilytwins."

            "I see!  Continue."

            "Wilykit - she insists not to be called Lord Wilykit - took the Tygra-twins and me to the Empress MotherBrain.  The empress released my brother.  You recall that Prince Larry Koopa, brother of Emperor Ludwig von Koopa, said yesterday that we Thunderians have no business helping other peoples?"

            "Yes, the nauseating slimeball."

            "Well, the empress granted us the right."

            Chatonne shook her head.  "I don't trust that overgrown cerebrum.  MotherBrain has proven to be quite deceptive to the N-Team in the past.  Her evil. . . she hides it very well."

            Antonio agreed.  "Yes.  I felt it, but just a tad.  If she can hide it telepathically, she is a very dangerous individual."  Guillaume arrived with Leonarda.  "Ah, Leonarda.  Good afternoon."  He brought Leonarda and Guillaume up-to-date on all that had been said while Guillaume was fetching Leonarda.

            Leonarda then said, "Nice to meet you, Tygra-twins."  She shook hands with Chatonne, then Gatinha.

            "Likewise, Leonarda," Gatinha said.  "How are you Farfâla-twins related to the Cerebra-twins?"

            "Our mother is their father's twin, and our father is their mother's twin," Natalia explained.  "Speaking of parents.  Antonio, do you know where yours are?"

            "Same place as yours," said Antonio.

            "By the same dirty little rat?"

            "Yes, darn him.  In fact, six pairs of Thunderians in all have been sent."

            "That's not the worst of it," Guillaume said.  "After the concert tomorrow, that stinking little Tortoisian, during his speech, plans to send half of the Thunderian population to that blasted galaxy.  Most likely all the older members of twin-pairs."

            Chatonne smiled.  "He shall not succeed.  Wilykit will be able to stop him."

            Leonarda said, "There's something I don't understand.  The Cardassian Union helped the emperor to conquer the Milky Way Galaxy.  Why does he treat them like dirt?"

            "I wish I knew.  Wilykit may understand his evil mentality more.  After all, she has known him longer."

            "I see.  So, cousins, do you know if you'll join the Thunder Cats?"

            "Way ahead of you, my dear Leonarda," Antonio said.  "Wilykit has reviewed our application.  We're going back soon for our initiation.  Come along if you wish."

            Natalia said, "Thank you; I think we shall, especially considering that we're only ten years old and we have no parents to look after us."

            "Oh, yes; that.  We'll bring it up."  He turned to Chatonne.  "Does your car have capacity for six?"

            "Yes," Chatonne replied.

            * * *

            Casa di Tygra, New Thundera.

            Panthro and Wilykat arrived.  "Good afternoon, Panthro," Wilykit said.

            "Hello, 'Kit.  I know the Cerebra-twins.  Your brother seems a bit upset that you chose me to initiate them and the Tygra-twins rather than him."

            "A bit upset!" Wilykat exclaimed.  "Now there's an understatement!  It's no wonder she doesn't trust me with responsibility; she never gives me any at all so I can prove to her that I deserve some!"

            "Brother, it's not that," said Wilykit.  "Panthro has experience."

            "I know, but I want to do it!"

            "Wilykat, please don't whine.  It does not befit you, my brother.  Just control yourself."

            Wilykat calmed himself before he spoke again.  "I'm sorry, Wilykit.  I just want to know how I'm to learn of experience and responsibility if I'm never given the chance."

            "Being as patient as you just were might help you get that chance, Wilykat."

            Panthro said, "I have an idea, Wilykit.  I'll initiate the Tygra-twins; Wilykat will watch what I do and learn as much as he can from that.  Then, he can initiate the Cerebra-twins with what he will have learned."

            "Good idea.  What do you think, Wilykat?"

            Wilykat said, "I'm satisfied with the chance.  I think it's fair enough."

            "Of course, if you become unsure, you could pull out.  I see no shame in that."

            "Whatever.  Where went the Tygra-twins and Cerebra-twins?"

            Wilykit said, "When Beethoven returned a few minutes ago, he informed them and me of one of Ludwig's master schemes.  The reptilian rat has been sending one pair of Thunderians annually to the mysterious galaxy for the past five years; he sent the Cerebra-twins' parents in early '93, about two years ago.  Until today, five pairs of people were missing because of that, to include the Cerebra-twins' parents, of course.  Today, that dirty, rotten snake has just sent the parents of the Cerebra-twins' cousins, the Farfâla-twins."

            Panthro hit the inside of his left hand with his right fist.  The pop was loud.  As deep in his bass voice as he could, he said, "That rotten little turtle!  I'm well acquainted with the Cerebra-twins, the Farfâla-twins, and the parents of each.  I'll be darned - and I'd use another word if I could! - if I'm letting that fang-faced iguana-brain get away with this!"

            "Panthro, please calm yourself before I command you to.  Ludwig von Koopa is too powerful for you, but, thanks to several people, I do have a clever scheme concocted.  The emperor plans to send half this kingdom's population to that galaxy tomorrow, but I can render him powerless to do so with my dear brother's help."

            "I hope you can," Panthro said.

            "Wilykit, maybe I'm just paranoid," said Wilykat, "but isn't MotherBrain just a bit too co-operative with us?  It is she who rules the universe, technically."

            "Yeah," Wilykit said.

            "I do not trust her.  When this is over, let's talk to Kev, because that cerebral witch-with-a-B gives me the creeps."

            "Okay.  I think your concern is warranted."

            Panthro said, "I trust no Brain-Team member.  I constantly watch for 'em when I'm out in the open.  MotherBrain, Ludwig, and some others are way too devious for my taste, and the rest I just plain don't like."

            "I worry about a few of 'em," said Wilykat.  "Larry Koopa is one cunning little snake."

            "He, Ludwig, and MotherBrain are 'in cahoots,' so to speak," Wilykit said.  "It is natural, since they control the highest level of government in the universe.  The Ruling Trio.  Certainly, MotherBrain keeps the other two in check."

            Wilykat said, "But it's impossible that she completely control Ludwig!  He is Q-cubed."

            "Oh?  Is that impossible?  Think, brother.  She is deviously clever.  I sensed a bit of repressed anger in Ludwig.  He can in no way violate MotherBrain.  He figures it's telepathic, but it's not.  You are justified in mistrusting MotherBrain.  I want you to tell me why."

            "But. . . but how?  I don't understand it."

            "Remember Holmes's axiom.  Once everything else has been eliminated, the one remaining contingency, however improbable, must be the truth."

            "Wilykit, I don't even know what you're getting at."

            "Just think, like I do.  I know it's incredible, but we could be in bigger trouble than we thought."

            "But how could she control him?  How. . . oh, no.  Oh, dear God, Jesus, and Jaga!  Please tell me it's not true!  I never suspected her of being Q-cubed as well!"

            "She is devious," Wilykit said.  "I only just figured it out myself.  You can imagine that, if she could keep us from finding it out, Q may not have known."  Wilykat was about to hit the panic button.

            "Oh, Wilykit!  What do we do?"

            "Get a grip, for one thing, bro!  Let me think."

            Beethoven's approaching voice called, "Is all well?"

            "Not quite, Beethoven.  Come on in."

            Beethoven entered.  "What is the problem?  The emperor?"

            "MotherBrain.  First, Beethoven, meet Panthro.  Panthro, Ludwig van Beethoven."

            Beethoven shook hands with the strong Thunder Cat.  "Good afternoon, sir.  A pleasure to meet you."

            "Same here, Beethoven.  Many people like your music, and this Thunderian is no exception."

            "That pleases me very much.  Now, I sense that a new problem has made itself known."

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "It seems that the devious MotherBrain is successfully deceiving most into thinking that she is trustworthy.  My people have their justifiable doubts about her intentions."

            Beethoven said, "As do I.  During the days when her goal was simply VideoLand, she proved most devious and deceptive.  Now, she keeps Ludwig von Koopa, who is just a bit less powerful than either of you two Wilytwins, in check.  But how, one would wonder?  She is Q-cubed like he, of course.  What other explanation could be more accurate?"

            "You see very clearly, Beethoven.  Few could come to a conclusion just like that."

            "That's why I decided to bring it up with you.  If one listened to my Tenth Symphony in b minor carefully enough, one would know how to hide knowledge even from MotherBrain.  Oh, that lady's trillions of brain cells are quite clever, and it's difficult to detect every undulation, each musical nuance, in my newest piece.  But it was my inspiration; for once, I knew exactly what to write.  Perfect first time.  The orchestra did perfectly, and I must commend it again."

            The doorbell rang.  Wilykat said, "I'll get it."  He went to open the door.  Kevin was there.  "Well, good afternoon, Kevin."

            "Hello, Wilykat," Kevin said.

            "Enter, please."  Wilykat stepped aside to allow Kevin to enter.

            "Thank you," said Kevin upon entrance.  "Where's. . . Wilykit, I need to speak with you."

            Wilykit said, "Sure, Kevin.  What's bothering you?"

            "Some unusual computer phenomenon.  I don't know where it came from, but. . . well, I'll show you."

            "I'll bring in a laptop computer.  Wilykat, intros."

            "In-. . . oh, yeah," said Wilykat as 'Kit left.  "Kevin, meet Ludwig van Beethoven.  Beethoven, this is Kevin Keene, also called Captain N, second-in-command of the Extended N-Team."

            Kevin shook hands with Beethoven.  "Beethoven, it is quite an honour to make your acquaintance."

            "It is an honour to meet you, as well," Beethoven said.  "What do you prefer being called?"

            "Kevin.  To most of my enemies, to those who don't know me, or to those who just plain refer to me formally, I'm Captain N.  Almost no one refers to me as Mr. Keene."

            "I see.  Well, I would ask people to call me Ludwig, but I want no one to confuse me with Ludwig von Koopa, who always goes by Ludwig."

            "That would be a fix, wouldn't it?"

            "It certainly would.  I would charge the fiend with structural plagiarism if his music were not as original as it is."

            "What do you mean?"

            "He stole the credit for creating some symphonic structures that had already been created by a duo of composers whose names only he and probably MotherBrain know.  However, one would agree that the music is great."

            "His music is absolutely the only thing I like about him.  Are you working on something?"

            "I have already completed my Tenth Symphony.  Thanks to superb technology of which I could not avail myself in the century of Napoleon, I finished the hour-and-a-half opus in a couple of hours.  The inspiration came almost at once, and I immediately began.  It is great to be able to put down one's ideas so quickly!  Since my hearing has been restored and I no longer require the presence of a real full orchestra to listen to music performed by a real full orchestra, I no longer must be content simply to have written music; I can also listen to what I've written.  The Thirtieth Century's technology is wonderful.  No more messy erasures.  Don't you just hate messy erasures?"

            "Yes, I do.  Makes reading the music difficult.  Your later works are generally more complex than your earlier ones."

            "Yes.  One factor is increasing experience.  Another is what came through experimentation.  As most people know, and you probably do too, my emotional crisis came in the early 1800's.  I came to know intense pain when my hearing left me.  It influenced what I created.  Though I can thankfully hear again, I still understand greatly the pain through which a being can go."

            "I'm back," said Wilykit, entering with a laptop computer.  She set it up on the table in the middle of the room and turned it on.

            "The glitch - or whatever it is - is located in the southern region of the VideoLand computer grid, 'Kit," said Kevin.

            "All right," said Wilykit.  She examined the area he had specified.  "Where. . . never mind.  I see it."  She zoomed in.  "Some cybernetic entities that have been transformed into digital information.  They're heading for the grid junction; from momentum, they'd go toward the Palace.  However, I shall interrupt their tunnel."  She tapped some keys.  Soon, she said, "They're heading for this laptop computer.  I've just severed the computer from the rest of digital subspace so that only it will be affected if these cyber-entities prove hostile."

            "Okay.  Wilykit, do you have a plan for overthrowing Emperor Ludwig von Koopa?"

            "Certainly.  Wilykat and I do, thanks to the Tygra-twins and Beethoven.  You see, conducting takes up most of the emperor's concentration.  So, while he conducts tomorrow, I can sneak into his mind to the location of his Q-cubed powers and carefully remove them.  Wilykat will help by keeping Ludwig's consciousness directed towards conducting and away from his powers."

            "That's great.  Also, Link's scheme can be enacted simultaneously.  With the Triforce, which he and Princess Zelda control, he can make Ludwig von Koopa seem just a little tired.  Naturally, the emperor will direct practically all his energy to conducting."

            "Ah, yes!  Good scheme.  It may make my part easier, and doubtlessly Wilykat's.  Yet, you should know something."

            "What?"

            "Who is our worst enemy?"

            "Ludwig."

            "I knew you'd say that.  Close.  I'll give you a hint, though.  Same family; too young; wrong gender."

            "MotherBrain?  Oh, gosh, yes!  I knew that she was too good to be true, but I never thought it that far out.  Is she Q-cubed?"

            "Yes.  How else can she control Ludwig?  Ah.  Nothing like a nasty surprise, right?"

            "That cerebrum has always been my worst enemy!  Please forgive my language, but damn me!  I should have known, for all the records I've broken!  However, I'm not going to go on and call myself an utter idiot like Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot {ehr-kül pwah-ró} did themselves all the time.  She lets Ludwig and Larry get away with much, though she does keep them on a sufficiently tight leash.  She still keeps Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo around, but she doesn't mistreat them as much anymore."

            Wilykat said, "Naw; she has Cardassians to kick around now."  The Tygra-twins, Cerebra-twins, and Farfâla-twins entered from the garage.  "They're back!"

            Chatonne said, "Indeed we are.  Hello, Captain N."

            "Hello, Chatonne," Kevin replied

            "You have met the Cerebra-twins, I know."  The Cerebra-twins came in.

            "I certainly have," said Kevin.  "Hello, Antonio and Guillaume."

            Antonio said, "Hi, Kevin.  I still remember how hard it was keeping up with you."

            Kevin smiled.  "Well, I tried."

            "Had I been working alone," Guillaume admitted, "I'd probably have been beaten by you."

            "Now, Guillaume, is that any way to talk?"

            "It's true!  I needed Antonio to keep me straight."

            "I know," Antonio said.  "I think that only Panthro has met the Farfâla-twins, my brother's and my cousins."

            Guillaume said, "Everyone, the young ladies are Natalia and Leonarda.  My cousins, these are Wilykit, Wilykat, Kevin, and the great Ludwig van Beethoven.  You know Panthro."

            "Hello, Farfâla-twins," greeted Wilykit kindly.  "Welcome to the casa di Tygra."

            "Hello, ma'am," Natalia said.  "How do you wish us to address you?"

            "Don't worry about formality.  'Wilykit' suits me just fine."

            "All right, Wilykit.  You know about our predicament?"

            "Yes, Natalia.  If I can, I'll bring back your parents, but I can make no guarantees."

            "We understand."

            "Meanwhile, you need someone to take care of you."

            "That's a problem.  You see, our parents and our cousins' parents were born aboard the Effugium days after the Astutus-twins were born."

            "I know, from my computer records.  The people alive to whom you are most closely related are the Cerebra-twins."

            "Right."

            "I have to think about this."

            Chatonne said, "Pardon me, Wilykit, but when will we begin the initiation?"

            Wilykit said, "Just as soon as I explain how it will be done."

            * * *

            Brim*Star, Limbo, Milky Way Galaxy.

            The evil Mon*Star was conferring with his malicious Mob.  They had developed a plan of infiltrating the N-Team and were waiting until Hardware was ready to enact it.  "So," Mon*Star asked, "are we prepared to effect our despicable plan?"

            "Yes, boss," said Hardware, Mon*Star's monstrous mechanic.  "My device shall be undetectable to their devices."

            "Are you sure, Hardware?"

            "Yes, Planet Master.  Hopefully, the Silver Hawks will believe Melodia."

            Melodia smiled.  "They have no reason to doubt me.  As you know, I am Bluegrass's partner in music.  I'll tell them you fired me for that before hearing my case, Mon*Star.  That'll fool them."

            "A devious scheme," said Mon*Star.  "Very well.  Hardware, wire her, then call Seymour.  Melodia, don't try anything foolish.  Those bird-brains are resourceful and observant."

            "I completely agree, Mon*Star.  Not even Steelheart will know what hit 'em when we're through!  And the 'injuries' you will inflict on me will fool them!"  Little did Mon*Star know that this was really an elaborate scheme to fool him and the rest of the Brain-Team.

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

            Quicksilver and Bluegrass were monitoring Hawkhaven's tactical status.  Steelwill and Copper-Kidd were regulating the massive satellite's central power system.  Hotwing and Flashback were making sure that the place continued to orbit Bedlama.  Condor and Moonstriker were supervising communications.  Steelheart and Stargazer were monitoring all, making sure nothing went unnoticed.

            Ever since the Silver Hawks had recently installed a movement system to give Hawkhaven the power to move quickly to a trouble spot, they had had no end of problems with power distribution.  Finally, they had developed a method of controlling this, but the master monitor had to be watched constantly, or the drive systems had to be shut down entirely.  If the drive systems were deactivated, though, they had to be reinitialised properly before being run again.  Reinitialisation was a very tiring process, and the whole procedure of shutting down and reinitialising was inadvisable unless absolutely necessary.  The power systems - the only ones that would support Hawkhaven - did not like the propulsion systems, not one bit.  And these propulsion systems were those that were the most compatible with the power systems.  At least nothing major had gone wrong yet.

            "Reinitialisation complete," Steelwill said.  They had had to shut down the systems to attend Wilykit's recoronation ceremony.

            "Our orbit remains stable," said Hotwing.

            Steelheart said, "Thank you, Will and Hotwing."

            "Seymour is approaching Hawkhaven's perimeter," Bluegrass reported.

            "Bluegrass, Will, and Moonstriker, go down and greet him and his transportee when they enter," Steelheart said.

            Bluegrass, Steelwill, and Moonstriker said, "Aye, ma'am."

            * * *

            Once the cab arrived, Seymour popped out of the right-hand door.  Ludwig had regulated that all worlds in the Milky Way Galaxy were to be left-sided like VideoLand.  Steelwill and the other two hawks knew he was horrified.  "Oh, Silver Hawks, it's awful!"

            "What is?" asked Steelwill, concerned.

            "That damned Mob is to blame!  What they did to her!  Ya know what I mean?"  He never cursed unless he was extremely distressed.

            "Whom?" asked Bluegrass.  The rear door on the passenger side opened, and Melodia limped out.  "Melodia!"  He ran over to help her.

            Melodia had many cuts and bruises.  "Mon*Star, Hardware, and Mo-Lec-U-Lar did - hack! - this."

            "With little justification, I bet," Moonstriker said.  "Did they offer any explanation?"

            "Accused me of spying on them for you since you came to Limbo!  The idiots thought that becoming Bluegrass's partner in music was a prelude to having you go out to Brim*Star and seize the Mob at the right moment."

            Seymour said, "No fare this time.  I'm outta here; ya know what I mean?"

            "Thanks, Seymour," said Melodia.  Seymour got in his cab and left.

            Bluegrass helped Melodia.  "Don't worry, Melodia.  We'll have Quick look at you."

            * * *

            "Nothing major is wrong," said Quicksilver, scanning Melodia.  "I'll fix the cuts and bruises."  He did so.

            Melodia said, "Thank you, Quicksilver."

            "Okay," said Steelheart.  "Will, monitor the tactical station; make sure the Mob is behaving.  Bluegrass, show our guest to some decent quarters where she may have her attire repaired.  Quick, you come with me."  Everyone did as ordered.  Steelheart led Quicksilver to her office.

            * * *

            "What is it, Steelheart?" asked Quicksilver.

            "I don't trust her, Quick.  She's up to something."

            "Yes, I think so, too.  She was injured, but all the damage was entirely superficial.  To me, it appeared too deliberate for the way she said she had been attacked.  Hardware's equipment could have easily done this without causing her any real pain or any serious damage.  We could have been set up."  Steelheart crossed her arms.  Quicksilver knew this meant that she was thinking about what he had said.

            "You have good medical and physical evidence; mine is psychological.  What she said was a tad too rehearsed for my liking.  She seemed confident.  I'll see what my telepathy says."  She did so.  "Blast her!  She was sent to serve as an infiltrator.  She has a nearly undetectable spy transmitter."

            "Why, that sly woman!  I detected odd microscopic pieces of metal in one of her pockets.  Shall we get Bluegrass to get her?"

            "No, Quick.  I want to know why we've been infiltrated.  If you tell anyone, tell that person to keep quiet, especially in Melodia's range of hearing.  Don't tell Bluegrass at all unless I tell you to; he might let it slip accidentally."

            "Yes, ma'am."

            "Dismissed.  Quicksilver, let's not let our feelings get in the way of our job, all right?"

            "Agreed.  Like me, you're worried about Bluegrass, aren't you?"

            "Yes.  I must add that Melodia feels very confused.  She has promised to serve against us once more, but now she's really fond of Bluegrass.  She really doesn't know what to do."

            "I see.  What should we do?"  Steelheart shrugged.

            "I wish I knew, Quick.  Why don't you get Tally-Hawk and send 'im to Brim*Star?  At least he still has his Silver Hawk armour, and he can send us a video of what's going on out there."

            "I'll do that, Steelheart."