"I know.  So long."  He left by turbo-elevator.

            Mon*Star's voice laughed over Melodia's communicator.  "Excellent diversion, Melodia!" Mon*Star said.

            Melodia knew whom she had really diverted.  "Why, thank you, Mon*Star.  I suggest Buzz-Saw and Mumbo-Jumbo be sent to the casino.  Once our little sparrow is there,. . ."

            "Exactly.  Once Kidd leaves, go down and meet Dr. Wily."

            "Yes, boss.  Melodia out."  She typed a message for Kidd's computer.

            * * *

            Hangar, Hawkhaven.

            Kidd received the message.  He got his Space Racer, turned on its computer, and set it to go out to the casino.  He hated to do it, but the Space Racer was expendable; it could easily be replaced.  It had been around for over a thousand years, and it seemed a part of him.  For the sake of the plan, the vehicle had to be sacrificed.  Once the program was in place, the Space Racer left for the Star*Ship Casino.  Kidd then ran silently to the entrance to the maze that comprised the lower levels of Hawkhaven and went to the power room to wait.  He had decided to change around the signs in order to complicate the route to the power room, where he would knock out the mad scientist.

            * * *

            Melodia arrived in the hangar moments after Kidd had left.  Soon, after Kidd had had the time to rearrange the signs as he had planned, Dr. Wily materialised in the room.  "Hello, my dear Melodia," Wily said.

            "Good day, Dr. Wily," greeted Melodia.  "Ready to trash the Silver Hawks' abode?"

            "Yes, ma'am."

            "The entrance is right over there."  She indicated it.  "I'll stay up here and misdirect the Silver Hawks as necessary, should they return."

            "Ah!  And how do I find my way to the power room?"

            "There are signs in there indicating the way.  I followed them."

            "Very good.  Thank you!  I shall tell you when I reach the power room so that you have ample time to make your getaway."

            "Thank you, Doctor.  Mon*Star's hearing every word of this."

            "Good.  I shall report my progress."  He entered the maze to the power room.

            Good luck! Melodia thought sarcastically.  Hopefully, Kidd's made your path difficult.

            * * *

            Control Room, Brim*Star.

            Mon*Star and Yes-Man laughed.  "Well, Yes-Man," said Mon*Star, "the Copper-Kidd will be no problem!"

            "Hee, hee!  He sure won't!  I'll send out Mumbo and Buzz-Saw!  Yes, yes!"  Yes-Man left to get Mumbo-Jumbo and Buzz-Saw.

            Mon*Star pressed a button.  "Larry, this is Mon*Star.  Please come in."  Larry appeared on the screen.  Mon*Star's apparent good humour salvaged some in Larry.

            "Good evening, Mon*Star," Larry responded.  "What have you to report?"

            "It would appear that there will soon be an explosion in the vicinity of Bedlama," Mon*Star said.

            Larry smiled his evil smile.  "Good."

            "Now, most of the Mob is stuck in the Penal Planet."

            "Very well.  Once I have spoken with MotherBrain and Ludwig about this, I'll see to it that Lockup releases them.  And if he doesn't, then Ludwig will transport them to Brim*Star himself."

            "Thank you, Larry.  What other good guys are going to get it?"

            "The Justice Ducks," said Larry.  "Liquidator and Negaduck are sending some of the Fearsome Ten to Darkwing Tower to ambush them when they return."

            "Very well."

            * * *

            Hangar, Hawkhaven.

            The Silver Hawks soon arrived back at Hawkhaven.  Melodia was ready for them; she had typed them a message on a data padd and was going to hand it to Steelheart while giving them some junk to throw Mon*Star off some more.  "Hello, Silver Hawks," said Melodia.  When Steelheart came to Melodia, Melodia handed the padd to her.  Steelheart held it so that everyone could read it.  Melodia said, "Copper-Kidd left to the Star*Ship Casino to take care of a device that Hardware's working on. . . a super-powerful laser cannon."

            After reading the pad, Steelheart said, "I see.  Do you suppose he needs some help?"

            "It might not be a bad idea," Melodia said.

            To aid in throwing Mon*Star off, Bluegrass asked, "What about the power systems?"

            "I've been watching them from this computer console over here," Melodia said.  "They're all fine."  There was none, but Mon*Star could not see that.

            "Very well," said Steelheart.  "We'll go out to the casino.  You stay here and keep an eye on the monitor."  She winked, showing she had no intention of going anywhere.  She turned to Bluegrass.  "Fire 'er up, cowboy."

            "Aye, aye, Steelheart," said Bluegrass, getting the idea.  He went to the cockpit of the Mirage and activated the motor.

            "Flashback, you take the Sprint Hawk," said Steelheart.

            "Yes, ma'am," said Flashback.  He went over to the Sprint Hawk and turned on its engines.

            "Stargazer, on your interplanetary motorcycle," Steelheart said.

            "Yes, ma'am," Stargazer said.  He activated his motorcycle.

            "Condor and Moonstriker, you two lead the way," said Steelheart.  She went over to them and whispered (so that Mon*Star would not hear), "Try to keep Buzz-Saw and Mumbo-Jumbo from destroying the vehicles, all right?  I don't want to have to rebuild them."

            "Right," Condor whispered back.  As if to everyone, Condor said, "Let's go, guys!"  He left with his wing-pack; Moonstriker used his turbine.  As Condor and Moonstriker left, the empty vehicles followed them on auto-pilot.  Using the noise as cover, Steelheart and Steelwill zipped into the maze to the power room, and the others zipped into the elevator and went to the Command Centre.

            Once the vehicles had left, Mon*Star called once more.  "They may get Mumbo and Buzz-Saw," Mon*Star said, "but at least they'll be out a home!"

            "Yes," said Melodia enthusiastically, hiding her lie well.

            Mon*Star said, "Once Dr. Wily tells you that he's fouled up the Silver Hawks' power systems, transport back here.  How much longer will he be, anyway?"

            "I'm not sure," said Melodia.  "That blasted maze is rather long.  As I said, I followed it myself, though it was with supervision."

            "Yes.  Well, see you later, Melodia."

            "Later, Mon*Star."

            * * *

            Power Room.

            Dr. Wily finally arrived at the power room.  "Here I am," he said.  "Phew!  That maze sure was long.  Now to blow this joint!  Heh, heh!"  When he opened the door, Kidd jumped him.  "Yah!"

            "Not so fast!" Kidd said.

            "You!  I thought Melodia sent you off!"

            "Think again, Doctor!  By the way, will Ludwig be needing you tomorrow for his concert?"

            "No.  Why?"

            "Just asking."  Kidd smacked Dr. Wily in the forehead. . . not too hardly, but hardly enough to knock him out for an hour.  "Now, to get you out of here."

            Steelheart's voice said, "Steelheart to Copper-Kidd.  Come in, please."

            Kidd tapped his communicator.  "Yes, Commander.  I have just apprehended Dr. Wily."

            "Oh!  Very well.  Will and I are coming; just hold tight."

            "Yes, ma'am."

            * * *

            Command Centre.

            All the Silver Hawks, except Condor and Moonstriker, were in the Command Centre, while Melodia was still in the hangar.  "Now, we have another problem," said Steelheart.  "It's that communication device Mon*Star planted on Melodia."

            "I can isolate the metal fragments composing the device," Steelwill said.  "I can then transport them elsewhere."

            "Very good.  Will Mon*Star know of it?"

            "No.  However, I could use Kidd's assistance with the finer details of transport."

            "Very well.  You two get to work on it."

            "Yes, Steelheart."

            Kidd said, "Yes, Commander."

            Steelheart said, "Meanwhile, everyone else man a post.  Bluegrass, keep an eye on the hangar.  Report anything more unusual than Melodia's presence."

            "Yes, Steelheart," said Bluegrass.  He went to the security monitors.  His relationship with Melodia was mostly his fault, he knew.  It was he who had suggested they form a musical duo.  The venture proved very successful, though.  He had let the relationship progress, but he did nothing to counteract it because it felt right, in fact the most right thing ever in his life.  He knew that he had influenced Melodia very much.  After she had told him what kind of parents hers were, he finally understood part of why she had been the way she was.

            Steelheart had confirmed that, now, Melodia was no longer so vulnerable to Mon*Star's empty promises.  So vulnerable, indeed, she had been when she joined the Mob; Melodia had added that Timestopper was a lot like her in that regard, except that he had not waited so long to become criminalistic.  Bluegrass felt good knowing that he had given her a chance of redemption and that she seemed to have taken it.  Of course, she still needed a little psychological help, but that wasn't too difficult to arrange.  The N-Team had two top psychologists. . . Deanna Troi and Cheetara, who sometimes worked together.

            Steelwill said, "All right, Kidd.  Target locked in."

            "Right," Kidd said.  "The specific particles are located."

            "Now, where to?"

            "How about the Artificial Sun?"

            "Good idea."  Steelwill entered the co-ordinates, and Kidd pressed the transport button.  The communicator device on Melodia was transported to the energy emitter in the Artificial Sun of Limbo, where it melted, piece by piece.  "Excellent!" Steelwill said.  "Now, we don't have to worry about Mon*Star listening in."

            Dr. Wily had reawakened.  He was tied up.  "You won't get away with this!" Wily cried.  "When the emperor finds out about this, he'll fry you!"

            "Oh, yeah?  Let 'im try," Steelheart said.

            * * *

            Control Room, Brim*Star.

            Mon*Star was pacing all around the room.  "Darn," he said.  "What the heck is taking so long?  Dr. Wily sure is poky!"

            "Poky!" said Yes-Man.  "Oh, yes, boss!"

            "Shut up, Yes-Man!  I need to speak with Melodia again."  Yes-Man hit a button on the control console.  "Melodia, what's taking Wily so long?"  No response.  "Melodia?"  No response.  "What is wrong, Yes-Man?"

            "The signal isn't reaching the receiver," said Yes-Man.  "-Gasp!-  The receiver isn't there!!"

            "WHAT?!?"

            "The communication device Hardware hid on her is gone!"

            "How in the world did that happen?"

            "Probably transported out by the good guys."

            "Why, when I get my hands on Hardware, I'll kill him!"

            "What about Melodia, boss?"

            "Can we still get her back?"

            "The Silver Hawks are blocking our signal lock."

            "Blast."

            "Wait a minute," said Yes-Man.  "We are receiving a communiqué from Condor and Moonstriker!"

            "What's it say?"

            "It says, 'Fooled you, Mon*Star!  The other Hawks are all at Hawkhaven!  Dr. Wily has been apprehended.  Don't expect Melodia back any time soon, either!  You'd better call back any Mob members from the casino before we catch them!  Most sincerely, Condor and Moonstriker.' "

            Mon*Star was angry.  "Why, those blasted birds!  I'll get Condor and Moonstriker myself!  Yes-Man, prepare for transformation!"

            "Ooh, yes, boss!" said Yes-Man.

            Larry warped in.  "Hold it, Mon*Star," he said.  "Where are you going?"

            "The casino," said Mon*Star.  "Condor and Moonstriker require a lesson.  Too bad the other Silver Squawks won't be there for the beating."

            Larry said, "You needn't bother.  MotherBrain doesn't mind getting the rest of the Mob off the Penal Planet, but it's a different story with you.  I strongly advise against going."

            "Very well, Prince," Mon*Star said.

            "I also advise you get Mumbo and Buzz-Saw out of the Star*Ship Casino and leave a message for the Silver Dorks."

            "Yes, Larry.  What about Melodia?"

            "I'm afraid we won't be able to get her back, Mon*Star.  Bluegrass has had a profound effect on her.  He's made her recognise her error, allowed for mostly by her lax parents."

            "You mean she's converted?"

            "That is true, my dear Mon*Star."

            "Oh, well.  Yes-Man, send the message to Buzz-Saw and Mumbo-Jumbo.  Tell them to leave before Condor and Moonstriker get there."

            "Yes, Mon*Star," said Yes-Man.  He did as Mon*Star had ordered.

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven.

            Melodia was pleasantly surprised.  "It's gone?"

            "Beamed into space," said Steelheart.  "Now, you won't have to worry about Mon*Star spying on you."

            "Thank you, Commander.  I don't know what to say."

            "Not a lot.  However, I advise that you let either Cheetara or Counsellor Troi analyse you."

            "Who's closer to us, distancewise?"

            "Counsellor Troi," said Steelwill.  "Assuming, of course, that Cheetara's back on New Thunderius."

            Bluegrass said, "I'll take you, Melodia.  I know the way to Betazed."

            "Thank you, Bluegrass," said Melodia.

            "Go ahead," Steelheart said.  "Wait a minute.  How will you get there?"

            "My electric warping pickup truck is here," Bluegrass said.

            "All right.  I was hoping you wouldn't have to transport into that sixth of the galaxy.  You know that the transporter doesn't like to transport anyone into the Federation, since Ludwig kept the Q-gate up."

            "Correct.  I'll send up my road plan once I make sure my truck's hot to trot."

            "Good.  Have fun."

            "See you later, Commander," Bluegrass said.  He and Melodia entered the turbo-elevator.

            "He's a little tense," said Steelheart.

            "Don't worry about him," Steelwill said.

            "I'm not worrying, Will.  He's done the right thing.  He's helped bring Melodia to her senses.  Let's talk in my office."

            "Certainly, Steelheart."  Steelheart and Steelwill went into Steelheart's office.

            Steelheart said, "There's something you want to talk about, li'l bro."

            "Yes.  About you and Quicksilver."

            "-Sigh.-  I'm afraid that's what it was."  She sat on the couch; Steelwill joined her.  "At least you don't hog the couch from me like Wilykat used to from 'Kit."

            Steelwill smiled.  "We're too old for that."

            "Yeah.  Anyway, why are you concerned about my relationship with Quicksilver?"

            "Well, I just want to make sure you don't let a little thing like Ludwig ruin it."

            "I won't."

            "He told me he was in love with you in July 1993.  I knew you felt the same way about him, so I encouraged him."

            "Well, I'm glad you did.  I'm lucky, you know.  I have him as a boyfriend, and I have you as my brother."  She smiled.  "I couldn't ask for better."  She kissed him on the cheek.

            "I'm glad you're happy," said Steelwill, returning the smile.

            "I'm going to call Quicksilver and see how he's doing."  Steelheart got up and sat at her desk.  She operated the communication controls.  "Steelheart to Quicksilver.  Please come in."

            The screen activated.  "Quicksilver here," responded Quicksilver.

            "How's it going over there?"

            "Pretty well.  Jean-Léonard's back helping me until the Astucieux-twins are revived.  That will be shortly."

            "Very good.  How are you?"

            "I'm rather well, thank you.  And you?"

            "I'm doing pretty well, thank you, Quicksilver."

            "When we're done tending to the Astucieux-twins," said Quicksilver, "Dr. Picard's coming over.  We're going to work on that circumstance I was telling you about."

            "Oh, about the lethal build-up of fluid in Hyrulians' brains?"

            "In young heroes' brains, more specifically."

            "Ah, yes."

            Steelwill asked, "Quicksilver, do you think Link will get it?"

            "I warned him he might, yes," said Quicksilver.  "I also told Princess Zelda to keep a monitor on the fluids in his brain.  If this does happen to him, I may be able to drain the fluids before the buildup becomes lethal."

            "Very good," said Steelheart.  "Meanwhile, I think Steelwill and I might take a trip over to Hyrule and talk with Link and Zelda about this."

            "Very well, Steelheart.  See you both later."

            "See you later, Quicksilver," Steelwill said.  The screen turned off.

            Steelheart rose.  "Let's go, Will."

            * * *

            Palace Hospital, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            Quicksilver was examining Astucieux-frédéric {ahs-tü-syeuh-fráy-dáy-rék}, the one who had first stood up to Luna.  "He seems to be warming nicely," Quicksilver said, content.  "How is Astucieux-élisabeth {ahs-tü-syeuh-záy-lé-zah-beht} doing?"

            "She's still fine," said Jean-Léonard.  He kept a steady eye on the medical readouts.  "Quicksilver, I think I've gone and fallen in love with my principal 'cellist."

            Quicksilver turned around and smiled.  "Oh, really?"

            "Yes."  Jean-Léonard looked Quicksilver in the eye.  "Is it safe to revive her?"

            Quicksilver moved over to where he could see Astucieux-élisabeth's readouts.  "Why, yes.  Don't make her agitated, now."

            "I won't."

            Quicksilver injected a stimulant into her.  "You talk to her.  I'll watch her brother."

            "All right."  As Quicksilver moved over to Astucieux-frédéric, Astucieux-élisabeth gained consciousness.

            "Ooh, my head," she said.  She saw Jean-Léonard.  "Jean-Léonard.  Where am I?"

            "In Quicksilver's hospital," said Jean-Léonard.  "What do you last remember?"

            "The last thing I remember is being smacked in the head by Monkian's mace."

            "Ouch."

            "You can say that again.  Those blasted Plundarrians had already knocked out everyone in the city.  I was forced to watch.  Before that, though, when the Plundarrians arrived, my stupid brother got himself frozen by Chilla.  -Gasp!-"  She jumped to a sitting position and put her hands on Jean-Léonard's shoulders.  "Frédéric!!  Where is he!?"

            "Cool off," Jean-Léonard said comfortingly.  "Quicksilver's warming him.  Look."  Astucieux-élisabeth looked to her left.  She saw Quicksilver standing next to a machine.  Her brother was in it; colour was returning to him.  In profound relief she relaxed, her head hitting the pillow of her bed after she had released Jean-Léonard.

            "-Sigh.-  He's all right."

            "He will be all right," corrected Quicksilver.  "Future tense.  I wish I could do this more quickly, but only Chilla can safely thaw people frozen at absolute zero."

            "Wilykit led us to your rescue," said Jean-Léonard.  "Everyone else was knocked unconscious less violently than you were.  They were quickly revived."

            "Thank the Lord no one was permanently harmed," said Astucieux-élisabeth.

            Quicksilver asked, "Aren't you going to tell her you saved her, Jean-Léonard?"

            "You did?"

            Jean-Léonard smiled.  "Yes.  You were lying on the ground, unconscious.  Wilykit had led the Thunder Cats, Silver Hawks, and N-Team Base to Luna; I was part of the group.  Luna threatened to kill you, and Monkian swung his mace again, only trying to gain much more momentum than he had before.  Then, I used this."  He showed her his Laser Violin.  "Look.  Don't worry, Quicksilver; it's set for 'light show.' "  He played it, and a stream of notes came out and struck the wall harmlessly.  "I blasted Monkian's wrist; he let go of the mace, which fell onto Vultureman's foot!"

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Astucieux-élisabeth.  "Serves the buzzard right!  He's the one who ordered the Plundarrians to fan out and knock everyone out."

            "Well, we struck enough terror into their evil hearts," said Jean-Léonard.  "The Plundarrians warped back to Plundarr."

            "Doesn't surprise me in the least.  Thank you for rescuing me, Jean-Léonard."  Her smile conveyed more than friendly compassion.

            "It was no problem."  He kissed her on the cheek.

            "Mm.  I think you like me, Jean-Léonard."

            "Just listen to your telepathic impulses, my dear Élisabeth."

            She sat up and smiled.  "I like what you feel for me."  She turned to look at her brother.  "I wish my little brother weren't the way he was."

            "Chatonne said something about handling him," said Jean-Léonard.  "Beethoven also expressed a little irritation."

            "Yeah, well, someone has to teach him not to be short-tempered."

            "Well, you may be in for a little competition."

            "In what way?"

            "Well, there is someone named Cerebrantonio. . ."

            "I know of him!  Yeah.  I know what you mean.  I hear that guy can play a mean 'cello.  I'm a year older than he is, but I've been playing the 'cello for less time.  Also, he learned from the best teacher, Steelheart.  I was not so fortunate; my parents had already chosen Prince Luis de(Spike)Koopa, the benevolent cousin of that stinking, rotten emperor of ours.  Certainly, he's good, but not quite as good as Steelheart."

            "I was that fortunate," said Jean-Léonard.  "Steelheart is an excellent strings teacher."

            Quicksilver interrupted, "She is also an excellent player.  She keeps trying to teach me, but I refuse, telling her I don't have the time to practise.  I don't want to spend time trying to learn something if I can't practise it."

            Élisabeth said, "I see.  Guillaume and my brother know each other, though.  They took woodwind instruction from the same person at the same time."

            Jean-Léonard said, "I see.  Who's better?"

            "My brother never told me.  I haven't met Guillaume personally.  I only know him and Antonio through my brother."

            "Well, you'll be seeing them shortly enough," said Jean-Léonard.  "Ludwig van Beethoven is holding a rehearsal for another piece.  If you want the lowdown on it, I'll let you read me."

            "Okay."  She closed her eyes for a few seconds.  As she was reading, her eyebrows lowered.  When she finally opened them again, she said, "Our emperor is a fiend!"

            Quicksilver said, "Jean-Léonard!  Wesley intended. . .  Be careful, Astucieux-élisabeth.  As soon as your brother reawakens, you should transport to Wilykit's home.  You can't let the emperor catch you with that knowledge."  The doorchime rang.  "Who's there?"

            "It is Larry Koopa.  The one that's brother to the emperor."

            Élisabeth's excitement level raised.  Quicksilver could sense it.  "It might not be safe to come in at the moment," Quicksilver said.  "I'm running an important experiment, and if anything goes wrong, the whole palace may explode."

            "All right," Larry said, knowing no such experiment was being performed.  "I'll come back later."

            Élisabeth said, "Wise decision, Quicksilver.  I can't stand that little snake."

            Jean-Léonard said, "Neither can I.  He intentionally angers Thunderians. . . an unwise move."

            "Precisely why I politely told him to bug off," said Quicksilver.  "I don't want him tossing insults around, nor do I want a patient to make him a patient."

            The doorchime rang again.  "This is Dr. Beverly Picard."

            "Come on in," Quicksilver said.  The door opened, and Dr. Picard entered.

            "Hello, my son," said Beverly.

            "Hello, Mother," Jean-Léonard said.

            "Do you need some help with that, Quicksilver?"

            Quicksilver said, "No, thank you.  My thawer is working just as it should.  I just wish it could work a little more quickly.  With Thunderians I can raise the body temperature far more rapidly than with anyone else, but I still want to do it slowly."

            Jean-Léonard said, "Mother, this is Astucieux-élisabeth, principal 'cellist in the orchestra.  That's her younger twin brother, Astucieux-frédéric, principal flutist.  You know what happened."

            "Yes," said Beverly.  "I remember Wilykit told us about it.  How do you do, Élisabeth?"

            "Fine, thanks to your dear son," Élisabeth said.  "Do you know how he saved my life?"

            "Yes; Wilykit explained that, too.  If you were human, like Jean-Léonard, you might have been killed."

            Élisabeth said, "I was trying to stop the Plundarrians before they killed me or my people.  Guess I kind of blew it, because I don't know how to fight them.  My brother blew it first, though.  Frédéric has always been a little hot-tempered."

            "His body temperature is about ten degrees Celsius," said Quicksilver.  "I want it about seventeen before I remove him.  Fortunately, I can accelerate the warming speed a little."  He did so.  "A few more minutes, then he'll be out of here."

            "So, what's Father doing?" Jean-Léonard asked.

            "He's with some other members of our division," Beverly said.  "Playing poker."

            "I never got the hang of it.  But then, I'm too busy with other things."

            "So," Élisabeth asked, "are you part of the N-Team, too, Jean-Léonard?"

            "No, not technically," said Jean-Léonard.

            Beverly said, "You might consider it, son.  After all, look what you did to Monkian."

            "Yeah.  And Vultureman."

            "Yes."

            "Seventeen degrees, in the Thunderian safety zone," Quicksilver announced.  "Jean-Léonard, I could probably use a hand."

            "All right," Jean-Léonard said.  He went over to Quicksilver.

            "You tell the machine to release him," said Quicksilver.  "I'll get him out."

            "Yes, sir."  Jean-Léonard typed the command into the machine, and a door opened in the clear top.  Quicksilver gently pulled out Frédéric and put him on a bed.

            "Tricorder."  Jean-Léonard got a medical tricorder and handed it to Quicksilver.  "Thank you."  Quicksilver examined Frédéric's life-signs.  Élisabeth was at the bed in a second.  "Very good.  His temperature is rising as it should.  His heartbeat is returning to normal.  He is breathing regularly.  You keep an eye on him, Jean-Léonard.  Your mother and I need to get our notes."

            "All right," said Jean-Léonard.  Quicksilver handed him the tricorder.  Quicksilver and Beverly left for Quicksilver's office.

            "What notes?" Élisabeth asked.

            Jean-Léonard said, "Mother has done research on the Hyrulian heroes who have died in their sleep while dreaming, as has Quicksilver.  They've both come to the conclusion that it's caused by a build-up of too much of a certain fluid in the area of the brain that causes dreams.  I suggested they combine their research."

            "Good idea.  Maybe they'll be able to stop others from being killed by it."

            "There is something else," Jean-Léonard said.  "Link told me that his ancestor who originally 'destroyed' Ganon was travelling, gaining knowledge in lands under the Kingdom of Hyrule's jurisdiction.  During part of that travelling, the ancestor had a very vivid dream.  It was vivid enough for the ancestor to write down the whole adventure in detail.  At the end of the book, the ancestor wrote that he. . . I don't remember exactly.  He doubted or was unsure that it was actually a mere dream, I suppose.  There should be a copy of the book in the library.  Anyway, the ancestor had a little of the fluid, but not enough to cause death."

            "That sounds interesting," said Élisabeth.  "Do you suppose there may be a connection between that strange dream and these deaths?"

            "That is something I considered.  I wonder if Quicksilver or Mother will investigate that possibility."  His tricorder beeped.  "Your brother's heartbeat is normal.  His temperature is just about normal."  Quicksilver and Beverly returned from the office.  "He's just about returned to normal, Quicksilver.  Just a couple of tenths of a degree Celsius between his temperature and normal temperature."

            "Very good," Quicksilver said.  "I'll give him a stimulant."  He did so.

            "Here's your tricorder," said Jean-Léonard.  He returned it to Quicksilver.

            "Thank you," said Quicksilver.  "Just a moment."

            "I've been thinking.  You know that purported dream that Link's ancestor had?"

            "The one vivid enough for him to recount all the details?" Beverly asked.

            "Yes.  We've been wondering if that may have any connection with what you're researching."

            "It just might," said Quicksilver.  "Of course, we'll have to do further examinations."

            Frédéric slowly opened his eyes and sat up.  "Where. . ."

            "You'll be fine, brother," Élisabeth said.  "You're in Quicksilver's hospital.  I'll give you the lowdown in a few moments."

            Quicksilver did a final examination with the tricorder.  "You'll feel dizzy and a little cool for a moment, but it'll pass."

            "I see," said Frédéric.  "Now, where is that blasted Chilla?"

            "Calm down, brother," said Élisabeth.

            "Okay."

            "She froze you," Quicksilver explained.  "Then, the Plundarrians knocked out almost everyone in Tighra.  Finally, Monkian knocked out your sister with his mace."  Frédéric jumped to a sitting position.

            "What?  Let me at him!"

            Élisabeth said, "Calm down, brother!  Now!"

            "-Gulp!-  Yeah, okay, Élisabeth."

            "Look, you're not doing Beethoven justice by trying to get yourself a severe case of gangrene," Jean-Léonard said.

            "Jean-Léonard.  I didn't mean it.  I'm just like Guillaume; I'm too hotheaded."

            "I'll train it out of you," said Élisabeth.  "One day."

            "Let's go," Jean-Léonard said.  "At least, if the doctor says it's all right."

            "It's all right," said Quicksilver.  "No bill.  However, try not to get iced by Chilla again.  It's painfully slow reheating your body.  Your skin's a little warmer than the rest of your body right now, but you're fine."

            "Thank you," said Frédéric.  "What about my sister?"

            "She wasn't harmed much," Quicksilver said.  "She just had some microscopic cracks in the skull.  Nothing that would harm her, but I healed them anyway.  With those stinking Plundarrians a warp away, one can never be to careful."

            "What finally happened to those stinking Plundarrians?" Frédéric asked.

            "Wilykit and the N-Team scared them off," said Élisabeth.  "However, that was not before Jean-Léonard saved my life.  Monkian was going to try to smash my skull in again, but Jean-Léonard stopped him."

            "How?"

            "With this," said Jean-Léonard.  He showed them his Laser Violin.  "Observe."  He played.  A harmless music laser struck the wall.  "It's at very low power right now.  I had this at medium power and blasted Monkian's wrist, causing him to drop his mace on Vultureman's foot."

            "Ah!  Pretty good, principal violinist."

            "Thank you, principal flutist."

            "Now," Quicksilver said, "you should go."

            "See you later, Mom," said Jean-Léonard.  "See you, Quicksilver."  He tapped his communicator.  "Computer, where is Ludwig van Beethoven?"

            "He is a casa di Tygra on New Thundera," the computer replied.

            "Three to transport to his location."  Jean-Léonard and the Astucieux-twins were transported there.

            Beverly and Quicksilver looked at each other.  "Where is a copy of the transcription of that dream?" Beverly asked.

            "We can call one up on my computer," said Quicksilver.

            "Call it up, Quicksilver.  I have a thought about it."