Outside the Mushroom Capital, Mushroom World, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 066 950.68; June 12, 3012.

Ludwig had heard from Mon*Star, S-s-slithe, and Negaduck.  All four divisions of the Brain-Team were failing miserably.  The Mob had been surprised utterly by the appearance of the Kazara, which surprised Ludwig greatly.  He and MotherBrain now pulled Dr. Wily aside.  "Wily, it was your job to post androids at the shipyard," Ludwig said.  "The Romulans managed to take back the Kazara.  Explain!"

            "I did my job," protested Wily.  "I haven't heard a syllable about this."  He took his radio out of his jacket.  "CrashMan!  NapalmMan!  This is Dr. Wily.  Respond immediately!"  Silence.  "Drat.  Computer, current status of androids CrashMan and NapalmMan."

            Dr. Wily's computer replied, "They've gone to pieces, Doc."

            "No!  How?"

            "Romulan disruptors at maximum power dismembered the androids CrashMan and NapalmMan."

            "Curses!"

            "Rats!" shouted MotherBrain.  "Blast those Romulans!  We should've let them perish while we had the chance."

            "Oh, well," Ludwig said.  "I guess now is a good time, MotherBrain."

            "I agree, stepson.  It's time to take advantage of our advantage."

            * * *

            At Princess Peach's Castle, Guillaume and Antonio were attempting to take Ludwig's Q-cubed powers before Ludwig could notice.  Meanwhile, Kevin and the Wondertwins were watching the action.  "Got 'em!" shouted Guillaume victoriously.

            "Yes," Antonio said.  "While I remained ready to distract Ludwig's consciousness, Guillaume extracted the evil one's Q-cubed powers."

            Kevin said, "I'll take 'em, Guillaume."  He touched Guillaume's hand, and Q-cubed energy was passed from the latter to the former.  "Good work, guys."

            "Should we try MotherBrain?" Guillaume asked.

            "No!" exclaimed Zan, watching the action.  "She and Ludwig are about to try their powers."

            "That means that it's time for the Wondertwins and me to perform our little act," said Kevin.

            * * *

            MotherBrain said, "Ha!  Now, Ludwig!"  She and Ludwig tried to make their powers capture the N-Team in chains.

            However, Ludwig discovered abruptly that his powers were gone!  "What the hell!" he shouted.

            MotherBrain's powers seemed to backfire, and they chained the entire Brain-Team, instead, except for her!  "Hey!  Oh, no!  Not him again!"

            "Not whom?"

            Captain N, the Wondertwins, and the Cerebra-twins popped into existence.  "To which of these four handsome guys are you referring, MotherBrain?" Jayna asked.

            "It's not fair!  Damn you, Captain N!" shouted MotherBrain.

            "I'm not going to see the devil, MotherBrain," Kevin said calmly.  "If you don't use your powers to snap the Brain-Team divisions to Metroid immediately, all your pitiful team will be staying in the Diamond Prison of MegaLand forever."

            "Very well.  But this is not over, Captain N.  We shall destroy you one day."  She whipped her tentacles together, and the entire Brain-Team was transported to Metroid; their chains fell to the ground.

            "Nice work, all," Kevin told his teammates.  "Now, let's all go home."

            "Yes!" agreed all the N-Team Base, Mario-Team, and Enterprise-Team members simultaneously.

            * * *

            Congregation Hall, Brinstar, Metroid, VideoLand.

            MotherBrain stood before the whole team.  "First item," she said, very perturbed.  "You people need to keep in practice if we're to capture them!"

            "But, MotherBrain," complained Steelbeak, "they've got more and better weapons!"

            "That will be alleviated soon.  One more thing, Steelbeak:  when I am mad, do not speak out of turn!!  I shall excuse it this time, but in the future, I shall not be so kind.  As I was saying, we are seriously out of battle shape.  Second item.  That's what Steelbeak wanted to address.  We require better offensive and defensive weapons."

            "May I speak?" Wily asked.

            "Take notes, Steelbeak.  That's how you get your turn to speak.  What do you want to say, Dr. Wily?"

            "Creating new and better offensive and defensive devices is the first thing on my agenda for tomorrow.  All divisions should send their mad-genius-types and inventors to my lab here on Metroid at 10.00 tomorrow morning so we can discuss it."

            "Excellent suggestion," MotherBrain said, already feeling less angry.  "That is a teamwide order.  Now, third item.  Some of us were caught totally off-guard today, including Ludwig and me.  That should never happen again.  We all should be at least mentally prepared for what may happen because we don't need the N-Team to gain the advantage of the element of surprise."

            Luna raised her hand.  "May I ask a question, MotherBrain?"

            "Yes, Luna."

            "How did Captain N know to be here?"

            "I'm assuming the older Wilytwins got Mumm-ra riled enough so he'd tell them of this plot.  Then, I guess they permitted Captain N to come here solo."

            "That blasted mummy!"

            "This fiasco still hasn't stopped us from getting the Ring," snapped Ludwig.  "The junior Wilytwins won't be able to stop him when he shows up in Ganon's form."

            "Just in case," said Luna, "I'd like to go in and supervise that mummy."

            "Certainly," MotherBrain said.

            "I'd like to go, too, yes-s-s," S-s-slithe said.  "I also have a bone to pick with the mummy if he told Wilykit and Wilykat about this-s-s plot."

            "Then, my dear husband," asked Luna, "who would be in charge of our division?  No one else is capable."

            "Ah, yes-s-s.  You're correct, Luna."

            "However," MotherBrain said, "I'm sure Ludwig's first officer wouldn't mind going along."

            "I would not," said Liquidator.  "I can deliver a warning without fail for the wicked emperor of three universes."

            "Wonderful, Liquie," Ludwig said.  "Maybe you two can catch Mumm-ra at his pyramid on X-iverse Hyrule.  Here's a map."  He handed a rolled up sheet to Luna.  "Luna, of course, will be riding Amok."

            "Yes," said Luna.

            "Call Metroid by 21.00 Universal Standard tomorrow, and keep an eye on your watches!  A day on X-iverse Hyrule is a millisecond longer than a Universal Standard day."

            "Certainly, Ludwig.  What's your time?"

            Ludwig looked at his watch.  "It will be exactly 19.55 in ten seconds.  Five, four, three, two, one, zero."  At 'zero,' Luna and Liquidator synchronised their watches.

            "S-s-slithe," Luna said, "I left some orders on the desk in my office for the Plundarrian civil police."

            "I'll s-s-see that they get them, yes-s-s," said S-s-slithe.

            "Thank you.  Is it time for Liquidator and me to go, MotherBrain?"

            "Almost," MotherBrain said.  "One final bit of business.  Any edge we can get over the N-Team will be beneficial to us.  Any edge by almost any underhanded means.  Now, the meeting is adjourned.  Larry, please lead Luna, Amok, and Liquidator to the warp to the Rhineland, to where the river leaves from under the mountains."

            "Yes, MotherBrain," Larry said.  "Let's go, guys."  He led Luna, Amok, and Liquidator out to the warp.

            "Ludwig, here," said MotherBrain.  She touched his left hand with her right tentacle and gave him a copy of her Q-cubed powers.

            "Thank you, MotherBrain," he said.

            "Certainly."

            "That Cerebrantonio and his bright brother will pay for this in due time."

            * * *

            Wilykit, Wilykat, and Kevin's Cave, Rhineland, Light World, Hyrule, X-iverse.

            Wilykit was reading something on the computer terminal in the living room.  Wilykat came into the room and sat down next to her.  "What are you reading?" he asked.

            "Oh, nothing important."  She shut off the terminal and leaned back.  "-Sigh.-  I've been thinking about trying to contact Steelheart, Kevin, or Picard, but I don't want to interrupt them if they're at a critical battle point."

            "Hm.  Hey!"  He took the terminal and turned it on.  it showed where the Rhine emerged from the cliffs.  A warp opened, and Luna, Amok, and Liquidator emerged.

            "Whoa!" exclaimed Wilykit.  "What are they doing here?"

            "That's what we're going to find out.  We'll watch them on this terminal."  He set the terminal on the table and sat back next to his sister.

            Wilykit said, "Hm.  They appear to be heading for Mumm-ra's pyramid.  Better contact Thomas and Kelly."

            Wilykat took his communicator and activated it.  Softly, he said, "Wilykat to Thomas and Kelly.  Please respond."

            Thomas's voice replied, "This is Thomas, Wilykat.  Is something the matter?"

            "Yes.  Luna, Amok, and Liquidator have warped to the Rhineland, and they're following the Rhine to Mumm-ra's pyramid, apparently.  Do not sleep until they have passed you and Siegfried and the younger Wilytwins."

            "Will-do, Wilykat."

            "Thank you, Thomas.  Speak to you later, and good night."

            "Good night."  The communication was cut.

            Wilykit said, "This is the first time we've been completely alone together in quite some time, Wilykat."

            "I know," replied Wilykat.  "You're still tired."

            "Yes, brother.  I wish Wesley were here.  I sure miss him."

            Wilykat gently hugged her.  "Don't worry.  You'll see him again."  He kissed her on the cheek.

            Wilykit returned the hug.  "Thanks, Wilykat."

            From the terminal came Kevin's voice.  "Captain N calling Wilykit and Wilykat.  Please come in, Wilytwins."

            Wilykit and 'Kat released each other, and Wilykit pressed a key on the terminal.  Kevin appeared on the screen.  "Hey, Kevin," Wilykit said.  "How did the operation go?"

            "It went quite well," replied Kevin.  "If MotherBrain and Ludwig weren't around, though, the Wondertwins and I still wouldn't have been needed.  The Brain-Team was definitely out of shape today."

            "Good.  I guess MotherBrain was smart enough to take your generous offer."

            "Yup.  She knows when she's been beaten.  Where are Thomas and Kelly?"

            "They asked to go keep an eye on Johanna and Johannes, to make sure my kids didn't do something they shouldn't.  So that they could keep hidden, Wilykat and I modified the Magic Cape to work without magic and then made a copy of the modified cape.  We gave the capes to Kelly and Thomas, and they know where my kids and Siegfried are resting."

            "All right.  Are you able to contact them?"

            "Yes, we are."

            "All right.  May I speak with them?"

            "Sure.  Wilykat?"

            Wilykat pulled out his communicator and activated it.  "This is Wilykat to Thomas and Kelly.  Sorry to bother you again, but your father has called us and is asking to speak with you."

            "That's all right, Wilykat," Thomas's voice replied.  "Hello, Father."

            "Hello, Thomas," said Kevin.  "How's it going?"

            "It's going fine.  Siegfried, Johanna, and Johannes are just talking now.  They're resting just off the Rhine.  How are things with you?"

            "It went quite well.  The Wondertwins and I caught MotherBrain completely by surprise.  If she and Ludwig weren't around, the N-Team could've socked it to the Brain-Team themselves this evening because the villains and lackeys were really out of shape."

            Wilykit said, "They were probably expecting MotherBrain and Ludwig to save their foolish rear ends.  Did Antonio and Guillaume succeed in snatching Ludwig's powers?"

            "Yes, they did," Kevin said.  "We really got them today.  We did well, but I can't believe how poorly the Brain-Team performed."

            "I'm sure MotherBrain will change that soon enough," said Wilykat.

            "Yeah," Wilykit said.  "What'll you do now, Kevin?"

            "I'll stay.  Thomas and Kelly can take care of themselves, and so can you two, Wilytwins.  I. . . wait a minute.  This console shows that a warp just opened on Metroid from there to the Rhineland!"

            "Oh, yes," said Wilykit.  "Luna, Amok, and Liquidator are going to pay a visit on Mumm-ra."

            "Hm.  Have you already warned Thomas and Kelly?"

            "Yes, they have," Thomas said.  "Don't worry, Father.  We'll make sure they find no one in our immediate area."

            "You do that.  Did you take the Power Pad, Zapper, and laser sabre that I made for you, Thomas?"

            "Yes, I did.  I promise that I shall make sure that all five of us - Johanna, Johannes, Siegfried, Kelly, and I - remain unharmed by Luna, Amok, and Liquidator."

            "I have confidence in you, son.  Those three are very dangerous, as you well know.  Just be careful."

            "You have my word, Father."

            "Thank you.  Well, I guess that's everything.  Anything you want me to do, Wilykit?"

            "Not especially, I don't think," Wilykit said.  She thought for a moment.  "Of course, congratulating the team is in order."

            "Of course."

            "See what you figure out about our friends who are trapped on Metroid."

            "Got it."

            Wilykat said, "Has Jayna asked about me?"

            "Yes, she has," Kevin said.  "She says she's doing all right."

            "Is she where you are?  I'd really like to see her."

            "All right."  Kevin looked around.  "No, she's not."

            "Oh, well.  Thank you anyway, Kevin."

            "Hang on!" said Wilykit.  "What about Tally-Hawk?"

            "Quicksilver's trying to find him," Kevin replied.  "Tally-Hawk is probably on Metroid in a dark zone."  He turned towards the elevator door, to his left.  He turned back to the screen he was using.  "Hold it a second.  The Wondertwins are here."  He turned back to the left and called, "Hey, Jayna, I've got someone on the line you might want to see!"  He stood and stepped to his right.

            Jayna's face appeared in the terminal.  "Hey, Wilykat!" she greeted, excited.

            "Hi, Jayna," said Wilykat, smiling.  "How's it going?"

            "Fine, Wilykat.  I guess Kevin told you that he, Zan, and I helped fix MotherBrain's foul plot."

            "Yeah.  Miss me?"

            "I sure do, 'Kat.  I wish the laws of physics would let me just pass through this screen and kiss you."

            "So do I, Jayna.  I love you so much."

            "And I love you, Wilykat."

            "Okay, guys," said Zan's voice quite patiently.  "I'd like to leave you two alone, but we have business here."

            "Indeed," Jayna said.  "You may be interested, Wilykit, in the fact that my brother totally dismissed that telepathic signal you sent out!"

            "Hey!  Sheesh, Jayna."  He knelt beside his sister, to her left, so that he could see into the screen.  "Yes, Wilykit, I sort of dismissed your telepathic warning.  I'm sorry, but we did get here in time to help."

            "All right," said Wilykit.  "In the future, though, Zan, I want you not to dismiss your telepathic premonitions.  I trust I won't have to make that an order."

            "No, ma'am," he replied very seriously.

            Jayna said, "Thanks, Wilykit.  I tried to get him to understand."

            "Don't be concerned about this occurrence, Jayna," said Wilykit.  "However, in the future, be quite adamant.  You have my permission."

            "I shall."

            Kevin knelt beside Jayna so he could also be seen.  "What did you come to tell me, Wondertwins?" he asked.

            "We were at Hawkhaven as Quicksilver was scanning for Tally-Hawk," reported Zan.  "He found that the bird was being held in Maridia on Metroid."

            "Can Tally-Hawk swim?" Kevin asked.

            "Yes, and he can breathe underwater and can swim," Zan replied.  "Also, his armour will not rust underwater.  However, he cannot break out of where he's being held."

            "That's a problem, indeed," said Wilykit.  "Can he be beamed out?"

            "Quicksilver tried it," Zan said.  "We cannot do it with transporters."

            "How close is this to the surface?" asked Wilykat.

            "It isn't very far under.  One might go down and come back in minutes.  It could, of course, be a trap."

            "Indubitably," said Wilykit.  "The bird is a Silver Hawk and, thus, at least an unofficial team member.  Kevin, you and Colonel Quicksilver go get Tally-Hawk.  You may use your powers to make yourself able to breathe water and to foil MotherBrain herself."

            "Sure, 'Kit," Kevin said.

            "Just go in, save the bird, and leave, Kevin.  You may scan to see where the others are, but don't go after them.  Do you understand me?"

            "Yes, I understand you very well."

            "Good.  Oh, before you go.  We have Thomas and Kelly on the communicator.  Thomas, say hello to Zan and Jayna, the Wondertwins."

            "Hello, Zan and Jayna," said Thomas.

            "Hello, Thomas and Kelly," Zan replied.  "Kevin's been boasting about you."

            "That doesn't surprise us much, considering that it's in his nature to boast about those whom he loves.  He and Wilykat and Wilykit have told us some about the two of you, as well."

            "That's nice."

            "Now, you'll have to excuse us," Kevin said.  "We've some work to do."

            "Good evening, all," said Thomas.

            "Good evening, Thomas and Kelly," Wilykit said.

            "Good night, guys," said Kevin affectionately to his offspring.

            "Good night, Thomas and Kelly," Zan said.

            Wilykat shut off the communicator.  "Well, if there's no more business," Wilykit said, "I guess this is good night."

            "Wait," said Wilykat, staring into Jayna's eyes.  She stared back into his.  "Give us a moment."

            Jayna smiled.  "Wilykat, you cute guy.  I can't wait to be with you in person again."

            "Nor can I.  Good night, Jayna.  Good night, Zan and Kevin."

            "Good night, Wilytwins," Kevin said.

            "Good night, Wilykat and Wilykit," said Zan.  Jayna deactivated the screen.

            When the screen turned black, Wilykat put his face in his hands and began crying softly.  Wilykit gently put her arms around him.  He abruptly pulled himself away and looked at her.  "I'd like to be alone," he said softly.

            "I hate to see you cry, Wilykat."

            "I'm not going to cry forever.  Just for a few minutes.  Let me express my sadness alone for a while.  After that, I'll let you fuss over me as much as you want.  I shall not be denied."  He returned to crying.

            Wilykit sighed quietly.  She stood and went to their room, then shut the door.  "He wants privacy, I'll give it to him," she said.  "I understand his situation."  She began to grow sadder.  "If. . . if I saw Wesley like this. . ."  She began crying and sat on her bed.  "If I saw him like he just saw her, and if I were just as unable to be with him, I'd cry my heart out, too!"  She began to cry very loudly, most unintentionally.

            Out in the living room, Wilykat was crying very softly.  After about a minute, he stopped.  "-Sigh.-  Okay.  I think it's. . . oh, God!  Wilykit!"  He got up and went to the door.  "I swear, that girl."  He abruptly opened the door in an attempt to get her attention.  It did not work.  His heart softened as he saw her.  He quietly walked over to her and sat to her right.  He softly rubbed her back with his left hand.

            Wilykit turned to him.  "It isn't fair!" she exclaimed.  "It would have been just as unfair to me if that had been Wesley on the other side of that screen."

            "That's not all of it," said Wilykat.  "You didn't even get to see him or talk to him."

            "I know."  She hugged him tightly.  "I don't blame you at all for this."

            Wilykat returned the hug.  "I know.  Let's just do something."  He sighed.  "At least we're never apart from each other for a long time."

            "Thank Jaga!"  She kissed his left cheek, then he kissed her left cheek.  "-Sigh.-  Do you think Jayna's. . ."

            "Yes," Wilykat interrupted.  "I'm fairly certain."

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            Once the communication had ended, Jayna grasped Zan tightly in her hug and began to cry loudly.  "Oh, Zan!" she cried.  "I miss him!"

            Zan hugged Jayna and rubbed her back.  "Aw, it'll be okay," he said sweetly.  "He'll be back soon."

            She sighed when she released him.  "Did I embarrass you?"

            "Not one nanometre of me was embarrassed," Zan told her truthfully.

            "It's okay, Jayna," said Kevin.  "I'd cry, too, if I saw Lana like that, and Kelly would, as well."

            "Then I don't feel so bad," Jayna said.  "Zan needs to know what it's like.  But no.  He's too afraid to let himself fall in love."

            "No, Jayna, I am not scared," said Zan.  "I just haven't found the right girl, that's all."

            "How about Rogue?  She seems to like you."

            "I didn't know."

            "I think that's because you've intentionally avoided her!  I think that means something."

            "Jayna, shush."

            "I will not shush," said Jayna, getting up and forcing Zan to do the same.  "I'm your twin sister, daggum ya, and I'm concerned about your happiness!"

            "I'm perfectly happy without a girlfriend."

            "Just try it, Zan.  You can take her to dinner once or twice.  If you don't enjoy spending time with her, you can stop seeing her.  Please do it, brother."

            "-Sigh.-  I don't know how I let you talk me into this, but. . . okay, Jayna."

            "Thank you, Zan."

            "But we must first take care of one problem:  getting her and the others out of Metroid."

            "Indeed."

            "I'm going to see Quicksilver," Kevin said.  "We'll be back with Tally-Hawk before bedtime.  Meanwhile, Wondertwins, you're in charge up here."

            "Certainly, Kevin," said Zan.  "See you later."

            "See you later, Zan and Jayna."

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Quicksilver, Bluegrass, and Steelwill were now alone in the Command Centre.  All the others were preparing for rest.  "Well, a good evening's work," said Steelwill.

            "Agreed," Bluegrass said.

            Quicksilver said, "I'd just like to get Tally-Hawk back."

            "We will, skipper," said Bluegrass.  "We'll get him out of Metroid."

            Kevin entered the Command Centre.  "Good evening, Hawks," he greeted.

            "Hello, Kevin," said Steelwill.  "What can we do for you?"

            "Well, I was speaking with Wilykit and Wilykat on my communications terminal when Zan and Jayna came to the Throne Room.  Quicksilver, the Wondertwins said you found where Tally-Hawk was."

            "Yes," said Quicksilver.  He pressed some buttons on his terminal, and a map of eastern Crateria and northern Maridia popped on the screen.  A blip shone in northern Maridia.  "He is where the blip is."

            "Wilykit wants you and me to go in and get Tally-Hawk out.  We can beam into eastern Crateria to the east of the Sunken Ship and descend to Maridia.  I can use my powers to keep my Power Pad and Zapper from shorting out and to make me able to breathe water."

            "All right.  I don't have a single problem with water, and neither does Tally-Hawk.  We just need to free him from his cell."

            Kevin stared intently at the map for a few seconds.  "All right, I know our path," he said.  "Steelwill and Bluegrass, if Steelheart asks where Quicksilver is, he's with me on Metroid.  If she asks why, tell her I'll be back to explain in at most forty-five minutes."

            "Wait," said Bluegrass.  "Don't you two think this is some trap?"

            Smiling, Kevin said, "I know it is, Captain.  Let's go, Quicksilver."  He and Quicksilver went to the turbo-elevator.

            "I hope Quick's not going to end up needing medical care of his own again," Bluegrass said.

            "Don't worry," said Steelwill.  "This time, Kevin's with him."

            "Yeah, but ever since he's become a doctor, Quicksilver seems to get his share of injuries."  Bluegrass looked at his screen. . . and noticed something weird.  "Hey, Will, what the heck's this?"  He pointed to something in the lower left hand corner.  Steelwill got up and looked.

            "Oh, blast it!" exclaimed Steelwill.  "Someone off Hawkhaven is in our computer, and it isn't another N-Team computer!"  He zipped over to his terminal and quickly keyed in a few commands.

            * * *

            Control Room, Brim*Star, Limbo.

            Malcolm was again at the computers, and Hardware was now with him.  "Ha, ha!" laughed Malcolm.  "I've found more interesting files in the Hawkhaven computers."

            "Bwah, ha, ha!" Hardware laughed.  "Keep this up, and Mon*Star will ask if you want to join the Mob!  Ha, ha!"

            Mon*Star and Yes-Man entered the room.  "I trust, gentlemen, that you have found something of interest in the Silver Hawks' computers," said Mon*Star.

            "Ha!  That doesn't even begin to describe its value to us, Planet Master.  Hmm, hmm!  Take a look."

            Mon*Star read the information on the screen.  Despite himself, his jaw dropped.  "I don't believe this!" he exclaimed.  "Ha!  Wait until the Limbo tabloids get their hands on this!  Wait until all the newspapers get it!"

            "Hoo, hoo!  This juicy bit of Silver Hawk scandal isn't all, boss.  Malcolm?"

            "Yes!" Malcolm exclaimed.  He keyed in a command.  A file popped on the screen.

            As Mon*Star read, his jaw dropped further in surprise.  "Yes!" he shouted.  "This is a key to defeating them!"  He screamed, "Zero, get in here now!!"

            Zero ran into the room.  "Yes, boss?"

            "Immediately!  Record the information on the viewer!"  Zero aimed his Zero-Staff at the screen and copied its contents to one of his discs.  "Yes!  Before the Silver Hawks find out about our connection!"

            "Done, boss!"

            "Wait!  Malcolm, back to the scandal, and hurry!"  Malcolm hurried.  The second the scandal was on-screen, Mon*Star commanded, "Copy this, too, Zero!  Hurry!"  Zero followed Mon*Star's command.

            "I've got it, boss!  Hzz, hzz, hzz!" laughed Zero.

            "Great," Mon*Star said.  "This is the stuff that makes our job so fun!  Ha, ha!  Hand me the disc."  He held out his hand, and Zero handed him the disc.  "I'm heading to Metroid.  You guys stay here and record any other interesting info you find."

            "Got it, Mon*Star," said Hardware.  Mon*Star ran to the nearest warp to Metroid.

            "What's the rush?" Zero asked.

            "Read!" said Hardware.  Zero read the scandal, then the file.

            "Hoo, hoo!  Yes!  Way to go, Malcolm!"

            "I'm searching for more juice," Malcolm said.  "It's so fun finding dirt on our enemies!  Ha, ha!"

            "Bwah, ha!" Hardware laughed.  "Maybe this stuff is just the tip of the iceberg!  Hoo, hoo!"

            * * *

            Prison Room, Upper Norfair, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            MotherBrain and Ludwig were checking on Wesley Crusher and Princess Lana.  "These two will come in handy one day," Ludwig said.

            "Indeed," agreed MotherBrain.  "We just need. . ."

            Mon*Star ran into the room.  "MotherBrain!  Ludwig!  I just had to see you."

            "Cool down, Mon*Star," said Ludwig.  "What has excited your normally grim spirit?"

            "Malcolm found this info in the Silver Hawks' computer."  Mon*Star handed the disc to Ludwig.  "Zero copied it onto this tape.  There are two juicy tidbits on there about the Silver Hawks.  One is fit for tabloids.  Another is some interesting technical specs."

            "Thank you, Mon*Star," Ludwig said.  "If I like it, I'll let you give the former to the Limbo tabloids."

            "Hee, hee!  It will be fun to see what the Silver Hawks do about this."

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Steelwill was working to find out what files the Mob had accessed.  "Oh, blast it!" he shouted.  "They got the file about the construction of our energy-emitting musical instruments.  Also, they have the technical specs to our vehicles, and they have that file about Steelheart and me.  Curses!  I'm going to stop them right now."  He quickly keyed in some commands.  Luckily, he had always been immune to typographical errors.

            "Uh, what file about you and Steelheart?" asked Bluegrass, bewildered.

            "Not now, Bluegrass!"  He continued entering commands, attempting to deny access to whomever had broken into the computer system.  And he could not concentrate while someone was talking to him!  "Whoever's doing this is some crackerjack.  Bluegrass, get Copper-Kidd up here.  I need his help.  I can stop this guy from reading more files, but I can't kick him out."

            "Will-do, Steelwill," Bluegrass said.  He entered the turbo-elevator and went downstairs to the Silver Hawk quarters.  Once on that level, he walked swiftly to Copper-Kidd's room and knocked on the door.

            After a second, the door opened.  Kidd had not yet prepared himself for bed.  "Hello, Bluegrass," he greeted in his resonant heldentenor voice.

            "Hi, Kidd.  Steelwill upstairs has a problem.  Some computer hotshot's reading our files from elsewhere."

            "All right, I'll take care of it."  He and Bluegrass walked swiftly back to the elevator.  Steelheart was also going there.  "Hello, Commander."

            "Hello, Copper-Kidd and Bluegrass," Steelheart said.  "Trouble?"

            "A crackerjack computer hacker's in our system," said Bluegrass.  "He or she has copied three files already.  Steelwill's keeping the person from reading more files, but he asked me to bring Kidd."

            "All right."  The turbo-elevator car arrived, and the three entered.  "Command Centre."  The car began moving upwards.

            "You should also know that Captain N came and left with Quicksilver to rescue Tally-Hawk from Metroid," Bluegrass said.  "Kevin says that, while he was speaking with Wilykit and Wilykat, the Wondertwins told him what was up and that Wilykit wanted him and Quicksilver to save Tally-Hawk."

            "Thank you, Bluegrass," said Steelheart.  The door opened, and they left the elevator.

            Copper-Kidd walked swiftly over to Steelwill.  "I'm here, Lieutenant."

            "All right," said Steelwill.  "Get on your terminal, please, and continue what I'm doing so I can figure out who's doing this."

            "Yes, sir."  He did as Steelwill requested.  "Done, Steelwill.  Once you figure out who's doing this, I'll shut the person out."

            "Thank you, Kidd."  Steelwill sent a feedback line along the space-circuits.  "I figured.  Someone on Brim*Star's up to this no good.  I'll tap into Mon*Star's security camera."  He did so, and he saw Malcolm Frink quickly and furiously typing.  "Hey!  That's Malcolm Frink, one of Sam Collins's enemies."

            Bluegrass sped to his computer.  "I'll have the evidence for his trial lickety-split.  Last I heard, tapping into secret police files was a felony in Limbo."

            "So it is," said Steelheart.  "Good work."

            "Got it!" exclaimed Bluegrass.

            "Now, to shut him out," Copper-Kidd said.

            "Hold it," said Steelheart.  "Will, is Mon*Star there?"

            "He's not on Brim*Star," Steelwill reported after a moment.

            "That's just what I wanted to hear.  Kidd, I want you to force Malcolm to stay on-line.  Bluegrass, record any attempts he makes to break into our files or to control our computers.  Will and I will collect him from Brim*Star and arrest him."

            "Good thing Silver Hawks don't need warrants in Limbo," remarked Bluegrass.

            "Let's go, sis," Steelwill said.

            * * *

            Control Room, Brim*Star, Limbo.

            "No!" screamed Malcolm.  "I'm locked on-line!  Curse those Silver Hawks!"

            "This-z-z is a problem," Zero said.  "It must be that blasted Copper-Kidd."

            "Hardware, could you open my backpack?" asked Malcolm.  "I have some virus drawings."

            Hardware picked up Malcolm's backpack and extracted the notebook.  He opened the notebook and found some drawings of mega-virus monsters.  "Ooh!  These critters look mean!"

            "They are.  Kilokahn, I call you!"

            Kilokahn's image appeared on the screen.  "Yes, Malcolm?"

            "Hawkhaven has locked me on-line.  Give life to the two viri I'm about to give you and send them off to Hawkhaven."

            "As you wish."

            Hardware took the drawings over to Malcolm.  "Here they are, Malcolm."

            "Great," said Malcolm.  "Now, scan the top two into the computer."

            "Certainly."  Hardware did as Malcolm asked.  Kilokahn gave the two monsters life, then sent them to Hawkhaven.

            "Your monsters are sent," Kilokahn told Malcolm.

            "Thank you," said Malcolm.  "Now, Hardware, give the monsters instructions to go foul up Copper-Kidd's computer!  Ha, ha!"

            "Hoo, hoo!  With pleasure, Frink!" Hardware laughed as he typed in instructions for Malcolm's monsters.

            "Hzz, hzz!  Rah, rah, rah!" laughed Zero.  "We'll teach the Silver Hawks a little lesson about fooling with the Mob."

            * * *

            Steelheart and Steelwill were flying out to Brim*Star in the fast Sprint Hawk.  "Now, we'll fix that Frink for good," said Steelwill.

            "Yes," Steelheart said.  "Computer hacking is a very serious offence here."

            "Hawkhaven to Sprint Hawk," called Bluegrass urgently.

            Steelheart, the pilot, hit the key that opened communications.  "What's the problem, rawhide?" she asked.

            "That thar Malcolm Frink sent two mega-virus monsters to Copper-Kidd's terminal!  Now, its circuitry is going bad."

            "Get Sam and the Syber-Squad on the horn, Captain," Steelheart commanded.  "Ask them to pound the monsters to rubble."

            "Aye, aye, Steelheart."  The communication was cut.

            "Damn," whispered Steelheart.

            "My thoughts exactly," Steelwill said.  "That brat is getting himself in big trouble."

            "Indeed."

            "He found that file about you and me, Steelheart."

            "Well, don't worry about it, Will.  That was a very long time ago."

            "Yeah.  What if Mon*Star sells it to the tabloids?"

            "We won't worry about that, either."

            "How about this?  One of those files has the specs for our vehicles!"

            "Oh, curse it!  Now that is something to worry about.  Hold on!"  Steelheart increased speed.

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

            Sam and the rest of the Syber-Squad popped out of an unused computer terminal.  "You say you have a virus problem, Bluegrass?" asked Sam.

            "Yup," Bluegrass said.  "Frink sent two viruses into Copper-Kidd's computer.  They're doing a job on its circuitry."

            "Can we use the computer we popped out of?" asked Sydney.

            "Sure.  It's Steelheart's, and she rarely uses it anymore."

            Sydney sat at the computer and called up the Servo program.  "All right," she said, typing in some commands.  "You're on, guys."

            Sam readied a D Major chord on his electric guitar.  "Let's samuraise, guys!" he and Jennifer exclaimed as he played the chord.  They were brought into the computer and into the Servo program.

            "All systems nominal," Syd said.

            "Thanks, Syd," said Servo.  "We're off!"  Servo sped off through the circuits to Kidd's computer.

            "Do you want to follow them now, Tanker?"

            "Not just yet, Syd," Tanker replied.

            * * *

            Control Room, Brim*Star.

            Hardware laughed, "Hmm, hmm!  Your viri are destroying Kidd's computer, Malcolm!"

            "I know," Malcolm said.  "And I've gained access to more files."

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven.

            Bluegrass was still at his station.  "Daggum it!  That sidewinder Frink's got access to more files!"

            "Do you mind if I use your station, Bluegrass?" Kidd asked.

            "Please do, Kidd."  He stood, and Kidd took his place and typed quickly.

            "He's almost got access to our weapons file," Kidd said, "but. . . ha!  This goes on the charge sheet."

            * * *

            Brim*Star.

            "Ooh, blast!" Frink exclaimed.  "Copper-Kidd must be on the good ol' boy's station.  Well, we'll fix him.  Hardware, send the first monster to Bluegrass's computer.  We'll destroy the whole Command Centre if we have to."

            An alarm sounded.  Yes-Man checked the viewscreen.  "Yipe!  Hardware, the Steeltwins are coming in the Sprint Hawk!  Yes, yes!"

            "Curses!" Hardware exclaimed.  "Zero, rouse Buzz-Saw and Mumbo, and get them after the Steeltwins!"

            "Yes, Hardware," said Zero.  He left the room.

            "I hate Silver Hawks!  I'll relish the day when all that's left of them is their rusted metal armour."

            * * *

            Crateria, Metroid, VideoLand.

            Kevin and Quicksilver arrived beyond the hatch to the east of the crashed spaceship.  "Well, we're here," said Kevin, his Zapper ready.  "All weapons ready.  This is one dangerous place."

            "So I gathered," Quicksilver said.  "Can you swim?"

            "Yes, I certainly can," said Kevin.  "In fact, I was on the swim-team in middle school.  Don't hesitate to shoot enemies.  Just follow me.  If my memory serves me correctly, and if MotherBrain hasn't drastically redesigned this place, I know just where Tally-Hawk is."

            "Very well, Game Master."  He smiled.  "Show me your stuff."

            Kevin twirled his Zapper.  "Just watch me," he said, smiling.  He led the way downward.  They encountered no enemies as they descended to another hatch.  "Weird.  There were supposed to be two hives up there."

            "Maybe MotherBrain isn't expecting guests."

            "I wouldn't bet anything."  He shot the hatch, and it opened.  They jumped downward into a lower level.  They made their way westward through a maze to another hatch.  "This place is empty this evening.  Wonderful.  I just hate it when she does this.  No challenge at all."  He led through the hatch into the lift room.  He and Quicksilver got on the lift and descended into Maridia.

            * * *

            Control Room, Tourian, Metroid.

            In the control room, MotherBrain and Ludwig were viewing the contents of the disc that Mon*Star had brought.  Mon*Star was also there.  "Excellent," Ludwig said.  "This will be of use in due time.  Don't show this to the tabloids just yet, Mon*Star.  We'll do it later."

            "Yes, Ludwig," Mon*Star agreed.

            "Intruder alert," warned the computer.

            "What?" demanded MotherBrain.  "Show the intruders!"  The screen showed Captain N and Quicksilver entering Maridia.  "What the hell!  Where are they going?"

            "They mentioned Tally-Hawk," the computer said.

            "Oh, rats.  They're heading for the bird."

            "Let them," said Ludwig.  "The little tin parakeet is of no consequence.  Just annoy them."

            "With pleasure, my despicable stepson."  She pulled a lever to signal the creatures of Maridia to 'annoy' Captain N and Quicksilver.

            * * *

            Hawkhaven, Limbo.

            "Hey!" exclaimed Sam.  "Only one virus is in here now!"

            "Oh, great," Kidd said.  "That means the other's in here now."

            "Yoli and I will go smash that one," said Tanker.

            "Agreed," Yolanda said.

            "All right," said Syd, pulling up the files.  "Ready."

            "Let's kick some giga-butt!" exclaimed Tanker.

            "Death to glitches!" Yoli cried.  They were zapped into their vehicles. . . Tanker into Tracto, Yoli into Vitor.

            "We're ready to go," said Tanker.

            "I'm sending you to Bluegrass's computer," Syd said.  She opened a tunnel to Bluegrass's computer for Tanker and Yolanda, and they went through.

            * * *

            Brim*Star.

            "Malcolm!" Hardware shouted.  "Servo's pounding your second virus."

            Malcolm sighed.  "Wonderful.  Kilokahn!"

            Kilokahn appeared on his terminal.  "Yes, Malcolm?"

            "Give my viri more power, and ask Sandra to come."

            "Will-do, Malcolm."  Kilokahn left.

            "Ah!" said Hardware after a few seconds.  "This virus now has more umph!  Hm.  It appears that Tanker and Yolanda are in Bluegrass's computer."

            "Drat.  I feel like seriously harming the Syber-Squad."

            "We may need to, Mr. Frink."

            Zero came back into the room.  "Buzz-Saw and Mumbo are on their way, Hardware," he reported to Mon*Star's second-in-command.

            "Good," said Hardware.  He suddenly got a malicious smile.  "I want you to come over here and try something, Zero."

            * * *

            The Sprint Hawk arrived at Brim*Star.  "Well, we're here," Steelheart said.

            "Hang on," said Steelwill.  "The Road Star is coming out.  Mumbo-Jumbo and Buzz-Saw are in it."

            "Indeed."

            The Road Star emerged from the Star*Crater and sped towards the Sprint Hawk.  "Time to show two Silver Hawks who's the boss in this section of the galaxy!" laughed Buzz-Saw.  "Ha, ha, ha!  Get us closer, Mumbo.  I'm going to chop off the Sprint Hawk's wings."  Mumbo-Jumbo piloted the vehicle closer to the Sprint Hawk.  Buzz-Saw fired several saws at the Sprint Hawk.

            "I see some saws," said Steelheart.  She deftly avoided all the saws.

            "Drat.  Let's blast 'em, Mumbo!"  He sat back down.  Mumbo activated the laser cannons and fired at the Sprint Hawk, which avoided all the blasts.  "Uh, oh."

            Steelheart opened a channel to the Road Star.  "You boys need a lesson in manners," she announced.  She hit the Road Star with a laser blast and sent it spinning towards the Star*Ship Casino!

            "Yaah!" cried Buzz-Saw.  "We'll get you for this!"

            "Now, let's get Malcolm Frink," Steelheart said.  She piloted the Sprint Hawk into the Star*Crater and down to Mon*Star's fortress.

            * * *

            "Yipe!" exclaimed Yes-Man.  "The Sprint Hawk blasted the Road Star, sending it spinning straight to Pokerface's Casino!  Yes, yes!"

            "Crud!" Hardware yelled.  "Tell Windhammer and Timestopper to stop those Steeltwits!"

            "Ooh, yes, Hardware."  Yes-Man slithered out.

            * * *

            The Sprint Hawk landed on the landing platform, and the Steeltwins got out.  "Let's watch it," said Steelheart.

            "Certainly," Steelwill said.  They walked into the fortress. . . and saw Yes-Man talking to Windhammer and Timestopper.

            Yes-Man was saying, ". . .but make sure they don't get. . . yaah!  There they are!"

            Windhammer and Timestopper turned to the Steeltwins.  "Well, well!" Windhammer greeted in his resonant baritone voice.  "How about some inclement weather, Steeltwins?"  Laughing, he spun his Tuning Fork and struck its prongs on the ground.  The resultant violent vibrations of the fork influenced the weather conditions and, in this case, brought a dark thunderhead above.  "The lightning is attracted to all metal objects. . . including your tin coats!  Ha, ha!"

            The lightning bolts struck down, but the Steeltwins expertly dodged them.  One stray bolt went straight to Windhammer's fork!

            "Yaah!" he cried; he fell unconscious.

            "Damn!" shouted Timestopper.  "Guess what, Steeltwins?  The dark doesn't scare me anymore!"  He pressed his time-stopping button.

            "Nice try," Steelheart said.  She shot him in the clock with her laser.

            "Yaah!" he screamed as he was propelled into the control room.

            "No, no, no!" exclaimed Yes-Man.

            "Live up to your name, Yes-Man," Steelwill said.  He popped Yes-Man with a weak laser burst, and the snake spun into the control room.  The Steeltwins ran into the room.

            "Great," said Hardware.

            "Malcolm," Steelheart ordered, "step away from the computer.  You are under arrest for breaking into police computers."

            "Don't you need a warrant?" asked Malcolm snidely.  Steelwill grabbed him and pulled him away.  "Hey!"

            "Silver Hawks don't need arrest warrants in Limbo for felonies," Steelwill said.  "You have the right to remain silent.  If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

            "You have the right to an attorney," said Steelheart.  "If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you by the court."

            "You have no evidence," Malcolm said.

            "We have plenty of evidence," said Steelwill.  "Silver Hawks also do not need search warrants."

            Hardware jumped up, and he and Zero confronted the Steeltwins.  "Hands off, Steelwill," Hardware said.

            "Like hell," snapped Steelwill.  "Persist, and we'll arrest you, too, for aiding and abetting."

            "Arrest this!" shouted Zero.  He shot Steelwill in the chest with his staff.  The powerful Silver Hawk yelled and fell to his knees, but his grip on Malcolm did not loosen.

            "Yowch!" cried Malcolm falling on his left arm.  "Hey!  Watch it, Zero!"

            "S-z-zorry, Malcolm," said Zero.  Steelheart punched him in the chin.  "Yaah!"  He fell on his back and was knocked unconscious.

            "You will pay for this, Steelheart," said Hardware, quietly and low in his baritone voice.  He pulled out a new gun and shot at her.  She avoided every shot and, with an expertly placed shot of her own, knocked the gun out of his hand.  "Yow!"

            Steelheart asked, "Will, are you okay?"

            Groaning, Steelwill stood, dragging Malcolm with him.  "I'll be okay," he said.  "Just let Quicksilver see me."

            "Sure."  Steelheart snatched Malcolm.  "We have you now, Malcolm.  I might ask the prosecutor to agree to a plea bargain if you retract your viri."

            "There will be no prosecution!" shouted Mon*Star's voice.  He ran into the room.  "How dare you two profit from my absence!"

            "All your cohorts should be under arrest, Mon*Star, for aiding and abetting Malcolm," Steelheart said.  "Do you want to be added to the list?"

            "If you release Malcolm this instant, I'll let you leave."

            "Do not attempt to bribe me, Mon*Star.  If you do, all your chums are under arrest, and this time, MotherBrain's powers won't save them from the lockup."

            "She knows Quicksilver and Captain N are on Metroid to save that little turkey you send out here to spy on us all the time."

            "I'm not going to spar with you, Mon*Star.  Steelwill and I are taking Malcolm Frink out of here.  I think Hamilton Burger will be most interested in trying this case himself."

            "We'll see if this case gets to trial," said Mon*Star, threateningly in the low register of his high baritone voice.  "I don't mind telling you how much it irritates me that your country bumpkin managed to convert Melodia."

            "And I don't mind telling you," Steelheart countered in her equally threatening and resonant mezzo-soprano voice, "how much it irritates me that you had the wicked mentality to take advantage of her ignorance."

            "You sound shocked.  I'm a villain.  It's what I do!"

            "When I gather enough evidence, Mon*Star, I'm going to take you in for that.  Come on, Will.  Let's get out of here."  She stunned Mon*Star with a laser.

            "Yes, Steelheart," Steelwill said.  "Oh, hold it!"  He jumped to the control panel Hardware had been using.  "Hey!  I can control these viri from here.  I'll just. . ."  He tapped into the controls for the viri and instructed them to come to Brim*Star and destroy Mon*Star's computers!  "Ha, ha!  Watch out, Mon*Star!"

            "Ha, ha!" Steelheart laughed.  "Let's go."  After she snapped handcuffs onto Malcolm, the three of them went outside, boarded the Sprint Hawk, and left.

            * * *

            Hawkhaven.

            "Hey!" Sam exclaimed.  "This virus is leaving!"

            "So is this one!" said Tanker.  "What the heck's happening?"

            "Hey!" Kidd said.  "They're going back to Brim*Star."

            Bluegrass punched his communicator.  "Bluegrass to Steelheart.  I don't know how, Commander, but the viruses are returning to Brim*Star!"

            "That's my doing, cowboy," Steelwill said.  "When we arrested Malcolm, I found out how to control the viri and told them to eat up Mon*Star's systems."

            "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Syd.  "Are you four ready to come out?"

            "Just as soon as I repair the damage here," said Servo.  Servo repaired the damage done to the circuits of the Silver Hawks' computers, then met Tracto and Vitor in the computer Syd was using.  She hit a button, and Sam, Jennifer, Tanker, and Yolanda popped out of the computer.

            "Too bad," said Tanker.  "Yoli and I were really kicking that virus."

            "So were we," Sam said.

            Just then, Sandra popped out of the computer.  "How lucky for you, Syber-Squad dweebs," she said.  "You're also lucky you got out when you did."

            "Well, if it isn't Sandra Velaztra," remarked Copper-Kidd.

            "Right.  I though Mimeans were limited to chirping."

            "We most certainly are not.  We have fully developed vocal apparati.  Yet, we developed our audio language by imitating birds.  It turns out to be identical to English in human Morse code."

            "How your people developed such a weird system of communication is beyond me."

            "Well, not really, considering the number of chirping birds on the Planet of Mimes," Syd said.  "Also, since Mimeans' lips are stronger than most humans'. . ."

            "All right!" Sandra snapped.  "I get it!"

            "I guess Frink called you here," said Sam.

            "Of course he did, Servo.  What happened to those viri that Kilokahn said were in the computer here?"

            "Now why should we tell you, little lady?" Bluegrass asked.

            "Hmph.  That expression is politically incorrect, where I come from, like the term 'cowboy.' "

            "Political correctness went by the wayside in the twenty-first century.  Fortunately, so did much prejudice and chauvinism.  Now, kindly tell me why I shouldn't have you arrested for attempting to assist Malcolm Frink."

            "Because I didn't do it, you hick."

            "She's right, Captain," said Kidd.  "We have no legal grounds to arrest her, despite how much she may annoy us."

            "I'd love to get enough evidence for her to be arrested," said Sam.

            "Keep tryin'," Bluegrass said.  "She'll slip up somewhere."

            "Sandra," Yolanda said, "why?  Even if you love Frink, that's still no reason to be a criminal."

            "I don't do this because I love him, Yoli," said Sandra.  "I do it because I want control of all computers everywhere.  I want the Universe Wide Web at my beck and call.  Malcolm shares my goals.  Since we love each other, we're also partners in computer conquest."

            "Well, at least I can thank you for getting him away from me," Jennifer said.  "But I just don't get why you like him."

            "I like him for who he is, Jennifer.  That is the only reason to love someone."

            "But he is mean!"

            "He wouldn't be if people hadn't mistreated him.  He is very sensitive."

            "That's still no excuse for him to be doin' what he was doin'," said Bluegrass.

            "I'm out of here," Sandra said.  "Good-bye, all."  She popped into the computer.

            "Well," said Kidd, holding his tricorder, "I've figured out how she does it.  Now, I'll figure out how to prevent her from doing it."  He went to his computer and began to analyse the data he had gathered on Sandra.

            "I don't know how to thank y'all for helping us," Bluegrass told the Syber-Squad.

            Sam shook hands with him.  "Our pleasure, Bluegrass," he said.

            * * *

            Maridia, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Kevin and Quicksilver had to go in a very large circle to reach their objective.  Tally-Hawk had been imprisoned in a room that was on the other side of a grey door that could not be opened from the side through which Kevin and Quicksilver had entered Maridia.  It was irritating, though not life-threatening, but Kevin took it as a sure sign that MotherBrain knew they were there.

            When they reached the room where Tally-Hawk was being kept, they entered and found him tied up in heavy steel chains.  "Oh, poor bird," Kevin said.

            "He'll be okay," said Quicksilver.  They unchained Tally-Hawk quickly.  The bird was able to swim.  "Good boy.  Let's go.  I have a feeling MotherBrain's welcome wagon will remain unrelenting."

            "A reasonable assessment," said Kevin.  He, Quicksilver, and Tally-Hawk swam out.  Easily eliminating the weak opposition, they backtracked to where Kevin said there was a 'shortcut to the surface.'  This shortcut was in the vicinity of where Tally-Hawk had been imprisoned, so it was welcome.

            They proceeded west, and Kevin led the way to a hatch.  They went through it and entered the rocky region of Brinstar.  Before they had gone five meters, they encountered a barrier.  "This is why I didn't lead us in this way, in case you were wondering, Quicksilver.  The barrier can only be opened from this side."  With his Zapper, he shot the green block on the barrier's base, which was in the ceiling.  When Kevin shot, the barrier opened, and the three went through.  They emerged into a shaft.

            "Ah, yes," said Quicksilver.  "I recall seeing Steelheart play this game.  I only saw part of it, and this shaft was in what I saw.  We go up, right?"

            "Correct," said Kevin.  They proceeded upwards (which was little problem for Tally-Hawk, who could fly) and encountered another lift.  They got on the lift and took it upwards into Crateria.  They continued up another vertical shaft and, once they reached a horizontal passage, Kevin led them quickly westward.  "I keep forgetting Steelheart's another Metroid fan," Kevin said.  "How could she play Nintendo so long after it had come out?"

            "The circuitry information for all the machines and all the games was stored permanently by Nintendo of Europe, Limited, which based itself in London in the year 2000 on second-Earth," said Quicksilver.  "When Steelheart and we all came along, it was available very inexpensively, and anyone with a replicator could buy the permission replicate it.  Since she was such a big fan, since her family was very well off, and since the systems and games were so inexpensive at the time, they bought the rights to replicate any Nintendo system or any of the games - Nintendo, Capcom, or otherwise - or any other Nintendo-related items whenever she wanted it.  She could just punch in a command, and she had it.  Poof."

            "Wow," said Kevin.  "I do have a similar set-up at the Palace, but it amazes me that Nintendo kept all its stuff available for such a long time on your world."

            "Steelheart still has the replication software for that stuff."

            "I see.  Well, we came and got Tally-Hawk, and now I have a good idea where our friends are, thanks to my tricorder."  They emerged onto the surface of Metroid.  "And we're at the surface."

            MotherBrain's image appeared.  "Now, let's have a word before you leave, Captain N," she said.

            "Well, well," said Kevin.  "Hello, MotherBrain.  Concocting new plots?"

            "I see you managed to defeat my best efforts once again."

            "Oh, please.  You merely intended to tease us, not to stop us from rescuing Tally-Hawk."

            "Indeed.  Then might we tell what has recently transpired in Limbo?"

            Ludwig appeared next to her.  "Indeed.  You see, Malcolm Frink has managed to copy three files from Hawkhaven's computers."

            "How has that little slug managed that?" Quicksilver asked.

            "He expertly circumnavigated some meagre safety protocols," MotherBrain said.  "A few hours ago, he found a file on the laser-emitting musical instruments the Silver Hawks use.  More recently, he found a file on the specs of Silver Hawk vehicles and a splendid file about Steelheart and Steelwill."

            "And you may desire to know about the lattermost file," said Ludwig.  "We might as well tell you.  Mon*Star intends to sell that juicy story to the Limbo tabloids."

            "Hey!" Quicksilver snapped.  "That file is private!  Destroy your copy immediately!"

            "Cool down, Quicksilver," said Kevin calmly, relying now on his logic.

            "How can I calm down?" Quicksilver demanded.  "Do you know what the Steeltwins did?  Steelheart. . ."

            "Shush!" Kevin commanded.  "I forbid you to tell me, Quicksilver."

            "Well, it's not good, and these villains want to corrupt the Steeltwins' reputation with something they did when they were teenagers!  When they were teenagers, Kevin!  People can get so out of control when they're teenagers, and these villains plan to profit from one isolated incident worthy only of the preterit tense!"

            "Quicksilver, I want so much to be polite, but shut up!!  Cool down.  You're presently one hundred degrees. . . Celsius, not Fahrenheit."  Kevin turned to MotherBrain and Ludwig.  "And you two, don't you dare sell this to the tabloids in Limbo."

            "We won't be," MotherBrain said.  "Mon*Star has left with permission to do that."

            "Revoke that permission immediately, or I shall drag him to the Diamond Prison, where no one will be able to get him out."

            "Ha!  You aren't Wilykit."

            "No, but I am currently the ruler of VideoLand, and Metroid falls under my jurisdiction."

            "We're not going to revoke permission we gave Mon*Star just because you want us to," Ludwig said.

            Quicksilver said, "Why, you insolent. . ."

            "Oh, that's your choice to make," Kevin calmly interrupted.  He assumed a most devious smile and vocal tone.  "I'll just send all the N-Team down to Brim*Star at once the second that appears in the tabloids, and we'll drag Mon*Star through the universe's longest trial ever - oh, about ten years should do it - and. . . well, it'll get pretty humiliating for the entire Brain-Team.  If that's what you really want, then by all means, allow him to do it."

            Ludwig was seething.  "All right, Captain Nuisance!  You win, drat it.  Just get the heck off this planet!"  He and MotherBrain disappeared.

            Kevin hit his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport three to Hawkhaven."

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Steelheart and Steelwill arrived in the Command Centre at the moment when the transporter deposited Kevin, Quicksilver, and Tally-Hawk there.  "Ah, hello, guys," Steelheart said.

            "Hello, Steelheart and Steelwill," said Kevin.  "You appear satisfied."

            "We are," Steelheart said.  "I really got to mouth off Mon*Star this evening, and we carted Malcolm Frink to Bedlama Jail after we arrested him for busting into Silver Hawk files."

            "Before we left Metroid," Kevin said, "MotherBrain and Ludwig told us he had taken three files."  He smiled with some degree of pride.  "I manoeuvred Ludwig into a position where he was absolutely forced to deny Mon*Star the permission to sell the contents of a certain one of those files to certain. . . papers, as it were."

            "Thank you, Kevin," Steelheart said.  "But. . . how?"

            "I told him that the whole team would descend on Mon*Star and arrest him.  Then, we'd drag him through a lengthy trial, causing a great deal of embarrassment for the Brain-Team."

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Steelwill.  "That was pretty devious, Kevin."

            "Yeah, but it sure gave me a lot of leverage."

            Quicksilver sighed and shook his head.  "And I lost my temper when they told what that file was," he told Steelheart.

            "That's okay, Quick," Steelheart said.

            "Hey, guys," said Sam Collins.

            "Hello, Syber-Squad," Steelheart said.  "Thank you for helping with our viral infection."

            "No problem, Steelheart.  What exactly did you do to those viri, Steelwill?"

            "I got on the computer where the viri were being controlled and simply instructed them to return to their originating computer, Mon*Star's," said Steelwill.  "Then, I activated their original programming full-blast.  There won't be much left of Mon*Star's computer systems when those two little computer bugs give Mon*Star's computer complex a massive computer cold unless Kilokahn and Sandra stop those viri."

            "Well, looks like it's been a good day for us, despite some digital tribulations," said Bluegrass.

            "Yes, it has," said Steelheart.

            "Could you examine me, Quicksilver?" asked Steelwill.  "That Zero gave me a shot powerful enough to break through a diamond wall."

            "Sure, Steelwill," Quicksilver said.  "We'll go to my med lab downstairs."

            "Well, we'd better return home," Sam said.

            "All right, Sam," said Steelheart.

            "Just so you know, guys, I've been thinking about holding a meeting tomorrow at 11.00," Kevin said.

            "Okay, Kevin," said Sam.  "See you all later."

            The Syber-Squad shouted, "Let's samaurise, guys!"  Sam struck the power-chord on his guitar, and the group was transported home through the galactic network.  After this, Steelwill and Quicksilver entered the turbo-elevator and went downstairs.

            Bluegrass asked, "What the heck is this file, Steelheart?"

            "I do not like talking about it, Bluegrass," Steelheart said.  "It was something terrible that happened when Will and I were teenagers."

            "Oh," said Bluegrass.  "I feel sorry already.  That Mon*Star's lower'n a snake in a wagon rut to try to use something like that to mar you.  I know.  I was always gettin' in trouble as a teenager, except I never drank and drove."

            "This was one totally isolated incident," said Steelheart.  "Did Quicksilver tell you, Kevin?  I told him about it, once."

            "In his anger," Kevin said, "he was trying to tell me, but I kept telling him to be quiet.  I was curious, but I didn't want to hear it from him while his temper was gone."

            "Well, Kevin, Bluegrass, Kidd, I'll tell you guys what happened.  I'm the kind of person who's more likely to get furious than cry when I get upset.  I don't intend this to be sexist, but I think I'm more masculine in that regard than I am feminine.  I've always been this way.  I do not recall all the circumstances - and I do not want to - but I was pretty upset that day.  Will, the only one of my brothers who was chronically kind to me, tried to help me out, but I refused.  He stubbornly insisted and began losing his temper.  Now, this was on the football field right after gym class, when practically all the freshmen and sophomores in high school could see you.  Will and I practically began yelling at each other loud enough to wake the dead.  Then, when I was mad enough, I smacked my own brother hard enough to send him from the goal line to the fifty-yard line.  Seriously.  When I hit him, we were at the goal line, and he was sent clear 50 yards away.  Of course, I wound up thrown to the ground myself, but I wasn't hurt nearly as badly as he was, because he must also have been hurled up into the air about 50 metres.  I swear, he was in the hospital six weeks.  I was really sorry I did it.  The second he could speak again, he forgave me for it."  Tears were trying to come to her, but she fought them back.  "This incident was never repeated.  I'm sure glad, because I would be utterly devastated if my temper ever cost my brother his life."

            "I'm sure everyone who's had siblings has had a moment of nearly uncontrollable fury," Kevin said.  "All except Thomas.  He's never expressed anger to Kelly.  And Kelly has never been really annoyed by Thomas."

            "Be careful about that," Steelheart warned.  "I've never felt as furious as I did that afternoon.  It came on completely without warning.  It seemed to be born, grow, thrive, and die in the time between when Will began talking to me and when I hit him.  Granted, at the time, our tempers weren't the best in the world, but it could still happen to your kids.  Even Vulcans lose control of their logic, during the passion of pon farr."

            "I don't want to believe it could happen to Thomas and Kelly, but I have to keep it in mind," said Kevin.

            "Parental understanding could be the only thing that saves a twin relationship threatened by such passionate anger."

            "Yeah.  I just don't understand how someone can be so out of control."

            "Anger of such magnitude can barely be controlled, especially not by a stressed out adolescent whose musclepower outweighs her common sense.  If Will weren't so strong, I might have killed him.  At least my older brothers started respecting me some after that incident, because that revealed at least some of my true strength."

            "I see.  Well, thanks, Steelheart.  I won't tell anyone."

            "Kidd and I won't, either, ma'am," Bluegrass said.

            "Thank you, guys," said Steelheart.  The elevator opened, and Quicksilver and Steelwill came out.  "Ah.  All fixed up, Will?"

            "Yup," Steelwill said.  "Of course, Dr. Quick tells me I need my rest."

            "Of course," said Quicksilver.

            "Then, good night, Will," Steelheart said.

            Steelwill knew what that meant and took it in stride.  "All right.  Good night, everyone."  He got in the elevator and took it down to the residential floor.

            "He was hurt," said Quicksilver.  "Not much, but he could use a good night's rest."

            "Did you check Tally-Hawk?" Steelheart asked.

            "Yes.  He's all right, but he also needs rest.  Were you shot or hit in any way, Steelheart?"

            "No, I'm fine, Quicksilver."

            "Well, I think I'll go home," said Kevin.  "Good night, Hawks."

            "Good night, Kevin," Steelheart said.

            "Thanks again for helping me save Tally-Hawk, Kevin," said Quicksilver.

            "Sure, Quicksilver," Kevin said.  "Any time.  See you guys in the morning."  He entered the turbo-elevator and went to the warp area, where he would take the warp to the Palace of Power.

            * * *

            Rhineland, Light World, Hyrule, X-iverse.

            Soon after dark had fallen, Siegfried, Johanna, and Johannes went to sleep.  "They're asleep, Kelly," Thomas quietly told his sister.

            "All right," said Kelly.  "Now, how should we keep them hidden?"

            "I really haven't figured that out yet."  He turned on the proximity detector on his tricorder.  "Hm.  Luna, Amok, and Liquidator are approximately three kilometres away."

            "Which means we'd best think fast!"

            "They seem to be moving right along the river.  Maybe if we found a way to move our friends off the path, Luna and Liquidator won't see them."

            "Sounds like a plan, bro.  One question:  how do we move them without waking them?"

            "Yes, I was considering that interesting problem.  Maybe Wilykit and 'Kat can help."  He tapped his communicator.  "This is Thomas calling Wilykit and Wilykat.  Please come in."

            "Hello, Thomas," said Wilykit.  "What's the problem?"

            "Siegfried and your kids have gone to sleep, but Luna, Amok, and Liquidator are heading this way.  They're less than three kilometres away already.  I think if we move our friends off the bank and further inland, Luna and Liquie won't find them.  Our problem is moving them without waking them."

            "Okay, Thomas.  We'll take care of it."  Siegfried, Johanna, and Johannes disappeared from where they were and reappeared in an area to the west, nearly invisible to people journeying the path flush with the Rhine.  "We'll move 'em back as soon as the villains have passed you."

            "All right."  Thomas checked his tricorder.  "Hey!  They're only half a kilometre away.  How. . ."

            Suddenly, a vehicle travelling 180 kilometres per hour zipped by.  They could hear Luna's laughter from the vehicle.  "Hey!  It looks like that vehicle was made of. . . of water!" Kelly exclaimed.

            "Liquidator," said Wilykit.  "That car was probably he, and Luna consistently drives too fast."

            "I clocked them at exactly 180 kilometres per hour," Thomas said.  "I guess they're intent on quickly reaching Mumm-ra's place."  Siegfried and the younger Wilytwins reappeared where they had been originally.

            "In that case," Wilykat said, "I guess our friends were in no real danger, unless they were directly in Luna and Liquidator's way."

            "They might have made the time to stop, had they seen our friends," said Wilykit.  "As it is, they'll be at Mumm-ra's pyramid in no time."

            "Well, thank you, guys," Thomas said.

            "No problem, Thomas and Kelly," replied Wilykat.  "Good night."

            "Good night," Kelly said.

            "And don't both of you go to sleep at the same time," said Wilykit.  "Take four-hour turns."

            "Right, Wilykit," Thomas said.  "Thomas and Kelly out."  He tapped his communicator again.  "Go to sleep, Kelly.  I'll keep watch and wake you in four hours."

            "Thanks, Thomas," said Kelly.  She lay down in front of a tree and went right to sleep.

            Thomas smiled quite affectionately.  He loved her very much and would protect her before he would protect absolutely anyone else.  He kissed her very softly on the cheek.  "Sweet dreams," he whispered almost silently.

            Then, he walked silently over to Siegfried, Johanna, and Johannes and took a good look at each of the three.  He felt powerfully attracted to Johanna, but he resisted the temptation to kiss her.  She might waken to almost any stimulus, and now was not the time for it.  Instead, Thomas returned to where he and Kelly were staying and sat down.  For four hours, he remained alert and vigilant.  Once he had awakened Kelly and she'd begun to watch, he went to sleep very quickly.