Congregation Hall, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 068 057.53; July 21, 3013.

At seven, the whole N-Team had gathered in the Palace Congregation Hall and was seated at the long table.  Kevin stood to address everyone.  "Everyone, there is one thing that I have never spoken of since I got to VideoLand, until last night.  I have a brother."

            "Well, why bother to tell us now?" Darkwing Duck asked.  "Especially - yawn! - at this ungodly hour!"

            "Because, featherhead," Steelheart said, "you missed his verb tense!  He said he has a brother.  Hence, his brother is presently living."  This took almost everyone present by surprise.

            Kevin said, "Thanks for clarifying, Commander, but I was about to say that.  Anyway, my brother is named Michael.  MotherBrain warped him to 20 July 2013 from 20 July 1992, when he was fifteen."

            "That was immediately before I brought your parents out here," noted Perry Mason.

            "Perry and his friends also knew of Michael.  We all covered him up in an attempt to keep MotherBrain from finding out about him, because he was just as good at video games as I, and I was too overprotective of him.  However, I didn't realise that MotherBrain knew of him all along.  Now, he's on Metroid, and he's breaking our friends out."

            "How is that?" asked Lieutenant Worf.

            "He was in the room where Lana and Wesley were being held.  Lana has a spare Power Pad and Zapper that she keeps for me.  The room they were in had a computer console, and Michael figured out how to call me."

            "Well, it seems he'll be able to get them all out," Link said.  "However, you wouldn't have called this early a meeting unless he were in danger or unless he would be in danger."

            "You're right, Link.  They'll reach the surface in half an hour, and I strongly believe that MotherBrain will be waiting to do a not nice thing.  Wilykit, Wilykat, and I'll be going to stop her.  Who wishes to come with us?"  Several people raised their hands.  "Ah, too many."

            Wilykit stood.  "I'll choose who will come, Kevin.  Thomas, Link, Heinrich, Steeltwins, Picard, Worf, Johanna and Johannes, Mario and Luigi, Darkwing, and GizmoDuck.  When the meeting is over, you should get ready to go."

            "Yes, Wilykit," they said.

            "Kevin?"

            "Let's be careful, guys," Kevin said.  "I don't think it's a trap for us, but one never knows.  I believe that's all for now."

            "All right.  Meeting adjourned."  Everyone got up and began talking to each other.

            Link put his hand on Kevin's shoulder.  "What sort of relationship did you and your brother have, Kevin?"

            "We were best friends.  I'm sorry about hiding it from you, Link."

            "That's all right.  I forgive you, since I can understand your motivation.  Is he anything like you?"  Kevin took out his wallet and showed Link the last picture of him and Michael together. . . the same that Michael had shown to Lana.

            "This is a picture of him and me together with Duke," Kevin told him.

            "Quite a bit like you. . . in appearance, at least."

            "Link, my shoulder was always the one he came to cry on when he had troubles," Kevin said.  "I never felt embarrassed about it either.  As I reflect, I was the happiest when he and I spent time together.  I can't believe I didn't bring him out here, darn me."

            "Things will turn out well, Kevin.  I'll help save your brother."

            "Thank you, Link."  Wilykit, Wilykat, and the ones whom Wilykit had chosen went over to Kevin.

            Mario asked, "Hey, paesano, why didn't you tell us?"

            "I know I should have, but I let my feelings cloud my good sense.  If I'd gone back to get him, the Brain-Team might presently be much less powerful.  But no sense exists in dwelling on might-have-been's and should-have-done's."  He looked at his watch.  "Quarter past.  We're going at half past seven, so let's prepare the warp."

            * * *

            Crateria, Metroid, VideoLand.

            At seven, all the good guys converged at the path to the surface.  There, MegaMan exclaimed, "Kid Icarus!"

            "MegaMan, I'm sure glad to see you again-icus," Kid Icarus said.

            Samus asked, "How did you get here?"

            "That rotten Medusa tricked me."

            "It's a long story," said Michael, thinking very practically.  "Let's discuss it once we're out."

            "Great idea," Wesley said.  They proceeded through the tunnel until, a bit later, they encountered the door.

            "Hm," said Michael.  "How do we pass?"

            Jean-Léonard examined the door with his tricorder.  "It will come to pieces with a loud, high C-sharp, the one two lines above the treble staff.  A problem could be the amplitude.  Hm!  Princess Lana, you can force out C-sharps that high?"

            "Yes," Lana said.  "While you play it, I can sing it."

            "Precisely."  He readied his violin, tuned his hand into third position, and tuned his ring finger to C-sharp on the E-string.  "Need vocalising?"

            "I can hit it cold."

            "All right."  With huge, fast up-down bow-strokes, he played a very loud C-sharp.  But Lana's was ten times louder.  The door cracked to pieces. . . and, on the other side, a Plundarrian welcoming committee fell to its knees in pain!

            "S-s-stop it, yes-s-s!" S-s-slithe screamed.

            "Ha!" laughed Jean-Léonard.  Lana had to stop singing before she turned blue, but Jean-Léonard could continue playing all day.

            Michael moved in front of Jean-Léonard.  "So, these are the ugly Mutants and Luna-tacks in person.  Yuck."

            Dr. Wily and ProtoMan came.  "Swell," said ProtoMan.  He aimed his plasma cannon at Michael.  "You're first!"  He began to fire.

            Not realising he was directly between ProtoMan and Jean-Léonard, in self-defence, Michael hit the "right" key on his Power Pad and zipped to his right.  Thus, the deadly blast hit Jean-Léonard.  Jean-Léonard cried, "Yaah!" and fell to the floor.

            "I missed!" shouted ProtoMan.

            Wesley was utterly furious.  "Why, you!" he exclaimed at ProtoMan.  He set his phaser to high and shot ProtoMan, who fell and became dismembered.

            "No!" Wily shouted.

            MegaMan said, "Well!  It seems that our 'brother' has gone to pieces, X."

            MegaMan X picked up Jean-Léonard.  "He has critically injured Jean-Léonard.  I suggest we run before the Luna-tacks and Mutants recover."

            "I agree," Michael said.  They ran towards the surface.

            Fuming, Wily snatched his radio, activated it, and said, "Wily to MotherBrain."

            MotherBrain responded, "Hello, Wily."

            "The do-gooders are heading your way."

            "From your tone, I take it things went badly for you all."

            "Definitely.  I'm the only one fit to call you."

            "All right.  When they all recover, wait at the control room."

            "In attempt to shoot Michael, ProtoMan shot Jean-Léonard, and Wesley dismembered ProtoMan with a well-placed phaser shot.  Thus, I must repair ProtoMan."

            "All right.  Later, Wily."

            "Later, MotherBrain."

            * * *

            Michael and the others emerged to the rocky surface of Metroid.  "At least it's not as oppressive out here," Michael said.

            MegaMan said, "We need to get into the open to foil MotherBrain's detection system and warp away."  They moved out into the middle of the open area.

            Suddenly, MotherBrain, Bowser, Ridley, Eggplant Wizard, and King Hippo appeared.  "Ha, ha!  Headed away so soon, are you?" MotherBrain asked.  "Tsk, tsk.  I'd appreciate you to stay awhile."

            "Well," said Michael, "if it's not the ugly squad."

            "Michael, please," Lana whispered, very concerned.

            MotherBrain said, "Well, he is entitled to his own opinion, Princess, and so are you.  After all, it is guaranteed in the VideoLand Bill of Rights."  She swiftly grabbed Michael with her tentacle.

            "Hey!" Michael shouted.

            "Let him down, MotherBrain," commanded Wesley.

            "I might, if Lana values his life and responds truthfully to my questions.  However, if she lies, it is guaranteed that this kid will become a crispy critter."

            Lana said, "Go ahead, MotherBrain.  I have absolutely nothing to hide."  Nearby, Kevin and the rest of the N-Team group warped onto the scene.  MotherBrain saw this and smiled wickedly.

            "Then, tell me, my dear," MotherBrain asked, "is it not true that you are attracted to Captain N's brother in the same way you're attracted to Captain N?"

            "You know the answer.  It is yes.  Why don't you ask the real question?"

            "Ha, ha!  Blunt and to the point!  I'm beginning to like you!  All right, Lana.  Do you love Michael Keene?"

            Lana did not even flinch.  "Yes, MotherBrain.  Yes, I do love him, and in the manner that I believe you're implying."

            To himself, Kevin thought, But. . . what are you saying?  However, he controlled his feelings.

            "Ha, ha!" MotherBrain laughed.  "You are quite good at telling the truth, my dear."

            "But there's more to this," Lana said resolutely.  "I also love Kevin, and my relationship with him means a great deal to me.  I would never consciously cheat on my belovèd husband."

            "Well, good for you," MotherBrain said.  "However, since I am a rotten, stinking villain. . ."

            Kevin, in high spirits due to Lana's most recent remarks, called, "Yo, MotherBrain!  I'm in a reasonably good mood right now."  He drew his Zapper.  "That will not continue, though, if you don't release my brother this instant."

            "Now, Kevin," said MotherBrain as Kevin and the group approached her, "do you honestly believe I won't harm your brother?"

            "He knows you won't," Michael snapped.  "And here's why!"  He grabbed his Zapper and blasted her tentacle.

            MotherBrain screamed, "Yow!"  She dropped him, and he landed on his feet.  "Ow!  No fair!"

            "Oh, no?"

            Kevin said, "See you later, queen of ugliness."  He smacked his communicator.  "Now, Simon!"  All the good guys disappeared.

            "Ooh, that guy rubs my brain-cells the wrong way!" MotherBrain shouted.

            "Which guy?" Bowser asked.  "Captain N or Michael?"

            "Hm.  Actually, both do that.  I can see that I made a tactical boo-boo.  However, we shall come out on top, as we should.  Let's go back to the control room."

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            All the good guys who had been on Metroid arrived in the Palace Throne Room.  Immediately, Michael strongly hugged his brother.  "Oh, Kevin, I'm so happy to see you!"

            Smiling, Kevin said, "Easy, Michael!  I'm happy to see you, too, brother.  You're really strong."  He returned the hug.

            Wilykit smiled at Wesley.  "Hello, Wes."

            "Hi, 'Kit," replied Wesley.  The two hugged and kissed quite affectionately.

            "Something's wrong, isn't it, Wesley?"  Wesley turned his head towards MegaMan X, who was holding Jean-Léonard.  "Oh, dear."

            When Kevin and Michael had finished hugging, Kevin gently hugged Lana.  "And I'm certainly happy to see you, too."

            "Same here, Kevin," said Lana, hugging him back.  They kissed each other with great affection.

            When Kevin and Lana had finished hugging and kissing, Thomas stepped up.  "Hello, Mother."

            "My, you're sure big, Thomas," Lana said.  "I last saw you as a one-year-old baby."

            "Well, you're just as beautiful as Father has described," Thomas said.  "The only human lady as beautiful as you is my twin."  He gently hugged her, and she returned it.

            "I can tell you're much like your father, Thomas."

            Wilykit asked, "Guys, what happened to Jean-Léonard?"

            Michael said, "Oh, God, that's my fault.  As we neared the surface, the Mutants, Luna-tacks, Wily, and ProtoMan were waiting at a door.  ProtoMan shot at me.  I zipped out of the way with the Power Pad, not realising I was directly in between him and Jean-Léonard, so. . . oh, great."

            "Let's just get him downstairs to the hospital," said Wilykit.  "I hope he pulls through.  Élisabeth, in particular, will be devastated if he doesn't make it.  X and MegaMan, get him to Quicksilver."

            "Yes, ma'am," X said.  He and MegaMan went to the elevator, entered, and took Jean-Léonard down to the hospital.

            Wesley said, "It's all right, Michael.  Mistakes are forgivable.  I realise it mustn't exactly be your lucky day."

            "Well, I don't recall ever doing anything that foolish," said Michael.

            Kevin smiled.  "Maybe I should refresh your memory, brother."

            "Uh, no thanks, Kev.  I recall now."

            "Wise decision."

            "Wes," Wilykit said, "here are our young ones."  Johanna and Johannes moved over to them.  "Johanna and Johannes, this is your father, Wesley Crusher."

            "Hello, guys," Wesley said.

            "Hi, Father," said Johanna.  She and Wesley hugged.  "I can just feel that all the wonderful memories I have of you are true."

            "I'm happy for that."  They released each other.

            "Hello, Dad," Johannes said.  He and Wesley hugged.

            "Do you feel what Johanna felt?"

            "Yes, I sure do, Father."  They released each other.

            Wesley said, "Somehow, you two look like what I expected you to look like."

            Kevin asked, "Ah, Samus, what happened?  Your visor is shattered."

            "When we six went to Metroid," Samus said, "a Rio got lucky. . . smashed my visor and slightly injured my face with its talons.  It didn't live ten seconds longer, thanks to Lieutenant Tragg.  You all may find this surprising, but we became friends that day."

            "And what does the lieutenant say to that?"

            Tragg said, "She's telling the truth, Kevin.  Now, there will be a more pleasant atmosphere in the VLPD headquarters."

            "I knew you two would get over it.  Oh!  Thomas, this is my brother, Michael.  Michael, my son, Thomas."

            Michael and Thomas shook hands.  "Hello, Uncle," Thomas said.

            "Ha, ha!  Please, Thomas, call me Michael.  Technically, I'm fifteen, and you're seventeen, and I don't feel comfortable being called 'Uncle' by someone older than me."

            "Sure thing, Michael."

            "You seem more serious than he who is your father and my brother."

            Wilykit said, "I see we have three new faces other than Michael."

            "Yes," said Wesley.  "Everyone, meet Commissioner Gordon, Batgirl, and Catwoman.  You three, this is the leader of the N-Team, Wilykit."

            Wilykit shook hands with Gordon, then Batgirl, then Catwoman.  "Welcome to the Universal Union, Commissioner, Batgirl, and Catwoman."

            "Thank you," Gordon said.  "Ah. . . what's your title?"

            "I am Lord of the Thunder Cats and governing empress of the Universal Union, but I prefer that everyone address me as Wilykit."

            "Very well, Wilykit."

            Catwoman asked, "I have this feeling that Batman and Robin are here."

            "You're right, Catwoman," Wilykit said.  "We'll take you to them soon."

            Kevin said, "Hello, Dr. Wright and Dr. Cossack."

            "Hello, Kevin," said Dr. Wright.

            "Is Dr. Cain, who woke MegaMan and X, still around?" Dr. Cossack asked.

            "Yes, he certainly is, Dr. Cossack," said Kevin.

            Kid Icarus went over to Kevin.  "Gee, I sure goofed up to the maximus, Kevin-icus.  If I know you, though, you found out what happened to me."

            "Yes," Kevin said.  "Steelheart came last night to see you.  When she found you were not in, she came to inform me.  I entered your room and found your quiver gone.  I had noticed earlier that it was nearly empty, so I guessed you had gone to Mount Icarus to get more arrows.  Steelheart and I went to Pernicus's arrow shop.  There, he told us that you had left with Palutena.  I became suspicious, and Steelheart and I went to Palutena's palace.  Surely enough, the queen confirmed my suspicion that it was not she who had left with you.  There, MotherBrain called us and told that she had told Medusa to trick you into shooting Michael and Lana with those love arrows."

            "Oh, I'm sorry, Kevin-icus," Kid Icarus said.  "He looks quite a bit like you, and from the distance, I couldn't tell until he dropped his Zapper from his left hand."

            "You're very observant, Kid Icarus," said Kevin.  "But that's okay, whatever has happened.  Speaking of the love arrows, I need to give you two the antidote arrows I got."

            "There's no need," said Michael.  "A little bug pricked my index finger, and the only effect its venom has on us is to neutralise love arrows completely.  Since I had already zapped the bug, Kid Icarus was able to extract enough of the venom from my finger to cure Lana."

            "Oh, good!  You know, MotherBrain told me you two resisted those arrows."

            "-Sigh.-  But it was very embarrassing, brother."

            "I can sure imagine."

            "Well, could some of us go down and check on Jean-Léonard?" Wesley asked.

            "Sure," Wilykit said.  "Mario and Luigi, could you call Batman, Robin, Zan, and Jayna up here to meet Commissioner Gordon, Batgirl, and Catwoman?"

            "Sure, Wilykit," said Mario.  He and Luigi went over to the communications console as Wilykit, Wilykat, Wesley, Jean-Luc Picard, Kevin, Lana, and Michael entered the large freight elevator.

            "Hospital level," commanded Wilykit.  The doors closed, and the elevator began descending.

            "So," Wesley said, "why didn't you tell any of us about your brother, Kevin?  We've speculated, but we want to know your real reason."

            "I let my feelings influence my judgement," said Kevin.  "I feared MotherBrain might harm him because he's as good at video games as I."

            "Kevin and I always proved very difficult opponents," Michael said.  "It'll be kind of interesting to see how it goes now."

            "Yes, it will," said Kevin.  Now, with fake seriousness so good it fooled Lana and Michael, he said, "Now, what's this about you two really having a thing for each other?"

            "It's true," said Michael.

            "Please don't be mad, Kevin," Lana said.  "All we did was. . . oh, God."

            "Don't worry, you two," said Kevin with heartfelt sincerity.  "Kissing doesn't bother me."

            "In that case, Wesley and I won't make a case out of you and Wilykit," Lana said.

            Kevin said, "That's okay.  I didn't expect you not to know."

            "Well, good, Kevin."

            "Well, I can't mess with your mind, 'Kit," Wesley said, "so I won't try."  He gently put his left arm on her back.

            "Thank you, Wes," said Wilykit.

            "Well, he just doesn't know how to go about it," Wilykat said slyly.

            "And what is that supposed to imply?"

            "It's been some time since I intentionally annoyed you."

            "Oh, Jaga.  Stop it, Wilykat.  Now."

            "Sure, sure.  Just watch it, sister."

            "Great."

            The elevator stopped, and the door opened.  The group went into the main room of the hospital, where Quicksilver was examining Jean-Léonard's heart rate.  "His heartbeat is slowing way too much," he said.  "Nurse, get the neuro-stimulators."  The nurse who was with him brought a device to Jean-Léonard's bed, took two pads from it, and placed them on his forehead.  Quicksilver went to the device controls and delivered a shock to Jean-Léonard's nervous system.  His body did not jump, but his heartbeat began returning to normal, which Quicksilver confirmed with his tricorder.  "Good.  His heartbeat is normalising.  Get someone to treat the plasma damage and to map his nervous system.  Something's wrong with his nerve impulses."

            "Yes, Doctor," the nurse said, and proceeded to follow Quicksilver's commands.

            "What's the analysis, Doctor?" Picard said.

            "Your son is very lucky, Captain," said Quicksilver.  "He'll live.  If MegaMan and X had gotten him here a minute later, I might not have given a nickel for his chances.  We can repair the physical injuries pretty well."

            "Quicksilver, this is Michael, my brother," Kevin said.  "Michael, this is Doctor Colonel Quicksilver."

            "Hello, Michael."

            "Hello, Doctor," Michael said.  "ProtoMan actually intended that shot for me."

            Quicksilver examined him with his tricorder.  "Hm.  Seems you would have handled the plasma-shock much better than he did.  Your body is a bit stronger."

            "Oh, no.  I'm sorry.  I wish I'd known."

            "Don't be.  I'm pretty sure he'll be fine, Michael."

            "Doctor, could you come look at this?" the nurse called.

            Quicksilver came and looked at the nurse's results.  "Oh, God," he mouthed without sound.  He tapped his communicator.  "Dr. Picard, this is Dr. Quicksilver.  Are you busy at the moment?"

            "No, Quicksilver," Dr. Beverly Crusher Picard responded.  "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

            "Yes.  I have a patient with significant plasma-damage to his nervous system.  Could you come see how we can help?"

            "Sure."

            "Before you come, I want your assurance that you will act as professionally, as logically and as rationally as possible, whoever my patient is."

            "I assure you of that, Quicksilver."

            "Thank you."

            "I'll be there in a moment."

            "See you then, Doctor."  He tapped his communicator.

            "Serious nerve damage?" Picard asked.

            "Very serious," said Quicksilver.  "Most of his nervous system was fried.  ProtoMan shot him in precisely the right manner for the plasma to travel along his nervous system and pretty much wreck it."

            "Not good," said Wesley.

            "That is an understatement, Wesley.  Your mother has better experience repairing serious nerve damage than I do."

            Steelheart and Steelwill entered the room.  "Is young Mr. Picard well, Quick?" Steelheart asked.

            "He has serious nerve damage from ProtoMan's plasma blast," Quicksilver reported.  "I called his mother because she has more experience with this sort of thing than I, and she's on her way."

            "All right."

            The door opened, and Dr. Picard entered.  She fought back a gasp, but she could not control her eyes widening.  "I'm here, Quicksilver," she said.  "Please show me the readings."

            "Certainly."  He handed her the tricorder showing the damage to the nervous system.

            "I'm afraid this is beyond natural repair," she said in as detached a manner as she could muster.  "Fortunately, there may be some synthetic alternatives."

            Steelwill asked, "May I see that, Doctor?"

            "Sure, Steelwill."  She handed Steelwill the tricorder.

            "Hm.  Quicksilver, recall your case history."

            "Neural failure when I was seriously injured by thieves carrying plasma weapons," Quicksilver said.  "Exactly!  Are you suggesting. . ."

            The door once more opened, this time admitting Astucieux-élisabeth and Frédéric.  Nearly instantly, Wilykit said, "Why don't you two wait outside?"

            "Why, Wilykit?" Élisabeth asked.  She saw Jean-Léonard.  "I. . . -gasp!-  What happened?"

            Wesley said, "He's been severely injured by ProtoMan.  Dr. Quicksilver and Mother will help him."

            "What can I do?"

            "I imagine it would help if you calmed down," said Frédéric serenely, starting to hug her.  "These two are two of the universe's best doctors, and there's a great chance they can do something for Jean-Léonard."  His sister accepted his embrace fully.

            "So," Beverly asked Steelheart and Quicksilver, "you're suggesting making him a Silver Hawk?"

            "Exactly," said Steelheart.  "He needs major repair to his nervous system by artificial means, anyway.  He could remove the suit whenever he wanted to,. . ."  She turned to Élisabeth.  ". . .and he'd be able to love you normally."

            "I care only about his well-being," Élisabeth said.  "His ability to love me isn't a factor, though I'd be very happy if that can remain."

            "He will feel as human as he did without the electronic parts," Quicksilver said.  "I can attest to that."

            "What about his consent?" Beverly asked.

            "As a doctor, I can't recommend awakening him and telling him of his condition.  He might react in a way that will make his condition worse, and I doubt his body can handle that."

            "Then can you repair the damage and then wake him up and ask him about becoming a Silver Hawk?  I'd say yes if I felt it were my decision, but it's his."

            "Sure.  Steelheart and Will will help us because they know about the electronics involved, and handling them can be tricky, for they are much like natural nerves."

            "Very well, Quicksilver.  Let's get started."

            * * *

            In his office, Mason was reading a report from Hamilton Burger concerning a case.  Della entered the office.  "Have you heard from Kevin yet?" Della asked.

            "No, I haven't, Della."  Just then, a series of knocks sounded a code on the door from the hallway.  "Check that," he said while getting up and turning to the door.  He called, "Come in, Kevin."

            The door opened, and Kevin entered, followed by his brother.  "Here he is, Perry," Kevin said.

            "Hello, Michael," said Mason.

            "Hello, Mr. Mason," Michael said.  "Hello, Miss Street."

            "Hi, Michael," said Della.

            "Something told me I shouldn't have gone on that trip," Michael said.

            "Ooh, that's all right," said Mason.

            "I mean it.  Then, I'd have begged to come with you and my parents to VideoLand, and MotherBrain would be having a really hard time about now."

            "Oh, well," Kevin said.  "Anyway, are we interrupting anything, Perry?"

            "Yes, but we could use a break," Mason said.  "Is everyone back from Metroid?"

            "Yes, including Lt. Tragg."

            "That's good."

            "I get the feeling he and Samus Aran used not to get along," said Michael.

            "Well, they didn't," Mason said.  "Has that changed?"

            Kevin said, "It certainly has."

            Paul Drake's code-knock sounded on the door, and Paul Drake, Sr., entered.  "Well, hello, Kevin and Michael," he said.

            "Hello, Mr. Drake," said Michael.

            "Hi, Paul," Mason said.  "Something up?"

            "The trail for our case has heated up, Perry," said Drake.  "I got a lead on that guy we're searching for.  He could be on KongoLand."

            "Good.  Get Ken and go look for him."

            "Sure thing, Perry."  He went into the law library.

            "Kevin, I may need your approval concerning certain facets of this one particular case I'm working on."

            "Certainly, Perry.  I'll let you do anything legal."

            "Thanks, Kevin.  Before I discuss details with you while your brother is around, you should grant him immunity so that he cannot be required to speak of these things on the witness stand."

            "Since he'd refuse like I would, I do so," Kevin said.

            "Is this a tricky case?" asked Michael.  "Since he's judge, Kevin shouldn't help you on the field, but I'd be happy to help."

            "Sure, Michael," said Mason.  "Especially with Burger prosecuting, this case has the potential for being very tricky.  He's come to be a more meticulous and demanding opponent, though his sense of truth and justice remains the same.  Kevin, let me ask you, what would you do if your brother were accused of something?"

            "Hm.  I'd probably pass the case to a more impartial judge," Kevin said.  "It would be nearly impossible for me to be impartial where he's concerned."

            "But I wouldn't knowingly do anything illegal," said Michael.  "And if I did so unknowingly, I'd fess up to it."

            "That's not to say that villains would not try to frame you," Mason said.  "They tried to have Kevin convicted twice."

            "Yeah, I get your point.  I dislike them already."

            "Welcome to the club, then," Kevin said.  "I hated Ludwig almost since the day I met him.  But that's longer than it took me to dislike MotherBrain.  The moment I first saw her, I saw the evil in her mind.  The pain she suffered when she was born and when her brain was caused to grow out of proportion was not sufficient to cause the amount and the purity of the evil in her.  It is so much a part of her being.  No powers or desires seduced her.  I would say that King Bowser Koopa and his Koopalings are the same.  When Bowser was born, his brain was about to shut down, and MotherBrain had a fist-sized clump of natural brain that would not fit in her jar, so that clump was transplanted successfully to Bowser, who was evil thereafter."

            "And I guess that brain made a slight overall genetic alteration so his seven shelled brats would inherit the evil tendencies," Michael said.

            "I would assume so, Michael.  Bowser has a twin, who is on our side.  King Spike Koopa, actually the rightful heir to the Koopa Kingdom, has seven good offspring corresponding to Bowser's.  His oldest son, for rather obvious reasons, changed his name to Luis."

            "The Spanish equivalent of Ludwig," Michael noted.  "How do we distinguish the Spike-Koopas from the Bowser-Koopas?"

            "The Spikes each have an S-like mark on the bottom of their left foot, while the Bowsers each have a B-like mark on their tail.  Also, the Spikes are much nicer to talk to than the Bowsers."

            "I can imagine."

            "Now, Kevin, you know the deceptiveness of which Ludwig and Larry are capable," Mason said.

            "Maybe, but they've never been able to fool me as to their identities," said Kevin.

            Another series of knocks hit the door.  It opened, and Lana came in.  "Hello, Mr. Mason."

            "Hello, Princess," Mason said.

            "I knew I'd find these two here.  Tell me, guys, what exactly did you two do together?"

            "Just about everything except school," said Kevin.

            "I hate to say this, but school's so boring," Michael said.  "I assimilate the knowledge rather quickly.  What surprises me is that everyone else seems so slow to me, and. . . -sigh.-  It would be more interesting at a faster rate, to me.  I do very well, but it's so slow it's not challenging at all."

            "Well, here, the education system is a top priority," Kevin said.  "Lana's father made it that way.  Either in a classroom or with a computer connected to the Palace computer network, you can take courses at your own speed.  I graduated from one of the universe's top university systems, the Thunderian Universities, pretty darn near the top of my class.  The only two who made higher grades are two of the most intelligent Thunderians around.  They're twins, and the younger, Antonio, is a real genius.  How are you doing on your horn lessons?"

            "Show me a horn and I'll let you hear.  With regard to music, I hear that you now sing, play stringed instruments, and compose!  Golly, how do you get the time to rule and protect a kingdom while involved in all that?"

            "Well, technique has always come rather easily to me, so what I need to practise is usually the subjectivity in singing and string-playing.  You remember me picking apart the slightest tuning impurities in various musical performances. . ."

            "Which very few people could do," Michael noted.  "I do it, too.  Once or twice, I even wince at something Plácido Domingo does, and he's supposed to be one of the strongest tenors around."

            "Right.  Anyway, never when I was playing or singing did I hear my pitch go off by a fraction of a nano-hertz, except for that awful huge double-bass 'cello.  Oh, God, my perfect-pitch-hearing drove me crazy when I began playing the thing!  The reason is that the intervals in first position are horribly large.  I much prefer the upper range."

            Lana smiled.  "But you mastered it."

            "Maybe, but now I wouldn't play that monster unless I turned myself into a giant.  To think that the greatest composer of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries even dreamed up that beast. . . ugh!"

            "It does go down to an A-flat, but I trust that's not worth the effort," Michael said.

            "No, it is not, at least for me.  Steelwill and Steelheart can handle those things much better than I want to, and so I let them handle those things.  They're quite good players of all stringed instruments, and they're quite superb teachers.  In orchestra, they mostly play the huge things - the double-bass and the double-bass 'cello - because few people want to."

            "Are there any wind players on this team?"

            "Well, Antonio's brother, Guillaume, plays practically all the woodwinds very well, as does Astucieux-frédéric, the twin brother of Jean-Léonard's girlfriend, Élisabeth.  Guillaume most loves the oboe, while Frédéric prefers the flute.  Simon Belmont plays trumpet and French horn with some skill.  His greatest ability is volume control.  He just has a hard time with pedal tones, though, and really high notes.  Then, there's Commander Will Riker, who plays the trombone with more skill.  He has great range and flexibility, which is good for his jazz music, but he sometimes has trouble controlling the volume in the extreme registers, especially in soft passages.  Captain Picard plays the flute, also.  He's quite good with volume control and expressiveness, and he has good pitch control and good technique.  Wilykit and Wilykat mastered several stringed, woodwind, and brass instruments in a short period of time.  They have good technique, good pitch, and much expressive control on all of them.  They're better on the brass than Simon and Riker or practically anyone, for that matter.  They each have great mobility on the French horn, even down in the pedal tones and up in the stratosphere.  Link's son, Heinrich, also plays woodwinds."

            "Okay.  I wish I'd had an opportunity to learn strings.  A reasonably good violinist can play with more expression than a superb trumpeter or a great flautist, and the 'cello can have a monstrous range."

            "Well, Michael, you can learn.  I hope we're not preventing you from doing important work, Perry."

            "No, you're not," Mason said.  "While you were talking, I've been thinking, which is what I needed to do.  Paul and Ken are doing my legwork for this case.  It seems intimidating.  Like I said, Michael, if you want to help, that's fine."

            "Whatever I can legally do to help, I'll do it," promised Michael.  "Just call me."

            "Sure."

            Suddenly, the door from the outside opened, and Lt. Steve Drumm entered.  "Good day, Perry and Della."

            "Hello, Steve," Mason said.  "My client is not here."

            "I see.  Hello, Michael."

            "Hello, Lieutenant Drumm," said Michael.

            Lana said, "Hello, Lieutenant."

            "Hello, Princess," Drumm said.  "Perry, I suggest you get your client to turn himself in.  I have a warrant for his arrest, and I can't find him."

            "I told him not to run off," Mason said, as if to himself.  "Blast it."

            Lieutenant Tragg stepped into the office.  "Good morning, everyone."

            "Well, hello, Lt. Tragg," Mason said.

            Drumm asked, "Do you feel like hunting down another of Perry's clients, Tragg?"

            "Well, sure, Steve," Tragg said with a grin.

            "I'm going to look for him, too," said Mason.  "It would be better if all clients were as reliable as Kevin and Michael, but they're not, unfortunately.  I'll call if I find him."

            "Certainly, Perry," Drumm said.  He and Tragg left the office.

            "Let's go, Della."

            "Hey, I'd like to help," said Michael.

            "Sure, Michael.  Let's go."  Mason, Della, and Michael left the office.

            Lana smiled at Kevin.  "You're such a nice guy, your kindness must have rubbed off on Michael."

            "I'm flattered," Kevin said, smiling in return, "but it didn't rub off from me.  It seems to come naturally to us."

            "He showed me a picture he has of you and him."

            "Would it be this?"  He withdrew his wallet and showed her a picture that was in it.  She smiled and took it to look at it more closely.

            "It's beautiful, Kevin.  I see the strong connection between you two.  Even if you two didn't look so much alike, I could tell.  I can't explain it, but I just know it."  She handed the wallet back to him.

            He gently put his left hand on her right shoulder where the shoulder met the neck.  "I'm sorry you don't have that sort of relationship, Lana. . . being best friends with your sibling is one of the most powerful relationships I can imagine.  So is this one, too."  They kissed each other.

            When they finished, they hugged closely and tightly.  "Oh, Kevin, I'm so sorry."

            "You don't need to apologise.  I don't care how much you love him or how much you kiss him.  MotherBrain is a fool to think I would lose my temper at you and him.  I feel no jealousy because I know how much you love me."

            "I do love you, Kevin, but I also love him."

            "That's all right.  It's much better than you hating him."

            "I could never hate anyone with your and his kindness and intelligence."

            They released each other.  Kevin said, "I'll take you to meet our daughter."

            "All right, Kevin."  They left the office through the 'quickie' exit.

            "Hey, Father!" called Thomas.  He came to them and stopped.  "Hello, Mother."

            "Hi, Thomas," Lana said.  "I assume that's what you prefer being called."

            "Yes, you're right.  It pleases me to agree that you are every bit as beautiful as Father described."

            Lana smiled.  "And you're every bit as handsome as he is."

            "Thank you, Mom.  Kelly is as beautiful as you are.  She's up in our room."

            "All right.  Shall we go up there?"

            "Sure."  They headed for the nearest elevator.  "Dad, where's Michael?"

            "He went with Perry Mason and Della Street to help round up another disappearing client," Kevin said.  "He's going to chew out this guy for sure.  Perry's told him emphatically not to run off."

            "I agree that it's not intelligent," Thomas said.  "Flight can be indicative of guilt.  If we would all react more logically, maybe things would be better."

            "I agree with that.  Unfortunately, fear is a feeling with enough power to conquer nearly anyone's mind, and it sometimes causes people not to think and to do something they shouldn't."  They reached the elevator and entered it.  "Royal residence floor."  The door closed, and the elevator began moving upwards.

            "So, Thomas, I hear you have a thing for Wilykit's daughter," Lana said with approval.

            "It's more than that, Mother.  I have strong emotional feelings for Wily-johanna vân Crusher.  She feels much the same way about me, but she has a bit more trouble controlling them.  She's quite a nice girl."

            "I see.  Have you kissed her?"

            "Yes, I have.  I hope you don't think I've done something I shouldn't."

            "Of course not, Thomas.  Do you intend to marry her in a few years?"

            "Certainly, when I've finished school and when she's old enough.  I intend to follow my father's excellent example."

            "Kevin, is he always this easy to talk to?"

            "Yes, he is," Kevin said.  "He went through crazy teenager phases, of course, but he controlled them quite well.  That's partly thanks to the fact that he learned quite well from his emotional control lessons, better than I did when my father taught me.  Kelly can be a bit tougher to deal with.  I didn't expect her to inherit as much of my family's emotional nature as she did.  Normally, though, she's pretty easy-going."

            "Oh, well.  At least she has a good brother."

            "Yes.  He's actually the one person she'll always talk to."

            "She'll tell me literally anything," Thomas said.  "And she never gets me angry with her, no matter what she does."

            "Other older siblings would have reason to be envious, then," said Lana.  "If she never succeeds in getting your goat, then you are a strong person, indeed.  Wilykit, for instance, would probably have killed for that kind of control.  Of course. . . you don't try to annoy her, do you?"

            "No, I don't," Thomas said.  "You are, perhaps, recalling that she is the older."

            "Yes, doggone me.  You act so serious that you fool me.  You were always the calmer one, even as a baby.  You only cried when you needed feeding or changing, and even then, you weren't quite as loud.  Sometimes, she cried when the slightest thing was out of place.  Does she understand the weight of her position in the kingdom's affairs as heir to the throne, Kevin?"

            "Yes, she does," Kevin said.  "Over the past few months, since we've come back from the X-iverse, she's become a bit less reactive emotionally. . . partly because Thomas is teaching her the control, and partly because. . . well, she likes someone, too.  Link and Zelda's son, Heinrich."

            Lana smiled.  "I always suspected my family and Zelda's might become united one day.  What is Heinrich like?"

            "Like his father, he is 'Legendary Hero of Hyrule' material," said Thomas.  "However, the relationship between Heinrich and Kelly is not as volatile as the relationship between Zelda and Link was when they first knew each other.  Heinrich is much less overbearing, and Kelly does not hide her attraction to him.  Oh, they've just kissed, but it. . . God, what am I getting into?"

            "What's wrong, Thomas?" Kevin asked.

            Thomas continued logically, not permitting any fear to invade his voice.  "When Johanna and I went off to Hyrule again last night, I suspect you may know what happened.  Now, I took contraceptive precautions, and so did she, but we still lost just enough control."

            "That is perfectly acceptable, Thomas.  Remember, I taught that that sort of relationship is all right if you only do it with one person."

            "I know.  I just allowed myself to forget the circumstances momentarily."

            "It's all right," Lana said.  "I'm sure you could have retained control if you had to."

            "Yes."  The door opened, and the three left the elevator.  They walked towards Kelly's room.

            Kevin said, "Johannes and Liselotte have these feelings for each other, too."

            "Oh, yes," Thomas said.  "Since they're each the younger in their respective twin-pairs, they worry a little about being left out."

            "They shouldn't," said Lana.  "You don't make them feel that way, do you?"

            "No.  We do the opposite, in fact.  Heinrich, Kelly, Johanna, and I constantly make them feel welcome.  The six of us have become good friends."

            "That's good.  I assume you and Kelly are friends with Wilykit and Wilykat."

            "Yes, we are, and quite good ones.  Among Father, Kelly, Wilykit, Wilykat, and me, Kelly was the one who tended to be the easiest to get upset, so the other four of us always helped her."

            "It seems she's had quite a lot of support."

            "She's always wanted to meet you," Kevin said.  "She'd probably recognise you even if you didn't look like you anymore."

            Thomas stopped at the door and tapped a certain button on the panel next to it. . . not the ordinary signal button, but a different one.  Within a few seconds, the door opened.  Kelly was on the other side.  "I keep telling you you can come on in, Thomas," she said with a sly grin.  "It's your room, too."

            "I respect your privacy, Kelly."

            "Yes, but. . . Mother?"

            "Hello, Kelly," Lana said.

            Kelly was now quite excited.  "Come in!"  Thomas, Lana, and Kevin entered the room.  Kelly hit a button to close the door.  "Mother, I'm so happy to see you!"  She hugged Lana.

            Lana returned the hug.  "Well, I'm happy to see you, too, Kelly."  They kissed each other on the cheek and released each other.

            "Gee, Daddy wasn't kidding," Kelly said.  "You're quite beautiful."

            "I see this guy's been talking about me."

            "In a most positive manner," said Thomas.  "It is obvious that he likes to spend time with you.  I can tell you're one of his closest friends."

            Lana smiled at Kevin.  "Kevin, you're so sweet."

            Kevin smiled back.  "Thank you, my dear.  I fell in love with you for what I could see in your mind."

            "The way you act proves that.  I must confess, though, that when you first dropped into VideoLand, I intentionally tried to use my looks to get you to help."

            "Looks affect me momentarily, but I try to act on logic.  That's why I initially didn't want to get involved. . . until MotherBrain sent her goons to kidnap you."

            "When I saw you again, I could tell you'd changed your mind.  From then on, you never refused to help me."

            "Part of it was when I saw MotherBrain.  I saw such pure evil in her, and I wouldn't wish anyone to be harmed or conquered by her."  He closed his eyes and sighed.  "Especially not Michael, of whom I tried to keep her ignorant.  That was so stupid of me."

            "That's okay, Kevin."

            "No, it's not!  Dr. Wily was there, at that trial.  I should have known he'd remember about Michael and maybe plant some device on him."

            "Father, it's all right, really," Thomas said soothingly.  "It doesn't pay to slap yourself silly over this.  It seems that you are the only person blaming yourself for this, so it'd be better to forgive yourself."

            Kevin hugged his son.  "Oh, Thomas, you really know how to help me.  I guess it helps me more for people to appeal to my logic than to my feelings."

            "It was your logic that was perceiving that something was wrong.  Anyway, no one else is mad at you for this."

            "That's right, Daddy," said Kelly.

            "So, Kelly," said Lana, "you apparently like to dress informally, like your father."

            "Yes, Mother.  I'm used to it, and I'd probably feel strange dressing like you."  She smiled.  "Even so, people might think you and I look like twins!"

            This comment disturbed Lana a little.  "I'm sorry, Kelly.  I know that was meant to be amusing, and I'd be amused were the circumstances different, but. . . Kevin, I'm sure you remember my father being in the Mirror World."

            "Yes," Kevin said.

            "Well, ah, while Michael, Kid Icarus, Duke, and I were going to the surface, MotherBrain indicated that. . . that. . . oh, God."

            Kevin hugged her in a kind and supporting manner.  "What is it?" he asked softly.

            "Well, her exact words were, 'The only difference is, my dear, that you don't know about your secret, while Kevin knew very well about his.' "

            Kevin gulped very quietly.  "And I guess you felt that riddle meant that she was telling you that you have a sister?"

            "Exactly.  -Sigh.-"

            "But. . . but wasn't your mother killed in an accident mere weeks before your father disappeared?"

            "Kid Icarus pointed out that there remained no physical evidence to indicate that she died.  All that was there was the emerald earring that bore her name. . . the one piece of jewellery of hers that I kept.  Thanks to Kid Icarus's rationality, I must at least believe that there is a possibility that MotherBrain sent my mother to the Mirror World and that she and Father met."

            "And then had another child," Kevin finished when she did not continue.

            She hugged him in gratitude for his support.  "Yes."  Kevin's communicator beeped.  Kevin gently released Lana, who released him.  "Go ahead, Kev."

            Kevin tapped his communicator.  "Captain N here."

            Michael's voice responded, "Kevin, thank God!  It's Michael.  Mr. Mason and I need your help.  We can't reach the police."

            "All right, Michael.  I'll get to you."  He tapped his communicator.

            "May I come?" Thomas asked.

            "Yes, Thomas."

            "I can tell Mom about some of what's been going on," Kelly said.

            Kevin smiled at her.  "You do that, Kelly.  See you two later."  He and Thomas quickly left the room.

            "Thomas, Michael, and Kevin are just alike," Lana said.  "Find trouble, and they'll try to fix it."

            "Yes," said Kelly.  "If I weren't just meeting you now for the first time, I'd be doing the same.  Tell me, when you first saw MotherBrain in person, how did you react?"

            "I quite nearly threw up."

            "Me, too.  But Thomas was there, and he helped me.  Now, when I see her, I don't react so intensely."

            "I see.  You really like him, don't you?"

            "Oh, Mom, I don't know what I'd do without my brother.  Whenever something's wrong, he's there for me.  Under that completely logical exterior lies one of the sweetest, most caring souls in the universe.  If he ever needs me, I will certainly do my best for him because I can hardly repay what he's already done for me."

            "I'm glad he's so nice to you."

            "He's never been mean or anything like that, and he doesn't get mad when I do something that might really annoy any other brother.  I don't do it on purpose, but I just. . . I just do these things sometimes.  I love that guy a lot, Mom.  I would not be the Princess I am today if it weren't for him."

            Lana hugged her.  "I'm glad."

            * * *

            Atom Mountain, Chemistra, VideoLand.

            Atom Mountain overlooked the capital city of Chemistra, Chemico-Physic City.  On the top of this mountain dwelt Charles Nuclesís, a half-Chemistrian quarter-MegaLandian quarter-Hyrulian villain born in MegaLand.  He was MotherBrain's 'chief of operations' on Chemistra.  Mason and Michael were now on Chemistra because Mason's client lived in Chemico-Physic City.  After looking through his client's home himself and questioning his client's mother, Mason determined that his client might have gone into hiding on the mountain.  They found the weather on the mountain very cold, even though it was nearing summertime.  It was never very warm on the mountain, and Nuclesís controlled the mountain weather to make sure it was inhospitable to intruders.  This was primarily why no one had been able to apprehend him.

            They were heading towards the area where Mason expected his client to be hiding.  "So, what happened that made you come out to VideoLand?" Michael asked Mason.

            "The Brain-Team took the Sacred Square of Tetris World, which controls Tetris blocks," Mason said.  "They put a fake where the Sacred Square was supposed to be.  Then, they had King Hippo place the Sacred Square in Kevin's room to frame him.  Lana found him passed out at his door and was legally forced to have him arrested.  Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach Toadstool came to L.A. to get me and Hamilton Burger.  Our law licenses were good in VideoLand because law here was very much like U.S. law and because the differences were easily reconciled."

            "Ol' Burger prosecutes my bro again, eh?"

            "Yes.  Kevin was convicted, but Kid Icarus brought evidence from Metroid that overturned the conviction.  Kid Icarus is one of the most loyal members of the team, and he is certain not to misplace his loyalty."

            "I see.  Has my brother ever been misaccused of anything else?"

            "No, he hasn't."  Michael frowned a little in thought.  "What's wrong?"

            "I think someone may be following us," Michael said quietly.  "Maybe we should keep our volume down."

            "All right," said Mason quietly.  "I don't think it'll be long before we reach my client."

            "You must be angry."

            "Yes, I am.  That person is making it harder on himself and for me."

            "I may think very subjectively at times, but my logic is strong enough to make me turn myself in."

            "Well, this person supposedly thinks in a highly logical manner.  In many matters, Chemistrians think with nearly Vulcan logic.  Therefore, logic or the lack thereof isn't of primary importance in deciding to flee a murder charge.  It's how much common sense you have and how seriously you take your lawyer."

            "Hmph.  Some people must have peas for brains."

            "I know that feeling.  It doesn't help a lawyer's objectivity."

            "I know, Mr. Mason.  However, you act on your feelings at times."

            "Yes.  I tend to trust my intuition.  Paul thinks I sometimes skate on ice that's too thin, but I manage to pull out."

            "I bet he doesn't like you to skate on thin ice at all."

            "A lot of the time, of course, he's kidding, but sometimes he isn't.  He's usually a good sport about it."

            Three figures popped out in front of them.  "Hold it," said the one in red in an annoying, nasal tenor voice.

            "Where do you think you're going?" boomed the one in yellow in a baritone voice.

            "We are searching for a person whom the police are seeking," Mason said.  "I'm sure you recognise me as Perry Mason.  I will advise the person that he should turn himself in."

            "No doing," said the one in green in an anaemically weak bass voice.

            "He is related to Lord Nuclesís," the one in red said.  "He shall not suffer the persecution of the law.  You should appreciate that, Mr. Mason, if you are trying to get him off."

            "Ah, if it isn't the Atomic Imbeciles."

            "We're the Atomic Idiots!" they tersely corrected in unison.

            "Pardon me.  But it's better for this person to turn himself in.  After a fair trial, the court will recognise that he murdered no one, and he will be acquitted."

            "Not on your life," the one in yellow said.  "We'll stop you."

            Michael drew his Zapper.  "Do not attack," he commanded strongly.

            "Hey, you look like Captain N, but you're too young!" the one in green said.

            "I'm his brother, and I'm just as sharp as he is.  Now, permit us to pass."

            The one in red said, "Nope."

            "Nope," said the one in yellow.

            "Nope," the one in green said.  (Note that they did not say this in unison but sequentially in a descending b minor chord arpeggio.)

            Mason said, "Michael, you should know something.  Check the green bar on your Power Pad."

            Michael glanced at the bar.  When Lana gave it to him, it was bright green.  Now, it was almost completely dark, except one small cell was lit.  Oh, great, he thought.  I guess this means my Power Pad and Zapper are nearly out of power.

            "Ha, ha!" laughed the one in red.  "Is your toy out of power?  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "Laugh all you want, quark-brain.  Let us pass."

            "No!  Why should we?"

            "If you don't," Mason said, "I'm sure Captain N will come."

            "Will he come quickly enough?" the one in yellow asked.  He fired energy from his right index fingertip at Michael, who quickly leapt out of the way.

            Michael said, "You're picking on the wrong guy.  Mr. Mason, quickly!"  Swiftly, he stunned the one in green and ran through the new hole in the Atomic Idiots' blockade.  Mason followed quickly, nearly able to run like Michael.

            "Do you have any power left?" Mason asked.

            "Not a drop, Mr. Mason."

            The one in yellow said, "After them!"  He and the one in red ran after Michael and Mason.

            Michael tapped his communicator, which Kevin had recently given him.  "Lieutenant Tragg, this is Michael.  Do you read me?"  Only static responded.

            "Great," Mason said.  He tapped his communicator.  "Lieutenant Drumm, this is Perry Mason.  Do you copy?"  Only more static.  "Hm.  Try Kevin."

            "Sure."  He tapped his communicator.  "Michael to Kevin."

            Seconds later, Kevin's voice responded, "Captain N here."

            "Kevin, thank God!  It's Michael.  Mr. Mason and I need your help.  We can't reach the police."

            "All right, Michael.  I'll get to you."  Michael's communicator beeped.

            "Hey, Kev!  Drat.  How'll he know we're here?"

            Mason said, "The Palace computer will tell him we're here."

            "Hold it!" called the stooge in red.  He fired a beam at Mason.  Michael grabbed Mason and turned right quickly.  The shot flew past them.  "Oh, damn!"

            "Watch your language!" shouted the one in yellow.

            Mason said, "Thanks, Michael.  This way."  They turned left.

            "Oh, crud!  They'll reach Jack Stannous in no time!"

            The one in red said, "Then let's stop them, Neutron Head!"

            "Yes, let's, Electron Charge."

            Electron Charge, the one in red, fired at Michael, who swerved aside to avoid the shot.  "Curse it!" Electron Charge exclaimed.  "Stand still!"  A Zapper-shot hit him squarely in the back, sent him falling forward, and knocked him out.

            "You're next, Neutron Head!" Captain N called.  He stunned Neutron Head, the one in yellow.  He and Thomas came out to Mason and Michael, who had stopped running.

            "Thanks for showing, Kev," Michael said.  "I didn't realise this thing had to be recharged."

            Thomas said, "I keep a Power Pad recharger in case Dad or I need recharging.  On the back of the pad, you'll find a compartment you can open.  There is a cord inside."

            Michael checked and pulled out the cord.  "Here it is."  He handed it to Thomas, who plugged it into his charger.  In seconds, Michael's Power Pad was recharged.  "Thank you, Thomas."

            "Sure, Michael.  That thing's just a spare.  A real Power Pad keeps its charge for a long time."

            "Sure.  I need the Zapper to be on the left side, anyway."

            "We'll take care of that," Kevin said.  "Now, I assume, Mr. Mason, that you have a good idea where your client is."

            "Yes, Kevin," Mason said.  "The Atomic Idiots say he's related to Nuclesís and that they were sent to keep us from reaching him."

            "I see.  Well, Thomas and I will keep an eye on things while you and Michael fetch Mr. Stannous."

            "Sure, Kevin."

            "And, in case he doesn't want to come along, tell him the judge will be awfully darned angry if he doesn't come along and that the judge won't be as forgiving as you."

            "Certainly, Thine Honour.  Let's go, Michael."  Mason and Michael continued to Stannous's hiding place.

            "Are you angry, Father?" Thomas asked.

            "To some degree," said Kevin.  "The representative from this section of Chemistra is found dead in her apartment near the Palace of Power, and a relative of Nuclesís is accused.  This isn't good for Mr. Jack Stannous, and it's worse for him that he fled.  If we had tabloids here, this would be very humiliating for him."

            "Do you think he did it?"

            "No, because Burger has to prove that he did in a fair trial."

            "I mean personally."

            "Thomas, I'm not supposed to think about that. . . especially now that I know he's related to a Brain-Team member.  I am to remain impartial."

            "Of course.  You're correct, Dad."

            Michael and Perry Mason neared a cave.  "Let's be careful, Mr. Mason," Michael said quietly.  "We aren't exactly sure what Mr. Stannous will do."

            "Certainly," agreed Mason.  He cautiously entered the cave.  Michael, who had drawn his Zapper, followed quietly.  Mason called, "Jack, it's Perry.  I know you're in here.  Come out."

            Carefully, someone approached.  "Perry, you sure scared me."

            "Why didn't you tell me you were related to Charles Nuclesís?"

            "Because, if you'll pardon my extreme language, I want nothing to do with that damned son of a bitch!"

            "His goons came, claiming to be protecting you."

            "He is why I ran!  Believe me, I know I'm in trouble, but if he gets his hands on me, he'll use my genes on his so he can become completely Chemistrian.  That's bad news for everyone.  How'd you find me?"

            "When I searched your house, your mother said you might be here."

            "If I turn myself in, will I be protected?  I'm not afraid for myself but for everyone else.  I'm the only person living that Nuclesís can use, as he can only use a male's DNA for this."

            "All right, Jack.  I'll try to arrange it.  Lieutenant Drumm has a warrant for your arrest."

            "-Sigh.-  Curse it.  I'm a fugitive."

            "I'm afraid so."

            "Then I've no choice.  Let's go."  They left the cave.  Once they were out, Lieutenants Drumm and Tragg arrived by transporter.

            "Hello, all," said Drumm.

            "My client needs protection from Nuclesís, Lieutenant," said Mason.  "That's why he ran."

            "All right, Perry, but I must take him into custody.  Mr. Stannous, I have a warrant for your arrest."  He showed Stannous the warrant.

            Stannous said, "I shall accompany you without resistance, Lieutenant Drumm.  I wish I'd known about the warrant."

            "We recently got it, so we won't hold this flight against you.  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.  I see you have one."

            Kevin and Thomas arrived.  "I see you're here, lieutenants," Kevin said.  "Mr. Jack Stannous, I hope you can provide a satisfactory explanation as to why you fled."

            Mason said, "Go ahead and tell them, Jack."

            "I ran because Nuclesís is after me," Stannous said.  "You may not know this, but I am his only surviving closely-related male cousin.  He is related to me on my mother's side.  He can use my genetic material to make himself fully Chemistrian, and if he does that, my homeworld will be in greater jeopardy from him than ever before."

            "I see," said Kevin.  "How will you be treating him, Lieutenant Drumm?"

            Drumm said, "Since he'll come willingly, we won't press charges for the flight."

            "Very well.  Mr. Stannous, I believe you, but what sense does it make for you to hide here?"

            "It's psychological," said Stannous.  "As a child, I was out in a storm one night, and I hid in this very cave.  Later, when I was in my adolescence, I was out here when those three goons came to try to nab me for Nuclesís.  I hid in the cave, and they never found me."

            "I see.  Well, I'm sure Lieutenant Drumm will do everything in his power to keep you safe from Nuclesís."

            "It is the safety of Chemistra and of all VideoLand that concerns me.  If he became fully Chemistrian, Nuclesís would be able to cause a great deal more trouble than presently."

            Drumm said, "Well, let's go, Mr. Stannous."

            "Certainly, Lieutenant."

            Drumm tapped his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport three to VLPD headquarters."  Stannous, Drumm, and Tragg were transported away.

            "I fail to see Mr. Stannous's logic in coming here," Thomas said.

            Michael said, "It was instinctive, Thomas.  Instinct can compel a person to perform the most illogical action."

            "He didn't wish to flee the police, Kevin," Mason said.

            "Well, I agree, Perry," Kevin said.  He looked at his watch.  "Hm.  About time for the next meeting.  Time for my brother to meet the team."  He tapped his communicator.  "Transporter, transport four to the Throne Room of the Palace of Power."  They were transported there.