Michael's Bedroom, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.  Stardate 49 758.90; April 3, 1993.

Michael and Wilykit kissed for a long time after they had made love the second time.  This time was far better that the first.  Right now, they were slowing down.  Michael knew from what Kevin said that afterplay was important to make a woman feel like the man cared for her.  He understood that all Kevin knew was hearsay, but he decided it made sense, and he also enjoyed afterplay as much as foreplay. . . maybe even more so.  He enjoyed just touching her, though he did not know exactly why.  He decided that in this instance, the 'why' was unimportant.

            Wilykit completely enjoyed the entire experience.  He touched her exactly as she wanted him to, even when extremely excited.  His afterplay was very soothing to her.  She did not require any of this, as all Thunderians were capable of all types of lovemaking, including some very violent types that would seriously injure a Klingon, but the way he touched her indicated very clearly that he cared for her.  If he were rougher, it might be more stimulating, but it just felt better for him to be gentle, so she did not object.  If she wanted him to be rough, he might be too rough.

            Their kissing became very compassionate and caring.  Soon, other than hugging, that was all either of them was doing.  When they were through, they lay on their sides and gazed in each other's eyes.  "I love you, Michael," Wilykit told him.

            "I love you, too, Wilykit," replied Michael.  They gently pressed their lips together for about five seconds.  By now, they were very calm and serene, though neither was tired or sleepy.  "I feel like staying and gazing in your eyes forever."

            "How romantic," she said, smiling.  "I could do that, too."  They stood up and hugged each other very compassionately.

            "Oh, I love you," he said again.

            "I love you, too.  I love the way you touch me, Michael.  Thank you for caring so much about me."  He knew she expected no response, so he just kissed her lips gently and rubbed her back even more gently.

            "Want to go get dinner?  I don't think we'll be doing too much activity this evening, so we can eat."

            "Sure," she said.  "I am feeling kind of hungry."

            "Okay, then."  They released each other and clothed themselves.  Then, holding hands, they left for the kitchen.

            * * *

            In the kitchen, Kevin and Lana were eating a light dinner that he prepared.  They were each dressed in a T-shirt and jeans shorts from Kevin's selection.  The climate control made them just as comfortable in these as in their normal clothes, and there really was little point in them putting much else on.  They found it very difficult to keep their hands off each other.  Their necking became quite passionate after they finished their meal.

            "Wait!" Kevin cried, stopping.

            "What?" asked Lana.

            "I hear someone coming."

            The doors opened, and the two were really afraid it might have been Kevin's parents, but to their relief, it was Michael and Wilykit who came in.  Michael was in his red short-sleeved shirt and long jeans, Wilykit in her normal wear.  "Michael!  Wilykit!" Kevin exclaimed.  He did not even know the sheepish expressions he and Lana were wearing.

            Michael smiled wryly and crossed his arms.  "And what are you two doing?  Don't you know it's unwise to make out where your parents can get to you?"

            Kevin sighed.  "Yeah.  Second time for us today."

            Michael's grin widened.  "So, you two have been naughty today."

            Lana retorted, "We're both nineteen years old."

            "Oh, well.  Did you feel the shock waves?"

            "Yes," said Kevin.  "Our parents and I felt them.  It wasn't too long afterwards that Lana and I. . . well."  Lana rubbed his leg again.  He smiled wryly at her.  "And what are you doing?"

            "Oh, just a little stimulation," she replied, smiling naughtily.

            "Oh, yeah?  Well, two can play at this."

            She put her hands on his shoulders.  "Just what I was planning," she said.  They kissed passionately like before, except their little lip-fight got a little too rowdy, and Kevin accidentally bit her!  He realised this before she even felt the pain, and he had released her just before she leapt back and cried, "Ow!"

            "Oh, no," he said, concerned.  "I'm sorry."

            Michael checked her lip.  He knew what to look for to give first aid.  "It's okay," he said.  "No damage was done externally.  At least you didn't bite too hard, bro."  He pulled out his tricorder and examined the lip.  "No broken blood vessels."  He put the tricorder away.

            "Lana, I'm so sorry," said Kevin pleadingly.

            "It's okay," Lana said reassuringly.  She kissed him gently.  "I guess we got a little too much into it, eh?"

            "Yeah."  The little incident overshadowed his rambunctious mood.

            Lana saw this.  "Hey, it's all right, Kevin.  I mean it."  He looked in her eyes.  "Really."

            "Thank you," he said.  As she gently kissed him, she rubbed certain areas of his body.  His humming and his change in behaviour told her she was succeeding.  He hugged her and kissed her, except he was more careful this time.  He gave her a mischievous grin when they had finished.  "Yeah!  Thanks, Lana."

            Lana smiled back.  "Of course."  He was softly starting to touch her in very sensitive places, but she did not mind. . . except that they had an audience.  "Kevin."

            He stopped.  "What?"

            "Why don't we go and let these two eat?"

            "Oh, sure."  He turned to Michael.  "Just one thing, though.  Why are you out?"

            "We just did it twice," Michael said.  "We're not really planning on a third time."  He and Kevin could discuss this later in private. . . and something told him Kevin really wanted to go be alone with Lana again.  As soon as possible.  "Well, see you."

            "See you, guys," Kevin said.

            "I'll take care of your dishes for you."

            "Thanks, bro."  He and Lana, holding hands, left the room.

            Michael took up their plates and examined them.  "Looks like they had a light dinner," he said.

            Wilykit smiled.  "I've never seen them unable to keep their hands off each other before."

            "Well, that means that something's happened to change that," Michael said, grinning.  He began fixing dinner for himself and Wilykit.  "Those two are right for each other.  Like you and me."

            Wilykit giggled.  "Right now, they're just like two Tygran teenagers Wilykat and I saw quite often in the café.  I knew there had to be a reason they were doing all that.  Those two couldn't seem to get through a meal without any necking.  Wilykat and I couldn't resist watching."

            Michael held back a burst of laughter.  "I wonder if we'll be like that."

            "Could be.  It could be worse, you know."

            Michael grew serious.  "Yeah.  If I hadn't protected myself, I might have impregnated you."

            Wilykit grew serious, too.  "Yeah, you're right, and the same goes for Kevin and Lana.  Did Kevin protect himself?"

            "I'm pretty sure he did.  He's no fool."

            "I see.  What can we do for fun after dinner?"

            "Whatever we want."

            "How 'bout another video game?"

            Michael grinned.  "You're speaking my language, Wilykit!"  The door opened, and two people came in. . . Ned and Cheryl.  "Well, hello!"

            "Hi, Michael, Wilykit," said Cheryl.  "What are you doing out?"

            "We've satisfied her necessity and our urges, so we decided we'd have a good dinner," he said, looking in the refrigerator.  "You're welcome to join us.  There's enough of what I'm going to fix for four people."

            Ned asked, "What about Kevin and Lana?"

            "They've eaten."  He grinned wickedly, unable to keep from tattling a little.  "They couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other."

            "I see," said Cheryl.  Her tone indicated that she had been expecting this.  "How long has it been like that?"

            "The only time I've seen 'em like that is just a few minutes ago, when they were in here."

            "What've they told you?"

            "Not much yet, really."  He would avoid telling them about Kevin and Lana's activity unless directly solicited.  He would tell his parents just about anything, but he would not volunteer information about his brother's sex life unless his brother wanted him to.

            Ned knew Michael too well, though.  "You're not telling us something," the father said.

            "I don't think Kevin would appreciate me telling you," said Michael.

            "All right, then, let's leave it at that," Cheryl said.  "How were they dressed?"

            Michael knew now he had made a mistake in tattling.  His parents were sharp.  They could get anything out of either him or Kevin once just too much information had been volunteered.  "Do I have to answer that?" he asked in a manner that indicated that he did not wish to answer, though he kept from whining.

            "Yes," said Ned.  He did not say it in a bossy manner, but he said it as though Michael should answer.

            "T-shirt, jeans shorts, shoes," Michael responded.

            "Do you know where they were just before they came here?" Cheryl asked.

            "No, I do not," said Michael.  At least Kevin had not admitted that much.

            "Do you know where they went?" asked Ned.

            "They didn't tell me," Michael replied.

            "Okay.  Go ahead and fix dinner."

            "Want some help?" asked Cheryl.

            "I'll take some," Michael said.  Cheryl helped him prepare their meal.  "I hope you guys aren't disappointed in Kevin."

            "No," said Ned.  "Did Lana seem to be enjoying what he was doing, or did she voice any objections?"

            "She liked it," Wilykit said.  "In fact, she was as aggressive as he was."

            Cheryl found this a bit discomforting.  Both her boys had lost their virginity in the same day.  However, she could not complain.  She liked Lana and Wilykit, and she trusted them both.  She knew she could no longer worry about Kevin and Michael making love, since each of them knew who was right for him.  It was not as though they could not exhibit self-control.  In fact, Michael had clearly been reluctant to lose his virginity until he knew what was at stake.  She asked Wilykit, "How did my son treat you, Wilykit?"

            "Very gently," Wilykit replied.  "He sure made me feel loved.  He never really needed much guidance from me, just a couple of suggestions."

            "Did the first phase activate?"

            "Yes, but it was way too late to make a real difference in our actions.  I'm really glad about that, too."

            "That's good," said Cheryl, patting her son on the shoulder.  "How did she treat you, Michael?"

            "As well as she knew how to," he replied.  "I had to lead her pretty much at first."  He felt that he and Wilykit did not have to tell them that they had made love twice.  "However, she didn't need too much guidance."

            Ned asked, "Will you be up to it again tonight?"

            Michael shook his head.  "No.  We've had enough for one day."

            "Agreed," said Wilykit.  "Besides, I haven't had enough video games!"

            Cheryl laughed light-heartedly.  "So, he's turning you into a Nintendo addict, is he?"

            "Yeah.  We played a game of Super Mario Brothers 3 together."

            "She did very well," said Michael, "especially for her lack of acquaintance with video games."

            "I couldn't have done all of what I did without his help, though."

            "Well, you have a good teacher," Ned said.  "If anyone can figure out a video game, it's either him or Kevin."  He grinned naughtily.  "So, what did you see Kevin do with Lana?"

            Cheryl looked at him sternly.  "Ned, that's private," she said.  "Kevin is an adult and deserves to be treated as one."

            "I'm just being a guy," Ned laughed.

            Michael sighed.  "You're silly, Father.  You know that?"

            "Of course I do.  It's no fun being serious all the time."  He grinned at Cheryl.  "If we were serious all the time, the human race would never have continued."

            "Very funny," said Cheryl blandly.

            Michael asked, "Mom, could you hand me that pan?"

            "Sure, before I hit somebody with it," she said, handing him the pan.  She had washed her hands.  She was intent on letting Michael do most of the work.  She was a pretty good cook, and she had taught him most of what she knew about the subject.  He cooked them a good, filling dinner.

            * * *

            After dinner, Michael and Wilykit chose to play Super Mario World together.  Its two-player system was like that in Super Mario Brothers 3.  She did not play badly.  Inexperience caused a few mistakes, but it was only a friendly game.  They did not play for the scores but to reach the end and enjoy the process.

            They were talking and getting to be better friends.  They truly enjoyed each other's company quite a bit.  In the game, they had gotten to the last area when the door chimer rang.  "Come," Michael called.

            The door opened, admitting Kevin, who was still in his T-shirt and shorts.  "Hey, bro," said Kevin.  "I see you two are playing Super Mario World.  How's the game going?"

            "Pretty well," Michael replied.  "Wilykit's catching on."

            "Good.  Well, good night, guys."

            "Good night, Kevin," Michael said.  Kevin left.  "Well, what say we trash King Koopa and his little kingdom?"

            "Right on, Michael!" said Wilykit, picking up the controller.

            * * *

            After they had finished Super Mario World, Michael and Wilykit congratulated each other with a nice kiss.  "Well," said Michael, "I guess we'd better get some sleep."

            Wilykit nodded.  "Yeah," she agreed.  Michael began taking off his clothes.  "But where do I sleep?"

            "In the bed, of course."

            "But what. . . I thought we had enough sex."

            "Who's talking about sex?  People can sleep in the same bed without having sex."  He put on his pyjamas.  "See?"  The door signal chimed.  "Come in."  The door admitted Wilykat.  "Wilykat!  What's up?"

            Wilykat said, "Kevin was going to help me with my. . . little problem."

            "How?"

            "Well, I think he was going to get me a sperm-blocker and some pyjamas, but. . ."

            "Say no more.  Kevin's probably quite busy.  With Lana."

            "Oh.  So that's why he wasn't in his room."

            "Yeah.  I'll take care of you, though."  He went to the replicator.  "One sperm-blocker."  The device appeared in the slot.  Michael took it and handed it to Wilykat.  "Press the cup-like part against your belly and activate the device.  It'll keep sperm and the semen with which it's mixed from leaving your body for forty-eight hours."

            "Okay," said Wilykat.  "What's the number?"

            "The number of applications that are left."

            "Ah."

            "You look like you're about my size.  What colour do you want your pyjamas?"

            Wilykat shrugged.  "Whatever.  Blue, I guess."

            "Replicator, two blue pairs of long pyjamas, and two blue pairs of short pyjamas."  The four pairs appeared in the replicator slot.  Each was in a compact package.  "Here," he said, handing the packages to Wilykat.  "You can mix shirts and pants since they're all the same colour."

            "Thanks," said Wilykat.  "Oh.  Underwear?"

            "Sure.  Replicator, seven pairs of undershorts."  Seven pairs of undershorts appeared in the slot.  "You could use a bag."  He withdrew a bag from his closet and put all the stuff he had replicated for Wilykat into the bag.  "The labels in the clothes tell how they're to be laundered.  We don't usually wear a certain piece of underwear for a long time, just a day at most."

            "Thank you, Michael," said Wilykat.

            "We might as well match," Wilykit said.  "Could you get me the same, just with red pyjamas?"

            "Sure," Michael said.  Female and male humans did not normally wear the same type of underwear, but that mattered little right now.  Besides, Thunderians had little conception of differences in clothing for males and females, especially since most did not usually wear clothes.  He ordered four sets of pyjamas and seven pairs of undershorts for Wilykit.  This way, they did not have to worry about sorting out underwear.

            Wilykit seemed excited to have underwear.  Taking Michael's cue, since he had on long pyjama pants and a short-sleeved top, she opened two packages and took the long pants from one and the short shirt from the other.  She then took one of the pairs of undershorts.  She took off what she had on and put on the undershorts, then her new pyjamas.  "These feel great," she said, checking everything.  "It all fits."

            "Good," said Michael.

            Wilykat said, "I felt the shockwaves earlier."

            "Yeah, and we really made love a bit later.  Michael's so nice to me."

            "Okay.  Good night, you two, and thank you again, Michael."

            "Sure, Wilykat," said Michael.  "Good night."

            "Good night, bro," Wilykit said, patting Wilykat on the shoulder.  Her brother left.

            Michael said, "I'm going to brush my teeth, Wilykit."

            Wilykit nodded.  She knew that unlike Thunderians, humans' teeth were vulnerable to bacteria attracted by food particles remaining on the teeth.  "Haven't doctors found how to shield your mouth from bacteria?"

            "To some extent, yes.  Permanent teeth can be injected with a substance that strengthens the teeth and makes them impossible to be dissolved by the bacteria's acid.  However, it doesn't work on primary teeth.  I still have one primary tooth left.  It's getting looser."

            Wilykit smiled.  "So, part of you is still a baby," she said both with humour and with affection.

            Michael smiled back.  "I suppose.  I'll go do it."

            "All right.  I'll lie down."  Michael went into the bathroom.  Wilykit lay on the bed and stretched.

            Today had been a good one.  Michael had been a good lover, and she could still feel his gentle hands, fingers, and lips all over her body.  He had also been a pretty good friend.  She felt quite optimistic about the chances of their relationship.

            She was still awake when he exited the bathroom.  "Still up?" he asked, lying down in bed.

            "Yeah," she answered, rolling on her other side.  "Can we cuddle?  I'm not one to do it often, but I feel like it."

            "Sure."  They hugged and pressed their chests gently together.  They kissed for a short while.  Then, Michael commanded, "Lights at ten percent."

            The two were asleep very soon afterwards.

            * * *

            Casa di Tygra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 068 060.27; July 22, 3013.

            In the Q-niverse, Liselotte found Johannes sitting alone in the living room.  "Hello," she said.

            "Hi," replied Johannes.  "Have a seat."  She sat next to him.

            "Something wrong?"

            "-Sigh.-  Yes.  That blasted mating bond.  Now, I'm afraid even to look at you."

            Liselotte felt hurt, but she tried not to show it.  None of this was his fault in any way, and it must be very confusing and frightening to him.  "Looking cannot initiate it," she said.  "The telepathic mating bond can only be initiated by physical contact."  She wanted so badly to touch him, to hug him warmly, but she felt he would not let her.  "Johannes," she told him softly, "I love you."

            "I love you, too," he replied.  "I just don't want either of us to be killed by a chemical imbalance in our brains."

            "You don't know how badly I want to touch you."

            He looked at her soberly.  "Yes, I do.  I can feel it with my own telepathy.  It's starting to wake up because of what Thomas and Johanna did."

            "If we did what they did, we wouldn't be in any danger."

            Johannes jumped up.  "Liselotte, I do not feel comfortable making love with you yet!"

            "Sh, calm down," she said gently as she slowly got up.  "I'm sorry."  She really felt uncomfortable with performing that act, too, but it was the only really safe way they could touch each other.  She was willing to do it, but she had to find a way to get him to want to do it.

            Johannes really wanted to let her touch him, but he was too afraid.  "Please don't," he said, backing as she tried to put her hands on his shoulders.

            "Johannes, you're being ridiculous!" called Johanna, entering.  "Let her touch you."

            "Johanna. . ."

            "She's not going to hurt you!  I know you want it, brother.  What I can read of your feelings clearly indicates it.  Quit being afraid, already!  You both are only seventeen, and I doubt that bond is anxious enough yet to activate during a normal hug."

            "Scientifically, it can happen, but it's highly improbable," Liselotte said.  "Mom said the lowest recorded age for the bond taking such initiative is forty."

            "Forty?" asked Johannes.

            "Yes."  She smiled slyly.  "Or are you really afraid of me?"

            "No, I'm not," Johannes stated plainly.  He and she hugged each other.  It felt really good to both of them.  Johannes was still afraid, but his sister had a habit of scaring his fear away.  He looked into Liselotte's eyes.  "In fact," he said softly, "I'd really like to touch you in more ways."

            Liselotte smiled back sweetly.  "Sure," she said.  They kissed each other.  Johanna slipped out.

            As the kiss stretched on for longer and longer, Johannes felt less and less afraid.  For a while, that was all that they were doing.  When they had finished that, Johannes smiled at her.  "How about we go ahead?" he asked.  "I mean all the way.  I'm in the mood."

            Liselotte smiled back.  "Sure.  How about we do it comfortably, like in my room in Hyrule Castle?"

            "Lead the way."

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Kevin and Lana were in the throne room, where Kid Icarus was keeping an eye on communications.  Lana sighed.  "I hate waiting," she said.

            "Don't worry," replied Kevin.

            "I'm talking about the psychological consequences."

            "I know.  Kelly's a strong person, Lana."

            "Well, this could be very traumatic for both of them if they don't handle it well."  The elevator door opened, and Kelly and Heinrich stepped out.  Impulsively, mother and daughter ran to each other and hugged each other.  "Kelly!  Are you okay?"

            "Now I am," Kelly replied.  "Do you mind if I be direct about what happened?"

            "Go ahead."

            "The first time was the only one it took.  Somehow, our climaxes came together.  And when it was over, we both felt so relieved."

            "I'm glad," Lana said.  "Making love a lot with several climaxes and not eating a lot can be very draining after a while.  How did this guy treat you?"

            "He did his best efforts, against the compulsion of the bond, to treat me gently.  He really made me feel good, Mom."

            "Good."

            Kevin stepped over to Heinrich.  "And how'd she treat you?"

            "Pretty good," Heinrich replied.  She's inexperienced, but we can take care of that, he wanted to add, but he knew better than to say it so directly to her parents.  They were pretty cool, but he didn't want to push their tolerance level too far.

            "Okay," said Lana.

            Kevin tapped his communicator.  "Zelda, Link, Liselotte, Thomas, Wilykit, Johanna, and Johannes, please come to the throne room of the Palace of Power."

            Soon, everyone he had called arrived.  Liselotte and Johannes had not gotten to her room yet.  Heinrich said, "Well, we've done it.  The telepathic bond is over now."

            "Thank goodness," sighed Liselotte.

            "So," Johanna said, smiling, "how about you two?"  The question was directed to her brother and Liselotte.

            "What about us?" Johannes asked his sister suspiciously.

            "You know.  I saw you two kissing."

            "Now, now," Thomas said, "it's not right to push them, Johanna."

            Johannes and Liselotte looked at each other.  "Ah, it's all right, Thomas," Johannes said.

            "Yeah," said Liselotte.  "We kind of agreed on going all the way, until Kevin's call interrupted us just as we were about to warp to Hyrule.  Don't worry, Kevin.  We don't blame you.  I'm really glad to know my brother's okay."

            "Do you still feel like it?" Heinrich asked quietly.

            Johannes and Liselotte looked in each other's eyes.  "I think the call snapped us out of it," Johannes said.  "Her and my enthusiasm sort of went out the window."

            "That happens," Wilykit said.  "Believe me, that's just what happened to Wesley and me the first couple of days Wilykat and I were visiting aboard the Enterprise-D.  Every time we had decided to do something, boom.  His attention was required elsewhere.  That reminds me.  Johanna, did your telepathy awaken when you and Thomas made love?"

            "Yeah," Johanna said.

            "Mine, too," said Johannes.

            "Good," Wilykit said.  "That means that now, I can teach you to use it."  She turned to her son.  "Especially you, before your desires become enormous again.  If your first lovemaking is really bombastic, it could really cause some damage to others.  Actually, I'd prefer to let Antonio and Guillaume teach you two.  They know a lot about telepathy."

            Her twin offspring nodded.  "Sure, Mom," Johanna said.

            "Then, I suggest we go see them now.  See you all later."

            "See you later, guys," Kevin said.

            Johannes smiled gently at Liselotte.  "See you later."

            "See you later, Johannes," said Liselotte.  Wilykit, Johanna, and Johannes went to the warp hall and warped to Tighra, where they proceeded to Antonio and Guillaume's home.

            Link said, "A very small part of me feels very jealous of my son."

            Zelda laughed.  "He probably doesn't beg for kisses, either."

            "He doesn't have to.  -Sigh.-"

            "Don't worry about it, Link," Kevin said.  "Think of the relationship you and Zelda have now."

            "Yeah, you're right."  He and Zelda looked at each other and maintained eye contact for several long, meaningful seconds.

            * * *

            Casa di Cerebra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Michael looked out his window for a bit of time after he had awoken and gotten dressed.  He always enjoyed being outdoors.  The forest was visible from all sides of the house, and it looked very friendly and inviting to exploration.  He loved both nature and technology, and he was glad that they now got along.

            The door-signal sounded.  He turned to the door.  "Enter," he said.  The door admitted Antonio.  "Hello, Antonio."

            "Hello, Michael," greeted Antonio.  "Nice day, isn't it?"

            "Yeah."

            "Well, breakfast will be served shortly in the dining room."

            "Okay."  He followed as Antonio left the room.  "This area of your world looks beautiful."

            "Thank you," said Antonio.

            "Where's Mr. Stannous?"

            "He's downstairs in the dining room.  Everyone else is there, except Natalia, who's cooking breakfast.  She and I do most of the cooking."

            "You're cousins, right?"

            "Yes.  Just for the sake of legality, Guillaume and I are Natalia and Leonarda's legal guardians."

            "I see."  Antonio and Michael walked downstairs and went to the dining room, where everyone else but Natalia was waiting.  "Good morning, everyone."

            "Good morning," Steelheart said.  "Did you and Kevin use to play video games like that?"

            "Most of the time.  In the summer sometimes, we'd play long into the night.  We never did it if we had to go to school or if he had to deliver on his paper route the next day, though."

            "Paper route?"

            "Yeah.  He earned money by riding his bike and delivering newspapers around the neighbourhood a few days a week during the summer.  Several kids did that."

            "Oh, I see.  To specific people, I gather?"

            "Yes.  To those who held subscriptions in our neighbourhood."

            Steelheart nodded.  She said, "Michael, this question is one that you can have in either the private file or the public file.  Have you ever had a girlfriend?"

            "No," he replied naturally.  "I don't care to have one, either, if I don't have the same enthusiasm for her that she has for me.  Me and my darned telepathic attractor.  And I don't really care which file it goes in, to tell the truth, so stick it in the public file."

            Guillaume said, "Well, that already means you'd like her to some degree, doesn't it?"

            "Just by her looks, not necessarily by anything else.  Believe me, it's not that I don't want to have a girlfriend.  In fact, I'd very much like to have one, but I have to like more about her than the way she looks to me."  He grinned.  "Of course, I won't complain if she is pretty.  Also, I'd certainly prefer that she really like me instead of being influenced by my telepathy."

            "Well, Antonio and I can help you with that," Guillaume said.

            "Yes," said Antonio.  "You can actually use it as you wish, within its limitations of course.  Its powers are not specifically for what your unconscious is telling it to do.  You can take control of your powers from your subconscious and use them in other ways."

            "I see," said Michael.

            Steelheart said, "Well, Michael, you're better than some of the guys I went out with when I was in high school.  Other guys your age might use that power without discretion.  With one football player in particular, I really am glad that I'm as strong as I am."

            Michael sighed.  "We guys haven't changed much, have we?"

            "Most of them are pretty nice, but that one really wanted what he wanted and would use force if he had to, and when he displayed that, I punched him halfway across the room.  I'm sure glad Will wasn't around, or he'd have really gotten himself in trouble.  As it is, I had a hard time convincing the cop who arrived not to arrest me."

            "Do you have a boyfriend now?"

            Steelheart nodded.  "We don't let it interfere with our working relationship, though."

            "Quicksilver?"  He did not know how he knew, but he knew.

            "Yes, that's right."

            Natalia came out of the kitchen with a cart.  "Good morning," she greeted cheerfully.  She let her sister and Guillaume place the dishes on the warming plate.  "We have decaffeinated coffee, orange juice with pulp, OJ without pulp, and whole milk."

            "What about skim milk?" asked Michael.

            "You won't get chubby from Thunderian whole milk," Antonio said.  "Believe me."

            "Okay."

            Natalia asked, "What would you like, Michael?"

            "Some pulpless orange juice, please," Michael responded.  "Do you have enough glasses for me to have a glass of orange juice now, then milk a little later?"

            "Sure," said Natalia, preparing him a glass of OJ.  When she handed it to him, she asked, "Jack?"

            "Some coffee, please," Jack Stannous said.

            Natalia prepared the cup.  "There's some sugar over there."  She handed him the cup and indicated the sugar bowl on the table.  He went and put some sugar in and stirred.

            "Steelheart?"

            "Some coffee, please," Steelheart said.  Natalia prepared her some coffee.  Steelheart gave herself some sugar when she got her cup.

            "Sister?" Natalia asked.

            "Some orange juice with pulp," said Leonarda.  Natalia poured her a glass.  "Thank you, Nata."

            "You're welcome, Lea."  Leonarda and Natalia had affectionately nicknamed each other 'Nata' and 'Lea.'  Natalia asked Guillaume, "What would you like?"

            "I'll have some OJ with pulp," Guillaume answered.  Natalia poured him a glass.  "Thank you."

            "Sure.  Antonio?"

            "The same, if you please," requested Antonio.  Natalia poured a glass for him.  "Thank you, Natalia."

            "You're welcome, cousin."  She poured herself a glass of orange juice with pulp.

            Michael shook his head.  "For some reason, there's just something I don't like about pulp in orange juice."

            "That's perfectly fine," Natalia told him.  As he closed his eyes and drank some more juice, she felt something from him.  She had telepathy of her own, and she was able to block his from entering her mind any more.  Already, his involuntary act had caused her to have wild physical feelings for him.  They felt natural, but she knew they were artificial.  Unfortunately, there were some genuine feelings in there, and it was making things worse.  She had to fight to retain her composure.  She warned, "Leonarda, put up your control.  Maybe you'd better, too, Steelheart."

            "What's wrong?" asked Leonarda.

            "This guy puts out pretty strong vibrations," Natalia said matter-of-factly, indicating Michael.

            "I'm sorry, Natalia," he said.

            "It isn't your fault, Michael.  At least not technically."

            "Yeah," moaned Michael.  "Not technically.  That doesn't stop me from feeling guilty about this."

            "Oh, boy," Guillaume said.  "Looks like we'll have to call in Kevin."

            Michael sighed.  "I've learned to be fairly independent of my brother," he objected quietly.  "And I've already asked quite a lot of him.  A lot of minor things, maybe, but still a lot."

            Antonio said, "You needn't feel guilty, Michael.  It's only natural to feel attracted to another person."

            "But it causes others to be attracted to me, and that's not right."

            Steelheart grinned.  "Michael, guys have been trying to attract girls ever since sexual beings came into existence.  You have no real cause to feel bad."

            "I don't really want to attract them like this," Michael said.

            "Oh, no?  What say you find you really like someone and she seems to like you, but she's a bit shy?  That telepathy might be what you need to get her to open up to you."

            "I don't want to program anyone."

            "You wouldn't be doing that.  You'd just be helping to make it easier for her to express her feelings to you."

            "That would be good," said Antonio.  "You shouldn't cause major behavioural changes, but it's all right to ease open an inhibition or two.  It's amazing the veracious statements people tell you when you ease back the feeling that the truth will hurt.  This isn't the type of activity that elicits lies, either.  It's sort of like a truth serum, except it's more reliable."

            Michael shrugged.  "It's still interfering with another person's decisions."

            "Well, you don't have to do anything with your telepathy at all.  However, it can be useful in finding out certain things that another doesn't want you to learn.  That's another thing.  Telepathy can read thoughts and feelings."

            Natalia said, "His powers are stronger than you gave them credit for, Antonio.  I can't believe the power of the feelings that came across when his subconscious turned his telepathy on me."

            "Well, maybe I underestimated the power because it's highly localised in a very tiny area.  However, the area of the brain that it goes after is very sensitive to that stimulation, especially in Thunderians.  Only a small beam of his is necessary for what is caused to happen."

            Natalia looked grim.  "Well, I'd be in real trouble if his mind decided to send out a stronger wave.  I think it'd be like igniting a matter-antimatter explosion in my head.  Plus, the resultant feelings may grow too difficult for me to control them.  Wait.  Oh, no.  Michael, your telepathic output to me is increasing, probably trying to break through my barrier."

            "I can't help it!" he said.  What was going on with him?

            "Are you feeling any mental strain at all?"

            Michael thought.  "No."

            "What happens," Leonarda asked, "if Natalia's mental barrier and control are broken?"

            Antonio said, "Then she will try to make love with him."

            Michael, Natalia, and Leonarda demanded, "What!?"

            "It's true.  Reproduction is the reason for this.  He may not consciously want to reproduce, let alone make love, but that is irrelevant.  The telepathy is only being controlled by his instincts to reproduce.  As Steelheart said, this seems to be for procreation."  He frowned thoughtfully, using his telepathy to examine the others.  "Michael's rays to Natalia are getting stronger, stronger than I thought his telepathy. . . uh, oh.  Ooh.  This is sending Natalia's subconscious some information, too.  How to touch him so he'll be quite willing to do this, and just what sort of scent to use.  If she loses control, then they will make love, unless Michael is extraordinarily resistant to that kind of touch, and few Thunderians can resist it."

            Michael gulped.  He disliked the sound of this.  "Tell me how to stop it, then!" he demanded.

            "It's all right for now," Natalia replied.  "My control and my barrier should hold out while we eat breakfast.  I'll be okay, Michael."  They sat down in the positions they had taken before and had breakfast.

            Later that morning, Antonio and Guillaume helped Michael with his problem.  They pinpointed where his telepathy was, and they taught him quite quickly how to stop it easily.  He would also know whether it was coming on, and he could shut it off before it became too much.  He could easily keep the powers off without much thought, anyway.  The Cerebra-twins realised that his powers were very powerful, nearly as much as their own, so they thought it would be a disservice to let him just waste them.  He was initially against using them in any way, but their insistence was relentless.  Antonio knew enough psychology to get to him.

            So, Michael let them teach him how to use his powers.  He found it rather easy, actually.  He decided it might be a little fun discovering what little secrets people were keeping.  Even Kevin.  However, he was not keen on using his powers to get a girl to make love with him.  Even though he did not know precisely what sex was, he knew it was only to be done monogamously.

            All the females had agreed to stay out of the living room while Antonio and Guillaume helped Michael.  Disruption during this training could be counterproductive.  Steelheart, Natalia, Leonarda, and Jack Stannous stayed in the dining room, except for Natalia when she took the dishes to the kitchen.

            After some time, Michael, Antonio, and Guillaume entered the dining room.  "Do you feel any telepathy from me now, Natalia?" Michael asked.

            Natalia thought.  "No," she replied.  "I guess I'd better confess, though.  There is something I like about you."

            "Me, too," agreed Leonarda.  "There's just some natural quality about you, I think.  And you are a very handsome person."

            Michael smiled.  This time, it sounded very genuine to him, and he liked hearing it.  "Thank you," he said.

            Steelheart said, "Well, Michael, I haven't ever had a worthy video game competitor except for Kevin, and Kevin and I have never gotten around to a challenge.  So, how about it?"

            "Name the game," Michael said.

            Steelheart thought.  She would have to select a game with which he was familiar, to be fair with him.  "How about Metroid?" she suggested.  "Each of us goes straight through once, and each of us is timed.  The winner has the lower time count."

            "You're on, Steelheart.  Who is our official timer?"

            "I'll time you," Antonio said.  "Are there any rules to timing?"

            "Start the count just after Samus has appeared on the screen," said Steelheart.  "Don't count the time during which the game is paused, which we can use to figure out what to do.  Other than that, the clock keeps ticking until after Samus has gone up the elevator at the top of the long shaft after MotherBrain."  Antonio nodded.  "Now, who goes first, Michael?"

            Michael took an American quarter out of his pocket.  "Call it," he said.

            "Tails."

            Michael flipped the coin, and it landed heads-up on the floor.  "Heads," he said.

            Steelheart picked up the coin and examined it, weighing it in her hand as well as looking at both sides.  "All right," she said, handing him the coin.  The group left to the living room.  There, Steelheart went to the terminal and called up the specifications for the NES game Metroid.  "After this, you may want to try Super Metroid, the third Metroid game," Steelheart told Michael.  "As I recall, it came out after the point in time you were occupying before."

            "I see," said Michael.  He did not have a difficult time accepting the temporal change.  He was content that he would get a logical explanation.  "Hm.  Is there any logical explanation for the temporal shift?  I can accept it, but I would appreciate a rational explanation."

            "You should take intermediate calculus and intermediate physics before trying to understand the logic behind the concept of linear time," Steelheart said.  "Now, I've forgotten.  Have you studied any mathematical theory?"

            "In the first year of high school?"

            "Oh, right.  I take that as a no.  I guess there's really none until college in your time except a little bit in high school geometry, which is a shame.  Wanting a rational explanation tells me you have at least the desire and the maturity to understand the theoretical concepts."  She went over to the replicator.  "One original NES Metroid game package."  The package appeared in the slot, and she withdrew the game pak.  "Most of us take a lot of the things we know about numbers and operations for granted without knowing much of the theory behind it.  Your brother will tell you, though, that a lot of math is logical theory.  You might want to get him or someone else to teach you what is now the equivalent of high school geometry with proofs, though."  She went over to the terminal and changed the connections, unplugging the video-audio cord from the Super NES, plugging in the video-audio cord from the NES, unplugging the power cord from the Super NES, and plugging in the power cord from the NES.  She put the Metroid game in the NES.

            "MotherBrain is the villain in Metroid and Super Metroid, right?" asked Antonio.

            "That's correct," said Steelheart.  "I'll reveal one thing, Michael.  In Super Metroid, when you think you've defeated MotherBrain as you had in Metroid, you haven't."

            Antonio commanded, "Open the large screen."  The screen in the wall was revealed.  "Pipe the audio commands from the terminal through the room's sound system, and pipe the video commands to the large screen."

            Michael took the controller and made sure it was set to player one.  Then, he turned on the NES unit, and the Metroid title music played.  He was about to press Start when Antonio said, "Wait a moment!  That music."  He studied the music as it played three times (since it had three voices), then he started to leave the room.  "Please wait for me," he requested.  After a few moments, he had brought back his 'cello, in its case, and a flute case.  He put the flute case in his brother's hands and quickly opened the 'cello case and withdrew the instrument and its bow.

            "Uh, oh," said Leonarda, smiling.  "I know that look, cousin."  Antonio rarely acted this way unless something musical was going through his head.

            Antonio took his endpin anchor and used a chair near the sofa directly in front of the screen, where Michael and Steelheart were now sitting.  After putting the bow down on the table, he sat down in the chair, pulled out his 'cello's endpin, placed the endpin into the endpin anchor, and positioned the 'cello as it was supposed to be.  He took his bow and wound it.  Then, as the Metroid title music repeated, he perfectly sounded a low D on the 'cello's C-string to match the low D drone in the bass in the title music.

            Guillaume, meanwhile, had constructed his flute.  The older brother asked, "What do you want me to play?"

            "Play the upper part," said Antonio.  "The high part above the bass in the beginning, then the octave leaps, then the triplets."

            Guillaume did not particularly like difficult octave leaps in the flute, especially not that high, but he could do them very well.  "Okay," he agreed.  "What about the middle part?"

            "Anyone got a horn?" Michael asked.  "I can play the middle part."

            "Just ask the replicator," replied Antonio.

            Michael got up and went to the replicator.  "One valved double-horn in F, alterable to B-flat, with appropriate mouthpiece," he ordered.  The horn materialised in the large slot.  "Wow."  He took it and played an experimental concert A on it.  Antonio and Guillaume tested their A's against each other.

            "Can you sight-sing?" Antonio asked.

            "Yes," said Michael.  "I transcribed this thing once."

            "Oh, good!  So, you know the middle part?"

            "Yes."

            As the Metroid title music repeated, Antonio perfectly sounded a low D on the 'cello's C-string to match the low D drone in the bass in the title music.  Standing to his brother's left, Guillaume played the high voice on his flute.  Michael sat down on the sofa and waited until his part came.  Michael's part began when Guillaume's octave-leaps started.  Despite the differences, their instruments blended pretty well.  Michael kept his part as legato as possible, taking breaths only at appropriate points.  As usual, he did not require the valves, for he could hit the pitches correctly without using them.

            The three played the theme perfectly together twice.  "Great," said Antonio.

            Guillaume knew what to do.  He disassembled his flute and put it in its case, then he got some manuscript paper and began to write out the three parts from memory.  "You can go on now," he said.  "I can write this out from memory."

            "What about this?" Michael asked, indicating the horn.

            Antonio was taking care of his 'cello, preparing to put it back away.  "Go ask the replicator for a case, if you'd like to keep the horn to practise," he said.

            Michael, holding the horn securely with his left hand, went over to the replicator.  "Replicator, I'd like one case for a valved double-horn in F and B-flat."  The replicator produced the case.  Michael put his mouthpiece where it belonged and put the horn where it belonged in the case, then he closed the case.  He put the instrument where Antonio and Guillaume had placed theirs.  Then, he sat back down on the couch.  "Can you write this without this music playing?" Michael asked.  "And with the other music in the game playing?"

            "Yes," Guillaume said.  "My perfect pitch is as reliable as Antonio's.  I'm already halfway through this."  He used 2/2 time, or cut time, for the majority of the piece.  Then, he switched to 6/8 time for the triplets.  After that section, he returned to cut time and finished with the bass drone.

            Antonio took out his electronic pocketwatch.  "I'm ready for timing," he said.

            "All right," said Michael.  He started the game.  Antonio started his watch once the Brinstar music started playing.  Michael knew where everything was in this game, and he used the most efficient methods to get the minimum number of items necessary.  He was skilled enough so that he did not need everything.  When he played, usually, he did choose to get everything, though in doing so he sometimes sacrificed a better game ending.  He first beat Ridley, then Kraid.  He was able to ascend from Kraid's lair very quickly, a very difficult feat to accomplish at all.  As Steelheart watched, she now was swallowing her words.  She had seen no one play this game like he was playing it!  He used the great game control very efficiently.  He handled the Metroids without any problem.  MotherBrain was a piece of cake to him.  He did make one little slip in the shaft going upwards, but not a major one, and he was soon out of Zebes on the lift.  Once the lift rose out of sight, Antonio stopped the clock.

            Steelheart was not surprised when the best ending showed on the screen.  Michael said, "This best ending is all that tells you that Samus is a woman.  The instructions don't tell you she's a woman, and nothing else in the game reveals that."

            Steelheart said, "She doesn't always conduct herself in a very feminine manner.  Quite like myself, actually, though she is a bit brasher than I am.  This game wasn't considered scandalous for that ending, was it?"

            "Not at all.  Some really ultra-conservative people may have found it that way, but most did not.  Video games don't normally cause scandal, I don't think.  But do you know what tabloids are?"

            "Oh, God, yes.  Those things are still around in the Limbo area of the galaxy.  They've gotten worse, I think.  Some people tend to take their right to free expression a bit far.  That can be very annoying at times."

            "I know.  All these silly 'End of the World' predictions and other such stuff, including things I wouldn't want to know about famous actors."

            Guillaume watched the credits and wrote down the name of the music composer.  Antonio wrote down Michael's time.  "Okay," he said once the credits had rolled.  "It's your turn, Steelheart."

            "What's my time?" Michael asked.

            Antonio smiled.  "How about I tell you your times at the same time?  That way, Steelheart will neither be taking it easy nor busting herself."

            Steelheart sighed.  "I'm not really sure about this anymore," she said.  "I've never played against anyone who plays like this."

            "Come in," Michael said.  "It's not a challenge unless you can back it up.  It's okay to win, it's okay to lose.  It's only a video game."

            "All right," Steelheart agreed.  She turned off the NES, then turned it back on.  She started from the beginning like Michael, and Antonio timed her just as he had timed Michael.  Steelheart tried to keep her confidence up, but it was pretty difficult.  He had most likely played in several contests on his world against other kids who played well, while she had not played against anyone in a long time.  She was used to playing by herself.  She got through Ridley and Kraid rather quickly, but she slipped behind on the ascent out of Kraid's lair.  This area was usually the one that posed the greatest problem to her time-wise, though it usually did not hurt her when she was just playing for the best ending.  She was quick enough on the other areas for this area not to endanger her chances of getting a best ending.  Still, this time, she got up fairly quickly, though not as quickly as Michael had, and she went to face MotherBrain.  She got past most of the Metroids, but one did catch her.  She managed to get it off her and destroy it, a process which took more valuable time. . . and some energy, too.  But she had more than enough to deal with MotherBrain, and she had no slip-ups on the ascent in the shaft.  She got the best ending as well.  "We don't need the times," Steelheart said.  "Just tell us who won."

            "All right," said Antonio.  "Michael won."

            "I knew it.  I saw the way he played Super Mario 3.  I should have practised for this."

            "Hey, it's okay," Michael said.

            "I know, but you lived with a very tough video-game competitor for most of your life and have become one, yourself.  I had virtually no competition.  My older brothers tended not to share my interest in video games, and though Will did somewhat, he was not as interested in them as in playing sports, so he designated little time to playing video games.  The other kids in the neighbourhood who liked video games were pushovers to me, and that was kind of the way it was in national competitions, too, so I didn't compete that much.  It wasn't satisfying enough to me.  Now that I have a couple of worthy competitors, I'm kind of afraid to face them."

            "It's okay," said Michael.  "You're a good player."

            "I'm a good solo player.  I'll probably never be a good competitor, unless I can get Will or Quicksilver interested enough to play with me.  The few times that he's played, Will's gotten to do pretty well, but sports just interested him more.  Well, it was pretty fun, Michael.  I'll just have to practise that area that goes up from Kraid's lair.  I do pretty well on Super Metroid, though, and there aren't areas like that in Super Metroid.  Samus is a lot more manoeuvrable in that one.  Have you played Metroid II?"

            "Yes, I have."

            "Well, Super Metroid takes place soon after Metroid II.  The introduction explains what happens.  In Super Metroid, Samus can get many of the items that are included in Metroid II, except the Spider Ball.  It's also very much worth your time to perfectly practise the Wall Jump technique.  It can be a great help to you.  You spin-jump to a wall, and when you point away from the wall, press the jump button.  If it is timed well, you jump off the wall and to the next.  You can use that to climb shafts without the Space Jump.  There are a couple of spots where the Space Jump is absolutely required, but normally you can find other ways across.  The Space Jump is pretty efficient, however.  The way your power-ups are laid out. . ."  Just then, the doorbell rang.

            Natalia said, "I'll get it."  She went out to the front door.

            Steelheart continued, "Anyway, the way the power-ups are laid out in Super Metroid, you seem restricted, especially at first, to one certain path."  She turned off the NES, and the screen went black.

            Everyone who had been sitting stood now.  Suddenly, in the hall, a spout of water thrust Natalia by the door and against a nearby wall!  "Natalia!" Leonarda cried.  She ran to the door, and Michael was right behind her.  She looked out in the hall towards the front door and backed into Michael.  "Yike!" she cried.

            Gently moving her aside, Michael looked out.  At that moment, the Fearsome Five strode into the room - Negaduck, Liquidator, Mega Volt, Bushroot, and Quacker Jack!  Michael and Leonarda backed away before they bumped into them.  "Greetings and salutations!" Liquidator greeted.  "In my capacity as Ludwig's first officer, I have decided to come on MotherBrain's behalf and give you fair warning."

            Michael aimed his Zapper at Liquidator.  "What sort of warning?" he asked suspiciously.

            Negaduck said, "Well, Master Keene, it is like this.  MotherBrain really wants to teach Nuclesís his lesson and let the half-Chemistrian be tried in court.  Thus, we have no reason to abduct your material witness at this time.  She will even testify, if she is called.  She knows of his murderous design, you know, since he revealed the whole idea to her."

            "Would she really tell the truth!?" demanded Guillaume incredulously.

            "Yes," said Mega Volt.  "The great MotherBrain has no reason to lie."

            "After all, it is completely in the Brain-Team's power to save Nuclesís from imprisonment," Liquidator said.  "And, once we have him, we will come and acquire Stannous.  After all, he's Nuclesís's key to becoming fully Chemistrian."

            Jack said, "You can tell MotherBrain that I have no intention at all of helping Sçarlos Nuclesís {shahr-ló nú-kláy-sih} to be fully Chemistrian."

            "You don't need to be willing," Quacker Jack said.  He pulled out Mr. Banana-Brain and said falsetto, "You just have to be there, Jack!"

            Antonio commanded, "Leave this house immediately, Fearsome Five."

            "Oh, very well," said Bushroot.

            "But you have not heard the last of us," Liquidator added.  "Forget not, do-gooders.  MotherBrain will take Jack Stannous, I guarantee, and you will be unable to intimidate or stop the group she sends."

            Wilykit's voice shouted, "What's going on?"

            Everyone turned to the door from the hall.  "Well, howdy, Wilykit!" Liquidator said genially.

            "Don't you 'Well, howdy' me, Liquidator!" Wilykit snapped.  "Antonio, they are unwelcome, aren't they?"

            "I just commanded them to depart," Antonio said.

            "When the head of a Thunderian household orders you to leave, you leave that instant," Wilykit told the Fearsome Five very commandingly.  "Depart immediately."

            "Very well," said Liquidator gracefully.  "Come, pals.  See you, do-gooders."  The Fearsome Five left the house.

            Wilykit, Johanna, and Johannes came in the living room.  "What happened?" Johanna asked.

            "They came and told us MotherBrain would kidnap Stannous only after Nuclesís was convicted," said Guillaume.

            "They are most rude guests," Michael commented.

            "Yipe!" cried Leonarda.  "My sister!"  She ran out of the room to Natalia, who was unconscious against the wall.  Antonio was behind Leonarda.

            "Don't jiggle her," Antonio instructed, though Leonarda knew better.  He withdrew his tricorder and examined Natalia.

            Wilykit asked, "What happened to Natalia?"

            "She answered the door when the Fearsome Five knocked," Antonio said.  "Liquidator thrust her against the wall here.  She'll be okay, though."  Leonarda, kneeling next to Natalia, appeared unable to stay still for much longer.  "Go ahead, Leonarda."

            Leonarda hugged her sister tightly (not too tightly, though) and rubbed her back.  "Natalia," she said.

            Natalia woke up.  "Hey, Lea," she said, hugging her sibling.

            "How do you feel?"

            "Okay, except my back hurts like crazy."  Leonarda helped her up.

            Antonio softly asked, "Could you tell us what happened, Natalia?"

            "I went to answer the door.  Once I opened it, before I could react, Liquidator thrust me. . . -gasp!-  Where is he?"

            "He and the rest of the Fearsome Five paid us a little visit," Antonio said.  "However, they left just a moment ago without harming or abducting anyone."

            "-Sigh.-  Thank goodness.  I'm. . . sorry I wasn't more alert, cousin."

            "That's okay, Natalia."  Antonio turned to Wilykit.  "What's up, Wilykit?"

            Wilykit said, "I came to ask you to train Johanna and Johannes.  Their telepathy has awakened."

            Antonio nodded.  Unlike him, his brother, and his female cousins, Johanna and Johannes's telepathy had not been awakened early.  Either the parents activated the kids' telepathy when the kids were four years old, or the kids had to wait until the twin who first made love did make love for the telepathy to awaken.  The former was preferable, since it was easier for young kids to learn to control their telepathy.  In some special cases, one could awaken one's own telepathy with little assistance, and almost all Wilykats had some empathic powers before the telepathy was released from dormancy.

            Now, Wilykit was requesting that he and his brother train Johanna and Johannes to use their telepathy.  That was sensible, as the Cerebra-twins knew more about fine telepathic control than Wilykit and Wilykat did.  "Very well, Wilykit," said Antonio.