Rec Room, casa di Tygra, outside Pariga {pah-ré-jah}, D.F. {dé áy-fáy}, New Thunderius, Galaxy of Leos, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 068 063.01; July 23, 3013.

By the time Ludwig had asked Negaduck whether all the Fearsome Ten was present, all the N-Team had arrived in the Rec Room.  Once the four Brain-Team leaders had begun the division discussions, Michael exclaimed, "I hate that Larry (Bowser)Koopa already!"

            "Michael, please calm down," said Thomas gently.  "I know exactly why you feel this way, and I feel the same way.  I'm mad because Larry is talking about trying to harm my father and, possibly, Wilykit as well.  She would stand to lose more from this, in fact.  However, this is not the way to apply your anger.  There are more constructive ways."

            "I know, Thomas, but I don't like anyone threatening my brother."

            "I sure know the feeling, Michael, but you should control it.  You can use it in ways better than simply lashing out."

            Michael sighed.  "Yeah."

            Wilykit said, "Well, we'll take care of it.  We have to stop Ludwig, though, before he effects his conquest."

            "He most likely knows we're on to him," said Wilykat.

            "Yes.  However, he probably didn't know that you and Wesley were coming back now.  Tygra, what is the location of our ship, the Enterprise-Effugium?"

            Tygra replied, "It's in this solar system, Wilykit."

            "Thank you.  A group of us shall be going, too.  Of course, some cannot come at all.  Kevin, Michael, Stannous, the Cerebra-twins, the Farfâla-twins, Steelheart, and the Mason-Team must stay.  Also, Quicksilver, Dr. Picard, and Jean-Léonard must stay."  She noticed Astucieux-élisabeth's hand go up.  "Yes, Élisabeth?"

            "How's he doing?" Élisabeth asked.  "I haven't been able to check on him."

            Wesley said, "I've checked on him, Élisabeth.  He's doing well.  Quicksilver and my mother have replaced his nerves successfully.  Now, all they need to do is prepare the metal suit."

            Frédéric asked, "Are they open to suggestions as to the metal used?"

            Steelheart said, "If he left the choice to them, yes."

            "There is a rare Thunderian metal called brunium {brú-né-uhm}," said Élisabeth.  "It's the same brown as a shining, dark-brown stringed instrument.  The colour of his laser violin, in fact.  I think that would be most appropriate."

            "Brunium is not very magnetically attractive," Wilykit observed.  "It's not highly reactive, either, nor is it a very good conductor of electricity or temperature.  However, like several other metals, it is malleable, but it is very strong, too.  It has an unusually high melting point for a metal, to boot."

            "That sounds like a desirable substance to use," Steelheart said.  "All right.  How can it be obtained?"

            "It is a high-number, non-radioactive element that occurs naturally on this planet alone, because it is only here that its atomic mass naturally equals twice the atomic number.  In addition, it is rather rare.  However, it can be replicated fairly easily.  Pure replicated brunium lacks the internal impurities that occur in natural brunium, and hence a simple tricorder scan can determine whether the brunium is natural or replicated.  We can just replicate it, then, and we probably should."

            "Does natural brunium have a high monetary value?"

            "Yes.  However, we no longer permit extensive brunium mining.  It helps to strengthen the crust of this planet, and we discovered pretty early, before we removed too much, that removing all the brunium would most likely result in major structural damage to this planet.  Thunderius is geologically inactive and incapable of healing itself.  Besides, most of the brunium is deep beneath the surface, near the mantle.  Excavation there is dangerous because the crust in those areas is fairly brittle and can collapse inward, especially if you've already removed higher layers of brunium.  However, it is completely permissible to replicate as much brunium as you wish, as long as it is pure brunium."

            "I see," said Steelheart.  "So, I guess we can replicate it, then, and take it to Quicksilver."

            Wilykat said, "We should probably go to the doctors and Jean-Léonard and replicate it there, so we can be sure to get enough of it."

            "Good suggestion," said Wilykit.  "We'll attend to that after the meeting has concluded.  Now, let's discuss who'll be going to the Original Universe.  We must keep some people here to keep an eye on the Brain-Team."

            "Excuse me," Simon Belmont interjected.  "What does that universe have to do with us?  I mean, I know it's Wesley's home universe, but I don't know what it has to do with the rest of us."

            "Would you want our Ludwig to take over their universe?"

            "Well, no.  I wouldn't want him to take over anyone's universe."

            "Good answer, Simon.  Since the governments of VideoLand and Thundera do much of the imperial governing, and since Ludwig constructed his ship with materials from this universe, we have the jurisdiction to follow him and stop him.  So, we will follow him, and we will stop him.  Now, let's determine which of us shall go.  As I've said, Kevin, Michael, Jack Stannous, Antonio, Guillaume, Natalia, Leonarda, Steelheart, Quicksilver, Dr. Picard, Jean-Léonard, and the Mason-Team, by the current circumstances, must stay.  Wesley, Wilykat, and I will be coming.  Captain Picard, would you like to come to oversee ship operations?"

            "I would like to, Wilykit," said Picard.  "But I feel I should stay here, in case my son needs my support."

            "All right.  I completely understand, Captain.  Would you like to oversee ship operations, Commander Riker?"

            "Certainly, Wilykit," Riker agreed.

            "All right, then.  Now, I'd like us to split up into our constituent groups and determine who will stay and who will go.  I think there should be about half of us that will go to that universe and half that will stay in this universe.  I'd like us all to discuss it among each of our respective divisions for a few minutes, and then the division leaders will report as to who will go.  We'll do the discussion for about half an hour.  Now, let's get to it, please."

            * * *

            Tower of Omens, third-Earth, Delta Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.  Stardate 49 761.64; April 4, 1993.

            Tuvok, Paris, and the Keene brothers entered the control room of the Tower of Omens after Voyager had landed.  Tygra and Panthro had come over to the Tower while the Voyager had been landing.  "A superb landing," Panthro commented.

            "Thank you," said Tuvok.  "Lieutenant Paris is a most adequate pilot."  This was high praise coming from a Vulcan, especially Tuvok.  "Is Captain Janeway at Cat's Lair with the others?"

            "Yes," Tygra replied.  "We did note considerable damage on your ship's hull as you were coming down.  It appears that the Mutants and the Luna-tacks created some trouble-spots that could become hull-breaches."

            "That is correct.  It will be safer for us to conduct repairs here than in space.  Thank you for allowing us to come down."

            "Our pleasure, Lieutenant."

            Panthro said, "Kevin and Michael, Steelheart said that she would like you to warp to Cat's Lair to meet her there once you had arrived here."

            "Thanks, Panthro," Kevin said.  "If you all will excuse us, Michael and I shall be going."  He and his brother left the room and walked through the passageway to the warp hall.  "Oh, God, does that Brain-Team have some nerve."

            "You won't hear any arguments to the contrary from me," agreed Michael.  "Why do they think that a Federation ship would help them to conquer the galaxy?"

            "Maybe just to give them the raw materials.  Something puzzling you, bro?"

            "Yeah.  I didn't want to bring it up in front of the others, but. . . uh, there was something about the vibrations of the sub-quark particles of that shuttle we picked up.  Like. . . like it wasn't from this universe, if you get me."  He was glad he was expecting Kevin to stop dead in his tracks, because if he had not, he would have ploughed right into his older brother.

            "What?" Kevin asked weakly.

            "You heard me," said Michael gently.

            "-Sigh.-  I sure did.  Like it wasn't from this universe?"

            "Yes.  The modulation pattern of the vibration is too far off to be considered as being of this universe.  So, that'd mean that someone from another universe is interested in us, somehow.  But that cloak was sure made the way Ludwig makes his."

            "A Ludwig from another universe," Kevin groaned.  "And with Q-powers?"

            "I know.  That is not a very pleasant prospect."

            Kevin laughed humourlessly.  "Michael Andrew Keene, entitled Commander N, that is a very terrible prospect!  Come on.  Let's go tell Steelheart."  The brothers continued to the warp hall.

            * * *

            Entryhall, Cat's Lair, third-Earth.

            Steelheart, Janeway, Lion-O, Wilykit, and Wilykat were waiting when Kevin and Michael exited the warp.  "So, guys?" asked Steelheart, pretending that she was going to place the entire blame on them.

            Kevin and Michael were used to that pretence by now.  "So, those Luna-tacks stole a phaser and used its energy to create disruptors so they could either take the Voyager or destroy it," Kevin said.  "However, they didn't count on Lieutenant Paris's resistance to Aluro's mesmerisation.  It was of necessity for him to stop Sky Tomb in the most expedient manner possible."

            Janeway nodded.  "I understand that.  They probably just want our ship so they can have a ship.  It sounds like they can adapt the weapons however they care to."

            Michael said, "This isn't our only concern.  Remember that shuttle we told you about?"

            "Yes," said Steelheart.

            "At the time, I was with Ensign Kim at the Ops station, and I noted that the vibrations of the sub-quark particles were off by three per thousandths."

            Steelheart's eyes widened.  "Are you sure, Michael?"

            "Yes.  That ship wasn't from this universe, nor was anyone or anything aboard it."

            "You're absolutely sure, Michael?" asked Wilykit.

            "Yes, Wilykit.  Someone with Q-powers from another universe is interested in us."

            "Curse it," Steelheart said.

            "Why do you assume that it's an evil person?" asked Lion-O.

            "I just have that feeling," Michael said.  "I know that it's not logical to jump to conclusions based on my feelings, but my feelings have never failed me.  Not once."

            "Have you had feelings concerning the goodness or evilness of others?"

            "Yes, and those feelings are very potent to me, Lion-O.  It seems to be something that I sense.  Since a few hours ago, I seem to be sensing a lot more than just basic feelings, too."

            Wilykit asked, "Since you and I did what we did?"

            "Yes."

            "I think it might be good to ask Cheetara about this."

            "Why her?  Oh, I understand.  Sure, Wilykit."

            Wilykit said, "Please excuse us, everyone."  She led Michael to where Cheetara was.

            Janeway asked, "What exactly is with those two?"

            "They have a relationship," Kevin replied.

            "Them?  I thought she was twenty-seven, and he seems to be only sixteen."

            "Well, for one thing, she and he are at about the same point of physical maturity.  For another, neither he nor she had any personal experience in romantic matters before they met each other.  For another, since she was asleep for ten years, she has seventeen years of mental maturity, and my brother is pretty smart.  Also, they share a powerful bond, Amore Eternamente, that is described in the Thunderian cultural files."

            "I see."

            "I understand what disturbs you, though.  That age difference would be colossal for two normal humans of their ages."

            "Yes, it would be.  Well.  Do you know, Captain N, whether Lieutenant Tuvok has begun repairs on the Voyager?"

            "He said he was going to send some crew-members to the various areas of the ship to assess the extent of the damage and begin repairs as soon as possible."

            "All right.  Thank you."

            Steelheart said, "I'll bring the Silver Hawks.  We and the Thunder Cats can assist with the repairs."

            "One moment.  Will the ship be safe out there in the open?"

            "I can bring a warp-shield generator.  A warp shield is a lot more powerful than your shields, and it's darn near impenetrable.  However, you can't fly with it on because it disrupts all forms of navigation, unless you can input the course exactly in a mathematical fashion.  That would be a very desperate manoeuvre, and I doubt you're that desperate."

            "All right, Commander.  If you want my permission, you have it."

            "Thank you, Captain.  If you all will excuse me.  Kevin, what will you be doing?"

            "Michael and I'll be returning to the Palace after he and Wilykit are through with Cheetara, but then we're coming right back with our parents," Kevin said.  "The doctor on Voyager wishes to examine my parents to satisfy his curiosity."

            "All right.  Ask some people to keep an eye on the Brain-Team, too, please.  I seriously doubt this is the end of it."

            "All right.  I agree, Commander."

            "See all of you later."  Steelheart entered the warp to Hawkhaven.

            * * *

            Meanwhile, as Michael and Wilykit were walking to the control room, Michael asked, "Do you think that I have telepathy?"

            "Yes, Michael," said Wilykit.  Since she was on his left, she put her right arm across his back.

            He grinned at her.  "I know what you're thinking," he told her knowingly.

            "Oh, do you?" asked Wilykit in the same manner.

            "But I don't think this is the time for it."

            "-Sigh.-  You're right, of course."  They kissed each other's lips for about five seconds, then continued down the hall.  They went into the control room, where Cheetara was working on the computer.

            "Hello, guys," said Cheetara.  "What's up?"

            Michael said, "Cheetara, I think that I may have always had some bit of empathy, because I could sense certain things that. . . well, that many others might not be able to sense.  However, since Wilykit and I made love, I think it may have become complete telepathy."

            "That often does it.  Come over here."  Michael went over to her, and she probed his mind.  "You've always been completely telepathic.  It's just that your activity with her released what held back the telepathy.  It often happens that way with Thunderians, Michael.  And you, Wilykit, your telepathy has probably awoken now, too."

            "Wilykat's?" Wilykit asked.

            "Yes, probably.  I'll have to check him, of course, to be certain."

            "All right, Cheetara.  Thank you."

            "No problem.  I'll be able to help you learn to control your telepathy to some extent.  Cheetahs don't have telepathy as powerful or as controllable as Wilykats."

            "I see."

            "But I do know enough of the techniques to teach you successfully.  How about I begin teaching you guys this evening?"

            "Sure, Cheetara."

            "Yeah," agreed Michael.  "Thank you, ma'am."

            "Certainly," Cheetara said.  "See you later."

            Wilykit said, "See you later, Cheetara."  She and Michael walked out of the room.  She smiled sweetly at him.  "Michael, I never knew you really cared for me so deeply."

            He quietly said, "Well, Wilykit, I do."  They hugged each other strongly but compassionately.

            "Michael, I love you."

            "I love you, too, Wilykit."  They brought their lips together in a slow, long kiss that drew on for several moments.

            Kevin came down the hall.  Upon seeing Wilykit and Michael, he stopped.  He knew instantly that they were responding to each other's feelings.  They cared for each other a great deal, he knew, but this was the first time they could tell just how much they loved each other.  Of course, he did not need telepathy to tell how much his brother and the young Thunder Cat loved each other.

            After a few seconds, Michael and Wilykit stopped kissing and turned to Kevin.  "Hey, Kev," Michael said, his soft voice indicating just what he was feeling.  It was extremely difficult for him to ignore.

            "Hi," said Kevin.  "Are you ready to come, Michael?"

            Michael and Wilykit slowly released each other.  "Yes," Michael said, gazing into Wilykit's eyes.  Kevin gently put his right hand on Michael's left shoulder, and Michael turned his head to see his brother's face.

            "Now, please," Kevin requested softly and patiently.  Michael nodded and accompanied Kevin to the entryhall.  Wilykit followed behind them.

            "Kevin, I do have telepathy," Michael said softly but, as usual, with good enunciation.  "Wilykit and I. . . just sensed how great our romantic feelings are for each other."

            Kevin smiled.  "That was evident.  I never saw you two kiss like that before.  I guess I really shouldn't be dragging you along.  You and she should probably be spending your time together."

            "Thanks for your concern, but we'll be all right."

            "Yes," agreed Wilykit.

            "All right," Kevin said.  "Just as long as you two don't object to my keeping you apart."

            "Kevin, it's fine," said Michael patiently.  "Please don't get worked up over it."

            "All right, bro."  They came out into the entryhall.

            Wilykat asked, "What's the verdict?"

            "I think you know," Wilykit replied.  "You, Michael, and I have telepathy.  Cheetara's going to teach us how to use it later."

            "I see."

            "Well, Kev," said Michael, "shall we?"

            "Certainly," Kevin agreed.  "See you all in a minute or two."  He and his brother entered the warp to the Palace of Power.  When they emerged in the Warp Hall next to the throne room, Kevin asked, "You're sure about this?"

            "Kevin!" snapped Michael, annoyed.  Alone with his brother, he would not have to worry about offending anyone.  "Quit it!  I'm not going to be harmed by not seeing Wilykit every instant, so please stop it!"

            "Okay, okay!  Cool off, please!  Man, I only want what's best for you, and being with her definitely seems to be very good for you.  I only want to help."

            Michael sighed.  "I'm sorry, Kev.  I was just annoyed because I'd told you twice already and you kept insisting."

            "Well, I didn't mean to make you angry."

            "I didn't mean to fly off the handle, either."  The brothers hugged each other for a few seconds, then they released each other and went to the throne room.

            Ned and Cheryl, still at the computer, turned to them.  "Hello, guys," Ned greeted.

            "Hi," said Kevin.  "How's your hunt going?"

            "We've found several places," Cheryl said.  "We've narrowed the available houses down to five and the possible jobs down to eight, four for each of us."

            "That sounds good."

            "Also," added Ned, "for each of those jobs, except of course on certain days, we would be able to do our work with computers at home, rather than having to go to the office every day.  If Monsteropolis's traffic is anywhere near as bad as L.A.'s, that is a pretty good incentive."

            "Well, it isn't nearly that bad," Kevin replied.  "The traffic engineers and road-builders in Monsteropolis deserve every penny they make, and then some."

            Michael asked, "Are any two jobs in the same place?"

            "Yes," said Cheryl.  "Of each of the four pairs, actually, each pair is in the same place; that is, job A and job B are in the same building, job C and job D are in the same building, and so forth.  But none are in the same department."

            "Where are the houses?" Kevin asked.

            "They're all in the suburb to which you took us," replied Ned.  "All the job prospects are in buildings in the area of Monsteropolis Central close to that suburb.  The central city and the suburb are only about ten kilometres apart, to boot, and the road is fairly direct on an approaching freeway.  The jobs all sound interesting to us, as do all the houses.  The five houses and eight jobs were narrowed down fairly easily from a pretty large list.  We're trying to decide what the best ones would be."

            "That's good."

            Cheryl said, "From the sound of things, we'd be well-off even if just one of us got one of those jobs.  Even with a third mouth on the way."

            "Well," said Michael, "VideoLand's economy is very stable.  The Brain-Team doesn't seem interested in disrupting that, just in getting control."

            "I can surely understand that," Ned said.  "Well.  What's up, guys?"

            Kevin said, "The doctor on the Voyager had to examine Michael and me so that the crew wouldn't have to worry about us infecting them.  I think he found some unusual elements in our genetic structure, and he asked us to bring you two to him so he could answer some of his own questions.  We said we'd try to bring you."

            Ned and Cheryl looked at each other, then back at their boys.  "Sure, Kevin," said Ned.  "Can we go now?"

            "In a moment.  I have to give some people some assignments first."  He pressed a button on a console.  "MegaMan and Kid Icarus, could you report to the throne room, please?"

            The elevator door opened a second later, and MegaMan and Kid Icarus came out.  "We were coming anyway," MegaMan said.  "What's up, Captain N?"

            "Could you two keep an eye on the Brain-Team?  Dr. Wily left a copy of the specs for those transporters on Metroid before we trashed his lab, and I expect trouble from them.  I'll give a full report later."

            "All right, Kevin-icus," said Kid Icarus.  He and MegaMan went to the terminals and began working.

            "We four will be on third-Earth, so contact the Thunder Cats if you need us," Kevin said.  He turned to his parents and brother.  "Well, shall we?"

            Ned replied, "Yes, let's."  Kevin and Michael led their parents through the warp to the entryhall of Cat's Lair.

            Wilykit and Wilykat were there when the four emerged.  "Well, that didn't take long," Wilykat said.

            Ned said, "We were in the throne room when these guys came along."

            Wilykit asked, "Have you found any suitable houses and jobs in MegaLand, Mr. and Mrs. Keene?"

            "Yes," Ned said.  "We've narrowed our choices down to eight possible jobs, four for each of us, and to five possible houses.  And you need not be so formal with us, Wilykit, nor do you, Wilykat, since we're practically family.  Just call us Ned and Cheryl."

            "Certainly, Ned," replied Wilykit.

            "Now, guys, just what has gone on with Voyager?"

            "The lunatic Luna-tacks and malicious Mutants stole a phaser and adapted its power source to work with their own disruptor technology," Michael said.  "Then, they almost crippled the Voyager in an attempt to take it over.  Fortunately, Lieutenant Thomas Eugene Paris, who may be promoted or commended soon, destroyed Sky Tomb before that could happen.  MotherBrain warped the Luna-tacks out of Sky Tomb just before the place was destroyed, so we can still serve justice on them."

            Ned said, "For their crimes, a California court would probably sentence them to death.  I'm glad to hear that VideoLand doesn't have that barbaric punishment.  How about here?"

            "In Thunderian society, no court can sentence any person to death," Wilykit said.  "However, if someone very close emotionally to a person, especially a twin or an Amory {ah-mó-rü} Eternamente, is the victim of a cold-blooded and calculated attempt of murder or is the victim of a rape, then the person cannot be prosecuted for killing the offender in enraged revenge.  Nor can the someone, if that someone survives the assault.  However, the culpability of the offender must be established before the person or the someone is let off the hook.  Usually, of course, the mental state of the person or the someone is a pretty good determinant, and the court-appointed psychologist-telepath can determine the mental state.  Thunderian trials are quite like VideoLand trials - which, according to Perry Mason, are more like British trials than American trials in that the prosecutors are not allowed to be underhandedly insinuating.  The sentencing is usually similar, too.  Also, people have established rights like your constitutional rights, such as not having to incriminate oneself.  However, a truly remorseful person can plead guilty and ask for the judge's mercy, especially one who hasn't been in trouble with the law before.  But, as a final, actual response to your query, no court of law can sentence a person to the death penalty."

            "I see.  Psychic perceptions are admissible?"

            "Yes, in Thunderian courts, and so is what one senses telepathically."

            "Excuse me?  I thought I just asked that."

            "I'm sorry.  According to Thunderian legal and medical definitions, a difference exists between psychic perceptions and telepathic perceptions.  Telepathic perceptions are quite direct, allowing a person to sense the feelings and thoughts of another and to send messages to another and receive messages from another.  A more powerful telepath or a very well trained telepath can send messages to non-telepaths.  Empathy is a weakened form of telepathy, limiting one's perceptions of others' thoughts but not usually those of others' feelings.  Telepathy and empathy are mostly real-time senses, like sight and hearing.  Psychic sensations can be more vague and are often of events that occurred in the past or that may occur in the future.  One can be psychic but not telepathic, or vice-versa, or one could be neither, or one could be both.  Telepathy and psychicity - as Thunderians call the ability to sense psychic messages - are often hereditary, except that either can be gained through a random genetic mutation or through stimulation of the appropriate lobe of the brain.

            "Every human possesses the region in the brain that enables telepathy and the one that enables psychicity.  It's just that in most, those areas are neither stimulated nor activated.  In many Thunderians, though, they are stimulated, though they're not always activated.  Stimulation is normally by hormones that most human brains don't produce but that most Thunderian brains do produce.  Special enzymes can cause those hormones to come, or just about any powerful telepath can start them.  Activation in most Thunderians can only occur easily at one of two times:  between the age four years and the age four years and ninety days, or during the first copulative encounter with one's Amore Eternamente.  In some, activation can occur automatically.  In Cheetara's whole maternal side, in fact, the psychicity awoke on its own.  Again, a powerful telepath can bring about either psychicity or telepathy in a non-psychic or a non-telepath.  Psychicity is easier to bring about artificially, but telepathy is easier to use and control.  Both can be suppressed entirely, though it's harder to suppress telepathy once it's awakened, especially if the telepath has great power naturally.  Telepathy is more common and can be used more reliably than psychicity."

            "I see.  And all humans have the brain part necessary for those two methods of perception?" Cheryl asked.

            "Yes.  It's just that not everyone's brain produces the hormones that stimulate the lobe.  However," she added, "these two guys' brains do."

            Michael asked, "How did you learn all this, Wilykit?"

            She grinned at him.  "You're not the only one who does a lot of studying, Michael Andrew Keene!"  He grinned back.

            "Well," asked Cheryl, "where is Voyager now?"

            "It landed out at the Tower of Omens," Kevin responded.  "It will be safer for them to conduct the repairs on the ship with the ship on the ground.  The Luna-tacks sure did a number on it."

            "Yeah," agreed Michael.  "The chief of engineering, a half-Klingon half-human, decided that the crew out to be more protective of their phasers.  One or two more hits from that disruptor could have destroyed the ship."

            "That decision is understandable," Ned said.  "Actually, both are.  To land the ship, and to keep the phasers away from the Luna-tacks."

            "Well," said Kevin, "let's go out to the Tower of Omens to the Voyager, shall we?"

            "Lead the way, Kevin," Ned told him.  Kevin and Michael led Ned and Cheryl into the warp to the Tower of Omens.

            Wilykit shook her head.  "It should be illegal for Michael to be so great-looking," she said enamouredly.

            Wilykat grinned.  "C'mon, 'Kit!" he exclaimed excitedly.  "Let's race to the Tower on our space-boards!"

            Wilykit smiled.  "Sounds like fun, bro.  However, I don't know if I'll be able to concentrate, you know.  That human has been the subject of quite a lot of my attention, especially these last few days."

            "You can concentrate, Wilykit.  Even if not, I'll be there to help you."

            Wilykit thought, then grinned back.  "Sure, 'Kat.  Let's go tell Cheetara."  The twins went quickly to the control room.

            * * *

            Tower of Omens, third-Earth.

            Tygra and Panthro observed as the Voyager repair team efficiently repaired the outside of the ship.  The Luna-tacks' attack had damaged the hull more than the crew had known, and Ensign Kim had determined that it would have been very dangerous for the ship to stay outside the atmosphere for any longer than it had.  They were very lucky, indeed.

            The door from the Tower opened, and the four Keenes exited.  Kevin led them over to Panthro and Tygra.  "Hey, guys," Kevin said to the two Thunder Cats.

            "Hello, Kevin, Michael," said Tygra.

            "These are our parents, Ned Keene and Cheryl Keene.  Parents, these are Tygra and Panthro."  Tygra and Panthro shook hands with Ned and Cheryl.

            "Good to meet you," Tygra said.

            "You, too," said Ned.

            "When I first learned that Wilykit was in love with a teenage human, I was a bit concerned.  However, I quickly found that Michael is much more mature than I thought he might be."

            "Well, I must admit that you do have considerable cause to be concerned.  Some boys his age make their parents and their girlfriends' parents want to castrate them.  Fortunately, neither Kevin nor Michael is like that."

            "I know Wilykit's been happier since she's met him.  And she's never complained about him."  He turned to Michael.  "What is it you like about her?"

            "Just about everything," Michael said.

            "How about the idea that a Thunderian loves his or her twin more than his or her Amore Eternamente?"

            "Oh, I don't mind that.  I feel the same way about my brother."

            "I see.  Well, why have you come?"

            Kevin said, "The doctor on Voyager asked Michael and me to bring our parents out here to him."

            "Okay," said Tygra.  "Just go ahead."

            "Thank you, Tygra.  See you later."  Kevin led the way towards the ship.  Lieutenant Tuvok saw them coming.

            "Greetings, Captain N and Commander N," Tuvok said.  "How may I help you?"

            "Lieutenant, these are our parents, Ned and Cheryl Keene.  Parents, this is Lieutenant Tuvok, the chief security officer of Voyager.  Lieutenant, the doctor asked us if we would bring our parents so he could answer some of his own questions about my brother's and my genetic makeup."

            "Very well.  You have leave to enter, and I shall lead you to the access port."  He led the four Keenes to the rear of the ship.

            "This ship appears to be quite efficient," commented Ned.

            "It is, under normal circumstances.  However, we have not seen disruptors of as much power as the Vari Cannon."

            "I see.  It looks like they gave your ship a pounding.  Why would they destroy what they wanted?"

            Kevin said, "Luna was probably infuriated."

            "Luna gets infuriated from the noise a paper clip makes when it falls on a pillow!" Michael laughed.

            "What is a paper clip?" inquired Tuvok.

            Ned pulled a paper clip out of his pocket.  "This is a paper clip," he said.  Tuvok stopped, and Ned handed him the item.

            Tuvok examined the item.  "I recall something of this description, but I cannot recall its use."

            "We use them to hold sheets of paper together temporarily," Kevin said.

            "I see, by inserting the paper between the loops.  A simple device, but a very useful one."  He saw Lieutenant Paris a short distance away, near the entry hatch.  "Lieutenant Paris," he called as he and the Keenes approached the hatch.

            Paris turned.  "Hey, Lieutenant Tuvok," he said as Tuvok and the Keenes came near.  "What's up?"

            "Do you recognise this item?" Tuvok asked, handing him the paper clip.

            "I think so, but. . . a paper clip!  Where did you get this?"

            Ned said, "I showed it to him."

            Kevin said, "Lieutenant, these are my parents, Ned Keene and Cheryl Keene.  Parents, this is Lieutenant Thomas Paris."

            "Glad to meet you," said Paris, shaking hands with Ned and then with Cheryl.

            "Same here," Ned said.

            "The doctor's been asking me if you were here.  Lieutenant Tuvok, do you mind if I take them to him?"

            "Go ahead, Lieutenant," said Tuvok.

            "Thank you.  Come with me, please."  Paris led the Keenes through the hatch and into the ship.  "You'll have to pardon Tuvok.  He's not exactly the most exciting guy on the ship."

            "Understandable, for a Vulcan," Ned said.

            "How did you know about Vulcans?"

            "On our Earth, Star Trek is, so far, a trio of TV series.  The original, in the 1960's, concerned Captain Kirk and the Enterprise.  The next series, The Next Generation, concerns Captain Picard and the Enterprise-D, and the most recent one, Deep Space Nine, concerns Commander Sisko and the station Deep Space Nine."

            "Hm.  How did your television writers know about us?"

            "I have no idea.  The creator, Gene Roddenberry, must have had a fairly accurate imagination.  And that's not the only fictional item that's turned out to be real.  The Thunder Cats and Silver Hawks were in cartoon series that Kevin and Michael watched in the mid- to late-eighties, and they're real.  Also, they both love to play video games with fictional plots, and VideoLand is a land where all those games exist in reality."

            "Hm, I see.  I'm very interested in history, especially the twentieth century."

            "Well, Cheryl and I are seriously considering moving to VideoLand.  We're both computer programmers, and MegaLand has plenty of prospects for that sort of work."

            "How much education do you have?"

            "We each have high degrees in math and information technology."

            "I see.  Intelligence must run in your family."

            They all laughed.  "I don't think intelligence is hereditary," Cheryl said.  "It's just that as far back as I can remember, all the previous generations of our family have had the desire to learn and an ability to understand logic, which is essential to comprehending any mathematical or scientific field."

            "I see."  He stopped at a turbolift, which opened about three seconds after he stopped.  They entered the lift.  "Sickbay," Paris commanded.  The doors closed, and the lift took them upwards.  "So, what do you like to do when you aren't working?"

            "We enjoy travelling," Ned said.  "We've visited several places in the United States and in Europe.  We particularly like England, Scotland, and Wales, because the landscape is so varied in so small an area."

            Cheryl said, "Also, we all like classical music, and in our time, London is a great place to go for that."

            "Oh, really?  Do any of you play any instruments?"

            "I do," Michael said.  "I can play any wind instruments well.  My favourite is the French horn."

            "Ah!  Ensign Kim, a friend of mine, plays the clarinet.  It seems weird, though, how so many people who are good in math are also good in music."

            "Well, math is an indispensable part of pitch and rhythm.  Just about all the basics of music theory are ultimately based on mathematical concepts."

            "I see."  The lift stopped, and the doors opened.  The group got out and walked the short distance to sickbay.  Paris led them in.  "Hey, Doc."

            The doctor turned to Paris.  "Hello, Mr. Paris.  Ah, Kevin and Michael."

            Kevin said, "Doctor, these are our parents, Ned Keene and Cheryl Keene.  Parents, this is the doctor."

            "Hello, Doctor," said Ned.  He and Cheryl shook hands with the doctor.

            "Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Keene.  Please, have a seat."

            Ned and Cheryl sat facing each other on separate biobeds.  Ned turned to the doctor.  "Your body is a holographic projection, isn't it?" Ned asked.

            "That's right.  Do you have any objection to an examination?"

            "Not at all.  Kevin and Michael told us that that was why they were bringing us."

            "That's right," said Cheryl.

            "All right."  The doctor took his medical tricorder and started examining Ned.  "You know, your offspring are very similar genetically."

            Cheryl said, "We know that two are.  But there's a third."

            "A third?"

            "She hasn't been born yet."

            "Oh!  Well, congratulations!  What do you know about her yet?"

            "Just her age, and her gender.  Not much else."

            "All right."  He frowned at his results, though he knew he should not have been surprised.  They were, in fact, partly confirmation of what he was suspecting.  "Thank you, Mr. Keene."  He keyed in some commands and began to examine Cheryl.  His results clearly indicated family difference, but her genetic structure was much more supportive of that in Kevin and Michael than Ned's had been.  "All right.  Thank you.  Do you mind if I examine your little one?"

            "Go ahead, Doctor."

            "Thank you."  He examined the baby.  He determined that it would be nearly identical genetically to Kevin and Michael, except obviously that it was female.  "Well, Mrs. Keene, let me tell you first that you have a very healthy little girl developing."

            "Thank you."

            "Now, here's what's unusual.  She'd be like an identical twin to Michael except for only one difference:  she is female, rather than male."

            "Do you mean she'll be slightly left-handed but mostly ambidextrous, like he is?"

            "That's true.  She'll probably bear a great degree of resemblance to both of your sons.  Now, you both, Mr. and Mrs. Keene, have a genetic tendency to be strong that passed on combined strength to both of your sons and to your daughter.  I think your genes are so compatible that they actually augment in strength when combined, and I think your bodies recognise each other so that only certain traits are passed on to your reproductive cells."

            Smiling, Ned said, "Well, I always told her I thought we were just right for each other."  Cheryl just smiled and blushed.

            "Yes, you could say that," the doctor interjected.  "You both appear to come from blood-lines that are clearly separate but exceedingly strong, and those two lines combined create an even stronger line in the offspring.  I'm just curious, but how long have you known each other?"

            "Since we were six or seven," Cheryl said.  "First grade.  We readily became friends.  When we were thirteen, I guess that we first found we were attracted to each other.  I fell in love with an older guy when I was seventeen, and he fell in love with a younger girl when he was twenty, but those relationships didn't last long.  Ned and I. . . we just know a lot about each other.  We've always gotten along, too."

            "I see."  The doctor turned to Kevin.  "What about MegaMan?"

            "He had to stay at the Palace of Power to monitor the Brain-Team," Kevin said.

            "I see."

            "But I will try to get him here, Doctor.  I promise."

            "And my brother keeps his word," Michael guaranteed.

            The door opened, and Captain Janeway stepped in with Commander Steelheart.  "Well, hello, everyone," said Janeway.

            "Captain Janeway," Kevin said, "these are my parents, Ned Keene and Cheryl Keene."

            Ned greeted, "Hello, Captain.  A good physician you have here."  He shook hands with the captain.

            "Thank you, Mr. Keene."  Janeway then shook hands with Mrs. Keene.

            The doctor explained, "I asked Captain N and Commander N to bring them, and I'm glad I did.  Their genetic structure is stronger than anyone on the ship, Captain."

            "Really?"

            Ned said, "I don't really understand how it happened, though our family has always been strong, intelligent, and capable of both analytical and creative expression."

            "I see."  Janeway turned to the doctor.  "Doctor, this is Commander Steelheart, leader of the Extended N-Team.  I asked her if she'd let you examine her, and she agreed."

            "All right," the doctor said.  He turned on the tricorder and examined Steelheart.  "Hm.  Bionic heart, constructed of metal.  Hm!  Your genetic structure is incredibly strong, too, though not like the Keenes'."

            Steelheart turned to Kevin.  "What?" she asked the doctor curiously.

            "I believe you heard me.  The Keene family appears to have strong genes."

            "My brothers never beat me at arm-wrestling, Kevin," Steelheart said.  "You wanna try?"

            "I'd be up to the challenge in a more appropriate setting," said Kevin with a cocky grin.

            "Your suit doesn't strengthen you," the doctor noted.  "All your strength is either natural or the result of incredible exercise."

            "It's mostly genetic," Steelheart said.  "So my parents told me, anyway.  My bro's bulkier, but I'm really the stronger twin.  I am not stating something that can't be proved, either."

            "I see.  I'm pleased to note that all of you seem to treat your bodies well, and. . . oh!  Steelheart, what happened to your natural heart?"

            "A rare non-Terran disease infected my heart and my brother's heart just before we became Silver Hawks.  It acted up when we were being made Silver Hawks.  It would have killed us by contaminating our bloodstreams with potassium cyanide had we not had our hearts replaced.  Our equipment scans the entire body, and on our Earth, everyone is scanned practically a thousand times a day.  It's nearly instantaneous."

            "I almost missed it because this heart is very much like a natural heart except for its steel shell."

            "It was designed that way."

            "I see.  Your medical technology certainly is advanced.  We can replace hearts, but not with hearts that behave so naturally."

            "I've studied a lot of science and medical history.  We've come a long way since they stopped having to poke needles into people."

            "We have, too.  Oh.  You're also a telepath."

            "Yes.  My brother and I can communicate with each other telepathically, and we can sense the feelings and thoughts of others."

            Janeway's eyes widened.  "Why didn't you tell me?"

            "I'm not in the habit of abusing my telepathic powers, Captain.  Basically, I just use them to contact my brother when I'm in danger."

            "I see."

            "I apologise, though.  I probably should have told you, but it slipped my mind.  Like I said, I don't poke into other people's thoughts."

            "In that case, it's all right.  Well, Doctor?"

            "Like the Keenes, it is sufficiently healthy both for us and for Steelheart to let her explore the ship."

            "Thank you."

            Michael's eyes took on a curious expression.  "Commander," he asked, "what exactly was it you said happened to you and Will's hearts?"

            "They were infected by viri that would have contaminated our systems with potassium cyanide," Steelheart told him.

            "Uh, oh.  That's how Wilykat said a friend of his on Thundera died."

            Kevin's eyes widened.  "Hey, that's right!  Too bad we can't see whether those viri are the same or even related."

            "Wait.  Didn't Tygra tell us they had a database with detailed specifications of all known micro-organisms that existed on Thundera?"

            "Oh, yes, brother!"

            Steelheart said, "And we have that microbe on file, too, that infected Will and me."

            Kevin took out an electronic notepad he carried in his inner left coat pocket and wrote something on the notepad with the digital stylus.  "A reminder to investigate," he said.

            Steelheart smiled.  "My first officer is quite organised."

            "That's a good trait in first officers," Janeway commented.  "Chakotay's always been rather organised, as well."

            Cheryl said, "Well, he's sure a lot more organised than he used to be."

            "Mom, please," said Michael with respect.  He did not want his brother humiliated.

            The doctor said, "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you all."

            "You, too, Doctor," Ned replied.  The group of people left Sickbay.

            Janeway asked, "Steelheart, where is the warp shield generator?"

            "I left that with Lion-O, who's now in the control room of the Tower of Omens.  He has brought it on-line."

            "All right."

            Kevin asked, "Hey.  What happened with Lana?"

            "She went to the Palace when I came out here," said Steelheart.  "She wasn't expecting you guys to be there, so don't worry about her getting worried."

            "Okay.  Thanks, Steelheart."

            Janeway asked, "Would you all like to accompany me to the bridge and then to the conference room?"

            "Certainly," Steelheart agreed.

            "Yes, Captain," said Kevin.  The group entered a turbolift, which Janeway commanded to take them to the bridge.

            * * *

            Control Room, Brim*Star, Limbo.

            Mon*Star sat on his chair high above the rest of the room.  "Those Silver Hawks are a real annoyance, Yes-Man."

            "An annoyance!" repeated Yes-Man.  "Ooh, yes!"

            "We need to find a way to burn them out!"

            "Burn them out!  Certainly, boss!"

            "And then I need to find someone to give you lessons on not doing that all the time!!"

            Yes-Man gulped.  "Understood, boss."

            Suddenly, a swirling blue warp opened, and MotherBrain, Luna, and Amok emerged!  "Greetings, Mon*Star!" greeted MotherBrain.

            Mon*Star stood up, surprised.  "What the hell?  How did you get here?  I thought the N-Team. . . well, you know."

            Luna said, "Mumm-ra supplied Dr. Wily with specifications for devices that can warp through the N-Team's phase barriers."

            "There is a ship on third-Earth, Planet Master, a ship from Quadrant Three," MotherBrain said.

            "Indeed," said Mon*Star, intrigued.

            "We'd like you and the Mob to go help us get it.  It's landed at the Tower of Omens because the Luna-tacks have crippled it, but the Silver Hawks have erected a Warp Shield to prevent us from getting to it."

            Mon*Star called, "Hardware!  Get in here!"

            The monstrous mechanic entered the room and was instantly awed.  "Hey!" he exclaimed.  "How did you get here?"

            MotherBrain handed him a warp device.  "With this, Hardware.  Mumm-ra supplied Dr. Wily with the specs to create a device to open warps even through the N-Team's cursèd phase barriers."

            "I see."

            "Hardware," Mon*Star said, "how's your project going to blast the Silver Hawks' Warp Shields?"

            Hardware grinned.  "Hmm, hmm!  I'm glad you asked, boss!  I have only invented a prototype of the device, but it exceeds the quality required by my specifications.  It should open a hole in any force fields, including Warp Shields."

            "Good, Hardware.  Tell Melodia to get the rest of the Mob in their limos, then mount your device on the Zoomer.  We are going to acquire a ship that is a very long way from home!  Ha, ha!"

            "Yes, boss."  Hardware left.

            "Yes-Man, prepare for transformation!" commanded Mon*Star.

            "Ooh, yes, boss!" Yes-Man said.  He activated the machinery.  Brim*Star tilted so that the energy from the Moon*Star would enter the Star*Crater and shine on the fortress.  The antennae absorbed the energy and transmitted it to Mon*Star's throne.

            Bathed in the Moon*Star's energy, Mon*Star chanted, "Moon*Star of Limbo, give me the might, the muscle, the menace of Mon*Star!"  By the end of the chant, he had transformed completely into a large, metal monster.  He leapt down to the floor.  "We'll get the ship for you, MotherBrain."

            "Wonderful, Mon*Star," said MotherBrain.  "We'll be watchin' from Metroid."  She, Luna, and Amok went back through the warp.

            Mon*Star went to the landing platform, where the Mob had gathered in the three limos.  "Are we ready?"

            "Yes, boss," Melodia said.  "What's up?"

            "A ship from Quadrant Three has landed on third-Earth.  MotherBrain wants us to confiscate the ship.  With specifications supplied by Mumm-ra, Dr. Wily has created a warp device capable of defying the N-Team's phasing system, and MotherBrain's given us this device."

            Hardware came with his new toy.  "Here it is, Planet Master," the mechanic said.  "My Shield Zipper.  I can use it like a zipper to open up shields."

            "I see.  We'll see if it works.  Fire up your engines.  Yes-Man and I'll be right out in Sky Runner, and then we'll head to the Tower of Omens, where this ship is."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand.

            MotherBrain, Luna, and Amok came into the control room.  "Eggplant Wizard," MotherBrain commanded, "bring Ludwig's new cloak on-line and warp to third-Earth."

            "Yes, Your Peachiness," Eggplant Wizard replied.

            Luna asked, "Don't you trust Mon*Star?"

            "Of course," said MotherBrain.  "I just want to be sure he doesn't lose."

            Ludwig, Negaduck, and Liquidator entered the room.  "We're here, too," said Negaduck.  "All the Fearsome Ten."

            "Wonderful!" MotherBrain said.  "This means we'll be having a cat-crushing party!"

            "Great!" said King Hippo.  "I'll bring the punch!"  When he swung his fist for emphasis, though, he smacked Eggplant Wizard in the head inadvertently.  The purple, cyclopean vegetable fell on his back, and several veggies popped out of him.  "Ah, oops!"

            "Hey, watch where you're swinging your fist, you fat slob!" Eggplant Wizard snapped, getting up.

            "Watch who you're callin' a fat slob, you overgrown carrot-head!"

            "Shut up!!" ordered MotherBrain irately.

            "Yes, MotherBrain," replied the two imbeciles in unison.

            "Now.  Using our cloak, we're going to watch as the Mob attempts to pulverise the Thunder Cats and take Voyager.  If they fail, then we jump in."

            "Wonderful plan, MotherBrain," said Ludwig.

            "All right, Eggplant Wizard.  Let's go."

            "Aye, aye," Eggplant Wizard said.  He activated the cloaking device and then used one of Wily's new devices to open an invisible warp to third-Earth.  The planet went through.