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

Ensign Kim joined the group in the conference room.  "So," Steelheart asked, "how are repairs going?"

            "They're going very quickly, thanks to your co-operation," Kim replied.  "Tygra and Panthro have been really helpful in the repairs.  Most of the damage has been taken care of, in fact."

            "I'm glad to hear it."

            Janeway asked, "Can anything penetrate that Warp Shield?"

            "It's not entirely impenetrable, but the Mob's only penetrated it once, and we've modified it since then.  And if something happens to it, the other Hawks will come fix it."

            Suddenly, her radio came alive.  "Hawkhaven to Steelheart," called Quicksilver's voice.

            "Excuse me."  She flashed on her visor.  "What's up, Colonel?"

            "I think MotherBrain just paid a visit on the Mob, Commander.  Not only did a warp open on Brim*Star, but the entire Mob just went, with all its vehicles, through a warp to third-Earth!"

            "Well, I guess they didn't know about the Warp Shield.  Come here, anyway, skipper.  I have a feeling they'll still try something."

            "Will-do, Commander.  Quicksilver out."

            After flashing off her visor, Steelheart asked Janeway, "Do you know about using electronic or acoustic musical instruments to create modulating phaser energy?"

            Janeway frowned.  "No, I don't.  Ensign?"

            "I don't, either," Kim replied.

            "Do any of you play stringed or wind instruments?" asked Steelheart.

            "Well, I play the clarinet," Kim told her.

            "Then we have something to show you.  Michael, could you and Kevin go find the Thunder Cats' spare laser emitter?"

            "Sure, Steelheart," Michael said.

            "I'll come with you guys, if that's fine with you, Captain," said Paris.  Janeway nodded.  The three young men got up and left the room.

            Janeway asked, "It seems strange, how you issued that order."

            "Well, the N-Team overall doesn't exactly have a very rigid command structure.  And they're brothers.  If I don't order them equally, one of them might get jealous!"

            Janeway had to laugh.  "But what are these laser emitters?" she asked.

            "They attach to the critical point of vibration of the appropriate instrument and emit a powerful laser or phaser beam, in the visual form of standard musical notation, whose power is modified by every change in dynamics and pitch.  I'm trying to develop one that I can use with recorded music so I can play large-orchestra compositions against our adversaries.  It's more powerful than normal lasers and phasers, and I imagine playing a piece by composers such as Mahler would really knock out Metroid."

            "Yeah," Kim agreed.  "Eight horns blaring a monophonic theme followed by a long introduction that covers all the orchestra."

            "But I do like the conclusion of that particular symphony, and it's probably even stronger than the beginning."

            "I agree."

            Janeway smiled.  "Musicology isn't my strongest suit.  What are you discussing?"

            "Gustav Mahler's Third Symphony in d minor, the longest symphony he wrote," Kim said.  "Like most of the things he wrote, and like much music of that era, it's scored for a massive orchestra.  Also, as in most of the things he wrote, the wind parts are very challenging.  To me, it makes Mozart's Clarinet Concerto seem like a picnic."

            Steelheart said, "Oh, then you should talk to Michael.  He is an excellent wind player. . . not just French horn, but everything else, too.  He's played Richard Strauss's First Horn Concerto on a natural horn in F."

            "No way!"

            "Yes way.  Just ask Wilykit how strong his lips are.  Well, would you prefer to bring your own clarinet?  I guarantee it won't be harmed."

            "Sure, Commander.  With your permission, Captain."

            "By all means, Ensign," Janeway said.  "Meet us down at the hatch."

            "Yes, Captain, and thank you."  Harry Kim left the room.

            "He seems like a bright young man," said Steelheart.

            "That he is," Janeway said.  "Shall we go?"

            "Sure."  They left the conference room.  "I see no one calls you 'sir.' "

            "I made it clear that I prefer to be called neither 'sir' nor 'ma'am.'  'Ma'am' will do in a crunch, but I just prefer to be called 'Captain.' "

            "I'm that way, too, though I always tolerate 'ma'am.'  I never did like being called 'sir.' "  They stepped into the turbolift and took it down to the hatch.

            * * *

            Michael took out the MIDI converter and the laser converter in the control room of the Tower.  "Hey!" laughed Lion-O.  "What are Wilykit and 'Kat doing here?"

            Michael grinned when he looked at Lion-O's readings.  "Horsing around, I'll bet."

            "Yeah."  Lion-O switched on the communicator.  "Hey, Thunder Kittens!  What are you up to?"

            "Oh, just racing to the Tower," Wilykat replied.

            "Well, veer around it.  The Silver Hawks gave us a Warp Shield, which has enclosed the Tower in a sphere of a ten-kilometre radius."

            "Thanks for telling us.  We're about fifteen kilometres away."

            "Hey!  Maybe we could use your help.  The Mob's approaching this place.  The shield distorts our sensors somewhat."

            After a slight delay, Wilykit's voice replied, "They're about seventeen kilometres directly above the centre of the shield, and the distance is closing rapidly."

            "Hide yourselves, guys.  They won't get to us."

            "Right, Lion-O."  Lion-O turned off communications.

            "I have a purty bad feeling coming up," said Michael.

            "Why, oh why do you have to tell me that?" asked Lion-O.

            "Just to let you know.  Something awful is about to happen."

            * * *

            Hardware was in the Zoomer, with Pokerface and Zero.  The whole Mob was descending to the Tower of Omens.  When they were five kilometres above the shield, Hardware laughed wickedly.  "Hoo, hoo!  We're in range, boss!"

            In Sky Runner's control seat with Yes-Man, Mon*Star said, "Good, Hardware.  Fire!"

            "Everyone, we must come to a complete stop," Hardware instructed.  They stopped about four thousand metres above the spherical shield.  Hardware prepared his device.  "Get ready to savour your victory, boss!  Hmm, hmm!"

            "Just do it, Hardware!" instructed Mon*Star with a measured degree of impatience.

            "Aye!"  He fired his beam, and it worked like a charm.

            * * *

            Hidden, Wilykit and her twin brother observed the occurrence.  She analysed Hardware's beam with her tricorder.  "Hey!  That. . . that beam's slicing open the Warp Shield!" she exclaimed.

            "What the hell!"

            "Hey!  Watch your mouth, brother!"

            "-Gulp!-  Sorry."  He took her tricorder and looked.  "Yikes!"

            "Exactly."  She took her communicator and spoke into it.  "Lion-O!  Hardware's using some ray that's zipping the warp shield open like an apple!"

            "Oh, no!" exclaimed Lion-O.  "Michael was right!  Something bad is happening!"

            "Do you want us to. . ."

            "No.  Go to the Lair and call in the rest of the N-Team."

            "Acknowledged."  She turned off the radio and put it away.  "Curses."

            "My thoughts exactly," Wilykat said.  "Let's go."  They turned back to Cat's Lair.

            * * *

            Steelheart was surprised to see the Warp Shield being sliced open.  The surprise was most unpleasant to her.  "Damn you, Hardware," she said quietly.  Harry Kim, with his clarinet, and Kathryn Janeway were outside with her as she watched.

            Kevin, Michael, and Thomas Paris came out of the Tower.  "It's Hardware, all right," Kevin said.  "Wilykit picked up the little son of a word I won't use as she and her bro were approaching the Tower.  Our parents stayed in the Tower with Lion-O."

            "That little troll has gone too far.  At this rate, they'll get through before Quicksilver gets the other Hawks here."

            Kevin called, "Give me a sec!"  He ran into the Tower, then to the warp zones.  He went to the Palace and ran through the throne room.  "No time to explain!" he called hurriedly to Lana, MegaMan, and Kid Icarus as he ran to the elevator.  " 'Kit and 'Kat'll be here in moments to explain!"  He raced into the elevator and took it urgently downstairs.

            Down in the garage, Kevin fired up his car and sped to the secret warp area.  He took the secret one-way warp to the Tower of Omens.

            Paris was amazed when he saw the car appear in a blue flash.  "Whoa!"

            "Paris, Kim, Michael, what say we put a cramp in Hardware's li'l machine?" said Kevin, grinning.

            "Cool!" Michael agreed.  He got in the back seat.

            Janeway asked, "But how is a car going to do you any good?"

            "This is a more contemporary ride. . . with flight and warp!"

            Paris grinned.  "I'm with you!"  He got in beside Kevin.  "C'mon, Harry!"

            "Go, Ensign," Janeway prodded, as if Kim needed an excuse.

            "What about my clarinet?" Kim asked.

            "You need it," Michael said.  Kim got in beside Michael.

            "Be careful!" called Steelheart.

            Kevin saluted.  "Aye, aye, Commander!"  He then accelerated quickly and brought the car into the air.  "Michael, get Ensign Kim's instrument hooked.  If Melodia's up there. . ."

            "Got it, big bro," Michael said when Kevin stopped speaking.  He told Kim, "This just goes on like a mute, except it doesn't alter pitch or timbre.  And yes, I'm aware they don't make mutes for clarinets."

            "Okay," Kim said, handing the clarinet to Michael.  Michael hooked the converter onto the bell of the clarinet and hooked the cords into a panel between their seats.

            Michael handed the instrument back to its owner.  "Play a B."  Harry did as he was told.  "Perfect.  You nailed the pitch."

            Kevin said, "Oh, man!  The Mob did come in force.  That strange ray from the Zoomer is what's zipping open the shield.  Michael, you're targeting."

            "Right."  Michael flipped open a panel on the back of his brother's seat and activated the targeting computer.  "Aim for that thing Hardware has on the Zoomer?"

            "Yeah."

            * * *

            Hardware watched in glee as his device opened up the Warp Shield.  Finally, he said, "Do you guys know what this means?  We can storm Hawkhaven and be rid of the Silver Hawks forever when we're through here!"

            "Yes!" said Mon*Star ecstatically.  "With this device, we'll be able to wipe out the Silver Hawks' Warp Shield technology!"

            In the Road Star, Buzz-Saw growled, "Mon*Star!  A car is shooting out of the shield!"

            "What?  Who?"

            "Captain N!"

            Melodia readied her Sound Smasher.  "Well, then, I'll rock and roll that California dude!  Ha, ha!"

            Kevin's car shot past the limos.  "Yo, Mon*Star," called Kevin's voice.  "Close that shield at once, or you'll be real sorry."

            "Not a chance in Hell!" Mon*Star snapped.

            "Too bad."  A laser shot out towards Hardware's device.  The inventor had begun screaming even before Pokerface dove the limo.

            "My poor baby!  Hey.  Whew, thanks, Pokie!"

            "You're taking a serious gamble, Game Master," Pokerface noted.

            "The next shot won't miss," Kevin promised.  "Retreat."

            "How's this for a treat?" Melodia snapped.  She fired at Kevin's car with her Sound Smasher, but Kevin's super piloting skills kept him one step ahead of her.

            On one of Kevin's manoeuvres, Michael caught his opportunity and fired.  He hit the part of Hardware's device that hooked it to the Zoomer.  "No!" cried Hardware.  He grabbed the device.  It almost pulled him out until Zero anchored him, then the device slipped and fell.  "Yaah!  Dive, Pokie!  Dive!!"  But it was too late.  Tom Paris's window opened, and Voyager's number one pilot grabbed the falling device.  "No!!"

            "Why are you screaming?" Mon*Star asked.  "If the hole is wide enough for that game-playing teenager's car, then it's large enough for your limos!"

            "Oh, uh, yeah."

            "But first," Melodia said, "I'm going to harmonise him!"

            "You take care of him, Melodia," said Hardware.  "We'll take care of the Thunder Cats."  Pokerface and Buzz-Saw, respectively piloting the Zoomer and the Road Star, dove towards the Tower.

            "Uh, oh," Kevin said.  He opened a communications channel.  "Heads up, Lion-O!  Two Mob limos are coming down."

            "Got it, Kevin," replied Lion-O.

            Kevin closed the channel. . . and barely dodged a blast from Melodia.  "Yow!  She's one seriously disturbed songstress!"  He continued to dodge her blasts.

            "Damn!" Melodia shouted.  "Windhammer, let me pilot.  With me at the controls, he won't be able to dodge your blasts and my flying."

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Windhammer.  "Got it."  They quickly exchanged places.  Melodia was a far better pilot than Windhammer, and Windhammer's blasts were more widespread.

            Kevin found it harder to dodge the shots, but he did.  "Damn, she's good," Paris said.  "But so're you."

            "Thanks, but believe me, we don't want Windhammer's shots to hit us," Kevin said.  He checked his mirrors.  "Michael, where's Mon*Star?"

            Michael looked around.  "There he is," he said.  "To the right."

            Kevin grinned.  "I've got a sneaky idea."  He started in the direction of the Planet Master, and as he planned, Melodia was following directly behind.  Kevin only dodged enough to let the shots fly by, and his car was faster than the limo.

            Mon*Star said, "What the hell is that kid doing?"

            "Ooh, I don't know, boss," Yes-Man said.

            Kevin's car swerved just in time to avoid hitting Sky Runner.  "Hey!  Teenage flyer!!"

            "Boss!  Look out!"

            Mon*Star turned back in the direction from which Kevin had come.  "Blaaah!" he screamed just as the Limbo Limo ploughed into Sky Runner.  Both vehicles fell towards the ground.

            "Yes!" Kevin exclaimed.

            "Keep that up, and you'll get your driver's licence suspended!" Michael joked.  The four guys enjoyed a good laugh.

            Suddenly, a warp opened, and the two ruined Mob vehicles and their passengers fell in.  Michael instantly began typing commands.  "That's a warp to a point several kilometres above the planet's surface," Michael said.

            "A. . . uh, oh," said Kevin.  He dove quickly down to the other two vehicles.

            * * *

            The Zoomer and the Road Star arrived within the split sphere.  "It works," Hardware said.  "At least it will until those blasted Steeltwins figure out how my Warp Shield Zipper works!"

            "Don't worry," said Pokerface.

            "There's Voyager," Zero said.  "Right beside the Tower of Omens-z-z, hzz."

            "So let's grab the ship," Buzz-Saw said.

            On the ground, all the Starfleet officers were together where Steelheart could address them.  "I suggest you shoot down those limos before they get here.  If they've been ordered to get your ship, they won't stop until they've done it or until they've been arrested."

            "Very well," said Janeway.  "Everyone, set phasers to medium power."  Everyone did so.  "Are ship's phasers still off-line?"

            "Yes, Captain," said Tuvok.

            "All right."

            The limos came within sight.  Above, the Mob saw that much of the crew had been gathered.  "Look at all thos-z-ze uniforms!" Zero exclaimed.

            "Crud!" snapped Hardware.  "Mo-Lec-U-Lar and A-Tom-U-Lar, harden their spirits. . . as well as their bodies."

            "With pleasure," A-Tom-U-Lar said.  He and his brother transformed to indigenous birds that flew quickly down to the area where the good guys were.

            Steelheart looked up.  "Hardware, retreat at once!  The entire crew of the Starship Voyager has orders to open fire upon you if you come closer."

            "I won't have to worry about that!" Hardware's baritone voice boomed.

            "What does he mean by that?" asked Lion-O.

            "He means this!" called an all too familiar voice.  Mo-Lec-U-Lar and his brother had arrived.  Quickly, they sprayed a massive amount of tar and immobilised everyone on the ground.

            "What. . . the. . . I can't. . . move!" Janeway managed.

            Steelheart tried to break free.  "Ghurg. . . you must've. . . improved the formula."

            "Our new tar is designed to keep even Steeltwins immobile until we blow your butts to kingdom come with a photon torpedo," Mo-Lec-U-Lar said.

            "No!" cried Janeway.  "A. . . photon torpedo. . . improperly detonated at. . . the surface will. . . immolate the entire atmosphere!"

            "Hee, hee, hee!  Then we'll be rid of the Thunder Cats and the commander of the Silver Hawks!"  The two atomically unstable siblings laughed wickedly.

            Up in his car, Kevin and his passengers heard this exchange through Steelheart's communicator frequency.  "She tried to bluff them," Kim sighed.

            "Crud," said Kevin.  "If so, then she sure picked the wrong thing to say."

            "Well. . . I take that back.  If they really mess up the torpedo, they just might immolate the entire atmosphere, but that would be extremely accidental."

            "I see.  Mr. Kim, feel like playing something lively and dynamic in loudness?  Michael will aim the laser."

            "Sure," said Kim.  He put his clarinet mouthpiece to his mouth and played a fast arrangement of the Bourrée from Bach's Third Cello Suite.

            "Good selection," said Michael, preparing the laser emitters of Kevin's car.  He aimed for the Zoomer and turned on the emitters, and a blue music laser shot out and blasted the Zoomer's engines.

            "Whaa!" cried Hardware.  "What?  Now a clarinet music laser!?"

            Pokerface said, "Hardware, they just clubbed our thrusters!  We're going down!"

            "Ooh, boy."  He took out a green, metal cylindrical device.  When he pressed the button, it became a large, green pterodactyl-like machine.  The cylinder had become the right leg.  Pokerface and Zero grabbed on to the left leg.  "Take us down to the surface!"  The mechanical pterodactyl took them downwards.

            Buzz-Saw said, "Take the wheel, Mumbo."  Mumbo took the wheel of the Road Star.  Buzz-Saw fired several saws at Kevin's car.

            "Whoa!" Kevin exclaimed.  He dodged all the saws, and Michael blasted them with Harry's music.  Before Buzz-Saw fired more saws at the car, Michael shot the Road Star with the laser, and it descended quickly to the surface.

            Hardware commanded, "Catch them!"  Mo-Lec-U-Lar turned into a giant hand that grabbed Buzz-Saw and Mumbo-Jumbo from the Road Star before it crashed.

            Kevin landed his car, and he and the other three popped out.  "Happy landings, guys!" Kevin laughed.  Mumbo-Jumbo growled and turned his forehead's hemisphere red.  He pawed the ground angrily.  Kevin took off his coat and used it as a cape.  "Toro!  Toro!" he taunted.  The robotic bull charged through the coat, but Kevin quickly dropped the coat and jumped onto Mumbo's back, grabbing his horns.  He extended his long legs to the ground around Mumbo's body and pulled back as Mumbo charged forward.  That moment, he discovered how strong he really was.  With not much effort, he caused Mumbo to flip backwards!  Kevin wisely let go before the force pulled him along with Mumbo, and the bull flew backwards and crashed into Buzz-Saw, sending both robots to the ground, circuits scrambled.

            "Whoa, Kevin!" exclaimed Michael, highly impressed.  He and his brother gave each other a high-five, then Kevin retrieved his coat.

            "Oh, brother," said Hardware.  "Get 'em, Zero!"

            "Hzz, hzz!"  Using his staff, Zero shot at Michael, who dodged.  Michael pressed the B button on his Power Pad and ran past Zero, grabbing the staff as he passed by.  "Zz, hey!  Give that back!"

            "Don't you know stealing computer information is illegal?"  Michael snapped the staff by holding it with his hands and bringing it down on his left leg.

            "No!"

            "Mo-Lec-U-Lar!  A-Tom-U-Lar!  Stop those video game lovers!!" Hardware shouted.

            "Got it," said Mo as Hardware and Pokerface ran to the hatch that gave entry to Voyager.

            Michael handed Harry a device.  "Here.  Just put that on the end of the converter and aim at your target.  Press this button to turn it on, and you'll get a blue music laser."

            "Thanks," said Harry.  He and Tom ran after the monstrous mechanic and the gambling boss.

            Mo-Lec-U-Lar and his brother fired tar at the human brothers, but the humans used their Power Pads to leap over the tar.  Kevin pressed his Select button and called, "Pause!"  Time froze on A-Tom-U-Lar and Mo-Lec-U-Lar.  "Let's switch their transformer rings and see what happens!"

            Michael nodded.  He grabbed A-Tom-U-Lar's transformation ring, which was on his left hand, the bolt hand.  Kevin grabbed Mo-Lec-U-Lar's, which was on the right hand, or the bolt hand.  They exchanged the rings to the wrong bolt hands and stood back as Kevin's pause wore off.

            "All right!" said A-Tom-U-Lar.  "We'll see how much you kids like video games after a close encounter with Bowyer and Yaridovich from Super Mario RPG!"  He and his brother each clapped their hand together.  However, their transformation rings were each tuned to their different levels of instability, and Mo-Lec-U-Lar had a lower level of instability than his brother.  The rings, designed not to allow destruction of either of them, simply split them uncomfortably into spherical globes.  They wailed in agony as they rolled around.  Kevin and Michael took the rings away when the villainous brothers returned to their normal forms.

            "We'll just take these," said Kevin.  A warp opened, and Wilykit, Wilykat, Simon, Kid Icarus, and MegaMan stepped out.  "Just in time!  Arrest and cuff these guys.  Michael and I are going to help Tom Paris and Harry Kim get Hardware and Pokerface."  The brothers ran in.

            "Simon, cuff 'em," ordered Wilykit.

            "Yes, sir, ma'am."  He extracted five sets of handcuffs from his bottomless backpack and snapped them on the villains.

            When Buzz-Saw and Mumbo-Jumbo were conscious again, Wilykit said, "You are under arrest for assault and attempted grand burglary.  You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a pertinent manner in a court of law.  You have the right to an attorney.  If you cannot afford an attorney or do not wish to pay, one will be appointed you by the court."

            "Tell us something we don't know!" Zero snapped irately.

            A warp opened in the sky, and the Mirage zipped out.  The small ship landed, and four Hawks - Steelwill, Copper-Kidd, Quicksilver, and Bluegrass - popped out.  "It's about time," said Wilykit with measured sarcasm.

            "Sorry we're late," said Bluegrass.  "What's up?"

            "Kevin and Michael socked it to the Mob.  As you can see, Mo-Lec-U-Lar and A-Tom-U-Lar tarred the Voyager crew and Steelheart.  Hardware and Pokerface are in the ship, but Kevin and Michael are after them."

            "All right," said Quicksilver.  "Hawks, let's untar these guys."

            * * *

            Hardware and Pokerface ran up the hall to the turbolift.  It opened as they approached.  "Nice," Hardware commented.  When they were inside, Hardware instructed, "Engineering."  The doors closed and the lift rose.

            Just then, Paris and Kim rounded the corner.  "Darn," Paris said.

            "If Hardware's a technical nut, he may be headed to Engineering," Kim said.  "Come on."  He led the way to another turbolift and took it up to Engineering.

            In Engineering, Hardware took a moment to visually examine the place.  "Nice," he commented again.  He was quite impressed.

            "Are we going to the bridge?" asked Pokerface.

            "Yes.  Just let me see what we have acquired for MotherBrain.  Dilithium warp engine.  Photon torpedoes.  Phasers.  Hoo, yes!"

            A far door opened, and Paris and Kim ran in.  "Hold it!" ordered Paris, his phaser ready.

            "Oh, please," Pokerface said.  "I bet you're not going to catch us."  He aimed his cane at the pilot and blasted him in the chest with a stunning phaser.

            "Tom!" cried Kim.

            "You're next!"  Before Pokerface could hit him, Kim played a run on his clarinet and knocked out the gambling boss with a laser.

            "Wow!" Kim exclaimed.

            "You're not going to melodise me!" Hardware snapped.  He ran out of the room, and Kim pursued.  Hardware quickly took the turbolift to the bridge, then pulled out his communicator.  "MotherBrain, this is Hardware.  I need some help down here!"

            "I'll send Mon*Star and Melodia down," MotherBrain said.

            "Thanks."  A warp opened in the lift, and Mon*Star and Melodia entered.  "Hey!  That was quick!"

            "That dratted Captain N!" snapped Melodia.  "He caused me to crash into Mon*Star!"

            "He's destroyed all the vehicles?" Hardware demanded.  "Bloody teenagers are getting out of hand anymore.  Could you two go down and keep Ensign Kim busy while I take over the ship?"

            "Yes," Mon*Star said.

            "Someone gave him a laser attachment for his clarinet."

            "Don't worry," said Melodia.  "Fortunately, MotherBrain gave me a spare Sound Smasher, and I can harmonise that clarinettist."

            The lift doors opened, and the three emerged to the bridge.  "Hey, guys!" greeted two human teenagers.

            "Oh, blast!" cried Hardware.  "I thought Mo and his bro took care of you!"

            "Apparently," Michael said with a cocky grin, "it doesn't work too well when one uses the other's transformation ring."

            Mon*Star came forward and said, "Your luck has run out, boys!  Have your first taste of my Light*Star!"  His Star*Eye turned dark red, and a projection extended out.

            "Uh, oh!" said Kevin.  He and Michael ran towards Janeway's ready-room.

            Mon*Star released two Light*Stars at once, and they hit the brothers before they reached the door.  "Now, you two will know better than to mess with us!  Ha, ha, ha!"  He turned to Hardware.  "Get to work."

            "With pleasure, boss," said Hardware.  He went to Tuvok's station and began working.

            The turbolift door opened, and Kim and Paris came out, dragging Pokerface.  "Here's your deactivated gambling boss," said Kim snidely.  He held up a chip.  "Here's his memory chip."

            "Holy crud!" cried Hardware.

            Melodia aimed her Sound Smasher.  "Have a blast, Ensign Kim!"  She began playing.  At the last second, Kim got his clarinet in playing position and saved his skin with his own music laser.  She had some advantage, though.  She didn't have to break the music, but he had to breathe at some points.  Also, she could create block chords, though broken chords were just as effective.  Kim had a large dynamic range, which proved advantageous, but he just wasn't quite as innovative as she was, and her music laser almost went into his laser emitter.  He leapt out of the way before that happened.

            "Enough with your jam session!" Mon*Star boomed.

            Paris said, "Kevin!  Michael!  What happened?"

            "What happened to them, you ask?"  He formed the Light*Star as before.  "This happened!  You're going to have a close encounter with my Light*Star!"  He released two Light*Stars.  Paris and Kim tried to dodge, but the stars sought them out and paralysed them when they hit.  "Sit tight, boys!  Heh, heh!"  He gingerly took the chip from Kim and handed it to Hardware.  "Put this back into Pokie, and get back to getting access to the ship."

            Kevin knew that the Mob could not be allowed to confiscate the ship, but the Light*Star was making it very difficult to move.  But. . . maybe. . . maybe Michael and I can help each other telepathically, like Steelheart and Steelwill!  The brothers had never communicated through telepathy before, but they had to try.  When Wilykit and Michael made love, it had activated the telepathy in both brothers.  Kevin reached out to touch his brother's consciousness.  As he tried, a sudden wave of thoughts and feelings entered his mind.

            He recognised the groups of thoughts.  Mon*Star was truly evil, as was Hardware, but Melodia. . . she was different.  It seemed she had been influenced to be evil, but she really was not, deep in her heart.  She did not know right from wrong, basically, and she had been trained to take pleasure in destructive activities.  She could be helped.  Pokerface was an android, but he was as evil as Mon*Star and Hardware were.  The android had emotions and a free will. . . and a conscience.  He had consciously decided to join Mon*Star.  He was basically human in mind and spirit, though not physically.

            Tom Paris had a very brave spirit that he concealed with a cocky attitude.  He had the capacity to be a very good person, and he was quite smart.  Harry Kim was intelligent, as well, and artistic.  He was young and inexperienced but very courageous.  His fear sometimes brought down his courage, but not often.

            Michael possessed many of the traits that Kevin knew he possessed. . . courage, intelligence, compassion, and kindness.  He instantly felt such an intense flash of pride that he would have fallen if his body were under his control.  He found in Michael so much fraternal love for him that it was overwhelming.

            Hey. . . it's okay, Kev, he heard Michael's voice tell him sweetly.

            Michael! Kevin thought.  I wonder. . . can he hear my thoughts?

            Yeah.  I was probing you, too, actually.  I was thinking we could do what the Steeltwins did in 'Sky-Shadow' to get free.

            I was thinking the same thing, bro.  We've got to stop Hardware before he gets control of this ship!

            Right, my brother, Michael told Kevin.  How the hell do we do this?

            Hey, I thought you watched your language.

            Well, I can't hide my thoughts from you now!  Get used to it.  I don't say it, but I may think it.

            Okay, bro.  That's acceptable.  Hey!  Call Wilykit before we try this!

            Okay.  Michael tried to feel the thoughts of people outside.  He recognised Wilykit readily, and he reached out as powerfully as he could.  Wilykit!

            * * *

            Outside, the group was waiting for some response from Kevin and Michael.  Wilykit was getting particularly worried.  "Why haven't they called us back?" she wondered, unsuccessfully trying to mask her great concern.

            "Hey, I'm sure they're okay," said Wilykat.

            "You're lying, but thank you for trying to cheer me up," Wilykit replied sincerely.

            Suddenly, an urgent thought crashed into her brain.  Wilykit! it shouted.

            Wilykit nearly collapsed, but her brother caught her.  "Mi-. . ."

            "Wilykit!" cried Wilykat.  "Are you okay?"

            "I thought. . . it just echoed. . . Michael.  It was Michael!  Michael's in trouble!"

            "Okay, calm down," Steelheart said gently.  "Can you describe the sensation?"

            "I heard his voice crash through my brain louder than any crash of thunder, calling my name.  It was the most urgent and intense sound I've ever heard.  Well, I didn't really hear it, but it seems that I did."

            "He's in trouble, all right.  That's the way telepathy works.  Can you tell me what's wrong?"

            "Michael. . . Michael, I'm here!  Answer me!" she finished desperately.

            I'm here, he said, and for the first time, she sensed how truly afraid he was but how much more courageous he was.  Mon*Star came here with Melodia to help Hardware.  He encased us in these Light*Stars.  We need help, Wilykit.

            "Okay, kid.  Help's on the way.  Where are you?"

            The bridge.  Hey, ask Steelheart how Kevin and I can transfer strength so we can break out of these damned things. . . and pardon my language, please.

            "Sure, Michael.  Steelheart, Mon*Star got to the ship somehow to help Hardware, and he's smacked Kevin and Michael with Light*Stars.  Michael wants to know how he and Kev can get out of them."

            Steelheart said, "Michael, this is Steelheart.  If you can, reply to me telepathically."

            Hey, Commander, Michael's voice replied in her head.

            "Do you have telepathic contact with Kevin?"

            And how!  It shocked both of us.

            "Yes, the first direct telepathic contact between close siblings is often emotionally overwhelming.  Sometimes, it can be traumatic.  You two have to transfer strength to each other simultaneously.  That makes you both stronger temporarily."

            How?

            "Simply think it, Michael.  You and Kevin, while in telepathic contact, think about giving each other all your strength.  It usually augments your physical muscle power tens upon tens of times.  The easiest way to break out of Light*Stars is to touch with another person encased in a star.  Are you two in close physical proximity?"

            Yeah.

            "Good.  Touch each other.  That will frazzle the Light*Stars.  The rest of us are on our way up to the bridge."

            * * *

            Michael thought, Kevin!  We have to give each other strength to break out of these things.  We just think about giving each other strength, and it happens.

            Okay, Kevin replied.  The brothers barely knew how to control their telepathy, but they soon began transmitting equal amounts of strength to each other.  After a while, they couldn't believe the incredible power they felt.

            Now!  We need to touch!

            Kevin was to Michael's right.  He brought his left hand to his brother's right, and Michael brought his right hand to Kevin's left.  When their hands touched, the Light*Stars cancelled out.

            "What?" demanded Mon*Star, turning to the Keene brothers.  "Blaah!"

            "We're free," Michael said, "and we're mad as wet hens!"

            "Melodia!  Harmonise them!"

            Melodia came around and fired her music lasers at the brothers.  Kevin and Michael split to avoid the laser.  Michael took his Zapper and blasted Melodia's Sound Smasher.  The weapon's neck broke off its body.

            "No!" Melodia cried.  "You've ruined my Sound Smasher!"

            Kevin knocked Hardware away from Tactical.  "Whoa!"  The rotund mechanic rolled away.  Kevin checked the access logs.

            "Whew, another second there, and you'd have had Voyager," Kevin said smugly.

            Hardware popped up and got out a laser gun.  "Take this!"  But before he could shoot Kevin, a laser from Michael's Zapper hit and demolished his gun.  "What?  No!"

            "Oh, idiots!" Mon*Star shouted.  "Ace those teenage brats, Pokerface!!"

            "With pleasure," said Pokerface.  He took his cane and fired at Michael, who used his Power Pad to leap away.  He came down in front of Pokerface and, while still in the air, kicked Pokie's head with his left foot.  The android, knocked unconscious, fell on the floor.  His shades fell off, and his eyes scrolled to:  K O.

            Mon*Star was furious.  "Blast you!  You're worse than Steelheart!"

            Kevin and Michael grinned and bowed.  "Thanks, Mon*Star!" Kevin said.

            Mon*Star lit up his eye again.  "I'm going to get you for this!"

            "Your Light*Star is useless against us," said Michael.  "We're stronger than the Steeltwins, and we have telepathy, so we're too strong for that piece of laser."

            Mon*Star growled.  He knew they were right.  He would never be able to defeat them now.  If he fired too many Light*Stars, he would run out of energy in a hurry.  "Well, then, it's time for my retreat!"  He ran for the turbolift.

            Kevin shouted, "Hold it!"  He and Michael fired their Zappers at Mon*Star, shocking him.

            "Blaaah!" cried the Planet Master.  His metal armour vanished, and he fell to the floor in his weaker form.  "No!"

            "Oh, now, now," said Michael, grinning.  "Don't you want a nice long stay on the Penal Planet?"

            "Or the impenetrable Diamond Prison on MegaLand?" Kevin added.

            Mon*Star grabbed his radio.  "MotherBrain!  Those Keene twerps have defeated us!  Send reinforcements!!"  Kevin destroyed the radio with his Zapper.  "It's too late, Captain N.  MotherBrain will fix you now!"

            The turbolift opened, and the Silver Hawks emerged.  "Whoa," said Steelheart.  "Nice cleanup, guys!"

            Mon*Star jumped up.  "Commander, I beg you!  Get me away from these teenagers!"

            "Oh, now you're hurting their feelings," Steelheart said.

            "I won't resist arrest."

            "Good, because Janeway has permitted me to arrest you.  Guys, start cuffing."

            "Yes, sis," Steelwill said.

            Mon*Star's eye flashed threateningly, though he no longer had the power to fire a Light*Star.  "But you'd better watch out.  MotherBrain is on her way, and she will pulverise you dive-bombing dodos!"

            "That's right," said Melodia.

            Quicksilver picked up and cuffed Pokerface.  "Wake up, Pokie," he said.  "Time to go to the hokie."

            The android's eyes whirled to:  O K.  "Hey, what's going on?"

            Bluegrass picked up and cuffed Hardware.  "Hey!  Let go of me, Texan!" Hardware snapped.

            After the four villains had been cuffed, Steelheart said, "Mon*Star, release Lieutenant Paris and Ensign Kim."

            "Very well," Mon*Star said darkly.  The Light*Stars released Paris and Kim and returned to Mon*Star's eye.

            Wilykit and Wilykat entered the bridge from the conference room.  "Ah.  Good work, Kevin and Michael," Wilykit said.

            "Thanks," said Michael.

            "Mob.  You are under arrest for attempted grand burglary and assault.  You have the right to remain silent.  Any information that you give can and will be used against you in a pertinent manner in a court of law.  You have the right to a legal representative.  If you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one."

            Mon*Star said, "I have just one thing to tell you, pretty girl.  You had better watch out, before MotherBrain warps down here and pulverises the hell out of the Tower of Omens."

            "That applies to anything that you say, Mon*Star.  I suggest you be silent before you incriminate yourself, unless you wish to beg for the mercy of the court."

            "I need no mercy!  I'll be out next week."

            "That remains to be seen.  All right, Silver Hawks.  Take them away."

            Steelheart said, "You guys take these four to visit their pals in Bedlama Jail."

            "Got it," Quicksilver said.  He, Steelwill, Bluegrass, and Copper-Kidd took Mon*Star, Melodia, Hardware, and Pokerface to the jail on Bedlama.

            Wilykit hugged Michael.  "Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

            "Yeah, I'm cool," he said quietly, returning the hug.

            Paris said, "Those bad guys sure put a cramp in our style."

            "Well, they won't be out any time soon," Steelheart said.  "Let's return to the surface, shall we?"  They left in the turbolift.

            * * *

            In Metroid, orbiting the planet, MotherBrain was disgusted.  "Those Keene brothers are more trouble than I thought," she said.

            "They've captured my boss!" Windhammer shouted.  "What are you going to do about it?"

            "I'm thinking, Windhammer!  Pipe down."

            Ludwig said, "We have to get through before they close that blasted Warp Shield.  We should divert their attention."  He grinned wickedly.  "Hm, hm!  I know.  Windhammer, Yes-Man, how would you like to join the Plundarrian division temporarily, until we free Mon*Star and the others?"

            "All right," said Windhammer.

            "Ooh, yes!" agreed Yes-Man, the ever-schmoozing.

            "Good," Ludwig said.  "Windy, I'd like you to go to the equator and create the most contradictory weather you can globally on that planet.  Frozen tropics.  Scalding South Pole.  Rainstorms all over the deserts."

            "Ha, ha!  It will be a challenge, but I am willing to master it, Your Imperial Highness," Windhammer said.

            "Great.  Chilla and Liquidator, would you go assist?"

            "Yes, Ludwig," agreed Chilla.

            "With pleasure, Ludwig," Liquidator said.

            "All right.  MotherBrain, please be bad enough to open a warp to Ecuador."

            "Yes, Ludwig," MotherBrain said.  She opened the warp, and Windhammer, Chilla, and Liquidator entered.

            "Now, how much of a Metroidian army do you presently have?" Ludwig asked MotherBrain.

            "Oh, I have about a million troops roaming the halls of Metroid."

            "Good.  Send half of them all over third-Earth to cause trouble.  Take into account Windy's meteorological mayhem."

            "Of course.  I'll be right back after I've dealt with that."  She left the room.

            "Hm.  Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo.  I want you two to go sneak into Voyager."

            Eggplant Wizard gulped.  "Who, us?"

            "Yes, you.  I want you to scan it with this."  He handed a tricorder to Eggplant Wizard.  "Try not to be discovered."  He opened a warp to the ship.

            "-Gulp!-  But what if they eat eggplants for dinner?"

            "Oh, quit snivelling!"

            "Why don't you get Sparkie and Chuckles to do it instead?"  He received a very painful electric shock to the rear.  "Yaaah!" he cried as he shot up in the air and crashed on King Hippo, dropping vegetables all the way.

            "Yow!  Hey!" shouted King Hippo.

            Mega Volt was standing in the doorway.  "Don't call me 'Sparkie,' damned vegetable!" he yelled.

            "What are you fools lying around for?" Ludwig demanded.  "Get down to third-Earth before I have Mega Volt fry your butts off!"

            King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard got up.  "Sure, Your Hairiness," King Hippo said.  "Let's go, egg-head."

            "After you, lard-belly."

            "Oh, I insist you go first!"  He punched the vegetable sorcerer in the belly and propelled him into the warp, screaming and dropping vegetables all the way.

            "Blast it, I want you fools to be inconspicuous!!" Ludwig shouted.

            "Oh, uh, sure, Prince Ludwig."  King Hippo ran through the warp and emerged behind a boulder near the hatch.

            "There's a zillion uniforms there!" Eggplant Wizard said.

            "They're not facing us," said King Hippo.  "C'mon.  Let's sneak aboard."  The two overweight nincompoops sneaked through the entry hatch unnoticed and went down a corridor.

            "Where do we go?  What do we do?"

            "Let's go to Engineering and see what we can learn there."  They were approaching a doorway.  It opened as they approached, and they entered the turbolift.  "Hey, where's the controls?"

            The computer politely said, "Please state the number or name of the deck to which you wish to go."

            "Ah, take us to Engineering."  A beep sounded, and the car moved upwards.  "Whew!"

            "Gee, I could sure use one of these, instead of those cramped access paths in Metroid," Eggplant Wizard said.

            "Me, too."  They reached the deck, and the lift doors opened.  "Wow!"  The idiots stepped off and went to Engineering, and they were awed by the place in general.  Eggie recorded everything with his tricorder.

            "Ooh, Ludwig will be pleased with all this info," Eggplant said.

            "He darn well sure oughta be!  I wonder what the Federation does with its prisoners."

            "If they even take prisoners," Eggplant added.  They both shuddered at this.

            * * *

            In the control room of the Tower of Omens, Lion-O, Steelheart, Kevin, Michael, Janeway, and Tuvok were discussing the present situation.  "Is it likely, then, that MotherBrain will come here?" Tuvok asked.

            "It is," Kevin said.  "That is quite likely, especially if what Michael and I did P.O.ed her."

            "P.O.?  What does that stand for?"

            "It's a non-profane abbreviation for an expression that my parents taught me never to use in public.  It means 'to annoy.' "

            "I see."

            "Lion-O, this is Cheetara at Cat's Lair," called Cheetara's voice from Lion-O's console.  "Please respond."

            Lion-O tapped a key.  "What's up, Cheetara?"

            "A warp just opened on the place that the Silver Hawks have told us was once Ecuador.  The source seems to be Metroid, above the surface, but Metroid is cloaked, if it's there."

            "I see.  Who warped to Ecuador?"

            "It seems to be Windhammer, Chilla, and Liquidator."

            Steelheart remarked, "Maybe MotherBrain or Ludwig wants to stir up some meteorological trouble."

            "Well, they're out of luck," said Kevin.

            "Oh, no," Steelheart said, grinning.  "You guys have had enough fun.  Will and I will take this one."

            "All right."

            "Oh, holy Jaga!" Cheetara cried.  "Lion-O, look at your weather monitor!!"

            Lion-O did this and gasped.  "What in Thundera!?  They're changing weather conditions all over third-Earth!"

            "What!?" cried Steelheart.  She looked at the readings.  "Oh, holy God!  That cursèd son of a gun is ruining this planet!"  She turned to Lion-O.  "Have you made warps to New Thundera?"

            "Yes, for the Snowman of Hook Mountain, the Warrior Maidens. . ."

            "Have you neglected anyone?"

            "Just the Mutants and Luna-tacks."

            "Good.  Send a worldwide message and tell them to grab everything they can and warp to New Thundera immediately!  If Windhammer's doing what I think he's doing, third-Earth will be completely uninhabitable after twenty-four hours."

            "It's that serious?"

            "Yes, Lion-O, it's that damned serious!!  Get everyone off this planet!!"

            "Okay, all right!  Cheetara, did you get that?"

            "Yes, Lion-O," said Cheetara.

            "Then call the Feliner and tell them to turn back to New Thundera, would you?"

            "Sure."  The comm-line switched off.

            "Could the rest of you please go tell the other Thunder Cats to get ready?" Lion-O asked.  "Steelheart, may I speak with you alone for a moment?"

            "Yes, Lion-O," said Steelheart.

            "All right," Kevin agreed.  He, Michael, Ned, Cheryl, Janeway, and Tuvok left the room.

            "Steelheart," said Lion-O warningly, "don't ever yell at me like that again."

            "I'm sorry, Lion-O," Steelheart sighed.  "I just had to make sure you were taking me seriously.  That Nebulan ratfink, Windhammer, has already gone too far for us to reverse the effects.  He's thoroughly upset the balance on this planet in a matter of seconds.  I didn't realise Windhammer was quite this powerful."

            "All right."  As he continued to gaze in her eyes, he felt something he had never felt for any woman other than Wilykit.  "Oh, Jaga," he whispered.

            Steelheart sighed when she realised what he was feeling.  "Great.  Well, what say you get to warning everyone?"

            "Yes, Commander."

            * * *

            Above the planet, MotherBrain was observing the mayhem that Windhammer was causing.  She had to grin wickedly.  "Hee, hee!  Mon*Star himself couldn't be happier!"

            Ludwig looked at his readouts.  "That's not the half of it," he said with a nasty grin.  "Windhammer's already critically upset the entire balance of third-Earth.  By this time tomorrow, all normal Terran life will be extinguished!"

            Luna laughed, "Ha, ha, ha!  Maybe we ought to go warn Mumm-ra."

            "Yes, that we should do," MotherBrain said.  "It should be safe for another few hours.  Luna, why don't you go and. . ."  She was cut off when Mumm-ra materialised in the room.

            "No need!" he said.  "Ha, ha!  I must compliment Windy!  I was awake when the Nebulan began his work."

            "This is perfect!  My troops will be just in time to stop the evacuation!"  The evil villains all laughed wickedly.

            * * *

            Outside the Tower of Omens, Kevin and Michael were with the Voyager's senior staff during their discussion.  "Lieutenant Torres," Janeway asked, "how have the repairs gone?"

            "Pretty well, but I wouldn't trust the warp core yet," the half-human engineer said.

            "-Sigh.-  Well, we may have to, or we'll all be dead."

            "Maybe you won't," Kevin spoke up.  "Give me a moment, please."  As he turned around, MegaMan and Tygra walked by.  "Hey, Tygra and MegaMan."  The Tygran and the android stopped in front of him.

            "What's up, Captain N?" MegaMan asked.

            "Tygra, is there a warp gun here?"

            "I don't think so," Tygra said.  "What is a warp gun?"

            "You program co-ordinates into it and shoot an object.  The beam instantaneously warps the object and everything within to those co-ordinates."

            "Oh, I know what you're talking about.  We don't have any of those here, though."

            "I was thinking we could use that to get Voyager to New Thundera.  Lieutenant Torres hasn't been able to finalise repairs on the warp engine."

            "I'll go to Dr. Light and get a spare," MegaMan said.  "It's probably mega-safer than trying to blast off with Metroid sitting cloaked up there, anyway."

            "Okay, MegaMan," Kevin said.  MegaMan entered the Tower.

            Paris asked, "Why make an android so short?"

            "MegaMan was originally just a household robot named Rock," Michael said.  "He was originally programmed to use tools.  However, when Dr. Wily went bonkers and stole Dr. Light's six other androids to conquer MegaLand for him, Dr. Light made Rock a fighting robot and sent him to apprehend Wily.  No height-alterations, though.  To tell the truth, I don't really know why Dr. Light decided to make MegaMan short.  MegaMan's big brother, ProtoMan, is also that height."

            Janeway asked, "Do your Star Trek television shows make mention of any androids in Starfleet?"

            "Yes.  In fact, in The Next Generation, Lieutenant Commander Data is in almost every episode.  He's one of the star characters."

            "I see.  Which ship, again, is the primary focus in that series?"

            "The Enterprise-D, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard."

            "Ah, yes.  Picard is one of the best, at least in my book.  I wonder how your television writers have such accurate imaginations."

            Kevin shrugged.  "I don't know, either," he said.  He felt a few drops of water hit his head.  "Oh, no!"  His look to the clouding sky confirmed his suspicions.  It had begun to rain.  "Great.  I hope MegaMan gets back here before we get a flood!"

            Tuvok patted the ground with his foot.  "It might indeed do that," he agreed.  "This ground probably cannot absorb the water from a massive rainfall."

            Janeway sighed.  "Is there enough room in the Tower for my crew, Kevin?"

            "No," he said.  "But there is enough room at the Palace of Power!"

            "All right.  Is there enough room here for the senior staff?"

            "Yeah, there should be.  I'll get Simon to show the rest of your crew to the warp to VideoLand."

            "Very well."  As Kevin went to find Simon, Janeway tapped her communicator.  "Attention, Voyager crew.  All crew except the senior staff shall enter the warp to the Palace of Power to avoid a potential flood.  Simon Belmont, who has a blue coat and blonde hair, will indicate the correct warp.  The senior staff shall remain to look after the ship.  Please enter single-file."

            Kevin came back to them.  "All right.  I've told Kid Icarus to go ahead to the Warp Hall of the Palace to tell the crew what they can do.  He'll give each of them fifty VideoLand pounds so they can get some food."

            "All right," Janeway agreed.

            "And Simon's standing by the warp to tell them which one to use.  It's not the same one MegaMan has to use because the Tower has its own warp to Dr. Light's lab."

            "Oh, God, the doctor!"  She tapped her communicator.  "This is Janeway to the doctor."

            "Doctor here," the doctor said.  "What's up?"

            "There's the possibility of a flood here.  I'm sorry, but we can't send the ship into space until it's repaired."

            The doctor sighed.  "Well, thanks at least for warning me, Captain."

            "I'm sorry, Doctor."  She tapped her communicator again.

            "Isn't there a way for him to leave Sickbay?" Michael asked.  "I know, holographs can't leave the holographic projection environment, but shouldn't there be a way for him to leave?"

            "Harry and I've been trying to work on a way for him to be able to get out whenever he needs to," Torres said.  "Unfortunately, we haven't come up with any viable solutions yet."

            MegaMan ran out of the Tower to them.  "Okay, Captain N," he said to Kevin.  "We're in mega-business.  I got a spare warp gun and rigged it to the Tower's central weapons array."

            "All right, MegaMan," Kevin said.  He saw that most of the crew had already gone through the doors.  "Very efficient, Captain."

            "They're a good crew," Janeway replied.  "MegaMan, are you waterproof?"

            "Yes, I am, Captain Janeway," the android replied.

            "That's good."

            "Let's get inside before we get waterlogged," Michael suggested.  Everyone agreed and entered the Tower.  They went up to the control room.

            Tygra said, "MegaMan, I've input the co-ordinates of a good place on New Thundera for Voyager."

            MegaMan went to the controls.  "Good.  Then let's get warping!"

            "Just how reliable is this procedure, anyway?" Janeway asked.

            "More reliable than energy transportation," MegaMan replied.  He tapped several buttons, and the Voyager appeared on the central viewscreen.  "Watch this!"  He pressed the button that activated the beam, and Voyager disappeared in a blue flash.  "Mega-voilà!"

            "Can we see where it is?" Chakotay asked.

            "Sure," said Tygra.  "Follow me."

            "Chakotay and Tuvok," Janeway instructed, "you go."

            "Aye, Captain," Chakotay said.

            "Yes, Captain," replied Tuvok.  The two followed Tygra through a warp to New Thundera.

            * * *

            New Thundera, Delta Quadrant.

            Tygra, Chakotay, and Tuvok hiked for a few moments before nearing a clearing.  In this clearing was Voyager.  "Here she is," Tygra said.  "Maybe you should lock the doors."

            "Agreed," Tuvok said.  They stepped out to the ship, and Tuvok tapped his communicator badge.  "Computer, this is Lieutenant Tuvok.  Do not grant entry to anyone until Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay, any other senior staff member, or I countermand that order."

            "This command requires verification from one other senior staff member," the computer said.

            "This is Commander Chakotay," Chakotay said.  "I confirm Lieutenant Tuvok's order."

            "Very well.  Entry to the ship is denied to all until any senior staff member countermands the order."

            Chakotay said, "Now, shall we return to the Tower of Omens?"

            "Yes," Tygra said.  The three returned to the Tower of Omens.

            * * *

            Metroid, orbiting third-Earth, Delta Quadrant.

            MotherBrain cried, "What the hey!  Voyager just disappeared!"

            Ludwig checked the readings.  "Darn.  Those Thunder Kitties have warped it to New Thundera!"

            "Ooh, curse them!  They must be expecting a flood."  Her eyes brightened.  "That doesn't sound like a bad idea!  Hee, hee!"  She pulled a lever.  "Windy, this is MotherBrain."

            Windhammer, Chilla, and Liquidator appeared on the screen.  Liquidator replied, "Sorry, MotherBrain, but Windhammer is seriously into his work.  What can Chilla and I do for you?"

            "May I order a flood to be delivered express - say, airmail - to the Tower of Omens?"

            "Yes, and for a limited time only, it's absolutely free, with no sales tax or shipping and handling!  Hee, hee!  The Liquidator brand shall soak those Thunder Kitties within the quarter-hour!"

            Chilla laughed.  "Can I freeze them out afterwards?"

            MotherBrain's eyes grew even wider with delight.  "Oh, yes!  Ha, ha, ha!  By all means, please do!"

            "It'll be my pleasure."

            * * *

            By now, everyone was safely upstairs in the Tower of Omens.  "What a flood!" Kevin exclaimed.  "Man, they never had anything this bad in the Midwest back home!"  A few minutes ago, it had not been half this bad.  Now, it was terrible!

            "I suggest we evacuate the Tower as soon as possible," Panthro said, "before we're washed away.  It's lucky we have no vehicles here momentarily.  The Tower wasn't built to withstand this kind of flood."

            Tygra tapped a button.  "Cheetara, how bad's the weather your way?"

            "It's not too bad yet," she replied.

            "Well, out here, we're having the worst flood third-Earth's ever seen, except maybe for the flood of Noah's time.  Luckily, no one's in any immediate danger, but Panthro and I don't think the Tower will hold out much longer.  We're going to set the self-destruct sequence and come over to Cat's Lair."

            "All right."  The Thunder Cats kept all their prized possessions at the Lair.  The Tower was more of an outpost to monitor Luna-tack and Mutant activity, which would no longer be a problem for third-Earth.

            So, Tygra set the self-destruct sequence, and everyone ran downstairs in an orderly fashion and entered single-file into the warp to Cat's Lair.  All these warps would be sealed by the self-destruct, so the Thunder Cats did not have to bother closing them.

            * * *

            In the control room of Cat's Lair, just as the people from the Tower entered the room, Cheetara said, "You're lucky you got out when you did!  Just before you warped out, the flood-waters started freezing to ice."

            Lion-O frowned.  "Chilla and Liquidator," he realised.  "I should've guessed.  While Windhammer's busy altering global climate, those two concentrate on us."  He turned to the others.  "Come on.  We have a lot of work to do, transferring everything to New Thundera."

            Kevin softly asked, "Do you have anywhere to stay there yet?"

            Lion-O sighed.  "Frankly, no, but we'll find a place."

            "Then stay at the Palace until you get a new lair built."

            "-Sigh.-  That's too much, Kevin.  We just couldn't accept."

            "Please, Lion-O.  You'd be our honoured guests.  Besides, it wouldn't be good for the Thunder Cats to be homeless.  At least you'll have a pretty secure roof over your heads."

            "Wouldn't we be crowding the Palace?"

            "Naw!  We have plenty of room, Lion-O."

            Lion-O thought about it for several moments.  "All right, Kevin," he agreed a bit reluctantly.

            Janeway sighed.  "I guess we violated the Prime Directive big-time," she said with a weak smile.

            "You couldn't have guessed how much the Brain-Team would pull to try to get your ship," Lion-O said.  "I wish all our guests were as courteous as you have been."

            "Well, thank you," Janeway said.  "You've been very good hosts to us, too."

            "It's been our pleasure, Captain."  He turned to Kevin, Michael, and Steelheart.  "Could you three keep an eye on our monitors while we pack our things?"

            "Yes, Lion-O," Steelheart said.

            "Sure," Kevin and Michael agreed in unison.  They gave each other a surprised look and then laughed at each other and themselves.

            Ned asked, "Do you mind if Cheryl and I stay here to help, Lion-O?"

            "Not at all, sir," Lion-O replied.  "Captain Janeway, would you be allowed to help us get our things together?"

            "Well, we're on the same boat you're on," Janeway said.  "So, yes.  We'll help you pack."

            MegaMan said, "And I'll go mega-tell Princess Lana so she can assign the rooms.  What sort of assignments do you want?"

            "Everyone to one's own room, except Wilykit and Wilykat use the same room.  Ah, unless you two want to change that."

            "No," said Wilykit.  "We're still satisfied with that arrangement."

            "All right," MegaMan said before leaving.