30--The Ultimate Encounter, Ch.2

December 16.

Hangar, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

ack at Hawkhaven, Steelheart and Stargazer had gone to the hangar to join the other Silver Hawks. “Well, I’ll be darned if this isn’t the longest storm we’ve ever seen,” Quicksilver said. “This is too intense even to be Windhammer’s handiwork.”

“Allow me to remind you that, no matter what any of you may think, I do not like to tolerate any cursing other than ‘hell’ or ‘damn’ or relations thereof,” Steelheart said. “Of course, ‘darn’ and ‘heck’ I don’t consider as cursing.”

“That’s okay by me,” said Bluegrass. “I don’t use any of those others.”

“Well, I personally try not to use any of them,” said Steelheart, “but I try as hard as possible to restrict myself to those two when I’m under duress.”

“You and Kidd are the only ones I know who refrain from using even those two words fluently like a couple of people in the Perry Mason novels, Lieutenant Tragg and Paul Drake,” said Steelwill. “I try not to use that kind of language all the time, but, gosh, it’s hard, especially when I’m furious.”

Bluegrass snapped his fingers. “Oh! I finally found somethin’ useful to do.”

“What?” asked Steelheart.

“We can waterproof the vehicles.”

“Oh?” said Steelwill. “We haven’t any waterproofing solution.”

“Not yet,” said Steelheart, “but we can make it.”

“How, sis?”

“I know the formula.”

“Then, let’s get the blast up there and—”

“—make the mixture.” Steelheart went to the elevator and pressed the ‘up’ button. When the elevator opened, she let Steelwill get in first, then she got in. She pressed the key for the lab floor. The elevator quickly conveyed them upwards. When it stopped and opened again, Steelwill let her out first.

They went into their lab. Steelheart opened a cabinet. She took a bottle and shook it. “Darn. No H₂O. I need you to fix me some H₂O, Will.”

“Okay, but I don’t think that this is the time to drink water.”

She sighed. “I need it for the mixture, genius.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Steelwill went to fill the bottle with pure water. He handed it back to her. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Are you saying you’d rather do it yourself?” Steelheart demanded, bringing the bottle down onto the table with a loud noise.

“Like heck,” said Steelwill.

“Then cool down.” She poured the water into a pan. “It must be this boredom that’s making us ill‑tempered.” She got some liquid mercury and carefully poured it into the same pan. “Get back,” she said, leaping back. Steelwill leapt away from the pan as a small explosion occurred.

“All right, Heart,” said Steelwill. “What happened?”

“The pan has a special coating that forced the water and mercury to combine and reconfigure the atoms to form the compound which is used for waterproofing.”

“You mean the atoms creating the water and mercury were changed around by the coating on that pan and transformed into molecules forming the waterproofing compound?”

“Right.” She poured the compound into a large can. “Now, all we have to do is spray this all over the Mirage, the Sprint Hawk, and the Space Racer. We must be sure not to miss a spot.”

“Why not?” asked Steelwill.

“I was getting around to that,” said Steelheart impatiently. Then, she sighed. “Sorry. The untreated parts would be like Achilles’s heels. They would be vulnerable to the rain. So, we must spray all of the outside of the vehicles.”

Steelwill smiled. “You know, even though we’re telepathically linked, I’ll never figure out how that strange mind of yours works, Steelheart. You’re brilliant.”

She returned his smile. “Thank you, bro.” Carrying the can, she and Steelwill went out into the hall and made their way back to the hangar.

* * *

The other Silver Hawks had the vehicles suspended in mid-air with tractor-beams when the Steeltwins returned. “We have made it,” said Steelheart.

“We’re ready, Commander,” said Quicksilver.

Steelheart said, “Then, let’s get started. Remember, though, that we must coat every micrometer of all three in order for this stuff to be effective. Fortunately, the coat only has to be very thin.”

* * *

In Space, near the Artificial Sun of Limbo.

Meanwhile, at a point about twenty million kilometers from Bedlama and from Hawkhaven, the Larceny Squad, Homicide Squad, and Vice Squad emerged from the warp zone they had entered near the Palace of Power. Kevin, Mason, and Burger emerged from the same warp zone right after the police. “Wow,” said Kevin, examining his readings. “This looks exactly like the setting for ‘Silver Hawks.’ ” He turned and saw the Artificial Sun gleaming. “And that’s the Artificial Sun. Hmm. I wonder if Ludwig created this warp zone.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, my gosh. The blurred part of that cloud! Then, this must mean—” He hesitated.

“Go on,” Mason said. “I trust your hunches.”

“Ludwig must be trying to link his Brain-Team with Mon*Star’s Mob. He wouldn’t stop at that, though. Oh, no! I now see perfectly what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to link the Mob, the evil characters from ‘Thunder Cats,’ and F.O.W.L. with the Brain-Team all at the same time. If he does that . . .” He hesitated once more.

Mason was able to finish this thought himself. “If he does that, it could mean this conquest of the galaxy that he’s been telling us about lately.”

“That’s right,” said Kevin. “And with his brain behind those groups, he might very well succeed. We must link up with the Silver Hawks, Thunder Cats, and Justice Ducks first. Then, we’ll stand a better chance against the Brain-Team’s new foul forces. And, if you hadn’t brought me all of those episodes of ‘Darkwing Duck,’ I would never have guessed that F.O.W.L. would be in this plot. Heck, I would have hardly known that F.O.W.L. existed, save for one episode of ‘Ducktales.’ ”

“Do you have any suggestions where to go?” Mason asked.

Kevin examined their location. “Hawkhaven, the home of the good guys from Silver Hawks, is a few million kilometers ahead. The warp appears to be equidistant from Hawkhaven and Bedlama.”

“This is Lieutenant Tragg to Perry Mason. Over,” said Tragg’s voice over the car radio.

Mason picked up the mouthpiece. “This is Mason. Over.”

“This appears to be Limbo, the setting for ‘Silver Hawks.’ We shall explore. You boys find a safe place—if there is a safe place in all this rain—and stay put.”

“Gotcha, Tragg. Over and out.” Mason put up the mouthpiece. “Try to find Hawkhaven, Kevin.”

“I’ve got it on sensors now,” said Kevin. He set course towards Hawkhaven. Before long, they closed in and saw the great hawk-shaped satellite in orbit around the terrestrial world of Bedlama. Bedlama was only faintly visible through the rain. When they were near, he turned towards the hangar entry at the rocky base of Hawkhaven. He stopped at the door. “The doors appear to be closed,” said Kevin. “It says on the door, ‘Visiting hours: 24 hours a day except holidays; 9.00 to 17.00 on American Thanksgiving except in emergency; 10.00 to 13.00 on Terran Christmas and Easter except in emergency; 9.00 to 21.00 on Limbo Labor Day.’ ” He inched to the doors, which opened when he got near them. He went in, steered left toward the driveway marked ‘visitors’ (the one to the right was marked ‘Silver Hawks and other authorized vehicles ONLY’), selected a parking slot (none were being used), and parked in it. He shifted the car into REVERSE, turned off the ignition, took out the key, and handed the key to Mason. They all got out.

“Wow,” said Kevin as he surveyed the futuristic space station. “This place looks better in person than on my TV screen.” They headed toward a door marked ‘reception room.’

Kevin, Mason, and Burger entered the reception room, a comfortable-looking room with furniture in excellent repair. The robot receptionist spoke up. “Good day. Do you wish to see the Commander?”

“Yes,” Mason said. “At the commander’s earliest convenience.”

“One moment, please.”

* * *

Up in the hangar, the Silver Hawks had just finished waterproofing all of their space-vehicles. “Much better,” said Steelheart. “Now we can ride ’em in the rain.”

A beep sounded. The receptionist’s voice came in by the loudspeaker, “Commander Steelheart, you have visitors.”

Steelheart looked up towards the loudspeaker. “Stargazer’s on his way.” She turned towards Stargazer. “Could you please go down to greet our guests? You know the drill.”

“Yes, Steelheart,” said Stargazer. “Name, address, phone number, ad infinitum.”

“Exactly, if you please,” said Steelheart, smiling at his joke. Ad infinitum meant ‘to infinity,’ while et cetera (‘and so forth’) was the phrase that was called for. Stargazer entered the elevator and took it down to the receptionist room.

* * *

“Commander Steelheart’s advisor will be down in just a moment,” said the receptionist.

“Thank you,” said Mason.

Kevin whispered to Mason, “When I watched the series, Stargazer was Commander. Of course, that was in the late 1980’s and it’s now 1992.”

“Steelheart must have done something very good to get such a position,” whispered Mason back.

The elevator door in the wall opened to admit Stargazer to the reception room. Kevin would recognize him anywhere, with the gold armor on the left side of his face and the binocular-like left eye. His suspendered suit gave the impression of a 1930’s Chicago detective. “Good day,” said Stargazer. “You three look most familiar. May I have your names?”

“My name is Perry Mason,” Mason said. “This is my friend, Hamilton Burger, and this is another friend, Kevin Keene.”

Stargazer’s expression was a bit uneasy as he wrote the information down. “And, eh, what is your address?”

“We don’t know if you’ll believe us,” said Mason seriously, in a manner to let Stargazer know that he was not bluffing, “but we all live in the Palace of Power in VideoLand, which is in another area of the galaxy. All three of us used to live in California on Earth.”

“I thought so,” said Stargazer. He finished writing. “You’re the lawyer, aren’t you, Mr. Mason?”

“Correct,” said Mason. “I am a lawyer.”

Stargazer smiled. “Right, a lawyer. I like you, Mr. Mason. You give all of those guilty persons a terrible time on the witness stand. I love it when you make ’em crack.”

“Sometimes he gives me a terrible time, too, but I like him anyway,” Burger said.

“He got me out of some trouble once or twice, too,” Kevin said.

“Let’s see,” Tragg said. “Wasn’t that ‘The Case of the Return of Hamilton Burger, Paul Drake, Lt. Tragg, and Lt. Anderson’?”

“That was the first time,” said Mason. “I helped get him out of trouble for robbery in VideoLand some time after that case.”

“Well, let me take this up to Steelheart,” said Stargazer. “I’m sure she can squeeze you into her admittedly empty schedule. No one has an appointment in this foul weather, anyway. When I get this up there, we’ll try to learn all about each other, and I’m almost certain you guys came on an emergency.”

“Correct,” said Mason. Stargazer left for the hangar through the elevator.

* * *

Back in the hangar, Stargazer handed his clipboard with the information over to Steelheart. “Oh, my goodness, it’s true,” Steelheart cried.

“What?” asked Quicksilver.

“Look at this,” said Steelheart, showing the clipboard to Quicksilver.

“Very interesting,” said Quicksilver. “So they really do exist.”

“It would appear so. Those old space sailor stories are actually true. Stargazer and Quicksilver, tell everyone to get up to my office A.Q.A.P.”

“Right. A.Q.A.P.? What does that mean?”

“As quickly as possible,” said Steelheart.

“Right,” said Quicksilver. He saluted before leaving.

“Aye, aye, ma’am,” said Stargazer, saluting, then leaving.

Steelheart looked again at the clipboard. “Kevin Keene, or Captain N, who is the hero of VideoLand; Perry Mason, who is a world-famous attorney from Earth; and Hamilton Burger, Perry Mason’s friend outside of court and worst enemy inside court. They’re are all here! This means that the Mario Brothers, N‑Team, and maybe even the Justice Ducks League could all be real. This could prove terrible if their adversaries also exist. I must speak with them right away.” She went to the wall and touched a communication panel. “Françoise, send our three guests up to my office now, please. Steelheart out.” She released the panel. “Now, I had better get up there.” She entered the elevator and took it upstairs.

* * *

Steelheart’s Office, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

Before long, Kevin, Mason, Burger, and all Silver Hawks held a meeting upstairs in Steelheart’s office. “So, Kevin, you think that Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa will try to link up with the Mob, the Luna‑tacks, the Mutants, Mumm‑ra, and F.O.W.L.?” asked Steelheart.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Kevin, sitting in a comfortable chair across from her desk.

“I’m quite inclined to agree with you, Captain N, especially since you told us about what Ludwig has done in regard to the warp. I can tell you for a fact that the Thunder Cats and their enemies exist. We met them several months ago. On the other hand, I’m glad that your friends are exploring Limbo. We’ll be more than happy to help.”

“Especially when this darn rain stops pouring,” Steelwill said.

“And then there’s that. Is it raining like the devil in VideoLand, Kevin?” asked Steelheart.

“Yes, it is,” said Kevin.

“Goodness,” Steelwill said. “I must be hallucinating.”

“Why?” asked Steelheart.

“Steelheart, can a cloud stop in mid‑space with blowing solar winds?”

“You know the answer to that as well as I do, so don’t be silly, Will.”

“Then look out there and tell me I’m hallucinating. It looks like the cloud’s stopped dead in the sky.”

“What? Quit pulling my wing, Will.” Steelheart looked out the window. Her jaw dropped. “Great Pyramids of Egypt. You aren’t hallucinating. The cloud has stopped dead in the sky!”

“How can that be?” asked Quicksilver.

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Bluegrass, prepare the Mirage. We’re visiting Mon*Star.”

“Excuse me,” interrupted Mason, “but my vehicle is rainproof. It starts just like a 2010 model automobile with hybrid power. It can go several light-years per hour.”

“Then it would be likely to start more quickly than the Mirage,” said Steelheart. “Let’s go.” She turned to the other Hawks. “The rest of you stay here, but prepare the Mirage to leave at a moment’s notice. If you drive quickly, Kevin, you drive.”

“Believe me, I shall,” said Kevin.

They took the elevator down to the visitors’ garage. “What the—that looks like a British car, with the main steering in the starboard seat,” Steelheart said.

“Yeah. Throughout VideoLand, they drive on the left side of the road.”

“Here, we drive on the right side, but that shouldn’t matter for extraplanetary travel. In this solar system, it only matters on Bedlama, the planet below us.”

Mason unlocked the doors and then tossed the key to Kevin, who caught it. Mason allowed Steelheart access to the front passenger seat. Mason got in the back seat, and Kevin got behind the wheel. “Fasten your seatbelts, ’cause this thing is going to fly.” The three zipped on their seatbelts, and then Kevin started up the vehicle. Swiftly, he backed out of his space and then took off up the ramp to the exit. They could see that the door was opening when they came in sight of it. By the time they reached it, it was fully open. Kevin sped up considerably once they were spaceborne.

“You’re lucky that I’m not grading you now, Kevin,” Mason said. “That is, technically, the most improper start‑up procedure I’ve ever seen. I’d have been forced to deduct twenty points off your grade. Notwithstanding, you did a good job.”

“I agree,” Steelheart said. “That is the quickest and most skilful start‑up procedure I have ever seen for someone in a hurry. You’ll be one heck of a driver. So, where are your friends headed?”

“They were on heading 140 mark 17 from the Artificial Sun,” said Mason.

Steelheart blanched. “Oh, no. Open your throttle wide, Captain N. I have an awful feeling.”

“What’s wrong, Steelheart?” asked Kevin.

“Brim*Star is out that way.”

“Oh, my gosh,” exclaimed Kevin. He sped up considerably to near light speed. They passed Dolare, Automata, and the Penal Planet in minutes.

Suddenly a red star shot past them towards Brim*Star. “Oh, no,” she said. “That’s a message from Sky Shadow, Mon*Star’s spying creature. Mon*Star will know we’re coming.”

* * *

Control Room, Brim*Star.

At Brim*Star, Mon*Star watched the transmission. “So,” said Mon*Star, “they have come to pay a surprise visit on us, eh?”

“I have an idea, boss,” said Melodia.

“What is it, Melodia?”

“How about Hardware, Windhammer, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, Volt‑Ure, and I hitch a ride with Seymour? We can then land on an asteroid, rip off the cab from Seymour and Zeek, have Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure turn into Seymour and Zeek, and attack the police.”

“An excellent idea, Melodia. I could never have thought of a better one myself. Those cops will be crippled—maybe even destroyed!” He and Melodia laughed.

* * *

Seymour’s Cab, near Brim*Star.

Seymour drove his yellow, sputtering space cab out of Brim*Star. Hardware, Windhammer, and Melodia were in the back seat. Seymour’s annoying partner, Zeek, was in the front passenger seat. Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure had sneaked into the trunk, thanks to Hardware’s remote control that could unlock the power locks on any automobile equipped with power locks. As Seymour accelerated past Brim*Star, the cab bucked and backfired as usual. “Brim*Star to third‑Earth?” said Seymour. “Oh, we’ve never had a fare like this before!”

“For you, it’ll be a real steal,” said Melodia. Inwardly, she smiled viciously. She had spoken the truth, but not in the sense Seymour was hoping.

Zeek dangled a stinky old fish in front of the evil passengers. “You wanna buy a fish?” he asked. Like Seymour, he was little taller than MegaMan. He was a green, bipedal bird with an orange beak and orange feet. He could be a real nuisance. His Jamaican accent only served to make him even more annoying.

Melodia pinched her nose. “Peyew!” she cried. “Get that nasty thing away from us.”

“Hey,” Seymour said. “Quit bothering the customers, Zeek. No one in their right mind would want to eat that stinky thing. Ya know what I mean?”

“Seymour,” said Hardware, “have your pal drop the seafood, and please pull over on that asteroid. I suddenly need a pit-stop.”

“Whatever you say,” said Seymour. He turned the wheel to the right and pulled over onto one of the many asteroids. When he landed on the asteroid, he shifted to PARK. Then, he turned around to his customers. “Okay, now what?”

“Now, we rip you off,” Windhammer said. He shoved Seymour out through the left window. Hardware got out, opened the right door, yanked out Zeek, and tossed him into Seymour.

Hardware then went around to the trunk. “Unlock the hatch,” he said. A click was heard from the inside. Hardware opened the trunk, and Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure emerged.

“Take these, Seymour and Zeek,” said Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, tossing raincoats at Seymour and Zeek. “These’ll do ’til the Silver Hawks rescue you.” Hardware got back in the back seat and shut the door. Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar got into the driver’s seat. Volt‑Ure flew into the passenger’s seat. Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar transformed himself into Seymour and Volt‑Ure into Zeek, and the two shut their doors.

Zeek came to the window. “You’ll never get away with this, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar. You’ll get yours when the Silver Hawks catch you.”

“How unfortunate, Zeek,” said Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar. “Those tin-plated Silver Hawks can never step a foot out of their home in this rain.” Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar re‑started the engine and lifted the cab up from the asteroid. “So, want to head off those police officers?”

“Act inconspicuous until we reach them, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar,” said Melodia. “Then Hardware, Windhammer, and I will shoot to kill.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Hardware. “So, step on it.” Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar sped up the cab with many a sput and sputter.

* * *

Around Brim*Star, the members of the VideoLand Police Squad had arrived and were exploring in their blue-and-white cars with lights on top that flashed red in emergencies. This was the standard for Palace of Power police vehicles, since ambulances had flashing blue lights.

The leader of the investigation was Lieutenant Arthur Tragg of Homicide. “Nothing here,” he said. “See anything, Steve?”

Lieutenant Steve Drumm, seated behind Tragg, was looking out the window. “Not a thing, Tragg.”

“See anything, Andy?” asked Tragg.

Lt. Andy Anderson was gazing out the window of the front passenger’s seat. “Nothing, Tragg.”

“See anything, George?”

“Not a thing,” said Sergeant George Brice, looking out the window behind the front passenger’s seat.

Tragg picked up a radio handset. “This is Lieutenant Tragg calling Chief Aran. Please come in.”

“This is Aran, Tragg,” Chief Samus Aran said. “What do you want?”

“Do you see anything of trouble or interest?”

“Not a thing,” said Aran. “Try checking yourself for anything of trouble, because ‘trouble’ is your middle name.”

“Like heck,” Tragg said. He then cut the communication. “Oh, how I hate working with that . . . that blasted woman!”

“You’d be demoted to sergeant if she ever heard that, Tragg,” said Brice. Drumm was giggling quietly.

“I know, but it’s a living hell working with her. I hate the ground she walks on. I hate—” Just then a musical laser blasted above the car. “What in Metroid’s name was that?”

“It came from that taxi cab,” cried Anderson, amazed. “I can’t believe it.”

The cab was approaching them again. Melodia stood on the platform just outside the door with her Sound Smasher aimed at the police vehicles. “Let’s have some more rock and roll,” she said. She performed an encore and just missed the car.

“I’ll blast them into oblivion,” said Hardware.

* * *

Meanwhile, Kevin, Mason, and Steelheart were closing in on Brim*Star. Steelheart looked out her window and started. “Hey. Look down there. Seymour and Zeek!”

“Uh, oh,” said Kevin. “I think I know just what the Mob is up to. Hang on.” He pushed the steering wheel toward the dashboard, and the car dropped swiftly. When he was only a few kilometers from the asteroid’s surface, he slammed on the brake and clutch, and car came to an abrupt stop on the asteroid right beside Seymour and Zeek. They stared at the vehicle in shock.

“Nice move,” exclaimed Steelheart, trying to control the strength of the slap she delivered to his back. He grunted. “I love the way you can maneuver quickly. Somehow, though, my stomach does not want to say the same.” She lowered her car’s window. “Need a ride, Seymour and Zeek?”

Seymour came up to the car. “Commander Steelheart! Are we glad to see you.”

“Hop in,” said Steelheart. Mason opened the left door and slid over to the right. Seymour and Zeek entered. When they both had just entered, Seymour closed the door.

“Thanks for dropping by, Steelheart,” said Seymour.

“What happened, Seymour?” Steelheart asked.

“Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, Volt‑Ure, Hardware, Melodia, and Windhammer ripped off my cab,” Seymoure moaned.

“The situation gets worse and worse,” said Kevin.

“It seems exactly like you said, Kevin,” said Steelheart. “First, Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa opens a warp between Hawkhaven and the Palace of Power. Then, the Mob rips off some innocent party’s car—Seymour’s cab. Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure transform into the innocent party. Finally, the Mob attacks the police. It all fits.”

Kevin took off into space. “Where do you want to go, Steelheart?”

“Where’d those mobsters go, Seymour?” asked Mason.

“They went back toward Brim*Star,” said Seymour.

“Get us over to Brim*Star as quickly as possible, Kevin,” said Steelheart. “You’re going the right way. I’ve a feeling that we haven’t a second to lose. I’ll perform the introductions as we go.”

* * *

Back at Brim*Star, the attack had gotten much worse. “Suck laser, good-guy wimps,” said Hardware, blasting a laser pistol. He hit Tragg’s car at Drumm’s door.

Drumm cried out as the laser blast burned a small hole in his door. “Tragg, get us out of this hell. We’re outmatched here.”

“I’m trying already,” Tragg shouted. Melodia barely missed them with her next laser shot.

“That was a close one,” said Anderson. “Stand on the accelerator, Tragg.”

“I have to go a little more slowly than the others because this isn’t an automatic,” said Tragg.

“That never stopped Kevin when he was using his learner’s permit,” yelled Anderson. “Shift to tenth and stand on the accelerator!”

Tragg pushed in the clutch, shifted to 10, released the clutch quickly but not quickly enough to pop it out. Just when it reached the friction point, he slammed down on the accelerator and finished releasing the clutch. The car blazed away from the conflagration.

Tally-Hawk came along and saw Melodia and Hardware blasting at the police. Unfortunately for himself, he made his ominous squawk. “It’s the Silver Hawks’ tin buzzard satellite,” said Hardware.

“I’ll take care of him,” said Windhammer. “I’ll blow him right into Brim*Star with a space blizzard.” He clanged his huge tuning fork on the back of his seat. The fork fired a ray out of Hardware’s door and into the motionless cloud. In a matter of seconds, a space blizzard formed over the immediate area. Tally-Hawk was frozen and blasted into Brim*Star Fortress.

As Kevin was driving into the vicinity of Brim*Star, a blizzard suddenly obscured the view through the windshield. “What happened?” Mason asked. “Now a blizzard is occurring.”

“It’s Windhammer’s idea, Mason,” said Zeek. “He’s trying to freeze your pals. Zeek!”

“This is where I get out,” said Steelheart.

“In this weather?” said Kevin. “You must be crazy.”

“Kevin, I know how to deal with Windhammer, Hardware, Melodia, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure. I’ll show them not to assault police officers.” She opened the door, stepped out on a platform beyond it, and closed the door. She flew off the platform, activated her visor, and clipped out her wings.

In the cab, Windhammer looked out the back window and saw Steelheart approaching. “Uh, oh, Melodia. Guess who’s here to foil your plan.”

“Who would have the stupidity to be out in this mess?” asked Melodia. “Aside from us, that is.”

“Steelheart,” Windhammer answered nervously.

“What?” Melodia screamed. She turned around and saw Steelheart. “You’re dead meat, Silver Hawk.” She blasted her Sound Smasher at Steelheart. Steelheart easily evaded the music laser and its bad vibes.

“No offense, Melodia, but that isn’t my favorite tune.” Steelheart blasted a couple of shoulder-lasers at Melodia. Melodia barely evaded them and stayed balanced on the platform outside the cab.

“Whoa! Blast you, Silver Hawk,” cried Melodia. Steelheart landed on the landing, pushed Melodia back into her seat, and slammed shut the door. She then went to the other landing, kicked Hardware into his seat, and slammed that door shut. She then forced open the driver’s door. She whacked Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar’s hands together so that Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure would transform back to normal. She snapped handcuffs on all four of the perpetrators and a ring on Volt‑Ure so he could not fly or use his eyes to shoot lasers.

“You have the right to remain silent,” she told them. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. You are not obligated to answer questions without your attorney present. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you by the court.”

* * *

Steelheart’s Office, Hawkhaven.

Later, back at Hawkhaven, the VideoLand Police Squad and the Silver Hawks conferred in Steelheart’s office. Tragg was detailing the Mob’s attack. “If it weren’t for you, Commander Steelheart, we wouldn’t be talking to you right here and now,” he concluded.

“Don’t forget that Kevin was the one who put the pieces together,” Steelheart said.

“Thanks,” said Kevin. “I just did what any other Game Master would—or should—have done. If I know Ludwig, he’s watching right now and is planning something else. We must be ready for him.”

A phone rang on Steelheart’s desk. “Excuse me.” She picked up the receiver. “Hello, this is Hawkhaven. Steelheart speaking.” Her eyebrows rose. “Yes, he is here. Hold on a minute, please.” She handed the receiver to Mason. “It’s for you.”

“Thank you,” Mason said. He took the receiver. “This is Mason. . . . Hi, Paul! What’s up? . . . Oh! Okay, Paul. We’ll be right there. . . . Okay. Bye.” He handed the receiver to Steelheart, who hung it up. “Paul needs you and me to come to his office, Kevin.”

“What about?” asked Kevin.

Mason smiled. “You’ll find out. Let’s go. We’ll see you in a little bit, Commander.”

“See you later, gentlemen,” said Steelheart.

Kevin and Mason departed the office and returned downstairs to Mason’s car. “Sorry, Kevin, but I have to drive now,” said Mason. “Don’t worry. You’ll get your chance.” Mason got into the driver’s seat and Kevin into the passenger’s seat. Mason switched to the automatic transmission. Then, after starting up, he backed out of the parking space and got them underway. He drove out of Hawkhaven and turned around towards the warp.

When he entered the warp zone to the Palace of Power, he pointed the end of the car down and landed gently on the road. He stopped at the entrance to the Palace of Power’s garage, got out, and went over to the identification window with his ID card. The guard opened the door. Perry got back in his car and guided it into the garage, where he parked in his designated spot. They departed the car, and Mason locked it when both doors were closed. Kevin and Mason entered the elevator and went up to the level where Drake has his office. Drake mostly did detective work, but like Mason, he did some work for the VideoLand Royal Department of Vehicles (the VLRDV) in addition.

Kevin and Mason entered Drake’s office through the main door. “Kevin and Mason are here to see Drake,” Mason told the receptionist.

“Okay, I’ll tell him,” the receptionist said. He tapped and held a key. “Mr. Mason and Kevin are here to see you, Mr. Drake. . . . Okay, I’ll send them in.” He released the key. “Mr. Drake will see you now.”

“Thanks,” said Mason. He opened the door, let Kevin in first, then entered the door and closed it behind him.

“Hello, Perry,” said Drake, smiling, a stopwatch in his hand. “That took a good fifteen minutes.” He put the stopwatch into a drawer and closed the drawer. “What did you do, break the sound barrier?”

“You might say that,” said Mason. “You said you wanted Kevin’s autograph?”

“Right,” said Drake. He handed a card to Kevin. “Look at this, Kevin. Want it?”

Kevin looked at it. “You bet, Mr. Drake!” It was a driver’s license.

“Sure. As soon as I examine Perry’s report on your driving.” Mason handed a computer padd to Drake. Drake read the report that was listed on it. “Everything is well in order. You passed all of the tests with flying colors. Now, just sign your license at the X, and I’ll laminate that thing for you.” Kevin signed ‘Kevin Keene’ on the license. He handed it back to Drake. “Thanks, Kevin. I’ll get this fixed for you.” Drake left.

“Tell me, Mr. Mason, how many points did I lose?” asked Kevin.

“Not even a fraction of a point,” said Mason. “Your interaction with traffic was excellent, as was everything else you did. You handle the clutch better than many, including myself. It’s especially surprising how easily you took to driving on the left side of the road rather than the right. I see that adaptation is of little use in Limbo, since it appears they drive on the same side as Americans.”

“And I’m almost nineteen. I was born on 9 January 1974. I sure waited long enough to get my license!”

“That’s no problem,” Mason said.

Drake came back in with the license laminated in plastic. “Hot off the press, Kevin.”

Kevin got out his wallet and put the license into it. “Thank you both very much,” he said.

“The only thing we need now is to get you an automobile,” Mason said. Kevin’s eyes widened.

* * *

Palace City, near the Palace of Power.

Mason pulled into the FODR of MegaLand dealership from which he had bought his car. He drove into the storm-proof garage where all the cars were kept when it was raining heavily. In the garage, Mason parked, and he and Kevin got out. “When I got my car,” said Mason, “they had another one exactly like it, except that one’s your favorite color. I told them to reserve it for me. Or should I say, for you?”

“You really are spoiling me, Mason,” said Kevin, irresistibly smiling. “Besides, I can afford it.”

Mason smiled in return. “You? I’m spoiling one of the best drivers in the galaxy? I’d be spoiling you if I were getting you your own 64‑story castle in the country. Also, I know you can afford it, but so can I. That’s not the point, my friend. Come on.” Mason and Kevin went upstairs to the office of the man who had sold Mason his car. “I found this gentleman easy to talk to.” They entered the office since the sign on the door said, ‘Come right on in!’

When Kevin and Mason entered, the salesperson turned from his computer monitor to them. “Well, hello, Perry!”

“Hello, John,” Mason said, shaking hands with him.

“I still have that car on hold for you. It’s still good as new.”

“Thank you. I want to bail it out now.”

“Okay,” said John. “You want everything fixed up the same way as when you bought the other one?”

“That’s right,” said Mason.

“Excellent. Are you planning to pay the entire price up-front again?” asked John.

“Yes, I am.”

“Then you qualify for the ten-percent discount again. Let me get the keys and let you out with it.”

“Oh, it’s not for me,” said Mason. “It’s for my best-scoring client for a driver’s license. He’s right here.”

“Good afternoon,” said Kevin.

“Well, well, the Game Master himself,” said John. “If you didn’t have a chance to get fully oriented with the car Mr. Mason got, we’ll get you oriented with this one. Follow me, please.”

He led the way out of his office and to the main office to get one of the two main keys to the car Mason reserved. Then he led out to where the car was. He checked the ID number under the windshield against the ID number on the key. He tapped the bar on the back of the door handle twice, unlocking all the doors. He opened the door and let Kevin get in the driver’s seat. For the first time, Kevin really noticed the instrument panel under the dashboard.

“Hey,” Kevin said. “Where is everything that’s supposed to be under the dashboard?”

“It’s all holographic. Take the key and press the power switch.” Kevin took the key and pressed the power switch to the left of the instrument panel. The gauges, lights, odometer, analog and digital tachometers, trip odometer, altimeter, and analog and digital speedometers appeared. The seat belt light was on, as were all the other lights.

Just as in the car Mason had obtained for himself, there were both an automatic and a manual transmission. In the floor were the clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals, in that order from the driver’s left-to-right. The automatic transmission selector lever was below the power switch, and the manual transmission gearshift was on the floor in between the seats. There was a rocker switch on the steering wheel to switch between automatic (left side down) and manual (right side down). The selection patterns in this vehicle were identical to those in Mason’s.

Also, just as in Mason’s car, there were the manual three-point seat belts for all five seating positions. The car also had all the usual amenities, considered luxurious by American standards but standard on many VideoLand vehicles.

“Want to test-drive it?” asked John.

“Yes, I do,” Kevin said.

Mason got in the back seat behind Kevin, and John got in the front passenger seat as Kevin closed his door. When each one had closed his door, Kevin locked the doors, adjusted his seat and mirrors, and strapped on his seat belt. Mason and John fastened theirs. Kevin switched the transmission to MANUAL with the switch on the steering wheel. He saw two black buttons on the steering wheel with a horn on them and theorized that, yes, they were the horn controls. He switched the vehicle over to the manual transmission. “Has this car been run recently?”

“Not in the past couple of days,” answered the salesman.

“Okay,” said Kevin. He pushed in the accelerator halfway with his right foot and then released it. This would help the electric charges get flowing. He held the clutch and pressed the power button again. The vehicle started.

“I remembered something that I forgot to tell you, Perry,” said John.

“What?” asked Mason.

“In this model of cars, you needn’t have the clutch in to be stopped with the manual transmission in gear 1 or REVERSE. That’s one of the newest improvements. Of course, using the clutch is still highly recommended.”

“Interesting,” said Kevin. “Let’s get started.” He backed carefully out of the parking space and drove the car slowly to the exit. When the car reached the door, the salesman held up a security card, and the door opened automatically. Kevin pulled the car out into the pouring rain. He activated the low-beam lights and turned on the windshield wipers.

Kevin drove the car in the leftmost lane through the parking lot until he reached the traffic light at the crossing highway, the Palace Highway. It was shining red, so he stopped. Since VideoLand did not allow left-turn-on-red, which would have been logically equal to America’s right-turn-on-red, he did not turn left yet.

The traffic lights were suspended above the road, and on this world, there were always two signal units for each lane of traffic, one at the start of the intersection, and one at the end, and each light was centered over the lane it affected. After some light cross-traffic had passed, the lights began to change. First, in the lanes that had been previously going, the green light became amber and remained so for precisely six seconds. Then, the amber light became red.

Two seconds after the lights for the cross traffic turned red, as the red light in Kevin’s left-turn signal was still active, the amber light flashed twice a second for two seconds. Technically, if no conflicting cars or pedestrians were in the intersection, one could legally run this signal, called the red flashing amber, but this was frowned upon when turning onto high-speed highways. Running the green amber, which occurred as the light turned red from green, was also legally permissible but improper.

Kevin obeyed the traffic signals to the full extent, and he waited for his green left-turn arrow. Then, he turned onto the road northwards towards the Palace. The dealership was just outside the town, which was about fifteen kilometers south of the Palace. This road ran straight to the Palace door, as well as the Palace Circle, a beltway two kilometers from the Palace walls. At this distance, the great building should have been visible.

Kevin sped up to 90 kilometers per hour. After a kilometer or so of this, he then pulled back the steering wheel and made the car airborne. The altimeter rose. After a while, he banked into a U‑turn and then guided the vehicle back down to the ground. He decelerated and landed gently. The right-turn signal turned green as he approached the dealership, so Kevin was immediately able to turn and re‑enter the FODR of MegaLand building. He turned off the windshield wipers once they back were in the garage. He found the parking place where he had started the car and parked there. After applying the parking brake, he turned off the car. He moved the steering wheel until he heard it click and lock. All three of them took off their seatbelts and exited from the car. Kevin locked the doors. They went back to the salesperson’s office.

“So,” said John, “what do you think?”

“I enjoyed it,” said Kevin. “I’ll take it.”

John turned on his computer and accessed his records. “Let’s see. That will be 7 496 pounds, 78.”

“It should be registered in Kevin’s name,” said Mason. “He’ll have full ownership.”

“That will be fine.” Mason got out his wallet and handed VideoLand cash to John. Each note had King Charles’s noble visage on the front and, on the back, a picture of a famous figure in VideoLand’s history. The salesman handed back a receipt and change. Next, he handed Mason several papers that had already been signed. The salesman finally handed the other key to Kevin, who still had the first, along with an ID tag. “We received a shipment of standard license plates in the back,” said the salesperson. “Want one of those?”

“That’ll be okay for now,” said Kevin. “I wouldn’t want a temporary tag to wilt in all this rain. If I want a personalized plate, I can get one later.”

“Definitely. This way, please.” He led the way to a room containing license plates. He took a plate with a random eight-character string, ‘193D‑7HG6.’ The words ‘Palace World’ adorned the top in attractive serif lettering, with ‘Palace County’ at the bottom. “Will this be fine?”

“Yes,” answered Kevin. “That will be fine.”

“Okay,” said John. “It is valid throughout VideoLand.” They went to the desk in the room, where he produced a registration card for Kevin. They went back down to the car. Mason still had all the papers. John put the license plate on the car. Kevin unlocked the doors. Mason opened the rear-left door and took off the price sheet, which he gave to Kevin. The salesman gave Kevin a packet containing the several instruction books to the car. “Very well,” John said at last. “I hope you enjoy your new automobile. I’ll see you again when you return for service. The standard service interval is once every hundred hours.”

“Thank you, John,” said Kevin. He shook hands with the salesman. “See you later. Going to drive your own car, Mr. M.?”

“Of course, Kevin,” said Mason. “Just remember that yours is the blue car and mine is the red car.”

“Right,” said Kevin. “There should be no problem with that. See you back at the Palace.”

“You’ll have to get into the computers there at the garage,” said Mason. “You also need an ID tag. So, I’ll see you at the door.”

“See you at the door,” said Kevin. He waited for Mason to return to his car and get underway first. He followed him back to the main highway and then back towards the Palace. The rain was really beginning to pour, so they took it slow. Fortunately, there were few others on the road, and the culverts drained the water away quickly.

When they reached the Palace, Mason and Kevin pulled up to the garage door, stopped under the awning, and put on the parking brakes. They got out of their cars and went over to the security window. “Hello, Mason,” the guard said. “Back again?”

“Back again,” said Mason. “I need to get my friend here registered in the computers.”

“Captain N!” said the guard. “Finally got your license?”

“Yes, sir,” said Kevin.

“What’s the license plate number?” asked the guard.

“It is 193D‑7HG6,” said Kevin. He pulled out his license and registration. “Here are my license and registration.” The guard typed something on his terminal. His card printer printed a card. He handed the card to Kevin, along with the license and registration.

“Okay,” said the guard. “You’re all registered. Good day.”

“Thank you,” Kevin said. “Good day.” Kevin and Mason got back in their cars after Mason showed his ID card to the guard. The guard opened the door, and Kevin and Mason entered. They found parking spots next to each other and parked. Leaving their cars, they went to the elevator. Mason went up the elevator to his office. Kevin continued up to Her Highness’s Throne Room.

* * *

The Royal Throne Room of Her Royal Highness the Princess Lana of VideoLand.

“Hi, guys,” Kevin greeted upon entering the throne room.

“You’re back, Kevin,” cried Lana. She was excited about him finally getting his license.

“Oh, great,” Simon said. He was not too thrilled about Kevin’s achievement.

“Hello, Lana,” said Kevin. “Hi, Simon. How is everything going?”

“Fine, so far. Haven’t heard from Ludwig. Of course, that can only mean bad news.”

“Oh, just wait until I give you my report.”

“Well, Captain N, how did the license business go?” Simon asked.

Kevin removed his driver’s license and showed it to Simon. “Does this answer your question?”

“Oh, take me now, Lord,” exclaimed Simon. “I beg you!”

“I knew you’d pass,” Lana said. She hugged him.

“Thank you,” said Kevin. He kissed her on the cheek and then released her. He looked in her eyes for a moment. He could tell she was attracted strongly to him, but she did not feel comfortable expressing it yet.

There was business to take care of. “Here, Duke!” Duke came running in. Kevin patted him on the head. “Hi, boy. Princess, where is Dr. Wright?”

“He’s in his lab with Roll,” said Lana. “Why?”

“We need several warp zone formulas right away, Princess,” said Kevin. “The whole galaxy may soon fall victim to one of Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa’s evil plots.”

Ludwig von(Spike)Koopa, the good cousin of the evil Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa, came in. “Did someone mention my onerous cousin? Well, good day, Kevin. How did the tests go?”

“Great! I got my license,” said Kevin, showing his license to Ludwig.

“Excellent work, Kevin,” said Ludwig, giving Kevin the thumbs‑up. “Now, what seems to be the problem?”

“Your cousin,” said Kevin.

“You need say no more.”

“I’m returning to Limbo, which is where Perry and I went earlier.”

“I’m coming,” said Lana. “How about you, Simon?”

“Oh, no,” Simon said. “Not me. I’m not getting dragged into an adventure in this rain. I’ve got my wonderful hair to think about.”

“Well, I am coming,” said MegaMan.

“Okay, let’s go. Ludwig, hold down the fort with Simon.”

“Roger, Kevin,” said Ludwig.

MegaMan and Lana followed Kevin out into the elevator, which stopped at the floor with Mason’s office. The doors parted to admit Paul Drake, Perry Mason, and Della Street.

“Hi, Kevin,” said Drake.

“Hey, Mr. Drake,” said Kevin. The elevator stopped at the basement and everyone got out. MegaMan and Lana followed Kevin and Drake and Street followed Mason.

“Okay, Perry,” said Drake when Kevin was at his car and Mason was at his. “Why did you have to drag me out of the comfort of my office?”

“We have an emergency on our hands,” said Kevin. “There is probably enough room for everyone in my car, especially if Lana sits up here with me.”

That was true. There was plenty of room. Kevin unlocked the doors to his car. MegaMan, Mason, Drake, and Della Street got in through the rear left door with arm-room to spare, even after the door was closed. Lana got in the front left seat and strapped on the seat belt. The two in the back seat who were nearest the doors fastened their seat belts. Kevin entered the driver’s seat and strapped on his seat belt. After starting the car, he backed carefully out of his space and made his way to the garage door. There, he stopped and got out to show the guard his ID. The guard nodded and started to open the gate. Kevin returned to the car and put his seat belt back on. After the door was open, he got underway. Once he was away from the Palace, he accelerated and began explaining the situation. When he was going fast enough, he took to the air and headed for the warp zone. By the time they reached the warp, Kevin had finished explaining.

“Okay, here we go into the wild black yonder.” he said. He took them into the warp zone.