There in front of us was ...

"What is that?"

Betty started walking toward ... it.

"It is a Malkovician cruiser."

"Looks like a bunch of rusted metal," Calvin remarked.

I had to agree.

"Looks like a bunch of rusted metal, sweetie."

Betty nodded.

"It doesn't look like much right now, but with a new paint job and an overhaul, it just might stay together, long enough to get us to the moon."

"Might?"

I wasn't terribly reassured.

"Well, it is rather old," Betty reminded me.

"But I think with some TLC and ..."

"A lot of luck," I snickered.

The others snickered as well.

Betty walked to me.

"Do you want to rescue your mother?"

"Hummingbird?" the Baron moaned.

I nodded.

"I do.

But sweetie. This could take years to do."

She nodded.

"Sweetie, Nick and Nicky are travelling to the moon in a Zonk spaceship."

I was confused.

"Yea, sooooooooo?"

She put her hands on my cheeks.

"Look at me, sweetie.

Concentrate."

I nodded.

Sigh.

Betty had such beautiful eyes.

"You're not concentrating, Krall."

"Sorry."

"Now think about this.

Nick and Nicky.

Zonk spaceship."

I shook my head.

"Nothing."

Calvin laughed.

"Krall? It took them like 50 years just to get to Earth, so assumption being, it will take them just as long to get back.

We could be there waiting for them."

I looked at Betty. Tears in my eyes.

"Please tell me he's wrong."

Betty shook her head.

Russell laughed.

"Shown up by the idiot."

"Hey," Calvin barked.

"Who you calling an idiot."

"You."

Calvin nodded.

"Oh. Okay. I thought you meant Krall."

Russell flew over and landed on my shoulder.

"I have basic knowledge of engines and such and Bob can work the electronics.

But you and Krall will have to do the actual work, as I don't really have any hands."

I let out a long ...

well you know what I was going to say.

"We will need more help."

"I can help."

We all turned to see Warren Whitesnake enter the garage.

He looked at the Baron.

"Nice to see you again, Erich. You are looking well."

"I am dead."

Warren Whitesnake nodded.

"But you do dead well."

"What are you doing here?" I snapped.

"I am here to help. Those idiots from the Moon have been terrorizing us for over 100 years. They have to be stopped.

That is why I sold you the house so cheap. I was hoping you would find the secrets out and bond with the Spirits of my ancestors."

He looked at Calvin and Harold.

"Instead, you bonded with these two morons, but ...

whatever."

"What is it that you want?"

"I have the resources," Warren Whitesnake continued, "and I can get the expertise that you need to get this piece of shit up and running again."

"Why would you want to help?" Betty wondered, suspiciously.

"I owe it to your father."

Betty gasped.

"My father? You knew my father?"

Warren Whitesnake nodded.

"He and I were friends. I was a part of the Brotherhood of Universal Lads and Lasses Sworn to Help Intergalactic Travellers."

We all laughed.

"He was a Bullshitter," Russell crowed.

We all laughed, harder.

I am talking full belly laughs and tears.

Betty wasn't laughing.

Neither was Warren Whitesnake.

Betty glared at us.

We stopped laughing.

We wiped our eyes.

"I was suppose to meet your father, the night he disappeared, but he never showed."

Betty nodded, sadly.

"My father is dead."

Warren Whitesnake shook his head.

"No, Betty. He is still alive, but captured by the Zonks."

"Then he is on the Moon?" I wondered.

Warren shrugged.

"Maybe. Or he could be anywhere in outer space. Those Zonkers are real idiots."

Betty squeezed my arm.

"My father is still alive."

I winced.

"Sweetie, you are hurting me."

"Sorry."

She let go.

I know I will bruise.

Betty is so strong.

Warren Whitesnake walked to me.

"I know they have your mother, Krall. Together, we can get this rusty piece of shit working and rescue her and maybe even find Barry Boopkininsky."

"Who?" we all asked, in unison.

"MY FATHER," Betty yelled.

"Oh right," we all whispered, in unison.

I stepped forward and shook Warren Whitesnake's hand.

"Then let's do this," I proclaimed.

"Let's get this rusted piece of shit working and lets go find my mother and Betty's father."

Russell flew to the spaceship and shit on it.

"For luck."

Warren Whitesnake pointed at Russell.

Betty and I shook our heads.

"Don't ask."

"So," Warren Whitesnake sighed.

"What's say we go have a drink and celebrate?"

"Shouldn't we start working on the spaceship?" the Baron asked.

We all laughed.

"Remember ... Zonkers?"

The Baron laughed.

"Right. We have at least the next 20 years or so."

Warren Whitesnake headed toward the door.

"Come on. Drinks are on me."

Betty took my hand.

"I need to talk to you Krall."

She waited until the others were out the door.

"I have something important to tell you."

"What is it, baby? You look worried."

Betty nodded.

"I am, a little."

I smiled.

"Sweetie, just tell me. Whatever it is, I am sure we can work through it."

She nodded.

Forced a smile.

Took a deep breath.

"Krall. I am ..."