THE ODD COUPLE

The synthetic clouds rolled lazily through the mock sky of the biosphere. Birds from many different planets circled slowly in the air as a cool breeze pushed its way through the heat. Modeled after Earth's North American climate, the biosphere went through the same unpredictable weather changes as a normal planet to help the Starcademy's human students feel more at home.

It was the beginning of the last month of summer holidays. Most of the cadets had left for their home planets, visiting the relatives and friends they had left behind. However, the school was not completely deserted. A handful of students and teachers remained in the Starcademy, preferring the uncharacteristic quiet of the school than the crowdedness of their own planets. Others simply did not have a home to return to.

"What do you want to do?" Harlan asked, stretching lazily.

"I don't know," Radu answered, rolling out of the way as his friend's arms swept past. "What do you want to do?"

The space cases sat around their usual tree, overcome with boredom. Harlan and Radu lay on their backs, watching the clouds while Cat and Rosie played a game of Saturnian cards. Clito strummed her harp, absently humming a tune while Matt read a compupad.

"Aren't you supposed to be going home?" Cat asked Harlan without looking up from her game.

Harlan sighed. "Yeah. Mom's been bugging me to come home, but with the Admiral there, I would rather be here. Still, she won the argument, like she always does. I'm leaving tomorrow."

"I though Admiral Cody went to a StarDog meeting somewhere in the Delta system," Matt remarked, raising his eyes slightly from his compupad.

Harlan's face brightened and he sat up. "Really? That's terrific! Now I can really enjoy the time alone with Mom."

"How long are you going to be gone for?" Cat asked.

"A few weeks," Harlan answered. "Wanna come? I'm sure Mom would love to meet you."

Cat smiled. "Sure! If it's okay with your mom."

"I'm going home tomorrow, too," Rosie remarked, putting down her cards. "I can't wait to see my family."

"I'm leaving then, too," Clito said. "Bran said he was going to pick me up at the docking bay."

"Who's Bran?" Matt asked.

"My boyfriend back home," she answered. "I haven't seen him in ages!"

Radu sat up and pulled his knees close to his chest. "I'm staying here - again."

"Why not go visit Arista?" Cat suggested. "I'm sure your parents would want to see you, too."

Radu smiled. "You don't know how nice it is to hear that," he remarked. "I can't. I don't think I'd ever be able to get a transport there. Remember, I'm a wanted criminal."

"Come with us," Harlan suggested. "I'm sure Mom won't mind. Besides, I've always told you that I'd bring you to Earth one day."

Radu nodded. "Sure. Thanks."

"I guess Bova is already home," Rosie said.

Radu thought he heard a touch of regret in his friend's voice. "Yeah, he left early this morning."

Rosie stared up at the sky, the everlasting stars of space barely visible through the synthetic blueness of the sky.

I wonder what he's thinking, Rosie wondered.

**********

I hate this place, Bova thought.

He was sitting alone in his parent's house watching his father, Benn and his mother, Bernice, complain about the day they've been having. Bova had been home for just under three Uranus hours before the gloomy atmosphere of his home planet - or moon, to be more specific - had made him realize why he had left.

"Bova, do you want to visit Lineland?" Benn asked. "I'm sure you have better things to do . . . "

"No, dad," Bova interrupted. "I'll come."

His father shrugged and left the building. Bernice stood at the doorway, muttering pessimistic comments under her breath. Bova's younger sister, Betha and his older brother, Benji were already in the hover car.

"Don't get into any accidents," Bernice called. "Not that my saying that will prevent it when it happens."

"Bye, Mom!" Bova waved to his mother as they drove off.

His sister and brother stared at him in shock. Bova looked from one face to the other. "What?"

"You sounded - " Betha struggled for the final word, " - cheery."

"Yeah, I think someone has been spending too much time away," Benji added.

"Not that we missed you or anything," Betha continued.

Bova rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in front of him. He sighed and stared straight ahead as his father drove.

**********

Lineland was packed as usual. Bova and his family trudged from the hover car to the ticket gate. Hundreds of Uranusians stood in line for the tickets, only to enter the park and stand in line again for the exit.

Fun for the whole family, Bova thought gloomily.

He couldn't help but wonder if he really was becoming more like Rosie. Thinking of the bright eyed Mercurian made him realize how much he missed her. It's only for a month, he told himself. Then it's back to school, but at least I'll be able to see her again.

Benn stood in front of Bova, with Betha and Benji behind them. Betha talked about her school and how they were preparing to celebrate the Year of the Ingrown Toenail. Bova knew about the celebrations that occurred every Toenail year and couldn't wait to be away from this place and back at Starcademy.

"Son, I need to talk to you," Benn said, turning around abruptly.

"What's up, Dad?" Bova asked.

"I'm sure you've forgotten her, but Yazria is coming to visit later today," Benn said.

Memories of his childhood came flooding back to him. Bova remembered his first meeting with the young Yazria.

**********

He had only been about six years old, his antennae hardly more than stubs growing from his forehead. Friends of the family had come by and brought their daughter Yazria with them. She was about Bova's age, maybe slightly younger, but still beautiful. Her parents had brought her to Bova's room and left to chat about how gloomy the weather had been lately.

"Hi!" Yazria had said brightly.

"Hi," Bova had replied.

"I'm Yazria and one day, we're going to live together!"

"Okay," Bova had agreed. "Do you wanna play?"

**********

That had been the beginning. Now, ten years later, her name had come up again. Bova could hardly contain his surprise.

"I remember Yazria," Bova said, trying to sound casual. "What about it?"

"Her parents have brought her over for her wedding," Benn continued. "I'm not surprised you forgot about that. We arranged it when you both were born. Not that it matters now, since you're both of age."

Wedding!? "What are you talking about?" Bova demanded.

"Your wedding, son," Benn said, his voice as close as it could be to proud. "Next week, you're getting married to Yazria."

**********

The transport for Mercury left the Starcademy right on schedule. Rosie and Matt sat next to each other as the ship made a direct hyper jump to Mercury's upper atmosphere. The trip took only a few hours, so Rosie had brought plenty to do. She picked up her compupad and started on her cross word puzzle.

**********

"Rosie, wake up," Matt shook her shoulder. "We're here."

Rosie cracked open her eyes and stared at Matt's face. She rubbed her face, stretched and sat up. The compupad with the unstarted cross word puzzle was still in her hand as she looked around in confusion.

"We're here?" Rosie asked. "But, we just left!"

Matt laughed. "We left, you fell asleep, and now we're here."

Rosie gathered her stuff and stood. Her legs felt stiff from sitting in one position for the past few hours and he head felt foggy from the interrupted nap. She passed through the airlock, saying a thank you to the attendants, and entered Mercury's Spaceport.

The place was crowded, like usual. Rosie found it strange, yet comforting seeing hundreds of bald, pink heads in one port. She spotted young children with regulator helmets on, like what she used to wear before she could fully control her powers. What pleased her the most were her parents, standing in full view, waving to her.

She forgot all about Mattar and ran into her father's arms. He hugged her close, passed her to her mother and Rosie glowed with happiness. When her mother put her down, she glanced around for Matt. She spotted him meeting someone whom she assumed was his father and turned back to her own family.

"Mom, Dad, it's great to see you again!" Rosie cried.

"It's nice to see you too, honey," Dalia said. "Let's head home. I know there are two pets at home who are dying to see you!"

Rosie's smile widened as she remembered Sunspot and Nimbus, her two pets. Gunter picked up his daughter's suitcase and they headed home.

**********

Radu gripped the sides of his seat and stared straight ahead. Beside him, Catalina slept while Harlan played a game on his compupad.

"Final docking procedures are now underway," an announcer said.

Radu refrained from commenting. He had been listening to the ship's engines slowing down, the airlock extending to meet the ship and even the sound of the captain drinking his coffee as the auto pilot docked the ship.

"Hey, are you okay?" Harlan asked.

"Fine," Radu replied a little too quickly.

Harlan gave the Andromedan a sidelong glance that indicated he didn't believe his friend. Radu forced himself to smile as Harlan gently woke Catalina up.

"We're here already?" she yawned.

"Earth is the closest planet to the Starcademy," Harlan reminded her proudly.

Catalina smiled at him and looked over at Radu. Her eyes narrowed and one eyebrow shot up inquisitively.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked.

"Nothing," Radu said nervously. "I'm - I'm just worried, that's all."

"About what?" Harlan laughed, tossing Radu's bag to him.

"About Earthers," Radu replied, catching the bag. "There are a lot of people who didn't believe that Andromedans were fighting against them because of the hatchery. You didn't believe it at first, Harlan, I don't know about everyone else."

Harlan's amused face sobered up. Catalina looked from her boyfriend to the Andromedan.

"I - I don't want to be made fun of or be forced to defend myself against anyone," Radu continued. "The war that just ended won't help either."

Catalina stood and put her arm comfortingly around Radu's shoulder. "If anyone give you any trouble, we'll deal with them together," she said.

Harlan nodded in agreement. Radu smiled at him, but felt less comforted by Catalina's remark than he should have felt.

**********

Yazria had changed a lot since she was six. She stood about half an inch taller than Bova, with long, black hair that reached her waist and large brown eyes accented with long, thick lashes. She was petit and thin with the features of a finely crafted china doll. Like all Uranusian females, she did not possess antennae, but could channel electricity through her long fingers.

"Hi," she said to Bova as he returned from Lineland.

Bova could not reply. He stood in awe of her beauty. She blushed and turned her head, allowing her hair to veil her features.

Benn put his hand on his son's shoulder. "You could do better," he said, "but she's pretty good."

Bova turned to his father. "Let me try and do better," he implored. "I don't want to get married."

"Nonsense," Benn said. "Benji got married at your age, I got married at your age and Betha has been paired off since birth as well. Marry the girl."

Bova sighed, resigned to his fate.

**********

Rosie hummed to herself as she walked down the sunny side of the street to the mailbox. She had been home for almost a whole week and had settled into the routine she had left behind. In no time, she had the mail and was heading back.

As she walked, she noticed an envelope addressed to her. She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at it. It had no return address, but the writing looked remarkably familiar. She tore open the envelope and read the card inside.

Bova and Yazria request the honour of your attendance at their wedding on the 12th day of the Year of the Ingrown Toenail.

Rosie stared at the message in shock. Bova? Getting married? Why hadn't he mentioned it before? She forgot about her joy of being home and ran back to her house.

**********

"Honey, there's mail for you and your guests," Harlan's mom called.

It had been about two earth weeks since Harlan, Catalina, and Radu had arrived on Earth. Despite his best efforts, Radu found it incredibly hard to relax while on this planet. He found it remarkable that Harlan's mom, of all people, bared no malice toward him. After all, it was his people who killed her first husband.

Harlan got the three envelopes and ripped his open. Cat and Radu did the same.

When he was done reading the card, Harlan blinked a few times and reread it. Catalina raised her head, shock evident on her face, and let the card drift from limp fingers to the floor.

"I guess we're going to Uranus," Radu said.

**********

Rosie dialed the number again. She had to talk to someone and right now, there was only one person she could think of who would understand.

"Hello?" the woman on the other side of the pictophone said.

"Radu, please," Rosie said.

The woman smiled. "You must be Rosie. Harlan has told me a lot about you. I'll go get Radu now."

"Thank you," Rosie said as Harlan's mother left.

In a few minutes, a familiar face appeared on the screen. Rosie could hardly contain her excitement at seeing her best friend.

"Hi, Rosie," Radu said. "What's up?"

At his words, Rosie forgot her joy at seeing him and remembered her misery about Bova. With a moan of uncharacteristic sadness, Rosie poured out her grief to her best friend. She told him about the wedding and how much she hated to see Bova get married. Radu listened with his usual Andromedan patience before interrupting her monologue.

"Why are you so upset at seeing Bova get married?" Radu asked.

Rosie stopped short. "I don’t know," she confessed. "I guess I think he’s too young."

"Is that the only reason?" Radu prodded.

Curse that Andromedan, Rosie thought. He hears more than words sometimes.

"Put Cat on the phone," Rosie said abruptly. "I want to speak to her."

Without a word of good bye, Radu was gone from the screen. In a few seconds, Catalina was in his place.

"Rosie! You poor thing!" she said sympathetically.

**********

Harlan and Radu sat in Harlan’s room. The Earther was playing with a white ball and a leather glove, throwing the ball and catching it with the glove. He called it ‘catch’ with a ‘baseball’ and a ‘mitt’. Radu shrugged at the strangeness of the game as he looked through some old compupads.

"What did Rosie want to know?" Harlan asked.

Radu shrugged. "She’s upset that Bova’s getting married. I guess she just wanted to talk."

"Did you ask her if she’s going?" Harlan asked.

Radu shook his head, his long hair slapping his shoulders. "I didn’t have time. She wanted to speak with Cat."

"You did something to upset her," Harlan said critically.

Radu stared at his friend. "What do you mean?"

"If she wanted to speak with you so badly, why did she brush you off so suddenly? You must have said something wrong."

An expression of worry passed over Radu’s Andromedan features. He half stood to go and apologize, but Harlan stopped him.

"Don’t take it so hard," Harlan said. "You know Rosie, she’ll apologize. C’mon, let’s go play catch."

Radu was on his feet, following Harlan out the door.

**********

Catalina joined the two boys outside a few minutes later. She shot a heartless glance at Radu as she ran over to join Harlan. Radu dropped his hands to his side, wondering what Rosie had told Cat to make her look at him like that. He sighed and raised his hands to catch Harlan’s throw.

Harlan made a show of winding his arms to pitch professionally. Catalina ran a few feet to the right of Harlan, making a triangle between the three friends. Harlan threw the ball and Radu caught it with ease.

"Throw it over here!" Catalina called, her face a giant smile.

Radu shrugged, thinking that the Saturnian had forgiven him for whatever he had done. He turned to face her and threw the ball gently. It flew to its target and Catalina caught it.

"Ow!" she cried. "Don’t throw so hard!"

"Sorry!" Radu called.

Catalina threw the ball to Harlan, who threw it back to Catalina. Radu wondered if he was being left out because he threw too hard.

"Heads up!" Catalina yelled, throwing the ball.

Radu caught it and threw it to Harlan. Unfortunately, Harlan had been paying more attention to a group of girls who had been walking by and the ball hit him in the gut. He fell backwards and lay on the ground.

"Harlan!" Radu cried, running over to his friend.

The Earther girls who had been watching gasped in shock. They began whispering among themselves, but Radu could clearly hear the conversation.

"Did you see that?" one girl whispered. "The alien did that on purpose! I saw him!"

"No kidding!" another agreed. "He was aiming for that boy’s head, but he turned to see us and it struck him in the stomach."

"No wonder the UPP tries to keep them out of Starcademy," a third said. "They’re so violent!"

Radu tried hard to ignore their comments, concentrating more on Harlan’s breathing and pulse. He was thankful that his throw hadn’t killed his friend.

In a few seconds, he was kneeling by Harlan’s head, checking his vital signs.

"Radu," Catalina said, "you're supposed to throw gently!"

"I did!" Radu exclaimed.

Harlan was breathing and opened his eyes in a few seconds. He gasped for air, taking in large breathes before smiling at his two friends.

"Whoa," he said. "Some throw there."

"I - I'm sorry!" Radu managed to say.

Harlan sat up and clapped Radu on the shoulder with one hand.

"Don't worry about it," he said. "I should have been paying more attention. Let's go back inside. I think dinner's ready."

Cat helped Harlan to his feet and the trio walked back to Harlan's house. As they passed the group of girls, Radu could not help but notice their cruel sneers and feel their eyes burning into his back.

**********

The transport from Mercury made a stop over at Earth's space port. Rosie sat alone in the ship, nervously fingering the bag she had brought. Her parents had been quick and eager to schedule a transport to Uranus for Bova's wedding, even if Rosie herself had been hesitant.

"You have to go, honey," Gunter had said. "He's your best friend and wants you there. You can't disappoint him!"

"We don't mind," Dalia added. "Go and have fun."

So that was how Rosie had found herself on the ship to Uranus, desperately wanting someone to talk to.

"Is this seat taken?" someone asked.

Rosie looked up and, as if in answer to her prayers, Radu stood over her. She smiled and moved over for her friends to sit. Catalina and Harlan were right behind Radu, arguing about something as usual. Rosie rose to hug Catalina and the Saturnian girl moved to sit next to her friend.

"So, what's the plan for the wedding?" Catalina asked.

"Yeah," Harlan added, leaning over Radu. "Are we breaking it up or what?"

Rosie looked shocked at Harlan's suggestion. Could they break up the wedding? She smiled slyly and leaned forward to formulate a plan.

**********

Bova and Yazria sat nervously together. Their parents had forced them into a room to "get to know each other better". Over an hour had past without a single word exchanged between the two. Finally, Yazria tried to break the tension.

"You go to Starcademy?" she asked.

"Yeah," Bova replied.

Yazria fell silent once more. She stared around the room, observing the dreary decor.

"Are you going back to Starcademy after we are married?" she asked.

"Of course!" Bova answered. "I want to become a StarDog and travel around the universe."

"Like you did with those other students before," Yazria added.

"You know about that?"

Yazria nodded. "I know much about you Bova, son of Benn. If we are to be wed, I thought I should."

Bova's gaze dropped from his fiancée to the ground. He sighed, thinking of Rosie and the others who would arrive any day now to witness his wedding.

"You are a scientist?" Yazria continued.

Bova nodded. "Do you like science?"

Yazria laughed. "My business is to manage the home and children. What does it matter if I like science or not? What does it matter if I had other plans for this life?"

The last few words were said with a touch of bitterness. Bova thought he saw tears in her eyes and wondered exactly how she felt about this forced wedding. He was about to ask her when the door opened. Benn came in.

"Bova," he said. "Say good bye to Yazria. It is time for her to return home. You will not see each other again until the wedding."

Bova and Yazria rose from where they were sitting. Yazria turned to her fiancé and smiled.

"Farewell, husband," she said. "I will see you next week at the ceremony."

Bova nodded and the beautiful Uranusian swept out of the room.

**********

The transport landed at the Uranus Space Port and the passengers disembarked. Most of them were disgruntled Uranusians except for a handful of others who were on their way to Alpha Prime.

Rosie shivered at the chill in the Space Port. The temperature was considerably lower on this planet than Mercury. It was understandable since Uranus was the second farthest planet from the sun. Radu put his jacket around her shoulders and she smiled at him.

"How do we get to Bova's house?" Catalina asked.

"I guess we take a taxi," Harlan replied.

They exited the spaceport and Harlan flagged down a taxi.

"Where are you going?" the driver asked.

"Can you take us to this address?" Harlan asked, showing the driver the invitation.

The driver sighed. "I suppose so. Get in."

The space cases piled into the car and were soon heading down to the residential area of the city.

**********

Bova opened the door. His depressed features molded into a smile that seemed out of place on his face. His eyes widened and a zap of electricity passed between his antennae.

"Guys!" he exclaimed. "Boy, am I glad to see you!"

Harlan smiled and slapped the small Uranusian on the shoulder.

"Congratulations," Harlan said. "I never thought you'd be the first to go."

"Go?" Bova asked as Harlan cleared the doorway to let the others in.

"Hi," Catalina said.

Radu smiled and dipped his head in greeting. Last to enter was Rosie. She lingered in the doorway, as if she were afraid to enter. Bova opened the door wider and waited patiently.

"Hi, Bova," Rosie managed to say. "I - I'm happy - for you."

She hurried inside and hid behind Radu. The Andromedan shrugged to Bova, indicating that he did not know what was wrong with Rosie.

"Come in," Bova said, leading the way further into the house. "You're just in time to eat."

The reunited space cases followed their host through the large house to the kitchen where Bova's family was already eating.

**********

Rosie lay awake that night, listening to the rhythmic breathing of Catalina, asleep beside her. Bova's family had been very kind to her - despite the typical Uranusian behaviour - and she began to doubt herself.

"I just don't know," she whispered.

"Know what?" Radu asked.

Rosie sat up very quickly, her heart pounding at the sudden surprise. Bova's mother had provided a small room for all the space cases to sleep in sleeping bags on the floor. Rosie and Catalina slept next to each other with Radu and Harlan on the other side of the room. Radu sat with his back against the wall, staring at Rosie with his deep blue eyes. Rosie managed a smile and calmed her beating heart.

"Sorry to startle you," Radu apologized.

"I don't know about Bova," Rosie whispered. "I don't like him getting married, but I don't know why. I guess - " she left the thought unfinished. "Sorry to keep you up."

Radu shrugged. "I'm not that tired anyway. I slept on the transport, remember? Maybe you should talk to Bova."

"I can't," Rosie said. "Every time I see him, all I want to do is cry."

"No classes today, Ms Davenport," Harlan mumbled in his sleep.

Rosie and Radu shared a smile.

"I think I'll go back to sleep," Rosie said.

Radu nodded. "Good idea."

As she lay back down and began to doze off, she knew Radu was still awake, watching her. Her last thoughts were comforting. She knew she had a friend on which she could depend with any secret.

**********

"You must be Rosie!" Yazria said brightly.

For the first time in her life, the Mercurian had to force herself to smile. Yazria was beautiful, kind, and honest. Rosie knew that she would make Bova a wonderful wife, but the idea of him being married still gnawed at her.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Rosie replied.

"I'm Catalina," Cat introduced, shaking Yazria's hand.

"I'm so happy both of you are here," Yazria said. "I don't have many close friends and since it's so close to the wedding, I'm glad I have some females for support."

Catalina smiled and hit Rosie in her arm as she felt the Mercurian's temperature begin to rise.

"Anything to help a friend of Bova's," Rosie said.

Catalina thought she saw Yazria's face darken momentarily.

"Let's go talk and get to know one another better, shall we?" Yazria suggested, inviting the two girls in.

**********

Bova sat with his head in his hands. With the wedding only two short days away, the light of hope at the end of this tunnel grew dimmer. Harlan sat on his right, sampling more Uranusian cuisine. Radu on his left.

"I can see why you guys eat so much," Harlan remarked. "This stuff is terrific!"

"This always happens to me," Bova moaned.

Radu seemed confused. "I thought you only get engaged once."

Bova raised his head to glare at the Andromedan. "No. I mean bad situations, like this one."

"Yazria seems all right," Harlan remarked. "What's the problem?"

"Rosie," Bova said. "Rosie is the problem. I can't get married to Yazria if I like someone else!"

"So don't go through with it."

"I have to. My parent's have had this arranged since I was born! I have no choice."

"Have you talked to Yazria about it?" Radu asked.

Bova shook his head. "No, but she's so excited about this."

"Run away," Harlan said as if it were the obvious choice.

Bova and Radu stared at their friend in shock.

"We'll book ourselves passage on a transport back to Starcademy and say that we need to get ready for next semester. When we leave, you sneak out too. We'll meet you at the Space Port and we'll all head home," Harlan said.

"Yeah, then I'll never be able to return home again," Bova added, "or speak to my parents again."

"Not to mention what Yazria will feel like," Radu finished.

Harlan threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't see any other option."

He stormed out of the room.

**********

The day before the wedding, Rosie, Catalina, Radu, and Harlan met in their small room. Each had been thinking of ways to end the marriage before it began, but none of the ideas seemed to work.

"I've been getting pretty close to Yazria," Catalina said. "Apparently, she wanted to study law at the university here but her parent's won't let her because she's engaged."

"Bova doesn't want to go through with this either," Harlan added. "I think we just found a way out."

**********

The park outside Bova's house was decorated beautifully on the day of the wedding. Bova stood uncomfortably at the end of a long carpet. Harlan and Radu sat in the first row of chairs, close enough to speak to the groom-to-be.

Catalina and Rosie stood in the back with Yazria, helping her get into her gown. The traditional Uranusian wedding gown consisted of several light veils artfully arranged over a slim, silk gown.

"I feel like my life is over," Yazria moaned, more depressed than usual.

"Don't worry," Catalina said, throwing a veil over her shoulder, "we've got it all covered."

"What are you going to do?" Yazria asked.

"When the right time comes, talk to Bova," Rosie said. "He knows what's going on."

The music started as the guests began to get impatient. Bova fidgeted with his jacket and stared at the entrance where his future wife would soon appear. Harlan gave him a thumbs up sign and seemed completely relaxed. Bova glanced at Radu, but the Andromedan seemed to be in deep concentration, listening for something.

Yazria walked slowly down the aisle. Bova gulped and took her arm when she approached. The minister standing in front of them began to read the sermon and Bova began getting desperate. Harlan seemed sure of himself and Radu still listened.

"Get ready," Radu whispered to Harlan. "They're coming!"

Harlan nodded and Radu took some ear muffs out of his pocket.

"Now!" Radu said as he clamped the muffs on his ears.

The entire park filled with bees. They flew in swarms, straight to the flowers that decorated every chair and were draped around the aisle. Guests ran screaming in every direction to be rid of the pests. Radu remain in his seat, hands pressed tightly against his ears as the horrible buzzing sound continued.

Harlan pressed a button on a controller he held in his hand and an energy field appeared around Bova and Yazria, protecting them from the insects.

"Yazria, do you want to go through with this?" Bova asked.

"Not at all," Yazria answered. "I want to go to school!"

"I want to be a StarDog," Bova added. "Let's forget about this silly wedding and get out of here!"

Yazria nodded and signaled Harlan. Harlan smiled and waved to Catalina. Catalina took a deep breath and let out a sonic blast that drove all the insects away from the park. Harlan released the two Uranusians from the energy field and slapped Radu on the back. The Andromedan almost fell out of his chair.

"Are you okay?" Harlan asked.

"Give me a minute," Radu gasped as he tried to filter out all the sounds.

Bova and Yazria stood in front of the space cases.

"Thank you so much," Yazria said.

She turned, kissed Bova on the cheek, and left. Catalina elbowed Rosie as her temperature raised yet again and the Mercurian cooled down.

"Well, that was an adventure," Bova commented. "When do we eat?"