To say that Danathrees was a major change is a major understatement. The planet's sun had been devoured thousands of years before by one of the two black holes that held the planet between them. It had been used as a scientific research station by several governments. Director Tyran was the head of the station, and had been for years.

At first, of course, they thought we were crazy. But, after some testing, well, they still thought we were crazy, or at least some of us, but they realized we were telling the truth about where we came from.

"This is incredible," Tyran said as he looked across the table at Li. "Our medical teams confirm that your group has microorganisms in their blood that are not in our catalogues. And we have access to the entire Republic medical data base."

"And that means what?" Li asked.

"It means," he replied, "that you are not from any system in the galaxy."

"Are you saying we're from . . ." Li put a hand to her head and closed her eyes. "This cannot be happening. I have a meeting tomorrow with the school board."

Leaning in, Tyran said, "Miss Li, that tomorrow might not occur for a thousand years, or it might have been a thousand years in the past. There is no way to know."

"So, what am I supposed to do?" Lost, she thought, it's all lost. Every scrap of power, every favor I'm owed. Gone.

Tyran smiled gently, "We'll think of something. Your students are still young enough to catch up. They'll be able to join the rest of the Republic in a couple of years. And that's if they take up a technical field. Most of them will be okay in a few weeks time. You're lucky," he added. "The galaxy is booming. Workers are needed all over. Seems there are more jobs than workers these days."

"But we need to get home," Li insisted.

"I told you, we have no idea how you got here. Without even an inkling, there is no way to even start the research to send you back." He sighed and rubbed his eyes, "That's why we're working to try to integrate your students into the general populace."

"Well," She said, standing, "I'm not condoning anything that will keep us from finding a way home. These children are my responsibility." Turning, she left the room.

"Responsible or not," Tyran said to the empty room, "you are not going anywhere."

XXXXXX

"Hey," Jodie asked Daria, Jane and Quinn, "you seen Ms. Li?"

"Not for a few days," Jane told her. "She wander off or something?"

"Like, maybe she found a place to hide," Quinn offered. "She always was trying to make the school real secure."

Daria looked at her and nodded, "Good point." Looking back at Jodie, she said, "I'm sure she's just snapped and is running around one of the domes in the nude, flapping her arms and trying to fly."

"Thanks for the visual," Jodie scowled at her. "Anyway, if you see her, tell her I was looking for her." Walking away, she suddenly stopped. "You know, I haven't seen Mr. Thorgood for a few days, either."

"Who?" Daria asked.

"Like, the bus driver," Quinn told her.

"Oh." After thinking for a moment, Daria said, "I don't think I've seen him since we got here."

"God, Daria," Jane looked at her, "you seem to be in a haze today."

"I feel like someone has a wet towel wrapped around my brain," Daria confirmed. "Maybe I'm coming down with something."

"It'd be too bad if you caught montezuma or something," Quinn said. When Jane started laughing, she looked over at her and asked, "What's so funny?"

"I think you mean influenza," Daria told her. "Montezuma's Revenge is slang for the runs."

"Ew," Quinn said, looking slightly ill.

"For once we agree."

"Sorry," Jane sniffed, "but you caught me off guard."

"Uh, okay."

"You know," Jane looked at the sisters, "I'm kinda surprised that you two are together. What happened to the 'cousin' thing?"

Quinn rolled her eyes, "Jane, have you looked at what they're making us wear?" She plucked at her gray coverall, "I mean, with this, how much more unfashionable can we get? Besides," she shrugged, "Daria's all the family I have left."