Orbiting Ore Asteroid

"This is such a dull place," Asteria Booster hissed as she came into the apartment that she and her husband, Neptune Booster, shared. "Neptune, where are you? Messing with that robot again?!"

A clang sounded throughout the apartment, "This Rudy Two is junk!" an angry voice shouted.

Asteria wandered through the apartment until she found Neptune, who was standing in the back room with a deactivated Rudy Two in front of him while tools sat scattered all over the floor, "Are you still messing with that robot you stole from the plant?" she hissed darkly. "Cogswell said to destroy it!"

"Oh, Cogswell is old and weak," Neptune hissed. "Rudy One's useless, so I deactivated him."

Asteria scoffed, "Don't you have something to do?" Neptune hissed. "I'm busy with this."

Sighing, Asteria silently left the room, "Instead of going to find that place where Billy played his last concert to harvest valuable resources, we're stuck in this hole," she hissed as she went into their bedroom and gazed at the photo of Neptune, herself, Billy, Jayson, and David that was on the wall.

They had managed quite well as a family for many years until Cogswell of Cogswell Cogs, had contacted Neptune and had demanded that they find the planet where the concert was and harvest it for whatever resources they concert had skyrocketed the popularity of Spacely Sprockets to the point where Cogswell was searching for resources to make new cogs that couldn't be beaten.

Cogswell had a pen-friend in the form of the imprisoned Felonia Funk who had told him about Zuma Zuma. He now believed that the resources of Zuma Zuma could be used to do that and hence, he had demanded the two to leave their children and go harvest the planet, but the Boosters had gotten hopelessly lost.

"I'm going to phone the old house," Asteria spoke softly. "See if our kids are still living there."

Asteria quietly dialed the number and there was no answer, only the recording that invited people to leave a message. As she finished leaving a message, Neptune came into the bedroom angrily.

"Let's accelerate this plan," Neptune hissed. "Cogswell said that there are a bunch of furry creatures in the mine below the plant. We need to make Spacely think that something's wrong so he'll come and once we've done that, we need to review our maps and see if we can't find that planet. There's absolutely nothing valuable here."

Sky's Garage – Orbit City

"Mister Jetson wants his car fixed before he's done work, Billy," Jayson Booster grumbled as he came into the garage and saw Billy already at work on the Jetsons' car. "That guy was a dork."

Billy sighed calmly, "I'm dating Mister Jetson's daughter," he replied patiently. "Be nice."

"I bet that dork and his daughter wouldn't be so nice to you if they found out you were raising me and David cause Mom and Dad took off to some far part of the galaxy to try and find that creepy planet you played your last concert on," Jayson hissed, giving Billy a look. "What was that place called again?"

Billy silently pulled himself out from under the hover-car, "Zuma Zuma and I hope they didn't find it because that place needs to be left alone," he replied quietly. "Did you do your homeschool work?"

"Not yet, but I'll do it before the concert," Jayson promised. "Can I help with the car?"

Billy shook his head, "Homework, now!" he commanded sternly. "I'll finish the car!"

Jayson scoffed, "Judy's gonna break up with you when she sees you raising us," he snipped, his expression dark. "I see her in the news all the time and she's the kind of girl who can't handle kids!"

"She's been in the news promoting the concert," Billy replied quietly. "I've been busy…"

Jayson gave Billy a look, "Look, I'll fix the car and you need to do your schoolwork now so that you can go to the concert tonight, all right?" Billy said, not really having an answer. "Don't worry about it."

Scoffing, as he wasn't fond of Judy or the goody-two-shoes Jetson family, Jayson stalked back into the living quarters and found a message on the phone. Sighing, he pressed the button and his eyes widened.

Spacely Sprockets

"JETSON!"

Wondering what he had done wrong, George yelped and raced down the moving sidewalk from his office to Mr. Spacely's office, "Jetson, I just got a call from someone at InterGalactic Garden Estates that sounded a lot like Rudy Two," Mr. Spacely spoke anxiously. "They say there's a problem at the plant and the Grungies are ill!"

"The Grungies are supposed to be running things and taking care of the Sprockets," George replied anxiously, feeling like he was about to hear of another loss when he had already lost so much.

Mr. Spacely nodded, "That means something's wrong and I need you to leave tonight right after the fundraising concert to go see what it is," he replied anxiously. "I'm being rather generous by letting you wait til after the concert, but Spacely Sprockets is sponsoring it and it would look bad if you weren't there since your daughter is helping put the concert on. Spend the rest of today getting ready to go."

Nodding, George silently left the office and returned to his desk, sighing as he got on the video-phone and called home. He hoped that Jane wouldn't be upset about him having to leave after the concert.

Sky's Garage

"Jayson, I've got to get going to practice!" Jayson heard Billy call out. "Come out here!"

For the past few hours, Jayson had been silently working on homework tapes and contemplating the message from his mother while Billy worked on repairing George Jetson's aging hovercar. Sighing, Jayson silently finished his homework tape and went out into the garage area, "Off to your public life, big brother?" he asked in an annoyed voice. "How long can you keep this secret up?"

"I'm going to tell Judy tonight after the concert," Billy replied anxiously. "How do I look?"

Jayson raised an eyebrow at Billy's blue and white jumpsuit and boots, "Fine," he replied calmly.

Just then, a hoverbus pulled up outside, "Where's that mechanic?" a familiar voice suddenly asked.

Billy froze, not expecting George to be back so quickly, "Coming!" he replied in an anxious voice.

George's eyes widened in surprise when he saw Billy, "Billy, what are you doing here?" he asked in a confused voice, giving him a look. "I thought you were in university with Judy? Do you work here?"

"I'm a couple years older than Judy, as you know, and I went to a two year program when I was 18," Billy replied quietly. "I gave up concerts to run the garage and take care of my two little brothers."

George frowned, "Can't your parents do that?" he asked curiously. "You're awfully young…"

"They left us after that concert on Zuma Zuma and gave me custody," Billy replied in a quiet, somber voice, unable to look George in the eye. "I gave up concerts because my brothers need me."

George sighed calmly, suddenly feeling immense compassion for the young man, "Tell you what, Billy; why don't you and your brothers come over for dinner tonight before the concert?" he suggested kindly. "Rosie makes some pretty good food and it will give you a break from having to make supper."

"I've got homework tapes," Jayson grumbled from the other room. "Thanks for asking."

Billy sighed patiently, "When David gets home from school, I'll ask him," he replied in a tired voice, worn down by Jayson's attitude. "I appreciate the invitation, though, Mister Jetson. Um, your car's all ready."

Nodding, George pulled his wallet out and handed a pile of credits over to Billy, "There's a little extra in there for you," he spoke in a calm voice. "My car looks pretty good. Where did you learn all that?"

"Please don't tell Judy, sir," Billy spoke nervously, putting the money in his desk jar. "I want to."

George nodded and climbed into his car, "See you later," he spoke in a calm voice.

As George's car took off into the sky, Billy silently closed the doors and locked them, "Are you sure you don't want to go to rehearsal with me?" he asked kindly, looking at Jayson. "David's meeting me there."

"I've got a lot of homework tapes and I promise to meet you and David at the concert later, bro," Jayson lied, giving Billy a fake tired look. "I have the pass and I'll sit with David during the concert."

Billy nodded and grabbed his bag, "All right," he replied kindly. "Be good, bro. Love you lots."

Once Billy had taken off in his small car, Jayson grabbed the paper he had written his mother's message on, a secret bag he had packed that had his Earth passport and ID, and went out into the front room.

Swallowing hard, Jayson flung the money jar against a window, causing it and the window to break. He then quickly gathered up all of the money and hurried off to the nearest public bus stop. He wasn't aware that breaking the window triggered a silent alarm that would notify the police.

It didn't take Jayson long to reach Grand Central Space Station and he silently used the money to buy a ticket on a cheap shuttle to the Orbiting Ore Asteroid. His mother's message had been clear in that she missed him, Billy, and David and wished they could all be together at the asteroid and be a family.

"I'll call Billy once I'm there and back with Mom and Dad," Jayson muttered as he boarded his shuttle.

Orbit City University

The stage was a large platform that university staff had erected specifically for the concert, as the profits from the concert were meant to help the schools in the city. Judy was tired from classes, but she was excited to finally be doing another rock concert, as she hadn't done one since the one on Zuma Zuma.

She had wanted to make a career of singing, but Billy had suddenly faded into obscurity after the concert and her parents had talked her into focusing on her education. For the past two years, Judy had graduated high school and had enrolled in university because she was in no hurry to get married like her parents were. Her parents had always loved her and Elroy and had done whatever they could to give them opportunity, but both of them had always also been very protective of both her and Elroy.

As Judy carried her guitar across the platform to its stand, she noticed Starr and Ram sitting in the seats below, talking quietly with somber expressions on their faces. Nicky and Iona were further back, both of them smiling and chatting to each other while poring over a large holo-novel from the library.

Concerned about Starr, Judy put her guitar on the stand, got on her hoverboard, and zipped down to Ram and Starr, "…There's nothing to it," Ram was saying anxiously. "We'll have to get married soon."

Judy frowned in confusion and Starr looked at Judy, "This concert will be my last for a while," Starr spoke in a distressed voice. "Ram and I weren't careful and, well…I'm expecting a baby…"

Starr sighed heavily, "We got too close too fast and we're still so young," she spoke anxiously.

"What can I do to help?" Judy asked, taking a seat next to them. "I'm sure I can do something."

Starr shrugged, "We're going to have to get married soon," she spoke softly. "I don't know…"

"We'll do what we have to," Ram spoke anxiously. "I love you Star and I won't leave."

Just then, Billy came into view on a scooter that had David and his schoolbag sitting on the back, "Who's the kid with Billy?" Ram asked as the scooter came down next to the seats. "What's up, Booster?"

"David, I want you to sit here and do your homework while we practice, okay?" Billy spoke gently, ignoring Ram as he sat David and his stuff in a seat. "We were invited to dinner tonight…"

Judy smiled as she approached them, "My dad told me," she replied kindly. "Who's your friend?"

"Judy, this is my little brother, David," Billy replied nervously. "David, this is my girlfriend."

David nodded and nervously went about doing his homework, "I've been raising him and my teenage brother, Jayson, for the past two years," Billy spoke quietly. "Ever since our last concert…"

Judy's eyes widened, "My parents left after our concert," Billy explained, staring at the ground. "I finished school, opened a garage, and I've been doing mechanic work to support my brothers…"

Starr and Ram looked shocked, but didn't say anything as Nicky and Iona approached, "We're all here," Iona spoke in a pleasant voice. "We should really get to practice so we have time for supper."

Billy nodded and avoided looking at Judy as they all took their places onstage, "What song should we start with?" he asked, determined to stay focused even though his and Judy's relationship might be hurt.

Skypad Apartments

"…No, George, Rudy Two isn't here," Lucy Two spoke in an anxious voice as she faced George on the video-phone after he had reached her apartment. "I haven't seen him in quite some time."

George frowned, "I heard from Mister Spacely that the Grungies are sick and no longer running the plant," he replied in a concerned voice, his expression worried. "If Rudy Two is missing…"

"The plant's been quiet for some time, so it might be true," Lucy Two replied. "Unfortunately, I don't have access to the plant because I'm not staff and I don't want Teddy Two going there alone. The last time Rudy Two went to the plant, he didn't come back and that really worries me…"

George sighed as Jane came into the room, "Any word on the crisis?" Jane asked worriedly.

"No, and I can't even get a hold of Rudy Two," George replied worriedly, frowning at her. "If Judy's concert weren't so important, I'd leave right now and make it there by early tomorrow morning."

Jane sighed, "I know you want to be at all the kids's events," she replied supportively.

"I put my work before Sirius and Calli and look what happened to them," George spoke bitterly, looking at Lucy Two. "Don't tell anyone, but I'm on my way up to see what the issue with the Grungies is and maybe while I'm there, I can find what happened to Rudy Two. I'll see you later, Lucy; all right?"

The call ended and George sighed, "You have to stop blaming yourself for Sirius and Calli, dear," Jane replied quietly, giving him a hug. "We didn't know that trying to leave Pluto would kill them."

"They're why I'm so eager to be there for Judy and Elroy as much as I can be," George replied.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Rosie answered it, "Mister J., it's the police," she announced.

Deeply concerned as to what the police wanted, George and Jane came to the door, "Jetson residence?" the cop asked in a concerned voice. "Your address is listed as an emergency contact for Billy Booster, owner of Sky's Garage. I can't contact the owner and a burglar alarm was triggered a while ago…"

"Billy's with my daughter and her friends," George explained. "They're at the university…"

The cop nodded, "We need to get in touch with Billy Booster right away," he replied anxiously.

George looked worried, "I can drive with you to the university," he offered anxiously.

Orbit City University

As the notes of the final song faded away, Billy touched his hoverboard to the stage and held his guitar at his side. They were going to be singing 10 different songs that evening and they had sounded pretty good, but there had been an unusual tension in the air; a tension that they needed to talk about.

"Judy, we should talk," Billy spoke quietly as he approached her. "About what I said…"

Judy sighed, "You're doing a good thing, raising your brothers," she replied quietly. "I love you for it."

"I know you were probably hoping to get married young, but I'm not sure that's going to be possible," Billy spoke in a nervous voice. "I know you told me your parents married young, but…"

Judy smiled at him, "Let's just be happy with what we have until we both feel ready to have more," she replied in a gentle voice, giving him a hug. "My parents…they sometimes seem sad about…"

Suddenly, George and the police officer came on to the stage, "Are you Billy Booster?" the cop asked.

Billy and Judy turned to face the cop, who was holding Jayson's note, "A silent alarm went off at your garage and I checked it out," the cop explained. "A window was broken and there was a broken jar…"

"A broken jar?" Billy replied, frowning as he snatched the note and read it. "Oh….oh, no no…"

Judy frowned and touched Billy's arm worriedly as Ram, Starr, Iona, and Nicky gathered, "My teenage brother took the money and his space passport to go try and find our parents," Billy explained in a sad, shaken voice, his expression somber as he looked at the group. "Where is the Orbiting Ore Asteroid?"

"I'm supposed to go up there after the concert," George replied worriedly. "Your brother went there?"

Billy nodded, deeply distraught, "Do you want to press charges?" the cop asked worriedly.

"No, I'll handle it from here," Billy replied in a nervous voice, not wanting to get Jayson in trouble.

The cop nodded and left, "Look, Billy, I have to go up there anyway, so I can keep my eye out for your brother while I'm there," George spoke in a comforting voice. "Why don't you and David stay with my family tonight and you can go take care of your house in the morning? There's plenty of room."

Billy nodded and shrugged, shocked that Jayson would go after parents that were focused on nothing but greed. He knew his parents had gone to the Asteroid seeking fortune from it and nearby planets, not caring who they hurt in the process of getting it. George put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I'm going to go right after the concert," George spoke in a kind voice. "I promise I'll find him."

The expression on Billy's face did nothing to comfort George's unease about the situation.

Hours later, music and cheering filled the auditorium as the concert progressed with George, Jane, Elroy, David, Mr. Spacely, and other close friends filling the front seats while the rest of the city and out-of-towners filled the other seats. Dinner at the Jetson house had been a quiet event and the group had come back, dressed in concert attire, and were now on the verge of finishing their fundraiser concert.

As the music died down, applause filled the stadium and cheers rang out as Billy, Judy, Starr, Ram, Iona, and Nicky all lined up for bows. The crowds cheered as they made their way off the stage.

"Well, Judy, it's time for me to take off," George apologized as he, Jane, Elroy, and David approached Billy, Judy, Starr, Ram, Iona, and Nicky. "I'm going to take a speedy shuttle so you have the car and I invited Billy and David to stay the night at the apartment. Judy, please behave yourselves there…"

Judy nodded, thinking of how Starr and Ram were now facing parenthood too soon because they had crossed boundaries, "Don't worry, Daddy," she promised. "Elroy can share his room with David…"

"And I'll take the couch," Billy promised, knowing George would kill him for messing around.

George swallowed hard, his mind on Sirius and Calli as he looked at Judy and Elroy, "I may be too overprotective of you two at times, Judy and Elroy, but stuff happened that made me that way," he explained, wanting to share what he could. "I just want to make sure I'm there for you both."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Elroy asked in a stunned voice. "You're a good dad."

Judy looked surprised, "If something ever happened to either of you, I wouldn't be able to take it," George admitted shakily, giving both Judy and Elroy a hug. "You both mean the world to me."

Jane's eyes widened in shock and she gave George a gentle hug and kiss, "You'd better hurry, George, so you don't miss your speedy shuttle," she commented, handing him his expanding suitcase. "Love you."

"Love you too, Jane," George replied, grateful that Jane had helped him. "Will you tell the kids about why I was...?"

Jane nodded, knowing it was important to George, "I will," she promised. "Please be careful."

"It's probably just something minor and then I'll be back," George promised as he left the auditorium.

Little did George or anyone else know that the problems at the Orbiting Ore Asteroid were not so simple, would not be solved quickly, and would force the past and present to combine dramatically.

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