He had gotten word from the Arbiter. Fugitives had escaped from Zirak IV, once under Zoron control before said fugitives managed to destroy the Roachians having conquered it. These fugitives were trying to find their way back to Sol III. And the Empire would be pursuing them because of something they had caught onto…

As if finding themselves on Zaterra wasn't enough, a run-in with the Empire had the fugitives overhear their plans for a second invasion. About Project Evolution.

Even with the Energizer Fluid, the Zoron minds could only do so much. Thankfully, the wooden man had allowed use of the laboratory section of the amusement park base. The tests with D13 were running a lot more smoothly, especially with the one who knew how it worked.

But Cosmoron had already begun considering an alternative. A backup plan, should the final result of the experiments and project fail. For this, he managed to find the Roachians stationed on Earth as spies. But believed to be mere nuisances, they were easily slain, given the name Splatters for how they perished. Thus they developed a plan to snatch beings of this planet and bring them back to Zirak IV, then implant them with a bomb powerful enough to prove genocidal and make the planet ripe for conquering. Whether inside or on the being would be effective.

But that bomb was destroyed. Thus, Cosmoron had ordered the Roachians to make a more powerful bomb, all while his own scientists continued construction on the weapon it would be installed into, all thanks to the Martian's spacecraft.

"I've been informed from the Arbiter that the blockade around the planet was unable to stop the Traveler from getting through." Cosmoron spoke to the Roachian. "Is it ready?"

The Bio Organic Obliteration Trigger is the most powerful bomb you have ever had us design. Glortt replied. It will take longer than usual, even with our trelth-level intellects. At full capability, the results will be…planetary destruction.

"He will find that this planet will not be so easily conquered, as we did the hard way. This will act as a failsafe, should the subject and the weapon both fail."

And what IS this…weapon?

"Built by reverse-engineering the technology of the craft of the so-called Martian. The Galactic Otherworldly Ravager Titan will be the ultimate mecha of the Zoron Empire. I will be the one piloting it, only if the subject fails."

So why are you having the bomb inside?

"A failsafe. Should this fail as well. Its self-destruct sequence will be activated, passcode Klaatu Barada Nikto. Galactic Basic for Glory To The Empire. If the Zoron Empire cannot have Soll III, no one can."

The wooden man does not seek the annihilation of this planet.

"He won't know. This will only be enacted when our hand is forced. When we have no other choice. If this is the only way to end our opposition, so be it. Should the bomb be attemped to be deactivated in any way, it is set off early."

Thus destroying all humans. This will be the instrument of both of our revenge.

"But the fugitives have heard of this. I have sent out soldiers to find them and use the Neuralizer on them. It has a similar energy to the Mind Stealer. Once they forget, they won't be able to warn our enemies of our plans. The Traveler has entered the planet's atmosphere, and they've pinpointed where it's landing. It won't be long. But keep these plans to ourselves. None of our Ultraterrestrial allies must know of this."

And if there are any eavesdroppers?

"This is a secluded area of the laboratory. Off limits. No one often investigates this place. It is still incomplete. We have only a few hours before the Horrors return to resume construction."

Then are we done here?

"Yes. I'll need to check on our progress. Again, inform no one but those we can TRULY rely on for this."

Yes, my Furon.

As the Roachian skittered away, Cosmoron followed and left the restricted area. When asked what he was doing there by a Horror, he responded that he was checking how the progress was going. He was given a warning, but it did little to threaten him.

At the labs, he met back up with those who had set up a base camp. It was then that the squad returned back to base via the teleporter.

"Furon Cosmoron, it is done." A soldier spoke. "We have tracked the Traveler to the abandoned quarters in the forest around the settlement. The stealth approach proved highly effective. With the Neuralizer, all three fugitives have been successfully mind-wiped."

"How many memories?"

"Only the one of them eavesdropping on our endgame agenda. They recall nothing."

"That will be enough. You have completed your mission faithfully. You are debriefed and dismissed."

"Yes, Furon."

As they left, Cosmoron noticed one of the purple reptilian beings in the background among the other monsters. That reminded him. The wooden man had gotten in contact with Zaterra, as well as the new Commander of their race. He recalled the Zoron Empire having a few run-ins. They were more of a neutral race, only seeking for universal domination in their own way by converting other lifeforms into their own.

It seemed for now, they had called a truce. But he couldn't help but wonder just how long that truce would last…

CORY

No such luck with the incantation in that super creepy memory. All I got was just how powerful Fear sounded. But Slappy seemed scared to death of him. How did Fear know of the incantation? Maybe he had seen Darkwell make it? I'll have to find a different memory then.

Problem is, Slappy must've sensed I was there. Now, all of his memory doors are locked. He's shut himself out. But maybe I can get it from ANOTHER dummy…

I recall Jimmy telling me about Wally. The incantation is able to bring HIM to life as well. He looks like an exact double of Slappy, but a giveaway is the color of his eyes. They're blue, not green.

Ricky and Brooke were the ones who went to Dead House last night, and they reported seeing some kind of high-tech spaceship there. The name on the side labeled it The Traveler. Maybe it was a passenger craft.

Regardless, the Many Mysteries Club brought me, Lisa, Billy, Sammy, and Mirpo over to meet with the three passengers it was carrying. And they have…quite the story.

A father with a son and daughter. Eric, Jacob, and Arlene Miller. We've caught them up on all that's been going on. They had been captured and taken to a planet called Zirak IV, which had been under the command of small bug aliens called Roachians, aka Splatters. They erased their memories and had a revenge plan for how we killed their spies and infiltrators on Earth, but thankfully it was stopped.

"They had made a bomb meant to wipe out humanity and make the planet ripe for conquering." Eric said. "And they had planted it right in my wrist watch. After tossing it to my son, he destroyed it, making it emit a high-pitched squeal, killing the Splatters, including their leader Grolff."

"Dermar, the mayor-governor of the Zirakian's civilization, declared us heroes." Jacob continues. "The celebration party lasted for days, as the people of this planet had actually suffered under the wrath of the Splatters for years, and now they were finally free. They gave us a ride home, courtesy of a man called Crazy Old Phil."

"However, we ended up on ANOTHER planet looking just like Earth." Arlene said. "This one had purple lizard people wearing human disguises."

"Two Clone Planets…" Billy notes. "What did they call the planet you were on?"

"Zaterra." This seems to get Ricky's attention.

"Woah…you were at the homeworld of the Creeps?!" He asks. "What did you see there?"

"They were preparing to follow a contact to Earth, some of them disguising themselves as humans." Jacob states. "And they were being led by a Commander called Sauria. He looked a lot bigger than the others, and even had a crown!"

"A new commander…" Ricky gulps. "He must be even more dangerous than I was."

"We also encountered the Zoron Empire, but our minds were completely blank until the point we reached Earth." Eric says. "But we DO remember everything else…"

"I'll contact my people. They're with the Galactic Government." Billy says. "I'll let them know that Zirak IV has been liberated. But last I got in touch with them, they said spies informed them that the Zoron Empire is working on something. Something BIG."

"Plus, you got a pretty neat ship there!" Mirpo says. "I bet with a few upgrades she'll be ready for some action!"

"I think I recall a woman with the name of Miller." Brooke adds. "Maybe she's your wife."

"Angela…yes, of course! It's coming back to me now!" Eric says. "She must've been worried sick about our disappearance. Hopefully she's still around."

"Well, I guess we should get going now." Jacob says as the trio begins to leave.

"Remember, if you hear of something alien-related, make sure you come to us to clarify if it's real." I say. "And another thing: You can't tell anyone else outside the Club and Society about ANY of this!"

They agree, and as they leave, I only think back at how harder this secret is to keep. How can you possibly cover up a giant bug attack?! No way are people going to forget it anytime soon! Maybe they'll see it as a one-time thing and move on.

In my book, that exposure meant failure and a screw-up. But it's something we can learn and bounce back from. It might die down with time, but I've sworn to make sure that something like that NEVER happens again. If Slappy wants to show and remind the world that monsters are real…he'll have to go through us first…