They were now finally on their way to that part of space where the kids had first shown up. Dylan had told everyone that they'd have a farewell dinner together before the ship was launched. And so it was that Rommie was doing something that she normally never did. She was supervising the food preparation. This was because she had to make sure that the right food was drugged. Then she got an idea. Alexandra's meal would be the last meal that she prepared. Only she'd serve it first. Rommie would do this personally. It would make sure that none of the others ingested what they weren't supposed to. That should work.

And that's what she did. Rommie walked to the Obs Deck where the banquet table was set up. Everyone was seated around it. Rommie

walked straight up to Alexandra. "Here, Alexandra. Why don't you go first. I'll serve you personallly."

"Naturally. That is how it should be." She began eating as the bots served everybody else.

Dylan, Alan and Alexander, the only others besides Rommie who knew about the plan kept quiet. The meal passed rather pleasantly. Then suddenly, Alexandra keeled over, asleep. Everybody, with those few exceptions previously mentioned were stunned. Dylan quickly explained.

Tellingly, of those that had just found out, not one objected. Quickly she was tied up and brought to the kids ship. Just in time too. They were now in the part of space they needed to be in. But where was the hole?

"The ship is ready to luanch", Andromeda told them. We just need somewhere to aim."

And like a beacon, it was suddenly there, just waiting for them. "I don't think my crew and I will ever forget you or the time that you spent aboard,", Dylan told Alan.

"We won't either. Good luck with the Commonwealth. Though I have a feeling you'll succeed." Alan and Alexander carried Alexandra into the ship.

They had all said goodbye. Everyone and everything was ready. There just remained on thing more. Melody, Harper and Beka were standing outside the ships door. "I guees I gotta go now", Melody said.

Harper nodded. "Yeah, well, take good care of yourself. You gotta make sure I come into exisistance, you know."

Melody giggled. "I know. O.K. I will."

She turned to Beka. "This is good bye."

Beka wasn't getting choked up. No, she wasn't. "Uh-look-Mel-I--."

"You called me Mel! Only my bestest friends call me that."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"No! I'm glad you did. It's great. It means that we really are best friends. You won't ever forget me, will you, Bek?'

Beka smiled at the name that only her best friends called her as well. Then she grinned. "I think I can almost guarantee that I will never forget you or your friends Mel." Then with a last hug between the three of them Melody entered the ship.

The crew cleared out of the Hangar Deck. "All clear for launch", Andromeda annouced. And the ship went straight for the hole.