Herbert Haney couldn't believe what his eyes were telling him, and wasn't entirely sure of what his heart was telling him. That's her, he thought as the face of his one-time love, Zoe Belnap, gazed at him from the TV screen in the teacher's lounge. Why has she come back? Those alien police officers told me that she and the girls were illegal immigrants from outer space. Could that charge have been fabricated by her planet's dictatorship? He dearly hoped so.

Rodentia, seated next to the coffee maker and eating from a container of szechuan pasta, grinned knowingly at the principal. "I'm happy for you, Herb. I never would've suspected that Zoe was off fighting for liberty on another planet. No wonder she didn't return your calls."

Mr. Haney gave her an earnest look. "Call Nigel," he requested. "Tell him I'll need a substitute for next week. I'm going to her."

The rat woman grinned again. "You go, Romeo."

The report of the apparent alien exodus to Earth passed quickly from one student to another, until the entire school was abuzz with the astonishing news. In the cafeteria, the kids in Mrs. Krantz' class and their friends hardly touched their food as they discussed the state of affairs in rural Minnesota.

"If four thousand aliens had suddenly landed in England, no one would have noticed," Beat remarked. "Everyone would have taken it for a Doctor Who convention."

"I don't believe her story about Yordil being a dictatorship," said Buster. "When I was there, all I saw was nice houses and pretty girls. Everybody seemed happy."

"Uh-huh," said Sue Ellen with a hint of disbelief. "I went to Beijing, and that's what I saw. But in China you still have to register your religion with the government, and you can't have more than one baby."

As Prunella listened eagerly to the conversation, she felt an odd compulsion to ask a particular question. "Sue Ellen," she addressed the cat girl, "you should go to Minnesota and meet with the Yordilian refugees. They're your people, after all. You can learn about their culture and values without having to leave Earth."

Sue Ellen shook her head. "I've learned everything I want to know about their culture and values."

Alan opened his mouth to talk, but Prunella interrupted, determined to press the issue for a reason she couldn't explain. "Even if you can't learn anything from them, they can learn plenty about Earth life from you. You could be a diplomat, like your dad."

Her words mildly stunned the other kids, who wondered whether the rat girl had forgotten that Mr. Armstrong was, in actuality, a Yordilian agent.

"That was a joke," said Prunella. A few of her friends chuckled.

"First I want to know why they're really here," said Sue Ellen suspiciously.

"What difference does it make?" said Prunella, gesticulating. "They can't invade, because they didn't bring any weapons with them."

"They don't need weapons," Sue Ellen insisted. "They are weapons. April and I fought Amy Belnap two-on-one, and she kicked both our butts."

I must convince her, thought Prunella. But how? And why is this suddenly so important to me?

When lunch was over, the kids returned to their desks in Mrs. Krantz' classroom, but even then they talked about the alien visitors incessantly. The moose woman, seeing she needed to take drastic steps to recapture their imagination, announced loudly, "I'm sorry to inform you that I'm resigning as your teacher, and Miss Ratburn will be taking my place."

The students turned as one to face her and screamed, "NOOOOOO!"

"Now that I have your undivided attention," said Mrs. Krantz as the terrified shrieks died down, "let's get on with today's lesson. Who can tell me how river deltas are formed?"

Just as Beat was raising her hand, the voice of the principal sounded over the public address speakers. "Attention, all students," he said solemnly. "As I will be away on travel during the coming week, Nigel Ratburn will temporarily assume my position as Lakewood principal."

"NOOOOOO!" the kids screamed again.

"Please give him your full support," Mr. Haney went on, "and heed his words as you heed mine. Haney out."

He must be going to Minnesota, Sue Ellen thought. Why not tag along? It should be fun and informative. Maybe I'll even see a moose.

"Once again," said the moose standing directly in front of her, "who knows how river deltas are formed?" Sue Ellen swiftly raised her hand. "Yes, dear?"

I've talked to you about calling me 'dear' in front of my classmates, thought Sue Ellen bitterly. "Uh, Mom," she said, eliciting giggles from the other girls, "I'd like permission to go to Minnesota with Mr. Haney so I can meet the Yordilians."

"Of course you can go, dear," said Mrs. Krantz.

The other kids muttered to each other as they watched Sue Ellen's lips spread into a glowing smile. Francine's hand shot up. "I want to go too, Mom," she said jokingly.

"Now, now," the teacher scolded her gently. "Muffy, George, and Van are still unaccounted for. If the rest of you go on trips, I'm afraid my class may disappear completely."

No sooner had the period ended, when Sue Ellen hurried through the center court to find Principal Haney behind his desk, wistfully sucking on a lollipop. "Mr. Haney, sir," she said meekly, "I want to go with you to Minnesota so I can meet the aliens. I have permission to go from Mrs. Krantz…er, my mom."

Before Mr. Haney had a chance to pull out the lollipop and speak, Prunella bounded into the office, landing with a click of her heels at Sue Ellen's left side. "I want to go with you as well," she said without a moment's pause.

Bemused, the principal looked back and forth between the two girls. "Er…ah…" he stammered.

Sue Ellen glared in surprise at her friend. "You want to go too? Why?"

Prunella shrugged. "I don't need a reason. I'm spontaneous."

"This isn't a field trip, ladies," said Mr. Haney sternly. "I'm going to Minnesota for very personal reasons."

"Well, so am I," Sue Ellen stated. "My real parents are from Yordil."

"And so am I," claimed Prunella. "My horoscope said I'd find success, health, and true love by going on a long trip."

The principal stared and wondered. I could use the company, he thought, but I've never taken such a long road trip with kids before. This is most definitely a three-lollipop problem.

To be continued! Please review!