They never knew how they made it out alive. Mostly thanks to Lothar's strenght and Mandrake's illusions, probably. Flash was carrying Dale, so both Rick and April took one of his weapons. They finally made it to the ship which Mandrake had disguised before, so no ice robots were there to guard it.
"Right now, they're following Mungor, thinking it's us," Mandrake said. "Of course that won't work another time. Once Ming realizes he's dealing with illusions, he will make sure his minions won't fall for it again in the future."
"At least it helped us this time," Lothar sighed. "I must admit, it was a close call a few times..." He looked over at Flash. "I know you're the expert pilot, but I've had some experience too. I can try to get us home if you..."
"No," Flash said, gently putting Dale in on of the seats. "I'll do it. They'll be after us in no time. But I know I can shake them."
"Better sit down, kids," Mandrake said. "It looks like it's going to be a bumpy ride again."
Zuffy climbed out of Rick's jacket and looked around in curiosity.
"I see you've found a friend," Lothar said with a smile.
"Yeah, that's Zuffy..."
Rick didn't say much more after that and neither did April. Flash got the ship in the air and as soon as he did, roboships appeared, closing in on them. But Flash was determind to get at least his kids home to safety, no matter what. He fired, he outflew them, he went in all directions - and he succeeded. The ship took a few hits but in the end, they got away and were on their way back to Earth.
They went directly to the Space Center this time instead of landing on Mandrake's lawn. After giving their statements, Mandrake and Lothar were driven home where LJ and Kshin were already waiting for them. They wanted to know all about their adventures, but it was a very sombering moment, having to tell them that somebody lost their life.
„I'm so sorry to hear that," LJ muttered. The excitement was gone. He thought about the fact that this could have been his father, dying on Mongo. It was a scary thought. Adventures were fun and all and LJ loved action and spaceships and superheroes, but this suddenly had become way too real.
„Poor Gordon family," Kshin said, looking down. He was an orphan himself and although he could not remember his parents, he knew that growing up without one or both of them always felt like some part of you was missing. He didn't personally know the Gordon kids, but he really felt for them.
„It's such a tragedy," Mandrake muttered, putting his hands on Kshin's shoulders. He was still shaken by what had happened. „I know they are strong and will pull through this over time, but... I've met Dale Gordon once and always held her in high regard. I can't believe she's no longer with us. Such a tragic death..."
„Let's have something to eat and them turn in early today," Lothar suggested. „We've been gone all day. I'm really hungry and tired and need a shower."
„There was a girl at the door earlier," Kshin remarked when they all sat down for dinner. „She asked for Mandrake and she wanted to come back later when I told her you weren't here."
Mandrake looked confused. „Well, I didn't except any visitors," he said. „But maybe she'll come back tomorrow. I'll find out what I can do for her then."
Kshin didn't know what the girl had wanted either and anyway, the news of Dale Gordon's death was still hanging over them like a black cloud. Neither of them spoke very much and Kshin and LJ went to bed early without complaining soon after.
Indeed Amy had managed to reach the mansion after hours of walking in the hot summer sun. She had felt dirty and dusty and hungry and thirsty and very, very tired. It had been nice of the ederly couple to take her half way, but the journey still had been long and seemingly endless. And after reaching the enormous building, a little asian boy had answered the door, telling her that Mandrake the Magician was not home. She hadn't left a message. What could she have said anyway? She needed to ask her questions in person.
She sat down in the shade of an old tree to wait until the man in question would return home because there was no way she could walk all the way back to Central City. Thankfully, later in the evening, a big black car pulled up and Mandrake got out. She recognized him from the pictures she had seen on the internet. With him was a dark-skinned, muscular guy around the same age. Both entered the house while the car drove away. Still Amy didn't move. She suddenly felt frightened. It felt so real now... what if she would not get her answers? Or what if she didn't like the answers she was getting? Or if she was turned away at the door right away? But she knew she had to try. It was either that or spending the night under that tree. And so she got up and slowly walked towards the huge front door with her old suitcase, her heart beating fast.
„Now who's that?" Lothar wondered when the doorbell rang. It was late and they were tired. But maybe it was someone from the Space Center again, or the Gordons...
„Let's find out," Mandrake suggested. „Although I was just ready to go upstairs and take a shower..."
Mandrake went into the hall and opened the heavy front door, only to find himself face to face with a young girl, a bit older than Kshin was, mit blue eyes and wavy, black hair. She seemed so familiar. He blinked. She looked like the mini me of someone he had once known very well.
„Good evening, young lady," he then said, regaining composure. „How can I help you?"
„I'm... I'm sorry to disturb you, I..." The girl seemed very nervous. She took a deep breath. „You are Mandrake the Magician, right? I do need to talk to you... I'm sorry I'm stopping by so late, I was here earlier and since there's no bus going back to Central City, I just waited and..."
Realizing the girl was very nervous, Mandrake stepped aside and gestured for her to come inside. Yes, it was very late, but... she did look exactly like Cathleen. And she had a suitcase in her hand, which probably meant that she had traveled quite some distance.
„Please, do come in, Miss...?"
„Oh, sorry. My name is Amy. Amy O'Connor."
„O'Connor," Lothar said who was standing behind Mandrake. He, too, seemed to have noticed the similarities between the young girl and their former friend. „You are not, by any chance, related to Cathleen O'Connor?"
„She is my mother," Amy admitted. Mandrake noticed her looking around in the huge entry parlor with the wide steps leading upstairs, the fresh flowers in the vases on the sideboard, the expensive paintings hanging at the walls and the huge windows. All of this was probably not the environment she was used too, judging by her old suitcase and the way she was dressed.
„Well, that's a surprise," Mandrake exclaimed while closing the door behind the girl. „How is she?"
„I wouldn't know, I... she... she disappeared years ago... I've been living with foster parents since," Amy said. „And I am trying to figure out some things about her... and why she left... and I remember her mentioning you, so... I figured I'd start here..."
So Cathleen was still missing. Mandrake and Lothar shared a look. This was getting more and more mysterious. Cathleen had left and then... got pregnant? And then left her own daughter and disappeared again?
„How old are you, dear?" Mandrake suddenly asked. Suddenly, he needed to know.
„Twelve," she replied.
Mandrake and Lothar looked at each other. The possibility that Mandrake shared more with his girl than her mother being his former lover and friend was there...
„What about your father?" Lothar asked directly. „Did your mother ever mention him?"
„No," Amy said, avoiding looking at Mandrake. „But like I said, I do have questions..."
„So do I," Mandrake said in a strange voice. Suddenly, all that happened that day – the fights on Mongo, Dale Gordon's death, and now his potential daughter showing up out of nowhere seemed to be overwhelming. „I'd be very happy if you'd be our guest for a while, Amy. This is my old friend Lothar Kehwabe who also knew your mother very well. His son LJ and my young ward Kshin are already asleep. We've had a rather exhausting day today. Why don't you freshen up and have a little rest and some dinner and then we'll talk tomorrow?"
„Sounds great," Amy nodded.
„Let's show you upstairs then," Lothar suggested.
They went up the stairs with her and showed her to one of the huge guestrooms that had a bathroom next door. The girl stood in the middle of the room and seemed to be amazed by the huge room with the fancy white carpet and the expensive furniture and comfy bed.
„Please, settle in – I'll bring you some dinner in a minute," Lothar said.
„Do you need to call anyone?" Mandrake asked. „Your foster parents, maybe?"
„Thank you, and... no. I doubt they're going to miss me," she said.
Mandrake raised an eyebrow. „I will have to make some calls tomorrow," he said. „At the very least, authorities should be informed about your whereabouts, young lady."
„Let's go get our guest some dinner," Lothar said and Mandrake followed him downstairs.
„Can it be?" he finally asked when they were standing in the kitchen where Lothar was getting some water and leftovers from dinner and carefully arranged everything on a tray.
„Well, my friend... she does look like Cathleen, but don't forget, you also have dark hair and blue eyes," Lothar said. „And the timing would be fitting, too. Of course she will have to tell us more and you should definitely do a paternity test, but..."
„Yes, of course..." Mandrake shook his head. „I can't believe this... if Cathleen really walked away without ever telling me she was carrying my child... I have forgiven her for a lot of things over the years, but this... I don't think I am able to forgive this."
„All the more reasons to find her," Lothar said, and Mandrake agreed – they would do everything in their power to find her now.
